New Mayor, Deputy Mayor Sworn In During Lacey Reorg Meeting

LACEY, NJ — Steven Kennis will serve as Lacey's mayor and Robert Laureigh as deputy mayor for 2026.

The two were unanimously nominated and sworn in for the roles at the Lacey Township Committee reorganization meeting on Jan. 1.

Lacey operates under the township form of municipal government, where a member of the Township Committee is selected to serve as mayor each year.

Laureigh, in his second year on the committee, expressed gratitude for being selected as deputy mayor.

"This is only my second year and for them [the committee] to give me the backing to be deputy mayor is really an honor," he said.

Kennis thanked Committeeman Peter Curatolo, 2025's mayor, for the work he did. He also joked that he liked serving as Curatolo's deputy mayor, as Curatolo enjoys going to things like ribbon cuttings, and Kennis does not.

"Bob is not going to be that lucky," Kennis joked.

Various municipal appointments and committee assignments were also made at the meeting.