Meet Long Valley's New Mayor Michael Marino

LONG VALLEY, NJ — In a surprising turn of events at the Washington Township annual reorganization meeting, longtime Mayor Matt Murello stepped into a new role for 2025, leaving many wondering who would take the helm as the new township mayor.

Michael Marino was selected to lead the all-Republican Township Committee, with Matt Murello stepping into the role of vice mayor.

Marino’s appointment as mayor was unanimously approved by his fellow committee members, including Murello, following his two years of service as vice mayor.

Patch spoke to the new mayor to learn about his plans for Washington Township in 2025 and beyond:

What makes you the best person for this position?

I would never claim to be the best candidate for this position, as there are undoubtedly many talented individuals who are well-qualified. However, I believe that my professional experiences have endowed me with certain qualities that uniquely position me to serve as Mayor.

I can categorize these qualities into three main areas:

• Problem Solving: I possess a keen ability to identify the core of an issue and devise the optimal solution by engaging the right professionals.
• Empathy: I have a genuine capacity to place myself in others' shoes, deeply understanding their feelings and perspectives.
• Communication: Borrowing a term from the medical field, I believe in having an excellent "bedside manner." It is crucial to communicate not necessarily what people want to hear but what they need to hear and doing so with compassion and clarity.

What are the major challenges facing the community and how would you address them?

Washington Township spans 44 square miles and encompasses approximately 141 miles of township-maintained roadways. One of our perennial challenges remains the efficient and cost-effective maintenance of our infrastructure, especially in an environment of rising inflation. We take pride in our top-notch Department of Public Works (DPW) and the committee is committed to providing them with the necessary tools to benefit our residents.

Regarding the safety of our residents, our volunteer firefighters, first aid and rescue workers and police department work tirelessly around the clock, fielding calls 24/7. This commitment requires us to keep our equipment and vehicles in top shape—a challenging task, particularly with higher inflation rates.

Nonetheless, it is of critical importance and we will continue to strive to maintain this high standard. We accomplish this through financial prudence and fiscal responsibility. By maximizing our revenue sources and seeking shared services, we can leverage the size of our municipality to achieve economies of scale. Additionally, we actively pursue grants to further support our community.

We also strive to be financially astute on the expenditure side of our budgeting by fostering economies of scale in our project management within each department.

What, according to you, is the best part about living in Long Valley?

The enduring traditions and charm of Long Valley make it a truly wonderful place to live. I find great pleasure in listening to stories from our seasoned firefighters and farmers, and it's heartening to see these traditions upheld by the younger generation.

While I’ve seen many other communities change over the years, the rich heritage, unique character, charm and beauty of our town has been preserved.