Josh Halpern Appointed Fair Haven Mayor Filling Unexpired Term

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — Fair Haven has a new mayor after the sudden departure of Ben Lucarelli last month.

Borough Council members voted unanimously to appoint Josh Halpern at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Born and raised in Monmouth County, Halpern moved to Fair Haven in 2011 after living in New York City. He works as director of sales for an international packaging company, according to his biography.

Halpern said he felt the need to serve the community.

"Not only set a good example for my kids and the youth of our Borough but also to give back to a community that has given so much to us is an indescribable honor," he told Patch. " Looking forward to collaborating with the residents, business owners, council, volunteers, and Borough personnel. There is a tremendous amount of passion and community in Fair Haven and if properly harnessed the positive impact to the Borough will be substantial."

While he is a fresh face to Fair Haven politics, he previously served on executive boards for various co-ops and apartment buildings with responsibility for reviewing financial statements and negotiating leases in New York.

Halpern is also a registered 9/11 rescue/recovery worker who supported the rescue and cleanup effort of the Twin Towers by helping to feed frontline emergency personnel in the aftermath of the attacks, the bio also says.

READ MORE: Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli Resigns, Effective Immediately

READ MORE: Fair Haven Council Sparring Precedes Mayor's Resignation

Councilman Michael McCue made the motion to nominate Halpern and there was no discussion or comments.

Councilman Christopher Rodriguez congratulated the new mayor during the meeting.

"All of the candidates the GOP submitted possess good qualifications. I am honored to serve with Josh during his appointment as mayor," he told Patch.

Halpern's term expires on Dec. 31, 2022. He will take his oath of office at the next town meeting, on Oct. 25, which he will then preside over.

Current councilwoman Elizabeth Koch and former councilman Jon Peters were the other two names put forward by the Fair Haven Republican Committee.

"The Committee is very impressed with the qualifications of each candidate and their genuine interest in our community," the letter presented to the council read.

In his letter of resignation, Lucarelli did not say why he was leaving after nine years as mayor.

His last council meeting, just one day before the announcement, was marked by sparring between the mayor and councilwoman Meghan Chrisner-Keefe.