Mayor's Message

Mayor Janet W. Tucci
Mayor Janet W. Tucci

RESIDENTS OF WEST LONG BRANCH 

Thank you, West Long Branch residents, for the continued support and public trust that you have extended to me as your Mayor. I consider it an honor and privilege to volunteer my time and service to you.  I promise to always do my best to uphold your confidence. 

Congratulations to recently re-elected Council members Christopher Neyhart and Matthew Sniffen. They both devote countless hours to Borough business and issues.  These gentlemen are particularly responsive to the concerns of all residents. They work tirelessly to resolve any problems by communicating with the public, whenever called upon.    

I would like to acknowledge and publicly thank our other dedicated council members.  Stephen Bray, John Penta, James Gomez and Steven Cioffi who devote countless hours to Borough business with utmost honesty, dedication and commitment. Your governing body is committed to aggressively seeking ways to stabilize our municipal tax rate by continuing to explore ways to save money through shared services and consolidation, without sacrificing quality services to residents. 

We saw history being made in West Long Branch by the swearing in of our first female Police Chief Marlowe Botti. Now she and I will go down in the archives of West Long Branch as being the first two women to hold the office of Police Chief and Mayor in our town!  Chief Botti has risen through ranks replacing recently retired Chief Paul Habermann. Both of these individuals exemplify quality leadership.  We wish the best to retired Chief Habermann and know that his replacement will proudly serve our town with dedicated, professional leadership.  Best wishes also to Lieutenant Brian Ellis and Corporal Nicholas Ferrugiaro who also retired this past year.  We have promoted two new lieutenants, Brian Burton and Michael Paolantonio, as well as two new Sergeants, Scott Rockhill and Robert Knott.  Our town has hired three new police officers as well – Alonso Olsen, James Belknap and Angelo Marrone.  May God watch over all of the members of our dedicated police department and keep them safe.  

We welcome our new Business Administrator Jason Gonter who replaces Stephanie Dollinger who has relocated out of state.  He has hit the ground running and is busy dealing with all Borough business.  Congratulations to Carolina Santos, who was officially appointed as our Borough Clerk in July.   

Due to voting redistricting in New Jersey, West Long Branch is now in District 13.  We will be represented by Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assembly Members Vicky Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger.  Please reach out to them if needed. 

A special thank you to all our West Long Branch volunteer Board and Commission members who do such wonderful work for our residents of all ages.  Our town events are absolutely amazing and keep getting better and better!  And to our many residents, as well as Monmouth University, who have made yearly donations for our July 4th fireworks, a special “THANK YOU” – your generous financial support is greatly appreciated and helps us to continue this long-time tradition. 

Our town has a new ambulance which will be dedicated this weekend.  Our EMS volunteer members truly deserve this state of the arts vehicle. We have received a $100,000 grant from the state for recreational improvements to be used at Valenzano Park. We will also begin construction of a new public works building which is so badly needed.  And through the relentless and tireless efforts of Councilman John Penta, we now will begin to see the installation of FIOS in West Long Branch in 2024.   

West Long Branch continues to be a great place to live and raise a family.  We are so very fortunate to have so many residents who volunteer their time and talents! 

In closing, as your Mayor, I reaffirm my commitment to keep West Long Branch the wonderful town that it is. I will continue to provide an open line of communication, with problem-solving responsiveness, to all residents.     

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year filled with good health, peace and happiness. 

                       GOD BLESS AMERICA