Bernards Township Mayor Says Farewell

Bernards Township, NJ -- Township Mayor John Malay bid farewell to his fellow committee members and the public at his final meeting last night.

Malay has served on the Township Committee since 2002 and served as mayor in 2015 and in previous years in 2011 and 2006. He has been a Bernards Township resident since 1995 with wife Jan and daughter Lauren, who is a Ridge High School Graduate.

“Being a mayor is not an easy part-time job,” Malay said at the Dec. 29 Committee meeting. ”But it is made a lot easier by the staff we have and the folks that sit up here and all the employees. This is an amazing town and an extraordinary place to be an elected official and I feel privileged to have been able to do this for a third time.”

Each year the all-Republican Township Committee will appoint the mayor for a one year position. Usually the deputy mayor is the one to take the reins.

Currently, Carol Bianchi is the deputy mayor and will most likely become mayor in 2016.

“You were the most excellent mayor and it was a pleasure serving as deputy,” an emotional Bianchi said at the meeting.

“I would like to commend John for his leadership this year,” said Committeeman John Carpenter.

A new mayor will be appointed at the committee’s reorganization meeting slated for Monday, Jan.4 at 7 p.m. at the municipal complex.

(Photo, Mayor John Malay)