Ritter Out As Chatham Township Mayor

CHATHAM, NJ - The new year is bringing a new mayor to Chatham Township as Curt Ritter announced via video Thursday he is not seeking a fourth term.

In the video, Ritter discusses accomplishments of the Township Committee over the last year including hiring a police chief, the marijuana ban ordinance, reorganization of the CERT program, as well as the AAA rating from Moody's Investor Services. You can view the entire video here.

In the township form of government, a mayor is not directly elected. Voters elect the township committee comprising three or five members in staggered, three-year terms. The township committee elects the mayor, or chairman, for a one-year term. The mayor serves as chair of the township committee and has powers vested in the mayor's office by general law. With Ritter removing himself from the running, committee members Karen Swartz, Michael Kelly, Tayfun Selen or Tracy Ness will get the nod. Swartz, the current deputy mayor, is the most likely candidate.

Ritter closed with a message to residents.

"This is your town. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you," he said. "If you have issues of concern or you have things you want to see changed or improved, I encourage you to reach out to use directly."

The reorganization meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and takes place at 58 Meyersville Road in Chatham.

(Photo courtesy of Curt Ritter)

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