Joan Brush Joins Manchester Township Council

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Council has a new member, after Joan A. Brush, a 43-year township resident, was sworn in to fill the council seat vacated by Brendan Weiner.

Brush was chosen to fill Weiner’s seat for the rest of 2017 during a special meeting on March 22 and took her oath prior to the March 27 regular meeting, according to a news release from the township. She was chosen from among 12 applicants, 10 of whom were interviewed by the council, officials said.

Weiner resigned from his seat on the council in late February because he and his family were moving out of the township.

Brush has been a very active member of the community, Council President Samuel Fusaro said.

“If you know Joan, you know that for many years she has been giving back to our community,” he said.

Brush is a former bus driver and driver trainer for the Manchester Township School District, and the lake supervisor at Harry Wright Lake and Pine Lake. She currently works for a local real estate company and remains an active community volunteer, officials said.

Brush helped to form the Manchester Municipal Alliance, served as its chairperson for more than 10 years, and continues to serve as a member. She introduced Project Graduation in Manchester Township High School in 1994, organizes Trick or Trunk, and volunteers for the Kevin’s Kids Toy Drive, officials said.

"My desire to become a member of the Manchester Council stems from my love, knowledge, and involvement in the town and community," Brush said. She said she plans to focus on finding ways to bring more ratables to the township, as well as ensuring that recreation areas like Harry Wright Lake and Pine Lake receive improvements.

“Joan is a wonderful addition to the council,” Mayor Kenneth Palmer said. “She’s a tremendous asset to the town and will be a tremendous Councilmember.”

Her term will expire Dec. 31, 2017.

Photos via Gregory Kyriakakis, Manchester Township press officer