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Long Hill committee appoints Theresa Fettes to fill Lavender vacancy; oath administered
Summary
The Long Hill Township Committee unanimously appointed Theresa Fettes to fill the remainder of Scott Lavender’s term and administered her oath of office; the appointment followed the Municipal Vacancy Law and was carried by roll call vote. The committee also accepted Lavender’s resignation in a separate resolution.
Theresa Fettes was appointed Wednesday to the Long Hill Township Committee to fill the unexpired term of Scott Lavender and was sworn into office by the township clerk.
The committee adopted Resolution 26-102, accepting Lavender’s resignation (effective March 16, 2026) and appointing Fettes to serve through Dec. 31, 2026. The resolution cites the Municipal Vacancy Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:16-3(f) and related sections) and notes the appointee’s name was submitted by the Long Hill Township Republican Committee. Committeeman Guy Verlezza moved the resolution and Committeeman Matthew Liberato seconded; the roll call recorded Liberato, Verlezza, Deputy Mayor Matthew Dorsi and Mayor Guy Piserchia voting yes and the motion carried. Clerk Phillips administered the oath of office to Theresa Fettes at the meeting’s start.
Mayor Piserchia, Deputy Mayor Dorsi, Committeeman Liberato and Committeeman Verlezza each spoke about the reasons for choosing Fettes, according to the minutes; the record does not include extended debate or additional public comment on the appointment. The resolution directs the clerk to serve a certified copy on the township Republican Committee, as required by statute.
The appointment was taken in open session at the April 8 meeting; the minutes record that all routine formalities were observed and that the committee returned to other agenda business after the oath. No subsequent contested vote or legal challenge to the appointment is recorded in the minutes.
What’s next: Fettes will serve until the term’s statutory expiration on Dec. 31, 2026. The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2026, when other agenda items, including the tree-ordinance public hearing, are expected to be discussed.
