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Robin Deal sworn in as West Amwell mayor; committee adopts 2026 organization, schedules and appointments
Summary
At its Jan. 1 reorganization meeting, the West Amwell Township Committee elected Robin Deal mayor and Joan Vanderveen deputy mayor, adopted the 2026 meeting calendar and approved a slate of board and committee appointments and organizational policies. Members and residents emphasized transparency and collaboration during remarks and public comment.
Robin Deal was sworn in as mayor of West Amwell Township on Jan. 1 after a motion by Committeeman Brian Fitting and a unanimous voice vote. The Committee also unanimously approved Joan Vanderveen as deputy mayor; Clerk Maria Andrews administered both oaths of office.
The Committee adopted its 2026 order of business and a full calendar of regular meetings, designating the Municipal Building at 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road in Lambertville (West Amwell) as the regular meeting location and reaffirming compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. The schedule includes regular joint meetings with the Board of Health and sets the standard meeting time at 7:00 p.m.
Committee members approved a series of routine organizational resolutions by consent, including the designation of official newspapers (Trenton Times and/or Star Ledger), bank depositories and an approved cash management plan covering trust and operating accounts. The Committee set 2026 real-estate tax due dates (Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1), established delinquency interest rates (8% per year on the first $1,500 and 18% on amounts in excess), and adopted administrative rules for submission of agenda items.
Mayor Deal said she plans to restore the Clerk’s Office as the hub of administration and to re-establish regular financial oversight. "I am truly grateful for your trust, and as a public servant will do my very best to earn and keep that trust," she said. The mayor also proposed shifting from committee "liaisons" to Committee "coordinators" to improve cross-departmental project coordination; Committeeman Brian Fitting said coordinators would facilitate communication without creating supervisory authority.
Committeewoman Joan Vanderveen thanked residents for their participation and pledged to "listen and investigate in order to fully understand" community concerns. Committeeman Fitting emphasized transparency and fiscal accountability. Several residents who spoke during the public comment period — Joel Coyne, Cindy Walters, Dave Beaumont and Steve Williams — praised the Committee’s engagement efforts and asked that Board/Committee appointment lists be included in the minutes and that the Township invite a school representative to a future meeting to update the Committee on school matters.
The Committee re-appointed Harry J. Heller III as Emergency Management Coordinator and named various board and committee members for 2026 (Board of Health, Land Use Board, Environmental Commission, Historic Preservation Committee, Open Space Committee, Cannabis Advisory Committee, Parks & Recreation, Affordable Housing Committee, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Finance Advisory Committee, and Technology/Community Outreach). The full list of appointees was entered into the minutes.
Clerk Maria Andrews noted that in the absence of a Chief Financial Officer the Clerk will handle payroll responsibilities until the position is filled. The meeting concluded with unanimous approval to close public comment and a voice vote to adjourn at 1:30 p.m.
What happens next: The Committee scheduled follow-up and regular meetings (first regular meeting listed Jan. 7) and instructed staff to post the adopted resolutions, schedules and notices as required by statute.
