Weymouth Township Committee reelects Edward Norton, names Kenneth R. Haeser mayor and approves slate of appointments

Weymouth Township — At its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 7, 2026, the Weymouth Township Committee administered the oath of office to Committeeperson Edward Norton and, by unanimous roll-call votes, nominated and approved Committeeman Kenneth R. Haeser as mayor and Peter Keiffenheim as deputy mayor for 2026.

Township Clerk Dorothy-Jo Ayres opened the meeting and read the meeting notice required under Public Law 75, Chapter 231. Assemblyman Erik Simonsen administered the oath to Edward Norton, who thanked residents for their support.

Mayor Kenneth R. Haeser used his opening remarks to thank visiting state and county officials and township staff, and to outline near-term priorities for the township. "We all have the same focus on our community and strive to do what is best for our Township and residents," Haeser said. He cited multiple road projects expected in spring and summer, planned improvements to the Community Center and ongoing coordination with the Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) on a mandated water-pipe project. He also praised township employees and volunteers for their work.

The committee then moved through a slate of routine resolutions and professional appointments. The body unanimously approved Resolution No. 01-2026 (adopting Robert’s Rules of Order) and a series of appointments including Township Solicitor Emanuel Sanfilippo, III (Resolution No. 02-2026), labor and conflict counsel (Eric Bernstein & Associates, Resolutions Nos. 03-2026 and 04-2026), Township Tax Solicitor Dominic DiYanni (05-2026), Bonding Attorney Joel Fleishman (06-2026), and Township Auditor Fred S. Caltabiano (07-2026). Resolution No. 08-2026, designating Shore Animal Control, LLC as the animal control officer, was postponed until the next meeting.

The panel also approved appointments for insurance and risk management (Dennis M. Brown, Resolutions Nos. 09-2026 and 10-2026), information technology services (Wes Barber, Resolution No. 11-2026) and environmental testing for monitoring wells (Environmental Testing, Resolution No. 12-2026). Routine governance and fiscal measures — including the annual meeting schedule, temporary budget, official depositories, cashiering procedures and a petty cash/change fund — were adopted by unanimous votes.

At the meeting the committee approved annual committee and board appointments, including the Safety & Health Committee and county membership designations, and named officials for public safety and compliance roles. The committee also approved appointments to municipal boards and commissions, including the Land Use Board and Rent Control Board.

During the public-comment portion, Henry Goldsmith, a resident and president of the Weymouth Township Board of Education, informed the committee and audience of the date and time of the next Board of Education meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 01-2026 (Robert’s Rules of Order) — approved, Roll call: Norton–Yes; Keiffenheim–Yes; Haeser–Yes. Resolutions Nos. 02-07 (professional legal and auditing appointments) — approved unanimously. Resolution No. 08-2026 (Animal Control Officer, Shore Animal Control, LLC) — postponed. Resolutions Nos. 09-12 (insurance, IT, environmental services) — approved. Resolutions Nos. 13-31 (routine governance, budget, fiscal and appointment items) — approved. Resolutions Nos. 32-34 (committee and board appointments) — approved.

The committee did not take up substantive new policy beyond these appointments; Haeser’s stated priorities (roads, Community Center work and the MUA pipe project) are items the committee intends to address during the coming year. The next regular township meeting was not specified in the minutes; the temporary budget and annual meeting schedule were adopted as part of this reorganization session.