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Belmar council swears in Caitlin Donovan as mayor and approves two interim hires to stabilize finances
Summary
At a special Belmar Borough Council meeting, Caitlin Donovan was sworn in as mayor following Mayor Gerald Donofusco's resignation. The council unanimously approved two resolutions to hire Joseph Maroney as interim administrator and to contract MJB Associates for interim financial management.
Caitlin Donovan was sworn in as mayor at a special Belmar Borough Council meeting and the council adopted two resolutions to bring on interim municipal leadership and financial oversight.
Council President McKinney opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, thanked public safety and public works crews for recent storm and event response, and said the council placed two resolutions on the agenda to hire interim professional staff to "help us get Belmar fiscally on track." McKinney said both candidates were vetted by the council and that the appointments are intended as temporary, consulting arrangements while permanent hires are sought.
The new mayor took the oath during the meeting. "I, Caitlin Donovan, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will faithfully, impartially and justly perform all the duties as mayor to the best of my ability," Donovan said after taking the oath. Afterward, Donovan thanked her family, the Belmar Democratic Committee and residents for their support.
During the public comment period, resident Jane Kreka addressed the council about recent turnover and the circumstances of the previous mayor's departure, saying the prior mayor "was advised by his doctor to resign." Other commenters urged confidence in the council's choice of interim staff and praised the continuity provided by current members.
On motions put before the council, members moved and seconded approval of Resolution 2026-142, hiring Joseph Maroney as interim administrator, and Resolution 2026-143, authorizing a professional services agreement with MJB Associates Consulting LLC for interim financial management consultant services. Council members and the newly sworn mayor recorded affirmative responses when asked; the clerk declared the motions carried and the resolutions adopted.
The council returned to the regular public session for brief congratulations to the new mayor and then adjourned.
The actions take effect immediately as interim arrangements; the council said it will continue recruiting for permanent appointments and will provide updates at future meetings.
