Lester A. Preston Jr. elected mayor as Freehold Township committee adopts 2026 appointments and priorities

Mayor Lester A. Preston Jr. was elected by the Freehold Township Committee at the Jan. 2, 2026 reorganization meeting and took the oath of office administered by Hon. Nicole Sonnenblick. The committee also named Alan C. Walker deputy mayor.

The votes were unanimous: Committee Members Thomas L. Cook, Maureen Fasano, Alan C. Walker and newly sworn Mayor Preston voted in favor of the leadership slate. "I am honored to represent the people of Freehold Township as mayor," Preston said in remarks after the oath, thanking committee colleagues, staff and volunteers.

Preston used his opening remarks to summarize priorities for the year. He said the Township continued acquiring open space following a 2023 voter referendum and listed recent parcels including the former Berky's Auto site on Jackson Mills Road, work at the Quality Auto site on Route 9 and an in-process acquisition on Pond Road in the Lake Topanemus watershed. "We have pursued and acquired individually, or in State and County partnership, over 9,400 acres of open space," Preston said.

He also described a major transportation undertaking: "In partnership with Monmouth County, we finalized the design of Three Brooks Road, which includes the entire reconstruction of the County's three bridges, and a fully reconstructed roadway for the Township Road from Halls Mill Road to Route 9. The project ... will be bid in early 2026," he said, calling it the most complicated and largest municipal roadway project the Township will undertake.

On parks and facilities, Preston listed completed or planned improvements: a new stage and pavilion at Michael J. Tighe Park, accessibility upgrades at Durand Park, Senior Center renovations (including a new roof and improved accessible bathrooms funded in part by a State grant), upgrades to the hockey rink, an ADA-inclusive playground and a pedestrian bridge at Jackson Mills and MJT Parks.

Preston reported that the Township expanded shared services in technology and health services, adding municipalities including North Brunswick and two fire districts, and expects "these shared Services will generate over $2,400,000 in revenue to the Township." He also noted the Township is in the final stages of settling its Round 4 Affordable Housing obligation, saying the settlement "will impact the Township's zoning in a limited number of sites and avoids a long, drawn-out trial, ultimately saving costs and reducing the risk of an unfavorable outcome."

Preston closed by announcing local plans tied to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary and urged the community toward unity: "We need to stand together with love for our country, our community, and our neighbors." The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.