Sullivan Picked for Mayor in Narrow Vote

Chatham Township Committeeman Kevin Sullivan was appointed mayor for 2014 at the township's reorganization meeting Friday, while newly sworn in Committeeman Curt Ritter was appointed deputy mayor.

Both officials were appointed by 3-2 votes.

Committee members Katherine Abbott and Robert Gallop voted against the appointments. They voted to have Gallop serve as mayor and Abbott as deputy mayor, which the other members opposed.

Committeeman Bailey Brower Jr., who served as mayor for the past month, cast the deciding votes for Sullivan and Ritter. 

The five-member governing body picks a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members at the start of each year.

Sullivan is starting his second year on the Township Committee. Gallop, who was re-elected in November, is starting his third, three-year term.

Nicole Hagner, whose term was up at the end of the year, served as Chatham Township's mayor the past three years until letting Brower serve as mayor for the month of December. Brower said it was an honor to serve as mayor, but he can be more effective as a committeeman.