MOUNTAIN LAKES — On Monday, January 7, the Borough of Mountain Lakes conducted its Annual Reorganization Meeting, at the Media Center of Mountain Lakes High School. The Borough Council selected Councilwoman Lauren Barnett to serve as Mayor for her second consecutive term. Barnett, a Democrat, was first elected in 2016.
This past November, six candidates ran for three Borough Council seats. Republican Dan Happer was re-elected to his third four-term. Happer was first elected to the Borough Council in 2008 and served as Mayor in 2013 and 2014. Republican Audrey Lane and Democrat Tom Menard were also elected this fall and took their oaths of office. Incumbent Councilmen William Barrett and Peter Holmberg did not seek re-election after serving for four years and eight years, respectively.
Morris County Freeholder Stephen Shaw administered the oath of office to Dan Happer and to Audrey Lane. Shaw, a Mountain Lakes HS alum, previously served on the Mountain Lakes Borough Council from 2001 to 2013, including as Mayor from 2005-06 and in 2009.
Numerous elected officials were in attendance, including Senator Tony Bucco, Assemblyman Tony Bucco, Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo, Sheriff James Gannon, and former Assemblyman Dick Kamin.
2019 Borough Fire Department Officials include Chief William Bender, Deputy Chief Joseph Mullaney, and Assistant Chief Matthew DeSantis. DeSantis, also a MLHS alum who recently served as Borough Fire Chief, ran for Borough Council last Fall and finished fourth of the six candidates. The Mountain Lakes Fire Department is all-volunteer.
Publisher of Parsippany Focus since 1989 and Morris Focus since January 1, 2019, both covering a wide range of events. Mr. Cahill serves as the Executive Board Member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, President Kiwanis Club of Tri-Town, and Chairman of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board. Owner of the Morris now app serving small business in Morris County.