By Sunayana Prabhu
SHREWSBURY – On a stormy evening, just as Gov. Phil Murphy announced a state of emergency in anticipation of heavy rains, severe flooding and high winds, former Assembly member Kim Eulner was named mayor of Shrewsbury at the borough council’s regular meeting. She is the 20th mayor and only the third woman to lead the borough in its history.
Initially nervous no one would be able to attend the Jan. 9 meeting because of the weather, Eulner said she was “blown away” to see “standing room only” at the borough hall.
“I’m just looking to work and to represent everybody in town and to just, again, make Shrewsbury as wonderful as it can be and has been,” Eulner told The Two River Times by phone the day after her swearing-in. She expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of Shrewsbury. Accompanied by her sister Mimi Cahill, Eulner was administered the oath of office by outgoing mayor Erik Anderson, who resigned his post after being elected to the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in November. He replaced long-serving commissioner Lillian Burry who retired. Anderson’s mayoral term was to expire in December 2026.
On Tuesday night, Eulner was unanimously appointed by the borough council to serve as mayor for 2024; she will be on the ballot in November to run for the remainder of Anderson’s term. In Shrewsbury, the mayor is elected directly by the voters to serve a four-year term of office.
A longtime resident of Shrewsbury, Eulner is no stranger to borough governance, having served previously on Shrewsbury’s council.
Considering rapid development taking place in areas surrounding the borough, preserving open space within the borders of a town that measures roughly 2.19 square miles is one of her “first priorities,” Eulner said, noting she will make an effort to keep the “uniqueness of open space” in the town.
Additionally, Eulner said she would like to officially appreciate residents “with resolutions and acknowledgments of good work.”
Eulner, a Republican, was elected in 2021 to the state Assembly. In 2023, she and her running mate, Marilyn Piperno, lost their reelection bids to Democratic challengers Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul.
Back in municipal governance again, Eulner said she was looking forward to the “challenges of being the mayor of a small town” but at the same time also delighted to “literally be able to see things get done, come to fruition and have some successes.”
Current members of the borough council include Council President Donald J. Eddy and council members Jim Daly, Deidre M. DerAsadourian, Brendan Gilmartin, Daniel Levy and Jason Sena. Daly and Gilmartin started new terms in 2024 and were sworn in during the reorganization meeting Jan. 2.
The article originally appeared in the January 11 – January 17, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
