By Allison Perrine
FAIR HAVEN – During his 10th year serving as Fair Haven’s mayor, Benjamin Lucarelli resigned from his position in the borough Tuesday, Sept. 14.
The announcement came shortly after noon that day from borough administrator Theresa Casagrande, stating that Lucarelli had resigned effective immediately. The reason for his resignation was not mentioned in her note.
In a call with The Two River Times Wednesday morning, Lucarelli would only say, “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the community I love for the past 12 years. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.”
In the meantime, council president Chris Rodriguez said he is “happy to and ready to step up and serve” as the interim mayor until the process plays out to find Lucarelli’s replacement. “It’s my passion and my purpose… and I’m happy to do it until it’s in the fine hands of whoever the next person is that we appoint.”
Because Lucarelli is a Republican, the Fair Haven Republicans organization will choose three candidates to fill the vacant seat. The final selection will be made by council members from there and the chosen candidate will serve the remainder of Lucarelli’s term, which expires at the end of 2022.
In an interview with The Two River Times in March, Lucarelli said he got involved in local politics in the mid-1990s while he was playing ball at Fair Haven Fields with his son. He offered to help some individuals who worked at the concession stand and learned of other volunteer opportunities. After spending some time volunteering, he was approached about running for council. In 2012, he was elected mayor.
During his time on the dais, Lucarelli said one of his proudest accomplishments was establishing bike lanes in town.
“In 2015 I received the Advocate of the Year Award from The Bloustein School of Planning at Rutgers and was invited to the U.S. Department of Transportation where I had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of Transportation Anthony Fox,” he said. “But my proudest moments are the times when I can help residents solve their issues or assist them in advancing their career goals in government.”
Aside from Lucarelli’s seat now being open, there are two other seats on the dais that will be up for election this November. According to the Monmouth County Votes website, there are four candidates vying for two full-term seats on the board: Republicans Tracy Cole and Elizabeth Koch, an incumbent, as well as Democrats Robert Gasperini and Sonja Trombino.
“Fair Haven will march onward,” said Rodriguez.
This article originally appeared in the Sept. 16-22, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
