Cohen joins governing body

MANALAPAN - Susan Cohen was welcomed as the newest member of the Township Committee at the June 13 meeting of the governing body.

Cohen, a Republican, was appointed to finish the unexpired term of former committeeman Joseph Locricchio who resigned on May 1 due to health reasons.

The unexpired term runs through Dec. 31.

Cohen is running for a full three-year term on the committee with Committee-man Andrew Lucas, who is serving as Manalapan's mayor in 2007.

There are three other candidates seeking two terms on the committee in the November general election; Democrats Drew Shapiro and Herbert Barrack and independent candidate Joseph DePas-quale. Shapiro served on the committee from 2001-06, but did not seek re-election last year.

Cohen hit the ground running by being appointed the committee's liaison to the health department, the Freehold Regional High School District, the heritage committee and the teen advisory committee.

Cohen stepped down from her seat on the Planning Board in order to take her place on the Township Committee. It was announced that Planning Board alternate Richard Farrell has been appointed to finish Cohen's term on the board, which expires at the end of 2008.

John McNaboe was appointed to finish Farrell's term as a board alternate. That term also expires at the end of 2008.