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Township Committee Members
The Township of Blairstown is governed by the Township form of government, registered voters directly elect members of the five-member Township Committee. The Committee selects the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, from amongst themselves, annually at the reorganization meeting held annually on January first. It is at the reorganization meeting when newly elected members of the Committee are sworn-in and committee assignments are delegated and members of Board/Committee are appointed.
The Mayor, and the Deputy Mayor (in the absence of the Mayor), serve as the presiding officers at Township Committee meetings, administers oaths of office and execute contracts/agreements along with the Township Clerk, who serves as the Governing Body's representative/liaison to the various departments of the Township.
The Township Committee governs through the adoption of policy ordinances (municipal legislation) and resolutions (codified actions) of the municipality. In the Township form of government the Mayor and Deputy Mayor do get the opportunity to vote. In the Borough form of municipal government, the most prevalent form in the state, the Mayor can only vote in the event of a tie.
Rob Moorhead- Mayor
Committee Term Expires December 31, 2024
Contact: rmoorhead@blairstowntwp-nj.com
Charles Makatura
Committee Term Expires December 31, 2024
Contact: cmakatura@blairstowntwp-nj.com
Walter Orcutt- Deputy Mayor
Committee Term Expires December 31, 2023
Contact: worcutt@blairstowntwp-nj.com
Giovanna "Joanne" Van Valkenburg -
Committee Term Expires December 31, 2022
Contact: jvanvalkenburg@blairstowntwp-nj.com
Debra Waldron-
Committee Term Expires December 31, 2023
Contact: dwaldron@blairstowntwp-nj.com
TOWNSHIP PROFESSIONALS
Attorney: Kevin Benbrook, Esq. (908) 735-8100
Engineer: French & Parrello- 732-312-9800
Charles Makatura
Police Commissioner
Animal Control Officer (primary)
Municipal Court (primary)
Rescue Squad (primary)
Class III Land Use Board member
Buildings & Grounds (alternate)
Water Utility (alternate)
Emergency Management (alternate)
Walter Orcutt
DPW (primary)
Finance (primary)
Open Space (primary)
Buildings & Grounds (primary)
Class I Land Use Board member
Personnel (alternate)
Blair Academy (alternate)
Intermunicipal, County, State & Federal Liaison (alternate)
Fire Department (alternate)
Paulina Dam liaison (alternate)
Joanne Van Valkenburg
Recreation (primary)
COAH (primary)
Main Street (primary)
North Warren Regional (primary)
Paulina Dam Liaison (primary)
Senior Citizens (alternate)
BEC (alternate)
Blairstown Historical (alternate)
Debbie Waldron
Blairstown Elementary (primary)
Senior Citizens (primary)
BEC (primary)
Blairstown Historical (primary)
Recreation (alternate)
COAH (alternate)
Main Street (alternate)
North Warren Regional (alternate)
Rob Moorhead
Deputy Police Commissioner
Water Utility (primary)
Personnel (primary)
Emergency Management (primary)
Blair Academy (primary)
Intermunicipal, County, State & Federal Liaison (primary)
Fire Department (primary)
DPW (alternate)
Finance (alternate)
Open Space (alternate)
Municipal Court (alternate)
Rescue Squad (alternate)
Blairstown Elementary (alternate)