Manchester Township is located in Ocean County. It was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey State Legislature on April 6, 1865, from portions of what was then Dover Township (now Toms River). Portions of the township were taken to form Lakehurst on April 7, 1921. The township completely surrounds the borough of Lakehurst, making it part of 21 pairs of “doughnut towns” in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another. It has an area of 82.51 square miles. The township was named by William Torrey for Manchester England.
The 2020 United States census counted 45,115 people in the township. According to the 2010 US Census, just over 50% of the residents are 65 years of age or older, with the median age at 65.1 years old.
Since July 1, 1990, Manchester Township has been governed by the Faulkner Act, under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government. Of the 564 statewide municipalities, it is one of 71 municipalities that use this form of non-partisan government. The Township’s governing body is comprised of the Mayor and a five-member Township Council. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term.
Councilmembers are elected at-large to serve four-year staggered terms with either two or three council seats up for election in even-numbered years, with the mayoral seat up at the same time that two council seats are up for vote. Because the form of government is non-partisan, Primary elections are not conducted in June. In November 2011, the township’s municipal elections were shifted from May to November.
As of January 2023, there are approximately 39,400 registered voters in Manchester. Like much of Ocean County, Republican voters outnumber Democrats and Unaffiliated Voters. Current data indicates that there are approximately 13,900 Republicans, 11,800 Unaffiliated, and 10,000 Democrats.
In June 2021, the Township Council appointed Robert Hudak as Mayor, to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that became vacant after Kenneth Palmer stepped down to take a seat as a judge on the New Jersey Superior Court.
In the November 2021 General Election, Hudak was elected as Mayor to serve the remainder of the term of office, expiring on December 31, 2022.
In the November 8, 2022 General Election, a three-way election took place, with a challenge against the incumbent Mayor from a Democratic candidate for Mayor, Ken Seda and a second Republican candidate, Robert Arace. The form of government requires a candidate must receive 50%+1 vote in order to win. None of the candidates running for Mayor or Town Council achieved 50%+1 vote, so a run-off election was held on December 13, 2022. Robert Arace won the election for Mayor, along with Council candidates Joseph Hankins and Roxanne Conniff.
The elected officials for Manchester are: Robert Arace, Mayor (2026); and Township Council: Joseph Hankins (2026), Roxanne Conniff (2026), Craig Wallis (2024), James Vaccaro, Sr. (2024), and Michele Zolezi (2024).
The current boards are:
Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, Environmental Commission, Open Space Committee, Plan Endorsement Citizen Advisory Committee, Wildfire Safety Council, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Senior Advisory Council, Mayor’s Veteran’s Advisory Committee, Economic Development Advisory Council, Municipal Alliance Committee, and the Rent Leveling Advisory Board.
Town Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, unless otherwise noticed. Meetings start at 6:00 PM in the Courthouse Room, 1 Colonial Drive. Residents are strongly urged to attend and as Democrats, it is incumbent upon us to hold this Administration accountable and show up!
The various Boards, Authorities, Commissions and Committees that supplement the Administration meet throughout any given month. Meeting dates are posted on the Township website.
MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE COMMITTEE – This is an alliance of the township, police department, schools and residents, whose goal is alcohol and drug abuse prevention through awareness and education. Volunteers are needed to serve on this committee. Find out how HERE. Meeting Dates are March 9 and June 8, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE – This Committee will advise and make recommendations to the Town Council regarding the preservation and purchase of land for open space.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSON – The next meeting will be held on January 24, 2023 at 5:00 PM.
SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL – The members of this Council advise the Mayor and Town Council on all matters that affect the senior residents of the Township. They also are responsible for the coordination of programs and activities which are specifically directed to the needs of senior residents. Vacancies are open on this Council and interested residents should contact Mayor Arace.