‘It is a profound honor’

Neena Singh remains Montgomery Township’s mayor in 2025.

Committeeman Vincent Barragan, who served as deputy mayor in 2024, nominated Singh to be mayor in the Township Committee’s annual re-organization meeting on Jan. 2, which saw the likes of a number of dignitaries including New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy.

No other nominations were made. Singh was re-elected with four votes in her favor. Committeewoman Devra Keenan, who served as mayor from 2021 to 2023, was the sole “no” vote.

State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-16) administered Singh’s oath of office as she was joined by her family. She became the first Sikh and Indian American woman in the state to hold the position of mayor when she was first elected to the position in 2024.

“It is a profound honor to serve as mayor for this welcoming town for a second term,” Singh said. “As an Indian American woman this role is a testament to Montgomery’s inclusivity and spirit of service.

“Looking ahead to 2025 there is much to anticipate including the long-awaited opening of the Montgomery Promenade first phase. As the new year begins, I encourage every resident to get involved in one new way whether through nonprofits, recreation programs, our state-of-the-art library our first responder groups.”

In the election for deputy mayor, Singh nominated Barragan. No other nominations were made, and he was re-elected deputy mayor in a unanimous vote from the governing body.

Barragan became the first Hispanic deputy mayor in Montgomery when he was first elected to the role in 2024.

“I would also like to express my humble gratitude to my fellow Township Committee members for re-appointing me to a second year as deputy mayor,” he said. “We are blessed to live in such a wonderful community and have this wonderful team of public servants, both elected and administrative professionals and front-line officials serving our residents.

“You have my continued pledge to provide strong financial discipline and governance, support for our public safety and police department, and enhance our township’s commitment to our military veterans.”

During the reorganization meeting Zwicker swore in Singh and Committeeman Dennis Ahn into their new, three-year terms. Singh begins her second term and Ahn has been serving on the governing body since 2022.

The five-member Montgomery Township Committee consists of Singh, Barragan, Ahn, Keenan, and Committeewoman Patricia Taylor Todd.