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The Charter Study Commission is ready to recommend a new form of government to Asbury Park voters, the chairwoman of the commission told the City Council on Wednesday night.

“We have decided to recommend a new form of government,” said Pam Lamberton, the commission chairwoman, who also asked the public to give input to the commission at its next meeting on Monday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the West Side Community Center on DeWitt Avenue.

The commission intends to vote on the recommendation for a new form of government at that meeting, Lamberton said.

Lamberton did not specify which new form of government the commission will recommend. Within the form to be recommended are various options that the commission still needs to agree upon, she said.

The commission is required to complete its work by August. Any new form of government it recommends will be submitted for voter approval in November.

If voters approve the new form of government, the four year term of the newly elected council – scheduled to begin July 1 — would be cut short with new elections next year to fill the elected posts in the new government.

Currently, the city’s form of government features a five member City Council, elected once every four years in a non-partisan election. The City Manager runs the day-to-day operation of the city.

The Mayor is selected by the council members, and does not have any executive power. The Mayor’s primary responsibility is to preside at council meetings.

Last November, voters approved the establishment of the Charter Study Commission. The voters also elected its five members – Randy Thomspon, Marilyn Maguire, Lamberton, Duanne Small and Rita Marano [shown above left to right].

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