Mayor Luttman Takes Helm

Amid well-wishes and accolades, Committeeman Todd W. Luttman became Wall Township’s newest mayor Wednesday at the Township Committee’s organization meeting.

Luttman, who was elected to serve a second term on the five-member Committee in November’s election, began his fourth year on the dais at the helm of the governing body after a short swearing-in ceremony.

A unanimous vote of the governing body assured Luttman, last years’ deputy mayor, would hold the township’s top elected spot. Committeewoman Ann Marie Conte made the motion nominating Luttman. Committeeman George Newberry seconded it. The vote was unanimous.

State Assemblyman Dave Rible administered the oath of office to Luttman, who stood flanked by his daughter, Emily, and wife, Karin.

“I am humbled by the results of the election,” Luttman said after taking his seat at the dais. “I was born and raised here in Wall Township and my wife Karin and I chose to raise our daughter, Emily, in the same community we grew up in. My roots run deep here in Wall.’’

Luttman thanked outgoing Mayor Jeffrey Foster, for his leadership in 2012 and especially through Hurricane Sandy. 

Luttman touted the Township Committee’s work to keep municipal expenses in check while retaining services and vowed to expand the township’s practice of sharing services with other communities or with the Board of Education where feasible in his tenure as mayor.

Under the state law that set up Wall’s form of government, a mayor is chosen from among the committee’s elected members to serve a term of one year.

“We’re going to continue to make Wall Township the outstanding community it is,’’ Luttman said.

All members of the committee, as well as county and state officials wished Luttman well as he begins his term.

“We’re there for you,’’ said Freeholder Deputy Director Thomas Arnone, who attended the meeting as a member of the audience, said to Luttman.

Following Luttman’s swearing in, Committeeman Clinton Hoffman was elected to serve as Deputy Mayor. A motion was made by Foster, seconded by Conte. The vote was 5-0.

Rible, who also administered the oath of office to Hoffman, praised both Luttman and Hoffman as “sincere and honest’’ men who would serve the town well.

Luttman later told the audience that the two men grew up in Wall in homes whose back yards abutted each other.

“Did you ever think we’d be doing this?’’ Luttman said, looking toward Hoffman.

“No,’’ Hoffman replied. “Not in a million years.’’