KEYPORT — In the wake of former councilman Ken McPeek’s resignation, the Borough Council unanimously appointed his successor.
At a June 23 meeting of the Keyport Borough Council, Matthew Goode, one of three residents nominated by the local Democratic Committee, was sworn in as the replacement for McPeek, who resigned before moving out of the borough.
Goode, who will run for election to a full term alongside Councilwoman Sophia Lamberson this fall, said he expects the next few months to be a learning experience.
One of his main focuses is boosting activity in the downtown section of the borough to control property taxes.
“Specifically, I think in the downtown area we did a wonderful thing with the waterfront,” Goode said. “I think we need something that will match the waterfront … and get businesses involved to try and increase commercial ratables.”
Goode’s first official act as a Keyport councilman was to second a motion made by Lamberson to name Councilman Joseph Sheridan as council president, a post that McPeek vacated when he stepped down.
That motion passed unanimously.
Several members of the council and public applauded McPeek, who was in attendance, for his time on the council and thanked him for his work.
McPeek filled a vacant council seat from January 2010 to January 2011 but was not elected to fill the seat in November 2010.
He ran for an unexpired council term again in November 2011 in a close election that separated him by five votes from then Republican council incumbent Warren Chamberlain, who had been appointed to fill an unexpired term until the Nov. 8 election.
Chamberlain, who was named to fill an unexpired term on council following the untimely death of councilman Clemente Toglia in 2014, wished his former election opponent farewell at the June 23 meeting.
“I ran against you twice and you were a gentleman. People don’t see what you do behind the scenes … and I just want the people to know you are one of a special kind, and I’m glad I served with you,” Chamberlain said.
Former councilwoman Joy-Michele Tomczak also applauded McPeek for his time in office and dedication.
“On behalf of myself and the Keyport Democrats, I would like to thank Ken McPeek and his family, because I know they sacrificed a lot for his service on council,” Tomczak said during the public portion of the meeting. “I know how hard you worked and how many years you worked for the borough.”
McPeek’s term is set to expire on Dec. 31. Goode will seek election to the subsequent full term on council, which would begin in January.