Meet Mayor Joseph Hankins
The Manchester Township Council on January 13, 2025, accepted nominations for Mayor and voted to appoint Councilman Joseph Hankins to the leadership role, following the resignation of former Mayor Robert Arace.
Mr. Joseph Hankins initially won his seat on the Manchester Township Council in the December 2022 runoff election and assumed office on January 3, 2023. His term will expire on December 31, 2026.
Joe is a life-long resident of Manchester, raising his family with his wife, Carol Ann here in Pine Lake Park. As a dedicated public servant, Joe has served 25 years as a Manchester Police Officer, keeping our town safe and protecting our community. Their son followed in his footsteps, becoming a Manchester police officer and starting his own family in Manchester.
As a Manchester Police Officer, Joe served our town as a Patrolman, Detective, and Patrol Sergeant. He also served as Fire Chief, Emergency Medical Technician, and SCUBA Captain and is currently the Vice President of the New Jersey State Fireman’s Association. Joe holds a Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Public Administration. Having an ancestor who fought in the American Revolutionary War and resided in near-by Jackson Township, Joe is also an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
A special election to serve the remainder of the Mayoral term, which expires on December 31, 2026, will be held in November of 2025.
With your support, Mayor Hankins looks forward to preserving the quality of life for all Manchester residents and continuing to make our town a great place to live for both retirees and new families, alike.
Email Mayor Hankins: JHankins@ManchesterTWP.com
Manchester Councilman Robert Hudak Appointed Mayor
Councilman Robert Hudak was appointed Manchester Township’s new mayor following the recent resignation of former Mayor Kenneth Palmer, who was appointed to a superior court judgeship. Hudak was appointed through a unanimous vote by the Township Council at a council meeting on June 28th. “I am honored that the council chose me to be the next mayor of Manchester Township. [...]
Mayor Kenneth Palmer Steps Down
To Manchester Residents, Friends and Supporters: Yesterday (June 24, 2021), the New Jersey Senate voted to confirm my nomination to serve as a Judge in the Superior Court. Becoming a judge has always been my career aspiration and I am extremely humbled to be selected. As the saying goes, when one door opens another shuts. My time as your Mayor [...]
Council To Resume In-Person Meetings
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Council of Manchester Township will resume in-person meetings on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Courtroom at 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759.
Town Hall OPEN Monday, June 21, 2021
The Township of Manchester is pleased to announce that municipal buildings will reopen to the public effective June 21, 2021. It is asked that visitors who are not vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus please wear a face covering and maintain social distancing when inside Township buildings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Township offices remained fully staffed and functional even while [...]