Dear Borough of Mendham Residents and Business Owners,

Hi, my name is Jim Kelly. Many of you already know me as a lifelong resident of Mendham. I was born here, grew up here, and went to school in Mendham with my five brothers and sisters. It is where I developed lifelong friendships, and created a heating, plumbing, and cooling business. It is where my wife Frederica and I raised our two children, Kate and Connor. It is the place we call home. 

After serving on Council for six years, both as Council President and Chair of Finance Committee, I was appointed Mayor of Mendham on February 24, 2025, after Mayor Serrano Glassner stepped down from her role to take a position in the White House. Although we miss her dearly, I take a great sense of pride and responsibility in representing our community. 

As I move forward in my new role, 2025 is shaping out to be a year of change and transformation for our community. We have a new Recreation and Communications Coordinator and are committed to working hard to expand our recreation programs and community events for the community.  A major milestone this year has been the completion of the much-needed stabilization and renovation of the 1810 Historic Phoenix House. A project that Mayor Serrano Glassner and our Borough’s Administrator secured $1.1 million in historic grant funding to make possible. Moving further into 2025, it has become clear that we cannot continue to neglect our valuable infrastructure.  Alongside our work on the Phoenix House, we must continue implementing newer technologies, updating our Public Works buildings, and upgrading our police department facilities to better serve our citizens. 

We must also address development in our community. As a lifelong resident of Mendham, I have seen changes to the farms we worked on and the woods we played in as children. They became the places where we now shop, go to Church, and school, homes and condos we live in, and senior housing. I, like most residents, do not like change. Change is always challenging, but despite the changes, we still call Mendham home. It is my hope that we can manage Mendham’s future while maintaining our sense of community. I believe in our hometown of Mendham and know we will manage what comes our way. 

With Gratitude, 

Mayor James “Jim” Kelly
 

Email Address: jkelly@mendhamnj.org

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