Mike Todd was sworn in last night as mayor of Robbinsville Township, marking a leadership transition at the township’s annual government reorganization meeting.
Todd, who ran unopposed in November, succeeds long-time Mayor Dave Fried, who announced last year that he would not seek reelection and presided over Todd’s swearing-in ceremony.
Todd is only the second directly elected mayor in the township’s history since it changed from a township committee to a mayor-council form of government in 2004.
“As Mayor, I’m making a commitment to listening. Listening to residents, business owners, our seniors, parents, and students,” Todd said in his acceptance speech.
“Good government starts with open communication and mutual respect,” he said. “My door will always be open, and your voice will always matter. I’d like to sincerely thank the Robbinsville community for this incredible opportunity.”
Todd, 47, first joined Township Council in December 2021 after being appointed to fill a two-year unexpired term. He was re-elected in 2023 and served as Council president in 2024 and 2025.
He has lived in Robbinsville for more than 20 years with his wife, Gina, and their daughters Alyssa and Caitlyn.
Todd works as an electric transmission supervisor for Public Service Electric and Gas Company, where he is involved in strengthening the state’s electric transmission grid and coordinating power restoration following major storms.
In his remarks, Todd credited Fried with shaping Robbinsville’s modern government.
“Mayor Fried leaves behind a legacy of improvements in public safety, infrastructure and the expansion of programs that have enriched the lives of our residents,” Todd said.
“His leadership, commitment, principled approach to governance and steady hand helped guide our community through important moments, tragic events, and meaningful progress,” the new mayor said. “Robbinsville is stronger thanks to him, and for that, our community owes him a sincere debt of gratitude.”
Todd has said his leadership style would emphasize continuity while maintaining a hands-on, collaborative approach to governing.
“Building on the strong foundation established by Mayor Fried, I’m excited to introduce fresh ideas and innovations for Robbinsville,” Todd said in a December column written by Fried.
“My goal as mayor is to stay committed to guiding us toward even greater achievements,” he said.
In an October Q&A published by the Robbinsville Advance, Todd said his priorities included carefully managing redevelopment along Route 130 and Town Center South, maintaining fiscal stability as the township approaches full buildout, and continuing Robbinsville’s emphasis on shared services with neighboring municipalities.
Todd has also cited public safety staffing, affordable housing compliance, open space preservation and transparency in municipal operations as ongoing focus areas for the administration.
As he begins his first term as mayor, Todd said his focus remains on community and collaboration.
“Our impressive team, including the Council, administration, and every Township employee, works hard for Robbinsville,” Todd said. “At the end of the day, along with all residents, we are one big family who should support each other through both the highs and lows.”
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The governing body also reorganized its leadership Thursday night, naming Deborah Blakely as Council president and Harold “Hal” English as vice president.
Blakely and English, who both ran unopposed in November as part of Todd’s ticket, were also sworn in during the reorganization meeting.
Blakely, who begins her second stint as Council president, works as a speech-language pathologist at Sunny Days Sunshine Center in West Windsor, specializing in early childhood communication disorders, autism and speech sound disorders.
A Robbinsville resident since 2001, Blakely became just the second woman to serve as Township Council president when she first held the post in 2023.
During the 2025 campaign, Blakely said maintaining stable budgets while protecting services remained a top priority.
“I take pride in being on a team that has managed to pass budgets with little or no municipal tax increase,” Blakely said at the time. “We will continue to be creative in looking for grants, shared services and ways to give our residents what they need while respecting household finances.”
English, who was originally appointed to Council in January 2024 to fill an unexpired term, serves as president and chief executive officer of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He previously served as Robbinsville’s director of community development and as a vice president at First Choice Bank.
English currently represents the township on the Economic Development, Foxmoor Redevelopment and Town Center South Redevelopment committees.
Looking ahead, English has said the township must remain fiscally cautious while planning for long-term growth.
“The economy is uncertain, so we will be conservative in our projections,” English said during the election season. “Mayor Fried is leaving us in great shape for the next few years, and we need to keep redevelopment focused where it makes sense.”
Todd, Blakely and English will serve four-year terms through 2030.
In addition to family friends and a number of township residents, the reorganization meeting was also attended by state Senator Linda Greenstein and elected officials of neighboring communities, including Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin and Allentown Mayor Thomas Fritts.
With Todd’s move to the mayor’s office, Township Council must now appoint a replacement to fill his vacant council seat. The governing body is expected to vote on an interim appointment at its Jan. 29 meeting.
If council is split evenly, Todd would cast the tie-breaking vote. The appointed council member would serve until the certification of the Nov. 3, 2026 municipal election results and the swearing-in of an elected successor.
At Thursday’s meeting, Council also approved a shared services agreement with the Borough of Hightstown for emergency dispatch services.
Under the agreement, Robbinsville will become the primary provider of 24/7 dispatch operations for Hightstown beginning on or about May 16, 2026.
The initial agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2034, with options for two additional five-year extensions.
Robbinsville will hire two additional full-time communications officers to support the increased call volume, with Hightstown reimbursing the township for all associated employment costs.
New Robbinsville Mayor Mike Todd is sworn in by outgoing Mayor Dave Fried at the township's Jan. 15, 2026 reorganization meeting. He is accompanied by his wife, Gina, and daughters, Alyssa and Caitlyn. (Robbinsville Township photo.),
