Robbinsville Township Mayor
Mayor Dave Fried
Danielle Huddleston
Executive Administrative Assistant
(609) 918-0002, x. 102
E-Mail: mayor@robbinsville-twp.org
Mayor Dave Fried was first selected to fill an unexpired term in 2000 under the prior Township Committee form of government. During a term as mayor, he won approval of New Jersey’s first local pay-to-play ordinance.
As a Committeeman, Dave Fried supported the change to the nonpartisan, strong mayor form of government that voters approved overwhelmingly in November 2004. He became the first mayor directly elected by the voters and was sworn in July 1, 2005, by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie. He was re-elected in May 2009 by a margin of nearly 2-to-1; Mr. Christie, now the Republican nominee for New Jersey Governor, returned to administer the oath on July 1, 2009.
In his first term, Mayor Fried’s commitment to good government continued with a revised ethics policy for elected officials and staff, which explicitly banned gifts and hiring relatives of elected officials for permanent positions.
Mayor Fried has brought a new focus on economic development, shared services, and streamlining government. In 2006 and 2007, he brought both the independent Fire District and the Municipal Utilities Authority under the municipal government, saving more than $1 million in direct and indirect costs, trimming payroll, and improving customer service by allowing residents to pay bills and do business in a single office. His changes to the delivery of emergency services have continued to reverse the trends that were in place prior to 2006.
Even before recession, Mayor Fried took steps to reduce the costs that drive up property taxes by requiring employees to contribute to health care. Robbinsville is believed to be the first town in New Jersey that gained health care co-insurance contributions from all employees, including police and firefighters. Mayor Fried has also eliminated post-retirement medical coverage for most new hires.
The takeover of the MUA was part of a broader strategy to encourage growth along key highway corridors. Following the successful update of the Master Plan in 2006-2007, the Council approved a forward-thinking Highway Commercial ordinance and adopted sanitary sewer improvement plans that will promote growth where it makes sense. Prior governments stalled growth along Route 130, leading to an imbalance between residential and commercial ratables.
More recently, Mayor Fried promoted 2009 changes to the Township’s sign ordinance, a small business advertising partnership and marketing support for grand openings in the Township. New gateway signage promotes the signature economic development event of his first term: Changing the Township name to Robbinsville to distinguish it from the other towns called Washington. Voters approved the change nearly 3-to-1 in November 2007.
Mayor Fried’s commitment to economic growth is balanced by his attention to quality of life and recreation. He has preserved more than 500 acres of open space and in 2010 opened a new, 26-acre park, Blakely Park, which provides permanent space for youth football and lacrosse programs. Mayor Fried is a longtime supporter of Meals on Wheels and has raised thousands of dollars to support Robbinsville Little League Softball teams that advanced to the World Series in 2008 and 2010. On his watch, the Township formed a Municipal Alliance to combat substance abuse; Robbinsville supports an array of drug prevention and enforcement efforts, including the City of Angels and specialized training for Township police.
Dave Fried is the CEO of Tricore PCM, which provides integrated payroll, benefits administration and human resources management services to employers. He is married and has two children, and he volunteers as a youth basketball coach.
