Former Ventnor Solicitor Becomes Chief Judge of Centralized Court.

Swearing-in ceremonies were held on Feb 18 for the new Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County.

The former Ventnor solicitor, Tim Maguire, was sworn in as the Chief Judge by NJ Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez.

Four judges will preside in the consolidated court, the first of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

Judges Richard Fauntleroy and Howard Freed were sworn in by Presiding Judge of Municipal Courts Louis Belasco and incoming Assignment Judge Michael Blee.

Judge Blee will replace Mendez upon his retirement effective March 1.

The fourth judge, Michele Verno, was out of town.

Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County

In 2020, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson invited the county’s 23 municipalities to explore the feasibility of a countywide municipal court as a shared service initiative to reduce costs and duplication and provide tax relief to county residents.

Towns like Brigantine and Margate declined to join the cost saving program. Protecting jobs seen as one key reason for these towns opting out.

• Participating Municipalities:
• Egg Harbor Township
• Estell Manor
• Galloway Township
• Hamilton Township
• Linwood
• Northfield
• Port Republic
• Ventnor
• Weymouth Township

“We’re proud to be a model for the rest of the state,” said County Executive Dennis Levinson. “Consolidation is never easy or unanimously accepted, but we believe it can work and work well and bring the benefit of efficiency and cost savings to our taxpayers.”

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The ceremony took place at the recently refurbished courthouse on Main Street in Mays Landing.

Most cases are being conducted virtually as mandated by the Administrative Office of the Courts since June of 2021.

To learn more about the Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County, visit www.aclink.org/centralcourt.