David M. Salkin : Mayor

David Salkin has served as a member of the Township Committee since 1994. He served as Mayor in 2005 and 1999 and Deputy Mayor in 2008, 2004, 2002 and 1996. A life-long resident of the Township, Salkin chairs the Township's Legal, Law Enforcement & Justice subcommittee, and is also the Township's liaison to the Shade Tree Commission.

Salkin is Chairman of the Township’s award-winning Open Space Committee. As such, he has spearheaded Freehold Township’s efforts to preserve undeveloped land. The Open Space Committee, which also includes Eugene Golub, completed the first state-approved Open Space and Recreation Master Plan in NJ. The plan outlines specific steps for land preservation and makes it easier for the Township to obtain grants and low-interest loans for the purchase of open space property. The Township's Open Space acreage has almost tripled since the plan was implemented.

In 1998, the Open Space and Recreation Master Plan was honored with the Twenty Stars for Twenty People Award by the Monmouth Conservation Foundation. The Award is annually presented to individuals, municipalities or organizations who have made significant contributions to Monmouth County in pursuit of open space conservation.

In addition to his work to preserve the environment, Salkin is also a strong advocate for preserving Freehold Township’s historic character. Salkin began his local involvement as a member of the Histoic Preservation Commission, and helped the commission write their own Historic Preservation Master Plan. He also has worked closely with the Commission to refurbish Freehold Township's two remaining one-room schoolhouses, the Georgia Road Schoolhouse and West Freehold Schoolhouse, as well as the Oakley farmhouse, now a museum. Salkin also helped draft the township's architectural controls ordinance to insure that commercial development reflects the township's rich colonial history and avoids unsightly constructon.

David is a published novelist and continues to write thrillers. He is a Master Graduate Gemologist and co-owner of Salkin's Jewel Case. He is also an associate member of the Philip A. Reynolds Detachment of the Marine Corps League, a member of the Veteran's Community Alliance and a charter member of the Freehold Sunrise Optimist Club.