By Barbara A. Preston | Posted Feb 3, 2025
Devra Keenan resigned from her position on Montgomery Township Committee, effective immediately, according to a letter dated Jan. 31 and mailed to the municipal clerk.
“This decision has not been easy, and it comes after much reflection. I have come to realize that my values no longer align with those of the leadership on this governing body, and as such, I feel it is time to step away from a role where I no longer believe I can contribute in the way I once did,” Keenan said.
“Public service, in my view, is about putting the needs of the entire community first—without bias or favoritism. Those of us in elected office should represent every voice in Montgomery, and work toward a government that is transparent, fair, and honest.
“Our role is to focus on the real, substantive issues that affect our neighbors, families, and our future. Unfortunately, too much energy is spent sidestepping these challenges in favor of photo opportunities, trivial initiatives, and catering to specific interests instead of tackling the difficult but necessary work of serving the community. Accountability has too often taken a backseat.”
Montgomery residents first elected Keenan to office in 2019. She took office in Jan. 2020, when the CDC recorded the first cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., which quickly spiraled into a pandemic.
Her Democratic colleagues on Township Committee selected her as mayor for three consecutive years (2021-2023).
In Nov. 2022, Montgomery Township voters had re-elected Keenan to a second, 3-year term on Township Committee. Her term would have expired in Dec. 2025.
Gov. Phil Murphy (center) with former Montgomey Mayor Devra Keenan (left) and former Mayor Sadaf Jaffer (right) at a past event. Montgomery News file photo.
Mayor Neena Singh, who had previously served as Keenan's deputy mayor, told The Montgomery News that, "The township committee appreciates Committeewoman Keenan’s dedicated service to Montgomery. We are planning a formal proclamation at our township committee meeting in the near future." The next Montgomery Township meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7 pm.
Recently, Singh had not appointed Keenan to the 2025 Montgomery Planning Board. Keenan then suggested that Singh should not serve on the Planning Board because Singh works in the real estate business.
Keenan attended the Montgomery Planning Board reorganization meeting on Jan. 13 and spoke during the public comment session. "I do believe it inappropriate for the mayor to retain a seat on the Planning Board due to her livelihood as a realtor in 2025. The planning board will be facing some critical decisions regarding affordable housing, redevelopment, possible re-zoning efforts, and projects such as Village Walk at Montgomery, 23 Orchard (a largely empty office building), and the Kenvue property (formerly J&J on Grandview/Rt 601). These projects all have the potential to significantly shape the future of Montgomery."
The Montgomery News asked Mayor Singh whether she had a conflict serving on the Planning Board. She responded, "There is no conflict as per our [Montgomery Township] attorney."
Montgomery Township Committee members at the Jan. 3 2025 reorganization meeting. From left: Devra Kennan, Dennis Ahn, Patricia Taylor Todd, Mayor Neena Singh, and Deputy Mayor Vince Barragan. Photo by Barbara A. Preston
Montgomery Democratic Organization Chairperson Sadaf Jaffer said her party will be putting forth the names of possible candidates to fill Keenan’s unexpired term. The Township Committee will then select a replacement from the names submitted.
Keenan led Montgomery's diverse township of about 23,300 residents during the pandemic.
“At one point, I was literally at the Shop-Rite parking lot, saying to people: ‘hey did you get vaccinated,'” Keenan had told The Montgomery News. She said she is proud Montgomery has had a vaccination rate of more than 90 percent, one of the best in Somerset County. Keenan attributes this to the township’s heavy focus on vaccinations.
Jaffer told The Montgomery News, “I am thankful for Devra Keenan’s many years of service to the Montgomery community including as Township Committee member and mayor. Devra was an invaluable support to me when I led the township as mayor during the 2020 COVID pandemic, particularly with her outreach to businesses and vulnerable communities. She would personally go door to door to hand out PPE and safety guidance.
“During her tenure as mayor, Devra was a tenacious advocate for vaccine access in Montgomery, particularly for homebound residents, and personally ensured the safety and well-being of residents imperiled and impacted by Hurricane Ida. In 2022, she helped our community inaugurate a beautiful new municipal building and library and ensured the best transition possible. During my time as assemblywoman, Devra was a fierce advocate and great partner in securing state resources for Montgomery including funds for emergency services, environmental protection, and pedestrian access. We are very lucky as a community to have had her leadership. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
She has lived in Montgomery Township for 28 years. She has served on the Montgomery Planning Board, the Environmental Commission, the Budget & Finance, Agricultural Advisory, Shade Tree, and Wildlife Management committees.
“It has truly been an honor to serve as an elected official in Montgomery over the past five years,” Keenan said. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished, particularly during my time as mayor. We successfully navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, and I will always remember the moment I received word that my lobbying efforts had secured 100 of the first emergency vaccine doses for our most vulnerable, homebound residents. It was a victory that was a direct result of our community’s dedication and my relentless advocacy.”
Keenan was also mayor during Hurricane Ida, which struck just before schools were set to reopen.
In her resignation letter, Keenan wrote, “Thanks to the quick and coordinated efforts of municipal staff, school officials, and county representatives, we were able to ensure that our schools reopened on time, despite widespread destruction to our infrastructure. Similarly, I worked tirelessly to secure Blue Acres funding to support homeowners impacted by the storm.”
“On top of that, I fought to bring our fair share of state and federal resources back to Montgomery. I secured the largest amount of state aid for Somerset County, including $2.1 million for First Responder radios, $3 million for pedestrian connections to key community buildings, and $75,000 for a native tree buffer along Route 206. From federal funds, I helped bring in an additional $1.5 million for the demolition of the old municipal building and stream corridor restoration, as well as $1 million in county aid to bring safe drinking water to the OKCC and support the construction of an accessible playground.
“This is not a decision I take lightly. I remain deeply devoted to the community of Montgomery and will continue to fight for the values of justice, equity, and integrity that have always guided me. While I am stepping down from this office, my advocacy for a municipal government that works for all Montgomerians will not stop.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work closely with such a dedicated group of township employees and volunteers over the years as an elected official and I look forward to contributing to the community in other ways.”
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