Montgomery School Board Member Appointed to Lead Monty/Rocky Hill Alliance

By Barbara A. Preston | August 7, 2026

Montgomery Township Committee appointed school board member Victoria "Cookie" Franco-Herman as the new chairperson of the Montgomery/Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance and Youth Services Commission (MAC-YSC), at its August 6 meeting.

Franco-Herman replaces township resident Lori Huff, who had been chosen as the “2022 Somerset County Volunteer of the Year” by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA)." In Huff's approximately 10 years of volunteer service on the alliance, she had championed many initiatives, including “Project Medicine Drop” outside the police department to collect unused and expired prescription medications and organizing programs to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. She and the commission also provided access to mental health resources and education during the COVID pandemic, among many other things.

Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh administers the oath of office to the new Montgomery/Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance and Youth Services Commission Chairperson Victoria “Cookie” Franco-Herman on August 6.

Photo by Barbara A. Preston.

Franco-Herman, who has served on the Montgomery School Board for six years, recently announced she will not seek a third term.

"I am winding down my term on the board of education and wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I definitely wanted to continue volunteering to serve the community. I have been doing so for a decade now, since 2016. The opportunity was available and I was asked if I wanted to do it. I am grateful to Lori Huff for the work she has done with the municipal alliance, and I will gladly continue the work she has been doing—and also do more hopefully. I look forward to doing it in the next few months and hopefully next year too."

From left: Montgomery Municipal Alliance logo, Mayor Neena Singh shakes hands with Victoria “Cookie” Franco-Herman at the August 6 Township Committee meeting, and Police Chief Silvio Bet with Lori Huff, who recently resigned as chairperson of the alliance after more than 10 years at the helm.

Photos by Barbara A. Preston

Mayor Neena Singh said, "Many residents know Cookie very well because she has a long history of public service within the township. Township Committee unanimously approved her appointment as chairperson of the municpal alliance.

The MAC-MYSC brings together representatives from local governmental bodies, the educational system, the health care community, law enforcement, business, labor, religious leaders, civic associations, social entities, and the community at large. The MAC-MYSC coalition plans and coordinates community programs and activities that help prevent substance abuse and promotes the health and welfare of children and adults.

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The municipal alliance also serves to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. The alliance is funded by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.