Last week’s Medford Township Council reorganization meeting was emotional in more ways than one for Chuck Watson.
Council unanimously chose Watson to lead the township as mayor for 2015. While many of Watson’s family and friends were able to join him as he was sworn in, there was one person not present who was on his mind.
Watson’s father, Charles, passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 82, just a week prior to the reorganization meeting.
Watson said the reorganization meeting was a bittersweet moment.
“Knowing I might be mayor this year, I always pictured my dad sitting in the front row with a big smile on his face, proud of me as I was sworn in as mayor,” Watson said.
Charles owned Charles M. Watson Co., an electrical contracting business in Philadelphia. Chuck is now the president and owner of the business.
Watson described his father as an honest and respectful man. He told the audience at the reorganization meeting a story of how his father returned money to a customer who accidentally overpaid him. Watson felt the story best exemplified what his father stood for.
“He had strong opinions, as my family will tell you, but he always respected yours,” he said.
Watson hopes to serve the community holding true to the values his father taught him.
“I’ll do my best to serve as mayor the same way,” Watson said. “With honesty, integrity and respect.”
This is Watson’s first time being selected mayor of Medford. He has served on council since January 2012.
Watson is taking over the role of mayor from Chris Buoni. Buoni received accolades from Jeff Beenstock, who was chosen as the township’s deputy mayor for 2015.
“It was a difficult year, and I thought you really represented our town very well,” Beenstock said.
Council chose to keep its meetings on the same schedule as the previous two years. Regular meetings will remain on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Building.
