Deptford Township council held its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, a session that featured the swearing in of new members.
Councilmen Ken Barnshaw, Bill Lamb, Wayne Love and Phil Schocklin were all sworn into office by outgoing Senate President Steve Sweeney and Congressman Donald Norcross. Mayor Paul Medany was reelected mayor and Tom Hufnell deputy mayor.
“Reorganizations are ceremonial,” Medany said in an interview with The Sun. “It’s an opportunity for council members to thank everybody for the service this past year, especially this past year with the pandemic and F-3 tornado and everything else that happened in Deptford.”
All 48 resolutions addressed at the end of the meeting were approved, mostly consisting of professional appointments and standard business practices to start the new year.
Medany reflected on the state of municipality address he gave at the reorganization meeting, noting the challenging year and how to move forward.
“It’s a never ending list of things to accomplish, and tax stabilization is always our top priority,” he said.
And on the theme of moving forward, Medany understands the severity of the current COVID surge happening within Gloucester County and across the nation, and he plans to continue with appropriate steps to ensure township safety.
“Since the pandemic started, we have followed all the CDC guidelines and complied with all the governor’s executive orders,” Medany noted. “That’s what we’re going to continue to do. We have to protect the health of our employees, and then hopefully we can impart some of that knowledge on to our residents.”
Medany wants to assure Deptford residents that COVID mandates will consist of recommendations and not requirements, including the recommended mask policy for township employees.
“We all know there’s a big battle out there,” Medany said regarding the national debate on the COVID vaccine. “Right now, the municipality’s business is keeping employees safe and healthy.”
For more information and resources on COVID, visit the Deptford Township website, Plan and Prepare emergency management page.
