DiCarlo Fills Vacancy, Daws New West Deptford Mayor

The West Deptford township committee didn’t waste any time Wednesday night in finding a replacement for retired mayor Anna Docimo, making their pick in less than 10 minutes from the three candidates put forth by the local Democrats.

After hearing brief summaries from Bill Gigliotti and Denice DiCarlo–Hunter Kintzing was unable to attend the meeting–the committee immediately shifted to nominations for the vacancy.

After a nod from Donna Szymborski and a second by Hugh Garrison, the township committee voted unanimously to bring DiCarlo on to fill the vacant spot for the next year.

While DiCarlo slid into Docimo’s old chair, the role of mayor shifted to Len Daws, who was also a unanimous selection, with Garrison stepping in to fill the deputy mayor’s spot. Both men will have brief terms, serving just until the reorganization on Jan. 5.

With the selection of a new committee member and a presentation by Ray Angelini, Inc. on a proposed solar project at RiverWinds the only two items on the agenda, DiCarlo called it the ideal situation for her first meeting.

“I just want to jump in and do the right thing,” she said.

And that’s exactly what she did, firing a handful of questions about the solar project after a lengthy presentation and public comment session, with a particular focus on exactly what the power purchase agreement would potentially save the township.

With her background in finance, DiCarlo said she wants to be closely involved in budgeting and finding ways to strike a balance between the quality of township services and holding down the tax rate, as the township transitions to a new administration.

“Hopefully they would at least consider me for that role,” she said. “I think that’s where I can add the most value.”

As for the step up to the dais, DiCarlo, a veteran of the school board, said getting a seat in local government is less important than getting things done in the best interests of residents.

“Like any board, sitting at the chair is just a small portion of the job,” she said. “I’m more eager to get in and start working for the taxpayers.”

DiCarlo’s selection to township committee heralds the first of many changes to township government, with committeemen-elect Ray Chintall and Sam Cianfarini set to be sworn in just three weeks from now.

“Change is what the voters wanted,” DiCarlo said. “It’ll be a challenging year for all of us up there.”