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Politics & Government

Sweeping Changes Not Expected at Committee Reorganization

After the political tide turned last year, it's unlikely the township committee will make as many appointment changes at tonight's reorganization meeting.

Tonight's West Deptford Township reorganization meeting for 2013 may not see quite as much change at the top as recent years did.

Last year's reorganization meeting saw the appointment of Raymond Chintall as mayor, Sean Kilpatrick as deputy mayor, and a swing in the political landscape in the township as the Republican-led committee made sweeping changes to the township's professional appointments.

With no changes in the five committee members from 2012, it would be a surprise to see such changes happen once again. Democratic Committeewoman Denice DiCarlo, who won the 2012 election over Republican Jeff Hansen, will be sworn into a new, three-year term on Thursday night. Her re-election keeps the balance at 3-2 for Republicans to Democrats. 

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Any changes that may happen on Thursday may be at the heads of the departments and within the township's various committees. After winning the election in November, DiCarlo hinted that she'd like to be more involved on the financial side of things for the township. In 2012, Committeeman Samuel Cianfarini was the chair for Finance and Administration, while DiCarlo was in charge of Public Works.

It remains to be seen whether DiCarlo will get her wish in the Republican-controlled committee. All department chair appointments are ultimately made by the mayor.

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The mayor has a decision to make on other committee appointments as well. The mayor will appoint new terms for committees that include the Library Commission, Tree Commission and Committee on the Disabled.

However, the biggest appointments may come with the planning board. Two of the board's top members, chairman Scott Kintzing and secretary Fred Purnell, both saw their terms end last month. Kintzing said that he would be more than willing to continue to serve on the township's planning board following the board's last meeting on Dec. 18. Kintzing was charged with lewdness in November after he was allegedly seen naked by a school custodian while changing after a basketball game at Oakview Elementary School the month before.

With the exception of one Class III planning board seat that is selected by the committee, all planning board seats are appointed by the mayor.

A finalized agenda for Thursday night was not available as of late Wednesday afternoon, but it will be posted on the West Deptford Township website when it is finished. The reorganization meeting will begin tonight, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. at the West Deptford Municipal Building.

 

CORRECTION: Scott Kintzing was charged, not arrested, in October. A change to this article was made at 9:32 a.m. Jan. 3. 

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