Big Issues Immediately Face New Haddonfield Commissioners

Updated at 8:05 p.m. May 21

In a quick ceremony that started with an oath and ended with a sweet treat, Haddonfield's three commissioners took their seats as the borough's governing body and immediately got to work.

Jeff Kasko, Neal Rochford and John Moscatelli took the oath of office at noon Tuesday in an unofficial gathering that nonetheless drew a crowd of onlookers at Municipal Hall. By state statute, the three had to be sworn in no later than a week after the election. The borough plans an additional ceremony on May 28.

As expected, Kasko was named mayor. Haddonfield traditionally chooses its mayor by who garnered the most votes in the election. Moscatelli, with the second highest vote total, was sworn in as deputy mayor.

Kasko will remain the borough director of revenue and budget. Moscatelli is the new director of public works and Rochford is the director of public safety.

Rochford congratulated his fellow commissioners with boxes of cupcakes as the ceremony concluded. The other treat waiting the commissioners is stacks of paperwork on their desks about pressing Haddonfield issues.

On everyone’s mind: the sewage spill, and what’s next.

“We need to understand that situation better. I want to find out what happened,” Moscatelli said. “The biggest things I’m concerned with are: Do we have a good grasp about how often this is happening and why wasn’t this reported?”

Kasko said the spill has both short- and long-term implications.

“We’re going to look at why it wasn’t cleaned up right away. Why wasn’t it reported appropriately to state and county authorities? Why weren’t the commissioners or administrator informed?” Kasko said, citing immediate concerns that he called process and personnel issues to be dealt with internally.

Taking a longer view, he said the borough must consider if the sewer line and pumping station should be moved and replaced.

Whatever the outcome, Moscatelli said, he never wants to see a repeat of a backed up line spewing sewage.

“(The malfunction) might have been unavoidable. But people want to know we’re responding to those things and that’s not an acceptable response,” he said. “If we can’t avoid the incident for some reason beyond our control, we can address the cleanup and response. That’s entirely in our control.”

As the public works director, Moscatelli will have oversight of the process; he’s also working through numerous road and water and sewer issues in Haddonfield, he said.

Taxes, future of Haddonfield Police

Rochford and Kasko also have plenty on their dockets as directors. There will be some changes in store for the police department that Rochford must contend with.

“Our police chief is retiring, so a new chief will have to be picked,” Rochford said. “Also, we’re getting into contract negotiations with the union. Those are two issues that will have to be dealt with sooner rather than later.”

As for the new county metro police force, it’s still a firm “no thanks” from Haddonfield.

“I think there’s too much difference between a Camden County metro force patrolling an urban city versus suburban policing,” Rochford said. “I will not go down that road.”

On the financial side, Kasko has revenue boosting and spending cuts on his mind.

“We constantly have to look at ways to raise revenue other than property taxes. It’s always a challenge,” he said. “Then we look at the spending side—where can we economize, where can we be more efficient, where can we reduce spending?”

Kasko said “everything is on the table—everything has to be” for plans to share purchasing and services with the school district, Camden County and other municipalities.

“We’re maxing out at the rate at which we can pile on more property taxes on people,” Kasko said. “Working people and senior citizens on fixed incomes are being taxed out of their homes. I certainly don’t want to do that; none of us do.”

What issue do you want Haddonfield’s commissioners to focus on in the coming term? Tell us in the comments.