Commissioners Thank Supporters, Families, Then Get to Work

A crowd of nearly 150 people turned out Tuesday for the first meeting of the new Haddonfield Board of Commissioners.

All three commissioners were administered an oath of office in a public ceremony to reenact their official swearing in last week. It was the first action meeting for the board, made up of two new commissioners and an incumbent entering his second term.

Jeff Kasko was named Mayor of Haddonfield, a decision that was made last week before the board was sworn in. Kasko, 48, a state Department of Health official, was Typically, the candidate who finishes with the most votes is named mayor by the board.

John Moscatelli, 44, a former corporate engineer and now stay-at-home dad, and Neal Rochford, 53, an insurance salesman and former commissioner, also participated in swearing-in ceremonies.

Kasko delivered an emotional address afterward, thanking his father for helping him reach his "full potential," and his mother for advising him to "listen" and temper his emotions.

Moscatelli thanked his supporters and hailed his grassroots campaign.

"A month ago few people in town even knew my name," Moscatelli said. He was a leader of a campaign against a $12.5 million referendum for the public purchase of the Bancroft property on Kings Highway East. The defeat of the referendum in January may have foreshadowed his victory in May.

Rochford thanked his family and supporters and joked about the scope of his new responsibilities as the borough's public safety director. He read a list of responsibilities for the position, including overseeing the police department, community development and animal control.

"Please don't call me at 3 a.m. about a raccoon in your trash can," he said. "That's the job of the animal control officer. I'm as afraid of them as you are."

The commissioners plowed through an agenda with 14 resolutions and the first reading of new parking ordinance for for Springfield Terrace to the south end of Prospect Road. The new regulation will prohibit parking on the west side of the street from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday though Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends from April 1 to October 31.

There are athletic fields nearby and neighbors have complained about parking congestion.

The board also approved a new starting time for work session meetings. They will start at 6 p.m. instead of 5 p.m., typically on the first and third Monday of each month.