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CHESTERFIELD: There’s a new mayor in town

By Matt Nelson, Special Writer
   CHESTERFIELD — Richard LoCascio is the township’s new mayor.
   He was appointed to the position by his colleagues on the Township Committee during its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2.
   Mayor LoCascio was nominated by Committeeman Michael Hlubik, Chesterfield’s outgoing mayor of 2012.
   Mr. Hlubik successfully ran an uncontested race in November to keep his seat on the Township Committee. It was the only seat up for election.
   Decided last week, members selected Jeremy Liedtka to continue his role as deputy mayor of the Chesterfield Township Committee in 2013.
   As the committee reorganized its members for the year ahead, Mayor LoCascio was chosen to serve as the Township Committee liaison to buildings and grounds.
   Deputy Mayor Liedtka will serve as liaison to Public Works and roads and Mr. Hlubik will serve as to liaison to personnel for 2013.
   ”John Gillespie, our solicitor, he has received a lot of recognition by the (League) of Municipalities for his work, particularly in the area of municipal law,” Mayor LoCascio said.
   Mr. Gillespie will continue to serve as Chesterfield’s solicitor in 2013.
   Joe Hirsh is continuing his work as the township engineer while John Maley is resuming his role of auditor for Chesterfield.
   ”I have to commend them because I feel as if they work for this township like they’ve lived in it,” Mr. Hlubik said of the township’s hired professionals.
   Mayor LoCascio briefly discussed the temporary budget for 2013.
   Three Planning Board members also were reappointed last week. John Nunziato, Vice Chairman Joseph Malison and Gerald Hlubik all had their terms renewed.
   ”It’s a very well-rounded board that we have,” Mayor LoCascio said of the Planning Board. “Having folks with backgrounds in engineering, construction and agriculture makes this a credit to the town.
   ”And they take their job seriously for a volunteer position,” the mayor noted.
   On the Environmental Commission, Martha Veselka has been appointed the leader of its Green Team.
   The committee approved two appointments to fill vacancies on the Chesterfield Township Police Department.
   James Parent, of Medford, New Jersey was sworn in as a full-time police officer.
   Brandon Heath, of Chesterfield, was sworn in as a full-time Class II police officer.
   Police Chief Kyle Wilson said, “This is not an expansion of the department.”
   The Class II vacancy is a temporary full-time position, according to the chief.
   ”These officers were previously hired as part-time officers and we had to work through (a police) contract, (with) different budget constrictions,” Chief Wilson said. “Now we’ve made Mr. Parent and Mr. Heath full-time police officers.”
   The next Township Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 24 in Chesterfield at 300 Bordentown-Chesterfield Road.