Editing Moorestown, New Jersey (section)

===Local government===
[[File:Main St. Moorestown Arial.webp|thumb|Moorestown's Main St. and surrounding areas]]
Moorestown's municipal government operates within the [[Faulkner Act]] (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under [[Faulkner Act (council–manager)|Council-Manager]] plan E, which was implemented as of January 1, 1967, based on the recommendations of a [[Charter Study Commission]].<ref>[http://www.dudley-2010.com/Faulkner%20Act%2046pages.pdf "The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012040522/http://www.dudley-2010.com/Faulkner%20Act%2046pages.pdf |date=October 12, 2013 }}, [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]], July 2007. Accessed October 8, 2013.</ref> This form of government is used in 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Township Council is comprised of five members, who are elected [[at-large]] in partisan elections to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 43.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=12 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 12. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At a reorganization meeting held in January after each election, the council selects a mayor and a deputy mayor from among its members. The township manager, a full-time professional administrator, is appointed by the council. Under the township's administrative code and the Faulkner Act, the manager has the township's executive and administrative authority and responsibility. The township manager is Kevin Aberant.<ref name=Manager/>

{{As of|2025}}, the Moorestown Township Council includes [[List of mayors of Moorestown, New Jersey|Mayor]] Quinton Law ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2025), [[Deputy mayor]] Sue Mammarella (D, term on committee ends 2028; term as deputy mayor ends 2025), James A. Barry (D, 2028), Nicole Gillespie (D, 2026) and Christopher Keating (D, 2028).<ref name=TownCouncil>[https://www.moorestown.nj.us/189/Town-Council Township Council], Moorestown Township. Accessed January 10, 2025. "Moorestown's local government utilizes the Council-Manager plan. The township’s municipal government is comprised of a five-member, elected council. These members are elected to a four year term and serve on a volunteer basis."</ref><ref>[https://www.moorestown.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/8317/2024-Municipal-Budget---Adopted 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Moorestown Township. Accessed January 10, 2025.</ref><ref name=Burlington2024>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Burlington/122853/web.345435/#/summary General Election November 5, 2024 Official Results], [[Burlington County, New Jersey]], updated November 21, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref name=Burlington2022>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Burlington/116176/web.307039/#/summary November 8, 2022 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results], [[Burlington County, New Jersey]], updated November 29, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref>

In 2004, Moorestown elected a majority Democratic council for the first time in its history. In 2008, the Moorestown Republicans won back three seats, giving them a 4–1 majority starting in 2009. On Election Day 2012, Republicans [[Victoria Napolitano]] (5,580 votes), and Phil Garwood (5,467 votes), along with Democrat J. Greg Newcomer (5,345 votes), won election to the three open seats on the township council, outpacing Republican Pete Palko (5,321 votes) and Democrats Brian Sattinger (4,899 votes) and Mark Hines (4,869 votes).<ref>[http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/upload/County_Clerk/Election_Results/Summary_Report.pdf November 6, 2012 Summary Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124022441/http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/upload/County_Clerk/Election_Results/Summary_Report.pdf |date=January 24, 2013 }}, Burlington County. Accessed December 31, 2012.</ref> Republicans maintained a 4–1 majority, and Stacey Jordan was sworn in as Moorestown's first female mayor on January 7, 2013.<ref>Scott, Rob. [http://moorestown.patch.com/articles/councilwoman-tapped-to-be-moorestown-s-first-female-mayor "Councilwoman Tapped to be Moorestown's First Female Mayor; Stacey Jordan is expected to be chosen as the new mayor at township council's reorganization meeting on Jan. 7."], Moorestown Patch, December 25, 2012. Accessed June 3, 2013.</ref>

During summer 2007, the township hall suffered smoke and water damage caused by an electrical fire.<ref>Staff. [http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=5545424 "Fire Creates Mess for Moorestown Government"], [[WPVI]], August 6, 2007. Accessed April 12, 2011.</ref> The township offices were temporarily located at 2 Executive Place,  Moorestown Township with council meetings held during that time at the William Allen Middle School Auditorium and court sessions are conducted in Maple Shade.<ref>Comegno, Carol. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106105341/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courierpostonline/access/1947589511.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+26,+2010&author=CAROL+COMEGNO&pub=Courier+Post&desc=Moorestown+extends+town+hall+timetable&pqatl=google "Moorestown extends town hall timetable"], ''[[Courier-Post]]'', January 26, 2010. Accessed April 12, 2011. "Court offices have moved to Maple Shade, most township offices are on Executive Drive and council has been meeting at the William Allen Middle School."</ref> On December 10, 2012, Town Council members John Button, Greg Gallo, Stacey Jordan, Chris Chiacchio, and Mike Testa, along with Councilmembers-elect [[Victoria Napolitano]] and Greg Newcomer, broke ground on the new Town Hall, which was completed in 2014 <ref>Scott, Rob. [https://archive.today/20130131050357/http://moorestown.patch.com/articles/moorestown-town-hall-construction-will-start-by-month-s-end%23photo-12493740 " Moorestown Town Hall Construction Will Start by Month's End; Construction crews are expected to install a fence today blocking off the library parking lot, which will remain up throughout construction."], Moorestown Patch, December 10, 2012. Accessed June 3, 2013.</ref><ref>Lepore, Sam. [http://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/new-town-hall-in-moorestown-opens-may-19th "New Town Hall In Moorestown Opens May 19th"], Moorestown Patch, May 12, 2014. Accessed September 8, 2015. "Moorestown has announced that the Township Administrative Offices that are currently located at 2 Executive Drive, will be relocated to the new Town Hall at 111 West Second Street on May 19, 2014."</ref>

In the 2014 elections, Stacey Jordan was re-elected to council along with her Republican running mate, Manny Delgado, who made history by becoming Moorestown's first Hispanic Councilman when he took office in January 2015. During the same reorganization meeting, [[Victoria Napolitano]] became Moorestown's youngest mayor ever at the age of 26, and may also be the youngest female to ever hold the office of mayor statewide.<ref>Bauma, Brigit. [https://thesunpapers.com/2015/01/12/moorestown-township-council-decides-mayor-and-deputy-mayor/ "Moorestown Township Council decides Mayor and Deputy Mayor"], ''The Moorestown Sun'', January 12, 2015. Accessed January 10, 2025. "On that night, Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano, at the age of 26, became the youngest Moorestown mayor, and perhaps the youngest female New Jersey mayor ever, while newly-elected Councilman Manuel Delgado became the council's first member of Hispanic descent."</ref><ref>McHale, Todd. [http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/municipal-reorganizatons-continue-with-some-firsts/article_3c881bfc-635c-532b-af74-bf3b478f80ca.html "Municipal reorganizatons continue with some firsts"], ''[[Burlington County Times]]'', January 6, 2015. Accessed January 16, 2015. "Moorestown appointed the youngest mayor ever to serve in the post, and swore in the first Hispanic council member to serve on the Township Council during the annual reorganization meeting Tuesday night. By a majority vote, the Township Council appointed 26-year-old Victoria Napolitano as mayor."</ref>

In December 2015, the township council selected Lisa Petriello from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in 2016 that was vacated by Greg Newcomer when he left office the previous month.<ref>Bauma, Brigit. [https://thesunpapers.com/2015/12/23/lisa-petriello-is-chosen-to-fill-newcomers-term-on-moorestown-council/ "Lisa Petriello is chosen to fill Newcomer's term on Moorestown Council"], ''The Moorestown Sun'', December 23, 2015. Accessed January 10, 2025. "Lisa Petriello was unanimously approved as the newest member of council during the Dec. 23 special meeting. She will fill the unexpired term of Greg Newcomer, who resigned on Nov. 30 due to health reasons."</ref>

In November 2016, Republican incumbent [[Victoria Napolitano]] won re-election along with her Republican running mate Mike Locatell and Democrat Lisa Petriello, continuing the Republican Party's 4-to-1 majority. At the township's January 2017 reorganization meeting, Manny Delgado was elected by his peers as Moorestown's first Hispanic mayor.<ref>Everett, Rebecca. [http://www.nj.com/burlington/index.ssf/2017/01/moorestown_swears-in_townships_first_hispanic_mayo.html "Moorestown swears-in township's first Hispanic mayor"], [[NJ.com]], January 4, 2017. Accessed January 6, 2017. "But his swearing-in as mayor at Moorestown's council reorganization Tuesday did mark a first: He is the first Hispanic mayor in the township. Delgado will now lead the town council, which he was first elected to in 2014.... Also at Tuesday's reorganization, according to the Burlington County Times, Jordan became deputy mayor and two council members, Republican Mike Locatell and Lisa Petriello, the only Democrat on the council, were sworn in."</ref>

In 2018, the township had an average property tax bill of $11,241, the highest in the county, compared to an average bill of $8,767 statewide.<ref>Marcus, Samantha. [https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/04/these-are-the-towns-with-the-highest-property-taxes-in-each-of-njs-21-counties.html "These are the towns with the highest property taxes in each of N.J.’s 21 counties"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], April 22, 2019. Accessed November 5, 2019. "The average property tax bill in New Jersey was $8,767 last year. But there can be big swings from town to town and county to county.... The average property tax bill in Moorestown Township was $11,241 in 2018, the highest in Burlington County."</ref> That year, Democrats Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly defeated Republican incumbent Manny Delgado and Jamie Boren, giving Democrats control of council for the second time in history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levinsky |first=David |title=Democrats take control of Moorestown Council |url=https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/news/2019/01/08/democrats-take-control-moorestown-council/6359250007/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Burlington County Times |language=en-US}}</ref>  At the council's reorganization meeting in January, 2019 Lisa Petriello was elected by her peers as mayor, with Nicole Gillespie serving as deputy mayor.

In January 2020, Nicole Gillespie was elected mayor and Brian Donnelly as deputy mayor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FLYNN |first=KELLY |date=2020-01-07 |title=Gillespie sworn in as mayor of Moorestown |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2020/01/07/gillespie-sworn-in-as-mayor-of-moorestown/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=The Sun Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref>  On November 3, 2020 Democrats Sue Mammarella, Dave Zipin and Jake VanDyken made history by defeating three Republican opponents to give Democrats the first ever 5-0 majority on Moorestown council beginning in January, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-21 |title=Democrats Hold On To Win 3 Seats On Moorestown Council |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/democrats-hold-win-3-seats-moorestown-council |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Moorestown, NJ Patch |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2021, the Township Council unanimously elected Nicole Gillespie as mayor for a 2-year term, Sue Mammarella as deputy mayor, and selected Quinton Law to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Brian Donnelly until he resigned from office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FLYNN |first=KELLY |date=2020-01-07 |title=Gillespie sworn in as mayor of Moorestown |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2020/01/07/gillespie-sworn-in-as-mayor-of-moorestown/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=The Sun Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref> The appointment made Law the youngest and the first Black councilmember in township history.<ref>Flynn, Kelly. [https://thesunpapers.com/2021/01/29/law-is-youngest-and-first-black-moorestown-council-member/ "Law is youngest and first Black Moorestown council member"], ''Moorestown News'', January 29, 2021. Accessed July 11, 2022. "Quinton Law made Moorestown history on two fronts at the Jan. 27 township council meeting. Upon his official swearing in, he became the first Black and youngest person appointed to town council. Law was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by former Deputy Mayor Brian Donnelly."</ref> Law served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name="Burlington2021">[https://press.co.burlington.nj.us/PRESS/ElectionArchive//2021/General//2021_G_OFFICIAL_Summary.pdf November 2, 2021 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results], [[Burlington County, New Jersey]], updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In January 2022, Nicole Gillespie was re-elected to a second term on council and Quinton Law was elected to a full term, retaining the Democrat's 5-0 majority.

In January 2023, Nicole Gillespie and Quinton Law were unanimously elected as mayor and deputy mayor by their peers. In December of 2023, Jake Van Dyken resigned from Moorestown council for personal reasons, and the remaining councilmembers unanimously appointed Christopher Keating to fill the unexpired term until December, 2024.

====Mayors====
{{Main|List of mayors of Moorestown, New Jersey}}
* Quinton Law, 2025 to present.
* Nicole Gillespie, 2020 to 2024. Longest-serving female mayor and longest-serving Democratic mayor in Moorestown.
* Lisa Petriello, 2019 to 2020.<ref>Levinsky, David. [https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20190107/democrats-take-control-of-moorestown-council "Democrats Take Control of Moorestown Council"], Burlington County Times, January 7, 2019. Accessed June 17, 2019.</ref> First female Democratic mayor in Moorestown.
* Stacey Jordan, 2018<ref>Bellano, Anthony. [https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/new-moorestown-mayor-deputy-mayor-sworn "New Moorestowwn Mayor, Deputy Mayor Sworn In"], Moorestown Patch, January 9, 2018. Accessed June 17, 2019.</ref> 
* Manny Delgado (born 1970), 2017 to 2018. First Hispanic mayor.<ref>Bellano, Anthony. [https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/moorestown-council-expected-name-first-hispanic-mayor-tuesday-night " Moorestown Council Appoints First Mayor Of Hispanic Descent (Updated); Manny Delgado was appointed mayor during Tuesday night's reorganization meeting."], Moorestown Patch, January 3, 2017. Accessed February 5, 2018. "Calling it an 'evening I will not forget,' Manny Delgado was sworn in as the first mayor of Hispanic descent by Moorestown Council at Tuesday night's reorganization meeting at the municipal building. Delgado was sworn in as Moorestown's new mayor following a 4-0 vote by the five-member council."</ref>
* Phil Garwood (born 1959), 2016 to 2017.
* [[Victoria Napolitano]] (born 1988), 2015 to 2016. Youngest mayor and youngest woman to become a mayor in New Jersey.<ref name=Napolitano/>
* Chris Chiacchio (born 1967), 2014 to 2015.<ref>McHale, Todd. [http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/3cfad667-ab7e-5732-a656-0617a9e2da47.html "New leaders sworn in across Burlington County"], ''[[Burlington County Times]]'', January 6, 2014. Accessed February 5, 2018. "Moorestown has a new leader. In a unanimous vote, the Township Council appointed Christopher Chiacchio as the new mayor."</ref>
* Stacey Jordan (born 1970), 2013 to 2014. First female mayor.<ref>Scott, Rob. [https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/moorestown-makes-history-twice-in-one-night "Correction: Moorestown Makes History with First Female Mayor; 'I don't see this mayor's job as a job being suited for a man or a woman. I see it as a job for someone who genuinely cares about our town,' said Moorestown's first female mayor Stacey Jordan."], Moorestown Patch, January 8, 2013. Accessed November 20, 2017. "Township council—including newly sworn-in members Phil Garwood, Victoria Napolitano and Greg Newcomer—unanimously selected Councilwoman Stacey Jordan to be the township's first female mayor during its reorganization meeting."</ref>
* John Button (born 1942), 2011 to 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moorestown.patch.com/articles/button-elected-mayor |title=Button Elected Mayor - Moorestown, NJ Patch |access-date=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720091754/http://moorestown.patch.com/articles/button-elected-mayor |archive-date=2012-07-20 }}</ref>
* Daniel Roccato (born 1961), 2009 to 2010 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://sj.sunne.ws/2011/01/12/roccato-looks-back-at-8-years-on-council/ |title=The South Jersey Sun - Roccato looks back at 8 years on Council |access-date=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620211546/http://sj.sunne.ws/2011/01/12/roccato-looks-back-at-8-years-on-council/ |archive-date=2013-06-20 }}</ref>
* Kevin E. Aberant (born 1969), 2005 to 2008. First Democratic mayor.<ref>Boyer, Barbara. [http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/Michael-L-Sanyour-86.html "Michael L. Sanyour, 86, former Subaru exec and Moorestown mayor"], ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'', March 1, 2017. Accessed February 5, 2018. "Democrat Kevin Aberant, a lawyer, served as mayor from 2005 through 2008. Aberant said it was unlikely the newcomers would have been elected without Mr. Sanyour's support, which he called a 'courageous move' at a time the town was going through a transition."</ref>
* Michael L. Sanyour, 2003 to 2004.<ref>Pray, Rusty. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140307000416/http://articles.philly.com/2004-03-25/news/25385133_1_vacant-seat-planning-board-genetic-research "Moorestown's Sanyour decides not to run again After two years as mayor and 16 on the council, he will not seek reelection. He hopes to write a play."], ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'', March 25, 2004. Accessed February 5, 2018. "Michael Sanyour, a member of the Township Council for 16 years and mayor for the last two, said yesterday that he would not seek reelection."</ref>
* Howard Miller (born 1937), 1997 to 2002.
* Walter T. Maahs Jr. (1927–2011), 1988 to 1996.<ref>Fuhrer, Diane. [https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/moorestown-remembers-walter-maahs " Moorestown Remembers Walter MaahsThe Lenola Fire District pays tribute its longtime member."], Morrestown Patch, April 27, 2011. Accessed February 5, 2018.  "Services for Walter T. Maahs were held Tuesday in Moorestown. Maahs, a Moorestown resident and former mayor, died April 20. He was 84.... Lenola Fire Company Board of Fire Commissioners from 1961 to 1979; serving as president from 1961 to 1979; Moorestown town council from 1977 to 1996; mayor of Moorestown from 1988 to 1996"</ref>
* [[Francis L. Bodine]] (1936–2023), 1981 to 1987.<ref name=Bodine>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070809030314/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/Bodine.asp Assemblyman Francis L. Bodine (D)], [[New Jersey Legislature]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of August 9, 2007. Accessed December 10, 2017. "Public/Party Service: Burlington County Board of Freeholders 1985-94, Director 1988, 1993; Delaware River Port Authority 1983-90, Commissioner; Moorestown, Mayor 1981-87, Council 1977-87"</ref>
* James Euel Palmer (1932–2000), 1976 to 1980.<ref>{{cite news |author=S. Joseph Hagenmayer |title=J. Palmer, Ex-moorestown Mayor |url=http://articles.philly.com/2000-10-27/news/25588436_1_moorestown-resident-mayor-camden |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701130036/http://articles.philly.com/2000-10-27/news/25588436_1_moorestown-resident-mayor-camden |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2012 |quote=James Euel Palmer, 68, a retired telecommunications executive and former Moorestown mayor, died Tuesday of cancer at his home in Avalon. He was a Moorestown resident since 1964 and was born and raised in Philadelphia. Mr. Palmer, a Republican, served on the Moorestown Township Council from 1973 until 1980; for four of those years, from 1976 through 1980, he was mayor. |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=October 27, 2000 |access-date=2011-11-01 }}</ref>
* William A. Angus Jr. (1923–2006), 1971–1976.<ref>[https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/courierpostonline/obituary.aspx?n=william-arthur-angus&pid=131540989 "William Arthur Angus Jr."], ''[[Courier-Post]]'', April 3, 2006. Accessed February 5, 2018. "Bill was Mayor of Moorestown from 1971-1976 and a Council Member from Jan. 1967 through Dec. 1976."</ref>
* John L. Call, 1969 to 1970.
* Charles Walton, 1967 to 1968.
* Albert Ellis, 1962 to 1966.
* [[Edwin B. Forsythe]] (1916–1984), 1957 to 1962.<ref name=Forsythe>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000286 Forsythe, Edwin Bell, (1916 - 1984)], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Accessed December 10, 2017. "member, Moorestown Township Committee, 1953-1962; mayor of Moorestown, 1957-1962"</ref>
* William J. Hall Jr., 1954 to 1956
* Allen Nixon, 1943 to 1953.
* Fred P. Smith, 1938 to 1942.
* Benjamin Haines, 1935 to 1937.
* John C. Dudley, 1932 to 1934.
* Frederick W. Grube, 1929 to 1931.