CREST HAVEN – “This is new and unacceptable,” stated County Commissioner Will Morey on Thursday, Jan. 4, as the Board of County Commissioners reorganized.
He objected to the way department assignments were made. Those assignments, he said, were not discussed at prior meetings, according to the board’s rules.
He abstained from the selection of Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio to that post as well as to that of Commissioner Vice-Director Andrew Bulakowski. Both received the needed four votes.
Morey also abstained from resolutions designating and assigning departments.
He said the board did not meet to “deliberate on the qualifications and options” of those assigned to the departments.
His abstentions aside, Morey said he intends to continue to work with his colleagues on the board for the good of the county.
Morey, first elected in 2011, was reelected in November. He had taken his oath minutes before from Assemblyman Erik Simonsen (R-1st) to start a new term.
Morey further abstained from a vote on the minutes of the previous meeting as he had been absent.
In past years, Morey was dubbed “education commissioner” since his responsibilities included the county Superintendent of Schools, as well as being a member of the Boards of Estimate for the Special Services School District and the Technical School.
This year, Morey is assigned as Health and Human Services and Information Technology director.
As such, his new duties include the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Services, Division of Community and Behavioral Health Services, Health Department, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Library, and Information Technology.
Last year, Morey headed the Economic Development, Planning Department, Open Space, and Farmland Preservation.
Commissioner Melanie Collette, who took her first oath of office at the meeting, was assigned Public Safety and Consumer Affairs/Weights and Measures.
She is the first African American to win a seat on the board that runs Cape May County government.
Former Middle Township Mayor Timothy Donohue administered her oath of office.
In her role, Collette will oversee the Prosecutor, Tax Board, Superintendent of Schools, Special Services School and Technical School, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Consumer Affairs/Weights and Measures, and Medical Examiner.
Commissioner Bobby Barr, who took his oath earlier in the meeting from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd), having been reelected in November, was assigned as director of Planning, Economic Development, Sheriff (Correctional Center and Animal Shelter), Veterans Affairs, Open Space and Farmland Preservation, Surrogate, and Mosquito Control.
Barr had held the seat vacated last year by E. Marie Hayes, who became surrogate when the former surrogate became a Superior Court judge.
Bulakowski was assigned Transportation, Facilities and Services, Parks and Recreation, and Zoo. He will also oversee the County Clerk/Adjuster and the Board of Elections.
Desiderio will oversee Administration, Emergency Management, Public Works, Public Safety Training Center, Fire Academy, and Tourism.
A separate resolution appointed Desiderio and Collette as Board of School Estimate members for Atlantic Cape Community College.
Desiderio, Bulakowski, and Collette were appointed members to the Board of School Estimate for the County Technical School and Special Services School District in another resolution.
Commissioners’ Salaries
Salaries of all county employees were approved for the year by resolution. No employees are named, as in prior years, but are listed by employee number.
Those salaries are posted on the Herald website under Government Salaries.
Commissioners earn $17,973 annually. The commissioner director earns $18,973 annually.
Constitutional Officers Sworn
Two of the county’s three constitutional officers took their oaths of office at the meeting.
Surrogate E. Marie Hayes had her oath administered by former Superior Court judge Michael J. Donohue.
Sheriff Robert Nolan, dubbed “America’s Sheriff” by Desiderio and others, took his oath from Van Drew.
They serve five-year terms.
The third constitutional officer, County Clerk Rita Rothberg, is serving her term, and was present at the meeting. All three earn an annual salary of $151,525.
Library Tax Set
For taxpayers in 14 of the county’s 16 municipalities, the County Library tax for the new year remains the same as in 2023, about $34 per $100,000 of assessed value. Avalon and Ocean City are not part of the county system and set their library taxes.
Transportation Advisors Named
Fifteen members were appointed or reappointed to the Local Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee for terms ranging from one to three years.
For one year: Jacki Fuscellaro, Jennifer Arenberg, Barbara MaGee, and Ronald Jost.
For two years: Kathy Kugelman, Krista Fitzsimons, Lenora Savich, and BobbiJo Taylor.
For three years: Anne Garrison, Maryann Burke, Jean O’Brien, Raymond DiMarino, Cathy Ierovante, Joyce Vera Thompson, and Stanley Zubek.
