Four New Mayors Begin to Serve: Dennis – Matalucci

DENNISVILLE – Describing himself as “definitely not a city boy,” Zeth Matalucci, Dennis Township’s newly-sworn mayor, served two years as a Secret Service officer and then returned to the family business.  
“I lived in Annapolis (Md.) because it reminded me of Cape May, that’s where my in-laws are from and commuted to Washington for work. When my grandfather (John R. Lewis) died, I thought it was the proper time to come back and join the family business which I did in 2006.”
That family business is A. Matalucci and Son in South Dennis which produces monuments, tombstones and other large projects such as monument plaques for Fish Alley in Sea Isle City.
Matalucci taught himself through trial-and-error how to hand-carve stone, a rare and difficult skill.
“I like to go to my work shed and hand carve; it really helps me focus and unwind. Not many people request hand-carving, it’s not easy to do, and not many people offer it,” he said.
Matalucci’s adoptive family on both sides has long connections to the county as funeral directors, and small business owners in Avalon and of a concrete plant in the county.
His mother, Diane Matalucci, is the curator of the Cape May County Historical Museum, so local history has long been a part of Matalucci’s life.
He is married, and his two children, ages 5 and 7, attend the Dennis Township Elementary School.
When asked why he was interested in serving as mayor, Matalucci replied, “I’ve never run for office or even been involved in politics, but I’ve always been interested in following politics. So when someone asked if I’d run I thought it would be a great experience.
“I have a one-year term as mayor and will serve three years on (Dennis Township) Committee. As mayor, it’s a larger time commitment, with greater brunt to take on and responsibility, and in the beginning, there’s been a lot of people to meet.”
Matalucci said he’d like to see more from the community become involved in township events.
“I’d love to see more participation in our committee meetings rather than just posting ideas in the Herald’s Spout-offs. We always want to take care of any problem residents might have. If they attend our meetings, we can talk about it and together find a solution. With work and kids I know it’s easier to be a ‘keyboard warrior,’ but with more involvement, we can make Dennis Township an even nicer place to live.
“For example, there have been suggestions we need a local police force or constables. I don’t think that’s needed and it’s not realistic financially anyway. I’ve talked to the state troopers, and they’ve shown me the types of calls they make and work they do, and I have total faith they can manage anything we might have in Dennis.
“Any concern residents might have we want to hear about it and make it better,” concluded the mayor.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.