Scott Owens Resigns From Gloucester Township Council

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — There is now a vacant seat on Gloucester Township Council following the resignation of Scott Owens, Council President Orlando Mercado announced Monday night.

“Scott Owens submitted a resignation letter to me on September 18. He and his family have moved out of the township,” Mercado said at the beginning of Monday night’s council meeting at the municipal building. “We wish Scott and his family well. He lived in the township for a long time. I will miss him and his son coming here, and his family as well. We wish him the very best.”

Owens was not present at Monday night's meeting. In his letter that was obtained by Patch, he said he is moving due to family and professional circumstances.

"It has been my honor to serve the residents of Gloucester Township over the last three years," Owens said in the letter. "I am proud of our many accomplishments, including one year with a zero percent tax increase in the municipal budget, the numerous playgrounds built for the youth in our community, the continued support to the men and women of the GT Police Department, the capital improvement projects, from road repairs to investments in our Public Works infrastructure and so much more. These efforts and others would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of the administration, council members, township employees and the countless volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to see the township thrive."

He was a Democratic member of the council, so the Gloucester Township Democratic County Committee has 15 days from the day he submitted his resignation letter to put forth three possible names for replacement.

Once the names are submitted, Gloucester Township Council will have 15 days to select one of the three candidates to assume the vacant seat. Whoever is selected will fill the remainder of Owens’ term, which ends in 2021. That person will have the option of running in next year’s election for the seat that now formerly belonged to Owens.

Owens was in his first term with council, having been elected in 2017. He is a former Chairman of the Gloucester Township Planning Board and was involved in the township’s Little League teams and MLK Day of Service and Relay for Life.

Owens’ departure leaves Gloucester Township Council with six members until council can appoint a new member.

"Serving the township with you and my fellow council colleagues has been an absolute privilege, and I leave feeling proud of all that we have done for the betterment of Gloucester Township," Owens said in his letter. "I will cherish the memories and the time spent together on Monday evenings and the numerous community events that we always supported. Lastly, I thank the residents of Gloucester Township for entrusting me to serve them these past years."