Tom Merchel Resigns As Moorestown Township Manager

MOORESTOWN, NJ — For the second time in about a year, Moorestown is looking for a new township manager. Tom Merchel announced his resignation from his position as township manager during Monday night’s council meeting at town hall.

He will remain as the township’s chief financial officer (CFO), the position he held prior to accepting the position of township manager following Scott Carew's resignation last January. He will remain as township manager until the township can find a suitable replacement, a process that is currently in its early stages.
He informed council of his decision to step down during a special meeting on Jan. 29.

“I’m doing two full-time positions right now,” said Merchel, who makes $42,000 a year as township manager and $143,000 a year as CFO. “I’ve had a lot of accomplishments, but it’s demanding, and the township will benefit from having two full-time people in these positions.”

Merchel had a lot to deal with in both positions in the last year, including:
Instituting a temporary treatment for the North Church Street Water Treatment Plant while working on the permanent solution for upgrades to all the water treatment plants in the township;
Managing a capital plan that invested in upgrading the township’s water and sewer infrastructure, roads and parks, including some long needed stormwater management improvements to Strawbridge Lake;
Pushing forward a solution for the long debated parking meter problem on Main Street;
Pushing the affordable housing situation toward a possible resolution;
Recruiting and hiring a Public Works Director, Community Development Director, Utilities Superintendent, Principal Planner, Court Administrator and Deputy Court Administrator, Construction Official as well as a few other key positions in the township; and
The replacement of the turf field at Wesley Bishop Park in time for the spring season.

“Most importantly I took great satisfaction when I was able to help many residents with their concerns,” Merchel said in an email. “As CFO last year, my greatest accomplishment was helping the township get upgraded to an Aaa bond rating.”

With all these issues, Merchel found he had to sacrifice a lot of time.

“As township manager, I was required to be in constant meetings. That makes it difficult for my CFO role in which I have to continually handle the accounting, budgeting and finances for the township,” he said. “There were times when I did not know which day of the week it was or even which week of the month it was because I was always trying to scramble to keep on top of the issues. With all of the demands of both positions I felt it was in the township’s best interest to have a separate full-time manager. This will allow me to concentrate on continuing to serve Moorestown to the best of my ability as its CFO.”

He was praised by members of council for his work over such a difficult stretch.

“You were always available and you were a huge help to me,” said Deputy Mayor Manny Delgado, who served as mayor for most of Merchel’s time as manager. “Very few people could do what you did.”

“I know it’s taken a toll on your time,” said Mayor Stacey Jordan, who understood the decision but was sad to see him leave the position.

“We always knew this was an experiment, and if you can’t do it, no one can,” Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said.

“You did the impossible, but you did both jobs effectively,” Councilman Mike Locatell said. “I would drive by the municipal building late and your light would still be on and I’d come by early and your truck would already be in the parking lot. You made a lot of sacrifices.”

“It’s not been an easy year, and this is a tough job for one person to do,” Councilwoman Lisa Petriello said.

Resident Kathy Sutherland expressed concern that when a new township manager enters the picture, it's like starting at Ground Zero with all the ongoing projects. However, with Merchel remaining as CFO and in a position to help the new manager, she said she's sure that won't be an issue.

As CFO, Merchel said he will also work with the new manager on managing the budgeting, accounting and financial operations of the township.

The selection of a new manager will take several months, and a salary for the next manager has not yet been finalized. Merchel said he hopes a new manager can be in place by the end of June.

Patch file photo