Millville reappoints municipal attorney Brock D. Russell in 4-1 vote after public pleas

The Millville City Commission voted 4-1 on Jan. 21, 2025, to appoint Brock D. Russell, Esquire, as municipal attorney, restoring him to an employee role after debate about cost and staffing.

Supporters told the commission Russell’s experience and institutional knowledge made him the best choice. “Brock is a professional, trustworthy, and a man of good character, and has my greatest respect,” said Laura Burns, a former assistant city clerk, during the public comment period.

The reappointment came after multiple residents spoke at the meeting in favor of retaining Russell. Sherman Taylor, a longtime Millville resident and former city employee, said he had known Russell “for most of my life” and called him an “outstanding gentleman.” Robert M. Quaid, a former commissioner, asked the commission to explain the reasons any member would want to remove Russell with only about 10 months left in the current terms.

Commission debate focused on whether Russell’s status as a municipal employee — rather than an outside contractor — increased costs and administrative complexity. Commissioner Sui said he would not support the appointment, citing fiscal concerns: “If he is an employee and he’s the highest paid employee in the city, quite frankly, it’s become not worth the money to pay an employee with all the associated cost,” he said during the discussion.

Other commissioners defended Russell’s role and accessibility. Vice Mayor Watson and Mayor Romanek both voted to reappoint him, saying his hands-on availability and knowledge of current projects were important. After the roll call, the commission recorded a 4-1 tally: Commissioner Hewitt — yes; Vice Mayor Watson — yes; Commissioner Casaubon — yes; Commissioner Sui — no; Mayor Romanek — yes.

Several commissioners and public speakers described how Russell’s office handled specialized filings and coordination with outside special counsel. One commissioner noted that when Russell served as a contractor the city supplemented paralegal and filing services externally; moving him to employee status changed who performed and was paid for that support. The transcript records a reference to a $4,000 stipend related to clerical/paralegal support and separate payments to outside firms for court filings as part of that broader staffing/cost discussion.

The commission approved a formal resolution appointing Brock D. Russell, Esquire, as municipal attorney; the reappointment was taken from the table and passed by roll call vote.

The commission did not adopt any additional limitations or conditions on Russell’s appointment during the meeting. Several residents who spoke urged the commission to finish out the municipal year without replacing the solicitor, saying replacement would disrupt continuity.

Looking ahead, commissioners signaled the city will continue to use outside special counsel for niche matters (redevelopment, labor, tax and foreclosure) that the city manager and others said require specialized services beyond the municipal solicitor’s office. The specifics of compensation, paralegal support and any contract-level changes were not finalized at the meeting.