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Vineland Council elects Spinelli president, confirms nine department directors
Summary
Vineland City Council unanimously elected Paul Spinelli as council president, named Cruz Gomez Jr. vice president and confirmed nine department directors by roll call votes during a business session that followed the inauguration.
The Vineland City Council voted unanimously to elect Councilman Paul Spinelli as president of the council and to elect Councilman Cruz Gomez Jr. as vice president for four-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and ending Dec. 31, 2028. The council then considered and confirmed a slate of department directors submitted by Mayor Anthony Fanucci.
City Clerk Keith Petrovsky read the mayor’s nominations and the council approved the appointments by roll call votes. The council confirmed Richard P. Tannetta, Esq., as director of law (resolution 2025-3); Robert E. Dickinson Jr. as director of administration/business administrator (resolution 2025-5); Susan M. Baldacero as director of finance (resolution 2025-6); Richard G. Franchetta, Esq., as director of the fire department (resolution 2025-7); McLeod Carre, M.A.L.S.W., as director of health (resolution 2025-8); Mateo Rabbi as director of licenses and inspections (resolution 2025-9); John Lilly as director of municipal utilities (resolution 2025-10); Edwin Alasea as director of public safety/police director (resolution 2025-11); and H. James Neer as director of public works (resolution 2025-12).
Roll-call votes recorded “Yes” from Councilwoman Elizabeth A. McIntyre Arthur, Councilman Scott E. English, Councilman Cruz Gomez Jr., Councilman Paul Spinelli and Councilman Albert Vargas for the leadership and director confirmations where recorded in the transcript. Where council members moved and seconded nominations, the clerk called for roll-call adoption and each resolution was adopted.
During discussion on the licenses-and-inspections appointment, a council member asked whether Mateo Rabbi’s private work as a licensed plumber in New Jersey presented a conflict of interest. The clerk responded that it is not a conflict if the appointee does not perform work for the city government itself.
Petrovsky asked the directors present to come forward and take the oath; seven of nine directors were on hand for the swearing. Several resolutions were adopted by unanimous roll call without extended debate.
The council also placed administrative housekeeping items on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting, including a mix of grant acceptances, contract awards and budget-temporary appropriations (resolutions 2025-14 through 2025-26). Council President Paul Spinelli and the clerk directed new council members to consult with the president or business administrator with procedural questions prior to meetings.
