Natalie Matthias named Woolwich Township mayor; committee appoints deputy mayor and adopts slate of professional appointments

The Woolwich Township Committee on Jan. 6, 2025 appointed Committeewoman Natalie Matthias as mayor for 2025 and selected Michael Nocentino as deputy mayor, conducted oaths of office and approved a consent agenda that included a slate of professional‑services appointments and administrative resolutions.

At 6:02 p.m., Municipal Clerk Jessica Mignogna called the reorganization meeting to order, read the required Open Public Meetings Act notice and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Committeeman‑Elect Craig Frederick received his oath of office; the committee then nominated Natalie Matthias for mayor. Committeeman McGovern moved to nominate Matthias, Committeeman Nocentino seconded, and the resolution appointing Matthias as mayor (R‑2025‑05) was adopted by roll call (Frederick, Matthias, McGovern, Nocentino: 4–0). The minutes record that Assemblywoman Heather Simmons later administered an oath of office noted in the record.

Mayor Matthias took her seat and the committee nominated Michael Nocentino for deputy mayor. A subsequent roll call adopting R‑2025‑02 (Deputy Mayor appointment) is recorded as unanimous with the five members voting yes (Frederick, McGovern, Minhas, Nocentino, Matthias: 5–0).

The committee then approved a consent agenda that bundled administrative actions and professional appointments (R‑2025‑03 through R‑2025‑34). The consent agenda was moved by Deputy Mayor Nocentino, seconded by Committeeman McGovern, and adopted by roll call (5–0). Items listed in the consent agenda include: municipal solicitor (John A. Alice, Esq.), municipal auditors (Fred S. Caltabiano‑Bowman and Company), municipal engineer (Remington and Vernick), prosecutor (Brendan Moles, Esq.), public defender (Steven Slotnick), traffic engineer and joint planning appointments, bond counsel (Archer & Greiner, John Cantalupo, designee), labor counsel (Zeller & Wieliczko, LLP), financial advisor (Acacia Financial Group), and other routine administrative designations and committee appointments. The transcript lists “R‑2024‑26” among the 2025 resolutions; the minutes present this as written in the record (likely a typographical error in the minutes text).

The floor was opened for public comment and no members of the public spoke. Committee members offered brief remarks of gratitude to residents, family and visiting officials, and Committeeman McGovern singled out the park expansion project as a priority for 2025. With no further business, the committee adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

Votes at a glance • R‑2025‑05 (Resolution appointing Natalie Matthias as Mayor): Motion to nominate by Committeeman McGovern; second by Committeeman Nocentino; roll call recorded as Frederick: YES; Matthias: YES; McGovern: YES; Nocentino: YES — recorded 4–0 (Minhas noted as running late during initial vote). • R‑2025‑02 (Resolution appointing Michael Nocentino as Deputy Mayor): Motion moved and seconded during the meeting; roll call recorded as Frederick: YES; McGovern: YES; Minhas: YES; Nocentino: YES; Matthias: YES — 5–0. • Consent agenda (R‑2025‑03 through R‑2025‑34): Included professional appointments and administrative resolutions as listed in the minutes; motioned by Deputy Mayor Nocentino, seconded by Committeeman McGovern; roll call: Frederick: YES; McGovern: YES; Minhas: YES; Nocentino: YES; Matthias: YES — 5–0.

What happens next The appointments and resolutions adopted at the reorganization meeting take effect per local rules; the minutes note that audio is on file and that minutes are not verbatim. The committee identified the park expansion project as a priority for 2025; no additional policy actions or public hearings were scheduled during this meeting.