Council seeks clarity from state after dispute over township manager’s claimed residency

Willingboro Township Council debated the residency status of Township Manager Dwayne Harris at length on June 16 after Councilman Anderson said documents recently provided to council suggested the manager’s claimed Willingboro address did not meet the municipality’s residency requirement.

Anderson told the council he had conducted independent checks after receiving DMV change‑of‑address paperwork and a lease that he said described a single‑room rental. He said county property records appeared to show foreclosure activity at the address and that the landlord later told him the lease would be terminated because of the attention the property received. Anderson said he believed the presentation of that documentation did not satisfy the council’s earlier waiver conditions.

Harris said he submitted a two‑year lease, updated his driver’s license and changed his voter registration and that he followed legal counsel’s advice while attempting to secure a more permanent Willingboro residence. Harris also said some of the sums the council discussed earlier were unrelated to residency and stemmed from his divorced household’s financial circumstances; he asked council to follow established personnel processes.

Council voted to send a letter to the New Jersey Attorney General requesting clarity on possible forfeiture actions or other ramifications that might affect the manager’s ability to serve, and the council asked two members to review the materials and return recommendations at the next meeting. The council did not take an immediate personnel action that night.

What residents should know: the council is seeking outside legal guidance and has not yet removed or suspended the manager; the matter will return for further consideration once the two‑member review committee reports.