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Appointees to the Bellmawr RDA Sworn In; 2018 Temporary Budget Approved

Appointees to the Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority were sworn in on March 14, 2018. Bellmawr Mayor Frank Filipek was named chairman and Bellmawr Councilman Ray Bider was elected vice-chairman/acting secretary. A temporary budget for 2018 was approved.

Appointees to the Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority were sworn in on March 14, 2018. During that meeting, Bellmawr Mayor Frank Filipek was named chairman and Bellmawr Councilman Ray Bider was elected vice-chairman/acting secretary. Additionally, a temporary budget for 2018 was approved.

Attorney Michael McKenna, who is special counsel for the redevelopment, swore in Mayor Frank Filipek (1-year term), Councilman Ray Bider (1-year term), Jay Garagozzo (3-year term), Runnemede Mayor Nick Kappatos  (3-year term), Deptford Mayor Paul Medany (4-year term), Tom Whitman (5-year term), and Enil Patel (5-year term).


In February, Bellmawr Council voted to approve a seven person committee to serve on the Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority.

Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority
From left: Tom Whitman, Runnemede Mayor Nick Kappatos, Deptford Mayor Paul Medany, Attorney Michael McKenna, Bellmawr Mayor Frank Filipek, Jay Garagozzo, and Enil Patel.  Not pictured is Ray Bider, who was absent. (Photos by SJO)

Mayor Frank Filipek thanked those who are serving on the committee. Addressing Deptford Mayor Paul Medany and Runnemede Mayor Nick Kappatos, Filipek said: “Deptford has a piece of it [the landfill], Runnemede has a piece of it, and Bellmawr has a piece of it… We want to make sure that we don’t hurt any town, but try to help and … share equally in what we do. I think this redevelopment will be nice for all three towns.”

All business on the meeting agenda was approved, except three Resolutions were tabled:

  • Resolution Appointing an Executive Director
  • Resolution Designating Bank Depositories and Authorized Signatures
  • Resolution Designating Authorized Person to Prepare, Code, and Sign Purchases Orders for the Authority.

Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority

Regarding the temporary budget that was approved, Michael McKenna stated that when Bellmawr Borough Solicitor, Robert Messick, and Borough Administrator, Josh Tregear, went to the State to get approval to form the Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority, the budget had to be vetted by the Local Public Finance Board. “And it was,” he said.  “We do have a temporary budget that has been vetted by the State and approved by the State and allows us to operate.”

McKenna also said: “This was a collaborative effort [with] the developer, who is funding all of the expenses for this. This is not costing the Borough a dime, but it is not charity. This is what happens with redevelopment. They have to foot the bill for the project that they are in. It has been put together and vetted by the State.”

Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority

The Bellmawr Redevelopment Authority will meet next on Monday, April 16 at 5:00 p.m. Meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the courtroom of Bellmawr Borough Hall.