Louis Capelli Jr. was re-elected director of the Camden County Board of Commissioners at the board’s reorganization meeting, where newly sworn commissioners and county officers took oaths and the board approved its customary start-of-year resolutions in a single roll-call vote.

The board voted unanimously to adopt resolutions 1 through 55 and two walk-on resolutions setting the annual salaries for the sheriff and the county clerk. The roll call recorded all commissioners voting “yes.”

The reorganization meeting began with the swearing-in of Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, Commissioner Melinda Kane and Commissioner Al Dyer. Sheriff Chuck Billingham and County Clerk Pamela (Pam) Lampitt also took the oath of office earlier in the program. Assembly Majority Leader Louis (Lou) Greenwald administered several of the oaths.

“It's an honor and a privilege to serve,” Director Louis Capelli Jr. said after he was sworn in and nominated to continue as director. Capelli was nominated and then took the oath to serve as director of the board for 2025.

Edward T. McDonald was nominated and confirmed as deputy director by roll call and then sworn in. Both leadership votes were followed by the customary oaths of office for the named officials.

During the meeting the board added two walk-on resolutions to the agenda: one setting the sheriff’s annual salary and one setting the clerk’s annual salary. After a brief public-hearing period with no speakers, the board chair called for a single vote covering resolutions 1–55 and the two walk-ons. A roll-call vote followed; each commissioner recorded a “yes” vote and the motion carried.

Commissioners used the reorganization event to offer brief remarks about county priorities for 2025. Commissioner remarks highlighted continued focus on public safety, infrastructure projects (including a multi-town Kings Highway modernization project described as “over $10,000,000”), efforts to reduce overdoses (the county cited 188 suspected overdose deaths through Dec. 14, down from 326 the prior year), and a six-point plan and investments intended to reduce homelessness, including facilities at Lakeland and in Camden.

Votes at a glance
- Election of director: Louis (Lou) Capelli Jr. — Motion to name Capelli director carried by roll call; oath administered.
- Election of deputy director: Edward T. McDonald — Motion carried by roll call; oath administered.
- Resolutions 1–55 and two walk-on resolutions (including annual salaries for sheriff and county clerk) — Approved by roll call, unanimous.

The meeting closed after routine housekeeping and New Year remarks from commissioners; the board adjourned following a motion and unanimous voice vote.

Ending
The actions taken at the reorganization meeting set leadership and adopt the board’s standard start-of-year package. Commissioners’ remarks signaled priorities for the year — public safety, infrastructure investment, homelessness initiatives and continued county services — and the board moved forward with the administrative items required to begin the 2025 session.