Special Meeting Set For Thursday In Moorestown Canceled

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A special closed session meeting that had been scheduled for Moorestown Council to discuss the township manager position has been canceled, township officials announced on Monday.

The meeting that was scheduled for Thursday night has been canceled, according to township officials. It was one of two special meetings that were scheduled for this week. The meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday is still scheduled to take place.

During the meeting, a candidate applying for the position of township manager will be interviewed. No official action will be taken.

Tom Merchel announced at the Jan. 25 meeting that he would be resigning from the position of Township Manager effective April 30. On Monday night, Township Council approved a consent agenda resolution extending that deadline through May 31.

Merchel also serves as the township's Chief Financial Officer, and resigned after the council expressed concerns about his ability to handle two high-pressure positions.

"I can't say I disagree with them," Merchel said at the time. "They left it up to me which position I want to serve in. As township manager I do well, but I don't wish to remain there."

He said he would assist in the search for a new manager. Read more here: Tom Merchel Resigns As Moorestown Manager For Second Time

He previously served as township manager from January 2017 through February 2018, when he resigned as manager due to the pressure of holding both positions. Read more here: Tom Merchel Resigns As Moorestown Township Manager

Thomas Neff succeeded Merchel as manager in August of that year, but he resigned in December 2019 when he took a job working on the state budget. Merchel returned to the role of manager, and has served in both positions since.