Barnes Hutchins is sworn in at council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 2. The 55-year-old business owner defeated Democratic incumbent Gary Catrambone in the November election.
Delran’s new Republican mayor Barnes Hutchins is hitting the ground running after reaching out to professionals and experienced politicians across the aisle.
He was sworn in at the township council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, with his wife Samantha by his side.
“Winning the election in November is one of the greatest honors of my life … right behind marrying my wife and raising my children of course,” Hutchins said before and during the meeting. “It was validating to know that my friends, family and neighbors believe in me and my vision for Delran.
“As we all know, this was a tough election year, with so many important issues on the line,” he added. “So important that people came out in great numbers and waited in longer lines than ever before. Our voices were heard, and now it’s my job to deliver.”
The 55-year-old business owner defeated long-time Democratic Mayor Gary Catrambone in the November election. Hutchins has lived in the township for seven years and has three children.
“The Delran community sent a clear message to myself and all of us who have been chosen to be the voice of our town,” he noted. “First and foremost, our community wants to be involved, informed and, most importantly, heard when it comes to the decisions that are made in Delran.
“I look forward to collaborating with council to make the next four years the most transparent administration Delran has ever had.”
Hutchins said he would start a new monthly newsletter that will include information such as schedules for leaf pickup and impactful projects like upcoming road improvements.
“We want to provide more detailed information on the projects we are currently working on and outlines for any future proposed projects,” he explained, “giving residents the needed information and an opportunity to join us at town meetings to discuss how these will impact our neighborhood. We will be working on improving our website and also developing a municipal Facebook page.”
Hutchins indicated that he will work hand in hand with the township’s recreational advisory committee and challenged council to provide Delran not only with its long-time community events, but also activities that will bring the town closer together.
“(Also) further challenging the council and myself to do this while maintaining a budget that will use less resident tax money to do so,” he said. “I’ve been given the honor of representing our town, and I want to exceed their expectations and continue to provide the informed leadership and dedication I promised.
“I’ve been reaching out to professionals, experienced politicians and across the aisle to make sure I hit the ground running in January.”
During the reorganization session, former councilman Tom Morrow and incumbent Lynn Jeney, both Democrats, were sworn in to at-large council terms. Councilman Tom Lyon was nominated to serve as council president and Jeney as vice president. Council members welcomed the new mayor and said they looked forward to working with him and his administration.
During public comment, state Sen. Troy Singleton, a resident of Delran, congratulated Hutchins.
“Elections are often times about partisanship, but government is truly about partnership,” he noted. “No good government works well when partnership is not intact, and I know from hearing your comments how sincere you are about your ability to want to govern on behalf of every resident of this community. And I think that is the right disposition to have.”
