Councilman sworn in, another cited for his ‘legacy’

Deptford council hosted its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 6, swearing in Jim Noce to fill a vacant position.

Noce is a life-long Deptford resident who is the current president of the Oak Valley Athletic Association. He was named citizen of the month in August for his work mentoring young athletes and his volunteer efforts.

“I’m very fortunate for this opportunity,” Noce acknowledged. “I look forward to working with each and every one of you and serving Deptford Township.”

Noce fills the vacancy that occurred after the death of Tom Hufnell in December. He had served on the council since 2003, according to Mayor Paul Medany, and was in the middle of a three-year term that began in 2024.

Fellow council members offered their own views on what made Hufnell so special.

“Tom Hufnell was one of our leaders,” noted Councilman Ken Barnshaw. “He was very involved in the community, spoke to a lot of people. He rode on his grass roots, volunteering his time on the ballfields that he played on as a child, and he brought that love here to the council, and also his desire to make this a better place.”

“We all do it with the spirit of making this town better, and nobody did that better than Tommy Hufnell I’ll tell you that,” offered Councilman Phil Schocklin. “I want to continue to serve in his memory. If I had 50% of the spirit that guy had, I’ll do a good job.”

Members of Hufnell’s family attended the meeting and privately received a proclamation from Manzo recognizing Huffnell’s government and community service. The mayor and Huffnell were close friends who grew up together and even campaigned together.

“He was just one hell of a person that was involved in the community and we’re really going to miss him,” Medany observed. “His loyalty and dedication to the community is going to be a lasting legacy.”

Hufnell was also deputy mayor of the township when he died. A successor in that role has yet to be named.