Acting as Haddonfield borough solicitor for 34 years, Mario Iavicoli will serve the borough for another year, as the Haddonfield Borough Commissioners approved unanimously to extend his contract at the Oct. 8 meeting.
“He’s an asset to the borough,” Commissioner John Moscatelli said.“ His advice is always rock solid.”
In addition to serving as legal counsel for the commissioners, Mayor Jeff Kasko explained that Iavicoli also handles all of the borough’s litigation.
“It’s easier to budget,” Kasko explained following the meeting.
Kasko said that since litigation is incorporated into Iavicoli’s salary, there is no need for the borough to appropriate additional funds for litigation, as is done in other municipalities.
Kasko added that Iavicoli accounts for all of his time in a yearly report to the commissioners.
“Mario does a fantastic job. He’s very experienced,” Kasko said. “We’re very lucky to have him.”
Iavicoli was awarded the extension after agreeing to continue under the same proposal provided in 2012. While a request for proposals is required for borough solicitor every three years, the contract must be extended yearly until the third year, when a new request for proposals will go out.
Under the contract awarded to Iavicoli on Nov. 27, 2012, his salary will remain at $5,833.33 per month, totaling just less than $70,000 for the year.
Iavicoli is the solo-practitioner of the Haddonfield-based Law Office of Mario A. Iavicoli, on Kings Highway.
In other news:
• The commissioners passed a resolution to insert a special item of revenue into the budget after Haddonfield was awarded a $10,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey to add a sustainable element into the borough’s master plan. Borough administrator Sharon McCullough said there are a number of building elements that the borough is currently considering.
• Joe Haro informed the commissioners and the audience during the public comment portion of the meeting that the Friends of the Haddonfield Public Library recently was able to raise $20,000 from its most recent book sale, held on Sept. 21 and 22.
• The commissioners passed a resolution authorizing Friday, Dec. 31 as “First Night Haddonfield 2013.” Beginning at 6 p.m., “First Night Haddonfield 2013” will take place on Kings Highway and adjacent streets. The Haddonfield Cultural Events Commission and First Night Steering Committee will sponsor the event. A subsequent resolution was also passed to lift restraints on “overnight parking” for residents and guests on borough streets between midnight and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2014.
