Washington Township has a new mayor.
Laurie Burns was unanimously selected to fill Mayor Joann Gattinelli’s unexpired term after a long executive session during the last township council meeting of the year on Dec. 20.
Gattinelli resigned her position on Nov. 27 to serve as a newly elected member of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. She won that seat in the November election. The Gloucester County Clerk’s Office certified election results on Nov. 22. Councilman Anthony DellaPia had been serving as mayor in the interim.
At the December session, Councilman Donald Brown Jr. motioned to select the 45-year-old Burns. The township Democratic committee gave council her name and two others – Sean Longfellow and Chris Milam – eligible to replace Gattinelli.
Burns is a lifelong resident of the township who is married with two children. She grew up with her parents, brothers and sister and has stayed in the township with her husband, a local attorney, and kids Christopher and Brooke.
“My children and I attended Washington Township schools, including high school,” Burns shared. “My children participated in township youth sports and high-school athletics. My daughter is currently a sophomore at Rutgers-Camden.”
Burns has been involved in local politics for years, most recently as co-chair of the local Democratic Party. She began her work career as a paralegal and currently serves as the clerk of the county commissioners.
“Between my experience in politics and my work in government, I believe I have the experience and knowledge, and most importantly, the enthusiasm, to lead Washington Township as mayor,” she noted. “I believe there is no Democrat or Republican way of running municipal government.
“At the local level, all of our residents want the same thing, good services, including snow, leaf and trash removal; stable taxes; and community togetherness.Â
“For example, I’m an advocate of the Fourth of July Parade and fireworks, which I believe brings us together as a town,” she said. “As we were taught on the sports fields and in high school, ‘We are township,’ and I believe we can thrive together as a community.”
As a formality, Township Attorney Stuart Platt swore in Burns as mayor after she was selected. The township’s reorganization meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers, 523 Egg Harbor Road.
Gattinelli had been serving her second term. Burns will serve her unexpired term through the end of 2024.
