Harrison Township operates under the ‘Township’ form of municipal government and is comprised of five members elected at-large through partisan elections. Members of township committee serve staggered three-year terms and reorganize annually during which the mayor is elected amongst members of township committee. Mayor Louis Manzo serves as chair of the township committee, is considered the head of the municipal government and has all powers vested in accordance with New Jersey statute. Generally, any action taken by the mayor and township committee is done through passing resolutions and adopting ordinances. In addition to the duties outlined above, Township Committee members also participate as liaison members of various boards and commissions within the township.
Township Committee Work Session meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., and Regular Business Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are held in the Municipal Building and are open to the public; residents are encouraged to attend. For rules and regulations of the Township Committee’s public meetings, click here.
LOU MANZO, MAYOR
Liaison to LPAC, Board of Health Member, Public Safety Director, County Liaison, Board of Health President, Finance, and Employee Relations.
Lou grew up in Collingswood, NJ and attended Rutgers University in Camden as a Psychology Major. After college, Lou worked for eight years in the Casino Gaming industry in Atlantic City, dealing all four table games, and advancing to the role of Floor Supervisor. He transitioned to a career in the Financial Services industry in 1991 and he holds multiple Securities licenses and practices as a Certified Financial Planner, achieving his CFP designation in 2004.
Lou has been married to his college sweetheart, Joanna, for 39 years and they have three grown daughters who have all graduated from Clearview High School. Talia subsequently graduated from Seton Hall University and is a Marketing Director for an insurance firm. Alexis graduated from Monmouth University with a degree in Education and a Special Education certification. She is now a 4th Grade teacher. And Marissa graduated from Stockton University in May 2018 and works as a Sales Representative for Aetna in Nashville, TN.
Lou is proud to say that the Harrison/Clearview public education system has prepared the three Manzo girls well, as they all excelled academically in their college careers.
Lou became active in the community immediately upon moving to Mullica Hill in 1999, initially coaching his daughters in both soccer and basketball. In fact, his involvement as a Harrison Soccer Board member and engagement with town leadership is what led him to seek a Township Committee seat. Lou was first elected in 2007 and his fellow committee members have chosen him as Mayor every year since.
Lou also sits on the Executive Board of the NJ Conference of Mayors and has served on the Gloucester County Mayors Association Board as both Vice President (2014) and President (2105). He is one of the longest-tenured Mayors in Gloucester County and is looked upon as a prominent voice in the county and region, having testified at State Legislative Hearings, chaired County collaboration initiatives and given multiple TV interviews as such.
Lou is proud of the significant infrastructure advancements he and the Township Committee have achieved since 2008, including multiple road and traffic signal improvements. A new Public Works Building and Police Station top the municipal projects completed, along with major improvements to the public recreational fields that include the William Wilt Soccer Complex, considered one of the finest in South Jersey. Improving the public park system has been a priority under Lou’s leadership over the last 14 years.
The commercial ratable tax base has also increased substantially in the last decade, with multiple new businesses in town. Most recently, this includes the new Dunkin Donuts and Liquor Store, the expansion of blueplate restaurant and the conversion of Naples Ristorante into the first establishment serving alcohol in Mullica Hill since Prohibition. Lou initiated the referendum vote approving Liquor Licenses in Harrison in 2012. The new Inspira Medical Center & Cancer Center opened its doors in December 2019, which is a game changer for the entire region. And now, after the COVID pause, other major projects are positioned to move forward in 2021-22.
Fiscally, the land-use tools of the Redevelopment designation and PILOT Programs have positioned the town well going forward. Harrison Township consistently has the 3rd or 4th lowest municipal tax rate of the 24 towns in Gloucester County.
Phone: (609) 254-1199
Email: lmanzo@harrisontwp.us
JULIE DELAURENTIS, DEPUTY MAYOR
Liaison to Recreation Commission, Clearview Regional Jr. & Sr. High School, Veterans’ Commission, Sewer Utility, Representative to JLUB.
Julie grew up in a small Ohio farming town, graduated from Ohio State University and worked as a Packaging Engineer for International Paper Company and then The Franklin Mint. Later she started her own small business, JGD Solutions, LLC. Her company scans and digitally saves documents for other small businesses and firms.
Julie and her husband Dominic moved to Harrison Township in 1990. Their children, Mary and Dominic, received an excellent education at Harrison Township and Clearview Regional Schools and they both went on to graduate from Syracuse University. Dominic also graduated from Rutgers Law School and is an attorney. Mary is an architect in New York City.
When her children were young, Julie was a very active volunteer in the schools and in her church. In 2004 she became a member of the Harrison Township Recreation Commission. She has also been active with the Mullica Hill Women’s Triathlon Club (MHWTC) and has served as the Co-Race Director for the American Legion Post 452’s Veterans Run.
Julie was elected to the Township Committee in 2017. She is honored to serve as Township Committeewoman and looks forward to working with the other members of the Harrison Township Committee, Township employees and professionals as well as all the volunteers and residents. Like her fellow residents, Julie shares the vision of responsible taxation and growth. She wants to continue the improvement of the Township’s infrastructure, the revitalization of the Historic District and the expansion of new business development. Julie also plans to continue her commitment to recreation facilities, parks, open space and to maintaining the historical agricultural-rural character of the township. She encourages residents to contribute to the Township and welcomes them to share their ideas, suggestions and concerns.
Phone: (609) 377-0328
Email: jdelaurentis@harrisontwp.us
JOHN WILLIAMS, COMMITTEEMAN
Liaison to Harrison Twp Schools, Public Property, Historical Society, Recreation Commission, Historical Preservation, LPAC.
John grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ and has been married to his wife Shannon for over 15 years. John and Shannon are blessed with three children Abigail, Rachael, and Jack. John and Shannon moved to Harrison Township in 2006. Abigail is a student in the Clearview Regional School District, while Rachael and Jack both are students in Harrison Township district. John graduated from Drexel University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and has worked in the commercial printing industry at Perfect Communication for 19 years.
John began his volunteer service in 2008 by joining the Harrison Township Zoning Board. In 2010, John was selected to fulfill an unexpired term on the Harrison Township Board of Education. Following his appointment John would continue to serve being reelected for two terms. During his years as a member, John served on the Finance Committee, School Safety Committee, Buildings and Grounds, and was appointed as the Chairmen of the Negotiations Committee. In 2012, John was selected to become a member of the Harrison Township Joint Land Use Board and served as the Interim Chairmen of the Board. John was elected to the Township Committee in November of 2015, beginning his service in January 2016. He also has been acting as a trustee of the Harrison Run Homeowners association since 2008.
Having the privilege to serve such a great community with its rich historical charm and boundless future truly fulfills John’s desire to be a part of something greater than himself. As a committee person, John is committed to keeping Harrison Township moving in the right direction. John is passionate and committed to focusing on the community’s desire for growth economically while also preserving Harrison Township’s historical identity. He also believes what makes Harrison Township great is its strong family oriented community. To further strengthen that idea John is truly committed to working with both Harrison Township and the Clearview Regional School Districts to further make Harrison Township an even more desirable community.
Phone: (609) 413-3772
Email: jwilliams@harrisontwp.us
Michelle Powell, Committeewoman
“Updated Biography coming soon!.”
Phone: (856) 472-1854
Liaison to Deputy Public Safety Director, Environmental Commission, Mullica Hill Business Assoc., Historical Society
(Biography Coming Soon!)
If you have a specific request or concern that you would like to have brought to the attention of the Township Committee, please submit all pertinent information in writing to the attention of the Township Administrator.
