Three rookies join longtime representative, first-term member on Township Committee
PETERSBURG — Township Committee is decidedly top-heavy in experience after three rookie representatives joined longtime member Curtis Corson and first-term committeeman Victor Nappen on the dais.
The township also has a new mayor, actually a returning mayor with one year of experience in the post, and new deputy mayor following the annual reorganization meeting Jan. 3.
“It’s going to be a little bit trying at times but it’s going to be good for the township to have new, fresh eyes on a lot of things,” said Corson, who has served for more than a quarter-century in two stints.
Zach Palombo and cousin Sam Palombo were sworn in after defeating former mayor Jay Newman and former deputy mayor Kim Hayes in the Republican Primary, then easily winning the general election, while Tyler Casaccio was appointed to fill the position vacated prematurely by former committeeman Mark Pancoast, who resigned in December.
Corson, 60, who was chosen by his peers for the top position after having served as mayor in 2022, is a farmer and business owner who was sworn in to his latest term in January 2024.
In 2016, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of committee member Jeffrey Pierson after Pierson was elected to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now Board of County Commissioners). Corson ran and won a full term in 2017, 2020 and 2023. But he previously spent 18 years serving on the committee, 1996-2011.
He will oversee revenue and finance, the Township Clerk’s Office, construction code, engineering, zoning and planning, personnel, housing and the Upper Township Beach Patrol.
By contrast, Nappen, who was chosen as deputy mayor, was elected in 2022 and has just two years under his belt, while Palombo, Palombo and Casaccio had never before held elected office.
Nappen, 39, was elected in 2022 and oversaw municipal court and animal control. As deputy mayor, he will take on public safety, emergency management, Division of EMS, information technology and communications.
A science teacher at Millville High School who runs his own business, South Jersey Screen Repair, Nappen is raising his young family in the same neighborhood where he grew up. He and his wife, the former Danielle Greene, have two sons along with their large extended families in the township.
Sam Palombo, 28, who was sworn in by Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, is a husband and father who grew up in the township, where he played soccer, basketball and baseball while attending local schools.
The pharmaceutical sales representative, who is the nephew of former longtime mayor Rich Palombo, joined the Upper Township Beach Patrol in 2012. The 2014 Ocean City High School graduate participated in travel and recreational clubs and sports such as soccer, French club and Class Council. He was a member of the French Immersion Program at Upper Township Primary School and remains fluent in the language to this day.
He will oversee sports and recreation programs and public buildings and grounds.
Zach Palombo, who was sworn in by Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, is an educational administration professional and former classroom teacher who now serves as superintendent of Cape May City and West Cape May school districts.
The 44-year-old and his wife, Lori, are parents to three children. He is the son of the former mayor.
Zach Palombo earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The College of New Jersey in 2003, with teacher certifications in elementary and secondary history and special education.
Palombo later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from University of South Dakota in 2008 and an educational specialist degree in 2015. He currently is a doctoral student at the University of Idaho in educational leadership.
Zach Palombo, who also served 20 years on the North Wildwood Beach Patrol, retiring in 2017 as lieutenant, will oversee the Department of Public Works.
Casaccio, 33, is a lifelong township resident who is in charge of maintenance for his family business, Clayton’s Self Storage and mobile home parks.
The 2009 Ocean City High School graduate and his wife, Darcy — also a lifelong township resident — have a 4-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son, who are the fifth generation of his family living locally.
He has been a member of the Upper Township Republican Committee for about five years and his father, Paul Casaccio, is chairman of the Zoning Board.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and want to keep Upper Township a desirable place to live,” Casaccio said. “I want to bring honesty, transparency and accessible to township residents and keep it going in a forward, positive direction.”
Casaccio will serve the one year remaining on Pancoast’s term and would have to win re-election in November to retain the seat.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
