NORTHFIELD — Councilwoman Barbara Madden, a Democrat representing Ward II, is facing a challenge this year from Republican Carolyn Bucci in the Nov. 2 election.
Madden, 72, is a widowed mother who served in a supervisory role at the Vineland Developmental Center, where she met her late husband, Dr. Thomas W. Madden. In 2000, she began work at the state Department of Health and Senior Services, retiring in 2014.
Madden was elected unopposed in 2018. At the time, she said the tax rate, which had been rising steadily for several years, was a concern of hers.
“I have been honored to serve the people of Northfield,” Madden said. “It was and continues to be an incredible learning experience.”
During her time in office, she has served as liaison to the Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield and Mainland Regional High School as well as serving on the insurance and safety committees.
Madden, along with Councilman Paul Utts and Councilman Frank Perri, have been advocating for the city to allow cannabis businesses to operate along part of Tilton Road, contending the city could gain much-needed revenue. The state allows municipalities to collect a local tax of 1 percent or 2 percent, depending on class.
Madden said doing so would have economic and societal benefits.
“It will destigmatize the use of cannabis, which harkens back to Prohibition,” she said. “Times do change and I think it is becoming legal in more and more states and eventually federal legalization is in the future.”
Madden argues that people are going to smoke marijuana in Northfield whether they buy it in the city or not, so the city should benefit financially.
“If Northfield does not approve it, they will have it delivered to them from the other communities that have approved it,” Madden said, contending that vaping is much more dangerous. She said she takes her votes seriously and tries hard to focus on what the voters want, noting nearly 70 percent of city residents approved legalization and the development of a statewide marketplace.
Madden said it would be wrong to go against that and dislikes when elected officials vote based on their personal agenda.
“I’m here to serve the people of Northfield and try hard at every meeting to do that,” she said.
Madden was a supporter of creating a dog park at Birch Grove Park that never came to fruition and against making the city a Second Amendment sanctuary, saying those who supported that came mostly from out of the city.
“People in the community did not want that and that’s why I voted against that,” she said.
Madden said she supports anything to improve the lives of veterans and senior citizens, noting her opposition to joining the county library system.
Bucci is 57-year-old married mother of two sons: Dante, 25, and Nick, 19.
She graduated from LaSalle University with a degree in management/marketing and has worked in the insurance business since 1986, currently with AmTrust North American as a senior construction defect claim specialist.
Bucci believes her work experience would be an asset to the community.
“I am familiar with NJ Title 59, which is the claims process for municipalities. I handled claims for a number of the Joint Insurance Funds for seven years of my career,” she said, noting she also is familiar working with budgets through community service and the various boards on which she has served.
Bucci said she served on the board for the Mainland United Soccer Association and Northfield Little League and misses being involved in the community. She sees serving on City Council as a way to do her part.
“Now that my boys are grown, it provides an opportunity to get involved. By being a member of City Council I will be involved in the decisions that make this city the great place it is,” she said.
Bucci said she is a good listener, a characteristic she feels lends itself to the position.
“In the claims business I deal with adversity every day. I always keep my composure and treat people with respect regardless of my underlying feelings,” she said. “I work hard at everything I do or have been involved in. I believe my record reflects that.”
She said she also is familiar with municipal tort and loss control and that her job requires her to be detail-oriented.
“I think it is important to report back to council accurately on committee assignments,” she said.
Bucci said she has a proven track record of working hard and getting things done.
“During my involvement I met and worked with people of many different backgrounds. People tend to put their trust in a familiar name or face,” she said.
Bucci said she supports fiscal responsibility by finding ways to stabilize or lower taxes.
“No one wants their tax bills to go up, so through the use of shared services, I will help council work hard on trying to keep our taxes from increasing,” she said.
Bucci said the city is in a “good financial position” but would like to see more businesses.
“I would like to see a small business association be formed as a way of networking to bring new business to town,” she said.
Asked if she supports allowing marijuana businesses in the city, she didn’t exactly say no.
“Northfield is a community with wholesome family values. I am not quite sure a marijuana business would meet our high standards,” she said.
nBy CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff