Nine candidates, including four of the five incumbents, will compete for the five slots on the Nutley Board of Commissioners on May 8.

In Nutley’s form of government, the top five vote getters become commissioners, and the candidate who garners the most votes becomes
mayor.

Incumbent mayor Joanne Cocchiola stepped down at the end of
January to take the position of Nutley Municipal Judge. The other four
incumbents are all seeking re-election. 
They will be challenged by five newcomers to the board, including a man
who served Nutley as a state Assemblyman, a longtime former school board member and a current school board member.

Each of the four incumbent commissioners is responsible for a township department.

Incumbent Mauro Tucci is acting mayor and oversees the Department of Parks and Public Property, which includes recreation. Tom Evans is responsible for Revenue and Finance, and is overseeing Cocchiola’s Department of Public Affairs until the election. Alphonse Petracco is in charge of the Department of Public Safety, which includes the Police and Fire departments. Dr. Joseph Scarpelli is in charge of the Department of Public Works.

Among the challengers, Fred Scalera has been an assemblyman and is currently a school board member. Steve Rogers is a high ranking police officer and school board member. Ken Reilly was a longtime school board member. The other candidates are Sanford Fleitell and John Cafone.

Look to Belleville-Nutley Patch for all your election
coverage.