Burlington County to use Board of Commissioners title for the first time during reorganization

MOUNT HOLLY – Members of the Burlington County Board of County Commissioners will use their new titles for the first time on Wednesday when the board organizes for the new year.

The annual Organization Meeting will be held virtually starting at 6 PM and will feature the swearing-in of re-elected Commissioners Tom Pullion and Balvir Singh and the election of the first Director and Deputy Director of the new Board of County Commissioners.

Both leaders were elected to their second three-year terms on the Board during the November General Election. Assemblyman Herb Conaway will administer the oath of office to Pullion and Congressman Andy Kim will administer the oath to Singh.

Gov. Phil Murphy will also participate in the meeting with a pre-recorded message marking the new year and the Board’s switch from the Board of Chosen Freeholders to Board of County Commissioners name.

Freeholder is an Old English term dating back to before the American Revolution to denote a person who owns land and is free of debt, which was once a requirement to hold public office. At the time, only white men could own property and serve.

Murphy signed legislation into law requiring the name change this summer. However, the law did not take effect until Jan. 1 this year.

Burlington County’s elected Board was one of the first counties to endorse the change and has already amended its website and other materials to reflect the change. The Board also voted last month to officially adopt the new Commissioner title, saying the old “Freeholder” term was outdated and that the new title was more reflective of the diversity and inclusiveness of the State of New Jersey and County of Burlington.

The meeting will also feature a report from the Board’s director.

The meeting is being held virtually in order to protect public health during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Residents and media are invited to watch the meeting online or call-in to listen to the proceedings.

To log-in via the County’s webex system, go to the following link: https://burlingtoncounty.webex.com/burlingtoncounty/onstage/g.php?MTID=e43fbeb38aa4714cc092b3651f5a64f95.

The call-in number is 408-418-9388.

The event number: 179 083 1847

Event password: 2021