Council Incumbents Challenged in Six-Candidate Race for Three Seats

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Three incumbent council members who campaigned side by side in 2016 all seek reelection—but only two remain independent—in a contested campaign.

Incumbent Steve C. Cascio, who defected from the local Republican Party for his last campaign, is back on the GOP line, Column 1. Incumbents Robert A. Bruno and Michael T. Ullman are in Column 3 on the “Experience Not Politics” ticket.

Town Republicans have also nominated Stacey C. DeMarco-Feeney and Desserie D. Morgan, while Democrats have nominated Marc Moschella.

Voters will elect three members to serve three-year terms on the five-member council. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

We invited each candidate to submit a 250-word statement outlining their backgrounds and issues that are of importance to them; they appear in alphabetical order by last name. Asterisks denote incumbents.

Robert Bruno*

— Party: Independent.
— Age: 65.
— Years of residency: 35.
—Career: Chief finance officer/ chief operating officer.
— Degrees and certifications: B.S. accounting; MBA finance.
— Family: Wife; two sons; daughter-in-law; grandson and granddaughter.
— Elected experience: Councilman, 2016–present; council president, 2017.

My goal is to continue to make Washington Township a town that we are all proud to live in. Before being elected by you to the council, I was working openly to accomplish projects in town. I have always offered to volunteer my time and I am still here to help. I have made considerable progress and delivered results even with limited authority. Four consecutive years of municipal tax decreases, along with full transparency of financial information, used millions of dollars that sat idle for years, televised meetings, and rescinded the garbage bag ordinance, as well as improving municipality building maintenance, with money that sat in a balance sheet reserve being untapped for years.
There is much more to do and I will work effectively to continue to improve the main areas of our municipality, which are town infrastructure/financial, administrative/human resource development, and township outreach.
Again, the issues we are still facing are not acute, they are chronic. I give you my word: I will continue get it done, as I have already demonstrated positive results. Financial transparency, budget controls, and making sure the irregularities stop. I have lived in town for 35 years and have actively participated in many town programs. You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, we will build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

Steven C. Cascio*

—Party: Republican.
— Age: 56.
Years of residency: 49.
—Career: Teacher; chiropractic physician
—Degrees and certifications: The College Of New Jersey: B.S. in physical education; Parker University, Dallas, doctorate in chiropractic medicine.
— Family: Wife, Donna; daughters, Michelle and Samantha.
— Elected: Council, 10 years.

I’ve always had the fortune to live in the township. I know it is a special place and I am proud to reside here.
I am running for re-election because I want to make sure some of the project’s we started such as the intersection at Washington Avenue, and Pascack Road gets completed, so residents and visitors can get to there destination safely and timely. I will continue to explore building a new parkway exit to alleviate congestion in the township.
We must share services because it’s cost effective to do so. We continue working closely with Westwood and our schools. This ensures every citizen gets the best our community has to offer.
My only goal is to obtain the best services for the public at the most reasonable rate. I will not ask the taxpayer one dime more that is necessary to run township government. I will keep the property tax levels low so residents can remain to live here.
The last few years we’ve made significant progress but we must continue to do better. As a teacher I know the little things make the most difference. Let me be your voice.
On Nov. 5, I ask for your support. Vote Column 1.

Stacey C. DeMarco-Feeney

—Party: Republican.
— Age: Didn’t answer.
— Years of residency in town: Didn’t answer.
—Career: Accounting and finance technology.
— Degrees and certifications: Didn’t answer.
—Family: Husband Matthew; daughter Emma.
— Elected experience: Unknown/didn’t answer

Stacey Feeney is a longtime resident of the Township of Washington. A graduate of the township’s Immaculate Heart Academy and loyal Bergen County resident. Stacey recently returned to reside in her hometown with her husband Matthew and daughter Emma.
In Stacey’s career and personal life, she has developed the leadership skills and experience needed to drive meaningful results. As a Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award recipient, Stacey has shown her dedication to service and her community. Volunteerism is an everyday part of her life, which she also instills in her daughter.
Collaboration and cooperation are very important qualities necessary to work together to achieve results in the Township’s best interest. Stacey’s longevity in running projects, getting results when solving issues, and working with multiple personalities in order to achieve results has been key in her successful career in the accounting and finance technology fields.
Listening to and responding to Township of Washington residents is Stacey’s main focus. Stacey has vowed to honorably represent the residents of the Township of Washington as we work together to make this town the best it can be.
Stacey’s deep love for the Township of Washington has driven her to run for council so she can help to facilitate the growth her hometown deserves. Stacey will fight for our township’s quality of life for all ages to ensure we continue to be known as a welcoming and nurturing place to live.
—Stacey Feeney

Desserie Morgan

— Party: Republican.
—Age: Didn’t answer.
—Years of residency: 13.
— Career: Registered nurse; manages, psychiatric unit; adjunct instructor.
— Degrees and certifications: Bachelor’s in nursing; master’s in leadership and healthcare.
— Family: Husband Jason; four daughters.
— Elected experience: Unknown/didn’t answer.

Desserie Morgan has been a township resident since 2006. Born and raised in Bergen County, she and her husband Jason were drawn to the township for its high quality of life and excellent school system to raise their four daughters in.
Over the last several years, Desserie has and continues to serve the town on many levels. She is a coordinator for the town’s recreational cheerleading program, where she is extremely dedicated to the growth of the program. In the four years she has been overseeing the program, there has been new life and tremendous growth.
Desserie has been an active member of the Board of Health and Board of Recreation and is the co-ambassador for the Township Stigma Free Initiative, which is recognized countywide.
In her professional life Desserie is a registered nurse and holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing (MSN), master’s degree in leadership and healthcare. She manages a 24-bed psychiatric unit at St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson. Desserie is also an adjunct clinical instructor at Bergen Community College and Jersey College, teaching mental health to future nurses. It’s Desserie’s passion that motivates her to continue to volunteer and offer her services to the town she calls home. The ideas and suggestions that many of the town’s residents have shared is the very reason Desserie is driven to run for council. Desserie believes the town’s residents are its greatest asset and it is their voice that needs to be heard.
—Desserie Morgan

Marc A. Moschella

— Party: Democratic.
—Age: Did not answer.
—Years of residency: 5.
—Career: Officer, Cliffside Park Police Department.
— Degrees and certifications: Degree from Sacred Heart University.
— Family: Wife, Tina; daughter, Jordan Reese Moschella.
— Elected experience: None.

My name is Marc Moschella and I am running for town council in the Township. I attended Sacred Heart University in Connecticut where I played Division 1 football throughout my four years there. I have spent the last 15 years serving the residents of Cliffside Park as a police officer. I moved to Washington Township with my wife two years ago. We recently have welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Jordan.
When elected, the main focuses will be ensuring our first responders and borough employees have the proper equipment to continue to serve our residents. Ensure they have the most current training to respond to any emergency. Our schools, children and residents need to feel safe as the trust they instill in their responders and leaders should be an unbreakable bond.
Communities should be a home where families place roots down and not have to worry about rising tax rates and unsafe environments. When elected, I will fight for our community to ensure borough residents can stay where they chose to put down everlasting roots. A place where children will have safe playgrounds and parents can have peace of mind.
When elected, my door will always be open to ensure the service you are receiving is the best possible. Every resident has a voice and I am prepared to hear your voices, attack your concerns and protect your rights.
My passion to address your concerns and celebrate our achievements is something I would love to get started on. Please feel free to contact me so we can move forward as a strong community.

Michael T. Ullman*

— Political party: Independent.
— Age: 52.
— Years of residency: 18.
— Career: Currently, Tiffany & Co.; business-to-business sales operations (nine years); previously, J.P. Morgan Chase, vice president.
— Degrees and certifications: B.S. in management (finance concentration), Kean College of New Jersey.
— Family: Married; Debra, wife of 20 years.
— Elected experience: Sitting councilman.

I have chosen to run for reelection because there is still much work to be done within the Township. Four years ago, the issues facing the Township were daunting. In those four years, I have worked to control municipal taxes, while addressing the many challenges facing the Township.
My successes include a stable municipal tax rate including multiple reductions over the past four years; transparency with our municipal budgeting and spending process; large infrastructure expenditures providing needed equipment for dedicated Township employees; televised council meetings; removal of the “garbage bag” ordinance. 2020 should see the redevelopment of the Pascack Road and Washington Avenue intersection based on approved plans and project costs that have been funded by the current council.
Looking forward, the Township has a number of large needs that must be addressed in a fiscally responsible manner. These include managing the construction phase of the emergency services building to house the Fire Department and Ambulance Corp; acquisition of multiple fire trucks; construction of a new Department of Municipal Facilities building and the remediation of contamination at the existing site; addressing lighting and drainage at Memorial Field; on-going repaving program and accreditation of the Police Department.
As an independent candidate, the influence of party affiliation does not come into play. No county committee, no campaign contributors, no favors, paybacks or quid pro quo—just the need to answer to the people of the Township of Washington. I would appreciate your support on Nov. 5.
—Michael T. Ullman