Dan McGonigle is Southampton’s Construction Official. He has a number of other titles, including Building Inspector, Zoning Official, and Pinelands Local Review Officer. With all these responsibilities, it is only natural that he would have a qualified individual in his office to assist the public in the permitting process. That person is Debbie Hodgson. Debbie has worked in the Construction Official’s office since 1997. During her six years there, she has gained valuable on-the-job skills related to the office and has taken various job-related technical courses, receiving New Jersey state certification as a Technical Assistant to the Construction Official in 2002.
Early on in her current position, Debbie created various handouts and in-house forms to facilitate the permitting process for residents. These forms have helped in not only making the process easier for the applicants, but have increased the productivity within the department by creating a smooth and speedy turnover time. Debbie also coordinates all scheduling of required inspections for each permit issued. Each month she is required to transmit various reports regarding all permit and certificate transactions to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Her responsibilities also include the scheduling of resale and rental inspections, licensing of storage trailers, used car lots and junkyards. Debbie also receives and writes up the complaints for follow-up by Dutch Roebles, Southampton’s Code Enforcement Official.
Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Debbie was raised in a military family, living in numerous places throughout her father’s military career, including Germany twice. When her father retired after his last tour of duty at Fort Dix, the family settled in Pemberton. Her husband, Jack, who was born and raised in Vincentown, had a service station and used car business in Pemberton, and that is where they met. They were married in 1968 and settled in Vincentown in February, 1970, where they bought their first home in the village. They’ve moved twice within the village since then, each home being only a few blocks from the other.
Before coming to work for Southampton Township, Debbie worked as a travel consultant and travel agency manager. She attributes her love of travel to her nomadic upbringing. She has traveled all over the world, including a memorable family trip to Egypt in 1987 with son Mark and husband Jack.
Debbie has a special place in her heart for animals, especially dogs. She enjoys walking, and can be seen faithfully every day, rain, snow or shine, walking her beautiful black lab, Chance, through the village of Vincentown. She likes gardening, frequenting antique shops, reading, sharing time with friends and family and relaxing beside the Vincentown Mill Pond in her back yard. She and Jack have an interest in old cars, especially corvettes and they enjoy attending vintage car shows periodically.
Debbie has first-hand experience in dealing with home renovations. She and Jack did extensive restoration to a home they owned on Mill Street, and more recently did some major renovations, including a new addition, on their current home. Organizing the project, applying for permits, and following through the required steps to complete the job has put her on the receiving end of the process she coordinates through her office. Call it “on the job training” which has helped her answer questions posed by applicants from personal experience. Her goal has been to make the permitting process a little easier for the applicants, and from all reports, she seems to be succeeding well in that regard!