Melvin Cottrell

Who was Melvin Cottrell?

Melvin Cottrell was an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 until his death. He represented the 30th Legislative District, which includes portions of Burlington, Monmouth, Mercer and Ocean counties.

Cottrell lived his entire life in Jackson Township, attending the local public schools and graduating from Lakewood High School. Cottrell was employed as the Assistant Superintendent of Public Property of Ocean County. He served as Chair of the Jackson Township Board of Health from 1980 to 1985, was elected and served on its Township Committee from 1986 to 1991 and was Jackson Township's mayor in 1988 and 1989.

In the Assembly, Cottrell served as the Chair of the Senior Issues and Community Services Committee and was a member of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Committee. Cottrell was an advocate for senior citizens and the disabled, and proposed legislation to require hearing aid coverage by health insurance companies. Together with Joseph J.