By Bill Bates
Mount Ephraim News Correspondent
Mount Ephraim Board of Commissioners honored Mount Ephraim Police Department Retiring Officers Scott Pezzano & Daniel Tokolish Sr. for their 20 years of service to the borough. \”Both Officers retired a few months ago and their years of knowledge are greatly missed in the department\” said Police Chief Ed Dobleman, \”We wish them great success and years of health in their retirement\” he further added.
Patrolman Pezzano, a father of four, stepped up as Mount Ephraim\’s D.A.R.E. Officer after Camden County made cutbacks and a vacancy was left in the school district. Officer Tokolish, a lifelong town resident is greatly missed as many residents where able to talk to Dan as he was always available when he was called upon. Both Officers were presented a special plaque retiring their badge and in appreciation for their many years of service to the borough.
Sgt. Richard Emmitt will also be presented a special plaque at a later date as he was unable to attend Thursday night\’s meeting. Sgt. Emmitt left the department after suffering a work related injury.
Two other special plaques were presented to town residents Bernice Alibrando and Jeff Vilardo for their months of hard work and dedication on compiling, creating and maintaining the newly restructured town website. Commissioner Greenwald stated \”I have looked at numerous town websites and believe that ours is one of the best. It is packed with very valuable information for our residents\”. Commissioner Gilmore added \”Their talents and volunteer work is deeply appreciated by the borough\”.
Nick Devecchis from New Jersey American Water was on hand along with Mayor Joe Wolk to present a check in the amount of $1,500 to the Alzheimer\’s Foundation. Mayor Wolk was one of the two recipients who received the $1,500 gift to be presented to the charity of his choice after winning a raffle at the NJ Municipality of Mayor\’s Conference that was sponsored by NJ American Water Company. Mayor Wolk\’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer\’s when he was around age 60 and passed away several years later. The Alzheimer\’s Foundation provides assistance and educational support to those who are affected by this disease that is incurable.
A resolution was read authorizing acceptance and execution of a termination and release agreement for Acting Borough Clerk Michelle LeViege whose last day of employment was May 27, 2008. It is necessary for the borough to appoint an Acting Borough Clerk in the interim due to the vacancy until the position can be filled permanently.
Richard B. Schwab is available and has the requisite abilities to fill the responsibilities and has agreed to provide the needed services for an average of 20 hours per week as the Acting Borough Clerk. Richard will also attend all official meetings of the borough. Richard comes to the borough with over 35 years of experience in municipal administration.
The following streets will be submitted by the borough engineer for the fiscal year 2009 for Local Road Aid Grant\’s from the New Jersey State Department of Transportation; (in no specific order) Delaware Avenue (from 4th to 2nd Avenue), Lake Drive (from Delaware to Idora Avenue), Hartka Avenue (from Lambert to Green Avenue), Cedar Avenue (from Northmont to Hartka Avenue) and Thompson Avenue (from Black Horse Pike to Dead End).
The next monthly meeting of the Mount Ephraim Board Of Commissioners will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at the Borough Hall Meeting Room commencing at 8 pm.