As we come to the end of 2024, here’s a look back at the top stories in Williamstown.
Monroe police chose a new chief – Lt. Ryan Borkowski – after the March retirements of Chief Craig Monahan and Deputy Chief Gene Sulzbach.
New ranks
With the retirement of Police Chief Craig Monahan and Deputy Chief Gene Sulzbach in March, the Monroe police department made a number of promotions and welcomed four new officers.
They included Lt. Ryan Borkowski, who was sworn in as chief of police; Capt. John McBride, promoted to deputy chief of police; Lt. Mark Burton to captain; Sgt. Mike Gabbianelli, promoted to lieutenant; Det. Sgt. Jules Maiorano was promoted to lieutenant; and Officer Anthony D’Amico was promoted to sergeant.
New officers included Dominick Stellaccio, Daniel Goneau, Justin Fyffe, and Thomas Scudder.
Monroe Township Deputy Mayor Joe Kurz stands outside the construction site at Main Street and Virginia Avenue where the new Williamstown Station No. 1 firehouse will be built by contractor Ogren Construction.
New firehouse
Some 45 years ago, Deputy Mayor Joe Kurz walked into Williamstown Fire Company No. 1 and began a lifetime of service to his town as a volunteer firefighter.
“It was the only building I served in,” recalled Kurz, as he looked out on the razed remains of the firehouse at Virginia Avenue and Main Street that was demolished earlier this year. “I have lots of memories.”
Despite the sentimentality, Kurz is thrilled about what will rise from the ashes in 14 to 16 months as contractor Ogren Construction of Vineland builds a new, $7.9- million, 15,800-square-foot firehouse with four bays designed by Robbie Conley Architect LLC in Woodbury Heights.
“I am very excited,” said Kurz, a retired Monroe police detective who came up with the idea of a new firehouse while serving as president of the company in 2014. “It has been a long time coming.
“It has taken us 10 years,” he added. “The old firehouse was outgrown and outdated.”
Kurz pointed out research that found new construction would be more cost effective than rehabbing the old building and bringing it up to code. The new facility will have administrative offices, a meeting room and kitchen, a day room and a bunk room “in case someday we may need paid firefighters,” he noted, adding that the 100% volunteer fire company with 120 members has served the community since 1909.
Kurz said the building project got more good news in July when state Sen. Paul Moriarty announced that $400,000 was included in the state budget to help fund the new station.
Anthony Iovino’s dream of a state-of-the-art, all-inclusive playground behind Monroe’s Pfeiffer Community Center is inching closer to reality with state funds and township support.
A playground dream
Anthony Iovino’s dream of a state-of-the-art, all-inclusive playground behind Monroe’s Pfeiffer Community Center is inching closer to reality.
Iovino – a local resident whose son Finn was diagnosed with autism at 2 – approached township officials with the idea in June 2023 and “obviously we embraced that,” township Mayor Greg Wolfe said in front of the future playground site on April 27.
“There’s some hurdles you have to get over,” he added of the Finn’s Friends Park. “One of those is funding. How are we going to come up with over a million dollars to build an all-inclusive park for the children here in our community and other communities?
“Right now, there are no other parks like this in Gloucester County.”
Then – “perfect timing.” Days before Monroe’s Autism Awareness Day event, the township received notification that it had been awarded $750,000 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program to create a Jake’s Place play area.
“We are appreciative of the Green Acres award and very pleased that our application was so favorably received,” Wolfe noted. “This money will allow us to develop an all-inclusive playground that will be completely accessible for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities, thus providing the public with the opportunity to engage in active recreation.”
The Monroe library was named after the late Mayor Michael F. Gabbianelli, who was instrumental in the development of the facility grounds.
‘Gentle giant’s’ library
Williamstown officials, residents and family members gathered outside the main entrance of the Monroe library on the morning of Sept. 21 to honor the late Mayor Michael F. Gabbianelli.
“We are very pleased, because Mike was very important to the development of these grounds and the library,” said Joan Betterly, president of the library’s board of trustees, during the dedication to change the name of the library property on Marsha Avenue to the Mayor Michael F. Gabbianelli Complex.
The building and grounds had belonged to Verizon, and were in bad shape, Betterly noted.
“Look at the beautiful building we have today,” she enthused. “There is a garden in the back of the property. The mayor was very good to us.”
As mayor, Gabbianelli facilitated the purchase of the land and the renovation of the Verizon building for a modern library.
“He was a gentle giant,” Mayor Greg Wolfe remarked, adding that Gabbianelli had a big heart and cared about the residents of Williamstown. “His bark was louder than his bite. His legacy will live on for many years.”
