There was a festive atmosphere as friends and families packed the Township Council’s chambers on Sept. 8 to witness four officers being promoted to the ranks of sergeant or lieutenant in the Delran Police Department.
As Mayor Barnes Hutchins administered the oath of office to each officer the large crowd, including fellow officers and Council members, erupted into a loud round of applause.
Sharing special moments with their families are Delran Police Department Lieutenant Kevin Ambrose (above), Lieutenant Joseph Horton and Sergeant Michael Lynch after being promoted and taking their oath of office during an exciting Delran Township Council meeting on Sept. 8.
First up was Lieutenant Kevin Ambrose, who proudly pledged to faithfully serve the residents of Delran, the township and the state of New Jersey while his wife held the Bible. Next, Mayor Hutchins administered the oath of office to Lieutenant Joseph Horton, whose wife happily held the Bible.
Also, Sergeant Kevin Pfeffer and Sergeant Michael Lynch were both sworn in by the mayor with their respective wives proudly holding the Bible. Mayor and Council thanked all four promoted officers for their service to the township, and joined them for a group photo after which the crowd gave all the young men a rousing ovation.
It took a few minutes before Council got back to township business as the officers, their families and members of the DPD filed out of the meeting room and left to continue the celebration elsewhere.
Council President Lynn Jeney introduced an ordinance on first reading that was passed unanimously to set the salary for Off Step water and sewer employees at $28.05 per hour.
Next, members of Council approved a series of six resolutions by consent agenda, including authorizing grass cuttings of three properties where owners “refuse or neglect to clear such high grass and weeds” that are “health hazards”. The grass will be cut by Public Works Department employees and the landowners will be charged a fee.
A second resolution supports Burlington County’s “preferred alternative” plan to extend its greenway trail across the Rancocas Creek.
“The trail will go from Delran and Delanco to Mount Laurel and beyond,” said Jeney, referring to the possible building of a walking and bicycling path which would go along and underneath the Route 130 bridge that spans the creek.
“Whereas the governing body of the Township of Delran recognizes the potential benefits of the project, including improved pedestrian and bicycle safety, enhanced regional connectivity, expanded recreational activities, and improved access to public open space and community resources, this resolution of support is intended to acknowledge the municipality’s support of this preferred alternative,” the resolution states.
Council also passed resolutions to certify the annual audit, authorize a contract with MES Lifesafety for the purchase of police uniforms, and to allow bars and taverns to open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, so patrons can watch the Philadelphia Eagles play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England, which is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
The final resolution awarded the contract for the disposal of solid waste to Republic Services of NJ in the amount of $2,423,466 for a period of three years. “There bid was $700,000 less that the two other bids,” Jeney said.
The next regular meeting of Delran Council will be Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Township Building on Chester Avenue.
