Committee Honors Slain Soldier; Introduces Litter Campaign

DENNISVILLE – Township Committee of Dennis met April 13 in lieu of its regularly scheduled meeting April 7 because the Township clerk was absent. Deputy Mayor Brian O’Connor led the meeting since Mayor John Murphy was not available for this newly-scheduled meeting time.
Committee member Albert DiCicco asked for a moment of silence to honor the memory of resident, John M. Dawson, 22, U.S. Army Specialist, who was recently killed by gun fire in Afghanistan.
DiCicco also noted that the township’s Environmental Commission litter campaign, “Let’s Pick It Up!” will be held April 19. In tandem with this campaign to celebrate environmental awareness and protection as well as remember Earth Day, the township will give away 1,500 saplings, maximum of five per resident, depending on the actual number that the township receives. Location of the sapling giveaway program is the Dennis Museum, which will be held April 18, in the morning.
During the public comment period, a resident remarked that her neighborhood’s area of the Blue Heron and Water Lily streets had not had its trash picked up recently and that this was the second time. “We’ll get on this right away, Waste Management is really responsive, and have been very helpful in these types of situations,” promised Donald Tozer, chair of the Public Works Committee.
O’Connor said he wanted to point out for the public record that Larry Stevens, chair of the Consolidated Land Use Planning Board which position he had held for most of the 25 years he had been a member of the board, had resigned. “He’s a great guy, did a lot of good stuff, including charity work that he really doesn’t publicize, was independent politically much to the chagrin of various mayors,” reported DiCicco. “We’ll arrange some kind of recognition for him at an upcoming committee meeting.”
Committee approved a resolution under its consent agenda that authorizes the execution of a shared services agreements with the County’s Municipal Utilities Authority for the review and submission of the Dennis’ 2014 annual recycling tonnage report.
O’Connor reported that Dennis’ shared services with Upper Township of municipal court administration has paid dividends. “We have received excellent cooperation and support from our shared services arrangement with Upper from the prosecutor on truancy from school students. We have a lot in common with Upper in many ways so we should look at more shared service option possibilities that can benefit both our townships.”
Committee also introduced the township’s 2015 municipal budget. The budget will be published April 29 in the local Dennis newspaper and the public hearing on the budget will be held May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Dennis’ regularly scheduled Committee meeting.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.