Dennis Township Bids Adieu to Mayor, Deputy Mayor

DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee met Dec. 20 and unanimously approved a series of Consent Agenda items. Among them was correspondence from Ray Rebmann, curator of the School House Museum, offering his continued volunteer services.
On the regular agenda, a resolution authorized professional engineering services to provide information as requested by Atlantic City Electric for the company to consider the township’s request to use a portion of their right-of-way for Phase One of a county bike way through Dennis.
“Committee determined that it wanted to participate in the county’s growing bike path system and applied for a county grant which was successful and that provides for 100 percent of the construction costs and 50 percent of the engineering costs,” said John Gibson, township engineer.
“The path’s alignment along Atlantic Electric’s right of way and pole installation means they’d like to have more details which we will outline for them along with engineering plans now that you’ve approved this resolution,” continued Gibson.
During the public comment portion, a resident asked rhetorically, “who maintains the bike path?” He knew the answer which is the Township. “Committee needs to make sure that Public Works understands that the maintenance is very important if there are downed branches, for example, these need to be gathered,” he added.
Another resolution awarding the bid for the paving and striping of parking areas at the recreation complex was tabled at the request of Gibson.
“We received seven bids ranging from $126,000 to $187,000, and I would recommend that you accept the lowest bid. However, since the township has an application to the county’s Open Space program to fund this project, I suggest that we hold off on awarding this bid. The reason behind my suggestion is that the county did not hold a meeting in December to review our application but will in January, and if we are awarded the funding then we can use it for this project. Bids are valid for 60 days. However, if we awarded the contract now we would not be eligible for county grant consideration,” said Gibson.
Committee voted unanimously to table the resolution per Gibson’s reasoning.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents expressed deep appreciation, gratitude, and praise for both Mayor John Murphy and Deputy Mayor Brian O’Conner. 
Both decided not to run for re-election and thus their last committee meeting was on this occasion.
“We did not always agree, but you both have tremendous hearts for the residents of Dennis and accomplished so much,” stated one resident. “It’s been a pleasure working with you, under your leadership you’ve been able to make eminent domain almost impossible in this township and even sold a liquor license for $1.2 million!” said another.
At the end of the public’s expressions of gratitude for the service of Murphy and O’Conner, Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st), a former Dennis Township mayor, who had been waiting quietly at the side of the meeting room came to the microphone to lend a few words.
“This is both a sad and a happy day for me, you will be sincerely missed, and you have made a difference to the lives of Dennis’ residents which you may not even realize,” he said.
“You’ve had the ability as well as the authority to tangibly affect lives, and you have done so in a positive manner, I am proud of you both,” he concluded.
When Van Drew had finished his farewell, he presented to both Murphy and O’Conner framed resolutions that had been passed by the State Senate and Assembly. “You can see that these documents are framed, even though New Jersey is going through some budget issues,” quipped Van Drew. “This is the highest honor that New Jersey can bestow upon an individual and represents the recognition of the state’s nearly 9 million people,” he said.
During committee updates, all remarked on the large success that was the annual Dennis Historic Homeowners Tour which this year took place in unexpectedly pleasant weather and in part during daylight hours drawing a favorable reaction.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.