Township Committee Marks Awards Night With Farewell to Mayor

Ellen Gilbert

The unusually large turnout for Monday evening’s Township Committee meeting wasn’t because of a hot-button agenda item. In addition to being the last meeting at which Mayor Phyllis Marchand would preside, it was awards night, and the families of Township volunteers and employees who had served the community for five years and more had assembled to see them being honored with gifts.

“This is one of the nicest things that we ever do in this room,” Ms. Marchand observed at the beginning of the ceremony. “This town could not exist without our superb staff and professional volunteers. You’re the heart and soul of the community.”

Township Engineer Bob Kiser and Administrator Jim Pascale were among the long-time employees recognized, with 25 years of service each. After shaking hands with committee member Chad Goerner, Police Chief Mark Emann, a 30-year veteran, joked that Mr. Goerner “told me that he was three years old when I came on the force.” On a more serious note Mr, Emann observed that he “can’t think of a better community to work for. I couldn’t be prouder.”

To mark the occasion of Ms. Marchand’s last committee meeting, Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller read a proclamation citing her dedication to the Township and declaring November 24 to be Phyllis Marchand Day. “If this was a sports event, we’d be retiring the jersey of an outstanding player, and if the jersey had a number, it would be number one,” he said. Each of the committee members took turns describing Ms. Marchand’s accomplishments and wishing her well in the future. Lance Liverman cited Ms. Marchand’s “mind boggling contributions,” Vicky Bergman described her as “a guiding force for the Township,” and Mr. Goerner lauded her commitment and energy. “She has set the bar so high,” he observed.

“It’s been a wonderful 22 years,” said Ms. Marchand, who refrained from making a formal speech out of concern that she would become too emotional. Joking about it being time to retire, she pointed to her husband, Sy, in the audience, and said that “when your husband tells you that you have cobwebs in your oven, you know that you haven’t been sharing many home-cooked meals.”

Volunteers commended for five years of service to the Township on Monday night included Julie Capozzolii, Historic Preservation Commission; Robert Cerruti, Site Plan Review Advisory Commission; Joanne Rogers, Joint Recreation Board; Colin Vonvorys, Housing Board; Michael Celia, Flood Control Commission; Barbara Felton, Zoning Board of Adjustment; Susan Goldman-Kapoor, Board of Health; and Jacqueline Tillman, Regional Planning Board.

Robert Altman of the Traffic Safety Committee and Millard Riggs of the Zoning Board of Adjustment were both recognized for ten years of service, along with John Brown, SBRSA Oversight Committee; Ira Guterman, Site Plan Review Advisory Board; and Christopher Mario, Board of Improvement Assessors.

Joint Recreation Board volunteer Jeaninne Honstein and Historic Preservation Commission Chair David Shure were both commended for 15 years of service. Another Historic Preservation Commission member, Robert Von Zumbusch, was recognized for 20 years of service, and Harry Cooke received an award for 30 years of participation on the Site Plan Review Advisory Board. Antonio D. Pirone was commended for 40 years of service with the Construction Board of Appeals.

Township employees who received gifts for five years of work included Donald Hansen, Public Works; Neal Snyder,Tax Assessor; David Errickson and Marsha Fais, Corner House; Glenn Hutchinson, Engineering; and Scott Parsons and Mark Woodrick, Public Works.

Honored ten-year employees were Vikki Caines and Frank Palmieri, Recreation; David Hvisdock and Daniel Taglieri, Building; Christina Iliff and Marla Montague, Police; Claudia Martinez, Engineering; Robert McQueen, Information Technology; and Gregory O’Neil, Stephen Dobo, Jr., and Kevin Kinney, Public Works.

Michael Cifelli, Annette Henderson, and Marshall Provost were acknowledged for 15 years of service to the Police Department. Other 15-year commendations went to Christy Peacock of Affordable Housing and Leonor Sinz of Corner House.

Township Clerk Linda McDermott and Police Officer Peter Young, Jr. were cited for 20 years of work.

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