Bellmawr Council Members Remember Colleague Peter DiGiambattista Sr.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
By Chris Concannon
NEWS Correspondent
Members of Bellmawr’s Borough Council remembered their late colleague fondly during the August 26 meeting.
Councilman Peter A. Di Giambattista Sr., 67, (photo) had passed away August 19 following medical complications from an aneurysm.
Councilman Lou Di Angelo chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Frank Filipek, who is recovering from knee surgery.
He, along with the other Council members, remarked on Di Giambattista’s 15-year, five-term political career.
At the time of his passing, Di Giambattista, otherwise known as “Peter Dee,” was preparing to run for a sixth-consecutive Council term.
Councilwoman Regina Piontkowski then read a proclamation from Mayor Filipek, remarking on the career of their late colleague and friend.
In other business, the Bellmawr Fire Department received yet another Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Award, presented by Tony Valente of PEOSH.
Fire Department Station 32 Chief Jim Burleigh, along with Bellmawr EMS Supervisor Chuck Hannum, received the award as several members of their departments looked on from the audience.
Valente lauded the department, remarking that they are right at the pinnacle of support for the municipality, and that they are one of the best in New Jersey.
The entire Council congratulated the Fire Department, and the other departments receiving the SHARP Award.
Members also remarked emotionally on their friend “Peter Dee,” noting that he was not only tireless in his efforts for Bellmawr, but a very special person, constantly looking for ways to help residents.
Angelo lauded the annual Summer Youth Program, which ended August 20 and averaged between 90-100 children daily.
During the public forum, Cara Forline, 8, read from notes she prepared, thanking the Borough for the Summer “Camp.” She also said she was scared of the fighting which takes place at Charles J. Sauter Jr. Park (off of Park Drive).
Council assured Miss Forline that police patrols would be monitoring the area more closely.
Rose Avenue residents again appeared before Council, reporting that some contracting work has begun at 125 Rose Avenue, the site of an April 19 fire.
Borough Clerk Charles J. Sauter III stated emphatically that no work permits were issued for that address.
More than one of the residents noted that they were under the impression that no work was to be done of that nature.
Di Angelo said the Borough would look into the matter.
All business on the agenda was okayed, including:
Resolution #08:164-10, approving a grant application for reconstructing Sunnyside Lane (from Belmont Road to Rockville Drive).
Resolution #08:165-10, approving a grant application for a streetscape project along West Browning Road (from the Route 42 overpass to the shopping center at Bell and West Browning Roads).
Two new ordinances were read and introduced as well: one amending the Borough Code, relative to garbage, rubbish and refuse; and the other amending the Borough Code, relative to recycling.
After the meeting, Council members concurred that Di Giambattista’s greatest accomplishment as a Councilman was his work with financing and insurance, and that he was instrumental in bringing the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) to Bellmawr.
Di Angelo said “Peter Dee” helped keep taxes down throughout his tenure, and Steve Sauter noted his tireless work with the annual budget.
They completed their remarks by saying that he had a lot of determination, always stood up for what was right, and cited his honesty as well.
On a lighter note, they also stated that he had a unique sense of humor, and that “you always knew when Pete was in the room.”
