Two Police Officers Promoted in Bellmawr
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
By Chris Concannon
Gloucester City News
Bellmawr Mayor and Council promoted two police officers during its November 22 meeting.
Sworn in as Sergeant was Michael Draham, an 18-year veteran of the police department.
Sworn in as Corporal was Matthew Gillis, a 15-year police veteran. Gillis spent six years as a corrections officer prior to joining Bellmawr’s finest.
Both of their families were on hand for the ceremonies, as Public Safety Director John Bollinger and Chief Bill Walsh also took part.
They were joined in force by several of their fellow officers, both active and retired.
Following the swearing-in, Councilman Lou Di Angelo presented citations to the Bellmawr Girls’ Softball League (BGSL) 13-15 Division All-Stars, who won their bracket in the 2010 Gloucester City Softball Tournament.
This was their third consecutive winning year, and the feat was made more impressive as they only allowed two runs against them during their entire 2010 tournament run.
Mayor Frank Filipek and all members of Council congratulated the police officers and the softball team and coaches, noting their pride in all of their accomplishments.
Also, Bollinger congratulated Mayor Filipek, Councilwoman Regina Piontkowski and newly minted Councilman Dave Duncan on their recent election wins.
Councilman Jim D’An-gelo said he will give a report on how much the Public Works Department spends for their operations, but did not indicate when.
Pastor Vince Kovlak of Bellmawr Baptist Church decried the lack of attendance of the public at the meeting, saying it was “pathetic.”
It bears noting that the room was packed to near standing-room capacity during the swearing-in and softball portions at the top of the meeting.
Di Angelo announced the dates for the following:
Christmas In the Park, December 3, 4, 10 and 11, 6-9 p.m.; and the Fire Truck Parade/Tree Lighting, December 5, at 7 p.m.
Christmas In the Park will be at the Recreation Centre on Creek Road, and the Truck Parade will follow the normal Browning Road route to Borough Hall for the tree lighting.
Refreshments will be served at both events.
He also said the annual House Decorating Contest will be from December 12 to 16, and advised residents to decorate their homes prior to the 12th.
In his Mayor’s report, Filipek commented on the demolition of both the old gas station at Browning Road and Black Horse Pike, as well as the site of the former Heim’s IGA market on West Browning Road.
The latter will be turned into a Bottom Dollar market, and Mr. Di Angelo added that the company is already running ads in the area.
Filipek also updated everyone on the ongoing landfill redevelopment project.
All business on the evening’s agenda was unanimously approved, with the following of note:
As to Resolution #11:205-10, an emergency appropriation was approved, to redevelop the #3 well on Warren Avenue.
The second readings, public hearings, and final adoptions were also approved for the following ordinances:
Ordinance #10:11-10, ac-quiring a new street sweeper, as well as a diesel stake body truck. The ordinance will appropriate $330,000 for the vehicles, and issue $313,500 for financing.
Ordinance #10:12-10, ac-quiring a new, 20-yard trash truck. The ordinance will appropriate $90,000 for the truck, and issue $85,500 for financing.
The above figure is half of the total $180,000 vehicle cost, as the other half is being picked up by Mount Ephraim Borough, as part of an ongoing shared services venture with Bellmawr.
The first reading and introduction was also made for Ordinance #11:13-10, which is the 2010 Salary Ordinance, in title only.
For more information contact Bellmawr Borough Hall at 933-1313.