Brooklawn Fire Prevention Night
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
published in the Gloucester City News Oct. 25 issue
By Sara Martino
Gloucester City News
Brooklawn held its annual Fire Prevention Night on Saturday, October 27 at the Fire Hall.
Fire Inspector Carl Thomas encouraged everyone to attend as he made the announcement during last week’s Borough Council meeting.
He also told Council that the firehouse had an Open House about fire prevention on Friday, October 19.
Councilman Michael Mevoli reminded everyone that Trick or Treat ho urs are scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. on Halloween Day October 31.
Hay wagon rides will again be part of the festivities. Mayor Theresa Branella said the Halloween Decorating contest will be judged a week prior to Halloween.
Councilwoman Julie Mc-Cleary said a tree re-planting will take place on Arbor Day, Saturday, October 27, at 10 a.m. in Memorial Park.
McCleary is the chair of the Shade Tree Commission and said that the tree is replacing one that was dedicated to John Reader, and will be in better condition.
The Reader family will be in attendance.
In new business, acceptance of a resignation letter from Bruce Wasson was accepted with regrets.
Wasson has been the Housing Inspector for almost 10 years, and is retiring due to health reasons.
Mayor and Council authorized a shared service agreement with Camden County for snow removal.
Councilman Jerry Gran-strom thanked borough engineer, Greg Fusco, Kei Associates, for coming out to the ball fields to see what the borough’s intentions may be for using an Open Space recreational grant in the amount of $25,000.
At the Council meeting on October 3, Councilman Mevoli had said the funds are to be used for fixing the fence around the ball fields, repair grading problems along the fields and a possible placement of a sidewalk along the field to help fix the erosion on one side.
Borough Clerk Ryan Giles will be sending a letter to Governor Chris Christie and the NJ Department of Transportation (DOT) thanking them on behalf of the governing body for granting the borough’s request for discretionary aid to begin the grading of the Railroad Crossing project.
The town received $135,530 for the project.
Police Chief Francis McKinney inquired about the plans for the closed Brooklawn Florist Shop during the October 3 work session.
Giles informed him that upon permission from Council, an architect/engineer could inspect the building to help estimate the cost of creating a police station.
“We are in touch with the bank concerning the property and they say the building is ready to be sold,” he said.
Council gave their permission for a preliminary investigation into the matter.
McKinney also informed the council that a new police officer is needed and that he is in the process of doing background checks of applicants on the Civil Service list.
He said that there is a need for the appointment of a Code Enforcement Officer. The chief has been doing that job since the retirement of Inspector Steve Saymon.
Mevoli said they have someone in mind and may be able to do a shared agreement with another town.
Mayor Branella praised the chief for his efforts in doing the best he can as inspector for the present time.
