Former officials honored

PLUMSTED - The Plumsted Police Department PBA and the New Egypt Fire Company presented plaques to former Township Committee members Bonnie Quesnel and Joe Przywara at the March 7 municipal meeting in recognition and appreciation of their 16 and 13 years, respectively, of public service to the community.

According to Mayor Ron Dancer, the Plumsted PBA also made a check presentation to Deputy Mayor Ken Francis, who is undergoing cancer treatments.

The Township Committee presented certificates of appointment to Plum-sted's newest police officer, Suzanne DesMarais, who is the department's first female police officer, bringing the police force to its highest level of 12 uniformed officers.

DesMarais was also appointed to the positions of police matron for the department and as the municipal court officer for Plumsted court sessions.

Local resident Carolyn Sweeney, who was unable to attend the meeting, was appointed as a crossing guard for school children.

In recognition of the "Read Across America" proclamation, the Plumsted Library assisted in having three children attend the meeting. The youngsters read poems or short stories, according to the mayor.

In other official business of the Township Committee, two grant applications were approved. The first, a $20,000 grant, was submitted to the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commis-sions to fund professional planning studies that will assist the township in obtaining plan endorsement by the state Planning Commission.

The second grant application, in the amount of $7,700, was submitted to Ocean County to pay for the removal of an old fence in front of the leaf and branch recycling site and replace it with a new post and rail fence.

Following a public advertisement for the hiring of a Main Street Program executive director and reviewing 12 resumes for the position, the committee appointed Peter Ylvisaker, who was the former president of the Liberty State Park Development Corporation.

Dancer said the township has part-time administrative jobs available, as well as crossing guard employment opportunities. Anyone interested may call (609) 758-2241, ext. 101.

Dancer said municipal officials were notified by representatives of Centex Homes that the firm will no longer pursue a proposed senior citizen redevelopment project within the Town Center area. The mayor said the committee will continue to explore all viable options, including grants (if available in the future), for sewer service to the New Egypt Town Center area.

The mayor said notification was made to the owner of the Oak Grove Mobile Home Park that failure to improve the roads within the development will result in court summons being issued.