Roberts, Stevens honored by Plumsted committee

PLUMSTED - During the final Township Committee meeting of 2007, the committee thanked retiring Committeewoman Ada G. Roberts and Municipal Court Administrator Anita Stevens for their dedicated public service on behalf of the residents of Plumsted.

Roberts stepped forward to fill the unexpired termof her late husband of 54 years, CommitteemanMike Roberts, on June 4, 2001 and was elected to serve two additional threeyear terms from Jan. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2007.

Mayor Ron Dancer said Roberts was a consistent voice and vote to keep Plumsted rural and affordable.

Roberts' public service was commemorated by an official Joint Legislative Resolution of the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly. Dancer said Roberts, who has been a resident of Plumsted for 21 years, plans to continue residing in the township and to enjoy time with her family and friends.

Plumsted's longest serving public employee, Anita Stevens, officially retired after 42 years with the township as its court administrator. The New Jersey Superior Court and the state's Municipal Court Clerks Association recognized Stevens' service by awarding her achievement awards during her tenure.

Dancer said Stevens will continue serving Plumsted as a volunteer in the court, as well as providing limited parttime assistance in the future.

In other business, Dancer said the New Jersey League ofMunicipalities,which represents all 566municipalities in the state, has announced that three scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded to high school seniors entering college this fall. Public, private and home schooled students are all eligible.

To be considered for the $1,000 scholarship award, students are to write an essay of the theme "What My Mayor and Governing Body Do Best." The essay should be about 500 words and must be submitted to the mayor (121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt) by March 15.

Dancer said that in addition to financially assisting students with their college education, the scholarship competition advances the virtues and heightens public awareness of elected and volunteer positions inmunicipal government.

Students may contact their elected officials for interviews and ask themquestions prior to writing and submitting their essay by calling (609) 758-2241, ext. 102. Applications for the scholarship are available at the municipal clerk's office, 121 Evergreen Road, or by calling the clerk's office at (609) 758-2241, ext. 101.

In other news, Dancer reminded residents that dog licenses must be purchased by Jan. 31 and cannot be purchased without proof of rabies vaccination.

The Township Committee approved a 50 percent reduction in dog license fees for senior citizens and for volunteers with the first aid squad and fire company, as well as those volunteers appointed by the Township Committee.

Animal control officer Mary Klink said a late fee of $10 is enforcedMarch 1 for anyone not obtaining a 2008 dog license.