Springfield Town Council Welcomes New Police Officer and Firefighter Amid Community Updates
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
09/10/2024
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Recording Published:
09/10/2024
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Duration:
50 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Union County
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Towns:
Springfield (Union County)
- Meeting Overview:
The Springfield Town Council meeting saw the swearing-in of two new public safety officers, Victoria Dagio as a police officer and Eugene Rolls as a firefighter, among other topics such as community event announcements, infrastructure updates, and financial resolutions.
A key highlight of the meeting was the ceremonial swearing-in of Victoria Dagio and Eugene Rolls. Mayor Chris Weber led the ceremonies, asking attendees to remain seated for photographs after the formalities. Officer Dagio was sworn in first, taking an oath that affirmed her commitment to the Constitution and her duties as a police officer for the township. Applause erupted from attendees, and Dagio received her badge with congratulations from the mayor and community members. The Chief of Police highlighted Dagio’s impressive background, noting her education in criminal justice and previous work experience with another department before joining Springfield. He commended her work ethic and expressed confidence in her future contributions to the department.
Firefighter Eugene Rolls followed, reciting a similar oath and receiving enthusiastic applause. The Chief of the Fire Department remarked on Rolls’ status as the 85th firefighter sworn into the department and expressed excitement about his potential. He encouraged Rolls to seek guidance from senior members and to maintain the passion he exhibited on his first day. Both officers were encouraged to build relationships within the community and were assured of the support they would receive from township officials and residents alike.
Community announcements were also a part of the meeting. The September 2024 calendar for residents aged 55 and over was made available at the Chisum Center and on the township website. Activities included a townwide garage sale scheduled for September 14th and 15th, followed by a bulk pickup on September 18th. A senior bus trip to Wind Creek Casino was planned for October 1st, requiring registration through communitypass.net. Additionally, a 21-plus cornhole league would run from September through November at the Chisum Center, with registration details provided online. National Voter Registration Day was set for September 10th at the Springfield Public Library, and the township acknowledged the upcoming 9/11 ceremony planned for the following day at 8:30 AM in front of Town Hall.
The council extended condolences to the families of two notable community members who had recently passed away. Terry Clinton, a long-time Springfield resident and Chief Operating Officer of the Summit Area YMCA, died in August at the age of 53. Clinton had been instrumental in the operation of the Springfield community pool and contributed to various community programs. Additionally, retired Springfield Police Lieutenant Don Schwar passed away peacefully at the age of 96 after a long illness. Chief Cook shared memories of Schwar’s extensive career, highlighting his service during World War II and the Korean War, as well as his roles within the department and the community.
The Administrator’s Report, presented by Mr. John Baso, covered several important infrastructure topics. Baso reported the successful removal of ash trees at Ruby Park by a low bidder who performed the task efficiently. Future uses for the back area of Ruby Park were discussed. Contracts were awarded to AJM for Pit Road and Porino for Miltown and Smithfield, with these projects placed in the queue for processing.
In conjunction with the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSNG), the council planned to meet with representatives to review a list of roads that had been disturbed. They would discuss which roads should be paved curb-to-curb rather than the minimum requirement of curb line to center line. Baso also addressed water pressure problems in the vicinity of Overlook Hospital, attributed to a malfunctioning relief valve. The issue was resolved by replacing the fire hydrant and valve on Fernhill.
The council discussed the elimination of angled parking on Center Street, proposing a conversion to standard curbside parking to allow for two-way traffic. Although this change would reduce available parking spaces from 13 to 10, the overall effect would be a net loss of just one space.
Financial resolutions were also addressed, including the settlement of a tax appeal involving Redstone Garden Apartment Inc. The council emphasized transparency and community participation in tax discussions. A motion to adopt this resolution passed unanimously. Payroll invoices for a specified period were also approved without dissent.
Chris Weber
City Council Officials:
Harris Laufer, Alex Keiser, Chris Capodice, Richard Huber
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
09/10/2024
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Recording Published:
09/10/2024
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Duration:
50 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Union County
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Towns:
Springfield (Union County)
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