Monthly township committee meetings are often a time for new ordinances and legislation to be introduced and debated. The township committee in Shamong used November’s meeting as a time to recognize the achievements of some of its residents.
Jack Dougherty and Steve Moore were presented proclamations for achieving the level of Eagle Scout, and longtime township employee Louise Berger was honored for her years of service.
Dougherty was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on Oct. 9, and will be recognized as an Eagle Scout at the Court of Honor in January. His Eagle Scout project required him to raise the funds necessary to clean, update and maintain the war memorial located in front of the Indian Mills 1921 school building as well as landscape the surrounding grounds and plant new shrubs. Dougherty also reached out to current and past community members to seek additional names to add to the memorial, resulting in seven names being engraved in the memorial to recognize those from Shamong who have served the country.
Dougherty raised funds in excess of the project’s cost and donated the $227.16 surplus to establish a fund towards the future maintenance of the memorial.
“This never happens,” Committeeman Ken Long said with a laugh in regard to Dougherty’s donation to the township.
Throughout his time as a Scout, Dougherty completed 26 merit badges in addition to working and managing 171 service hours on his Eagle Scout project. He served as assistant senior patrol leader and scribe of Troop 47 over a six-month period.
“The Shamong Township Committee recognizes Jack Dougherty of the Indian Mills Boy Scout Troop 47 for his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout,” Mayor Sean Gray said.
Moore was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on Oct. 2 after holding a book drive to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims.
Under Moore’s leadership, more than 6,000 books were collected. Approximately 3,000 of the books were personally distributed to students in Atlantic City; another 3,000 books were sent to flood victims in Staten Island at the Hurricane Sandy Relief Center, and 500 additional books were sent to the Moonachie School District.
Moore completed 21 merit badges in addition to working 110 service hours on his Eagle Scout project and also served as assistant senior patrol leader as well as acting assistant patrol leader of Troop 47.
“The Shamong Township Committee recognizes Steve Moore of the Indian Mills Boy Scout Troop 47 for his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout,” Gray said.
Berger was appointed to Shamong in January 1974 as court clerk, a position she held for five years. From there, she was appointed as deputy tax collector in May 1978 and became tax collector in July 1978 until her retirement on Feb. 28, 2003.
Berger also served residents in other capacities over the years, including board of health secretary as well as tax registrar. Berger continued to actively serve Shamong Township as deputy tax collector for nearly 10 years after her retirement.
