At the Haddonfield Board of Commissioners meeting on March 11, the Haddonfield Police Department conducted a swearing in ceremony for new officers.
Borough Hall second floor auditorium saw a full house, as Jason Cutler was appointed as lieutenant.
After much debate regarding the decision to hire a police chief permanently at many previous meetings throughout the past year, all arguments were settled. Commissioners swore in former “acting chief,” Theodore “Ted” Stuessy, as the police department’s permanent chief.
“It is a pleasure … this town is very fortunate to have such high-caliber officers,” Stuessy said. “I feel privileged.”
Stuessy also thanked commissioners for giving him the chance to not only serve the borough, but also get to know the residents in the process.
Commissioners stressed that the department induction of Stuessy as official police chief, Cutler as appointed lieutenant, and the other dedicated officers attending the meeting, were not the only improvements the department is making at this time.
“I can see changes going on at the department, positive changes,” Commissioner Neal Rochford said.
Some of the changes mentioned were better organization of police information on the web, and a more in-depth connection with residents through more activism around town. Additional improvements included the mentioning of better communication between auxiliary police members and the rest of the department.
In other news:
• A bond was officially released to Landtek Group, Inc, to make major improvements to the Haddonfield Memorial High School Stadium and Anniversary Field. The maintenance bond was totaled as $954,011 back in April 2013.
The official bond to be used in the near future was valued at $948,090, and will be held by Landtek for two years. Though no construction has started on the stadium and field, an engineer has conducted a preliminary inspection of the land in question.
• The board reminded audience members about the Running Company of Haddonfield’s “Adrenaline 5K,” which will take place March 15. The board approved a general event permit for the event to encourage organized events and festivals “for the benefit of the community.” The board reminded all residents wanting to host an event that it will be liberal when handing out permits in the future, if events have potential to grow the Haddonfield community.
• As new procedure, the board distributed “code of conduct sheets” with the meeting agendas. The code of conduct sheets remind all residents wanting to speak during the public comments section of the meeting to do so with dignity and respect for their fellow residents.
The next board meeting is set to take place on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall.
