The good deeds of Moorestownians and other area volunteers were honored at the Moorestown Town Council meeting last week.
Former Councilman Greg Newcomer, members of various boards and committees, and those who helped with the Moorestown Community House fire on Nov. 17 were honored with plaques and proclamations for their service.
The first person honored that night was Newcomer, who was given a proclamation and plaque for his work as a council member as well as all of the contributions he has made to the township.
“It is only fitting that we take a little time to honor Greg and his many, many years of service to Moorestown. He will be very missed,” Mayor Victoria Napolitano said.
Plaques and proclamations were also given to various volunteers and workers who risked their lives during the MCH fire to help save one of Moorestown’s treasures.
Good samaritan Eric Tieniber was honored, as he was the one who alerted those who were inside the MCH about the fire. He also called 911.
According to the proclamation, Tieniber was driving on Main Street when he saw smoke coming out of the roof of the east wing of the MCH on Nov. 17. He helped to evacuate approximately 40 people from the building. Because of his actions, no one was injured in the fire, and the MCH is operational.
Emergency responders who helped on the scene during the fire were honored that night as well. They were credited with helping to keep the MCH alive and well. Those honored were the Moorestown Police Department and volunteers from the Moorestown Relief Engine Company, Moorestown Hose Company №1, Moorestown and Lenola Emergency Service, Delran Fire Department, Evesham Fire Department, Mt. Laurel Fire Department, Palmyra Fire Department, Riverton Fire Department and Willingboro Fire Department.
Council also gave a proclamation that named the week of Dec. 14 as Boards and Committees Appreciation week. The township usually has a Boards and Committees Dinner that honors those who are members of boards and committees in the township for all of their hard work. They were honored at the council meeting instead, as the dinner was cancelled. The money that usually is used for the dinner was donated to the MCH for its rehabilitation, which was authorized in a resolution that night. The township donated $2,750 to the MCH, which it presented to the MCH executive director and Board of Trustees members at the meeting.
In other news:
• The Telecommunications and Technology Committee presented the idea of a possible township channel for the council to consider. The presentation showed three options. The options were Telvue, which provides a hybrid/cloud-based broadcasting and streaming solution, and Kaltura and DACAST, both of which would be only online and provide an open source video player with branded website for streaming, negating the use of a cable TV channel. Telvue would cost the township $27,327.90 to start and $5,118 per year for maintenance and hosting. Kaltura and DACAST would have a one-time startup fee of $7,200 and $24,000 annually. Napolitano said no matter the decision, there has to be a video on demand or streaming component as it is the way of the future. She said she doesn’t have cable. There was no decision made, as council felt there needed to be more discussion on the topic. The topic was moved to another meeting, which, according to Napolitano, would be early in 2016.
• The old Moorestown library demolition has been delayed due to asbestos being found in the building. Due to the special nature of how the asbestos must be treated, a resolution of a change order in the contract of $70,045.92 was on the agenda and approved by council that night.
• Council approved two ordinances on second reading. The first was a change to salaries and compensation for additional positions in the township. The second will have some changes in fees under the construction code.
• The next Town Council meeting will be the reorganization meeting, which was changed to Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
