Similar to many municipalities across the state, Jan. 4 marked the annual reorganization meeting for the Evesham Township Council.
As there were no municipal elections in Evesham this past November, there were no officials to be sworn in for seats on council. However, following council’s yearly tradition, the position of deputy mayor rotated between council members with Ken D’Andrea sworn in as the township’s new deputy mayor for 2016.
At the meeting, Mayor Randy Brown noted that D’Andrea and every member of the current council has held the position of deputy mayor before, as well as handled responsibilities such as wedding ceremonies, ribbon cuttings and acting as leaders of special projects.
Brown said the council and township were fortunate to have voters who entrusted all five members of council to act almost interchangeably when the need arises.
“I’m the elected the mayor, but I’m one of five,” Brown said. “Doesn’t matter which one of the five of us, it’s just been tremendous. And who has a title, to me a title is a title, and all five of us have just done a great job in whatever entity or task we’ve put them through.”
Brown also praised the work Councilmember Bob DiEnna, who held the position of deputy mayor throughout 2015.
“Bob was ready at the drop of the hat to do anything, go anywhere,” Brown said.
Brown also used the meeting to briefly outline the direction he hopes the township can take in 2016.
Brown said the township was now several years into having taken over management of the Indian Spring golf course, five major redevelopment projects would be underway in the next 12 months, recreation facilities would continues to improve, and community events would continue and expand this year with the addition of Thanksgiving Day Turkey Run.
Sticking with the theme of community events, Brown also took time to reflect on the ability for the municipality’s other organizations to come together throughout the year and give back to the community, such as with helping those displaced by house fires or raising money to provide Christmas presents for the township’s less fortunate children.
“I’m so proud of those things. No, that doesn’t reduce your property taxes, but you know what, who cares. What it does do is it brings that community together and make them realize you got a great place to live,” Brown said.
Other members of council also used the reorganization meeting to reflect on serving the township in the future.
Councilmember Debbie Hackman said it was an honor to continue serving with her fellow councilmembers and also praised the township’s staff for doing the day-to-day work that keeps the municipality running.
“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support that we have here,” Hackman said.
DiEnna also noted the praise he hears for the township in passing at public events he attends where visitors from out of town may not even know he serves on town council.
“When you hear stuff from folks from out of the area, and perhaps we take it for granted after we do it, but other folks are watching and interested,” DiEnna said.
D’Andrea said he also considered it to be a continued honor to serve the community.
“Living here my whole life, that’s what you do, and we do what we do because it’s the right thing to do, to give back to a town and to a community that’s given us so much,” D’Andrea said.
