At Burlington Township Council’s May 13 meeting, council took the time to applaud Burlington Township students for their positive contributions to the community.
The theme of the Tuesday, June 13 Burlington Township Council meeting was simple: recognizing the community’s youth. Council thanked the next generation for offering its perspectives on the community.
Mayor Brian Carlin recognized Burlington Township High School student Maya Wynter for finishing as a semi-finalist in the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ “Louis Bay Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition.” Wynter’s submission on local government was selected by the mayor and council to represent Burlington Township.
Council congratulated Wynter on her interest in government.
“I hope to see you up here sometime sitting beside us,” Councilman George Kozub said to Wynter.
Councilman Michael Cantwell encouraged Wynter to continue to pursue her interests in politics. He said working in government is not like how it’s portrayed on television or in the news.
“We have a very good group here; we’ve accomplished a lot,” Cantwell said. “We disagree sometimes, but we all have the same goal of trying to make Burlington Township the best.”
Carlin and council also recognized the first-, second- and third-place winners in the “What Burlington Township Means to Me” contest. The nine kindergarten through second-grade students shook Carlin’s hand and some read from their submissions.
Cantwell said the meeting where they get to hear students’ submissions is consistently one of council’s favorites.
The submissions discussed the parks, schools, friends and family that make Burlington Township great.
“Thank you for your insights and your words of wisdom,” Carlin said. “It’s always unique to get the perspective of the people who look up at the world.”
Cantwell said he looks forward to seeing the young students continuing to achieve within the Burlington Township school district.
Council President Joyce Howell encouraged the parents and family members accompanying the students to keep up the good work.
“Teachers, parents, grandparents, aunts — continue to put that love and confidence in your students because they’re going to go far,” Howell said.
Council also praised the “Kids Free Fishing Derby” that took place at JFK Park in Burlington City. The derby was a cooperative effort between Burlington Township and Burlington City.
Howell said it was a perfect opportunity for the two municipalities to come together.
Councilman E.L. Pete Green said, in his eyes, the derby was a huge success. He said the kids ages 15 and older caught 164 fish, with the top fisherwoman catching 24 fish. Green thanked Carlin for posing for photos with many of the young participants.
“Children, when you mention you want to take a photo with the mayor, they glow as much as when they caught that first fish,” Green said.
In other news:
Council tabled a vote on DCT Industrial’s tax abatement at the recommendation of township solicitor David Serlin. DCT Industrial, a company looking to build a warehouse facility bordering the Steeplechase neighborhood, had put forth a request for a five-year tax abatement, which had been scheduled to take place Tuesday night. Serlin said the company’s tax abatement needs to be put in place through a township ordinance, and he advised, at this time, council take no action on the abatement. He said council may, however, vote on the ordinance at a future meeting.
The next council meeting will take place on June 27 at 7 p.m.
