Richard Franzen retired after 15 years as a public official.
At the Tabernacle Township year-end close-out meeting, the committee bid a farewell to longtime committeeman Richard Franzen.
Franzen began his career as a public official with Tabernacle Township more than 15 years ago, joining the committee in 2004. He went on to serve as mayor in 2006, 2009 and 2012 and deputy mayor in 2005 and 2008.
Franzen held positions on various committees throughout the town, such as Tabernacle Athletic Association, board of education, historical society and municipal council.
Mayor Joseph Barton read a proclamation of service, signed by all members of the committee, that read “We do hereby extend our most sincere gratitude to committeeman Richard J. Franzen for his many years of service and commitment to the township of Tabernacle and congratulate him on his well deserved retirement, with best wishes for many years of happiness and contentment.”
Franzen thanked residents for voting him into office and expressed gratitude toward the projects he was involved in for the past 15 years.
Township solicitor Peter Lange congratulated him on his retirement.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Franzen on his record of service,” Lange said. “It’s been my humble pleasure to work with him all this time as he’s served this community.”
Committee members Joseph Yates and Kim Brown also expressed their appreciation toward Franzen.
Yates said that although they’ve had ups and downs on the committee, and that they haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, they have been able to put those disagreements aside and remained friends through it all.
“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for the township over your years of service and I just want to congratulate you,” Yates said.
Brown said there are not enough nice things she could say about Franzen, after working alongside him throughout his entire career on the committee. She said she feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know the “fun” Franzen behind the “business” Franzen.
“It’s about everyone trying to make the best decision for the community, and Rick has always done that. I’m really proud to say Rick’s my friend and I’m glad I’ve been able to
work side-by-side with you from the day you came on this committee,” Brown said.
Franzen thanked the committee again, along with residents of Tabernacle by saying, “I would just like to once again thank the people of the community for giving me the opportunity to be a strong community worker,” Franzen said. “It’s really a good feeling to be a part of this community.”
There was also a presentation by Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella, a health officer for the Burlington County Health Department, to recap what it has done for the township in 2018.
She stated that through their contract with the township they provide public health services that are mandated through state statute. These services include immunizations, nursing services for high-risk pregnancies, tuberculosis case management and more.
The environmental inspections for Tabernacle totaled 26 retail food establishment inspections, in which the health department had to reinspect seven, had one complaint and did one planned review.
The health department inspected two public pools, three natural bathing areas and did one planned review. It sampled four streams and lakes. As far as drinking water, there were 114 different interactions, which most were through a private well testing act — when a resident sells their house, they are required to test their water and if it comes back positive for something, the health department is notified, along with surrounding houses.
There were 185 interactions in terms of septic systems, with 61 planned reviews and 59 installation inspections. Lastly, Cucuzzella said there was one kennel inspection in 2018.
The next committee meeting will be held on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
