During the most recent board of commissioners meeting, a light agenda was punctuated by the promotion of a trio of Haddonfield police officers: Stuart Holloway, Christopher Kosofsky and Jacob Sorg.
“It’s my pleasure and my honor to be presenting these three officers tonight. They went through an exhaustive process, something that was started almost a year ago when the former chief, Ted Stuessy, changed the promotional process. There was an oral test, a written test, and staff evaluations, and all that culminated into what you see here,” explained their boss, Haddonfield Police Chief Jason Cutler.
“In a policeman’s career, there are three most important dates: the day he gets hired, the day he retires, and the day he gets promoted. It was very hard to determine who got promoted, but all of our officers are worthy and I’m proud as a department to be a leader, since this is my first promotional ceremony, so it’s a great honor.”
Hollaway, who has been a member of the borough force for nearly two decades, was elevated from sergeant to leutenant, while Kosofsky was a corporal and now takes on the duties of a sergeant after a quarter century with HPD. Sorg, whose main responsibility in recent months has been to handle Officer Blue, the department’s K-9 addition, was promoted from patrolman to corporal.
“There’s been a Holloway in public safety in Haddonfield for over 50 years, and we’re proud to have Stu follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Chris has been a member of the detective unit, the traffic bureau. Jake has been here just over three years, and you might have seen him with his rock-star dog. We’re really proud to have all of them here tonight,” Cutler added.
After an informal swearing-in by borough clerk Deanna Bennett following the July 2 board of commissioners meeting, Bob Marshall was formally sworn in as interim commissioner for public works by former Mayor Tish Colombi.
In his opening remarks to the public gathered in the auditorium of Borough Hall, Marshall revealed his four-point plan of attack: guarding against the “McMansionization” of borough housing, maintaining infrastructure, resolving the issues surrounding Bancroft Hall’s redevelopment, and figuring out an effective way to reduce the harm stormwaters will bring to borough property.
“I have to thank (predecessor) John Moscatelli for developing a firm schedule for all sorts of things related to infrastructure. It’s all too easy to spend our hard-earned tax dollars on whatever the issue is of the moment,” Marshall said.
“Out of all the priorities we have at the moment, (flooding) is the most important one. We’re working with FEMA, we’re working with the state police, and the Office of Emergency Management. You’ve seen our public works people, (they’re providing) extra vigilance for all of our stormwater infrastructure, making sure inlets are free of debris.
Residents in the borough are still feeling the effects of a major storm that tore through on June 20, causing damage to property, land and certain portions of stormwater infrastructure. An additional downpour on July 11 caused many others to worry that similar issues may arise again.
In other news:
- Commissioners passed, upon first reading, an ordinance amending a prior ordinance regarding land development. This particular ordinance seeks to limit the spaces in which the introduction of businesses touting medicinal marijuana can occur, keeping them away from Kings Highway and the downtown business district, as well as residential areas. A second reading and public comment on the issue is expected to occur at the BOC’s next meeting in August.
- Commissioners also unanimously passed a resolution to apply for a grant to the state Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of Ardmore Avenue between Haddon and Maple avenues.
