Among business at the Evesham council meeting on March 3 were the township’s recognition of its first police officers, support voiced for Ukraine and resolutions that included an ordinance to support cannabis retail applications.
Police will honor seven former officers by hanging a photograph of them in an area of the department readily visible to current officers, according to Acting Chief of Police Walt Miller.
“We’re going to hang (the photo) in the police department right by the back door,” he said. . “Every day, our officers go out that back door, providing service to the community. This picture will watch over them as they go in and out those doors.
“I think it’s important, (because) it ties us back to our origin story of how our police department started, (and) it makes us responsible to these seven officers,” Miller added.
Nick Matteo, a former detective first class, patrol sergeant and the township’s third police chief, supplied the photo at the council meeting and expressed his gratitude to the police for acknowledging the former officers.
“Thank you so much for this picture and hanging it in a place of importance,” he said.
The police department also administered the oath of office to the following officers, who were hired during COVID but had yet to be formally sworn in: Thomas Anderson, Corey Davis, Nicholas Latigona, Ian Travers, Derrick Verduchi and Ryan Bourdon.
Councilman Eddie Freeman III then expressed his sympathy for the people of Ukraine, who have been under attack by Russia since February, and his compassion for Russian soldiers forced to participate in the war.
“I just want to say my heart and sympathies go to the people in Ukraine that are fighting the unprovoked war,” Freeman noted. “Also having been in the military, my heart goes out to the soldiers, the men and women of the Russian military that are following orders and have no choice.”
In other meeting news:
- Council approved resolutions to support the applications of cannabis retailers.
- June 12 will officially be known as Marlton Business Association’s Marlton Day.
- A resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Belarus governments also declares the township’s support for residents of Soviet origin, descent and heritage who have no role in the military action.
The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m.
