Mount Laurel Council announced the winners of a recent Halloween house decorating contest and promoted longtime police personnel into new positions at its recent meeting.
The contest winners were:
- Best use of theme: A Hauntington Lacelot Lane, by Chris Lovato
- Best classic decorations: Doll’s Graveyard, by Timothy Cann
- Most creative: The Haunted Mansion Dead and Breakfast, by Kevin Riley
- Mayor’s choice: Hidlebrandt, by Bill Hildebrandt
Councilman Nikitas Moustakas commended all participants for their hard work in putting together holiday-themed decorations.
“(The contest) was exciting because we (also) get to do this contest for Christmas,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of work that goes into that.”
The township is now sponsoring its second annual Deck the House contest, for which interested residents must complete an application on the township’s website. The entry and decorating deadline is Friday and council is adding a people’s choice cateory this year.
The full list of participating houses will be on the township’s website and Facebook page by end of day on Monday. Residents can email the address of their favorite decorated house to agrisetti@mountlaurel.com.
Later in the meeting, Township Manager Meredith Riculfy swore in the following promoted officers: Deputy Chief Timothy Hudnall, Lt. Nicholas Digirolamo, Lt. Mark Colligan, and Sgt. Jason Zinger. Police Chief Judy Lynn Schiavone expressed gratitude for the turnout at the courtroom ceremony.
“I want to thank everyone for coming and showing support to the police department,” she noted. “When I walked into the courtroom tonight, (I thought), ‘Wow, this many people came out to support the department.
“I always repeat myself, but I have to: Mayor, council, and our (township) manager Meredith are so supportive of everything that’s going on with the department,” Schiavone added. “We’re trying to grow the department and get people in positions where we need them.”
Hudnall was hired by the department in 2000 and awarded supervisor of the year in 2016; he will oversee the operations division. Digirolamo was hired in 2002 and has worked in the department’s traffic office; he will also be assigned to the operations division. Colligan joined the department in 2000 as a patrol officer and has also served in its detective bureau; he is now a lieutenant. Zinger was hired in 2014 and previously served as a field training officer; he is now a sergeant.
Deputy Mayor Fozia Janjua praised the officers and expressed council’s gratitude for their dedication in keeping residents safe.
“Congratulations on your promotions, and I also want to thank all of officers for serving our community and keeping everyone safe,” she said. “I know it’s not an easy job and everyone here on council appreciates all that you do.
Mount Laurel is really lucky to have officers like you serving our community, so thank you.”
The next council session will be a reorganization meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
