At a meeting on July 8, township council took time to recognize some of Mt. Laurel’s finest while welcoming a new member to the police force.
Lt. Paul Modugno III, William Rudderow and Richard Carp were recognized for their years of outstanding service as all three are retiring this month. Modugno and Rudderow served the department for 25 years while Carp has served for 26 years.
“These men served the Mt. Laurel community in an exemplary manner and are to be commended for their dedication to duty and for their loyal and faithful service to the residents of the Township of Mt. Laurel,” municipal clerk Meredith Tomczyk said.
Modugno joined the department in 1987 as member of the patrol bureau. Throughout his career with the force, Modugno held several positions, including lead officer and sergeant before becoming a lieutenant in 2008. He was also extremely active in the community as the town watch program supervisor and DARE supervisor.
Rudderow became a member of the patrol bureau in 1987 before being promoted to sergeant and patrol supervisor in 1997. Since 2003, Rudderow has served as detective sergeant, earning numerous police department awards, including the life saving award, supervisor of the year and meritorious service award.
Carp served three years as a dispatcher beginning in 1987 before being appointed to the position of police officer. He served as a lead officer for eight years prior to becoming a sergeant in 2012. Carp was also recognized with several department commendations throughout his tenure including the police star and life saving award.
With three members of the police moving into a life filled with golf and sunshine, the department made changes to accommodate a now smaller staff. William Baskay was promoted to lieutenant and Erica Aybar-Morillo was sworn in as a police officer.
In other news:
The council passed an ordinance authorizing the right of eminent domain to obtain the property at 908 Union Mill Road for the Union Mill road-widening project. According to the township attorney, the property owner has been uncooperative in getting the property appraised and negotiating the sale price. The township will continue to reach out to the owner but now has the authorization to obtain the property if they remain unresponsive.
