by Robert Holt
BRIDGEPORT — At their meeting on July 21, the Logan Township Council discussed the community’s response to the major storm on June 23. Deputy Mayor Bernadine Jackson praised the Logan Township Police Department, saying she had never felt so safe as she did at that time.
“Our police were out there directing traffic and keeping us safe,” said Jackson. “I’d also like to thank Public Works for their fine efforts also.”
Logan Police Chief James Schmidt acknowledged that his department was on the street controlling traffic for about 24 hours during the power outage. And the community was looking to learn how to handle such events even better.
“This was a challenging storm, something we’ve never faced before,” observed Administrator Lyman Barnes. “We have a meeting scheduled to determine what worked and what didn’t.”
Elsewhere, Council accepted a bid of $81,500 from Sub-Level Installations, Inc. to install playground mulch in Township Line Road Park pending a review by the solicitor.
In ordinances, Council authorized issuance of general obligation bonds and bond anticipation notes in the aggregate amount of $270,000 for township road improvements. The ordinance was passed on its second reading after a public hearing.
Council adopted a series of resolutions during the meeting. One approved a change order that allowed credit of $5,000 in unused funds for the Logan Township Line Road Park solar path lighting project by Ronald Janney Electrical Contractor, Inc. A following resolution authorized a final payment of $3,472.02 to Janney for the work.
Another resolution approved final payment of $40,062.40 to SMB Paving, LLC for Logan’s 2014 road program. And Logan renewed their membership in the Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Municipal Joint Insurance Fund.
Council also authorized a maintenance contract with Acteon Networks for Logan’s telephone system. Another resolution allowed Acteon to attend to Logan Township’s software updates and technical support.
And Council extended the community’s due date for third quarter taxes to Aug. 25. They also accepted a shared services agreement with Greenwich Township for the use of Logan’s Rescue Vehicle.
Two resolutions authorized the appointment of Robert Kunkle as acting electrical sub-code official and acting electrical inspector between Aug. 7 and Sept. 30.
And Council approved the appointment of Frank Servais as Logan’s acting construction official from Aug. 7 to Sept. 30, 2015. “Frank took a lot of courses and worked hard to earn the position,” noted Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor. “We wish him all the best.”
Minor also spoke about the need of a comprehensive program regarding vacant properties in the community. “It’s a quality of life issue. It’s a safety issue,” Minor commented. “We don’t want to find any criminal element turning up there.”
“The grass is being cut, and the windows boarded,” he added. “I think we’ve got our hands around it.”
