by Robert Holt
BRIDGEPORT– — At their meeting on Sept. 15, the Logan Township Council authorized a resolution awarding a contract to Petroni and Associates to conduct an independent audit of Mayor Frank Minor’s expense records.
Documents have shown that Minor filed for reimbursement from both his political campaign fund and Logan Township for certain expenses from 2009 to 2012. Minor called the charges a mistake, saying he had been without a treasurer at the time.
The Logan Council went into closed session before adopting the resolution.
“I welcome the audit,” commented Councilmember Stephen Dougherty. “We will do everything in our power to comply.” Administrator Lyman Barnes added, “We’re doing our own internal audit, but we’ve also commissioned a third party to do one.”
Petroni and Associates are registered municipal accountants based in Glassboro.
Elsewhere, Council passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of $75,000 in Public Works equipment. Another ordinance was adopted that authorized the purchase of $75,000 in fire and police equipment for Logan Township.
Both ordinances were adopted on their second reading after public hearings.
In resolutions, Council approved a payment of $71,100 to Sub-Level Installations Inc. for the Township Line Road Park playground mulch project. “We’ve had nothing but compliments on the work in the park,” said Councilmember Chris Morris. “The lights are immaculate.”
Another adopted resolution saw the promotion of Officer Robert Taylor to the rank of Patrol Officer 2nd Class. And Frank Servais was appointed as Construction Code Official over a four-year term.
Also, Council authorized Robert Kunkle to be named as Electrical Subcode Official and Electrical Inspector from Oct. 1, 2015 through Oct. 1, 2019.
Council also agreed to renew the township employee health insurance coverage with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. “At a time when health care costs are prone to spike, I think it’s a good idea to lock in early,” observed Dougherty.
Dougherty noted that he had attended the opening ceremonies for Logan Township’s new Goodwill Industries on Sept. 10. The Councilmember said he was proud to have Goodwill in their community.
In his police report, Logan Township Police Chief James Schmidt said his department responded to 1,359 calls for service in August, and issued 236 summonses during the community’s two-week “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.
Schmidt mentioned that the department has received a grant of $2,349.95 for ballistic vests.
Also, Council has authorized advertising for bids for South Bridgeport Road pipe and resurfacing under the 2015 Road Program.
Earlier, Deputy Mayor Bernadine Jackson reminded those attending the meeting of the upcoming Logan Day festivities on Oct. 3. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Township Line Sports Complex. Among the attractions will be music, face painting, a dunk tank, and a “shark ride.”
