BRIDGEPORT — The Logan Township Police Department made two additions to its roster during the Logan Township Council meeting on Sept. 18.
Officer Brett Blaker was hired as a probationary officer, while Eric Surrency became an 8th Class Patrol Officer for the township force.
Logan Mayor Frank Minor explained that Blaker had a rich history of law enforcement in his family. “His father, brother and uncle have all been officers,” noted Minor. “We are honored to have him as a member of our Logan family.”
Minor added that he believes that Logan Township has the best police force in New Jersey.
Blaker previously served with the Washington Township Police Department. The mayor said that the only difference between Blaker and Surrency is that Surrency has been an officer in Camden County for over three years.
“The challenges we are facing with our town’s growth will also continue to grow,” commented Minor. “We want to make sure under Chief Robert Leash that our officers have everything they need to safely perform their service.”
The rest of the Council welcomed the new officers aboard, while Deputy Mayor Chris Morris pointed out, “These two have the right stuff. We look forward to having them as members of our community.”
Elsewhere, Council introduced a bond ordinance that would revise the improvements and amounts referred to in a previous bond ordinance. The Council also adopted two resolutions that would grant tax exemptions for two totally disabled veterans.
In another resolution, Council approved a payment of $95,358.50 to Landberg Construction LLC for the New Jersey Department of Transportation – Township Line Roadway improvements, Phase 2, for Fiscal Year 2018. One more resolution saw Council authorize payment of $24,195.00 to Levy Construction Co. Inc. for the police department window replacement, brick installation and door installation project.
In Council updates, Councilmember Bernadine Jackson reminded those attending the meeting that Logan Day was Oct. 6. “We have live music, demonstrations and inflatable rides for the kids,” she mentioned.
Engineer Annina Hogan reported that signage had been recommended to direct trucks to and from Route 295. Hogan noted that she had been working with Minor on a transportation initiative that would help to get people to and from their jobs, and a Saturday service would begin on Logan Day.
“We hope to establish a public and private fund to get an intra-town shuttle that would take people to and from work,” observed Minor.
In his Police report, Chief Leash listed 1,400 calls for service for the Logan Police Department in August, and 234 motor vehicle summonses were issued. Leash added that the bike patrol had been reinstated.
The Logan Police Chief’s name fell under new business during this night’s meeting. Council reluctantly accepted Leash’s Letter of Intent to Retire, effective Dec. 31, 2018. Minor assured, “I’ll reserve my comments until he actually does retire.”
— by Robert Holt
