Also, council votes to designate Timber and Victory Lakes as rehabilitation area to allow tax incentives for vacant and abandoned property cleanup
At last week’s meeting, council recognized former Township Solicitor Charles Fiore with a proclamation after 23 years of service to the township.
According to Councilman Marvin Dilks, who presented the proclamation to Fiore at the meeting alongside Council President Rich Dilucia, in addition to serving as the township solicitor, the attorney had also served the Williamstown community as a councilman for Ward 2 from 1993 to 1994.
“[Fiore’s] service has been marked by the dedication to the best interest of the community, and he has worked constantly for the betterment of the township’s economical culture and aesthetic development,” Dilks said. “His performance of the duties and responsibilities both as a member of council as well as solicitor have been characterized by excellence.”
Fiore worked alongside a variety of township officials he described as family through his years serving the council, such as five Monroe Township mayors, dozens of council members and council presidents, a number of police chiefs, as well as township clerks.
Upon receiving his proclamation at the Monday, Jan. 22, meeting, Fiore provided words of advice for council members as they continue their terms serving the public.
“Stay true to your oath and your words, be passionate, be consistent and continue to be yourselves,” Fiore said.
In November, Fiore was appointed and sworn in as the Gloucester County prosecutor, replacing Sean Dalton who had held the position since 2002. Louis Cappelli Jr. was appointed to take Fiore’s place as township solicitor at the Jan. 8 reorganization meeting.
“I’m in a different chapter of my life now,” Fiore said. “It’s tremendous, challenging and where I wanted to be. I’ll miss this place, but I needed to move on.”
In other news:
• Precision Metalcrafters & Co., a local business specializing in sheet metal fabrication, presented council and the Economic Development Commission with a personally crafted gift replicating Williamstown’s new branding logo, “Come grow with us.”
“I know this is really special for us because of all of the hard work EDC has been doing with the grow Williamstown campaign,” Councilman Cody Miller said. “It’s truly an honor to have them here tonight, and we couldn’t thank them enough.”
According to Councilman Joe Marino, the Economic Development Commission, with the support of Mayor Dan Teefy and council, have assisted in spearheading the marketing campaign to support existing businesses and attract new development to the community.
“We’re extremely lucky to have such viable and talented EDC members representing the community,” Marino said.
• Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution designating a “lakes rehabilitation area” in the Timber and Victory Lakes communities. According to the resolution, the rehabilitation program will prevent “further deterioration and promote overall development” in the communities.
Miller said the designation would allow tax incentives and abatements for residents or prospective buyers to purchase the existing vacant or abandoned properties and rehabilitate them.
“I’m very happy council supports this endeavor. and I’d like to let the residents of Timber and Victory Lakes know we are moving forward with this process,” Miller said. “If they know of anyone who is interested in rehabbing a home, we’re hoping this will help with that area.”
• The next council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12. The work session will be held at 7 p.m. and the regular meeting at 8 p.m.
