DPW chief retires

Officials honored Department of Public Works Superintendent Ed Babcock on his retirement after 41 years of service at the Township Council meeting Monday, June 23.

Babcock started as storekeeper for the road department in 1984 and moved up the ranks to the top job.

Mayor Anthony Rossi presented him with a plaque and council members wished him well, encouraging him to enjoy his first snowstorm in 40 years not viewed from the cab of a plow.

Assistant supervisor Howard Lazier is being promoted to fill the position.

Rossi told the council that a 50th anniversary police car is being outfitted. It will have an insignia based on the original patch worn by Vernon police officers.

The council approved two resolutions allowing for the continuation of two inactive liquor licenses.

Township Attorney Peter King said a new state law requires all inactive licenses to be used, sold or transferred by August 2027. If they are not, the license returns to township control.

One of the two licenses has been inactive since 2013. King said the council may grant a third extension of the license if the owner is working on a solution.

Council members Jessica DeBenedetto and Bradley Sparta voted against the extension, but Patrick Rizzuto, Natalie Buccieri and William Higgins voted in favor, so the extension was granted.

The other license was granted continuation unanimously.

DiBenedetto explained that she dissented to emphasize the contrast between the two businesses. She said the other owner is making a good faith effort to put the license to use.

The second meetings of the month in July and August have been canceled.