Shamong Township held its reorganization meeting

Two committee members were sworn into three-year terms.

Shamong Township held its reorganization meeting this week, where two committee members were sworn in to three-year terms.

Committeemen Sean Gray and Michael Cooney were re-elected, with the November election results totaling 2,191 votes for Gray and 2,110 votes for Cooney.

Michael Di Croce was voted mayor for a one-year term, alongside Timothy Gimbel, who was voted deputy mayor for a one-year term.

“Congratulations to Sean Gray and Mike Cooney on their re-election to the committee, the voters are very wise,” Di Croce said. “Thank you for your service.”

Following the reorganization meeting was the regular township committee meeting, where Di Croce informed the public on upcoming projects.

He said the township is seeking a local artist to construct a large sculpture to be featured at the new cemetery in Shamong, Pinelands Memorial Park, A Country Cemetery. He said they have already sold 17 plots this year and have a goal of selling 500 plots by the end of 2019.

Di Croce sent an email to Tabernacle Township Mayor Joseph Barton, for that town to consider relocating Ann Roberts, or “Indian Ann,” from a cemetery in Tabernacle to the newly constructed cemetery in Shamong.

Roberts was one of the last Delaware Indians to remain in Shamong, and Di Croce said she lived and died in (or near) the Brotherton Reservation in Shamong.

Di Croce has offered for Shamong Township to cover the expenses related to relocating her, and Barton will confer with other township officials before making a decision.

“We’d love to have her back home, we’re proud of our heritage,” Di Croce said. “I think it would be a great honor, number one, for the town and a way to honor American Indians.”

Township Solicitor Douglas Heinold suggested that regardless if Roberts can be relocated to the new cemetery, it would be a nice sentiment to make the sculpture of her.

Di Croce also expressed the township’s interest in creating hiking and riding trails throughout the town, with water and rest stations that would lead people to local businesses.

Resident Laura King suggested using old train tracks throughout town as a basis for the trails, instead of creating new pathways.

Di Croce said this would be a great project for Boy or Girl Scouts in the area.

Anyone interested in these projects can email mdicroce@shamong.net.

In other news:

• Boy Scout Troop 47 will be collecting Christmas Trees as its day of service project on Jan. 21. Residents should leave their trees curbside before 8 a.m. The service is free, however, they are seeking donations of $15 or more. Checks can be made payable to Troop 47.
• Di Croce said almost all dogs found by officials to have been living in inhumane conditions last year at a township resident’s home have been adopted.

The next meeting on will be held on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building.