Linda McDermott, 12 years the township’s deputy clerk, was sworn in to a three-year term
By: David Weinstein
The Township Committee on Monday night approved a resolution to promote the township’s deputy municipal clerk.
With her husband and two children present, Linda McDermott, 12 years the township’s deputy clerk, was sworn in to a three-year term to begin Aug. 31. She replaces Patricia Shuss, who is retiring after serving as clerk 16 years.
Kathleen Brzezynski, whose family was also present, was appointed deputy clerk in the same resolution. She has worked in the clerk’s office 15 years.
Ms. McDermott, a Hamilton resident, began working for the township as the deputy in March 1998 after several years working in public relations with the alumni office at Rider University, where she earned a degree in journalism.
Before working for her alma mater, she worked five years for the Delaware Valley United Way as communications director.
Ms. McDermott said Monday afternoon that she does not expect her responsibilities to change dramatically because of the promotion, aside from attending more committee meetings.
"We’ll still be doing what we do here, which is serve the town and the people," she said.
"As much as things have changed," she said, "the more they stay the same."
The issue of deer overpopulation and how to deal effectively with the herd has been contentious since she first began at the Valley Road building, Ms. McDermott said. Another ongoing issue, she said, is the possible relocation of the public library.
But the soon-to-be-completed municipal complex will put one of the township’s ongoing issues to rest, Ms. Brzezynski said Monday. The move is expected early next year.
Ms. Brzezynski said she got an early peek at the new set-up several weeks ago and the new office is very public-friendly.
Both women said they look forward to doing the things they are trained to do in the new complex.
And, they said, they will continue to do things that Ms. Shuss taught them.
"We learned from the best," Ms. McDermott said. "Pat was an amazing person."
In other business Monday night, the Township Committee heard a proposal from Bill Sutphin, a lawyer representing Jefferson Road resident Charles Stone, concerning the possible purchase of a half-acre plot of land at Terhune and Jefferson roads to turn it into a public, historic park.
Mr. Sutphin said Mr. Stone would raise the money necessary to purchase the land and then donate it to the township. The land is about one-third of a larger lot that is valued at about $221,000, Mr. Sutphin said.
Mr. Sutphin said the park would be named after Thomas Leonard, a man who owned large portions of land in and around Princeton and who was partly responsible for the decision to relocate Princeton University, then The College of New Jersey, from Newark to Princeton in the 1740s.
Township Attorney Ed Schmierer said at the meeting that the land’s current owners are not likely to sell the property and that, historically, the township has not followed a course of condemning land – a course of action Mr. Sutphin said may work if the land cannot be acquired amicably and at market value.
Mayor Phyllis Marchand said the committee would take the presentation under advisement and discuss it at a future date.