Other Princeton Township officers win promotions.
By: Rachel Silverman
Former township police Lt. Mark Emann entered a new role as captain Monday night in a ceremony officiated by the Princeton Township Committee.
With family members and borough police staff on hand, Sgt. Michael Henderson was also inducted as lieutenant, Detective Scott Porreca as sergeant, and Christopher Best and Matthew Solovay as probationary patrol officers.
Capt. Emann, a 26-year veteran of the department, expressed both gratitude and excitement about his new post.
"Thank you to the Township Committee," he said, addressing a nearly packed meeting room. "I look forward to the future."
The 46-year-old Princeton High School graduate and Lawrence resident also joked about his predecessor, Capt. Peter Savalli.
"I want to thank Capt. Savalli," Capt. Emann said. "Mostly for retiring, but also for helping me along the way," he teased.
In an earlier interview, Capt. Emann cited the community gang issue as the No. 1 item on his agenda.
"We need to address it head on," Capt. Emann said. "It has to be a combined effort between the schools, police department, governing bodies and religious institutions."
Both before and during the ceremony, Mayor Phyllis Marchand applauded Capt. Emann’s recent promotion.
"He was raised in this community. His father was in the police force," she said.
Committee members also voted last night to commission a $98,000 study of the police department. This report, which will take about four to five months to complete, will analyze the department’s overall effectiveness.
"I’m confident it will show us where we can be more efficient," Capt. Emann said.
The township police force has not been subject to such review in the 10 years since Chief Tony Gaylord took office.
"A study of this comprehensiveness doesn’t need to be done every year," Committeeman Bill Enslin said, explaining the decade-long hiatus in departmental evaluation.
But such research can also "provide strategic review" and important analytical data, Mr. Enslin added. "It will give the management group a roadmap to look at what they’re doing," he said.
Carroll Buracker and Associates, the firm slated to conduct the study, is a Virginia-based organization consisting of former FBI officers, police chiefs and municipal officials. The company has been working with township police for the past 11 years, and is very familiar with the department.
"They’ve worked with us on promotional exams," Capt. Emann said. "They’re very thorough."
Mr. Enslin said he did not anticipate any difficulties from the study.
"It’s a very stable police force," Mr. Enslin said of the department.
In other business, the committee introduced an ordinance for the reconstruction of Snowden Lane. The project’s cost, including drainage work, is placed at $1 million. At present, the road project remains a separate issue from the construction of sidewalks, which has generated much controversy.
"No decision has been made regarding the sidewalks," Township Engineer Robert Kiser said. "Discussions among Princeton officials and residents continue."
Also introduced Monday night was an ordinance on general improvements to the Griggs Farm community. The $262,000 improvement project would focus on walkways, lighting, parking, drainage and landscaping.
The committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing and final vote on the ordinances Jan. 31.

