PRINCETON: Township Committee gives warm sendoff to its retiring mayor, Phyllis Marchand

By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer
   Presiding over her final Princeton Township Committee meeting Monday evening, Mayor Phyllis Marchand was feted by her fellow committee members and an audience of municipal employees and residents.
   ”It has been a wonderful 22 years serving this town,” said Mayor Marchand after receiving a standing ovation. “It is very appropriate this is Thanksgiving week. We should be giving thanks for the wonderful community we live in,” she said.
   Mayor Marchand recognized her husband Lucien Marchand in the audience, “who is attending perhaps his second committee meeting.” Mayor Marchand said she was looking forward to sharing more time with her husband after she steps down at the end of the month. She joked about how the demands of her position had kept her from spending more time with him at home, noting it was a good indicator that she hadn’t been at home as much as she might “when your husband tells you you have cobwebs in your oven.”
   Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller read a proclamation from the committee declaring “Monday, Nov. 24, 2008 as Phyllis L. Marchand Day in Princeton Township, offering our sincerest congratulations and best wishes for many more happy years.”
   ”If this was a sports event … we’d be retiring the jersey of an outstanding player,” Deputy Mayor Miller said.
   Committeeman Lance Liverman lauded Mayor Marchand for accomplishments such as her role in the construction of the new public library and the new township municipal building. In retirement, “we hope you soar like an eagle in whatever you want to do,” Mr. Liverman said.
   ”I’m going to miss Phyllis as my friend,” he said.
   ”Phyllis has been a guiding force for the township for many years and, as we know, her influence will continue long after she has stepped down,” said Committeewoman Vicky Bergman.
   ”There will be no one in Princeton Township who can bring the energy, commitment and leadership to Princeton Township that Phyllis Marchand has,” said Committeeman Chad Goerner.
   The Township Committee also presented its annual employee and volunteer service awards at the meeting, “one of the nicest things that we ever do in this room,” said Mayor Marchand. “This town could not exist without the superb staff that we have and without the professional volunteers,” she said, adding “you are the heart and soul of the community.”
   Antonio Pirone was cited for 40 years of voluntary service on the Construction Board of Appeals; Harry Cooke for 25 years service on the Site Plan Review Advisory Board and other committees; and Robert Von Zumbusch for 20 years of service on the Historic Preservation Commission, among other volunteer service awards.
   ”I want to say I’m going to miss Phyllis,” said Mr. Pirone.
   Township Police Chief Mark Emann was cited for 30 years employment at the municipality. “I couldn’t be prouder, this is the best place to work, honestly,” Chief Emann said.
   Township Engineer Robert Kiser and Township Administrator James Pascale were cited for 25 years each of municipal employment. Township Clerk Linda McDermott and Police Officer Peter Young, Jr. were cited for 20 years each of employment at the township.
   ”This is a great place to work. You can see that by the number of people who have stayed here,” said Mayor Marchand.