By Amber Cox
SPRINGFIELD Mayor Denis McDaniel and Deputy Mayor Peter Sobotka were unanimously re-elected into their positions for another year at the Township Council’s reorganization meeting Jan. 4.
Republican Anthony Marinello joined the council for a four-year term after winning the election in November. Republicans Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Sobotka were re-elected for four-year terms in November. Republican Senator and Burlington County Judge Phil Haines administered the oath of office to all three.
Dennis McInerney was reappointed as the township solicitor.
A resolution was also approved bringing Municipal Clerk Patricia Clayton to a tenure position.
Councilman David Frank plans to focus on the state of the roads, ditches and tree trimming operations in the township.
”I know myself, I’m going to push hard for us to make a commitment to have resources available to work on those things for long-term capital investments that we need to be on top of,” he said. “When we let them slip every year it’s like taking money out of the savings account.”
Councilman John Hlubik brought up the “difficulties we face in trying to provide everything we have been and what we should provide and trying to do the best we can and try to get the maximum use of the taxpayer’s dollars.”
Mr. Sobotka made it clear that the council is going to try to do the best it can with limited funds and that they “make decisions the best we can with the interest of the town in mind.”
”As you can see by our discussions earlier, we don’t always agree but we do come to a consensus at the end,” he said. “I think that’s what makes this town work as well as it has been. Our purpose is to improve the town. It is very difficult, sitting up here with limits on finances to bring improvements to the township, but we’re trying our best.”
Mr. McDaniel stated a number of goals he has for the township including finding a police chief and maintaining the compliance with the Council on Affordable Housing.
The county fairgrounds in the township is also being developed and Mr. McDaniel said he hopes that there will be a farm fair this year. The township also received a grant for the park in Jacksonville.
”That will not cause any increases in taxes, most of it will be paid for with county funds and the rest will be paid for with our on Springfield Open Space funds,” Mr. McDaniel said.
Mr. McDaniel said council needs to get involved with the future of Springfield Elementary School in anyway it can. However, the council cannot control the Board of Education.
”I don’t want to close the school,” he said. “I think that’s a good school and I want to see it become a better school.”
Mr. Frank also mentioned the school and couldn’t stress enough how important he thinks the school is to the township.
”Springfield is three separate helms,” he said. “There are really only a few unifying institutions, the most general of all those unifying institutions is the school. It affects almost every family here.
”I’ve always had a warm, soft spot for that school. I spent seven years there. I like that school and I support that school. As a community, in the coming year, years, as the discussion goes around about what do we do next, keeping that school active and open and a part of our community is extremely important.”

