CHESTERFIELD: Township gets $25K safety grant

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   CHESTERFIELD — The Township Committee on June 13 passed a resolution accepting a $25,000 for a state Safe and Secure grant.
   The item was added to the 2012 municipal budget.
   The New Jersey grant derives from a Safe and Secure program enacted into law 19 years ago.
   The grant is designed to: “add law enforcement personnel vital to effective police operations and other crime related strategies as warranted by the needs of the community,” according to the state website. “The program allows for the funding of additional officers or funding of law enforcement support personnel which would free-up officers for direct law enforcement activities.”
   Today, there are approximately 160 municipalities receiving funds for 345 officers and 13 non-police support staff.
   The $25,000 will go toward the salary of a Chesterfield police officer, according to Municipal Clerk Caryn Hoyer.
   In 2011, Chesterfield Township received $17,344 from the Safe and Secure grant program. In 2010, it received $25,000.
   In other news, the Township Committee introduced Ordinance 2012-8 to set municipal salaries, wages and compensation of officials and employees for 2012.
   It was originally introduced at the May 24 meeting as Ordinance 2012-7 but according to Ms. Hoyer, “At that time the salary structure for the treasurer as well as the salary of a Construction Department employee who no longer works in the department was not included. The changes to the ordinance does not affect the 2012 budget figures.
   A public hearing will be held on June 28.
   It was also announced at the Township Committee meeting that the Tractor Parade has made Chesterfield part of its route once again. The 2012 Tractor Parade is set for Sunday, July 15. Last year the parade did not come through Chesterfield.