By Matt Nelson, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — At Tuesday’s Township Council meeting, Police Chief William Spain was honored.
He retires officially tomorrow, June 30.
Members of the East Windsor Police Department were on hand as their outgoing chief said his goodbyes. He said he was overwhelmed with the turnout, which also included volunteers from the township’s rescue squads.
Chief Spain’s career with the Police Department began Dec. 17, 1984. He was sworn in as chief of police Dec. 17, 1999.
Chief Spain said, “It’s actually worked out pretty well. It’s been four months since we publicly announced that I would be leaving the East Windsor Police Department. My best friend told me that I shouldn’t consider myself lucky — I should feel blessed — and he convinced me that I refer to myself as being blessed and not being lucky.”
According to the chief, there are moments in a person’s life in which one is “just stunned and staggered” for the blessings that abound, “and this is truly one of those moments in my life.”
Chief Spain was presented with gifts from some of his lieutenants.
Mayor Janice Mironov presented Chief Spain with a proclamation that included a listing of some of his finest achievements.
”I’ve worked with Chief Spain during his entire tenure as chief,” Mayor Mironov said. “I also had the opportunity to participate in the selection process to have Mr. Spain succeed former Police Chief Barry Barlow. It was a difficult procedure.”
She continued, “He works very hard; he is very dedicated being available at any time, so, he’s a 24/7 type of guy.”
Mayor Mironov also said Chief Spain had many other skills that contributed to success at the helm of the Police Department.
”He is very bright, very thoughtful and very balanced, so, it’s always wonderful to have his judgment calls and his common sense,” Mayor Mironov said.
”One of the things that stood out was his tireless work and dedication to victims advocacy for domestic violence,” said East Windsor Police Lt. Todd Hoagland, noting that the chief was able “to combine tremendous value and great service to people.”
Lt. James Monahan will be sworn in as the new East Windsor chief of police 11 a.m. Sunday, July 1, inside the municipal courtroom.
The council also passed numerous ordinances, including the approval of Interlocal agreements, the 2012 municipal budget providing an item of revenue and appropriation and the renewal of alcoholic beverage control licenses to numerous restaurants, hotels and stores selling alcohol.
Mayor Mironov also discussed Senate Bill S-1900 and Assembly Bill A-2921, which seeks the restoration of municipal energy tax receipts.
The main purpose of this discussion was to “restore energy bills” according to Mayor Mironov.
”I just think it’s ironic that we’ve had to get to this point,” Councilman Peter Yeager said. “We have to put bills in and move mountains throughout the Legislature to get something that is technically yours. Trenton talks about cutting property taxes, and I think this is a very common sense way, and I’m glad to see the senators that are looking forward to this.”
Mayor Mironov also went over Resolution R2012-16, which deals with action on a solar project at the East Windsor police and court building. She said it would be reviewed in August with a follow-up set for Trenton. The extension of this project is set to last until Sept. 30, 2012.
In other news, Township Manager Alan Fisher has been named acting municipal clerk. The former clerk, Cindy Dye, left her position with the township on June 4.
