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SPRINGFIELD: Township salutes Eagle Scout

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   SPRINGFIELD — An Eagle Scout has been recognized for his accomplishments after connecting two trails and building a boardwalk to cross over the wetlands at a local joint military base.
   Mayor Denis McDaniel honored Ethan Snyder, 17, of the Jacksonville section of Springfield on March 13.
   Ethan attends Northern Burlington County Regional High School. He is a junior.
   He is a member of Troop 112 at the Rose of Sharon Church in Jacobstown, which is part of the Garden State Council Boy Scouts of America.
   ”Once again, Springfield is proud to have another young man achieve the status of Eagle Scout,” Mayor McDaniel said at the Township Committee meeting. “We don’t get those too often.”
   Mayor McDaniel praised Ethan for his accomplishment.
   ”There are a few that jump over that hurdle and make Eagle, and we are very honored, and we are proud to have Ethan Snyder here tonight and his dad, (Neal), also his Scoutmaster,” the mayor said.
   According to Mayor McDaniel, Ethan’s Court of Honor was held March 2 when he was presented with a proclamation.
   The mayor asked Ethan to discuss his project for council members and the public.
   His project was done at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst at Laurel Pond, a picnic and trail area for service families. His project was connecting two paths beside a stream. He built a boardwalk over a wet area and a bridge to cross a small creek.
   ”I was building a trail (old deer trail) and the boardwalk and the bridge that ran along the creek,” Ethan said. “I made a sign that went across the wetlands, and I connected a trail that had a dead end.”
   ”It sounds like everyone is very happy with it,” Mayor McDaniel said.
   ”The Environmental Society on the Joint Base really liked it,” Ethan said.
   According to Ethan, the Girl Scouts were looking into mapping the trials, but he was unsure whether it was done yet.
   ”People have been using it, and they have liked it,” Ethan said.
   Mr. Snyder told the Register-News on Tuesday that more than 20 Scouts and families helped with Ethan’s project. Boy Scout Troop 112 has more than 50 Eagle Scouts, according to Ethan’s dad.
   ”As Scoutmaster of Troop 112, I am proud of him and all my Scouts. They are working hard and committed to obtain the highest rank of Scouting, which is Eagle,” Mr. Snyder said.
   ”Keep up the good work,” Mayor McDaniel said.