By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — Serving almost three decades on the Township Council, it’s only fitting that longtime Ward 3 Councilman Reginald “Reggie” Butler’s name will be memorialized outside of council chambers as well as on the Department of Public Works (DPW) building.
The council agreed to the posthumous salute at a meeting on Aug. 8.
Ward 5 Councilman Richard Greene began the discussion, noting that he and Butler became good friends as members of the council.
“We should respect him, everything that he has done for the town,” he said.
Ward 3 Councilwoman June T. Dungee, who was appointed to Butler’s seat after he passed away on June 7, said she would be remiss if she did not speak on his behalf.
“I have walked through the district. … I have not come across anyone that didn’t have anything good to say about Reggie,” she said. “I have known Reggie for many years even before I moved to Old Bridge. He was always a kind and wonderful man. After 27 years, he deserves something named after him.”
Councilwoman-at-Large Anita Greenberg-Belli agreed with her fellow council members, adding that Butler was a decent, honest and fair man, who was a friend to many.
“Reggie’s memory will live on through all of us who knew him, and he was a dear friend,” she said.
Council President Brian Cahill agreed, stating that the naming of the DPW building and council chambers is a fine tribute for a man who served the township for a long, long time.
Mayor Owen Henry said he supported the council’s decision to name the DPW building after Butler and had initially suggested placing a plaque in Butler’s honor outside council chambers.
“Not too many people go to [the DPW building],” he said. “A plaque is also fitting [for council chambers]. The administration supports any effort by council and any direction it wants to go.”
The council agreed to memorialize Butler’s name in both locations.
Butler passed away on June 7 at the age of 75. Elected in 1989, he was the longest tenured councilman, having served seven consecutive terms.
Contact Kathy Chang at [email protected].