By Jen Samuel, Special Writer
It was standing room only at the Aug. 26 meeting of commissioners.
Family and friends gathered to support 27 students who spent the summer volunteering to fulfill various community projects under the direction of Mayor Joseph Malone III.
The students built birdhouses as well as four houses for feral cats. They ranged in high school age from those entering into their freshmen years to recent graduates heading off to colleges this month
”The cats thank you, too,” said Carol Hill of Bordentown City Cats, which was founded a decade ago.
She said the youth involved with projects to benefit the community “eventually see how important it is to give back.”
Mayor Malone said the hardworking students were well behaved and expressed “class; dignity.”
The mayor said the youth program ran from July 9 to Aug. 23. The volunteers also worked on painting curbs and cleaning up the city parks and along Farnsworth Avenue, among other activities for community betterment, including delivering environmental information to residents from the Bordentown City Green Team.
The summer youth program was established in 1973 when Mr. Malone, a former teacher, first was elected mayor of Bordentown City. He is a certified industrial arts teacher as is City Commissioner Zigmont Targonski.
”He works so hard with these kids,” the mayor said of Commissioner Targonski. “Ziggy is probably one of the most outstanding craftsman that I have every known or will ever know. He is truly a real Renaissance man.”
Monday night, Mayor Malone recognized the passing of two Bordentownians — Ralph Stone, who died Aug. 23, and Jane R. Diveley, who died Aug. 16.
Ms. Diveley served as the Bordentown City court administrator, a position that then was known as court clerk. Mr. Stone served in the Navy and was a World War II veteran in addition to being a local company member of Hope Hose Humane.
”He was the (military) service officer for Burlington County,” Mayor Malone said.
Later at the meeting, “It was a very heartwarming night to be here,” said Cindy Gallagher, co-chairwoman of the Bordentown City Green Team.
The resident was among those celebrating the City Commission’s move to approve the inception of the Creative Team.
The Creative Team is a subcommittee of the Bordentown City Green Team.
During public comment, resident Adrian Ellison praised the mayor for being part of the community.
”It’s a testament to (Bordentown City) when you see the mayor of your town cutting grass and painting curbs,” Mr. Ellison said.
Mayor Malone thanked Mr. Ellison and said, “It’s a pleasure to serve.”
The mayor also said the two top things in his life have been family “and this town.”
The mayor told folks Monday night that he would like to start a youth government program to meet once a month to go over issues in the community.
May 14, the mayor won the majority of votes to join incumbents Mr. Targonski and James Lynch, outgoing mayor, on May 21 for the start of a four-year term.
The commission is nonpartisan.
Mayor Malone served for 18 years in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1993 until 2012, representing Bordentown City in the 30th legislative district. Since then, Bordentown City moved to the 7th legislative district, which is represented by State Sen. Diane Allen and Troy Singleton and Herb Conaway in the General Assembly.
The mayor also served as a city commissioner in Bordentown City from 1973 to 1997.
Deputy Mayor Lynch reported that between July 8 and Aug. 25, there were no reports of lost pets in the city. There were 53 ambulance responses, four assaults, three drunken driving arrests, 12 juvenile complaints, 24 motor vehicle accidents and 176 motor vehicle violations.
As summer fades there are several upcoming events in Bordentown City to keep the tempo lively.
The “Acoustic Mixtape Live!” at Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks St., will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Sept. 21. Seven live acoustic groups are set to perform.
This “mixtape” event will serve as a fundraiser to benefit the Community Food Pantry of St. Mary’s Church as well as continued restorations of Old City Hall.
Concurrently, on Sept. 21, the Downtown Business Association is hosting its first Wine & Beer Festival. Call the Old Book Shop at 609-324-9909 for ticket information.
And for those people willing to partake in an evening of artistry, from 6-10 p.m. Sept. 28, the third annual Old City Hall Auction will bring back a lively Saturday evening featuring Bordentown memorabilia and one-of-a-kind works of art.
The 24th annual Cranberry Festival will take place the first weekend of October, Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.
”We’re ready to go,” Deputy Mayor Lynch said.
To learn more about the first annual Wine & Beer Festival in Bordentown City, visit www.downtownbordentown.com.
