At their second meeting of the new year, the Borough of Glassboro Council gathered to swear in officers of the Glassboro Police Department and present a plan regarding the development of Elsmere Park.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Mayor John E. Wallace kicked things off by presenting six awards for the town’s Light Up Glassboro contest, which took place back in December.

This contest encouraged residents to decorate their houses for the holiday season, with six unique categories. These categories were Merry & Bright, which was awarded to Mark Russell, Traditional Holiday, which was awarded to Melanie DeVuono, Best Business, which was awarded to Italian Affair, Best Porch, Patio, or Balcony, which was awarded to Celess Tyrell, Most Creative, which was awarded to Bree Marple, and finally Mayor’s Choice, which was awarded to Christie Gulla DeJesus. 

The next order of business was swearing in seven new officers in the Glassboro Police Department. The room was filled with friends and families of the officers as they watched them get sworn in. Dominic Visceglia was appointed to Lieutenant, Haley Mangione was appointed to Detective/Sergeant 1st Class, Nicholas Whelan and Andrew Roberts were appointed to Sergeant 1st Class, Colton Gemenden and Sean Aitken were appointed Corporal, and Dylan A. Warburton was appointed to Patrol Officer. The mayor ended this section of the meeting by congratulating the newly appointed officers and releasing the friends and families to celebrate. 

Next, a concept for the redevelopment of Elsmere Park was brought up as a public hearing for a grant of $950,000. The plan was presented by the Assistant Administrator, Mark Ginch, who prefaced the presentation before handing it off to engineer James Biegen of Sickels & Associates Inc.

Biegan began by discussing how the development would not interfere heavily with the surrounding plant or animal life, and there was no historical significance to the land. He continued that the property is well maintained and then went into the improvements that are being planned, including additional parking, restrooms, a playground designed for younger children, and an upgrade to the basketball, baseball field, and the pavilion.  

“We still have to go through the process of doing surveys and design pending getting the grant,” Biegan said.

Biegan then turned the presentation back over to Mark Ginch, who went through the public survey where interest in the park was polled on. The presentation concluded, and the council will deliberate, with the result being brought up in the next regular meeting.  

The next portion of the meeting went over communications to the public, which began with three letters of retirement, including Lieutenant Charles B. Williams Jr., Detective/Sergeant 1st Class Bruce Vigliotta, and Melissa Rovin, who was a Records Clerk for the Glassboro Police Department. 

“I would like to say congratulations to our newly promoted officers … and to our three retirees, also congratulations, and they will be missed. And I also want to extend thanks as well to the highway department, who have kept our roads clean and safe,” said Councilwoman Deanna Garlic.

The mayor also extended a special thanks to those who decorated for the Light Up Glassboro Contest before turning the meeting over to the Solicitor’s report, where thirteen resolutions were passed.  

To close out the meeting, the council opened the floor to the public to voice any concerns in the community. This was utilized by two members of the community, who brought their concerns regarding renters in the area. Teresa Munson and Mary-Ann Boyle, residents of Hetton Court, have seen an increase in investors buying houses but not providing sufficient off-street parking, which has caused problems with snow removal efforts. Munson had to call the landlord of her neighbor to clear her driveway due to snow being pushed into it.

“I don’t really know what we can do about this,” said Munson. “I think maybe a stronger enforcement of the landlord registration requirements.” 

The public portion of the meeting came to an end following Munson and Boyle’s concerns. The meeting was then adjourned following the approval of all bills. The next regular meeting of the Glassboro Council will be held on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Glassboro Municipal Building.

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