Police, Library And Volunteers Honored At Township Committee Meeting

In front of a packed house at the Kenneth Faigenbaum chamber, Springfield's Township Committee dispensed honors and awards to the library, township volunteers and police officers.

Township officials honored three Springfield police officers for helping to prevent a burglary attempt in February. As Springfield Captain Peter Davis—the highest ranking officer of the department—looked on, Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady read a proclamation praising Sergeant James Fine, Police Officer Joseph Cieri, Detective Judd Levenson and Police Officer Anthony Voorhees for their diligence and police training. Sergeant Fine could not attend the meeting.*

Springfield recreation director Michael Tennaro next took the mic to praise longtime youth sports volunteer Tom "Whiskey" Wisniewski. Wisniewski, whose mother is the Township Clerk and who himself is an employee of the parks department, has coached or coordinated Springfield's Minutemen basketball teams and Springfield's junior basketball program. Wisniewski's former players paid tribute to the coach's seemingly gruff demeanor and unconditional love for the kids.

Springfield landscaper Lou DelMauro who used proceeds from collecting grass trimmings to donate money to several charitable township organizations.

Springfield Library Director Susan Permahos was on hand to accept the Mayor's proclamation for Library week. After accepting the proclamation, Permahos talked about the challenges faced by the library under New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's proposed cuts of aid to libraries statewide. She told Springfield residents to check the library's Web site for more information about the cuts and how to help.

*Editor's Note: the original version of this story misidentified the police officers present at the meeting. We regret the error.