UPPER TOWNSHIP – The Upper Township Committee on Monday evening welcomed new township administrator Gary Demarzo and congratulated solicitor Dan Young on his (semi)retirement.
DeMarzo was attending his first meeting after having taken over for Scott Morgan, who will stay on as emergency management coordinator.
As DeMarzo thanked the committee and the community for the opportunity he said he was “grateful” and “humbled.”
“It is my sole duty to serve the high expectations before me,” he said.
DeMarzo is a retired police officer who previously served as mayor of Wildwood.
“I’ve been in the county for over 30 years,” he said.
DeMarzo thanked Young and municipal engineer Paul Dietrich by name in helping with the transition.
“I am at your disposal,” he told the committee.
Young was attending his last meeting as solicitor, but will continue in private practice and continue to work with the special counsel aiding the township on the redevelopment of the B.L. England site.
“Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated,” he said, thanking the committee using a quote from Mark Twain. “It’s been a labor of love. This is a beautiful town, a rural town which I love, a coastal town, and it’s my town.”
“It has been an honor and a pleasure working with you,” Mayor Curtis Corson said. “You’ve done a fabulous job.”
“I can’t mention everybody by name, but everyone has always been professional and served with integrity, even though it’s not always easy,” Young said.
As Committeeman John Coggins congratulated him, Young reminded, “I’m not retiring fully.”
“So you’re just getting rid of all your headaches,” Coggins joked.
Deputy Mayor Jay Newman thanked him for “all your guidance through the years.”
“You’ve instilled so much in us, that we’ll always think, ‘What would Dan do?” Dietrich said.
As Dietrich transitioned to official business, he explained that the federal government has not appropriated funds for the Strathmere beaches, meaning the community will essentially be forced to hope for the best regarding weather and erosion.
It is possible though, he noted, that further infrastructure bills in Congress could pass and allocate funding for beach replenishment.
Dietrich also noted available federal grants through the Environmental Defense Fund, which would send a representative to perform an energy audit.
Dietrich offered to prepare a resolution to apply at the next meeting as it could improve efficiency and save the township money.
The committee passed a consent agenda of 17 resolutions, mostly contracts and appointments.
Among them was the appointment of Daniel Reeves as municipal attorney.
Another resolution urged the county to conduct a traffic study of Tuckahoe Road between Church and Tyler.
Another resolution formally opposed the state Department of Environmental Protection’s coastal regulations.
The next committee meeting will be May 9.
By KYLE McCRANE/Special to the Sentinel