Corter served in a number of capacities over a 44-year career in government
Local, county and state officials saluted Burlington Township Administrator Walter Corter on June 26 during his final council meeting after 44 years in government, including 34 in the township.
Corter, who was set to retire June 30, joined the township’s police department as an officer in 1974. He has since served as the municipality’s public safety director, emergency management coordinator and township administrator.
“I have been truly blessed throughout my career to have worked for Burlington Township for so long,” Corter said. “I had the honor and the privilege to both work and serve with a lot of talented employees throughout my career.”
“Going back to 1974 as a 20-year-old, wide-eyed young man seems like a whole lifetime ago,” he added.
For about an hour, Township Council members and administrative officials spoke of how Corter helped them both professionally and personally.
“He’s like a brother to me,” Council President Michael Cantwell said. “I’m going to miss him.”
“Thank you for being a rock in this community of Burlington Township, New Jersey,” Councilwoman Joyce Howell said. “Thank you for your kindness, insight and knowledge.”
Corter was presented with a copy of a reading that was placed into the Congressional record by U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur. Assemblywoman Carol Murphy also gave him a joint proclamation from the state, and Burlington County Freeholders Kate Gibbs and Balvir Singh also recognized Corter.
“I’ve known Walt for 35 years,” Councilman George Kozub said. “He certainly is a man of honesty, integrity and dedication. He has those qualities and shows them just about every day.”
Corter served as the township’s public safety director from 1983 through 1994 and again from 2004 until 2011. He also was the chief of investigations for the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office from 1995 to 2003.
During his law enforcement career, Corter was the national president of the FBI National Academy Associates in 2002 and also served on the National Law Enforcement Advisory Committee under former FBI Director Robert Mueller.
Corter had been in the position of township administrator since 2012.
“He served this community well,” Mayor Brian Carlin said. “He served this mayor well.”
Also during the June 26 meeting, Township Council approved Carlin’s appointment of Stephen Fazekas to serve as acting township administrator. He had previously been the director of public works.
“I do have some big shoes to fill with Walt,” Fazekas said. “There will be some rough times but hopefully a lot of good times.”
Chief Water Plant Operator Bruce Smith was also appointed acting director of public works for the township.
