Part III reflects on township and community news.
Shamong Township adopts animal ordinance
Shamong resident Donna Roberts was arrested for keeping more than 100 dogs in “deplorable and inhumane conditions,” according to the State Police.
On Nov. 13, the Red Lion Station assisted the Burlington County Health Department with an inspection, in which detectives found 130 living dogs and 44 deceased dogs inside plastic bags stored in freezers.
A release provided by the state police stated, “the odor of animal feces and ammonia permeated the inside of the residence, which caused several of the responders to experience dizziness and nausea.”
Roberts was charged with animal cruelty and released with a pending court date, police said.
This inspection came to fruition after neighbors of Roberts, Ernie Lazos and his wife Bridget, brought their concerns to the township in November 2017.
The township first introduced an ordinance regarding dog regulations at the Aug. 7 meeting, and after several changes, it was passed on Nov. 7, allowing action to be taken.
The ordinance states that if someone has zero to 14 dogs, there will be no new regulations impacting them. If they have 15 dogs, they have to register with the township and comply with inspections.
There is additional language in the ordinance stating there is a cap at 25 dogs in a non-commercial zone.
Mayor Michael Di Croce spoke about the findings at the Dec. 4 meeting.
“My message tonight is out of bad comes good. We’re not going to let one bad event ruin our town’s reputation,” Di Croce said. “I am shocked and saddened by the findings and horrible situation recently discovered on the local property where dogs were being kept in deplorable conditions.”
The committee received gratitude from some Burlington County residents and backlash from others stating the township could have acted sooner.
The board of education swears in its newest member
At the Shamong Board of Education meeting in August, Frank Locantore was introduced and sworn in as the newest member of the board.
There was a vacancy on the board due to the recent passing of long-time board member Michael Tuman. After advertising, the board received one letter of interest to apply for the position — from Locantore.
Locantore has been a resident of Shamong since 2001, and has ties to the school system through his son’s attendance of Indian Mills schools.
His qualifications for the board position stem from his 34 years of government service, including time as a police captain and administrative division commander at the Evesham Township Police Department, his experience as township administrator in Cinnaminson, his two-year employment as an adjunct professor in criminal justice at Rowan College at Burlington County, and his current position of director of personnel safety and security at Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority.
He stated that throughout his prior and current employment opportunities, he has gained an extensive amount of leadership skills, finance skills and negotiation skills, all making him a suitable candidate for the board.
Superintendent Christine Vespe extended a warm welcome to Locantore, saying, “Welcome to our board of education and thank you for taking this opportunity to serve our school district, I think you are going to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board.”
Voters cast their ballots in the 2018 General Election
In the race for two seats on the Shamong Township Committee, two candidates, incumbent Michael P. Cooney (R) and Sean Gray (R), ran unopposed.
The official results from the Burlington County Board of Elections reports Gray received 2,191 votes and Cooney received 2,110 votes.
The Lenape Regional School District Board of Education also had one seat in Shamong Township up for election this year, with Samuel B. Green running unopposed. Green received 1,374 votes.
