Gray is a long-time resident of Shamong, with his wife and four children. Gray intends to apply his conservative fiscal principles to the township’s affairs during his term.
“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve, once again, as the mayor of Shamong Township, and I appreciate the trust, support and confidence of my fellow Committee members,” Gray said.
Kenneth Long has accepted the role of deputy mayor.
“Excited about it. I like working for the residents and it’s always an honor. It’s always about serving,” Long said.
“I want to thank Ken Long for accepting the Committee’s nomination to serve as deputy mayor for the remainder of this term. Ken has been an active and productive Committee member for several years. He brings good common sense and an entrepreneurial background to this key position,” Gray said.
Long-time Shamong resident Michael Di Croce has filled the vacant position on the Committee through 2013.
“I want to congratulate Michael Di Croce on his nomination and approval to fill the Committee seat vacated by the retiring Mayor Jon Shevelew. Mike has been a long-time resident of Shamong who has served capably on the township’s Joint Land Use Board for several years and, most recently, volunteered his legal services pro bono to represent the township and township residents in connection with the controversial PSE&G tree trimming matter,” Gray said.
“I am happy and excited to have been appointed to the Shamong town Committee to fill the vacant seat created by the retirement of Mayor Shevelew,” Di Croce said.
As a long-time resident of Shamong, Di Croce is proud of his community, schools, neighbors and local government. Di Croce said the Pinelands have been a great place to raise his three children.
“The Pinelands presents us with a wonderful opportunity to preserve and responsibly grow our town for all of our families and businesses,” Di Croce said. “Having the opportunity to give back, and participate in our local government, is very important. I am working to keep our local government responsive and efficient, increasing personal liberty and exploring new ways to grow township revenue and opportunities, without any increase in taxes.”
Gray looks forward to a continued partnership with Committee members Tim Gimbel and Marty Mozitis.
“I want to personally thank retired Mayor Jon Shevelew for his years of dedicated service on this Committee and to the township. He will be missed, and I sincerely wish him a very long, happy, healthy and well deserved retirement,” Gray said.
In other news:
• The Committee approved a measure to make improvements to the municipal office space. They include replacing 25-year-old carpet, refiguring the office space and replacing some of the workstations that are 20 years old. Used furniture will be purchased if possible. The budget will not exceed $10,000, and will be paid from the capital fund that is fully funded for upkeep and maintenance on the municipal building.
• The Committee approved two treatments for Indian Mills Lake for the algae that forms on the lake in the summer months. This will be paid from the operating municipal budget.
• Tax bills were mailed out late. The township has extended the grace period to 3 p.m. on Aug. 30.
Residents have been notified by email, and if they did not receive an email, they should visit shamong.net and click on email updates to be added to the notification list.
• Old Indian Mills Road paving was scheduled to start Aug. 19, and is weather dependent. The road will be closed two days during the two-week project. An email will be sent to the residents who participate in the e-mail notification system to keep them updated.
The next meeting is on Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
