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Bass River Medford Medford Lakes Pemberton Pemberton Borough Shamong Southampton Tabernacle Washington Woodland
Vol. 1 - No. 33
Southeastern Burlington County’s News Leader
State Police Investigate Vandalism and Theft at Roberts Pond By Douglas D. Melegari
April 15-21, 2017
‘A Celebration of Life’
Southampton School Community Pays Tribute to Student Killed in ATV Accident
Staff Writer
BASS RIVER—New Jersey State Police are investigating a report of vandalism to construction materials purchased by Bass River Township for the purpose of restoring Roberts Pond. A portion of the pond’s berm was removed by the Burlington County municipality in November in a misguided attempt to alleviate leach field problems that have plagued the Offshore Manor development. The township intended to only lower the water level of the pond. However, the removal of dirt inadvertently drained the pond. It was also later discovered that the township did not own the pond. The pond is owned by the state and is in Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County. Bass River officials decided in March to have in-house maintenance crews make repairs to the berm and restore the pond. The decision followed a contentious February Bass River Board of Commissioners meeting in which officials were criticized for contemplating the use of in-house maintenance crews to perform the repair work. Repair materials were staged and assembled at the pond on March 7. At that time, the maintenance crews began constructing a sandbag cofferdam so that they could drain the remaining water out of the area and clean up debris. “We started to set up some sandbags so we could replace the berm,” said Township Engineer Dan Guzzi. “Unfortunately, that evening, there was some vandalism. We are not sure who did it. Somebody decided that they would help us out by removing some of those sandbags and dumping out the sand and basically undoing some of the work that we had done.” According to Trooper Alejandro Goez, a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police, the township reported the vandalism to troopers on March 8 at 2:24 p.m. “That second night, the township set up a trail camera to keep an eye on things to make sure that we didn’t lose any more work,” Guzzi said. “That camera went missing.” Officials were able to complete the repairs despite the vandalism and theft. “We had a little bit of a tumultuous start to get things going,” Guzzi said. “But once we did, things seemed to calm down and we were able to get the project done for the most part that week.” He said the cleanup work is done, the berm is now in place, and the pond is refilled. “Within a week of us reconstructing it, the water level was probably about three or four inches below the existing berm, which is
VANDALISM>>PAGE 16
PHOTO SUBMITTED Nykolai Cunningham, an eighth grade pupil in Southampton, spending time at the shore. His life was cut short in a crash of his ATV. By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune
SOUTHAMPTON—“A Celebration of Life” commemorated the life of Nykolai Cunningham, a 14-year-old young man who Principal Jennifer Horner referred to as “a bright light walking down the hallway” of Southampton Township School #3. The emotional evening followed Cunningham’s tragic death which occurred on April 1 when his Yamaha Rhino all-terrain vehicle collided with a Kawasaki Prairie, driven by another youth in the area of West Patty Bowker and Friendship roads in Southampton. Two of Nick’s friends and classmates, Garrett Thompson and Joe Amorielloere, were injured in the accident, but both escaped life-threatening injuries. About 500 students, administrators, teachers and parents filed in to the Warrior Dome at Southampton School #3 at 7 p.m. on
April 7, filling every folding chair and the retractable bleachers. A section of seats was corded off to reserve space for Cunningham’s classmates in the eighth grade, so they could sit together. Initially the plan had been to gather on the blacktop behind Southampton School #2, but inclement weather required a back-up plan to be instituted. The tribute lasted about an hour and started with remarks by Southampton Township School District Superintendent of Schools Michael Harris, followed by Principal Jennifer Horner and Vice Principal Kristine Bertulis. Harris said he was overwhelmed, but not surprised by the large turnout. He shared his appreciation and pride for the closely-knit and compassionate Southampton community. He spoke of his student’s good-hearted nature, how nice he was, his “infectious smile,” and his unique and spirited personality. He assured everyone grappling with the aftermath of his
passing that support will continue. He thanked everyone for reaching out to Cunningham’s parents and assured them that “our efforts will not end with this evening.” He described the first school day after the accident, when students walked in to their classrooms very, very quietly, in direct contrast to how animated they usually were after a weekend. He said some students grieved privately, while others shed “an ocean of tears.” Students wore red as a tribute to their classmate since it was known to be his favorite color. Some also brought or were given flashlights. Harris said that while he, too, made sure to wear red, he noticed that in most of the pictures he had seen of Cunningham, he was wearing blue. “What adults witnessed (in the students) was amazing— the compassion, caring and respect,” said Harris of the kids who came to school on
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