Pine Barrens Tribune February 11, 2023 - February 17, 2023

A SHARED SENSE OF GRIEF

Nearly a Year After Auction, Former Bass River School Sold to Lakewood Developer for Initial $757,500 Bid Price

Purchaser Who Sued District Tries to Smooth Relations by Bringing Refreshments to Commissioners’ Meeting

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—The building that housed the former Bass River Elementary School, along with the four-plus acre parcel it is located on at 11 North Maple Ave. in New Gretna, is now the property of Lakewood real-estate developer Eli Blech, who claims he has “nice things” in store for it and has been attempting to smooth over his relationship with the Bass River Township community following a legal hassle that resulted in a five-month-long delay in the closing.

Patrolman Brian Andrew Lucykanish’s Untimely Death in an Off-Duty Accident Has Been a Loss to Both the Pemberton Twp. Police Department, Where He Was Known for His Calming Nature, and Friends and Neighbors in Marlton Where He Leaves Behind a Wife and Four Young Children

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—The sudden passing of Pemberton Township Patrolman Brian Andrew Lucykanish in a reported motor vehicle crash in Waterford Township on the night of Feb. 2, has brought a shared sense of grief to both his colleagues in the Pemberton Township Police Department and his friends and neighbors in Marlton (Evesham Township), where he resided with

his wife, Kirstin, and four young children, Ava Grace, Waylon Cash, Katie Alan and Jameson Daniel.

Lucykanish, who was just 31 when he died from injuries reportedly sustained in the accident on Jackson Road in the Atco section of Waterford while off-duty (details of which were still unavailable by this newspaper’s deadline time from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, to which all calls have been referred), was held

in high esteem not only by colleagues and superiors with whom he served during the years he wore a badge, but by those who knew him from his years in the military, during which he did tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pemberton Township Police Chief Jay Watters, in a moving tribute to Lucykanish emailed to the Pine Barrens Tribune on the morning of Feb. 8, described him as See PATROLMAN/ Page 9

The sale of the property took place on Feb. 6 (the date this newspaper previously reported it would) for $757,500, the amount of Blech’s original high bid on March 11, 2022, after a breach-of-contract lawsuit brought against the Bass River Board of Education was dismissed without prejudice last month by Burlington County Superior Court Judge Paula Dow.

“I have confirmed the sale has been closed with Eli Blech at the highest bid price,” the board’s current president, Thomas D. “Tommy” Williams, Jr., said in a call to this newspaper on the afternoon of Feb. 6. “He has the ownership. We are no longer the owner.”

The purchaser, for his part, wasted no time in attempting to alleviate any hard feelings that might have been created

See SCHOOL/ Page 11

Photo Courtesy of Meal Train

Pemberton Township Patrolman Brian Andrew Lucykanish poses for a picture with his family, including four children.

Photo Provided Brian Andrew Lucykanish, when he was a Burlington County Sheriff’s Department officer.

Warning of ‘Legal Jeopardy’ Over Apparent Meeting Notice Issue

Prompts Scheduling of Do-over for Nomination to Tabernacle Body

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer TABERNACLE—Longtime Tabernacle Township

the vacancy within 30 days of the seat being vacated.

AS WELL AS TAKEOUT. KEOUT.

Development Board Chairman

Land

Noble McNaughton appeared to be chosen to fill a vacancy on the Tabernacle Township Committee during a special Feb. 2 meeting of the governing body, though whether that meeting was actually a legal one is now something that is in question.

And as a result, despite McNaughton subsequently taking the oath of office and even delivering brief remarks upon him being selected to fill the committee vacancy, the entire nominating and swearing in process was to be reversed and repeated all over again on the afternoon of Feb. 9 just as this newspaper went to press, as indicated in a notice of second special meeting sent to three newspapers the day following the initial Feb. 2 special meeting.

It came as Township Solicitor William Burns, also the municipality’s public information officer, said before the Feb. 2 special meeting action had been taken that a resident had “raised concern” prior to the session convening that 48 hours’ advance notice for the Feb. 2 meeting “didn’t appear to be” on the township’s bulletin board “yesterday,” as is required under the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).

And while the township solicitor maintained on a couple of occasions throughout the Feb. 2 proceedings, despite the complaint, “it appears everything was done appropriately with respect to the notice for the special meeting,” he recognized at one point a “resident indicated the notice for the special meeting was not on the bulletin board in town hall” and it “was posted or reposted once the resident brought the concern to the attention of the township.”

In recognizing, however, that there was a question about the legality of the Feb. 2 meeting, Burns proposed that the governing body adopt a resolution providing an “affirmation to continue” with the session under the premise that the governing body had to “deal with matters of urgency and importance” and that a failure to proceed could “result in substantial harm to public interest.”

Burns contended that “notwithstanding” if there was or was not adequate notice, if three-quarters of the voting members present for the Feb. 2 session (or three of four township committeepersons) voted in the affirmative to continue with the proceedings under the premise the agenda and anticipated action item was urgent, then the meeting could legally proceed.

“It is not that it ‘appears’ it wasn’t posted,” retorted transparency advocate and resident Stuart Brooks in response to Burns earlier comment. “I was at the township building Feb. 1 and it wasn’t on the bulletin board. This isn’t an emergency meeting; there is no pressing business here. This meeting was discussed at your last meeting (on Jan. 23) when you set this meeting in order.

“So, there was plenty of time to give proper notice, but it was never posted on the bulletin board or on the front door, as these things always are. I don’t know when it was posted – an hour before, or 24 hours before, but certainly not 48 hours as the law requires. Without 48 hours’ notice, you don’t have jurisdiction and can’t take official action.”

Burns later maintained that the “reason there is urgency” to carry on with the Feb. 2 special meeting is because of a “scheduling issue” in which “a political party in town” had provided the names of three potential candidates to fill the committee vacancy “late,” in turn “putting the backs of the committee against the wall” in meeting a requirement of the governing body to fill

Republican Robert “Bob” Sunbury vacated his township committee seat at the start of what was to be his second three-year term, back on Jan. 4.

Stuart Brooks’ wife, Fran, also a transparency advocate, who has challenged the township on several occasions in court in regard to both alleged OPMA and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) violations, challenged that the issue of a committee vacancy was one that “suddenly had to be discussed” as an emergency, also pointing out the special meeting had been set back on Jan. 23.

“So, there is no emergency here,” Fran Brooks declared. “This doesn’t even fit the definition of an emergency meeting under OPMA. And you folks either don’t recognize it, don’t care about it, or are ignorant of it. We are not going to drop this issue. Taking action tonight really puts you in legal jeopardy because the facts show there wasn’t proper notice.”

Fran Brooks also maintained it had yet to be “empirically determined” whether the Feb. 2 special meeting had been properly noticed to two of the township’s designated legal newspapers to allow enough time for publication of the notice.

“In our view, you are in total violation of the OMPA adequate notice requirements,” she declared. “Don’t try to cover up with an ‘emergency meeting,’ or (calling this) an ‘emerging issue.’”

Fran Brooks also charged that “no one at the township office even knew about the meeting,” maintaining it “came as a surprise” to the workers there when it was brought up, pointing out a notice for the Feb. 2 session only “showed up” on the municipal website after some of the workers were queried, which “was not 48 hours’ notice.”

“Frankly, this is such an embarrassment,” she asserted. “It just shows total ignorance and incompetence on the committees’ part to not make sure proper notice is given.”

When longtime Committeewoman Kim Brown asked Burns if he had a response to the Brooks, he maintained adequate notice “appears to have been met” for Feb. 2, but that “out of an abundance of caution” and in the “interest of transparency” he would ask that the governing body adopt the resolution allowing for the special session to proceed, emphasizing that to not carry on with it would potentially “result in substantial harm to the public’s interest.”

The resolution passed 4-0, with the governing body then proceeding to “new business” with Deputy Mayor Mark Hartman nominating McNaughton, a

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‘REAL PROGRESS’ AT ANYTIME FITNESS

Medford’s new local gym and fitness destination, Anytime Fitness, held its grand opening celebration on Feb. 4 in the Village of Taunton Forge Shopping Center. Owner Sue Gallagher Holton was joined by Medford Township Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson and David DePetris, one of the members of the DePetris family which owns the center, for a 1 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony. Music was provided by the Oh Gees Band.

“After meeting Sue and her husband and learning about the Anytime Fitness Health Club franchise, our decision to pursue the opportunity was truly a no brainer,” DePetris said. “We understood early on that it be a long and complicated deal since we had a zoning restriction and also a lease restriction with another tenant that could

prevent the deal.

“We would not be here today without the help and support of several people including: Mayor Chuck Watson and other members of Taunton and Tuckerton Redevelopment Subcommittee, Medford Township Council, as well as the township solicitor, township planner and our tenant. Today – I see only winners. What a great day!”

“Sue,” a fixture of the local fitness industry for over 20 years, added that the grand opening was “a great success” and that she is thankful for the “large crowd of supporters who came by our brand-new Anytime Fitness gym in Taunton Forge.

“It was very humbling and was one of the greatest days of my life,” she said. “I tried to envision what the day was going to look like, and it exceeded my expectations tenfold.”

Photos By Andrew King

Photo By Andrew King

Medford Anytime Fitness owner Sue Gallagher Holton (center) is joined by Medford Township Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson (right) and Village of Taunton Forge Shopping Center Owner David DePetris (left) on Feb. 4.

Jury Convicts Man of Robbing Pemberton Boro. Bank Back in 2019

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—A 38-yearold man from the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township has been found guilty of first-degree robbery for walking into a Pemberton Borough bank in the summer of 2019, announcing he had a gun, and demanding money from the tellers, according to a press release from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s office.

After reportedly deliberating for approximately two and a half hours, a Superior Court jury returned the verdict against Cortney Bell on Jan. 31 in a Mount Holly courtroom, the press release noted.

An investigation began the morning of July 23, 2019, after officers from the Pemberton Borough Police Department and troopers from the New Jersey State Police were called to the TD Bank on Elizabeth Street for a report of a robbery.

Upon law enforcement’s arrival, according to the press release, employees and customers indicated a man had come into the bank wearing a hooded sweatshirt, bandana, sunglasses and dirty sweat socks on his hands, and then approached a teller with his hand

in his pocket pointing toward her, saying he had a gun.

He then purportedly threatened to start shooting the tellers unless they provided him with money, the prosecutor’s office said.

The investigation revealed that the bandit was given a few bundles of cash, which he dropped on the floor while attempting to exit the bank. As he was picking up the fallen currency, a Corona Light beer bottle fell out of his pocket, authorities noted.

Bell fled the bank with $600.

Investigators took the bottle to the New Jersey State Police Central Regional Laboratory, where forensic scientists were able to obtain a DNA sample that was ultimately matched to Bell.

He was subsequently charged with the bank robbery in December 2020. The warrant was served to him in Burlington County Jail, where he was awaiting trial for a separate offense.

Judge Christopher J. Garrenger scheduled Bell’s sentencing for April 21.

Man Pleads Guilty to Setting Fatal 2022 Pemberton Borough Fire That Tore Through Apartment Complex, Displacing Many People

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—A 23-yearold Burlington Township man pled guilty Feb. 1 in Superior Court to starting a fire at a Pemberton Borough apartment in the spring of 2022 that killed a 22-year-old resident of the complex, after reportedly reaching a plea agreement with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The inferno, as previously reported by this newspaper, that swept through Tara Hall at 53 Egbert Street also injured two others, as well as reportedly displaced as many as 19 people.

Windows for the apartment complex, across the street from the Pemberton Borough Municipal Building and Police Department, remained boarded up as of last month.

According to a Feb. 2 press release from the county prosecutor’s office, Newlin Evans IV pled guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in exchange for a 22-year sentence in state prison, of which 85 percent must be served before he becomes eligible for parole.

The plea was entered in Superior Court in Mount Holly.

Formal sentencing has been scheduled in the matter for March 24 before Judge Terrence R. Cook.

As previously reported by this newspaper, emergency officials were dispatched to the fire during the early morning hours of April 20, 2022.

The inferno killed Camryn Powell, 22, of Pemberton Borough, and injured two other victims, according to state police. Powell was inside the apartment at the time of the fire, state police noted.

A criminal complaint filed against Evans, later obtained by the Pine Barrens Tribune, revealed that authorities learned that Evans was “upset” after learning just a few days before the blaze that his ex-girlfriend rekindled a relationship with Powell.

“Through various investigative means, detectives determined that Evans initially used an accelerant inside the apartment and started the fire,” state police revealed in a press release issued shortly after the blaze. Powell was found dead by authorities near two mattresses adjacent to his bedroom window, according to the complaint, with the broken glass “consistent with a window being broken from the outside.” The victim’s identity was determined through use of dental records.

Evans, who suffered burns, fled the scene and ultimately was transported to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia for treatment. The investigation resulted in charges being filed against Evans, and he was arrested upon being discharged from Jefferson in May of last year.

He has been lodged in the Burlington County Jail since being apprehended, according to the county prosecutor’s office.

Bell Evans

One

of

Medford Twp.’s Historical Markers Taken in First-ever Incident, But Has Since Been Recovered with Public Works Planning to Re-erect

Facebook posting of the Medford Township Historical Society, was “removed” on Jan. 9.

“After 25 years of informing the public about Medford’s history, this is the first loss of one of the famous blue markers,” the historical society wrote in a statement.

The society asked that “if you see this sign anywhere, please notify Medford Police, or return it to its original location.”

Lieutenant James D’Averso, a spokesman for Medford Police, and also the department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau commander, said the sign was “reported missing/stolen on Jan. 22, 2023,” with a value of $325 provided to police.

D’Averso contacted this newspaper again on Feb. 6 to report that on Feb. 2 the sign was “recovered” by the township’s Neighborhood Services Department (just renamed last month as the municipality’s Public Works Department) and will be “re-erected.”

“Since it was removed from the post and located at another different location, I would consider that a theft,” he added, not detailing whether there are any known suspects as of yet.

Man Sentenced for Leaving Pemberton Twp. Fatal Accident Scene

PEMBERTON—A 27-year-old Camden man was sentenced in late January to five years in state prison for leaving the scene of a fatal accident in Pemberton Township last year after the sport utility vehicle he was driving collided with an oncoming car, killing the other motorist.

Christopher Robles pled guilty last month to seconddegree leaving the scene of a fatal accident in exchange for the five-year prison term, according to a press release from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, which noted that it reached a plea agreement with Robles.

An investigation, it was noted in the press release, began just after midnight on Aug. 17, 2022, when officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department were dispatched

to North Pemberton Road for a report of a collision involving two vehicles.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that one of the drivers, Carmen Gonzalez, 68, of Sayreville, had been killed by the impact.

The driver of the other vehicle could not be initially located.

The subsequent investigation identified Robles as the driver who had fled the scene. He has been in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since being arrested in September, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The investigation determined that the collision occurred after Gonzalez’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck the vehicle being driven by Robles.

Suspect Charged in Overnight Evesham Vehicle Burglaries, Thefts

By D ouglas D. M elegari

Staff Writer

MEDFORD—For the first time ever, someone reportedly took one of Medford Township’s historical markers.

However, the sign that went missing, one for Hoot Owl Farm near on Christopher Mill Road, has since been returned, a Medford Township Police Department spokesman confirmed early this week.

The marker, according to a Jan. 31

The marker notes that brick home for the farm was built in 1772, and that the property gained notoriety in the Prohibition Era when bootleggers would ship alcohol along the creek.

It also makes mention of a “rumor” that former president George Washington, also a famed military officer and Founding Father, stayed at the parcel at one time “on his journeys in the area.”

“Marker has been found along the side of a road in Medford,” the society wrote in a follow-up update. “It will be reinstalled. Thanks for the concern of so many people.”

EVESHAM—Police in Evesham Township have made an arrest in multiple overnight vehicle burglaries and thefts that reportedly occurred on Raymond Avenue and Raymond Court in December of last year.

Markel Davis, 25, of Camden, was determined to be a suspect in the multiple overnight vehicle burglaries and thefts that impacted multiple residences, according to a Feb. 8 press release from the Evesham Township Police Department.

“Evidence collected at the scene, by our Patrol Bureau, and extensive investigative

work conducted by our Investigative Bureau identified a suspect, Markel Davis,” police reported.

Davis was charged with five counts of third-degree burglary, four counts of thirddegree theft, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

According to Evesham Police, Davis was already incarcerated for an unrelated crime when he was charged Jan. 7 of this year on a warrant for the crimes committed in Evesham, with police adding that the investigation is still “ongoing.”

Robles

Photo Submitted

A historical marker for Medford Township’s Hoot Owl Farm before it was believed to be taken.

Pemberton Twp. Cop Recovering from Late January Stabbing That Occurred on Juliustown Road; Very Few Details Released

PEMBERTON—A Pemberton Township police officer is recovering from a stabbing that occurred late last month on Juliustown Road in Pemberton Township, the Pine Barrens Tribune has confirmed.

However, so far, very few details about what transpired are being released by the New Jersey State Police, which have apparently taken the lead in an investigation, with Pemberton Township Police Department Chief Jay Watters referring this newspaper to the state police for comment.

It wasn’t immediately clear why the state police have taken a lead in the investigation.

Philip Curry, a state police spokesman, would only say that the stabbing happened on the evening of Jan. 26, and that the officer was “stabbed by a suspect on Juliustown Road in Pemberton.”

“The suspect was taken into custody at the

MEETING

(Continued from Page 2)

scene,” Curry reported.

The officer was transported to an “area hospital” where he was last reported to be in stable condition.

“The State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating,” Curry said. “There are no additional details available at this time.”

The officer’s identity and length of service to the department was not released, nor was any detail provided about the number of stab wounds the officer may have suffered.

Additionally, the exact location of the stabbing was not provided to this newspaper. Police also declined to release the apprehended suspect’s identity.

“The incident is still under investigation and we are not releasing any additional details at this time,” replied Curry when asked to provide this public information.

Medford Twp. Woman Pleads Guilty to Decades-Old Sex Assault

MEDFORD—A 61-year-old Medford Township woman pled guilty in Superior Court to sexually assaulting a young boy over several years beginning in the early 1980s, according to a press release from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announcing the investigation that culminated into a guilty plea.

Katherine Clements on Jan. 20 entered the guilty plea to second-degree sexual assault, which carries an incarceration period of up to 10 years.

Judge Mark P. Tarantino scheduled Clements’ sentencing for May 5.

Under a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s

office, the judge will determine the length of her prison term, the press release noted. The investigation, the press release continued, began in 2018 after the victim contacted the Medford Township Police Department to report the assaults.

The investigation confirmed the victim’s allegation that the assaults occurred over a nineyear period.

Additional details are being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, the prosecutor’s office said.

Clements

The lead investigator was Medford Township Detective Patrick Robey.

former township committeeman, from a pool that also included Stephen Lee IV and Joseph Barton, also former committeemen. Both Barton and Lee were recently vocal in their displeasure with the direction of the current township committee with respect to opportunities for public comment and plans for a possible new municipal building and Public Works facility. But Hartman gave no reason for his selection, and there was no committee discussion about the choice. McNaughton was unanimously selected to fill the vacancy.

“Can we swear him in, taking another action?” asked Kim Brown of Burns, with the township solicitor replying, “Yes,” and adding that the “oath” is just part of nomination action that had been taken, further contending it was permitted through the affirmation to proceed with the special meeting.

After Kim Brown pointed out she was asking “out of an abundance of caution,” Burns said he would ask the governing body “out of an abundance of caution” to “reconsider and ratify” its decision at the next “regularly scheduled” township committee meeting.

“I want to thank everybody and hope that I can be a positive part of this committee and do my best,” declared McNaughton just before taking the oath of office. “The only thing that made this a difficult decision is I had to give up the Land Use Board. Except for two years, I have served on it for 30 years.”

But the following day, and as of this newspaper’s Feb. 8 deadline time, McNaughton’s name had not yet been posted as a township committeeman on the

township’s website.

And, despite Burns’ public statements, including that the nomination could be simply repeated during the governing body’s next “regular” session, the day following the Feb. 2 special meeting, this newspaper received “48 hours’ notice” of a “special meeting” scheduled for Feb. 9 from Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown stating that its agenda would include, in part, “taking corrective or remedial action including acting de novo regarding the appointment of township committeeperson.”

Messages left with both Maryalice Brown and Burns in an attempt to inquire about the circumstances surrounding the latest notice were not returned as of this newspaper’s deadline time.

But while the Brooks told this newspaper on Feb. 7 that they did not pursue any legal action against the township (at least as of yet), Fran Brooks noted she had turned in an OPRA request on Feb. 4 seeking the notice for the Feb. 2 session that had been provided to the township’s designated legal newspapers.

The Feb. 2 session was also apparently wrought with access issues that could also potentially create challenges if corrective action is not taken.

Fran Brooks, at the start of the session, was heard remarking, “How do we get on? We can’t get on.” Stuart Brooks, upon the Brooks finally being able to access the remote session by telephone, then advised the governing body they could not access the meeting through a provided video link.

Fran Brooks – whose audio was apparently live – then pointed out that for telephone users, there is no obvious mechanism to “raise your hand” if one wished to make public comments should their audio be muted

Evesham Nonprofit Chosen by Governor Murphy to Introduce Largely Urban Lead-Remediation and Abatement Program

The headquarters of Lightup Your World was thus the venue Murphy chose to provide details of his administration’s new $38 million Lead Remediation and Abatement Grant Program, which will help selected communities “identify and address lead hazards” as part of its investment of $180 million in American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Funds during the 2022-23 Fiscal Year.

“This funding is creating new and equitable investments in improving people’s health and in remediating and abating lead hazards in homes across the state,” Oliver said. “As a result, community-based organizations will be able to conduct lead-safe repairs and energy efficiency improvements in residential units. The funding will also help build capacity within DCA and at the local government level to address lead hazards through new hires and apprenticeships, training, and seed capital to attract new community-based organizations into the field.”

in New Jersey,” Murphy said. “This funding will allow nonprofits and local governments here in New Jersey to assist residents in their lead remediation and abatement efforts, including thousands of Black and Brown families and children who disproportionately suffer from lead poisoning. Lt. Governor Oliver and I are committed to this cause and will continue to work together to reduce these numbers.”

As 3rd District Rep. Andy Kim maintained, “A home free of lead contamination shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be a basic right guaranteed to everyone.”

“Families deserve to know with certainty that their home is safe for family members of all ages,” Kim added.

The lead remediation program is just one of the programs in which Lightup Your World is involved, noted the organization’s executive director, Jennifer Aigbodion.

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

EVESHAM—While suburban Evesham Township is not the sort of municipality where children are usually considered threatened by lead poisoning – a problem typically associated with urban environments consisting of many older, poorly maintained homes whose interiors are coated with lead-based paint – it was the locale that Democratic Governor Phil Murphy recently used to announce a new initiative aimed at remediating such conditions.

So why was Evesham chosen to initiate a program of this sort – with members of

Evesham Township Council and government and a number of other area politicos invited to attend, along with Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who heads the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)?

As Zane Clark, Evesham’s public information director, noted in a telephone conversation with the Pine Barrens Tribune, it was because Evesham is the home of the nonprofit Lightup Your World, which, in addition to helping low-income residents pay energy bills, has been selected to receive a $4 million grant to be used to help get the lead out of homes in both Burlington and Camden counties.

As described in a press release from Murphy’s office, “the grant funds will be used to identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards through encapsulation, replacement, or abatement.”

Encapsulation and replacement are measures designed to temporarily reduce human exposure to lead-based paint hazards, the release noted, while lead abatement measures offer a longer-term solution to removing lead-based paint hazards from surfaces through replacement and/or repair.

Proposals that serve areas with the highest level of need, it noted, will be prioritized under the program based on the number of children under the age of six with elevated blood lead levels in those areas.

“Today marks the start of our next phase in combatting the growing crisis of lead exposure that affects far too many families

“In our daily work, we have seen the tremendous impact that reaching out to New Jersey residents has made by explaining the benefits available to them and how they can qualify,” she added.

In addition to Lightup Your World, Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society was awarded a $1.5 million grant through the new program for remediation in Burlington and Camden counties.

Also commenting on the announcement was Evesham Township’s Democratic Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy, who called the funding initiative “a commitment to improving the long-term health and wellbeing of our state’s most valuable resource – our children.”

“I want to thank Governor Murphy and his administration for once again reaffirming their commitment to future generations, both here in Evesham Township and all across New Jersey,” Veasy added.

Photo Submitted

Governor Phil Murphy poses for a picture at Lightup Your World headquarters in Marlton.

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obituary posted by the Weber Funeral home in Riverton, spent three years as a member of the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department. In an email to this newspaper on Feb. 7, former Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield (now a state senator who recently announced her intention to retire at the end of her term) remembered him as having been “a wonderful officer who wanted to serve his community and country.”

“He will be missed,” she added. In a particularly touching Facebook message, his wife Kirstin wrote this to him when he joined the Pemberton department:

“This is the sixth uniform I’ve seen you in between military and police! I’m so proud of you for starting your new career as a police officer for Pemberton Township. It is bittersweet having you on the streets in the world we live in, but I know it is a dream come true for you. This world needs more good cops like you, and I pray that God keeps you safe every day as you put your life on the line for others safety. There will be nights where you don’t come home, 12-hour shifts that turn into 16+ hour shifts, many holidays missed, and nights alone. Your new department has gained more than an officer, but a whole family behind you.”

PATROLMAN

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“a loved member of our police family and someone who was extremely easy to get along with.”

“One of the things that stands out to us about Brian was his ability to always keep his cool and get people who were irate to calm down and talk with him,” Watters recalled. “He loved chatting with people about any subject that came up and would routinely use that gift to help de-escalate situations.

We are going to miss Brian, his humor and the great conversations that we would have over the past couple of years.”

The chief also noted that Lucykanish had “led a life of service with not only the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department and Pemberton Township Police Department, but also with the United States Air Force Reserves,” pointing out that the fallen officer had served as a member of the Air Force Security Forces and was a Combat Arms instructor, instructing his fellow airmen how to be proficient with firearms.

Before joining the Pemberton Township force in 2020, Lucykanish, according to an

Now, that family—including the couple’s four young children—is being extended a helping hand by friends and neighbors, who as of the morning of Feb. 8 had raised nearly $40,000 of a $45,000 goal in donations to a Meal Train benefit organized by Ashley Chiolan of Pemberton, “so that Kirstin does not have to worry about cooking meals and can focus her energy where it is needed most.”

“Thoughts and prayers to the Lucykanish family, from the police wives of Pemberton Twp. PD and all other contributors to this cause,” Chiolan added in her message at the Meal Train site.

Other contributions, according to the obituary, may be sent in lieu of flowers to Kirstin Lucykanish for her children’s future educational needs in care of the funeral home.

Brian Lucykanish, the obituary noted, was a native of Palmerton, Pa., and had lived in Evesham for the past seven years. His service career began after he graduated high school in 2009 when he enlisted in the

U.S. Air Force, served multiple tours with security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, both on active duty through 2014 and then in the active duty reserves. At the time of his death, he was serving as a technical sergeant with the 512th Security Forces Squadron based at Dover Air Force Base.

His determination to “use the skills he learned with the USAF Security Forces for a career in public law enforcement” is what prompted him, according to the obituary, to first join the county sheriff’s department following his active duty service, and then to become a member of the Pemberton Township Department.

Lucykanish was also a member of Team Defenders, a nonprofit whose stated mission is to bring peer support and mental health first aid to veterans and first responders, and which noted in a Facebook message that, “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fellow Defenders/Officers. May He Never Be Forgotten!”

A Memorial Visitation for family members and friends was scheduled on Saturday morning, Feb. 11, from 10 to 11:45 a.m., with a memorial service at 12 noon to be followed by military honors, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 4th Street & Lippincott Avenue in Riverton, according to his obituary.

Among the tributes to the patrolman posted on Facebook by friends, relatives and colleagues was one from a Hunterdon County resident, Allie Morgan, who lamented that Lucykanish, a fellow fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, won’t have a chance to see the team play in this month’s Super Bowl.

Saying that she can’t stop thinking about how excited Brian and Kirstin Lucykanish were at the prospect of watching the big game, she commented, “I know Brian would love to be watching the Super Bowl close up from heaven with the best seats in the house, but in my heart I know he will still be in spirit watching and cheering with his family.”

Morgan added that she would “love if this amazing family and hero could get a shoutout from the Eagles organization,” but wasn’t sure “how to go about doing so other than just putting the word out there and hoping it takes flight.”

Portrait By Jonny Castro

A portrait of fallen Pemberton Township Patrolman Brian Lucykanish created by well-known Philadelphia-based police artist Jonny Castro.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

FURNITURE REPAIR

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HAULING

Household appliances. Televisions, furniture, etc. for disposal or transport. Garage and yard cleanups along with lawn cutting and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.

HOME HEALTH AIDE

Experienced certified home health aide. Companion and caregiver. References available. Call or text Cindy 609-227-9873.

Take Notice, that in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:10A-8 et seq., application has been made to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to receive title papers authorizing the sale of 2007 Piaggio BV500, ZAPM340W675002156 (VIN #), on March 31, 2023, and 10:00 a.m. by means of a public/private sale. This described motor vehicle which came into possession of Redline Motorcycle through abandonment or failure of owners to claim it may be examined at 1628 Rt. 206, Tabernacle, NJ, 08088. Objections to this sale, if any, should be made immediately in writing to the following address: State of New Jersey, Motor Vehicle Commission, Special Titles Unit, 225 East State Street, P.O. Box 017, Trenton, NJ 08666.

WINTER CLEANUPS

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SCHOOL

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during the litigation, which had resulted in considerable consternation among township officials and residents, by delivering pizza, and soda to the meeting of the Bass River Board of Commissioners (as well as beer to the nearby fire department, whose members he said had requested it) on the evening of Feb. 6 immediately following the completion of the transaction, lending a bit of a celebratory feeling to the session. He also made a particular point of noting that the school had been used as an evacuation center during Superstorm Sandy a decade ago, and that he would like to work with local officials so it would still be available for that purpose even though it is now in private hands.

One attendee then asked Blech “You bought the school? Are you a teacher?” to which Blech replied, “A real-estate guy.” Then, after engaging in what at first appeared to be some good-natured banter with the new owner, the audience member proceeded to use the occasion to query him as to what his plans were for the now-vacant building, facetiously suggesting it be used as a pizzeria before making an implied criticism of Blech by contending that “I try not to buy real estate until I know what I’m going to do with it before I close.”

Blech indicated in responding to the attendee’s questions that he hadn’t really figured out what he would do with the facility and remarked, “Yeah, pizza’s a good thing we can all agree upon.’”

Blech, who for the past several months had failed to return phone messages left by the Pine Barrens Tribune after its initial interview with him, also rather ebulliently answered a call placed to his number by this newspaper immediately following the news of the sale from Williams.

“Let’s take it one step at a time,” the new owner said the moment this reporter began speaking to him. “I think there are some nice things you’re going to hear slowly. Keep your eyes open and your ears perked up, and when you see something good and people are trying to deliver good will, cheer it on and encourage people to look beyond some of their preconceived notions and look

MEETING

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by the meeting administrator (township clerks usually have to provide telephone users and disabled parties instructions to unmute themselves).

Then, when Stuart Brooks was making public comments, someone could be heard coughing so deeply that it overrode Stuart Brooks’ remarks at one point.

Later in the session, Maryalice Brown at one point remarked, “We just lost everybody.”

“(They are) in some kind of room, it says,” remarked Mayor Samuel “Sammy” Moore, prompting the township clerk to start laughing, before quipping, “I don’t know how it happened.”

However, what unfolded Feb. 2 was clearly

for common good and commonality, and appreciate each other.”

When a reporter attempted to ask him if that meant he had changed his mind about allegations in his complaint to the court that the Bass River School Board had been reluctant to sell him the property after finding he was an Orthodox Jew from Lakewood and local residents “began raising the prospect of (his) intentions for the use of the premises by Jewish people,” Blech replied that he thought the focus should now be “forward instead of delving into those details” and the matter should be viewed in a “positive” and “productive” light. He then hung up.

The bias charge, however, was really an incidental aspect of the lawsuit, which was based mainly on Blech’s contentions that the board had violated its agreement with him in regard to condition issues at the morethan-century old building and had made it more difficult for him to obtain a certificate of occupancy. The suit was one that held up the sale, which was the result of an auction held nearly a year ago and approved by the board last April 25, for months.

What his precise purpose was in bidding on the facility, which the local school district no longer needed once it entered into a send-receive relationship with the adjacent Little Egg Harbor School District, has never been spelled out. But according to what a lawyer for the Bass River School Board told its members at a special meeting when the purchase was approved, “it is not appropriate for (such) questions to be asked of Mr. Blech in public session.”

In a phone interview the day after the Feb. 6 Bass River Board of Commissioners meeting, however, Bass River commission member and Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon told this newspaper that he was “very happy” to hear that the facility had finally been sold, as “it was a burden on the taxpayers.”

As for the transaction having been delayed for as long as it was, he contended, that “lawyers make money, so they stretch it out.”

“And that’s what happened,” Bourguignon declared. “It caused nothing to change when it was all said and done. When it gets in the legal system, it takes time. That’s just how it is—and you can’t blame that on one side or the other.”

no laughing matter to the Brooks, who have often questioned when the governing body will be returning to in-person, live meetings, as well as recent steps by the governing body to reduce public comment opportunities and seldomly address questions posed by residents.

“I mean this is serious stuff,” declared Stuart Brooks in lambasting the governing body for a “recurring problem,” while also pointing out that Maryalice Brown now holds administrator and clerk positions in both Woodland and Tabernacle township, though he noted no one has yet said to him that she can’t be her own supervisor or can’t do her own job properly. “And you can’t take action without public notice! You need to do more than just politely say, ‘Thank-you for your public comments’ and (act like) everything looks OK to us. This is an instance where there was no posting at the township, meeting the statutory requirements.”

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

A view of the former Bass River Elementary School.