New Roles for Plymouth Township Employees

The Plymouth Township Council welcomed a new code enforcement officer and fire inspector during Monday’s meeting.

The governing body approved promoting Brad Krenicky to code enforcement officer and Andrew G. Thomas as fire inspector. Both were sworn in during the Plymouth Township Council meeting. Krenicky started his work with the township in January 2014 in the Public Works Department. Thomas began working as a dispatcher in the police department in January 2018.

In other business, the Township Council approved a resolution recognizing Councilwoman Kathy Bandish for her service on the Historical Architecture Review Board from January 2019 through December 2019.

In an effort to continue his outreach to the Plymouth Township community, Police Chief John Myrsiades will lead a March 25 “Coffee and Community Conversations” discussion at the Greater Plymouth Community Center. “Respect and Understanding for our LGBT Community” will be held at 7 p.m.

“The first two that we hosted were really well-received,” Councilman David Gannon said of the monthly discussion, which began in January. “These are well worth your time.”

Chief Myrsiades said he’s eager for the next installment on March 25.

“We have some progressive ideas and we’re looking forward to a great meeting,” he said.

In other business, with the threat of the Coronavirus ever-present, the Township Council revised its policy pertaining to the use of the Greater Plymouth Community Center in the event of local school closures. Students enrolled in community center programming are permitted to continue using the center during the applicable event, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

The policy update, according to Council Vice Chairwoman Karen Bramblett is to ensure that the community center “does not become a babysitting agency when schools close.”

Lastly, the governing body voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting the creation of a citizens commission for legislative and congressional redistricting. The goal in doing so is to prevent so-called gerrymandered districts that favor one political party over others.

“The creation of a truly independent citizens redistricting commission devoid of political motivation or partisanship will: ensure a fair, transparent, and accurate legislative and congressional redistricting process that respects political subdivisions,” the resolution reads. It also calls for public input and requires that “no county, city, incorporated town, borough, township or ward be divided unless absolutely necessary.”

Council Chairman Christopher Manero said the Council was approached by a group who requested passage of the resolution. The resolution “reaffirms our position,” Manero said, adding that, “we hope our state legislators can get on board with that.”