4th of July Committee Members Resign

The Montville Township 4th of July Committee recently had several members resign, leaving township officials concerned about whether planning can begin on next year's Independence Day celebration.

Township Administrator Victor Canning mentioned the resignations to the township committee on Oct. 9. As the 4th of July Committee does not yet have new leadership, including a chairperson and vice chairperson, Canning said a request was made by the other members to find out what financial assistance the township would be providing the 4th of July Committee this year.

"They asked me to go back to you, as a body, and see what commitments you would be willing to give them going forward," Canning said.

Committeeman Don Kostka said he was concerned that the resignations would affect planning for this year's event.

"The thing that's really important to myself, as a township committee member... as our administrator aptly pointed out, it's really important that as soon as the event is over, that you start planning for the next year," Kostka said. "Who's going to fill the void?"

Kostka also said that while the township does provide some funding to the committee, which includes for DPW and police overtime approved in 2011, money is also raised for the Independence Day event.

"We, as a township committee, will provide a sum in the budget that they can count on, but the rest is up to the committee," Kostka said.

While Canning offered to be the liaison between the township committee and 4th of July Committee, Committeeman Scott Gallopo noted that the committee not having leadership is an issue for when township officials need to get in touch.

"You don't have a point of contact with them," he said.

Kostka also noted that it is difficult to have conversations about the needs for next year's event without having a point of contact from the committee to discuss the issue with.