In Neptune City New Cop Follows Dad’s Steps
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
It was all in the family Monday night at Neptune City’s Borough Council meeting as Michael Donovan, III was sworn in as a police officer only hours after his father, also named Michael, was sworn in as Chief Warrant Officer of the Monmouth County’s Sheriff’s Department in Freehold.
Like his son, the elder Donovan began his career in law enforcement in Neptune City.
After working in Neptune City for seven years, he became a lieutenant in the county prosecutor’s office in the homicide unit.
The younger Donovan has been working as a dispatcher in Neptune City for two years and will attend the police academy in January.
The municipal meeting room was packed with fellow officers, family and friends.
Assemblyman David Rible attended to offer his congratulations.
“Obviously a lot of people think very highly of you,” said Mayor Thomas Arnone before Borough Administrator Joel Popkin swore in Donovan.
“This is the beginning of a long career, and I know this is what you want,” Arnone said.
Donovan said afterward, “I’m very thankful.”
The senior Donovan said, “I like to see him follow in my footsteps.”
Donovan’s mother RoseMarie said, “He’s wanted this all his life.”
In other business, council approved an ordinance to allow a pedestrian crossing sign to be placed on West Sylvania Avenue near Borough Hall.
A request from the county to have the signs reinstalled was made more than a year ago after the signs were removed.
“It’s been about a year, and we’ve been told we are on the fast track,” said Popkin.
Councilman Robert Brown, who has been working on getting the signs back in the borough, said the best way to have the county respond would be to put the signs back out without county approval.
“I tell you how to get them to react, if you put it (the sign) out there it will only take a day.”
Arnone said, “The municipality is only trying to keep the residents safe. This is only a good thing.”
Council also awarded a bid for road work on East End Avenue to Fernandez Construction.
The bid was for $140,290 and will include curb and sidewalk improvements.
The town was a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $204,000.
The extra funds will be used for other projects in town.
Work on East End Avenue should begin in late October.
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