WESTWOOD, N.J.—Councilman Emeritus Peter Grefrath returned to the borough’s hallowed municipal chamber July 17 to report on the status of the Memorial Park Bench Donation Program, informing the mayor and council that its fourth phase is going gangbusters.
He said that once all the benches he was reporting on are installed Westwood would have 44 benches purchased as part of the program, reflecting a municipal savings of $73,800.
The program helps to remember a loved one or to honor someone’s special achievement. The borough says, “Your bench will enhance the aesthetic value of our community for all to enjoy while preserving the legacy of a family member or friend.”
Donations may be eligible for charitable receipts for income tax purposes.
According to Grefrath in his report, credit is due the governing body, Borough Planner Ed Snieckus, Recreation Department Chairman Gary Buchheister, Borough Clerk Karen Hughes, Rick Woods, Borough Administrator Ben Kezmarsky, and the Westwood Shade Tree Advisory Committee’s Linda Hayes for their creative ideas and their efforts on the initiative. Grefrath said:
• Phase IV walkway and bench pads have been completed. Kezmarsky is checking on the timetable to complete the lighting and waste receptacles.
• Three of the 14 benches have been installed.
• Two more benches were ordered and delivered. The borough is waiting for the plaques, which should arrive presently. Those two benches can be installed.
• Three more benches were ordered July 1.
• There is interest in two benches. These are pending payment.
• That leaves five available spots from the 14 memorial benches sites for Phase IV.
• A new bench has been placed inside the dog park, to accompany the five existing benches the borough already purchased.
• Following borough policy established in 2012, the Recreation Department orders benches in groups of three or more with a delivery date six to eight weeks from the time of order.
• A second plaque was ordered for one of the benches, which was part of the initial project around the bandstand.
• The park bench donation program brochure was updated in June. Another update is planned once the remaining five memorial benches are sold and installed at the Phase IV site. The brochure is available in the clerk’s office, the Recreation Department office, and on the municipal website.
Westwood’s Park Bench Donation Program features 33 memorial and recognition benches installed in five parks: Veterans Memorial Park, Voorhis Park, Westvale Park, Fireman’s Park, and The Bird Sanctuary.
The borough’s inventory includes 24 such benches (with another five ordered and two holding) in three of the four quads in Veterans Memorial Park: 17 around the bandstand, one under the flagpole, three around the World War I memorial, and three (“soon to be eight and ultimately 14”) around the Garden of Service.
Grefrath said once the Phase IV project is finished the borough will have a net total of 35 benches in Veterans Memorial Park and 44 benches total.
The Quad IV Veterans Memorial Park Rehabilitation Project surrounds the Garden of Service memorial created by Troop 47 Eagle Scout candidate Dan DeMarco to honor the five branches of United States military service. The approved budget was $58,000 with an additional $25,200 coming from memorial bench donations.
Grefrath noted approval was received for the project from George Tomka of the Veterans Council in October 2017.
He added that New Jersey Transit turned down a request in January for the path to join with the train platform.
Grefrath resigned from the council in 2018 after his nearly 23 years of distinguished service.