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Council backs two Eagle Scout projects to add veterans memorial and native‑planting features
Summary
The Old Tappan Mayor and Council voted to support two Eagle Scout projects: a Purple Heart monument at Monument/Oaks Park and a native plant/birdhouse installation across several borough parks. Council offered logistical help and urged coordination with the environmental commission.
The Borough of Old Tappan Mayor and Council voted to support two Eagle Scout projects proposed by local scouts during the public‑comment period.
Timolik, who identified himself as a life scout from Troop 132, asked for permission to build an Eagle Scout monument honoring Purple Heart recipients at Oak(s) Monument Park, describing a raised red‑granite stone, a dedication plaque and an estimated project cost of about $1,000 (he said he had raised $650 and secured a vendor discount). "I decided on a monument dedicated to the veterans with the Purple Heart," he said, adding he could start work this spring and expected installation to take a few weeks, weather permitting.
Eden Gallo, another life scout, proposed planting native trees and shrubs and installing birdhouses at Stone Point, Oaks, Bonneville and Staniland parks to support local wildlife and improve park habitat. "By adding trees and shrubs that provide natural food sources for birds, we'll be helping this to sustain local wildlife year round," Gallo said.
Councilmembers and staff praised both proposals, urged each scout to coordinate with the borough's environmental commission and offered operational help — including suggestions for nurseries, truck/lift resources and assistance with installation. Councilmember (speaker 4) moved that the borough provide guidance and support for the first scout's monument project; the motion passed on roll call. Council members encouraged the scouts to present refined plans to the environmental commission and to return to the council once they have a finalized timeline.
The actions taken were supportive authorizations and offers of logistical assistance; no funding appropriation was recorded on the council floor during the meeting.
Next steps: the scouts were asked to work with the environmental commission (the council noted the commission would meet the next day) and to return with a more detailed plan and timeline before construction begins.
