Old Tappan presented veterans-friendly designation and plans memorial expansion

Council President Bill Boyce introduced veterans committee leaders and a guest speaker who described a new veterans-friendly municipal designation and presented a plaque to the borough. "This is a little recognition for Old Tappan," the guest said as he described the plaque and the elements that qualify the borough for the program.

The guest, who identified himself as a retired colonel and volunteer with veterans' advocacy groups, said the municipal protocol asks towns to reserve parking for veterans, establish veteran-focused hiring efforts and otherwise support veteran services. Boyce said the borough has completed design and procured some of the materials for an expansion of the Veterans Memorial at Oaks Park, including concrete pavers, block walls and oak beams, and that the expansion will add conflicts and wars not currently represented at the site. The council encouraged veterans in town to participate in the veterans advisory committee and noted two upcoming Eagle Scout projects to add a flag retirement box at the police station and a Purple Heart memorial within the new memorial.