Maren Smagala
At the Clinton Township Council meeting on September 11, 2019, several officers were honored for exemplary service and two new officers were sworn in. Read more below, courtesy of the Hunterdon Review.
Clinton Township police are honored
- By CLAIRE KNAPP Contributing Writer
- Sep 16, 2019
A proclamation, awards for exemplary service, and swearing in of new police officers filled most of the elected officials’ time during the Township Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Mayor John Higgins read a proclamation honoring Police Detective DJ Formalarie for his work representing Clinton Township with the federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).
Six Clinton Township police officers and two Readington Township police officers were presented with awards for their performance and successful outcome dealing with two incidents.
The first set of awards went to Clinton Township officers Sgt. Harry Bugal, Sgt. John Tiger, Detective Ptl. Lawrence Anthes, Sgt. Sean Ross, and Sgt. Jeff Glennon. From Readington Township, the awards were made to Lt. Scott Crater and Chris Heycock with his K-9 dog Agar. The incident involved a burglary and car chase.
The second incident for which awards were made was when an elderly resident was reported missing.
“I know this man, said Mayor Higgins. “He is in his 90s and when found was seriously dehydrated. He’s a tough old bird, and was able to recover.”
The officers receiving an award for the missing person incident included Sgt. Andrew McCluskey, Patrolman Joseph Antivenin, Patrolman Pete Schleisier, Sgt. Jeff Glennon and Patrolman Drew MacQueen from the Clinton Township Police Department; and Sgt. Carlos Ferriero with his K-9 dog Polis, from Randolph Township.
Following the award presentations, William Musacchio and Frank Praino were sworn in as the township’s newest patrol officers by Municipal Clerk Carla Conner.
Musacchio previously worked for the Hunterdon County Prosecutor, and Flemington Borough before joining the township department. His annual starting salary is $75,500 as a probationary officer for six months.
“This is a nice change,” said Mayor Higgins. “We usually have officers leave us to go to the Prosecutor’s Office.”
Praino grew up in the area and graduated from North Hunterdon High School, attended Kean University, and recently graduated from the Police Academy. His probationary salary will be $42,000.
