Longtime Public Works Director Receives Recognition for His Services

Stephen J. Bonanni Sr. has served Galloway Township for a long time.

"I joined the Public Works Department in 1979 and thought I'd only be here a few months," Bonanni said. "Over thirty years later, I'm still here."

He laughs.

Bonanni, the director of public works since 1991, received recognition for his hard work at the 95^th annual conference of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, held at Atlantic City's convention center. The director won the James Funkhouser PWANJ (Public Works Association of New Jersey) Regional Award from the Public Works Association on Nov. 17.

The award is given to honor outstanding members in municipal public works who promote education and mentoring for their employees. It is named in memory of one of the founders of the Public Works Association of New Jersey.

Paul McCall, current president of the group, said, "James Funkhouser worked tirelessly to get other public works professionals to urge their employees to further their education and training so that they would be better able to serve their communities. He helped establish the group in 1978."

Ranked 20^th for growth rate in New Jersey, Galloway Township's population is estimated at 38,207 persons in 2010, up from 31,209 in 2000. At just under 115 square miles in area, Galloway Township is the largest municipality and township in the state.

The 40 public works employees and their director face no small task in maintaining the roads, conducting the fall leaf collection, seeing that street and safety signs are in good repair and ensuring that the township infrastructure under their jurisdiction is kept in working order.

That task has been made slightly more difficult this year. Economic constraints have reduced the Galloway Township municipal workweek to four days: Tuesday through Friday. The budget cutbacks compel the Public Works Department to maintain the same work load, but accomplish it in less time.

Not only is Bonanni clearly respected in his profession, it is clear that his work ethic has had an influence in the lives of his family members.

"My son is now in Afghanistan serving as a medic," Bonanni said. "I have a daughter who is a nurse at the Atlantic City Medical Center, and my other daughter teaches at Northeast High School in Philadelphia."

His wife is an X-ray technician at Atlantic City Medical Center.