By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

New Garden Police Officer Mario Raimato (right) holds the plaque he received from Police Chief Gerald R. Simpson, which honored his as 2012 Police Officer of the Year.

It wasn’t soccer fields or sewage tanks that drew the crowd to the New Garden Township supervisors’ meeting Monday night.  Two police officers attracted a throng that included colleagues, relatives, county detectives, members of other police departments and the public.

Most came to honor two award recipients: Officer Joseph P. Versagli III, who received commendation for his enforcement of drunken-driving laws in 2012, and Officer Mario Raimato, the recipient of New Garden’s 2012 Officer of the Year plaque.

New Garden Police Chief Gerald R. Simpson said both officers “performed exceptional service in the township for 2012.” He said even though Versagli had only been a member of the force for 15 months, he made a big impact, particularly in helping to keep residents safe from those who violate the state’s driving-under-the-influence laws.

“Human life is first of our core values,” said Simpson. He suggested that residents review the sobering statistics on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website to understand the importance of reducing the risk that offenders pose to the public.

Simpson said that Raimato, a 15-year veteran of the New Garden Township Police Department, was nominated by his peers for his award, which paid tribute to his  commitment to customer service, willingness to lend a hand wherever needed, and contributions to the DARE program.

Raimato, who worked for five years in Kennett Square before coming to New Garden, “stands above all others” as a positive influence in the department, where he works as a patrol officer and backup investigator, as well as in the community, Simpson said.  Raimato has done numerous presentations at area schools, Simpson said. He cited a recent ice-cream auction and then quickly amended his remark in response to the laughter it elicited: “It wasn’t about the ice cream, it was about the service.”

After the awards, half of the audience of about 75 exited as the supervisors continued to discuss myriad issues  – from advancing an agreement with the White Clay Soccer Club for the use of New Garden Park to denying a request for space in the same area from the New Garden Growers Market.

The supervisors urged Carin Bonifacino, who runs the market, to meet with representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department to find an alternate location to expand its operations.  Most applauded the market’s contributions to the township. “Thanks for your dedication,” said Supervisor Bob Norris.

Bonifacino said that even though the market runs “on a shoestring,” she said she believed she could raise the funds needed to add a pavilion and picnic area. In fact, she said some of the Amish vendors had indicated a willingness to provide the labor so that they would have protection from the elements during the market’s season, which typically runs from spring into November. She said she would have preferred a location with visibility from Rt. 41, but would be willing to consider other options.

The supervisors had a less cordial response to a proposal from John Thaeder, senior vice president of Artesian Water Company, which wants to construct a pump house on an easement it has near Broad Run and Newark Roads to access the Cockeysville Aquifer.  Supervisor Robert Perrotti said he recalled a similar request several years ago, which generated questions about the impact of taking water from Landenberg and using it in Delaware. “I was concerned then, and I’m concerned now,” he said.

Thaeder said the plan would not move forward if it produced any negative impact. “If it’s not a sustainable operation, it’s no good to us,” he said, explaining that tests would be conducted to measure the effect on area residents. Supervisors’ Chairman Stephen Allaband questioned whether the use would be allowed under recent zoning changes.

In other police news, Simpson drew an enthusiastic reaction to a new mapping program expected to debut in mid-April that will enable residents to see what crimes are occurring where.  The supervisors also applauded his suggestion that some Town Hall meetings be held on issues of interest to residents, such as gangs   and school safety.

Simpson presented the supervisors with three options for getting rid of six 12-gauge shotguns that are being taken out of service by the department: have them melted, sell them to a dealer for $200 apiece or sell them to law enforcement. After minimal discussion, the supervisors concluded that the safest option was to have them destroyed.

Nearly four hours into the meeting, the supervisors began discussing a revised press-release policy for disseminating information to the public via the media. By then, the public had disappeared.  The discussion generated enough questions that the policy will go back to the drawing board.