IN THE FIELD  (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

of monitoring water quality within a well. Some say that PDBs provide more reliable results than extracting a sample by traditional methods.) in monitoring wells. (November)

Site 104 – Bldg. 162 (PICA 102):  Conduct soil excavation

Area E (Bldgs. 95 and 70):  Collect groundwater levels and install PDBs in monitoring wells.  (November)

The estate of Mr. Wesley Ackerson, a former representative of Jefferson Township to the PAERAB until his demise in 2007, responded to the board’s proposal to memorialize the service of Mr. Ackerson in a letter addressed to Mr. Michael Glaab and the RAB’s Wesley Ackerson Memorial Committee. In this letter dated January 26, 2009 the estate acknowledged the PAERAB’s proposal and expressed its appreciation and gratitude to the board for offering to honor Wesley’s service with the placing of a commemorative plaque in remembrance of his contributions to the environmental restoration effort at Picatinny Arsenal.

Specifically, this thank you letter approved the following sites suggested by the board’s memorial committee for consideration for placement of the commemorative plaque: on property of the Ackerson estate (some of which was recently donated to the County of Morris), or at the arsenal where he had formerly been employed.   

Mr. Ackerson, who had served honorably in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II, had been nominated to the board by Mr. Russell Felter the current mayor of Jefferson Township. Having been employed for many years at

Picatinny Arsenal Wesley possessed

practical knowledge about its activities and he had often expressed both his support of the arsenal’s national security mission and his concern for the environment. In particular, Wesley had repeatedly expressed concern for the Arsenal’s lakes and he was keenly alert to any possible concerns for the residents of the  communities living alongside Picatinny - such as those on Berkshire Valley Road and elsewhere.  An active member of the community he dedicated time and effort to numerous diverse civic causes. Indeed, since a not insignificant portion of his own estate’s  landholdings have actually been donated to the County of Morris, apparently to be dedicated to the services and purview of the Morris County Park, this is an undeniably meaningful demonstration of his commitment to the preservation of the environment for his posterity.   

The letter was sent on behalf of the estate of Wesley Ackerson by Mrs. Evelyn A. Brown, who is apparently the estate’s administrator. Mrs. Brown, who had served consecutive terms as mayor of  Jefferson Twp. had also, similar to former Mayor Slayton and current Mayor Felter,  served her community on its council and on various municipal bodies. She had presided over the council as

its vice-president and it was during her mayoral tenure that the arsenal’s

technical review committee (TRC) was reorganized into a resource advisory board with Mr. Glaab then serving as Jefferson’s  representative to the RAB.

When the TRC, the precursor to the PAERAB, was originally founded  Michael Glaab ( then a long standing member of Jefferson’s Environmental Commission led by its chairman Dr. Clifford Williams ) was nominated by the then serving mayor of Jefferson Twp., Mrs. Frances  Slayton, to represent that community to the TRC.  

For his efforts and expense in acquiring the plaque the board is grateful to Mr. Robert Crothers who is Denville’s official representative to the PAERAB and also a member of the memorial committee. Mr. Crothers is a valued long standing member of the board who is very knowledgeable about the arsenal. An active citizen of his community he contributes his talents to the support of worthy civic activities and to such organizations as the Fire Department.

The memorial committee also includes Mr. Glaab ( a former councilman and  Vice-chmn. of Jefferson Township’s Environmental Commission ) and Mr. Paul McGinley who is Wharton’s official representative to the board and a former councilman of that community.

Memorial for Wesley Ackerson  by  Michael Glaab