Community Corner

Eagle Scout's Project Helps Identify Shrewsbury

For his Eagle Scout project, Edward Preissler helped plan, develop, build, and install two "Welcome to Shrewsbury" signs on Sycamore Avenue.

When Eddie Preissler started thinking about what he could do for his Eagle Scout project, he noticed something missing from his own town: signs welcoming drivers to Shrewsbury.

On Saturday, the borough, along with Preissler, scout representatives, and volunteers, unveiled two mahogany welcome signs on the eastern and western ends of Sycamore Avenue.

The green signs feature gold gilded lettering and a picture of Shrewsbury’s historic hall. The artistic signs also feature the town’s incorporation date of 1662.

Find out what's happening in Red Bank-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In 2009, Preissler, now 18, approached the borough about making installing entrance signs along the borough’s main thoroughfares. With Mayor Don Burden and Councilman Tom Menapace’s help, Preissler was able to settle on an appropriate sign design and wording.

Preissler eventually enlisted the help of teacher and sign maker Carol Loeffler as well as a neighbor, Cole Porter, who could fabricate the signs. After securing donations and volunteer efforts, actual construction of the signs took about 10 hours, Preissler said.

Find out what's happening in Red Bank-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The longest process, however, was going through the system that developers and planners go through all the time. Menapace said the borough cut as much red tape as possible, but when it comes to installing signs there’s still the matter of planning and approval to go through.

“It was surprising,” Preissler said. “It takes a lot and it takes a lot of people to get one sign put in.”

Luckily, Preissler was able to get the project complete before his 18th birthday to become an Eagle Scout. And now, Shrewsbury has two new welcome signs in town.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here