Manchester officials thanked emergency staff and its volunteer police force for their efforts in the wake of Superstorm Sandy during Monday evening's Township Council meeting. 

"We deeply appreciate it," said Council President Craig Wallis.

Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski presented honors to Emergency Management Coordinator Arthur Abline and his deputy, Marisa Wilkins and auxiliary police officers Mathew J. Chester, Michael C. Drybola, Bernadette K. Warren, Lee R. Olson, Michael E. Mancini and Dominick A. Fresco III.

During the week that Sandy struck, Abline and Wilkins put in over 170 and 150 hours of duty, respectively, according to the chief. 

"It's just absolutely incredible the amount of time that they put in," Klimakowski said. 

The auxiliary police force, which graduated in May, met Sandy as their first natural disaster. The volunteer officers supported Manchester's police department by directing traffic, and delivering hazard cones to where they were needed on roadways. 

"They were out there day and night in horrible conditions," Klimakowski said. "Without them, we would have been in trouble."