Three local boys got an inside look at how local government works at the Barnegat Township Committee Meeting held Monday night.

Dominic Bockin, Kyle Agudo, and Nico DeNoi are a step away from their Arrow of Lights Award, which is the highest award available to Cub Scouts. To obtain the award, the Scout must earn activity badges, and as part of the badge process, the three attended the Committee meeting, and watched as Mayor Len Morano and the Committee voted on resolutions, adopted ordinances and delivered reports.

"They are learning about government and citizenship to the community," said Paula DeNicola. Next week, the three boys will come back to meet with the Township Municipal Judge. All three boys told Patch they were looking forward to this  next step in the badge process.

In other news, Jr. Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Jake Taylor thanked local students for their participation in the Patriot's Pen Contest.

Taylor presented certificates and a “small cash award," to Charles Peterson and Keith Lee, who wrote winning essay’s on patriotism and what the Constitution means to them.