WEST MILFORD - Brian Battersby of Newton and Michael Van Brunt of West Milford were honored as new Eagle Scouts in a ceremony conducted by Boy Scout Troop 44 of West Milford on Sunday, Jan. 20. The boys have been steadfast members of the troop since they entered 6 grade. Their careers include many camping trips and hikes in both pleasant and uncomfortable weather over the years. Both were elected by their peers in 2004 to membership in the Order of the Arrow, the honor society of Scouting. Battersby served as the troop’s Senior Patrol leader last year and is currently a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Van Brunt was Assistant Senior Patrol Leader last year and now is a Den Chief. Every candidate for the Eagle Scout award is required to plan and direct the execution of a service project benefiting some community organization outside of Scouting. By coincidence, both Battersby and Van Brunt designed bridges for different purposes. The Pumphouse Trail in Wawayanda State Park crosses a brook and its flood plain at a certain point. In times of high water the trail was impassible until Battersby carried out the construction of a 32 foot two-span bridge. Now hikers can continue their trip without wet feet year round. Moreover, as requested by park officials, the bridge is wide and strong enough to permit passage of a motorized emergency vehicle. Van Brunt is a member of the West Milford Township High School cross country team. His experience in struggling over a drainage ditch that interrupts a practice trail on school property gave him the idea of a bridge. Now runners can traverse the ditch in safety without breaking stride. In addition, the project included improving the footpath that ascends the embankment leading to the bridge to remove a slipping hazard. Scoutmaster David Krattiger announced that both boys will continue to serve their troop in the capacity of advisors to the Eagle candidates who are following in their footsteps. Troop 44 has been chartered to the West Milford Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. It meets Wednesday nights at 7:30 in the Lawrence E. Terhune Scout House on the church property. Scoutmaster Krattiger welcomes boys who are interested in joining.