By SHANNON CAULFIELD
The Tabernacle Sun
Representatives from the Burlington County Board of Health attended the Nov. 26 township committee meeting to present their findings from 2012.
The county makes its presentation a few times a year, according to Mayor Richard Franzen.
The county reported its concern with abandoned properties in the township. Despite the concern, the county was pleased with Tabernacle’s performance maintaining abandoned properties.
The township also plans to look at Evesham Township’s abandoned properties ordinance passed in October.
According to the ordinance, the abandoned properties, especially those close to businesses and other residences, have been creating a problem for the township. The properties foster crime, create public health problems and diminish the quality of life for surrounding neighbors and property owners, according to officials. Additionally, the abandoned houses lower property value for neighbors and increase the risk of property damage through arson and vandalism.
The township will be creating a list of those properties and confronting those neglecting the homes.
“There are homes that are bank-owned that the banks won’t take care of. We think that’s unacceptable,” Evesham Township Mayor Randy Brown told The Marlton Sun in October.
Additional information in the report included the number of dog licenses issued in 2012, with 779, and the changes for the upcoming year.
“Next year, we’ll have new fees for licensing dogs. It will cost dog owners $12 for spayed and neutered dogs, and it will be $15 for those who aren’t,” said Franzen.
Additionally, the township will be offering a free rabies clinic at the municipal building on Jan. 12.
In other news, there has been a drop in the percentage of feral cat colony population in the township.
The township has teamed with the county as part of the trap, neuter and release program. The goal of the project is reducing the population over time.
“Where there are feral cat communities, the county will trap, neuter and release the cats back to their colony. In the meantime, there are trained professionals to maintain the colonies,” said Franzen.
There are a total of 32 feral cat colonies in Tabernacle. Of the cats in those colonies, a total of 416 cats have been spayed, 99 have been added to the colony, 80 were lost due to nutritional causes or an accident and 117 cats have been adopted.
“It’s an ongoing process,” said Franzen. “To have the feral cat population down 47 percent is a very significant number.”
Residents should be alert of these cats, according to Franzen.
“If you see a cat with a clipped ear, it is part of the project,” he said.
During regular action, the township passed a resolution accepting $65,000 to remodel a portion of Patty Bowker Park.
The money will be used to remodel the bleachers and add a walkway in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In other news: the family of Chad Adams, vice president of the Tabernacle Athletic Association who passed away suddenly in September, will be planting a memorial tree at the Pricketts Mill complex.
“It will be a living memorial, so he will not be forgotten,” said Franzen.
The next township committee meeting will be held Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall Municipal Building located at 163 Carranza Road.
