The township council once again did not introduce the 2013 budget at its most recent meeting.
Mayor Randy Brown is determined to help get state Senate bill 1896 passed before the budget is due to the state, and he said it is gaining traction.
“We’re getting more support for the bill,” Brown said. “Elizabeth [City] mayor [J. Christian Bollwage] demanded they look at the legislation. It’s good a mayor of a city that size sees what’s going on.”
The bill would allow schools and other entities to create a reserve for tax appeals, removing the financial burden from the township, township manager Bill Cromie said in March.
According to Brown, Teaneck also put its support behind the bill.
“Our voices will finally be heard,” Brown said. “It’s continuing to gain ground.”
In other news:
• The township council passed a resolution authorizing a memorandum of cooperation between the township and Friends of the Black Run to preserve the area.
According to Brown, the council hasn’t made decisions on the area in the past due to a lack of direction.
“We wanted to have a purpose with open space. What were we spending our money on?” Brown asked.
He noted he couldn’t get behind the township spending money on open space, which ended up being just fields of grass in some cases.
The Friends of the Black Run was started in 2007, a year after Brown was elected to office, according to PinelandsAlliance.org.
According to the organization’s site, it is a coalition of local students, educators, environmental commission members, Evesham Township, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, REI and others who are focused on preserving the Black Run Preserve and incorporating it into local school curriculums and promoting passive recreation opportunities.
The area is located between the Kings Grant neighborhood and Marlton Lakes.
The organization is working in conjunction with Clean Communities, in addition to receiving six signs to be placed around the preserve.
Furthermore, the organization has obtained sponsorship from major outdoor companies, according to John Volpa, liaison between the township and Friends of the Black Run.
According to Volpa, they’re working on funding from Burlington County to continue to improve the area.
“We want to enhance your experience at Black Run and then get that funding to make it happen,” Volpa said.
Eighteen students recently lent a hand to do cleanup and learn about the area.
On May 19, the morning of A Taste of Evesham, there will be a cleanup at Black Run from 9 a.m. to noon with a staging area at Marlton Middle School, Volpa said.
For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.pinelandsalliance.org/exploration/blackrunpreserve.
• According to Brown, the areas for redevelopment, previously approved by the council, have been sent back to the planning board, due to an appellate court ruling.
“The board will make a determination on further documentation or more testimony to keep it on track,” Brown said.
No further details on the matter were provided.
The next township council meeting is scheduled for June 11, due to Evesham Township School District’s art show being held in the municipal building located at 984 Tuckerton Road.
For more information, visit www.twp.evesham.nj.us.
