All four schools in Harrison Township area looking to increase security
It’s budget season, and recent significant add-ons are being worked in during the dwindling days before approval.
The tentative municipal budget, which is available for review until April 16 at the municipal building and on the township website, raises the Harrison Township tax rate by one cent from both the 2016 and 2017 tax rates.
Last year’s budget was considered flat as there was no increase from 2016.
At the March 19 committee meeting, Mayor Lou Manzo stated the one cent increase translates to 43.6 cents per $100 of assessed property value. This equates to approximately a $34 annual increase for the average assessed home of $341,000.
In total from taxpayers in 2018, the township will collect approximately $6,669,000, a $158,660 increase from 2017.
The bulk of the increase stems from an “11th-hour change,” Manzo said.
The superintendents of the Harrison Township School District and Clearview Regional School District recently requested a meeting with police and town leadership based on “what is happening in our country, the Florida shooting being the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back here,” Manzo said referring to the request from superintendents to implement school resource officers into each school building.
Clearview Regional High School has had an officer in the school for more than 15 years, but hopes to implement police presence in the middle school. Harrison Township School District seeks to implement officers in both Pleasant Valley School and Harrison Township School.
The school budgets are also nearing completion; however, the cost for these officers in each school was not available by press time.
While some school districts across the county contract security positions to independent companies, these local schools are looking to the Harrison Township Police Department to supply a stability of presence in the schools.
The public hearing when the budget is up for potential approval is April 16.
The mayor explained residents are encouraged to review the budget draft and reach out to township officials with comments or questions.
“Without the additional officers, we likely would have increased the rate by .5 cents,” Manzo said.
Harrison Township is not alone in the quest for heightened school security, as neighboring Mantua Township School District will see a special resource officer starting in April; that motion was approved in mid-March.
Mazno explained the township has the option of raising the tax by 2.5 cents from 2017, but due to a surplus, the committee was able to minimize the increase “based on what our auditors advised us,” he said.
In other news:
• Jack Sommer, on behalf of the Veterans Commission, touched on the success of the commission and, in addition, American Legion Post 452 over the years.
“Where we were five years ago at the Post with about $200 in the bank, we really turned the corner in that time. The social club permit at the approval of the township a few years back has made a significant impact on our ability to raise funds, improve the quality of the hall, increase the number of rentals, so we are at a point now where we are actually able to give back to the community,” Summer said.
He also cited the recent success of the Post’s fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, stating, “It’s an event we really don’t need to advertise.”
The Post’s next major event is the first annual Concert for Kyle Heart Festival from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday April 28.
The proceeds from the concert will offset medical expenses for Kyle Allen, a Mullica Hill resident and 2012 Clearview Regional High School graduate who recently received a new heart after a sudden congestive heart failure diagnosis.
• Police Chief Thomas Mills gave the department’s monthly report for February, some numbers include:
Motor vehicles crashes: 35; speeding summons: 27; adult arrests: 49, drug: three, drunk driving: five; miles patrolled: 11,778; total service calls: 2,655.
• As of Monday, April 2, the township will begin collection of the yard waste cart. The program will end on Nov. 30, according to the township website. If you do not have a yard cart and would like one, please contact Public Works at (856) 223–1308.
The recycle center will resume weeknight hours as of Monday, April 2. The center is located at 151 Colson Lane and is open year round from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Beginning April 2, the center will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday evenings. Residents can drop off of all vegetation, metal, electronics, used oil and antifreeze to the center.
• Wingate Road resident Don Lynch was present at the committee meeting and expressed his concern for the speeding situation on Wingate.
“I think [speed bumps] will make a difference,” Lynch said, and added many people use Wingate Road as a shortcut to Cohawkin Road.
Dennis Chambers, superintendent of public works, stated he recently observed the traffic situation on that road and hopes speed bumps will help with the situation. A speed sign reading 15 mph may be included.
