Residents discussed their opinions on potential changes in town.
At this week’s meeting, the Shamong Township Committee recognized Eagle Scouts and discussed potential rotary and marijuana plans.
Mayor Michael Di Croce recognized Indian Mills Troop 47 for its volunteer efforts to collect and recycle Christmas trees. With 17 youth volunteers and 11 adult volunteers, 155 trees were collected over a span of 96.5 hours.
After collecting the trees, the troop took them to a local farm where the trees were turned into wood chips and used to keep the roots of their blueberry bushes moist.
Di Croce also recognized Eagle Scouts Andrew Ballinger, Robert King, Jr. and Michael Zahradnick (Eagle Scouts Lou Bergdoll, Jr. and Aaron Uscinowicz were not present at the meeting).
Ballinger joined Cub Scouts in 2012 and has earned 31 merit badges and camped 109 nights. He has served as historian, quartermaster, scribe, patrol leader and senior patrol leader. His Eagle Scout project was to rebuild a wall at the Indian Mills Athletic Association field for coaches, players and families to enjoy.
King earned 34 merit badges throughout his time as a Scout and has camped 125 nights. He served as den chief and librarian, and completed a project of beautifying the landscape of Indian Mills United Methodist Church to secure his title as an Eagle Scout.
Zahradnick joined Cub Scouts in 2014 and has earned 30 merit badges and camped 103 nights. He has served as quartermaster, webmaster and patrol leader. His Eagle Scout project was to build handicap accessible picnic benches at Kaleidoscope Horse Farm in Medford.
During public comment, residents raised concerns regarding the previously discussed rotary and the possibility of growing marijuana on farms in town.
At the February committee meeting, the committee reviewed the Burlington County engineer’s concept plan to put a rotary at the intersection of Route 541 and Willow Grove Road.
The committee originally proposed the idea of putting flashing LED lights on the stop signs on Willow Grove Road to grab the attention of drivers and reduce the number of accidents that occur there; however, the county gave them the option of implementing a rotary instead.
Dan Guzzi, township engineer, stated the project would cost about $20 million, funded entirely by the federal government, including property acquisition and improvements/maintenance associated with it. There would be no municipal cost.
Resident Elaine Billmeyer did not agree with putting a rotary in place, addressing the committee while saying, “You say it’s not going to cost us anything, but I think we all pay a lot in federal taxes — nothing is free. I wonder if there’s something they can do instead that would be cheaper, such as a four-way stop.”
Di Croce stated he is in the process of reviewing the entire proposal from the county, yet he is leaning against the idea of a rotary.
“My gut says we don’t need a million dollar circle and we certainly don’t need a $20 million circle,” Di Croce said. “I’m going to at least keep an open mind and take a look at the studies and suggestions, but I’m in the same mindset that even if it’s free, if we don’t need it then we don’t want it.”
Billmeyer also addressed her concerns with potential plans to grow marijuana in Shamong, saying she is not keen on “aiding and abetting someone’s bad habit.”
Similarly, resident Jim Skaggs is in opposition of the growth of marijuana.
“If the governor signs the bill, we’re not going to stop it, I understand that,” Skaggs said. “I’m not for marijuana because I think it’s just something people who are weak, who use it as a crutch, but then they move on, I feel, to harder stuff.”
Resident Laura King suggested that marijuana could potentially be used to aid pain in hopes of reducing the use of opioids, saying that it is something for the township to look into in that respect.
“If we can have our farmers and our residents here utilize that product, it’s just another product,” Di Croce said. “If we can allow our farmers to grow this and it can be distributed here and it can be done properly so the children are protected.”
Di Croce said farmers are struggling and this can be a means for them to utilize parts of their farms while still growing other crops.
Di Croce also mentioned there is a medical side of this to explore and be further discussed.
In other news:
- A rabies clinic will be held at the township public works building on March 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The next committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building located at 105 Willow Grove Road in Shamong.
