The latest meeting of the Evesham Township Council included passage of several ordinances concerning ongoing municipal projects and a proclamation by Mayor Jaclyn Veasy in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Joined at the front of the council chamber by Police Chief Christopher Chew, Councilwoman Heather Cooper and Councilman Robert DiEnna, Veasy started the meeting with a proclamation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Standing beside her, Chew displayed an example of the pink badge he and his fellow officers will be wearing throughout the month in recognition of the annual observance. According to the chief, each officer wearing these badges paid for them individually and 30 percent of the proceeds will be going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There is a link on the department’s Facebook page where the public can contribute their own donation if they feel so inclined.
The mayor’s proclamation included both sobering facts about the disease and a message of hope for the future of treatment options. According to her proclamation, breast cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer death in women and is expected to claim the lives of 41,760 women in the U.S. in 2019. Some 2,670 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease by the end of this year as well.
On a more hopeful note, the mayor included the fact that death rates from breast cancer are in steady decline as a result of early detection and improved treatment.
“Whereas researchers, scientists, numerous nonprofit organizations and breast cancer survivors are dedicated to discovering a cure for breast cancer, during the month of October we acknowledge the extraordinary commitment and effort invested in this cause and support those who are working towards a cure,” said Veasy.
Among the resolutions passed at the meeting was an award of contract for professional affordable housing and special projects planning consultant services to LFB Land Planning – a move toward meeting state-mandated requirements that municipalities facilitate the production of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.
“We are still availing ourselves as Leah Furey Bruder, who has been and will continue to be very instrumental in the crafting and administration of our COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) compliance,” said DiEnna.
Another ordinance approved the insertion of a special item of revenue into the municipal budget in the amount of $275,000 for the Inglis House Sidewalk Extension Project along North Elmwood Road.
The township was recently approved for funding, the result of a Department of Transportation grant request, to extend nearly 600 feet of sidewalk along North Elmwood Road to fully connect Inglis Gardens at the Evesham independent housing complex to Evesboro-Medford Road.
The project is being undertaken in consideration of the housing complex’s residents with disabilities to connect them more fully with nearby banks, convenience stores, churches and other amenities.
During his police report, Chew notified the public of several upcoming events his department will be participating in over the course of this month. On Oct. 9, the department is hosting its second vaping forum, featuring information for parents concerned about the recent trend among young people, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Evesham Municipal Courtroom. On Oct. 24, the department will be participating in Yoga with Police from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at SHINE Power Yoga. Finally, on Oct. 25, the department is hosting its first Trunk or Treat event from 6 to 9 p.m. at Savich Field.
The next regular meeting of the Evesham Township Council will be taking place Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Evesham Township Municipal Complex.
