Mantua Township Committee adopted a bond ordinance to fund various capital projects during a brief, virtual meeting last Monday.
The bond ordinance was approved following a second reading, allowing the township to borrow $984,000 for capital projects included in the proposed 2020 municipal budget.
According to the ordinance, more than half of the money will go toward road maintenance. About $525,000 has been allocated for the reconstruction and repaving of roads, including East Mercer Avenue, Trenton Avenue and Springhill Road. A $225,000 repaving project of West Warren Avenue is also included in the ordinance, but most of the money for that project will come from a $199,137 New Jersey Department of Transportation grant.
Also included in the bond ordinance is $155,000 for the replacement of playground equipment and upgrades to tennis courts, $132,000 for sports utility vehicles for the police department, $100,000 for the purchase of trash containers for use with automated trash trucks, $64,000 for the purchase of computer equipment and $34,000 for the replacement of the municipal building roof and addition of a storage room.
The total cost of all of the projects is $1,235,000, including about $51,000 in down payments as well as the NJDOT grant money.
Another ordinance adopted at the meeting amended the salaries for municipal employees to align them with the proposed 2020 municipal budget. The committee will hold the public hearing on its budget at its next meeting, on Monday, June 15. Residents can review the proposed budget at https://mantuatownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mantua-Twp-2020-Budget-Website-.pdf.
Three resolutions were also passed during the meeting, including one to adopt a shared services agreement with West Deptford Township for the township’s land use coordinator position, and another to appoint resident Victor Torino to a vacant position on the Mantua Township Rent Leveling Board.
There was no public participation during last Monday’s meeting, but residents were given updates. Committeeman John Legge reminded residents about changes in regard to Memorial Day this year. The township did not host its annual parade due to COVID-19.
“There is going to be something small in front of the VFW, but it’s not going to be open to the public,” Legge said.
Looking ahead to summer, township Business Administrator Jennica Bileci advised residents to keep an eye on the township website for upcoming events, some of which were postponed from earlier in the year due to COVID-19.
“Some things are starting to get re-posted and put back on the schedule,” Bileci informed the committee.
The township’s shredding event originally scheduled for April is now on tap for Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The township also postponed its annual rabies clinic until Sept. 19, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at the public works building.
The next Mantua Township Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m.
