Cherry Hill is in line to receive more than a quarter-million dollars in aid for recovery related to the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to action taken by township council at its most recent public meeting on Aug. 24.
During that virtual session, council unanimously passed a resolution allowing for $273,538 to be awarded through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act to prevent, prepare and respond to various needs within the community as a direct result of the pandemic.
“The funds are being added to the community development block grant annual action plan, which was previously approved, and that budget was $550,715,” said council President David Fleisher. “There are numerous areas in which this expands the potential relief to those individuals and some entities that are in need.,
Per Township Business Administrator Erin Patterson Gill, the resolution amended the township’s Community Development Block Grant plan, approved in 2019, to account for spending additional funds from the federal government.
“There are certain requirements to how the money can be spent, who it can be available for,” said Gill. “So once we get that information together, we will have a marketing campaign to push it out to residents and nonprofits who may benefit.”
As the resolution was passed without issue, Gill said the township is expected to hold several meetings in the near future to discuss the logistics of allocating the money. The bulk of the funds are expected to help COVID-19-related nonprofits, as well as low-to-moderate income households whose residents have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
The governing body also passed a resolution awarding the contract for the township’s 2020 road maintenance program to South State Inc. of Bridgeton for roughly $3.248 million.
According to Fleisher, 22 vendors and one online construction service were notified they would be considered for the undertaking, and five responses were received by council, with bids as high as just over $3.5 million.
“The project includes, but is not limited to resurfacing roadways, limited sanitary sewer replacement and sanitary sewer manhole rehabilitation where necessary,” he noted.
“It’s part of our ongoing quest to improve the roads in town.”
In other news:
- Councilwomen Carole Roskoph, Michele Golkow, Jennifer Apell and Mayor Susan Shin Angulo read a proclamation declaring Aug. 26 Women’s Equality Day in the township, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment giving women the vote.
- Mayor Angulo and members of council lauded St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church for its $5,000 donation to the Cherry Hill Police Department to purchase extra personal protective equipment for members of the force.
- While acknowledging there would be no updates on the horizon regarding annual fall activities in Cherry Hill, Fleisher said the recreation department “is working on creative ways to engage with the public” that include all proper precautions and social distancing.
- Gill also said the township did not have a finalized date for a public hearing regarding the 2020 budget, but council plans to introduce the document at some point in September.
