During its Oct. 26 open public meeting, Cherry Hill Township Council once again approved participation with the state in its Safe and Secure Communities grant program for 2022. The move was made official by unanimous passage of a resolution.
Enacted into law in 1993 and administered by the state’s Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Law and Safety, the grants provide municipalities with funding to add law- enforcement personnel vital to effective police operations and other crime-related strategies as warranted by the community.
The program allows for the funding of additional officers or funding of law-enforcement support personnel that would free up officers for direct law enforcement. According to the state’s grant website, there are approximately 160 municipalities receiving funds for 345 officers and 13 non-police support staff.
The township will execute an application in the amount of $32,400 that will require a customary in kind match in the amount of $306,988.10. The latter figure accounts for the combined salary and benefits of the two community officers that Cherry Hill will be required to hire as part of the grant, according to Michelle Caffrey, township director of communications.
“We like those grants,” noted Council President David Fleisher.
Council also awarded a one-year contract – with two, one-year extensions – to Courier Printing Corp. of Deposit, New York, for printing of a community magazine aimed at residents of Cherry Hill.
The cost for the whole project is expected to be no more than $32,103, broken down into four issues at $7,309 each for a 16-page periodical. Nine vendors were notified and four submissions were received for the project.
The governing body also gave the green light to utilize competitive contracting in its effort to find an animal control officer and the services of a “no kill” animal shelter. Per Fleisher, all vendors must possess and submit all licenses and certifications as required by state and local ordinances.
In other news:
- Council members Jennifer Apell, Sangeeta Doshi and Carole Roskoph did not attend the meeting.
- The governing body issued a proclamation to Cherry Hill resident and Camden City School District nurse Robin Cogan for being named a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
- The township’s police department will have eight new 2022 Ford 4 door, all-wheel-drive hybrid utility vehicles within its ranks soon, thanks to a resolution approving their purchase and the awarding of the contract for procurement to Winner Ford for $475,364.10. Electronic equipment from the outdated vehicles will be transferred into the new ones.
- Council also approved TD Bank, on a one-year contract, to provide financial services to the township, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, for an undisclosed amount.
