On Feb. 1, I had the pleasure of attending our Recreation Committee’s Reorganization Meeting and had the honor of swearing-in two new members, Arlene and Rich Gerber. Kathy Shyrock and Regina DeWitt were re-appointed as co-chairs and Deb Baldasarre was appointed as the secretary. In other business, the group decided that this year’s annual Winter Festival at Chestnut Branch Park will be held on Thursday, Nov. 30. The members are also brainstorming some ideas for potential new events this year.
As per Mantua Township Ordinance No. 17-2019, our residents have the opportunity to stop solicitors from showing up at their front doorsteps. The “Do Not Knock” Ordinance gives residents the opportunity to prohibit solicitors and vendors from approaching their home. To register for this program and obtain a “Do Not Knock” decal, you can obtain an application on-line through our website at www.mantuatownship.com or at the clerk’s office in the municipal building on Main Street. Please also be aware that all solicitors within our municipality must have an authorized permit from our township and have it on their person when going door-to-door.
The Township was awarded CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies to install a new roof and fix some structural issues at our Senior / Community Center on Mercer Avenue. In total the grant was for $100,000.00 and was in two installments of $50,000.00 stemming back to 2018-2019 through to the present. Once again, we’re able to address some significant infrastructural needs at one of our buildings without having an adverse effect on the local taxpayer.
Just in time for Heart Month. In January, the township utilized funding from the Insurance Safety Award to purchase two fully automatic AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator). These AEDs have a simple two-step process to guide volunteer responders in an effort to resuscitate potential cardiac arrest victims. One AED will be placed inside the Municipal Building on Main Street and one AED will be located inside our Senior / Community Center located on Mercer Avenue. We are training employees and want to be able to have the AED handy for members of the public to use ASAP on cardiac arrest victims.
- AEDs Save Lives.
- When bystanders provide CPR and use an AED before EMS arrives, 40 percent of the victims survive.
- Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of death in the United States – with less than a 10 percent survival rate. AEDs increase the survival rate to 40 percent.
Note: The Insurance Safety Award paid for the two AED’s totaling $4,160.00. No local taxpayer money was used to purchase this invaluable lifesaving tool.
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, I had the distinct honor of presenting my long-time friend, George Gaughan, with a township proclamation for Heart Month. George and I are both very fortunate to still be alive and are both battling cardiovascular disease. We had a great discussion about our individual trials and tribulations. The best advice we can give you is to listen to your body. Get help when exhibiting symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and nausea, etc. Learn more about this proclamation and the heart related story in a new “Mayor’s Update” video that will soon be posted to our website and on our social media outlets.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Township Committee Meeting – Monday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at the municipal building
- Fire District Meeting – Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Union Fire Station
- Land Use Board Meeting – Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building
- Veterans Commission Meeting – Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building
- Save the Date (Thursday, June 8) – We will again be partnering with the Mantua Township School District for this year’s Big Night Out at Chestnut Branch Park. Stay tuned as more information will be forthcoming by the district.
Note: Please refer to the township calendar for a complete list of meetings.
We want to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day this coming Tuesday, Feb. 14 (we don’t want anyone to forget the date and be in the doghouse). Please consider dining locally with your loved-one, and buying cards and candy, etc. locally to support our hometown businesses right here in Mantua Township.
Finally, for those of us who are Philadelphia Eagles fans, enjoy the Super Bowl on Sunday and please act responsibly. Go Birds.
On behalf of myself, Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and the entire township committee, we look forward to serving you with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
