At the June 12 township committee meeting, we introduced our 2023 municipal budget. This budget allows us to maintain staffing and to continue the services we all value and expect here in Mantua. Our budget hearing and final consideration will be at the next township committee meeting on July 10 at 6 p.m. I also plan on providing further particulars on this topic after the July 10th meeting, and will have our Township Administrator, Jennica Bileci explain some important facts about this year’s budget during an upcoming Mayor’s Message video.
We also approved at this meeting the hiring of Michael Micken as a class two laborer in our public works department, and re-appointed Glenn DeMers as the Superintendent of Public Works for an additional four-year term. Congratulations to both.
On June 13 we had our first senior dinner at the community center in about two years. We had over 100 guests from our Mantua senior family in attendance. The group enjoyed dinner from Mission BBQ and had water ice for dessert. Each attendee received flags in honor of Flag Day which was celebrated this past Wednesday. Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and I attended the dinner. It was great to see so many friends and finally catch up in conversation after Covid and the renovation delays at our center.
After the dinner, I was greeted by one of our long-time senior residents who has been participating in our senior activities for many years. Her name is Joan Herron. Joan asked me to read a letter that she wrote to everyone at the dinner. When read, the seniors applauded with excitement and vigor that lit up the room. I think the letter is worthy of sharing, so here it is:
“The seniors of Mantua Township would like to thank everyone for all of the opportunities offered to us, especially the dinners and above all the transportation. There is something for everyone, shopping at various supermarkets, various malls in our area, farm markets, an occasional movie, plus any suggestions that the seniors may have.
“Ridership has gone down significantly in the past few years due mainly to covid and other unrelated problems.
Kudos to Pam (Levine) and Rhonda (Tusevicus) for the excellent job they do in trying to find something for everyone, it is truly a shame that more people do not take advantage of what is offered.”
The township’s Big Night Out was held at Chestnut Branch Park on June 14. The program is a partnership between the Mantua School District and the township. Committeewoman Eileen Lukens and I attended and enjoyed engaging with the crowd. What a great event for the families of Mantua. There were hundreds in attendance that enjoyed a full filled evening of food and activities. The highlight of the night for me was when 7-year-old resident, Diana Greene asked for my autograph and said I was a “great mayor.” Far from great, but I’ll take the compliment. Lol. It was quite the honor to give this little lady my very first official autograph.
During this year’s Click-It or Ticket campaign, which was held between May 22 and June 4, our police department conducted sixteen grant funded patrols primarily dedicated to seat belt enforcement. Our officers yielded 137 motor vehicle summonses and 16 arrests which included one intoxicated driver arrest and three drug arrests. We’d like to commend the department’s proactive policing efforts as we continue to be one of the safest communities in South Jersey.
Our police department received a safe and secure communities grant in the amount of $32,400.00 and our public works department received a recycling grant in the amount of $73,940.63. These are great innovative ways to off-set our budget and to save local tax dollars. We’d like to commend our department heads and their respective leadership personnel for pursuing these grant opportunities.
Our public works department recently experienced a very scary incident. A resident had apparently thrown a helium tank inside their recycling cart for disposal. The helium tank exploded when our public works employees were picking-up the contents of the cart, and the tank took off like a rocket. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but this could have been catastrophic. Under no circumstance should anything other than recyclables be placed in recycling carts, and certainly not helium or propane tanks or any other combustible materials. Items of this kind are considered hazardous waste and need to be taken directly to a county facility on Household Waste Days. More information for these types of disposals and disposal locations can be found at www.gcianj.com.
Upcoming township meetings and events:
- Monday, June 19 is Juneteenth Freedom Day, and our municipal offices will be closed for business. Trash removal will resume on Tuesday, June 20, so please expect some delays due to the holiday.
- Tuesday, June 20 at 5 p.m. is the next municipal utilities authority meeting at the municipal building.
- Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. is the next land use board meeting at the municipal building.
- Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. is the next veterans commission meeting at the municipal building.
- Saturday, June 24 is the next Convenience Center Drop Off at our public works facility between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
We would like to wish our Mantua Dads a very Happy Father’s Day. We are absolutely biased, and know without a doubt, we have some of the best Dads right here in our community. Enjoy your special day, and cherish the time with your loved ones.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and myself, and the entire township committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership
