Dear Community Friends,
The “Dog Days” of summer are between July 3 and Aug. 11 each year. This year has been no exception, as we’ve had some real hot ones over the past couple weeks. Please make sure that you’re staying cool and hydrated. Ensure that our elderly neighbors and loved ones are taken care of. The Gloucester County Division of Senior Services offers emergency assistance including fans, food vouchers and utility assistance, etc. Their office can be reached at (856) 384-6900 for these services and many more.
We adopted our municipal budget at this past Monday’s (July 10) township committee meeting. This budget allows us to maintain staffing and to continue the services we all value and expect here in Mantua. There are no extras or “fluff” in our local budget. Only minimal increases which equate to less than 1% of our almost $17.5 million budget, and these revenue increases are almost solely associated with salaries, health insurance and cost-of-living obligations, etc.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve allocated over $700,000.00 in our Capital Improvement Plan for roadway improvements. This year, we plan on resurfacing West Mercer and South McCarthy Avenues. Micro surfacing will be completed in the Spring Valley, Chapel Ridge and Crescent Hollow developments. We will conduct some significant roadway repair work in Buckingham Village and patchwork around the township in areas most pressing.
With the assistance of the County’s Capital Transit Investment Plan, we’ll be purchasing a new senior bus for the township. The CTIP program will provide $50,000.00 toward the purchase of our new bus, which in turn, saves local tax dollars. We are grateful that the County Commissioners are allocating these funds.
Please keep in-mind that our Municipal Budget makes-up only 20% of your overall property tax bill. The Mantua School District is 30% of your overall tax bill; the Clearview Regional School District is 23% of your overall tax bill; County Services is 23% of your overall tax bill; the Mantua Fire District is 3% of your overall tax bill and Open Space is 1% of your overall tax bill. Our local government only controls the municipal budget’s 20%, and we have no involvement with tax impact relating to the other 80% collected.
As I’ve previously advised, the due date for all third quarter property tax payments will be temporarily postponed as a result of delays in obtaining our certified tax rate. Tax bills will be extended as a result of this. For additional questions or concerns, please contact Alice Kellmyer, the Mantua Township Tax Collector, via email at akellmyer@mantuatownship.com.
We hosted our blood drive this past Tuesday, July 11, at the Township’s Municipal Building. 46 donors participated in the drive, and we collected 38 units of blood. According to the American Red Cross, this will help up to 114 hospital patients. Special thanks go out to Leah Clemenson for organizing this program. We are truly grateful to all those who donated.
The township’s official Summer Newsletter will hit mailboxes later this month. We’re doing a shorter version, but the newsletters are quarterly as opposed to semi-annually like in years past.
According to our police department’s administration, the County is approximately two weeks behind schedule with the Mantua Boulevard road construction project where they’re replacing Storm Sewer Pipes. Our police department’s leadership has been addressing some of the traffic related concerns expressed by residents and has reconfigured traffic control and signage in this immediate area. We’re hopeful you’ll see some improvements. Please remember this is only temporary. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Tuesday, July 18 at 5 p.m. is the next Municipal Utilities Authority Meeting at the Municipal Building.
- Tuesday, July 18 at 7 p.m. is the next Land Use Board Meeting at the Municipal Building.
- Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m. is the next Fire District Meeting at the Sewell Fire Station.
- Saturday, July 22 is the next Convenience Center Drop Off at our Public Works facility between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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!
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
