Dear Community Friends,
Our hometown businesses are the backbone of our great community. We are excited that several were recently voted as the Best of Gloucester County 2023 right here in our hometown of Mantua. Congratulations to the following local businesses and their owners for being the award recipients of this year’s contest:
- blk Salon & Spa – Best Day Spa
- Dempsey’s Tire Center – Best Tire Center
- Tyler Mill Towing & Autobody – Best Body Shop
- Fulton Bank – Best Bank
- BHR Contracting – Best Developer
- EarthWise Pet Supply – Best Pet Shop
- Coniglio Chiropractic Wellness Center – Best Chiropractor
- Cloud 10 Car Wash – Best Car Wash / Detailing
- Dollar Tree – Best Dollar Store
- Daminger’s Natural Pet Foods – Best Feed Store
- Pitman Golf Course – Best Golf Course
- Home and Heart Realty – Best Realtor
- Pal Joey’s Deli – Best Hoagies / Subs
- Mandarin Court – Best Restaurant / Asian
On Oct. 19, the township had a private land sale. These properties are undersized and are not buildable lots, and are therefore, offered to contiguous property owners. The total proceeds from these sales were $20,799.00.
As I’ve reported previously, there were some safety concerns near the crossing guard post on Mantua Boulevard by Sewell School at the beginning of the school year. Our police department has seemingly been on top of things. Most recently, the MPD’s speed trailer and speed sign have been deployed to this area, and a new pedestrian crossing sign was installed in-front of Sewell School.
Our police department’s personnel are participating in active shooter training at Inspira Hospital in Woodbury. Members of the agency have been attending Alcotest Recertification, the newest version of breathalyzer for analyzing blood alcohol levels in DWI arrests. Sergeant Cody Mroz, Sergeant Brian Crispin and Corporal Jesse Bair completed the forty hour supervision school at the G.C. Police Academy.
Corporal Stephen Wolfsgruber has started the Police K-9 Academy with his dog, Tyson. The police department is preparing a succession plan for Patrolman Kyle Riepen’s upcoming retirement. Chief Darren White has expressed that Corporal Wolfsgruber is an excellent choice for the position.
The police department is preparing to send SLEO I Cecelia Rocco and SLEO I Jay Glaser to the Gloucester County Police Academy to obtain (PTC) Police Training Commission Certification in order to become certified as regular full time police officers.
Officer Rocco is a member of the G.C. Women in Law Enforcement. In addition to the MPD, Officer Glaser is also a member of our fire department and currently re-certifies the police department membership in CPR. Both are reportedly very competent and hard working officers.
Our Public Works Department is making its final adjustments to our leafers in preparation for the start of the upcoming fall leaf season. Public works employees are continuing to work on brush pickup, potholes, inlet repairs, and signage repairs around town.
On Tuesday evening, Oct. 24, we hosted a senior dinner at the community center on E. Mercer Avenue. The entire township committee was on-hand to greet our senior residents and to help serve the meals. Committeeman John Legge led the group in the pledge of allegiance, and Committeewoman Eileen Lukens said an opening prayer. There were about 115 in attendance who enjoyed dinner from Mission BBQ. Chief Darren White was gracious enough to speak about scam awareness and senior safety. We were excited to announce that our newly purchased senior bus had arrived, and that we have already scheduled six senior dinners for next year at our newly renovated community center. We thank Deputy Clerk Pam Levine and members of our recreation committee for organizing and putting together the dinners.
Upcoming township meetings and events:
- Friday, Oct. 27 is the last day for Green Carts to be picked-up (dumped) by our Public Works Department.
- Monday, Oct. 30 our Fall Leaf Pick-up begins (place curbside, no bags).
- Halloween will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and trick-or-treat hours will be from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Curfew on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 is 8:00 p.m.
We want to wish everyone a very safe Halloween. Happy trick-or-treating, and please enjoy the fun and festivities of this year’s spooky season.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, 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
