Dear Community Friends,
Mantua Township was turned into a winter wonderland with the two bursts of snow that hit our region last week. It was so nice to see the kids enjoying a day off from school and taking advantage of the sledding at Chestnut Branch Park.
During snowy conditions, Main Street near Chestnut Branch gets extremely chaotic with the influx of people, traffic and the large amount of sledders. We encourage our residents and visitors to have an enjoyable time, but safety will always be paramount.
We task the MTPD with enforcing the laws and keeping our community safe. Please don’t park illegally, impede traffic or create any further safety issues that could potentially create added danger to others. The police will do their job, which is what they’re expected to do.
As expected, our public works department under the leadership of Superintendent Glenn DeMers did a phenomenal job plowing our local roads. I’d like to thank our public works employees for putting in the long hours to ensure that our streets were cleared for safe passage throughout the community.
On Saturday, Jan. 6, lifelong Mantua Township resident Shayla Singh won Miss Cumberland County’s Teen 2024. Shayla also won the preliminary competition for her evening gown and for her broadway ballet pointe performance, Kiss of a Spider Woman. Shayla is extremely passionate about raising awareness for her platform Mental Health Awareness You Matter. She is looking forward to competing at Miss NJ’s Teen this June in Atlantic City. We are extremely proud of Shayla’s accomplishment and congratulate her on a job well done.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, I attended the Mantua Township Fire District’s Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting. I had the honor of swearing in my good friend and longtime resident, Michael Riggs, to an open seat on the board of commissioners. Commissioner Riggs is a retired detective sergeant with the NJSP and has a long standing history in public service. He will be a true asset to the board and our community.
On Friday, Jan. 19, I attended a department heads meeting with our leadership team at the township administration building. Many things were covered by our administrator, Jennica Bileci. A main focus of mine was ensuring that our staff remains polite and courteous at all times, and is accountable to our residents’ needs. Our residents are the customers of our great community, and striving for exceptional customer satisfaction should always be a high priority.
On Saturday, Jan. 20, Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and I attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for resident, Brandon T. Byrne at the Mantua VFW Post 7679 on Main Street. We presented Brandon with a township proclamation recognizing this outstanding achievement of attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Brandon earned Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America Troop 7083. He dedicated his Eagle Scout Project to building two information boards for the 9/11 Memorial Trail at Chestnut Branch Park in Mantua Township.
It was a distinct honor to present Brandon with a Township Proclamation recognizing his hard work and dedication. It’s certainly apparent that Brandon’s qualities exemplify that of a future leader. Congratulations Brandon and thanks for making Mantua Township proud.
I’d like to commend the MTPD and especially recognize Corporal Adam Hasselman, Patrolman Gregory Sweeney, Jr. and Detective Jefferey Krieger for the recent investigation at Mantua Self Storage and CubeSmart Self Storage that led to a very nice arrest. These officers recovered thousands of pieces of stolen property that were taken from dozens of storage units at both these facilities. Their efforts will have enabled the burglary victims to recover thousands of dollars of stolen assets.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Saturday, Jan. 27 is the next Convenience Center Drop Off at our Public Works facility between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. is the next Historical Commission meeting to be held at the Historical Museum.
- The Mantua Township Historical Commission Museum and Library are open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. is the next fire district meeting to be held at the Sewell Fire Station.
- First quarter property taxes are due on Thursday, Feb. 1 and can be paid conveniently online at mantuatownship.com or left in the drive-thru drop box at the twp. administration building 24/7.
- The Pet Registration deadline is March 31.
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
