Dear Community Friends,
Committeewoman Eileen Lukens and I spent some time on Saturday morning, March 9 at Cub Scout Pack 45’s Pancake Breakfast at the Mantua Masonic Lodge. It’s always great for our township committee to be able to support Pack 45 and our local scouts. We even brought some of our seniors over on the township bus to enjoy a morning out and the delicious breakfast. Great turn-out and tremendous food. Nice job to all involved!
At our March 11 township committee meeting, we adopted an ordinance that allows Chestnut Branch Park to be dog friendly and makes it permissible to have dogs on leashes at the park grounds. This change will begin officially on Monday, March 18 during normal park hours which is from dawn (sunrise) until 10:00 p.m. daily.
We are not making Chestnut Branch a dog park, per se. We are merely making it permissible to bring dogs to the park grounds for those responsible dog owners who will follow the rules.
I can’t emphasize this enough. Dogs must be leashed at all times on a 6 foot leash or less – no retractable leashes beyond 6 feet in length. Owners must pick-up after their dog’s waste and dispose of it properly at the designated disposal containers that will be placed at the park. No aggressive dogs. Park visitors should report unleashed dogs and their recalcitrant owners by calling the non-emergency police number at (856) 589-0911.
Rules will be enforced, but there needs to be complete cooperation by everyone. If dog owners don’t abide by the rules, the township committee may be forced to rescind the ordinance change and reign it back in. So, please follow the rules.
I’m confident that our community will work together, like we always do, ensuring this to be an exciting and positive change for Chestnut Branch for many years to come.
The MTPD reported in their most recent crime log the following statistics for the month of January. Mantua Officers handled 2,626 calls for service for the month. They made 90 arrests, issued 281 tickets, handled 198 investigation reports, and investigated 25 motor vehicle crashes. It’s reported that all of these incidents were closed with an arrest with the exception of only six cases which are still pending and being investigated.
Gloucester County announced the 2024 Household Special Waste Collection Dates. You can bring oil based paints, stains, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, fertilizers, weed killers, propane tanks, fire extinguishers and a multitude of other items to the following locations and at the below times for proper disposal between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.:
Gloucester County (GC) Solid Waste Complex at 493 Monroeville Rd. in S. Harrison Township on April 13, May 4 and Sept. 14. GC Road Department at 1200 N. Delsea Dr. in Clayton on May 11 and Oct. 5. For additional information please call (856) 478-6045.
Gloucester County has so many wonderful things to offer our beloved seniors. The winter newsletter recently hit mailboxes from the GC Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Senior Services. There is a great deal of invaluable information available to our senior community ranging from Serv-A-Tray to the PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled) program. I strongly urge our senior friends to investigate the various services available. If you have questions or need further information please call (856) 384-6900 or email seniors@co.gloucester.nj.us.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Tire Amnesty Week is from Monday, March 18 through Friday, March 22. Maximum of four tires per home. No truck tires and no rims.
- Green vegetative waste cart pick-up begins on Monday, March 18.
- Tuesday, March 19 at 5 p.m. is the Municipal Utilities Authority Meeting.
- Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. is the Land Use Board Meeting.
- Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. is the Fire District Meeting.
- Saturday, March 23 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. is the next Convenience Drop Off at Public Works Garage.
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
