Dear Community Friends,
Confused over the communities that fall within the boundaries of Mantua Township? Some newer residents have often wondered where they actually live.
For this, I have deferred to Mantua’s historical guru, Jeffrey Gellenthin for a precise answer. Many of you know Jeff, who’s the Chairman of the Mantua Township Historical Commission and a brilliant historian of our community.
“Sewell, like Barnsboro, Mantua Proper and Centre City are all villages (communities) within Mantua Township. The history in the names and the boundaries are important to those who want to maintain the rich history of the area. If you were to visit the Mantua Township Historical Commission Museum, you will see that the villages are well defined, with their own characteristics. Mantua, formerly known as Carpenters Landing, was developed around the Mantua Creek and what it offered in water transportation of commerce, be it lumber, farm products, or glass products out of Glassboro.
“Barnsboro was a cross-roads location with its inn being a famous stagecoach stop, along with a post office, a blacksmith, general store, schoolhouse and other typical small-town elements. Sewell grew around the railroad. The real Sewell area (named after General William Joyce Sewell) stretches along the tracks from Wenonah to the Lambs Road crossing and is roughly bounded by the Chestnut Branch and the municipal division line between Mantua and Washington Township.
“The referencing of Sewell beyond these bounds is strictly associated with the United States Postal Service boundaries. Lumping these little communities into one name opens the door to our forgetting the past and what made Mantua Township the great place that it is. https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewellnj.” – Jeffrey Gellenthin
The Township is in receipt of a copy of the Letter of Interpretation (Freshwater Wetlands Line Verification) application that was requested by the applicant, Joseph Marley under the project name National Land Developers, LLC for Block 172, Lot 7.02 to the NJ DEP. LOI notice was also apparently made to those property owners within 200 feet of this land. This 38.72-acre property is located directly behind Car Effex, Incutate and Proof Productions, etc. on Mantua Boulevard in the industrial complex.
The purpose of their application to the NJDEP is to verify the limit of jurisdictional wetlands and the wetlands resource classification on the site. The complete application package is available to be reviewed in the Township Clerk’s office.
The Land Use Board has received no formal project application for Mantua Boulevard (Block 172, Lot 7.02) relative to this LOI. This property is however zoned Light Industrial, and warehousing is a part of this zoning criteria. To the best of our knowledge, this parcel of land was most likely zoned LI prior to the 1970’s and has remained consistently that way over the years.
Any information being disseminated regarding this parcel of land is presumably being done by the property owner through a property marketing company, and not by the township. To be very clear, we are not seeking warehouses, we do not want warehouses, but we are presumably vulnerable because of the pre-existing zoning prior to the 1970’s.
On Saturday, Sept. 14 we hosted our semi-annual free shredding event at the township’s municipal complex. We estimate that well over 100 motor vehicles utilized the drive-up service. I was on-hand during the entire event and welcomed G.C. residents who brought documents to be securely shredded. The vast majority were from Mantua and were extremely appreciative. Special thanks to Committeeman Shawn Layton who stopped by to support this wonderful program. It’s paid for by a recycling grant and does not cost our taxpayers anything. We’re thrilled to provide this service twice annually. The next event will be in Spring 2025.
Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and I attended the Pitt Hopkins Fundraising Event at Chick-fil-A on Sept. 18. We presented our very good friend, Anthony Mirigliani with a township proclamation recognizing Sept. 18 as Pitt Hopkins Awareness Day in Mantua. This was the 12th year consecutively that the township has honored Anthony, our hometown hero, with this proclamation.
We are happy to announce that a water fountain and water filling station has been installed at Chestnut Branch Park near the bathrooms at the concession stand. This water station has a filtration system that will provide fresh water for our visitors and their furry friends.
Upcoming township meetings and events:
- Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.: Veteran Commission Meeting
- Saturday, Sept. 28 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Convenience Center Drop Off
On behalf of 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
