Mantua police taking steps to make roads safer
Lt. Shaun Butler informed the committee and audience at the township’s March workshop meeting that extra speed and warning signs are populating township roads to remind people to slow down. Some areas in particular are locations along Jessup Mill and Cohawkin roads and Center Street.
“These are all locations that we have received complaints at,” Butler said.
Butler later mentioned with roads such as Jessup Mill, the speed limit is 25. However, he describes the road as having a rural feel and people “rarely go 25, they tend to do 45 to 50.”
At the Center Street location, and in particular the bend leading to New Street, the police department records, on average, 20 crashes per year.
In further police department news, the department and the Mantua School District are working out a plan to implement a special officer class II who will serve as further security at the district schools.
Butler said the school district is on board and the officer will split 25 hours per week among all three buildings.
Butler stated the details concerning the date of implementation are not finalized but it is something that is “definitely happening.”
A special officer class II is one who holds all responsibility and power of an on-duty officer while within the township border and on duty. Once off-duty, this class of officer does not hold any power as a police officer.
In other news:
• In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, the township public works department reached out to local farmers to engage in a yard waste disposal program.
In 2017, the idea was to gather the leaves and brush waste generated by residents and pay local farmers to take it off the township’s hands for a lower cost than the township disposing of the contents itself.
Steve Alexander, superintendent of public works, explained the program went well and is being carried over into 2018 with the addition of grass clippings.
Alexander stated that with grass clippings alone, public works expects to save an estimated $8,000 by utilizing local farmers. Alexander added this program is costing taxpayers approximately 50 percent less than the township disposing of the waste.
• Keeping in the vein of recycling, the township approved a motion to submit a recycling tonnage grant application to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act of 1987 established a recycling fund from which tonnage grants are made to municipalities each year to promote continued sustainability practices. One regulation the township must abide by is keeping a record of recyclables collected and claimed by the township. If approved, the money granted is to be deposited into a dedicated recycling fund.
• In late February, Gov. Murphy announced a $161 million dispersal of municipal aid grants. Mantua is set to receive $135,000 for the resurfacing of Tylers Mill Road. Mayor Pete Scirrotto stated this is the second year Mantua is receiving funds for this project, and with this next allotment, the project is set to proceed with bids going out to contractors in the near future. Scirrotto stated this project should be completed by late spring.
• The committee adopted a resolution appointing Tom Milo to serve on the Mantua Township Veterans Commission. Milo is set to fill the unexpired term of Lou Capelli as a regular member on the commission and will be sworn in at the commission’s meeting on March 22.
• The committee approved a lease agreement between the township and the county for the county’s use of the Mantua Township Community Center to continue the nutrition program. This program allows for mid-day meals for Gloucester County seniors, Monday through Friday.
