In other news, community members are encouraged to attend the next WHS project graduation meeting on April 9.
The Monroe Township Board of Education held a special budget meeting on Monday, March 26, and the Monroe Township Council introduced the 2018 budget at the latest council meeting. Catch up on this week’s top stories in our Weekly Roundup.
BOE holds special budget meeting, addresses Holly Glen HVAC repairs
Board secretary and business administrator Lisa Schulz outlined two scenarios at the Board of Education’s special budget meeting on March 26, and the board approved scenario one to submit to the executive county superintendent of schools.Scenario one, which was approved, would eliminate a human resources position, use $95,000 for Williamstown Middle School security, $14,000 for additional tech support and $100,000 for additional Holly Glen buses if the board goes with Superintendent Charles Earling’s plan A discussed at the previous board meeting. This leaves the remaining amount of $1.2 million, which would go into an account specifically for HVAC renovations at Holly Glen, according to Schulz. Schulz explained this is not a final budget, and a public hearing will be held on May 3.
Williamstown High School earns Jostens national yearbook design recognition
Williamstown High School’s 2017 yearbook, “Totem”, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2018 Jostens “Look Book,” celebrating the “best-of-the-best” in yearbook design and coverage. The yearbook was created by students Gabrielle Audu, Gregory Burek, Crissandra Civatte, Benjamin Denbo, Femi Folarin, Kaitlyn Ford, Justin Fortuna, Emily Lucier, Alayna Maden, Brian Miskar, Candice Nguyen, Natalie Pavluk, Marcello Oliveto, Marissa Rappleye, Alexa Thomas and Ashley Vail under the direction of Williamstown High School yearbook adviser Nancy Ferranto.
Budget, affordable housing talk at Monroe Township council meeting
“I’m really excited with the fact that we’re not going to be changing the tax rate,” Councilman Cody Miller said. “Now, for some of our residents — because of the assessments — you will either see your taxes go up or taxes go down, but I know that the mayor is proud to say, and the budget committee is proud to say, that on our end, our municipal tax rate will not be changing.”
“It’s always about stabilizing your taxes,” Mayor Dan Teefy said. “So, I think coming in this year at a 0 percent increase, from the municipal side, is a very good thing for us, and it’ll help us over the next three to four years.” A public hearing on the budget and tax resolutions will be held on April 23 at 8 p.m., and copies of the budget are available at the municipal building, located at 125 Virginia Ave. in Williamstown.
Additionally, Miller discussed approved resolution R: 82–2018, a resolution of the Monroe Township Council to adopt the Market to Affordable Program guidelines with the uniform housing affordability controls for Monroe Township.
WHS Project Graduation in need of volunteers
Project Graduation, a program implemented for graduating seniors to enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free night of fun following commencement, is in its 20th year at Williamstown High School, and community members are encouraged to volunteer and help the program thrive. The goal for Project Graduation is to raise $100 per student, which amounts to roughly $50,000. As of now, treasurer Christine Scarpulla said they’ve raised around $20,000. The next Project Graduation meeting will be held on April 9 at 7 p.m., in the WHS media center.
Geets Diner reopened doors
Geets Diner, with owner Sandy Cannon, officially reopened on March 24 — with a red carpet grand reopening. Monroe Townships residents waited outside for the doors to open, to experience the diner that has been closed for the last two years. The event was hosted by Williamstown Chamber of Commerce president Katherine Falcone, and celebrated with Monroe Township dignitaries and Mayor Dan Teefy.
Basket auction to take place this April
On Saturday, April 21, The American Legion Auxiliary annual basket auction will be held at the Monroe Township Public Library to benefit local veterans and families. Admission is $7 and includes one sheet of tickets. Additional tickets may be purchased for $5. Refreshments will be sold, and children are invited to attend.
Monroe Township Police Department to participate in “UDrive Utext UPay” state campaign
Seventeen Gloucester County municipal police departments and the Rowan University Police Department will share in a $66,000 state grant to fund distracted driving patrols beginning April 1 and running through April 21. The program is part of New Jersey’s “UDrive UText UPay” enforcement campaign. In addition to the Rowan PD, participating departments are: Washington, Franklin, East Greenwich, Greenwich, Harrison, Deptford, Monroe, Mantua, West Deptford, Logan, Woolwich and Elk townships, Westville, Woodbury, Woodbury Heights, Glassboro and Clayton.
