Local senior committee required to gain resolution passed by township committee
The Harrison Township Senior Active Adults subcommittee of the Recreation Committee is one step closer to receiving $9,000 from AARP to implement an “Exercise and/or Socialize” program twice a week for 10 weeks.
One requirement of the application is to have a township governing body pass a resolution in support of the program. The Harrison Township Committee did this on May 7.
The goal of the project is to engage and mobilize the Harrison Township senior citizen population. If the grant is obtained, this group will be able to fund two exercise instructors for yoga, zumba and/or Tai Chi twice a week, along with the purchase of board games, card tables and snack and beverages for gatherings at a local church. Rather than a rental agreement, the group plans to donate funds to a local church for use of space.
Mark Gravinese, township administrator, recommended the group apply for the grant.
In the application, the group stresses there no areas for seniors to socialize or exercise with little or no cost in the township.
“It promotes wellness,” Gravinese said.
In the application, the subcommittee states, “Overall senior physical health and mental attitude would be improved.”
The subcommittee each year sets a calendar of trips for the 55-plus community, and the township provides free bus transportation. According to Census Reporter, the 55-plus community makes up 30 percent of Harrison Township.
Upon the approval of the resolution, Committeewoman Julie DeLaurentis said, “It’s an additional opportunity for our seniors to socialize.”
She noted that with the potential of this grant and the availability of the township’s part-time bus driver, seniors in the community will have some mobility restrictions lifted.
Present at the meeting was Cathy Noakes, president of the subcommittee. She said, “I think we do a better job than any townships around for our seniors. And I think they know that.”
If acquired, the entirety of the grant money is set to be expended during a grant period of 10 months. In terms of sustainability, the sub-committee would look to the township for assistance, and, if necessary, consider a small participation fee to continue the program.
In other news:
● The township committee amended an ordinance dealing with animal licensing. The ordinance states all dogs and cats located within the limits of the township are required to be licensed by Jan. 31 of each year. It also states, “Dogs used as guide dogs or service dogs … shall be exempt from the requirement to pay an annual license fee.”
● The township has accepted and appropriated the sum of $275,000, granted by the state’s Department of Transportation, for the reconstruction of Jackson Road. This is not an expense of the township.
● At the recommendation of Harrison Township Chief of Police Thomas Mills, the committee held the first reading of an ordinance that would limit coin-drop locations to be set up by only nonprofits within the township.
