Cherry Hill council announced updates and improvements in town at its recent meeting and approved the 2023 Road Maintenance Program contract for Lexa Concrete LLC in Hammonton for an amount not to exceed $8,082,985.
The maintenance program will pay for road repairs in the neighborhoods of Kingston, Knollwood, Cherry Valley, Columbia Lakes and Downs Farm.
“I just want to tell everyone, especially in my neighborhood, who have been talking about the roads for three years now, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Councilwoman Carol Roskoph of the program.
“There is hope.”
Council also approved memorandums of understanding for the second wave of Recovery and Investment for a Stronger Economy (RISE) grant recipients, who will get funds from the COVID-related American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
The second wave of grants was geared to small businesses, travel and tourism entities, while the first went to nonprofits in Cherry Hill. In all, 43 businesses were able to receive anywhere from $1,000 to $45,000 to help them recover, rebuild and reinvest in the economy after pandemic hardship. Many of them received $29,565.
“(I wanted to say) just how pleased and happy I am that we’re able to do this, because not all townships were fortunate enough to be able to make direct grants to the public who needed it the most,” said Councilwoman Michele Golkow.
“Our first tranche was giving to nonprofits a few months ago, and this is the second tranche to small businesses that suffered hardship,” she added, “and I think we’ll have a third tranche also coming up.” (A tranch is defined as a portion).
The nonprofits and organizations that received funding included a number of sports and swim clubs; faith-based organizations; and other groups, including Affordable Rental Housing at Tavistock and Bestwork Industries for the Blind Inc. The full list of recipients can be seen in Resolution 2023-9-23 on the township website.
In other news:
- Council approved the purchase of a new portable generator to replace a 50-year-old one that is past its useful life and needs parts that are no longer available.
- Members also authorized an emergency contract for repairs at the Covered Bridge earlier this year, including repairs made after a March 10 accident that damaged the span.
- The township purchased a new sewer inspection camera system.
- It also entered into several shared-services agreements, including two with Camden County to upgrade the Barclay Farmstead Playground Facility and the Brookfield Playground Facility.
- Council approved an auction of two abandoned, unclaimed cars – a 2011 Honda Accord with 164,115 miles and a 2017 Dodge Charger with 100,292 – that will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 11 a.m. in Room 102 of the municipal building.
During closing remarks, several council members encouraged residents to be mindful of driving slower and safer at student bus stops now that school has begun. Members also reflected on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, cited at the Garden State Rotary Club’s Flags for Heroes event on Sept. 10. The Cherry Hill Fire Department also held a memorial ceremony on 9/11 and Camden County held one in the evening.
“I know I won’t forget, but each year I’m appreciative of our community in Cherry Hill, where we can come together and be one for those events,” said Council Vice President Brian Bauerle.
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m.
