The Mantua Township Committee heard from a resident about a potential safety issue and delivered remarks for upcoming township events during the Oct. 15 meeting.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
During the Oct. 15 committee meeting, Mantua Township heard from a resident about absent lane markings on a section of Tylers Mill Road and adopted several ordinances and resolutions regarding upcoming events and agreements with Gloucester County and neighboring Harrison Township.
Gregory Shast informed the committee about the lack of visible lane markings on a section of Tylers Mill Road between the Route 55 overpass and Main Street and how it can be dangerous for some drivers.
“When you drive that road at night, especially in the rain, it becomes a safety issue because you can’t determine where you are located,” said Shast. “I don’t know whether you’re on the left side or the right side especially in the area where the shoulder is extra-wide.”
Mantua Township Mayor Pete Scirrotto made a note that it is a part of a state grant project where the township was repaving the road in sections, with the stretch from the Route 55 overpass and Woodbury-Glassboro Road being recently done.
“The last part is going to be done hopefully in the coming weeks,” said Scirrotto. “Maybe we could get some temporary markers out there. That’s why it doesn’t have the markers out there.”
A timeline wasn’t provided on the paving process and is dependent on how the weather holds up.
Members of the township’s committee approved a contract to allow a pyrotechnic company to have a fireworks display at Chestnut Branch Park on Dec. 1 (rain date of Dec. 2) for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Residents — and visitors — are reminded to adhere to the Oct. 30 and 31 curfew of 8 p.m. for anyone under the age of 18. Trick-or-treating is set to occur between the hours of 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Mantua Township Police Chief Darren White added enforcement is largely under the officers’ discretion and kids can either be sent home, issued a citation or arrested, if the situation requires it.
The township adopted a resolution to submit a strategic plan for the Mantua-Harrison Municipal Alliance grant for the next fiscal year (2019–2020). The joint agreement was established in 1989 by the state to educate residents, local government and the employees, schools and organizations on alcoholism and drug abuse.
Committee members also adopted a resolution regarding Gloucester County’s lease renewal for its Nutritional Site at 111 Mercer Ave. (Mantua Community Center), which will provide affordable hot lunches to seniors.
Deputy Mayor Robert Zimmerman praised the success of the Bark in the Park event on Oct. 6 and was happy to see people there, despite the earlier unsettled weather.
“We had a nice turnout, wish we would’ve seen more participation, but good turnout overall,” said Zimmerman. “Weather was fairly decent.”
The meeting was adjourned with a notification to residents about the township’s Senior Dinner on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the community center. The Historical Commission is also accepting some late reservations for its Oct. 27 Cemetery Tour. Also, the community newsletter will arrive in mailboxes within the next week or two.
The next committee meeting will be held on Nov. 19 in the Municipal Building at 6 p.m.
