The new year will present Mantua Township with various opportunities to improve its look to visitors and residents alike
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Mantua Township administrator and clerk Jennica Bileci is looking to continue improvements to the township in 2019 as 2018 proved to be an overall successful year.
Two projects at the forefront are the public works building and the regional Route 322 redevelopment project, Motus. The public works building, she added, will help workers service trucks better and provide an efficient location for them to work out of. The new building will allow them to winterize and weather-proof equipment to keep it in working condition.
Over on Rowan University’s West Campus the Motus project is taking place, where Harrison, Mantua and Glassboro meet. Most of the project occurs in Mantua, however, the three towns, with the possible addition of Pitman, have agreed to share the economic benefits from the expected commercial properties.
The project will attract businesses and jobs for the region, however the townships will still be able to have a say in what stores and commercial properties can come to the area.
Building off Mayor Peter Scirrotto’s 27th anniversary in public service, Bileci said residents can expect to see the township update its parks and aesthetic appeal in the new year.
“We are working on continuing to improve our parks with new playground equipment and switching over our lights to LEDs so that we’re more energy efficient,” said Bileci.
Chestnut Branch Park’s tennis courts are getting redone to accommodate a new pickleball court. The township is seeking individuals with experience to teach senior citizens and other residents how to play the game.
The township is working through a 2019 capital program to repave roads, however, none have been selected yet. Main Street is also expected to receive new lights, sidewalks and various permanent decorations such as benches as part of a streetscaping grant. Bileci added the township is awaiting approval to find out how much it is receiving to start construction.
“It’s a way to soften up Main Street and make it more warm and welcoming with the inclusion of banners that many places have,” said Bileci. “We did apply for the grant and we’re waiting to see what the funding would look like for that.”
They are also continuing their aggressive campaign from 2018 to restore abandoned homes either to their former glory, or to renovate and remedy any of the issues code enforcement finds with them.
“We’re very proactive with abandoned homes because the most troubling part is the length of time it takes to get the banks to address the property maintenance violations and to remedy what’s going on,” said Bileci. “Unfortunately, the neighbors have to look at it every single day and have to be frustrated with a home that is abandoned and not well-kept.”
She went on to add clean ups will continue to occur throughout the year to keep the township litter-free as it partners with individuals or programs in need of community service hours.
In Wenonah, where the Mantua police patrol, Bileci said they are working closely with the borough with an officer serving as a liaison and the police overall extending support to Wenonah residents and including them in many Mantua Township traditions, while also respecting Wenonah’s own.
“We feel that we’ve been a leader in performing shared services with the Mantua Joint Court, with the Wenonah construction zoning, vehicle maintenance, so it’s something we understand how to work with other towns and provide the staffing to do it,” said Bileci.
Shared services, she added, have also allowed the township to see a flat rate in taxes in 2018, which it hopes happens in 2019. They help provide the township with various revenue opportunities while still giving a quality service to residents.
Bileci hopes that as the township improves its social media presence, that residents continue to stick with it and sign up for electronic alerts in the event of any emergency or news in 2019.
