With 2012 in the past, the new year will bring challenges of controlling taxes, the addition of a new committee member and new businesses rolling into Voorhees.
Mayor Michael Mignogna said the biggest challenge for the township committee is getting a hold on taxes for 2013.
“While we work all year to control spending and generate revenue, we begin molding the 2013 budget in January after reorganization. This year will be particularly challenging because of the significant number of successful tax appeals filed last year,” he said.
Mignogna said to control the budget, committee members will look into ways to control “spending and reduce staff by attrition.” The township has also looked into several shared services programs with surrounding towns, which would help the township save money and generate revenue.
“We will continue exploring such programs with surrounding municipalities,” he said.
Mignogna said another change the township will face is the addition of a new committee member. Newcomer Andrea “Andi” Ayes was elected on the committee along side Deputy Mayor Mario DiNatale.
Ayes attended meetings since last fall and will be sworn in during the township’s reorganization meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 2, he said.
“We look forward to her becoming part of the governing body,” Mignogna said.
A fresh face on the township committee is not the only thing new for 2013. Some restaurants will open their doors in the new year.
Recently, Voorhees Town Center Boulevard welcomed the addition of Catelli Duo, Rodizio Grill, Coffee Works, It’s a Doggie Dog World, The Sporting Club and Rizzieri Salon/AVEDA School for Beauty, Mignogna said.
“Opening in 2013 will be Iron Hill Brewery, Burger 21 and Elena Wu Restaurant. Other businesses expected to open in other areas of Voorhees in 2013 include Chipotle Mexican Restaurant, Lone Dog Café, Mamma’s Homemade and the Cake Stand Bakery,” he said.
Outside of the town center, Route 73 will be home to Brandywine Assisted Living, Power Back Rehab Facility and Skilled Nursing as well as some medical offices in and around the Virtua complex, he said.
A new hotel will open its doors on Voorhees Drive behind Eagle Plaza.
“Township committee, our Economic Development Committee and our Voorhees Business Retention and Expansion Task Force will continue working hard to help existing businesses thrive and bring in new businesses,” Mignogna said.
In 2012, committee members faced a challenge to answer the concerns of Kirkwood Lake residents regarding the contamination of the lake from the Sherwin-Williams superfund site.
“The remediation of Kirkwood Lake is an ongoing process performed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection. Township Committee has partnered with the residents surrounding Kirkwood Lake to see that Camden County, the owner of the lake, keeps the residents informed of the process and improves the quality of life in and around the lake during the process,” he said.
The first meeting was held on Tuesday, Dec. 11, where residents voiced concerns regarding the lake.
Camden County Freeholder Jeff Nash agreed to meet on a quarterly basis with the residents of Kirkwood Lake, committee, EPA and DEP members, Mignogna said.
Nash also agreed to bring in an environmental consultant and a landscape architect to make the lake more appealing.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, March 12.
Presented by Rutgers University and Voorhees Environmental and Cultural Education Foundation (VECEF), the final design and phasing plan for the Voorhees Environmental Park (former Buzby landfill) was approved on Monday, Dec. 10.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Rutgers and VECEF to make the concept a reality,” he said.
The township website also got a new look for 2013. Mignogna said the website was upgraded to keep “residents informed and to exchange information.”
New features include a link for veterans to receive information on available benefits and local organizations, direct business websites, a “bulletin board” for sharing community information and committee meetings can now be uploaded and viewed on the website, Mignogna said.
