April 26 was Administrative Professionals Day. We’d like to thank all our administrative professionals who are part of our incredible team here in Mantua Township. We have wonderful staff that contribute effectively to the overall operation of our township.
On April 26, I attended the monthly Recreation Committee Meeting. The committee is currently organizing and/or helping with the following events and encourages you to save the dates:
- Big Night Out at Chestnut Branch Park – June 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Senior Dinner at Senior Center – June 13 at 6 p.m.
- Bonsal Blues Band Concert at McCarson Park – Sep. 13 (Rain Date – Sep. 20)
- Winter Festival at Chestnut Branch Park – Nov. 30 (Rain Date – Dec. 1)
On April 28, Rowan University broke ground on New Jersey’s first-ever veterinary school. The multi-million-dollar project, named the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, will include classrooms, laboratories and an animal hospital for families to bring in their pets. The first students are slated to begin attending the new school during the fall of 2025. I mention this because Rowan’s new school will actually be situated on land right here in Mantua Township.
The Mantua Township Detective Bureau led by detective Robert Layton has located and arrested two of the biggest graffiti suspects in South Jersey. The two individuals responsible have been identified and placed into custody after surveillance footage captured them damaging the freshly painted walls beneath the Mantua Boulevard Overpass of the Conrail Line along Cape May Avenue. The walls were recently painted to repair previous graffiti damage costing taxpayers approximately $4,000. We’d like to commend Layton and our detective unit for their outstanding police work.
Last week, a resident had two of their motor vehicles stolen from within the inside of their secured garage located on Breakneck Road.
Tips from the police to keep your property secure:
- Keep keys to your vehicle away from the vehicle(s). Just because your car is inside the garage, it still needs to be locked.
- Please avoid social media exposure by way of posting pictures of your vehicles, etc. Always check and be aware of your surroundings and ensure that you are not being followed home.
As most of you already know, Deptford Township Police Officer Robert “Bobby” Shisler suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during a March 10 line-of-duty incident. Police Officers rushed Shisler to Cooper University Hospital for what police officials called “critical life-threatening injuries.” He remains hospitalized where “he’s still fighting like a warrior every single day,” according to the Deptford Township Police Department.
Chief Darren White relayed that our police department has been assisting Deptford P.D. by covering patrol shifts within their township so that their officers can be at the hospital with Officer Shisler. By making some adjustments and through volunteers, our agency has been able to help Deptford during this tragic time. We are extremely proud and commend White and our officers who contributed to a job well done. Please keep Officer Shisler and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
We recently received concerns about the potential for compromised safety of pedestrians at certain crosswalks in our community. Please remember that NJ Law states, “the driver of a motor vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” Our police department has been made aware of this public safety concern and will be stepping-up enforcement in these areas which includes crosswalk locations on Mantua Boulevard and Center Street.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- The next Township Committee Meeting is Monday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
- May 10 – Last day to pay second quarter property taxes in order to avoid the late fee.
- The Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 29. The parade itself will start at 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of Mantua and Marian Avenues in Wenonah. The parade will conclude at the municipal building with the service beginning at about 10:30 a.m.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, myself and the entire township committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
