Harrison Township has big plans in store for the new year, and Mayor Lou Manzo is up for the challenge.
The Orchard View project, at a former orchard off of the township’s Main Street, was approved for an age-restricted community of 190 units. The new senior living area will include boulevard entry onto the Main Street district and with walkable access. The boulevard entry will have an historic home intended for a new restaurant.
Manzo also wants to improve the township’s medical facilities in the new year. Two medical-office buildings in the works at Richwood and Cedar roads, and the morgue will move from Woodbury to Inspira Medical Center Hospital in the township.
More improvements will be made to the Pleasant Valley School field, with a concession stand and restroom breaking ground this spring to enhance football and lacrosse. A dog park in the township is also expected to open in the new year.
Projects expected to be approved in 2022 include a new gas station, a car wash and a renovation of the original Gloucester County school house. Town hall will also get renovations, namely refurbishing “deteriorating” areas.
Bus trips to New York and Longwood Gardens will be hosted during the winter, and children’s summer programs are expected to get additions. Spring and summer festivals will return to liven Main Street.
“We’re not adding anything new, but we already have a full slate of festivals and events that are occurring on a monthly basis,” Manzo announced.
Manzo’s main goal is to maintain a safe and accommodating atmosphere for residents in need, especially after multiple tragedies that hit the town in the past year, like a Hurricane Ida tornado and the continued pandemic. Programs to assist with that goal will continue and more will be developed.
“There are people, even in a fairly affluent community like ours, that are in need on a consistent basis,” the mayor said. “A focus on just trying to help people in our community when they are in need is something a little more kicked up than normal.”
Harrison Township takes pride in maintaining the fourth lowest tax rate of the 24 towns in the county, and Manzo remains hopeful that retail projects can keep that going.
“For the next two years, we have the potential to have some substantial commercial tax ratables that will come into town that will help with our tax rate and keep us at the lower end of the county,” he said.
Updates can be found on the township’s website, and more information on upcoming events can be found across its social media.
