Dear Community Friends,
Spring Leaf Pick-up is Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19. This service provides our residents with one last opportunity to dispose of any leaves left behind from last fall.
- Please rake the leaves loose to the curb line, no bags.
- Leaves should be free of any sticks, rocks, trash, brush and any other debris that could damage or clog the leaf vacuum machines.
- Please keep leaves at least 10 feet away from any storm drains and approximately one foot away from the curb line to allow rainwater to flow freely.
- Do not place leaf piles in close proximity to mailboxes, telephone poles, street sign posts, fire hydrants, or any other object that would prevent us from collecting.
Our public works department led by Superintendent Glenn DeMers does a phenomenal job. I want to take this opportunity to commend our PW team for their year round dedication and hard work. Whether it’s leaf, snow or trash removal services, etc. our PW employees and the services provided are second to none.
Saturday morning, April 6 was the opening day ceremonies for Mantua Little League and Sewell Raildogs Baseball and Softball. Both were spectacular events that kicked-off the respective seasons for each league. Hundreds were in attendance at both fields. Committeeman John Legge, Committeeman Shawn Layton and I attended the Raildogs ceremony. Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and I attended the Mantua LL ceremony. It was an honor for us to throw out the first pitches and to witness first-hand the excitement on our kids’ faces as they embark on these exciting athletic adventures within our community.
Deputy Mayor Scirrotto, Committeeman Legge, Committeeman Layton and I also attended the 3rd Annual Casey Power Memorial 5k Run and Walk on Saturday morning, April 6. This event was to honor Casey Power and to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence through the Casey Power Foundation. We are alway honored to stand beside Casey’s mother, Maryanne in her efforts to help spread awareness.
At our Monday, April 8 township committee meeting, we passed ordinance 04-2024 amending chapter 230 of our land development code that now makes it permissible to have chickens on residential lots of one acre or more throughout our community.
For residents not meeting the one acre minimum requirement, you can consider applying for a zoning variance. As part of the variance process, any neighbors living within 200 feet will be notified. This ensures that neighbors in close proximity to those applicants living on smaller than one acre lots are given advance notice of an applicant’s desire to house chickens. This also provides neighbors with an opportunity to speak in favor or in opposition to the applicant’s request at a land use board hearing. We feel that this makes our community significantly more “chicken friendly,” and is a very fair and equitable resolution that best serves our community as a whole.
MTPD released the crime log for the month of March 2024. Mantua officers handled 2,758 calls for service, made 78 arrests, issued 264 motor vehicle summonses, handled 174 investigation reports and investigated 35 motor vehicle crashes during the month. It was reported that all cases during March were closed with an arrest with the exception of four that are still under investigation.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Shredding Event is Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Municipal Building Complex. This is for Gloucester County residents only.
- Municipal Utilities Authority Meeting is Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m.
- Land Use Board Meeting is Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m.
- Fire District Meeting is Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Sewell Fire Station
- VFW Community Awards Ceremony is Saturday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at the VFW Post 7679 on Main Street.
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.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
