By SHANNON CAULFIELD
The Marlton Sun
The Evesham Township Council held its regular action meeting with a packed house on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Mayor Randy Brown discussed a privately held school summit with Evesham Fire and Rescue, the Evesham Township Board of Education, Lenape Regional High School District representatives and police representatives.
Brown felt the need to hold the summit following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
According to Brown, they are currently working behind the scenes on school security at schools of all levels to ensure safety.
“You’re going to start hearing more publicly once we’ve come up with a plan,” said Brown.
We’re going to meet on it next month just to make sure we’re doing everything possible to keep our children safe.”
Brown emphasized part of the success of the council was due to all of the township’s entities working cooperatively.
Redevelopment
Jeff Barron, an attorney representing Roland Arrowstone and developer Fieldstone, which is currently working on the apartments on Main Street, spoke to council about including the property located on Route 70 by Evesboro-Medford Road, currently occupied by tenants, in the redevelopment project.
According to Barron, the project would be identical to Main St.
The property has been on the market for a decade and has very little value, according to Barron.
Additionally, he has been in contact with Medford for talks about expanding the property, which has been met with enthusiasm.
There are wetlands around the property, creating building issues.
Brown stated the township had gone through dealing with the property before with the proposed Lowes Super Center.
“I’m comfortable adding the project to redevelopment,” said Brown, with council’s full support.
Proclamations
Proclamations were given out to all of the fifth grade student government winners from DeMasi Middle School, Jaggard School, Marlton Elementary, Rice Elementary, Beeler School, Evans School and Van Zant School.
Brown mentioned all of the council members were respective students of the above listed schools before attending Cherokee High School.
Each student council spoke to Brown about its process from voting to what each president promised.
Most promised a day a month without homework, pitching ways to bring back sports teams and multiple service projects throughout the year.
Students from the various schools collected coins for Hurricane Sandy victims, they collected clothes and one class made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless.
Additionally, Scout Master Joe Stoddart was presented with a proclamation for his service in the Boy Scouts since 2004.
During his service, he had worked with 19 Eagle Scouts.
The mayor joked with Stoddart for wearing 49ers gear on his Scout outfit, the team Brown will be facing on Super Bowl Sunday.
Stoddart will still be active with the Scouts following his retirement, just not at the same level, he said.
Next meeting
Additional regular action was taken on the consent agenda.
The next township council meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the municipal building, located at 984 Tuckerton Rd.
