March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time close to Cinnaminson’s heart.
Mayor Anthony Minniti declared March 20 Brain Injury Awareness Day in Cinnaminson at this week’s Township Committee meeting. Minniti issued the proclamation to Cinnaminson Middle School student Lily Nichols.
Lily personally knows the hardships traumatic brain injuries can cause — her father, Jeffrey, suffered a traumatic brain injury before passing away a few years ago. Lily has been the driving force in raising awareness in the town ever since.
“She makes sure every year that we don’t forget the struggles of her family,” Minniti said. “Her accomplishments are as impressive as they are many.”
Minniti declared the awareness day in honor of Nichols and encouraged residents to support the Brain Injury Association of America.
According to Minniti’s proclamation, an estimated 2.4 million adults and children in the United States sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, and 5.3 million are living with a lifelong disability as a result.
Lily’s mother, Lisa, was also present at the meeting.
“Thank you for all you’ve done and for helping us to never forget and keep this observation going every year,” Minniti said to Lisa.
The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s “oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization” that aims to garner awareness, treatment, education and research and to improve the quality of life of those affected by traumatic brain injuries.
For more information, visit www.biausa.org.
In other news:
• Minniti detailed a memorandum from the township solicitor’s office regarding legislation that, if passed, could create new and affordable classes of liquor licenses as well as compensating existing license holders with tax breaks.
“This would be a ‘boom’ to our commercial district,” Minniti said.
The bill, which sits on the state assembly regulatory oversight committee, was discussed last month and is scheduled for committee vote in the near future, though an exact date has not been set.
The licences would be non-transferrable, include restrictions in terms of square footage, be limited to one address and would not permit a bar with the exception of a service bar.
• Committee introduced an ordinance to create a four-way stop intersection at New Albany and Parry roads. Committeeman Donald Brauckmann warned residents to continue to display caution at the intersection while residents become accustomed to the new stop signs.
The public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Monday, April 17.
• Committee introduced an ordinance that would restructure the police department. The ordinance would allow for more police officers and a police captain as well as maintaining the two lieutenant positions and allowing for up to eight sergeants.
The public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Monday, April 17.
• Committee passed an ordinance establishing a “no left turn” for an exit driveway from Wawa onto Church Road. Committee unanimously passed the ordinance.
• The next Township Committee meeting will be held on Monday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
Check back for news on the public comment portion of the meeting.
