Advertisement
At the October 27, 2022 monthly meeting of Bellmawr Mayor and Council, Councilman Jim D’Angelo announced that new signs have been installed at Borough Hall and also at the James “Bud” Mullen Community Center.
He also reported that the Highway Division recently completed drainage improvements along the football field at the Recreation Center. Approximately 350 feet of eight-inch pipe was installed to alleviate flooding conditions near the concession stand and the Purple Eagles merchandise shed. The area was then graded and paved.
Advertisement
In early October, the Borough completed a shared services project with the City of Gloucester where Bellmawr reconstructed Stinsman Avenue for a total of 170-man hours. The amount of the project totalled $13,686, which will be billed to Gloucester City.
Councilman D’Angelo also explained that a streetscape project is underway from Cardinal Drive to Rockville Drive. The bases and the conduit are installed, but PSE&G needs to inspect them prior to final grading to install wire for the decorative poles.
The banners that hang on the poles are available for purchase. The project should be completed before Thanksgiving.
Advertisement
Councilman Ray Bider
Councilman Bider said that under finance, the Best Practices Inventory is being completed and is due in mid-November. There are approximately 42 questions in the Best Practices Inventory and the Borough needs to score at least 24 out of the 42 to get full funding. “Hopefully at the November meeting, we will be able to go over it with you and put it on the [Borough’s] website. Barring a change from the State, it could be as late as December. As of now, it will be the November meeting.”
All of the Chapter 159 Resolutions have been submitted and accepted in compliance with the State of New Jersey. The Finance Committee has begun working on the 2023-2024 budget. The Department Heads and Superintendents have submitted their proposals and in mid-November, they will start to be reviewed.
Under Recreation, Councilman Bider said he recently met with the project coordinator and the State representative regarding Little League’s Major field. “Their timeline is actually happening,” he said. Completion for all the drainage from the new ramp, new fence, new sod, and redoing some of the electric work should be completed by November 4. “This is 100 percent funded by the State of New Jersey due to the majority being their error in the ramp.”
The Recreation Department Committee is in the process of setting up a meeting with all of the athletic organizations before Thanksgiving so it can be ascertained what those organizations’ needs are for the 2023 budget.
As for the pickleball courts at the Recreation Center, Public Works Superintendent, Joe Ciano, met with representatives from the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) and the National Pickleball Association.
Initially, there were going to be three perpendicular courts, but because of recommendations, there will be two. The National Pickleball Association suggested doing two courts as opposed to three so that the courts could be fully made into regulation size.
The two courts – one is the former volleyball court and the other is the old tennis court — will be paid for entirely by the Recreation Enhancement Grant of $25,000. The fencing was on delay, but it is hopefully expected, along with the netting, by early November.
“Our goal is late Fall early Winter to have them completely up and running. As of now, [both] courts do have the seal down.”
The planning process is underway for the Veterans Day Ceremony that will take place on Friday, November 11 at the Bellmawr War Memorial. The ceremony honors our Bellmawr War Veterans. Information and more details will be posted shortly.
Councilman Jamie Casey
Municipal Court continues to have in-person sessions.
“Under construction, we are enforcing the Ordinances,” Councilman Casey said and “we are looking to re-adjust our fees.”
Councilman Craig Wilhelm
Councilman Wilhelm said: “I have nothing for water and sewer. I did not receive a report from the police or fire for this month. I’ll report on that next month.”
Councilwoman Johann Fina
The Fall Festival was a huge success, Councilwoman Fina said. “We had a lot of vendors and a lot of food trucks there. Everyone enjoyed the day. The fireworks were successful. We got nothing but positive feedback on that, and we are looking forward to next year’s event.”
Next up is Christmas in the Park, she said. “We will have more information on the dates and times for that at next month’s meeting.”
Councilman Bill Evans
The quarterly Bellmawr Business Alliance Meeting took place on September 27. “We had a lot of nice guests there and we were able to go and visit the new Emergency Operations facilities. Thanks to Dan DiRenzo for allowing us to come in and doing such a nice tour. We have another meeting scheduled for December 6,” Councilman Evans said.
Councilman Evans also announced: “The Bellmawr Believes kick-off is upon us. Donation boxes will be delivered to the schools and businesses starting November 1. If you have any questions about Bellmawr Believes, email us at bellmawrbelieves@yahoo.com. Consider donating a new toy or let us do the shopping for you. All gifts are wrapped and delivered so all children wake up on Christmas morning to Santa’s surprises.”
Councilman Evans kicked off the holiday season with a personal donation of $250 to Bellmawr Believes in honor of his granddaughter.
Mayor Chuck Sauter
Of the recent Fall Festival, Mayor Sauter said: “I would also like to thank everyone in the Borough — Public Works, Police, Fire, EMS, and special thanks to all of the employees, and also to Councilwoman Johann Fina, Borough Clerk Frani Wright, and Lisa Young. It was a really good day.”
Public Portion
During the public portion, I thanked Public Works for quickly repairing the two wooden benches along the walking track at Sauter Park. The wood was rotting and squirrels were storing their acorns in the one bench pictured below.
I also wanted to thank Public Works for repairing the Little Free Library that was recently damaged by teenagers who I saw punching it.
Finally, I wanted to report/express concern for kids who ride their bikes in the area of the park and “pop wheelies” in front of cars. Police are aware of the issue.
Agenda Items
All items on the meeting agenda were approved.
Regarding Ordinance #09:14-22, I asked for clarification and Councilman Wilhelm responded: “The provisions that were previously adopted for the cannabis overlay zone have been amended in small part to allow the police to be able to enforce certain aspects of that Ordinance, whereas before it was just a zoning issue.”
Regarding Resolution #10:177-22, Philip Mullen was approved as Alternate II member of the Joint Land Use Board.
Regarding Resolution #10:179-22, which authorized the appointment of Jonathan Jefferson and Tristan Casey as part-time employees for the Department of Public Works, the motion was approved. However, when called for their votes, Councilman Jamie Casey said: “Yes, but no relation.”
Councilman Jim D’Angelo added: “Good call. Yes, no relation.”
To view the meeting agenda, click the image below:
*Post updated/corrected on 11/16/2022 at 6:55 p.m.