Front Page News

New Fence Ordinance Adopted in Swedesboro

by Katherine Harrison

SWEDESBORO -- On December 15th, the Swedesboro council held a public hearing and approved a new ordinance, which would regulate the construction of fences and walls in town.

The ordinance will restrict the height and materials allowed for both commercial and residential fences, and it establishes the fees for approval of fences. It only pertains to new fences and fences that are being rebuilt.

Mayor Tom Fromm explained that the ordinance would be the first of its kind in Swedesboro, and that it was based on similar laws from other towns. “It's just another step forward,” he explained.

In other news, Fromm explained that the Gloucester County Library Commission had confirmed in writing their earlier agreement to help fund a possible expansion of the Swedesboro Library.

If the council decides to move forward with the expansion, GCLS has agreed to enter into a lease agreement to share the cost. They would pay up to 50 percent of the cost, or up to $40,000 dollars a year for ten years, whichever is less.

“It will be up to the Borough Council to decide whether we want to move forward with that, which will be a top priority going into 2009,” said Fromm.

In economic development news, Councilman George Weeks said that grants had been received for both a blues/jazz festival and a walking tour of Swedesboro. The blues/jazz festival will probably take place sometime in April, and it is still in the planning stages.

The walking tour would involve creating a brochure advertising historic attractions in town. Fromm explained that it would help draw in the new visitors that are coming to places like The DREAM Park in Logan Township, and it would ensure that they knew where to go for food and entertainment in Swedesboro.

“This is going to help us out a lot,” Fromm said.

Regarding rumors of a possible merger of the Swedesboro and Woolwich police forces, Fromm said that many of the rumors were unfounded and that essentially nothing was going on. He explained that there were just some minor preliminary discussions between the two mayors.

Fromm and Woolwich Township Mayor Jo Chila recently attended a meeting with Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton where he suggested that they involve the Division of Criminal Justice and get an objective report on what it would take to actually have a dual police force.

In other business, Councilman Sam Casella expressed concerns that construction on the property across from St. Joseph's School is encroaching onto the sidewalk, making it so pedestrians have to walk in the street along King's Highway. Fromm agreed that the sidewalk should not be blocked and that they would have Public Works look into the matter.

Weeks said that a survey would be handed out to local businesses and residents inquiring into their views on what could be done to help Swedesboro's business district. They will be looking for tips on what the town can do to increase foot traffic in the area.

The survey will also be available on the council website. The deadline for submissions is January 18th.

Council members Don Dryden and Darlene Gage bid farewell at their last meeting on the Swedesboro council. “I just want to say it's been an honor to serve this community,” Dryden said as he thanked the Mayor and all the council members.

Darlene Gage, who was the first woman on the council, echoed his sentiments and said that it had been an honor and a privilege to serve. “The reason we do this is because we're dedicated to the town, because we love the town,” she said.

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Lieutenant Jenkins Named Police Chief

by Beth S. Biermann

EAST GREENWICH – Lieutenant Barry Jenkins, a 17 year veteran of the East Greenwich Police Department, was named Police Chief by the township committee on Dec. 9.

Jenkins joined the force in December 1991 as a patrolman and was subsequently promoted to sergeant in 2000 and then lieutenant in 2005. Previous to being employed by East Greenwich, Jenkins worked for three years in the Gloucester County Sherriff’s Department as a corrections officer and a sherriff’s officer.

Jenkins said he is most looking forward to “continuing the strong relationship the department has with the township committee and the residents.”

The growth of the township and, consequently, the police department, is an issue that Jenkins is looking forward to, but also sees as his biggest challenge.

Jenkins will replace current Police Chief William Giordano, who is retiring effective Dec. 31. Giordano has been a member of the police department since 1979 and has served as Chief for 14 years.

In other business, the committee passed a bond ordinance authorizing various capital improvements for a total of $650,000. When the bond ordinance was introduced on Nov. 11, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Robert Scharle stated that the bond was necessary to cover “over commitments” made in the General Capital Fund of the 2008 budget, including expenditures related to Phase III of Thompson Family Park, Borelli Blvd. improvements and others.

According to Scharle, these commitments had not been “booked to ordinances” and the $650,000 would allow the township to “clean this up.” Otherwise, the township would have to raise the money “all in one shot” for the 2009 budget, resulting in a large tax increase for the residents.

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Youth Hero and Softball Teams Honored by Committee

by Beth S. Biermann

WOOLWICH – Wade Wintersteen, a Woolwich resident and freshman at Kingsway Regional High School, was honored by the Woolwich Township Committee on Dec. 15 for his bravery during an auto accident.

On Nov. 25, Wintersteen witnessed a car veer off Route 295 and land in a ditch on its side. He then called 911, helped the driver get out of the car and waited with her for the emergency responders.

The proclamation recognized Wintersteen for acting with “bravery, courage, composure and heroism” and acknowledged him as an “asset to the community.”

The committee also recognized the 2008 Swedesboro Woolwich Little League Juniors All Star Softball team and the 2008 Swedesboro Woolwich Little League Minors Softball team for winning the NJ District 15 Championships.

The Juniors are comprised of 13 and 14 year olds who have been the New Jersey District 15 Softball Champions in previous years at the Minor, Major and Junior levels of Little League. According to the proclamation, the team “achieved this rewarding victory by competing against an older and more experienced competitor team.”

The Minors, nine and ten year olds, were also congratulated for their victory and presented with proclamations. They ended their season with a 6-3 record and were honored as one of the Top Ten in the State.

Each team also received a sign with their team, title, and individual names to be hung on the press box at the Little League field.

In other business, the committee voted to apply for a $25,000 Recreational Trails Grant for 2009, administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). If the township receives the grant, the funds would be used to construct a bike and pedestrian path connecting the existing path in Locke Avenue Park to the newly constructed High Hill Park.

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Kingsway Discusses Possible
Future North & South Facility Locations

By Amie Simpson

WOOLWICH— Kingsway Regional High School Board of Education and administration members discussed the urgent needs for resources to accommodate growing student enrollment at the Dec. 15 board of education meeting.

The Kingsway school district has been monitoring student growth within the district. “We know that the population in the middle school could double and the high school could increase as much as 450 students,” said Superintendent, Avé Altersitz. But Altersitz and the board’s real concerns are the increase in students beginning with the kindergarten classes.

“We know that the kindergarten classes will eventually total over 600 when they get to the ninth grade, and that is the students that are already in seats—that is not a projection,” Altersitz stated.

Therefore, it came as no surprise that members are beginning to discuss how to encompass more students. Kingsway School District would need an estimated 75 to100 acres of land to build another high school, quite possibly splitting the high school into north and south portions.

Ideally, the second high school would like to be built as close to the existing campus as possible, as a way of utilizing the athletic fields. Although committee members are only in the works of developing a conceptual plan, outlining the process of splitting Kingsway high school, members are looking into all viable outcomes.

Suggestions are currently being discussed on how to go about getting community input. Such proposals are information sessions, more meetings and possible surveys to appraise the communities understanding and interest in the matter.

Members also discussed the possible financial setbacks involved with expanding Kingsway high school. Although no aid would be given on the purchase of the land for the proposed school, Kingsway is eligible for an estimated 40 to 45 percent of available aid towards the physical building.

The board of education does not have any idea what the exact tax impact will be on the projected land and school. However, they do realize that taxes are continuing to rise and that with that conflict comes the struggle of passing a referendum.

Nonetheless, Altersitz remarked, “The district and the Board of Education must plan to accommodate future students and ensure that they receive an education in an environment that is conducive to learning.”

In other news, Kingsway High School Principal Thomas A. Coleman Jr. reported that Kingsway high school students enrolled in college prep and general studies courses are testing at higher testing averages than the New Jersey and National averages.

Coleman’s report shows that Kingsway students taking the SATs percentile rose 36 percent in 2007. This is in comparison to the states average of 27 percent and the national average of 22 percent.

The Administration claims the reason for more students taking the SAT scores is Kingsway’s increased emphasis on academic advancement.

Not only is the increase in test takers showing the importance and interest in advancement courses, but that more students are aspiring to attend college. Coleman added that, “74 to 80 percent of Kingsway students go to a two to four year college upon graduating from high school.”

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Logan Township Begins its Move Towards Automated Garbage and Recycling Collection

By Amie Simpson

LOGAN— The Public Works department stated that it has issued homeowners two 95 gallon collection carts for the township's new automated garbage and recycling system, as a way of becoming more environmentally conscious.

The brown can is to be used for household waste, and the blue can for recycling.

Logan Township reminds homeowners that collection carts need a four feet clearance to be properly emptied. Therefore, do not leave cans near utility poles, vehicles, basketball nets or recyclables. Residents will receive more information on the care of your carts, or they can visit Logan Township’s website at www.logan-twp.org for more information.

The Public Works department acknowledged that some community members were complaining that the cans were too big. The department, with the help of the township, is working on distributing smaller cans to those community members who have requested them. At the top of that list are senior citizens and disabled people.

The Public Works Department stated that they would place orders for smaller cans, but that delivery of those cans will take four to six weeks. To place an order for a smaller can, contact Logan Township's Department of Public Works at 467-0859.

In other business, Council members voted for the issuance of a temporary use permit for DP Partners, a privately held national commercial development leader. The supportive vote for a proposed addition to the Logistics Center Industrial Park, near Harrisonville Road was granted with stipulations.

Deputy Mayor Lyman Barnes made it clear that construction teams and workers are to stick to the set conditions. Those conditions include adherence to all noise regulations, proper waste disposal, compliance with hours of operations determined by Logan Township and obtaining proper permits.

Joe Neuber of Neuber Concrete located in Kimberton, PA confirmed to council members that noise levels at his construction site are within the regulatory range of 50-55 decibels, with the exception of construction vehicles “back-up alarms”.

Regarding proper waste removal, Neuber stated that dumpsters would be brought in to remove all waste so that no waste materials would be left on site. All trash would be distributed to its proper recycling and waste centers.

The hours of operation agreed upon by the construction companies and council members are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. may also be included. Time ordinances are within township regulations.

The plants projected completion is the end of May or early June. According to Neuber, Saturday hours are needed to meet projected deadlines with DP Partners.

Barnes stipulated that construction workers are not to start machines until 7 a.m., per ordinance, so that neighbors in the surrounding community are not disturbed. Mayor Frank Minor asked that the construction company adhere to the townships safety codes by seeing that all construction vehicles and equipment are properly secured so that children cannot get into them.

Neuber assured the Mayor and council that safety codes are followed. Additionally, Minor also asked that all roads be maintained and dust controlled on sight. With all conditions agreed upon and the construction company’s cooperation, council members motioned for the approval of the temporary use permit application.

Talks are ongoing regarding the purchase of two new fire trucks for the Logan Township Fire Department. Barnes stated that once the organization's structure is cleaned up and consolidated, the township will go forward with the purchase of two new vehicles. Barnes did reassure the community that “We are getting closer to the purchases of such vehicles.”

Minor expressed his thanks to the members of the volunteer fire department on its merger with the Bridgeport and Repaupo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. “Thank you for the cooperation of the members of the department, which has a rich history of teamwork for generations,” he said. Minor went on to express sincere gratitude and stated he “will provide assistance to the township with whatever is needed to move forward in building a better township in 2009.”

Other council updates include Councilwoman Doris Hall, who stated that the G-Star Technology, graffiti vandalism deterrent system is in effect and seems to be going along smoothly. Councilman Art Smith stated that the sports committee had handed in their 2008 income reports and they appeared to be successful.

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