I would like to commend the highway department for all their hard work during the recent snowstorm. God Bless them.

Louise Yerkes, Gloucester City

By Lois Staas

NEWS Correspondent

 The public portion of the Bellmawr Mayor and Council meeting on Thursday, March 22, was lively and lengthy.

Several residents came forward to ask questions and state concerns about two sections of Bellmawr, one the turnpike and the other the Creek Road development project.

Patricia Byrne of Vaughn Avenue asked help with the removal of trees left behind from the dredging near the turnpike.

Mayor Frank R. Filipek responded that he had already talked to authorities about beginning work too early in the morning.

Filipek reassured that he would follow through and stressed that the noise level from the turnpike had increased since trees have been taken down.

\”I am here as a courtesy to inform Mayor and Council that we (residents of Vaughn and Roberts avenues) have sent a petition to Senator Wayne Bryant\’s assistant.

Once again, Filipek assured residents that he would contact the commission. This was the first anyone had complained of the noise level.

William Sweeney and Mark Matthews of Birch and Union avenues, respectively, were present about the redevelopment of the Creek Road area.

Sweeney and Matthews were asking about the drainage on Creek Road and the legal process of closing the landfill.

The mayor deferred to Solicitor Robert L. Messeck to explain the process Messeck explained that there were three points addressed.

First, was getting the landfill determined as a Brownsfield Development area. If this is accomplished, the DEP will repay 75 percent for closing and capping the landfill.

Second is working with the DEP, the Department of Community Affairs, and the State Commission in addressing the infrastructure through the Environmental Infrastructure Trust.

Of the two existing pipes, one is completely blocked and the other is fifty percent blocked.

These need to be replaced by a 94-inch culvert adjacent to Route 42. The cost is approximately 6 million dollars.

Third is concern the Green Acres Diversion Area. According to an agreement in the early 70\’s, any land a town directed as Green Acres is required to be doubled when redirected. So, an original designation of eight acres becomes sixteen acres.

Mayor Filipek identified this area as the Eco Center. \”Even if this is not developed, it needs to be capped for public safety. Tests show that the landfill is safe. The bottom is a solid piece of clay, so there will be no seepage.\”

Engineers expect the Cr-eek Road and Brooklawn Circle flooding to be addressed through dredging.

In regular business Councilman James F. D\’Angelo reported that $4,200 was spent on the last ice/snow storm. \”Public Works was out early. The guys did a good job. We were right on top of this one.\”

\”A sewer pipe broke in the Park, and we need an outside contractor to handle the difficult job. We spent $12,000. A pipeline also broke across from the freeway on Browning Road. The estimated cost for repair is $60,000.

Councilman Louis P. Di-Angelo said, \”Kudos to Public Works.\” D\’Angelo continued, \”Here\’s a reminder that Opening Day for baseball and softball starts with a parade at 10 a.m. on Annunciation School parking lot.

\”Also, don\’t forget the Easter Egg Hunt is at the Rec Center at 11 a.m. It\’s over at 11:05. This is Saturday, March 31.\”

The town budget was presented in title only. Councilman Peter A. DiGiambattista said, \”We have presented it to the state for discretionary aid. It will not be finalized until July or August.\”

DiGiambattista continued, \”This week the Business Alliance met. The courtroom where the meeting was held was full.\”

Updating the business directory was discussed, and Fire Chief Jim Burleigh presented the use of lock boxes to help the fire company enter public buildings as soon as possible in emergency situations.

Mike Williams, Safety Coordinator, presented Mayor and Council with a plaque for the Most Improved Municipality in the Safety Incentive Program from the Joint Insurance Fund.

\”I would like to thank all Boro employees, the two volunteer fire companies, and most of all the Mayor and Council for their support,\” added Williams.

Councilman John P. Bollinger said, \”Congratulations, Mike, on a job well done. He runs an excellent safety program. \’We go home the same way we ca-me to work.\”

\”Buildings and lands are running smoothly. We are still within budget,\” contributed Councilman Step-hen Sauter.

\”Congratulations and more than congratulations to all for a job well done all the time,\” stated Councilwoman Regina F. Pointkowski.

Mayor Filipek proclaimed April 2007 Alcohol Awareness Month. Finally, the Mayor concluded the reports by congratulating Councilwoman Pointkowski on her very recent retirement.

By Bill Cleary

The Gloucester City Senior Citizens Association have a proposed permanent meeting place at the Gloucester Heights Fire Hall on Nicholson Road.

Mayor William James and Councilman Nick Marchese met with representatives of the association March 27 to discuss the idea. James said the details still need to be worked out, \”but everyone was enthused about the proposal we presented to them.\”

At a recent council meeting the public was informed that Gloucester City received a $400,000 grant in 2005 from the state to build a new Senior Citizens Community Hall. But for some reason the previous administration did nothing with the money, they just let it sit there. It wasn\’t until the new members of council (James, Brophy, and Marchese) took office in January that movement on the project began.

James explained at the meeting the $400,000 grant will expired in November which means the money would be lost. \”Time doesn\’t permit for getting proposals and construction so it was decided to look for an alternative\”, he said.

After the new members of council took office in January James and Marchese met a couple times with the general membership of the association to discuss the building of a hall. Marchese said following those meetings the Mayor and he continued to meet with representatives of the organization to keep them informed.

Friday, March 30 Marchese released further details on the arrangements. He emphasized nothing has been finalized. He said the Fire Department will still be located in the building but will only utilize the side where the fire equipment is kept. \”With the money they receive from the sale of the hall the plans call for the construction of a second floor on top of the garage for the firemen’s use,\” said Marchese.

He said there is talk of building a monument to deceased firemen in Gloucester Heights using proceeds from the sale.

He further explained that one half of the hall will be section off for the use of the senior citizens on a daily basis. And the other half of the hall will be rented out for weddings and other functions. The City will own the property.

Both the Mayor and Marchese said there are still some details to be resolved. And the senior association’s executive board has to vote on the proposal.

More information on the specifics will follow as soon as they are released.

By CNBNEWS STAFF

SHOULD THE VOTERS OF GLOUCESTER CITY CHANGE ITS FORM OF GOVERNMENT TO A SEVEN MEMBER MAYOR AND COUNCIL ELECTED AT LARGE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE FAULKNER ACT? YES OR NO

The results of the 12 day poll show 73 percent of the people who voted are in favor of Gloucester City changing its form of government compared to 27 percent against.

Thanks for participating.