by: Robert Holt
SWEDESBORO – Swedesboro Mayor Tom Fromm expressed at the community’s Council meeting on Aug. 19, concerns about high-speed chases involving local police.
In the wake of a recent automobile accident at Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant.
Fromm questioned the policy of the Woolwich Police Department regarding the speed of the following vehicles suspected to be involved in incidents.
Just days before the meeting, a driver hit a parked car and crashed into Botto’s Italian Restaurant after a chase by local police over a distance of about a quarter mile. Fromm stated that he believed high speed car chases are only needed in life-threatening situations.
“A farm worker didn’t have a license and panicked,” commented Fromm. “I hope to find that we didn’t chase after him at about 75 to 80 mph.”
Councilmember George weeks had his own thoughts about the police, questioning their policy on issuing parking tickets. Fromm noted that he was going to have a meeting with Woolwich Township about the local police.
The community has been battling speeding issues for years, and Fromm noted that speed humps were now in place on Mayhew, Turner and South Streets. “The speed humps have made a difference so far,” said the mayor. “They’re well signed, and well marked.”
In resolutions, the Council approved a cooperation agreement with Gloucester County for the Community Development Block Grant entitlement. “It’s just a standard resolution that was submitted to me by the County,” said Municipal Clerk Tanya Goodwin.
In other departments, Councilmember DIane Hale announced that Economic and Development has purchased their own camera equipment. “Hiring someone to do our videos is costly,” explained Hale. “We’re going to use our own resources to increase our marketing.”
Councilmemeber Patrick Wilbraham added, “We can just add another piece to the marketing puzzle by putting our own video on the web site.”
In Finance, Fromm said most of Swedesboro’s expenses were coming in under budget In Public Works, a sinkhole on Locke Avenue and Second Street had grown and needed attention.
Hale reminded those in attendance at the meeting that Swedesbor0 Woolwich Day is coming up on Sept. 28 and volunteers to help are welcomed. In Clean Communities, she said plans were going forward to lower Lake Narraticon.
“After a storm, the lake is often clogged,” commented Fromm. Homeowners who have trees leaning over the lake will need to take them down.”
“Ultimately, they’re going to be asked to get the trees out of the lake,” he added. “A tree that is hanging over the dock could fall at any time,” pointed out Hale.
Earlier at the opening of the meeting, Council paused for a moment of silence for Jean Rode, who died in early August. The Rode family name is responsible for a number of businesses in the Swedesboro-Woolwich area, and may be best knowing for Rode’s Fireside Restaurant. The Council also paid tribute to Louis aA. Miscioscia Mitchell, who died in late July at age 82. Mitchell was a long time resident of Swedesboro and former owner of White’s Pharmacy.
