By Robert Holt
SWEDESBORO — During their meeting on Aug. 17, the Swedesboro Council praised the effectiveness of recently installed radar signs around the community. Swedesboro has been plagued with speeding problems over the years, and has renewed its efforts to increase safety for pedestrians.
Woolwich Township Police Lt. Sheldon Lewis said the signs looked good, and noted that a traffic officer changes their batteries on a regular basis. Swedesboro Mayor Tom Fromm commented that the radar signs flash a message if a vehicle is speeding.
Last year Swedesboro added new crosswalks and improved others to help pedestrians. The crosswalks feature signs with flashing lights that activate at the touch of a button to warn motorists that a pedestrian is crossing. Signs in the middle of the street at these crosswalks remind motorists that it is a state law to brake for pedestrians.
Fromm also announced that the town would be installing a new pedestrian crosswalk on Redrow Avenue.
Lewis pointed out that the local police recently had meetings with the community crossing guards, and stressed that they should report any violations they might witness. “I told them not to take their jobs lightly, and we’ll be getting them a raise,” Lewis said.
Lewis added that the police were prepared for the opening of the fall school semester, and he mentioned that plans were in the works for 9/11 ceremonies. A 4,000-pound steel beam from the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks was delivered to the Woolwich Township Municipal Building in June.
Councilmember Sam Casella expressed interest in Swedesboro also receiving a piece of the artifacts from 9/11. Casella observed that Swedesboro had responders at the World Trade Center on the day of the bombings.
Elsewhere, Fromm said that the Public Works Department had been continuing work on repairing potholes. In Finance, the Mayor added that Swedesboro was in good shape on its budget, and everything was currently on track.
In Garbage and Recycling, Councilmember George Weeks reported that Swedesboro was averaging about $23.69 per unit in trash disposal for 1,073 units through June of this year, which is under the community budget. “We’re also doing about the state’s average in recycling,” Weeks mentioned.
And in Parks and Recreation, Councilmember Joanna Gahrs announced that the community would hold a Movie in the Park at Swedesboro Lake Park on Fri., Sept. 18. The feature will be “Muppets Most Wanted.”
Gahrs hoped to see additional signage directing motorists to the film due to darkness. The movie is scheduled at dusk.
In resolutions, Council approved the appointment of George Wagner as acting Superintendent of Public Works.
A resolution offering support for the Gloucester County Minority Recruitment Advisory Committee was tabled because Councilmembers Diane Hale, Patrick Wilbraham, and Dave Flaherty were unable to attend the meeting.
Council also introduced an ordinance authorizing the construction of two sanitary sewer lines on East Avenue. This would be completed with the appropriation of $20,000 from the Utility Capital Improvement Fund.
And Municipal Clerk Tanya Goodwin announced that she had been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding Swedesboro’s damage from the storm of June 23, and had submitted documentation for about $10,000. “It looks like we will be approved, and we will receive about 75 percent of that,” Goodwin commented.
