By Robert Holt
SWEDESBORO – Swedesboro Mayor Tom Fromm called for help from Gloucester County at the Swedesboro Council meeting on June 16, to combat speeding problems in his community. Residents of Franklin Street have become increasingly uneasy with vehicles traveling down their street at high rates of speed.
The latest incident involved a truck passing a stopped school bus. During the public portion of the meeting, Franklin Street resident Lisa Campbell said locals have seen that before. “We’re very concerned,” Campbell implored. “I’m still worried about my 12-year old daughter crossing the street.”
“I’m sick of talking about this,” Fromm complained. “We’ll take care of it ourselves if they won’t.” Fromm suggested that all residents from the block report it to police if they see a truck speeding.
Locals attending the meeting appeared to believe local police were doing their best to enforce the town’s speeding laws. Woolwich Police Lieutenant Joseph Morgan mentioned that 32 trucks received tickets on Franklin Street during May.
“It is not possible to completely eradicate the trucks from speeding completely,” Morgan commented. “We are going to assign a new hire to Franklin Street.”
Franklin Street resident Trish Sutcliffe said another page of signatures has been added to the petition that is already going to Gloucester County to try to obtain stop signs. County Representative Bob Jonas offered to contact the Sheriff’s Department for help on Franklin Street.
Morgan noted that the police department was getting some new cars, and would leave them unmarked in an effort to help. And Fromm pointed out that the police might have better success by writing to Gloucester County that this matter has become a safety issue.
“The County said that it starts with the police,” noted the mayor. It comes down to enforcement, zero tolerance, and no breaks,” Fromm added. “We have to stop this.”
Elsewhere, Council introduced an ordinance that would authorize a bond of up to $52,000 for reconstruction of Third Street. “We changed our minds a number of times on the crosswalks, and ended up with a $20,000 overage,” explained Fromm. “We budget for engineering, and we were recommended by CFO Jeff Coles to bond the money.”
Also, resolutions were approved that renewed the liquor licenses of Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant and Kings Liquor Store.
In Garbage and Recycling, Councilmember George Weeks reported that the department had received a grant of $13,567.58 from the state. “We get credit for companies that throw out their trash with private businesses,” Weeks said. He noted that Swedesboro does about 32 percent in recycling.
And Councilmember Diane Hale mentioned upcoming “Dancing in the Street” events on the third Wednesday of the month through August. But Hale called for more volunteer help at community events.
But she praised the recent success of Mario Carpino’s 4th Annual Lemonade Stand, saying that the event had raised about $70,000 at the time of the meeting.
Council President Sam Casella said Environmental Commission members would be manning Swedesboro’s kayak events in July and August. In his Street Lighting report, Casella noted that Atlantic Electric would be surveying local electrical poles that were leaning.
Municipal Clerk Tanya Goodwin reported that she received 14 applications for the second student intern program. “I brought all 14 in for an interview,” Goodwin commented. “I can’t tell you how impressed I was with these students.”
The program lasts two weeks, Monday through Thursday July 7 through 10 and 14 through 17, from 9 a.m. through 12 p.m. “Those kids are unbelievable,” observed Fromm.
