According to the New Jersey Department of Education, there are 593 operating school districts in New Jersey. Recent reports indicate that 27 South Jersey districts will have their state aid cut for the 2025-2026 school year.
According to my findings, of those 27, only five in Gloucester County will see a reduction in state aid, and two of them serve our community. Clearview Regional School District will see a $305,107.00 reduction and the Mantua K-6 district will realize a $139,621.00 reduction in state aid.
What this seemingly means is that Mantua taxpayers will have to make-up the $139,621.00 shortfall in state aid for our district, and Mantua and Harrison taxpayers combined will have to make up the $305,107.00 shortfall in aid for the Clearview Regional School District. The alternative is that both school boards will have to make difficult decisions to reduce spending in their respective budgets to offset this lack of funding.
The governor recently introduced the largest state budget of record at $58.1 billion, $2 billion more than last year. It’s a budget that touts record high-school funding with a new formula that seemingly has an adverse tax impact for Mantua taxpayers.
My point is to solely defend our two school districts and our township committee. Our governing body has constantly been tightening the belt on spending, which has enabled us to maintain a stable municipal tax rate that has not increased local taxes in the last three out of four years. Inept school funding targeting our small community will most likely eradicate our efforts and pass along another burden to us as local taxpayers.
On Saturday morning, March 8, Committeewoman Eileen Lukens, Committeeman Jay Snyder, Committeeman Jack Steen and I attended the Smiles4Cures 5K run and 1-mile walk at Chestnut Branch Park to raise funding and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event saw an incredible turnout, with many participants of all ages coming together in support of this important cause.
Families, local businesses, student groups and community leaders joined forces, creating an inspiring atmosphere filled with energy and hope. Volunteers lined the course, cheering on runners and walkers, and participants were treated to warm cups of hot chocolate at the finish line – perfect for warming up after the brisk, early-morning race.
The township committee and I want to thank resident Lily Pedersen and the Smiles4Cures team for organizing such a well-attended and beneficial run/walk. This is another example of young leaders in our community volunteering time and fighting for a cure for such a horrible disease. We are truly grateful for Lily and her dedication to this very worthy cause.
Seeing so many members of our community come together with determination and compassion was truly inspiring. Events like this remind us of the power of unity in making a difference.
Also on March 8, Twp. committee members Lukens, Snyder, Steen and I stopped by the annual rabies clinic at our public works facility. Many residents took advantage of the opportunity to obtain a free rabies vaccination for their dogs and cats. The township committee and I would like to thank the volunteer members of the board of health for organizing this great program each year.
At our township committee meeting on March 10, we adopted an ordinance to amend our township code chapter 338-14 as it relates to trash receptacles. Effective immediately, we will continue to provide free single-trash, recycling and green carts to each household. But there is now a one-time $75 fee for any resident requesting an additional cart in each category. This change will pass costs along to those who want the additions, rather than continuing to burden the taxpayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the police department, and particularly Sgt. Cody Mroz, as we mourn the loss of K-9 Zuke. (He) faithfully served the MTPD and the residents of our community for seven years prior to his retirement. He was more than a partner to Sgt. Mroz, he was a protector, a loyal companion and a hero to our community. Zuke passed away on March 8 surrounded by his family, friends and devoted co-workers.
We’ve been informed that the county’s tire amnesty program has been cancelled as the federal funding that pays for it has been withdrawn. The township will bear the costs and will still provide tire removal services from Monday through Friday, March 28.
Our public works department will pick up old tires for residents during their normal trash removal day that particular week. Please keep in mind that we will only remove four tires per household, and truck tires or any type of rims will not be picked up.
