Five Things You Need to Know From Stafford Township Council Meeting on Tuesday

There was a lot going on at the Township Council meeting this past Tuesday.

Here are five things you might like to know.

1. After thanking the township council for the new sign at the entrance to Beach Haven West on Marsha Drive, the neighborhood’s Civic Association President, Dawn Papatheodorou, inquired about their call for the dredging of the lagoons.

Township Administrator James Moran said there still needs to be a determination as to the actual owners of the lagoons other than Mill Creek, which is owned by the state.

Councilman Stan Rutkowski said another issue would be where to dump the dredge spoils if a project can be undertaken.

He also said area residents should sign a petition already in circulation showing support for the project in an attempt to get funding from state or federal sources.

Papatheodorou said the petition will be emailed to members and at the association’s next meeting that will be held Friday, July 21, at the Mill Creek Civic Center. Any Beach Haven West homeowner interested in signing it or getting more information can come to the meeting or email her at dcpapatheodorou@aol.com, she said.

2. The township’s school administration offices will be moving out of the old town hall at 775 E. Bay Avenue in the near future.  Dismissing any rumors to the contrary, Mayor John Spodofora said there are no plans or even discussions among council members as to the future plans for the building.  “The property has a deed restriction for municipal use only,” he said. The council will be looking into potential uses at a later date, he added.

The exact date of the move to the new offices in the Oxycocus Elementary School is yet to be determined, according to the schools administration office.   

3. The township received $58,789.24 from the state DEP’s Clean Communities Program. Moran said the funds are distributed annually by the state and have been and will continue to be used for “positive environmental impact projects.”  In the past, projects have included storm drain clean-out, leaf collection and paying overtime costs for last year’s implementation of the new recycling program, he added.

4. Councilman Henry Mancini announced the Stafford Little League is sponsoring Sunday baseball for children with special needs in cooperation with the county’s Challenger League. The games will be held at the township’s Doc Cramer Baseball Complex. For more information, Recreation Director Betti Anne McVey advises contacting the Stafford Little League via their website http://www.staffordlittleleague.org/.

5. Residents were advised that they are responsible for the upkeep and clear passage of the sidewalks in front of the homes. If tree roots buckle, raise or crack sidewalks or tree limbs overhang them restricting passage they must be addressed by the homeowners.

If the township has to make these repairs or clear the branches, a lien will be placed against the property for the cost of those repairs.  

Liens were authorized against four properties on Tuesday, but the specifics were not disclosed.

The next scheduled council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 10 at the municipal complex. There will be only one meeting each month in July and August.

DISCLAIMER: The author of this article is not related to Township Administrator James Moran.