By Sara Martino
News Correspondent
Due to the high amount of rainfall recently, a backup occurred in the Camden County Municipal Utility Authority (CCMUA), which then caused a backup in the sewer system in Brooklawn.
During the Monday, April 16 meeting of borough council, Donna Domico, Public Works Manager, said the CCMUA system was not capable of keeping up with the flow relative to the five inch rainfall. The meeting was opened and conducted by Councilman James Nolan, Jr., in the absence of Mayor John Soubasis.
Borough clerk Barbara Lewis said the problem did not stem from the Brooklawn system, but as a result of the backup from the Camden facility. \”Our system residents suffered with the flooded basements and backflow. Until the problem is corrected, please use a minimal amount of water. Try to avoid running dishwashers, washing machines or else the water may come back into the homes,\” Domico and Lewis advised.
Also under discussion at the meeting was a change in the recycling pickup schedule. \”All recyclables can now be combines as a \”single stream\” where everything that is recyclable can be placed in one container for pickup,\” said Domico. \”Instead of using manpower to collect newspaper and cardboard in one vehicle then glass and plastics in another truck, the manpower and labor time will be reduced. This process will clear up time for other needed work projects in town\”, she said. Domico also said she is going to have a discussion with RecycleBank. Regarding the incentive program that is in use in Westville.
\”The state of New Jersey wants the municipalities to recycle 50 percent of their residents trash. There is grant money available from the state that can be awarded to the municipality as an incentive. If towns do not comply with the 50 percent mandate, the state can put a surcharge on the town,\” Domico said.
Council approved the awarding of a contract for renovations and construction of the firehouse/EMS building in the amount of $295,000. Clerk Lewis said the firm of the J.D. Lawrence Company from Westville will be the contractor.
A resolution was approved for a contract with Camden County for removal of deer carcasses at the cost of $70 per deer. The state recently made the removal a municipality responsibility.
Councilman Thomas MacAdams announced that he and Councilwoman Theresa Branella attended an Athletic Association (AA) meeting to discuss the borough\’s playing fields regarding the use of the fields and the banning of alcohol on all the playing fields.
Property owners along the river and creek banks received notification from the state regarding their intentions of bank improvements. Councilman Jerry Granstrom said he remembers paddling along the banks years ago.\” Even then, there was a lot of debris washed up along the banks, even including hospital waste,\” he said.
Chuck Reibel from Kei Associates, Borough Engineers, asked council to discuss a traffic signal at Old Salem Road and Rt. 130, that would support the NJ State Department of Transportation (DOT) concept. He also talked about the Adopt-A-Highway idea along Rt. 130 whereby local business and organizations would sponsor part of the highway and also of the possibility of transferring drinking water to the Borough of Westville. Council will further discuss both of the issues.
A special meeting will be held on Monday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. for the public hearing and adoption of the 2007 budget.