During a meeting of the Committee on Public Schools state legislative committee at Mary Ethel Costello School last week, SDA CEO Marc Larkins said the authority is in the process of gathering information on all projects that are \”shovel ready.\”

He will present a plan to the Christie Administration soon. After review, the SDA Board of Directors will then have to approve a plan to start construction again for the Abbott District schools.

Larkins said the vote would hopefully happen in January or February of 2011, but added that the new Gloucester City Middle School might not be included.

The original School Construction Corporation used up $8.6 billion in funds for building in the 31 Abbott districts, and then was abolished and replaced by the SDA in 2007.

Since that time, some 52 construction projects have been put on hold throughout the state, including the new Middle School.

The channel is also viewed in Brooklawn and Mt. Ephraim as well. According to people I spoke with in those communities they too were without the channel. 

Besides being Gloucester City\’s UEZ Director, Clark operates the local channel network. After being contacted last week about this problem Clark said his equipment was working that the problem is with Comcast, and the level of transmission they are supply to the City. He suggested that the public contact Comcast. \”I have already told them about the problem as people keep calling me. Maybe if they received more complaints they will do something about it.\”

Thanks to all those who took the time to call, your voices were heard. ~Bill Cleary 

Presented by Vicky Cohen and Jillian Perkins of On Track, the ClassLink program is an expansive system that can be customized to suit the needs of teachers and students alike.

They said any information can be accessed on a 24-hour basis.

Dottie Specht noted that each district is responsible for monitoring their own content within the program.

Perkins said although they do not audit individual programs at On Track, they would assist if requested.

The program is a professional development series, encompassing such areas as personal leadership, curriculum and instruction, staff and community, as well as resources and operations.

In other business, James Doyle told the Board he would volunteer his time as Band Director on a three-day-a-week basis.

Board President Jamie Casey said they would take his offer under advisement, and would place it on the agenda for their October meeting if warranted.

Earlier this year there were no bids on one of the homes at 212 S. Hannevig Avenue, but a home on Wilson Avenue was sold at an auction through borough advertising.

Currently, residents live in 29 homes rented out by the Borough. Only the two homes were under consideration for sale.

Brooklawn Council approved an ordinance last week to move forward the installation of \”lock boxes\” on certain buildings to allow easier access during a fire or other emergency. 

Fire Inspector Carl Thomas previously had approached the Borough Council with the idea.

He said it will enable fire and emergency personnel to quickly enter the building with the use of a key to a \”lock box\” instead of calling and waiting for someone to arrive with a key to the building.

The fill is coming from the construction site of the WalMart store being built in Somerdale.

At the September 30 Council meeting Solicitor John Kearney said the agreement calls for a payment of $8 per ton. It will be used as capping material for a City project at the AMSPEC property along the river.

Almost $1.5 million is expected to be realized from the approximately 55,000 tons of dirt.

Developers are expected to receive 25 percent of that, which will be used to go back into the City project. The monies are expected to be used to fund demolition and remediation work that is subject to Department of Environmental Protection standards.