The Glassboro Council meeting was held on March 28 at 7 p.m. where they discussed tax increases, water safety, and the approval to submit a remedial report to further along the “Delsea Drive Turf [Field] Project.”
The approval of the 2022 Municipal budget in Glassboro will increase local tax by 3.5 cents since this year will be the last year Glassboro will receive COVID-19 funding. Taxpayers can expect to pay $84 more than what they already pay.
Public Safety Chairperson and Administrator, Edward Malandro stated that the budget was difficult due to not having control over a couple of areas. He stated that the health benefit premium increase went up to $565,000 and the pension employee contribution went up to $426,000. Malandro also stated that an additional $991,000 increase was set before they even started the budget this year.
During the meeting, Andrew D. Halter, public property and ordinance chairperson, expressed that the Philadelphia chemical spill did not contaminate any water in Glassboro. Glassboro is serviced by several aquifer wells and the borough is supplemented by New Jersey American Water (NJAW) — this is the vendor that services Gloucester, Burlington and Camden county.
After the chemical spill in the Delaware River, NJAW shut down their drawing operations off the Delaware River, according to Halter. Halter stated that NJAW has enough stored water to last Glassboro for quite some time.
“We ensured with New Jersey American Water company’s leadership that number one, we have adequate clean water supply if we need to go to that, but also that we have adequate fire protection,” said Halter.
In addition, the approval of the “Delsea Drive Turf Project” will replace the existing grass football field with a 230’ x 390’ multi-use artificial turf athletic field. The park will be open to not only park and recreation teams, but also Glassboro’s high school football, field hockey and soccer teams as well.
In the latter half of the meeting, there was an approval to amend the “Backyard Chicken Pilot Program.” This will allow residents to own up to four chickens per household. There was also an ordinance authorizing the removal of deed restrictions placed upon the property. This will take place on 8 Glassboro Avenue.
During the public portion of the meeting, Everett Rummel, a Glassboro citizen posed the question of renovating or building a new library. Rummel stated that the library is in poor condition due to mold and warped carpeting as well as leaks in the roof of the building. Mayor Wallace confirmed that the borough is actively seeking a new facility to relocate the library.
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