Dennis Lauds Municipal Alliance on ‘A Great Job’

DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee met April 21. Committee member Lisa Salimbene said she wanted to point out the great job that is “sometime overlooked” done by the all-volunteer Municipal Alliance.
“They do an amazing job for our community and residents, it’s not an easy task, and they really deliver for the children especially. Municipal Alliance activities give children alternatives to just hanging out, which are much appreciated,” she said.
Municipal Alliance hosts recreational activities for the township children and also organizes a mentoring program, an after-prom event and a “Drug Free, Healthy Me” program.
A recent example of this latter initiative by the alliance that Salimbene explained was its art contest on “What’s your other drug?” which asked students to depict something safe and healthy that they enjoy doing such as a sport or hobby. The students’ artwork will be included in delivery boxes from local enterprise Gem Pizza and winners of the contest will receive family-friendly coupons and gift certificates from organizers and sponsors, such as for an evening out at the local bowling center.
Salimbene also spoke of the two training sessions that took place at the Senior Center with the theme of prevention of financial fraud. “We had two sessions, one during the day and one in the evening so as many people as possible could attend, including those who work 9 to 5. The state’s social services staff and Rutgers’ Department of Human Services gave the training and it was a good opportunity as well to use our center and provide some useful information,” explained Salimbene.
Committeeman Albert DiCicco and chairperson of the Dennis Township Environmental Commission announced that the township gave away 1,500 seedlings for its giveaway program supporting the N.J. Forestry Department and Earth Day.
In another related initiative the commission members, and nearly 40 volunteers including Ocean View Fire Department, assembled for a “Road Litter Pick Up” project April 19. Volunteers gathered over a dozen large bags of trash and refuse as well as two large cans of recyclables. “We were really fortunate to have such a great turn out, and we were very, very thankful to also have the fire department send some of their people. That made a big difference as to what we could accomplish and they also sent a safety truck to accompany us along the busy roadways which made our job so much easier,” commented DiCicco.
Committee also approved a resolution that authorizes the execution of a shared services agreement with Upper Township to provide clerical and administrative services for the Construction Code office. This resolution complements another shared services arrangement Dennis Township has with Upper for municipal court matters.
Committee member and chair of the Public Works Committee Donald Tozer noted, “We are trying to save taxpayers money however and wherever we can; for example, when the school’s parking lot needs repair, the school provides the material and the township provides the labor and equipment so that this informal arrangement works really well and everyone benefits most especially the residents who save money.”
Committee also cited John Mooers, a senior at Middle Township High School, who won the discus throw with a distance of 170 feet, 11 inches at the Woodbury Track and Field Championship April 18 and praised his hard and continuous work to reach this achievement.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.