Upper Collects 700 Tons of Leaves, More Collections Will Gather More

PETERSBURG – Deputy Mayor and committee member responsible for Public Works Edward Barr announced at the Upper Township Committee meeting Dec. 7 that the township’s Public Works department had collected 700 tons of leaves this fall. With mild weather, more collections will follow since leaves still have not completely dropped from trees.
“We are asking all residents and motorists throughout the township to drive with extreme caution. Our crews are out in the streets on a continuous basis trying to keep on top of leaf collections and we want to ensure their safety,” requested Barr.
Gypsy Moth Program
Township Clerk Janet McBride announced that the state Department of Agriculture is asking for a letter of consent from committee reflecting its desire to participate in its gypsy moth spray program.
“There is the potential that the state will refund the township 50 percent of the cost of this program. The last time we participated in the program it cost $54.50 an acre. We have 88 acres identified as desirable for spraying but we need to provide the letter of consent to them by Dec. 18,” said McBride.
There was discussion about the advisability of participating in the program with no guarantee of reimbursement. “Will they cover the right acres?” asked Committee member Hobart Young.
“They are precise when they spray based on where they have seen the larva and ultimately the township can approve the exact areas for coverage,” explained Mayor Richard Palombo. “I just wish there was some guarantee or assurance that we will get reimbursed, although in reality the total cost is less than $5,000 so it’s not a huge sum.
“About 10 years ago, committee decided not to fund gypsy moth spraying and that was not a good decision. We had to hire an exterminator on an emergency basis to quickly take care of a bad situation. Prior to that decision, the N.J. Agriculture program worked well for us,” continued Palombo.
Committee decided to issue the letter of consent and also named township Engineer Paul Dietrich as Upper’s representative to attend N.J. Department of Agriculture regular regional meetings.
Query on Complaint Process
During the public portion, resident Nathalie Niess of Route 50, Petersburg, queried committee about how her complaint regarding a potentially dangerous tree situation was being handled.
“I have informally and formally complained to the township about a tree on a neighbor’s property that has the good potential to fall on my house causing possible loss of life, injury or property damage,” she stated. “I have heard nothing including from Solicitor Dan Young who was copied.”
Young stated he is copied on most matters related to the township even when they are not in his jurisdiction, and that most likely this matter, given its nature, was passed to the zoning or code enforcement officer.
Palombo said he would look into the status of Niess’ complaint and apprise her as to any action taken, and if no action, why not. Young recused himself from this segment of committee discussion since the neighbor in question is his cousin.
Resolutions
Committee passed resolutions by unanimous vote. These included congratulations for the township’s Indians Pee Wee football team on becoming the 2015 Cape Atlantic Junior Football League Champions and for the township’s Indians junior varsity football team on becoming the 2015 Cape Atlantic Junior Varsity Football League Champions.
Committee also passed unanimously a resolution urging the County to install traffic control devices, i.e. lights and full signals, at the intersection of County Route 631 (Tuckahoe Road) and County Route 667 (Stagecoach Road). Committee discussed at length the dangerous nature of this intersection at its previous meeting. Palombo noted at the time that he had personally witnessed two serious accidents in the last couple of months there.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.