WILLINGBORO TOWNSHIP, NJ: The Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority (WMUA) provided an update today regarding progress on construction of their new Well 5A PFOS Removal Facility which is located at 23 Baldwin Lane. Short-term and long-term funding for the $7 million project is being provided through the New Jersey Water Bank. The WMUA also received a $3.4 million federal STAG grant, as well as $1 million in principal forgiveness through the New Jersey DEP State Revolving Fund. The project is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Well 5A includes a water well pump, a radium treatment system, and chemical feed processes for chlorine, fluoride, and lime injection systems. The well pump is driven by a 125 hp motor. The current project includes construction of a new 2,800 square foot building which will house four 12-foot diameter Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) vessels, and the associated piping, valves, and instrumentation; along with a new control panel and backup generator. A 50-micron self-cleaning filter is also being installed up stream of the radium treatment system in order to remove any iron and suspended solids in the water.
According to WMUA Executive Director James Mackie, “So far, everything on the project is proceeding smoothly with no major delays. Work on the new building‘s masonry walls is completed and the four GAC vessels have been lifted into the building using cranes. The roof trusses were recently craned into place and now the plan is for the roof panels to be put in place.”
“While this is proceeding, contractors will remove the existing well pump, motor, and column to begin cleaning and redevelopment of the well,” Mackie said. “The new well pump includes additional bowl stages and installation of a larger 200 hp motor to provide the added pressure needed to overcome losses which naturally occur within the additional piping and GAC vessels.”
‘We are pleased to have been able to act quickly, once the NJDEP officially established their PFOS MCL and the problem with Well 5A was identified,” said WMUA Board Chair Patricia Lindsay-Harvey. “I want to commend our in-house team and our professional consultants for their work in getting the Well 5A project to this point, along with our elected representatives for their help in securing federal infrastructure dollars to help offset a portion of the construction costs.”
“Additionally, as we look to the future more and more chemical compounds found in water supplies are being scrutinized by federal and state regulatory agencies,” Lindsey-Harvey continued. “Rest assured, the WMUA will continue to evaluate all of the latest scientific information and emerging treatment technologies available in order to provide the safest, most cost-effective drinking water for our customers.”
“I also want to stress that even as work proceeds on Well 5A, the staff is continuing to pursue additional avenues of funding in order to further reduce the burden on WMUA customers. We are also in the process of hiring a firm that can help determine where the PFOS contamination originated and pursue restitution for the damages.,” Lindsay-Harvey concluded.
As part of his 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip, Senator Cory Booker linked up with Congressman Andy Kim on Wednesday, August 10th for a roundtable discussion with local Black small business owners. The conversation took place in the Willingboro East Ridge Plaza at a newly opened Black-owned venue, The Boro Epicenter.
In attendance was Mayor Kaya McIntosh and Councilwoman Tiffani Worthy of Willingboro Township. Business owners from the area had the opportunity to express with Booker and Kim their concerns about struggles they have endured while operating their respective businesses. In the current economical state, Black businesses have had many challenges staying afloat.
Part of the discussion included access to funding for small businesses and micro businesses, whereas many business owners have had issues obtaining necessary funding, especially during the pandemic. Another topic of discussion was racial bias and how Black business owners are less likely to receive loans from banks.
Following the roundtable discussion, Senator Booker took a walk over to the newly opened Supreme Sweets Dessert Shop where he purchased several treats. The Senator also grabbed a bite at Shokra Soups, another newly opened Black-owned business.
Just across from the plaza, Senator Booker headed over to the All Things Are Possible Foundation, a local Black-owned children’s foundation in Willingboro. There, the Senator took some time out to engage with children playing a fun game of “Simon Says”.
Congressman Andy Kim is passionate about his work in supporting small businesses, as they are “the backbone of our economy and our community.” Along with the support of Senator Booker, Kim endeavors to continue looking out for our small businesses to keep Willingboro and its surrounding communities strong.
#corybooker #andykim #willingboronj #smallblackbusiness
The WIllingboro Township Council held its yearly reorganization meeting on Tuesday at the John F. Kennedy Center with Dwayne Harris as the new Township Manager. Harris was appointed by the Council in a unanimous vote during their meeting on December 21, 2021.
Councilman Nat Anderson was sworn in for his fourth consecutive term by Senator Troy Singleton via remote presence, while Councilwoman Rebecca Perrone, who had also been re-elected, was sworn in by County Commissioner Felicia Hopson.
Kaya McIntosh was unanimously elected Mayor. During her address, Mayor McIntosh spoke a heartfelt thanks to former Mayor Tiffani Worthy, also attending remotely, for her diligence despite opposition as she served as Mayor during 2020 and 2021, navigating the Township through the pandemic.
Mayor McIntosh also spoke on her endeavor to bridge all the gaps in our Township. She urged the community to unite in the spirit of pride to strengthen Willingboro.
Samantha Whitfield was voted Deputy Mayor during the Reorganization Meeting. The Deputy Mayor stated that “As 2022 begins a new year, there is still work to be done to deliver more on the promises made.”
Deputy Mayor Whitfield spoke on how she looks forward to working through the strategic plan, which will ultimately lead to WIllingboro’s success.
During closing remarks, Councilwoman Rebecca Perrone expressed her gratitude to the public in her re-election as she endeavors to continue to be a voice for the people.
“I will continue to be your voice regardless what seat I am sitting in.”
The Township Council collectively remains optimistic that Willingboro will continue to thrive as they work together to strengthen and empower the community.
If you would like to see the meeting in its entirety, please visit https://fb.watch/alAaWQeHyJ/
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Students at the James A. Cotten Intermediate School completed a food drive this Thanksgiving with the help from their new supporters and friends at the Willingboro 20 Plus Military Veterans Scholarship Organization.
James A. Cotton, whom the school was recently named after, was a long standing member of the 20 Plus Club. The organization is honoring his legacy by adopting the James A. Cotton Intermediate School in order to ensure that his legacy is preserved.
It’s about that time of year again to change those clocks! This Sunday at 2 a.m. daylight savings time will once again end.
Did you know that 7 to 10 Americans actually prefer not to go back and forth switching time? Many have argued that it makes no sense to do so and that our clocks should just be left alone. Others believe there are some benefits in keeping with daylight savings time.
Nevertheless, the tradition will continue this year and on Sunday morning we are all expected to turn our clocks back one hour.
At least we will enjoy the benefit of reclaiming that one hour of time we lost last Spring, although we will likely still look forward to hitting the snooze button come Monday.
What do you think about the future of daylight savings time? Will we continue switching the clocks for years to come? Or will it eventually become a thing of the past? I guess only time will tell.
Terry McCollum - BoroTV
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