Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Mount Laurel First E-News letter.

If you have news that you think should be included in my next E-News letter, please send me the information at JimKeenan@MountLaurelFirst.com
Remember that this E-News letter is dedicated to Mount Laurel news.


Meetings to Attend:  Council, Planning board, Zoning board, the Municipal Alliance and other meeting dates are posted online at: www.MountLaurel.com


Fire District Budget:   Vote on the Fire District's budget and election of members for the Board of Fire Commissioners on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 2pm - 9pm - at your local fire station (Church Rd., Elbo Lane and Masonville Rd.).  You can read more about their budget at their website address: www.MountLaurelFire.com under public information section.


Mount Laurel Council:  I have mentioned in past E-news letters that I feel that one of the biggest challenges to Mount Laurel, are the new COAH requirements that were adopted sometime last summer by the State.  Please go to "Back Issues" and click on the July 10, 2008 E-news letter to read my original post.  I want to let you know that the Township has entered challenges on various fronts trying to reduce the number of units for various reasons and challenging the way the units are funded via the commercial revenue portion of a 2.5% tax, as not meeting the true cost to build those units generated by the commercial building therefore relying on the township residents to fund the difference of cost via property tax increases. Hence, an unfunded mandate by the State to Mount Laurel's taxpayers. 


Community Calendar Online:  The Township has posted its community events online at: www.MountLaurel.com 


2009 Budget Review:  Council has begun to review this years budget which promises to be quite a challenge.  The State has not formally announced what additional cuts to Municipalities it may extend to us so this remains to be an item of concern.  We operate on a calendar year budget and the State's budget operates from July 1 to June 30th. 
Last year Mount Laurel saw a reduction of around $370,000 of municipal aid from the State. 


Report Graffiti:  The township is committed to cleaning up any graffiti around town, so please let me know if you see any.  To report graffiti in Mount Laurel simply click on this link: Report Graffiti and tell me the location and the cross streets nearby.  If the link above does not work, simply email me at my Council email address of JimKeenan08054@gmail.com and put the word "Graffiti" in the subject line and I will forward your report to the Township Manager to alert the proper departments to note the incident and then remove it from Mount Laurel.


Report a Pothole:  To report a pothole in Mount Laurel simply click on this link; Report a Pothole and tell me the name of the street that the pothole is located on and the closest intersection.  If the link does not work, simply email me at my Council email address of JimKeenan08054@gmail.com and put the word "Pothole" in the subject line and I will forward your report to the Township Manager to alert the Public Works Department.  Thank you for your assistance in this matter. 
 

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,