Dear Neighbors,

Happy Friday the 13th to everyone. Thank you for subscribing to this E-News Letter.

Please refer this E-News Letter to your friends and neighbors.  Check out my Links page and tell me if you think I should add any other local links. I have added a link to the Fire Department.

2007 Budget has Passed:  On July 9, 2007, Township Council had voted 4-1 in favor of adopting the 2007 Municipal Budget.  The budget calls for a 3.8-cent increase in the local purpose-tax rate, which would rise from 42.9 to 46.7 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at the township average will see an increase of about $53 a year.  The plan includes an $8.38 million capital improvement budget. The council wants to spend $2 million on road and drainage improvements; $1.5 million for stream cleaning in an effort to remediate floods; and $1.66 million for park and recreation improvements, including new Softball Fields at Trotters Crossing on Walton Avenue.  The Township has posted the Budget online - to view it, click on  2007 Budget  (Make sure your POP UP BLOCKER IS TURNED OFF)

New Township Manager is Appointed:  At its July 2, 2007 meeting, the Township Council appointed Debra Fourre as the new manager. Ms. Fourre will replace Patricia Halbe, who announced her resignation in May 2006. Ms. Fourre is currently the business administrator in Washington Township, Gloucester County. She is scheduled to take over as the Township Manager on Aug. 13, 2007.

Parks and Recreation Update:  Ten Tennis courts and two Basketball courts are being resurfaced and repaired.  Here are a list of the courts under repair: The two tennis courts at the corner of Church St and Academy Drive; the two tennis courts on Academy Drive (Ramblewood Farms) and the six tennis courts at Larchmont and Union Mill Road along with the two basketball courts at Larchmont.

Ordinance to Extend the Sunset Provision:  Has been passed by Council at its July 2, 2007 meeting. The two Ordinances will appear on this years ballot for voters of Mount Laurel to amend the sunset provisions of the 1998 and 2001 Voter approved referendum for funding Mount Laurel's Open Space Program.  Passing these ordinances will NOT increase Taxes but merely extend the original expiration date by 20 years on each. 

Mount Laurel Fire Department News:  Beginning April 1, 2007, all residential resale's are required to have a portable fire extinguisher installed. The Mount Laurel Fire Inspectors will inspect for the following:

• Extinguisher must have a minimum classification rating of 2A:10BC or higher (maximum 10 lb wt)
• Mounted on the wall no higher than 5' to the handle, within 10' of the kitchen area, unobstructed by any doors.
• Easily accessible and in a conspicuous place.

On my links page, I have added the link to the Fire Department's website.  At their website, under the PUBLIC INFO link, you are able to view their Budget's from 1988 to 2007 along with the meeting minutes since 2002.  I look forward to receiving updates from the Fire Department so that I can share them with you all.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,