UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. — Monroevill Fire Co. responded on Friday at 1:55 p.m. to Route 77 for a motor vehicle crash and remained in service for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Elmer Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Other fire activity:

Today’s Sunbeam contacted the Salem County Fire Radio Control Center to receive reports on all activity of fire and rescue companies within the county during the period ending at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Area fire and rescue companies responded to several accidents over the weekend.

• Alloway Fire Co. responded on Saturday at 8:29 a.m. to Route 540 for a call for wires and remained inservice for 2 hours.

Alloway Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 2 hours.


• Carneys Point Fire Co. responded to Routes 130 and 140 on Friday at 12:15 a.m. for a motor vehicle crash and remained in service for 1 hour.

Carneys Point Ambulance and Pennsville Fire and Rescue responded to assist.

• Carneys Point Fire Co. responded to Birch Street on Friday at 4:59 a.m. for a building call and remained in service for 15 minutes.

Penns Grove Fire, Pennsville Fire and Carneys Point Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 1 hour.


• Mannington Fire Dept. responded on Sunday at 4:22 p.m. to Pointers Auburn Road for a motor vehicle crash and remained in service for 1 hour and 16 minutes.

Life Support 4, Fenwick Ambulance, Life Support 5 and the Salem Fire Dept. and Mannington Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 1 hour and 32 minutes.


• Penns Grove Fire Dept. responded to Poplar Street on Sunday at 11:42 a.m. for a gas leak and remained in service for 33 minutes.

Carneys Point Fire and Rescue and Penns Grove Ambulance responded to assist and remained service for 31 minutes.


• Pennsville Fire Co. responded on Friday at 5:07 p.m. to South Broadway for an alarm system and remained in service for 20 minutes.

Deepwater Fire Co. responded to assist.

• Pennsville Fire Co. responded on Friday at 5:07 p.m. to South Broadway for an alarm system and remained in service for 20 minutes.

Deepwater Fire Co. responded to assist.

• Deepwater Fire Co. responded on Sunday at 11:14 a.m. to Kent Ave. for an elevator rescue assignment and remained service for 9 minutes.

Pennsville Ambulance and Carneys Point Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 6 minutes.


• Reliance Fire Co. responded at 3:26 p.m. on Saturday to Avis Mill Road and Whig Lane Road for a motor vehicle crash and remained inservice for 54 minutes.

Woodstown Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 56 minutes.


• Quinton Fire Co. responded at 10:58 a.m. on Saturday to Salem-Quinton Road for a wires call and remained in service for 1 hour.

Quinton Ambulance responded to assist and remained in service for 1 hour.


• Reliance Fire Co. responded on Saturday at 7:52 p.m. to Swedesboro-Monroeville Road and Route 77 for a wires call and remained in service for 35 minutes.

• Monroeville Fire Co. responded at 9:55 a.m. on Sunday to Woolman Road for a brush fire and remained in service for 35 minutes.

MANNINGTON TWP. — Two people were taken to area hospitals after two vehicles collided on county Route 540 here Sunday afternoon, state police said.

The accident took place shortly before 4:30 p.m. Sunday on Route 540 between Bypass and Harris Roads.

According to police, a Toyota and  Buick, traveling in opposite directions collided when one of the vehicles drifted over the center line.

The vehicles came to rest in a nearby farm field.

There were two occupants in the Toyota, police said. One was taken to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., while the other person received only a minor injury and did not  require hospitalization.

The driver of the Buick, the lone occupant of the vehicle, was taken to The Memorial Hospital of Salem County.

Identification of those involved and their conditions were not available Sunday night.

Responding to the scene when the call went out at 4:22 p.m. were the Mannington Fire Company and Mannington Ambulance, Fenwick Ambulance, which transported the patients to the hospitals, the Salem Fire Department and Life Support 4 and Life Support 5.

By Phil Dunn, pdunn@sjnewsco.com
CARNEYS POINT TWP. — A plan for a contracted public works inter-local agreement between Carneys Point Township and the Borough of Penns Grove is at a standstill after a crucial funding source has been frozen at the state level.

Before both sides sign a formal agreement, a new funding source is needed to replace the original $200,000 SHARE (Sharing Available Resources Efficiently) grant that was lost.

“We are talking with different people to obtain a new funding source to purchase the equipment,” said Carneys Point Mayor Wayne Pelura. “We are all hitting the same roadblocks, there just isn’t any money.”

The two towns did not get an official chance to apply for the grant as funds were frozen by the state after negotiations between the municipalities for a shared public works department were complete.

“It was part of the application process that both towns had to have a signed agreement,” said Pelura. “After the contract was kicked back and forth a few times the money was frozen and it was too late to apply for the grant.”

The inter-local agreement between Penns Grove and Carneys Point was initiated in February 2009.

The SHARE grant is split into two portions, one for a feasibility study and another portion for the actual inter-local agreement. The state gives $20,000 to conduct the study and $200,000 for the agreement.

“We did not need to apply for the feasibility study portion,” said Pelura.

Penns Grove Mayor John Washington disagrees, saying he wants officials from the state to see if a true shared service between the towns is logical. He does not agree with the boroughs public works services being contracted to Carneys Point.

“What I agreed too is the feasibility study,” said Washington.

He said the current agreement is not fair to the borough.

“This is an agreement draw up by the (Penns Grove) Budget Review Committee,” said Washington. “The first year we will only save a nickel (on the tax rate), the second year the savings goes down, and by the third year we are paying for the service.”

A feasibility study was done between the two towns in 2001, and it was said to be a viable combination at that time.

The shared service could be a combination of department manpower or Carneys Point could incorporate Penns Grove into its normal trash collection route. This would be manageable as Carneys Point surrounds Penns Grove.

Penns Grove Councilman Joseph Venello said the Carneys Point Public Works Department trash trucks are constantly turning around on their routes when they reach the border with Penns Grove.

“Its just makes sense to have them come through and pick up (trash),” said Venello.

Venello sits on the Penns Grove Budget Review Committee and sees the shared service as a viable option.

“I see it as an improvement in services and a savings to the borough,” said Venello. “At one point before we lost the grant we were going to see a $100,000 savings.”

Third Legislative District officials also see the merger as part of a greater good for the state.

“We have met with the Third District representatives,” said Pelura. “They realize this is a good agreement between both municipalities.”

Even though the towns have lost funding, Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-3rd Dist., felt they should continue to pursue the avenue of combining the public works departments.

Venello said he would like to see the project continue even though the grant funding has been frozen.

“Any way we can get it done,” he said.

VINELAND — Nothing can quite show determination to rebuild like the turnout for Saturday night’s Loyle Lanes 50th anniversary celebration.

Event workers about an hour into the party estimated roughly 350 to 400 guests came to Merighi’s Savoy Inn on Landis Avenue, in a show of support following the Jan. 11 fire that destroyed the facility proven to be as much a community destination as a bowling alley.

Charles Loyle, founder of the family business, said the anniversary actually fell on Feb. 10.

Steven Smink, 47, the owner of competitor Pike Lanes in Deerfield Township, has been charged with paying two alleged accomplices to burn Loyle Lanes down. He was released from Cumberland County Jail late last month after posting $400,000 bail.

21-year-old Felix Manzano, who like Smink lives in Philadelphia, was still in jail on $300,000 bail and charged with several counts of arson, it was reported March 11. Also charged is an unnamed 17-year-old.
 
Charles Loyle was impressed by the turnout Saturday night as he mingled with guests.

“It says when you’re in the community for 50 years and you contribute to that community, the people respond to us and they miss us,” he said.

When asked about efforts at a comeback, he said, “We’re still working with our insurance company, and Loyle Lanes will make every effort to rebuild because the community needs a recreational activity like bowling.”

Charles said members of the Vineland Rotary Club, and in particular local accountant David Schad and Southern New Jersey Steel owner Hugh McCaffrey, had spurred efforts to organize the celebration.

Faithful Loyle patrons, friends and employees packed the Merighi’s banquet room. Many wore bowling league shirts to show support.

They competed in a little Wii bowling on large screen TVs as they mingled over cocktails and feasted on a buffet.

For many, the memories of bowling for real at Loyle Lanes abounded. Guests compared stories and spoke of how many nights a week they played in leagues.

For Charles’ son Chuck Loyle, there must have been too much to recall in one night.

“Every face I see here, I see a memory,” he said. He added that a friend from high school found an old bowling shirt he’d worn to Loyle Lanes in the 1960’s.
 
Chuck had worked there as a youngster but said he left for about 15 years to go into business with his older brother Harry.

He returned in 1995 and had generally run the business at Loyle Lanes with his brother Michael and uncle John, Charles’ brother.

“This is the perfect example of our family and our customers coming together to support us,” he said, “and we’re anxious to get back on our feet.”

“I just wish this (event) could last for more than one night.”

Chuck’s daughter Alanna Loyle also worked at the alley for a few years, “but I’ve been there my entire life,” she said.

“A lot of the memories come from when I was little,” she said, “going to birthday parties there with my friends, to Christmas parties, and just meeting a lot of new people.”

Likewise, Vineland Mayor Robert Romano said there was plenty for him to recall. He said he had bowled in leagues at Loyle Lanes and had attended events there with family.

Loyle Lanes also provided a much-needed outlet for local kids, he said. That became clear in part as Romano worked with the Vineland Mayor’s Youth Council.

“One of the topics there is that kids have no place to go,” he explained. In fact, he said, the loss (at least for now) of Loyle Lanes is specifically mentioned.

“It’s really a great resource for the community, so I think everyone anticipates it coming back,” the mayor said.

“The sooner we get it rebuilt, the better it’s going to be for Vineland,” he remarked to guests as he presented a certificate of recognition to the owners for 50 years in operation.

County Clerk Gloria Noto also presented a similar certificate from herself, as well as one from U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R, 2nd District).
 

PITTSGROVE TWP. — Some call him “The Dancing Bear,” others the “Round Mound of Get Down.” But by any name or accolade, the affable and easy-going Frank Harris never shies away from the dance floor.

He and dancing partner Barbara Sanza are champs of this year’s Dancing With the Cumberland County Stars event held Friday night at Centerton Country Club.

Proceeds from $45 per ticket and other fundraisers throughout the evening go to scholarships for students at the Cumberland County Technical Education Center (CCTEC).

The sixth annual competition drew about 385 to 400 guests, said Deerfield Township Deputy Mayor Carol Musso, who co-chaired the event along with fellow Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce member Jody Hirata.

“It’s going well,” Musso said after the first two of four competing couples danced. “We didn’t know, because of the economy, how much we would make this year.”
 
She said organizers hoped to provide at least four $1,000 scholarships, as they did last year.

Harris, who retired from the New Jersey Army National Guard after serving for 23 years, is now a project manager for engineering firm Pennoni Associates.  Sanza, who won last year’s competition with Joseph Santoro, is the manager of the First National Bank of Elmer’s Upper Deerfield branch.
 
The duo brought at least the loudest supporters of the evening. Many stood, cheered and clapped to the beat of  Bobby Darin’s “Little Bitty Pretty One” and James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing” as Harris and Sanza held nothing back on the floor.

They also won the evening’s People’s Choice award. That goes to the couple whose designated hat collects the most cash from spectators.

CCTEC Superintendent of Schools Darlene Barber teamed up with Community Healthcare Inc. President and CEO Gil Walter.
 
They did a tango and salsa-style routine to “Tango Uno” and “La Vida Es Un Carnival.”

Carol Brigio, who works for Family Practice of Cumberland County and is a board member of the addiction treatment facility the Hendricks House, performed with CCTEC recruiter and public relations coordinator Bill Shaughnessy.

They began with “No Se Tango,” featured in the film “Take the Lead.” But they had to radically change their style when suddenly Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” interjected.

Brigio and Shaughnessy might as well have been on a 1990’s club scene, until the original, more classy, piece took over again.

Joe Blandino, Bridgeton High School’s athletic director for 25 years now, danced with All That Dance Studios teacher and artistic director Meredith Shaw.

They would have been the center of attention at a 1970’s disco as they danced to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and “Shake Your Body” by the Jacksons.

Guests also danced in between performances to the music of Jack Neff Band, who provided entertainment throughout.

Additional funds from the event came from a 50/50 raffle and lottery hat.

PENNS GROVE — Do you know the difference between normal forgetfulness and the first signs of dementia? How is the brain affected by aging or by Alzheimer’s disease?

 These and many other questions will be answered by local neurologist Dr. Dennis Graham at the next in a series of lectures hosted by Salem County Adult Day Care.

SCADC’s Family Council is hosting Graham for an informal “Medical Overview of Dementia” on Thursday, March 25, at 4:30 p.m. to help senior citizens and family caregivers for senior or disabled adults better understand Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

The series is being hosted at the adult medical day care facility opened this past fall at 53 S. Broad St. here.

“We are hoping community members, family caregivers and senior citizens will take advantage of this free opportunity to meet with Dr. Graham and learn more about warning signs and treatment options for various dementias,” said Jen Bucolo, SCADC administrator.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, at least 5.3 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most commonly diagnosed form of dementia, and every 70 seconds someone is diagnosed with the disorder.

 The association estimates that Alzheimer’s and dementia triple health care costs for senior citizens over age 65 and that treatment costs Medicare, Medicaid and businesses in excess of $148 billion annually.

That is without adding in the costs to families for increased care needs or wages lost due to care issues.

“Dessert and coffee will be provided by our Family Council for this important talk by Dr. Graham, and anyone who comes is welcome to bring a sandwich or light supper since we tried to time this talk so working caregivers could also attend,” said Bucolo.

Although drop-ins are always welcome, anyone interested in attending the talk is encouraged to call SCADC at (856) 299-1111 to help them plan for adequate refreshments.

FAIRFIELD TWP. — Even the Saturday nor’easter’s cold deluge couldn’t stop roughly 20 brave runners from toughing out the 2.7-mile Toad Fish Run benefiting the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The race course starts at the Seeley Law Office on West Commerce Street in Bridgeton and ends at the Toad Fish Bar & Grill on Bridgeton-Fairton Road.

The sixth annual event was the first to be marred by such bad weather, but  organizers crowned the youngest race winner yet.

Joey Ordille, a 14-year-old cross-country and track runner attending Hopewell Crest School, crossed the finish line first. It was Ordille’s first appearance in the race.

“In the beginning, it wasn’t that bad,” he said as he dried off inside the bar. “But we started hitting all the puddles, and my feet were getting weighed down because they were so wet.”

Alex Niziolek, 19, of Elizabeth, finished just behind Ordille. He too had been a cross-country and track runner in high school, he said.

Niziolek took part in the race along with his friend Joseph Contino, an Eagle Scout and adult scout leader with Troop 47 in Seabrook.

Contino this past winter organized a donation effort in Bridgeton that yielded well more than 150 coats for the less fortunate.

Niziolek seemed happy to help his friend in Saturday’s charitable effort.

“It was fun,” he said. “It was a different experience.”

“It was definitely cold, but I warmed up in the middle of the race. I had a good running companion,” he continued, referring to Ordille.

Jonathan Kelly and long-time friend Neil Riley organize the event each year.

Kelly acknowledged the weather must have kept a lot of potential runners - and walkers - home, and that really cut into proceeds for the ACS.

But he couldn’t get a rain date, he said, because others involved have plans for at least the next few weekends.
 
About 150 took part in last year’s event and about 75 the year before.

Nonetheless, Kelly, who also takes part in the race, was as stoic as the soaked competitors. He said he paid $1,400, out of his own pocket, for commemorative event T-shirts.

“We may take a hit on it this year,” he said. “But it’s for a good cause.”

Participants paid $20 for a T-shirt, one-hour open bar and a buffet at the Toad Fish. Part of those proceeds go to the ACS, he said and part go to cover the cost of having the T-shirts made.

In addition, 21 business sponsors each made a $50 donation, all of which goes to the ACS, Kelly said. The following businesses were sponsors:

Thompson Realty in Bridgeton, Shiloh Pizza, Ewing Farms of Greenwich, Security Tech on Roadstown Road, Dusty’s Custom Golf Carts and Auto Images on Route 49, Ben’s Pest Pounders LLC, Coldwell Banker/S. Kelly Real Estate, Jon’s Barber Shop on Landis Avenue, Maple Valley Nursery on Maple Street, and Bridgeton Family Medicine.

Other business sponsors were Custom Graphics of Vineland, JPR D.O. LLC of West Sherman Avenue in Vineland, Affordable Lead Solutions of Vineland, AVA Construction, Rocco Arno Paving on Rosenhayn Avenue, Patrick Austin Sr. & Son Tree Experts, Smith & Richards Lumber Company in Bridgeton, McDermott Christmas Tree Farm in Shiloh, Jonathan M. Kelly Home Improvements (Kelly’s own business) and Sloan’s Flower Shop on Route 49.

The first Toad Fish Run was a race stemming from a friendly wager made over beers between Kelly and Riley, when the former bet he could run to the bar and finish a beer before his friend.

But the following year, the men made it a benefit for the ACS as Kelly’s stepfather, Jerry Kilby, was battling cancer.

Kilby, a civil engineer for the Cumberland County Public Works Department, passed away in June 2005.







 

The Pennsville Township Police Department responded to 689 calls during February.
PENNSVILLE TWP. — The Pennsville Police Department answered 689 calls for service for the month of February.

One hundred seventeen criminal investigations resulted in 24 arrests, police said and 18 individuals were arrested for warrants.

During February Pennsville police responded to 44 alarms and 217 motor vehicle tickets were issued.

Police also responded to 34 motor vehicle accidents. In those accidents four people received injuries.

Power outages remained throughout the region this morning following Saturday’s strong nor’easter which hit the area with heavy rain and high winds that brought down power lines.

As of 9:30 this morning, Atlantic City Electric Co. was reporting more than 7,900 customers still without power in its South Jersey service area.

Of those customers, about 70 were in Salem County, according to the utility’s Web site.

Saturday’s storm brought high winds. Gusts were reported near 70 mph in Atlantic City and 45 mph at the National Weather Service station in New Castle, Del., the closest Weather Service measuring station to Salem County.

* Jorge L. Gonzalez, 32, of Vineland, was returned to New Jersey from Massachusetts on March 1 on a waiver of extradition on three Cumberland County Superior Court warrants for failing to appear for sentencing on drug charges and two warrants for failing to appear for violation of probation hearings.

The alleged probation violations stem from charges of tampering with evidence and criminal mischief filed against Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

* Niles J. Rivers, 20, of Bridgeton, was arrested March 2 on a Cumberland County Superior Court warrant for failing to appear for a violation of probation hearing stemming from a theft charge. Rivers was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

* Bruce L. Walters, 35, of Port Norris, was arrested March 2 on two Cumberland County Superior Court warrants for failing to comply with non-support orders totaling $39,472. He was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

* Bruce Williams, 46, of Bridgeton, was arrested March 2 on a Cumberland County Superior Court warrant for failing to comply with a non-support order in the amount of $1,000. He was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

* Nancy R. Murillo, 33, of Bridgeton, was arrested March 3 on a Cumberland County Superior Court warrant for failing to comply with a non-support order in the amount of $4,582.65. She was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.
       
* Michael F. Downing, 40, of Bridgeton, was arrested March 3 on a Cumberland County Superior Court warrant for failing to comply with a non-support order in the amount of $77,182.47. He was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

* Walter Smith, 54, of Vineland, was arrested March 3 on a Cumberland County Superior Court warrant for failing to comply with a non-support order in the amount of $32,719.70. He was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

* Quentin T. Vann, 23, of Bridgeton, was arrested March 3 on a Cumberland County Superior Court warrant for failing to comply with a non-support order in the amount of $10,071.66. He was subsequently lodged in Cumberland County Jail.

ALLOWAY TWP. — Alloway Fire Co. responded at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to county Route 540 and remained on the scene for 2 hours.

Alloway EMS responded to assist and also remained in service for 2 hours.
Salem County fire companies responded to several calls for downed wires.
Other fire activity:

Today’s Sunbeam contacted the Salem County Fire Radio Control Center to receive reports on all activity of fire and rescue companies within the county during the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Saturday.


• Mannington Fire Co. responded at 5:55 a.m. Saturday to Route 45 for wires and remained in service for 15 minutes.


• Quinton Fire Co. responded at 11 a.m. Saturday to Quinton-Alloway Road for fires.

Staff photo by Bryan LittelA farm field in Upper Pittsgrove Township was turned into a small lake because of Saturday's heavy rain.
SALEM — A strong nor’easter packing torrential rain and high winds raked Salem County Saturday, bringing down trees, causing flooding and leaving many without power for a time.

About 2 to 3 inches of rain had fallen across the area as of Saturday evening and more was expected through early Sunday.

The storm picked up strength during the early morning hours Saturday and delivered its strongest punch throughout the day. By evening, strong winds had subsided and the rainfall had eased.

During the height of the storm, sustained winds of more than 30 mph howled with gusts of up to 45 mph at times, according to the National Weather Service.

Lakes, streams and creeks were quickly swollen by the runoff caused by the intense rainfall.

Water gathered in many fields and yards and along roadways, especially those areas prone to flooding during storms. In some rural areas, muddy runoff from saturated farm fields washed across roadways.

Around the county there were many large branches and some trees brought down by the storm, but no serious incidents were reported, according to county Administrator Earl Gage.

Freeholder Bruce Bobbitt, chair of the county’s Public Works Committee, said a crew from the road department had been on duty since 6:30 a.m. Saturday and was dispatched to clear debris from roads.

“The road department, as always, was prepared to handle an eventual situation,” Bobbitt said.

“We will continue to monitor throughout the night, especially at this evening’s high tide.”

A coastal flood advisory had been in effect until 4 a.m. this morning because of the combination of a new moon and strong northeast winds causing unusually high tides.

High tide at Salem Cove on the Delaware River came at 9:59 p.m. Saturday and will come at 11:18 a.m. Sunday. The time of high tide is earlier south of Salem and later to the north.

At high tide Saturday morning, tidal waters crept onto shoulders and partially into traffic lanes in some areas, including along the county Route 540 causeway in Mannington and on Route 45 at Fenwick Creek.

Fire companies responded to several calls for downed wires.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, Atlantic City Electric Co. reported on its Web site that more than 20,000 customers around its South Jersey service area were without power.

About 75 customers were reported in the dark in Salem County. The number of reported outages here earlier in the day was larger.

Despite the rough weather, many residents still braved the storm to venture out.

At the Elmer Grange Hall in Upper Pittsgrove, the rain didn’t appear to hamper those attending the annual fried oyster and chicken salad dinner benefiting the Salem County Fair Association.

The forecast called for more showers through Sunday and into Monday, but not of the intensity seen on Saturday.

By midweek, just before the official arrival of spring on Saturday, highs are expected to climb into the upper 50s to near 60 with sunny skies.

By Phil Dunn, pdunn@sjnewsco.com
UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. — Cropland here may see a new use in the near future after plans were submitted to the Upper Pittsgrove Township Planning Board to construct a 512-acre solar farm here.

The plans call for the solar farm to be spilt into two separate sections— an east site and west site. The land is currently owned by Ed Stella and will be leased to Atlantic Green Power based of Egg Harbor Township, officials say.

“We are talking about a total 72 Megawatts that will be generated,” said Richard M. Hluchan, Stella’s lawyer. “That is enough electricity to service 7,000 homes.”

The east site in total is comprised of 177 acres of farmland located near the intersection of Route 40 and Burlington Road. Ninety acres of that property will be used for solar panels, said Hluchan.

The west site will be located along Route 77 and its intersections with Newkirk Station Road, Colson Road, Bridgeton Road and Jefferson Road. Of that 681-acre property, 422 acres will be used for solar panels, said Hluchan.

“The panels will not be set up in one large mass section,” said Hluchan. “The east site will be split into three sections and the west will be split into 10.”

Extensive landscaping will surround the facility minimizing the eyesore of the panels with trees. Fencing will also be put up for security.

“I understand this is a sensitive concern of the community,” said Hluchan. “Its new and different something they are not used to seeing so we are doing all we can through landscaping and so forth to minimize the view.”

The 512-acre solar project still needs approval from the Upper Pittsgrove Township Planning Board. Due to the scope of the project, residents here will be given their due diligence to discuss what they see as the positives and negatives of the proposal at a public hearing on Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the township hall.

Mayor Jack Cimprich could not comment directly on this project because he is a member of the planning board, but he did say that the township has received a influx of applications for these types of renewable energy solar projects.

“Its going to be a tough road for these applications to take farm ground out of farming and show how that fits our master plan,” said Cimprich. “Its got to be good for the agricultural nature of this township.”

Hluchan said there are very drawbacks to installing solar panels.
“They basically sit there and absorb the rays of the sun and that turns in electricity.”

Cimprich said there are two types of solar farms — ones for personal use and ones for commercial use. Private solar farms are used to provide energy back to the facility itself while commercial farms are selling the energy.

Upper Pittsgrove already has a number of private solar projects including one at the Upper Pittsgrove School and another on the township building which will be completed by the end of this month.

“I’m very much in favor of renewable energy and the good that it provides to society. It’s a good move because it helps to reduce air pollution and the reliance we have on other fossil fuels,” said Cimprich.

“It’s time we start providing our own energy and that is all part of the equation, but at the same time we have to do what’s best for the residents of Upper Pittsgrove.

Atlantic Green Power will be holding an informational meeting presenting an in-depth look into the design and benefits behind the proposed solar farm at Stella Farms on Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Elmer Grange Hall.

By John Barna
jbarna@sjnewsco.com

A $12,000 private plane was destroyed and a shopping center roof collapsed Saturday as a slow-moving but massive rain storm passed through the Gloucester County area.

A Piper  PA 12 aircraft was destroyed at Cross Keys Airport on Tuckahoe Road when its right wing tether line snapped and high winds blew it over, Monroe Township Capt. Tony Pace said. The plane came to rest upside down, Pace said.

At the Williamstown Pavilion Shopping Center, a portion of the roof collapsed under the weight of water from the storm, Pace said. Three businesses were closed for safety reasons by Monroe Building Inspector Dan Kozak.

The storm dumped approximately 4 inches of water in Merchantville and Hammonton by sunset Saturday, according to the National Weather Service office in Westhampton Township. The office did not report significant damage from the storm other than downed trees and wires.

Debra Sellitto, spokeswoman for Gloucester County, said there were flooding reports in “low-lying” area of Westville, Pitman, Mantua Township and Deptford Township.

Utility crews were dispatched for numerous reports of downed wires, she said.

Atlantic City Electric had approximately 23,000 customers without electricity during the day Saturday, according to its website. Most of the customers without power were in an area extending from Hammonton to Shamong Township in Burlington County. Those outages as of 6 p.m. included 2,175 in the Hammonton area, 203 in the Williamstown area, 100 in the Glassboro area, 211 in Clayton and Franklinville and 199 in an area south of Millville.

Public Service Electric and Gas — the state’s largest utility with 2.1 million customers - had 73,000 homes and businesses without power as of 5 p.m. Saturday. Crews were expected to work throughout the night to restore service, according to the utility.

In Monroe Township, Pace reported 15 inches of water affecting traffic on U.S. Route 322 at Eldridge Avenue and 12 inches of water that forced the closing of a northbound lane of traffic on the Black Horse Pike near Taylor’s Bar and Grill.

A garage in the 1500 block of Magnolia Avenue was damaged when a tree toppled onto its roof, Pace said.

A utility pole near the Walgreens where Routes 42 and 322 and Sicklerville Road converge snapped at its base, the result of high winds, Pace said. That forced the closure of a port ion of the Black Horse Pike.

PENNS GROVE — John Victor Santiago, 18, of South Smith Avenue, Penns Grove, was arrested Tuesday at 6:31 p.m. on an outstanding warrant out Penns Grove Municipal Court, police said.
Penns Grove police have announced several arrests.
His bail was set at $1,053. Santiago was lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility in default of bail.


Other police activity:


• Larissa C. Owens, 30, of East Main Street, Penns Grove, was arrested Feb. 24 at 1:35 p.m. and charged with simple assault, police said.

Owens was released on her own recognizes pending a new court date.

• Julian Sletcher, 18, of South Broad Street, Penns Grove, was arrested Feb. 24 at 10:49 p.m. and charged with the fraudulent use of a credit card, police said.

 Sletcher was released on his own recognizes pending a new court date.