MANCHESTER – After a fire claimed the life of a resident, township officials offered their prayers and talked about just how dangerous certain conditions can be.
During a recent Township Council meeting, Councilman Joseph Hankins described the situation when police and firefighters responded to burning home.
“There was a fatal fire and you have to commend the police officers that made the first attempt and rescue and if there was any question about just how hot it was…,” Hankins said while holding up a blackened firefighter helmet. “This is what one of the firefighters was wearing when he went in. Nothing speaks louder than the visual.”
“They did what they could but unfortunately sometimes it doesn’t work out. One of the things I did discuss at that meeting was the windows. A lot of our senior communities have those larger bedroom windows or living room windows that should be your second emergency exit. When you only have one door that window has to be kept clear. Don’t put a dresser in front of it, don’t plant shrubs outside that window,” the councilman added.
He said the officers who made the first attempt at the scene “were able to gain access through a window from the outside so it is certainly important to keep that window clear when you have one door.”
In other news, members of the township police department will be getting some upgrades to their locker room and showers. The governing body approved a capital ordinance appropriating $53,000 for those upgrades.
The Council also passed an ordinance amending salary ranges and positions of bargaining unit employees. The township’s budget introduction is expected to occur in April.
Council President Roxy Conniff noted that a 4-H Club was being formed in the township and “we are hoping to get that set up by June.” She said it would be of benefit to the school district’s STEM program.
“The mayor (Robert Arace) and I got a tour of the Community Garden out in Whiting. We had no idea anything was out there but it is a really great community garden. You can plant anything but white potatoes because it attracts a certain type of beetle.”
She encouraged residents to visit the township website and to click on the Manchester Community Garden for more information.
“I’ve also been working with Congressman Chris Smith’s office and there are a number of programs involving funding for local projects so I’m working with the congressman’s office to try to get some money for Manchester with projects that would be beneficial to our town,” she added.
Councilman Craig Wallis noted the coming of Memorial Day in May and a service that will be held in Whiting this year. “Tracey Lynch, our recreation director, she is the person behind all these events that are held so if you ever see her around thank her for all the time she puts in. All the veterans that are there – we are always trying to make things better for them.”
Councilwoman Michele Zolezi also noted the high percentage of veterans within the community. “We are always super supportive of all our veterans here in Manchester as we have a large population of those who have served.”
The councilwoman attended the most recent Coffee with Cops event held at All Star Bagel on March 25. Police Chief Robert Dolan said that the next few events will go back to a weekday schedule and that there would be a pizza with police event during the summer.
“I really like seeing our police interact with the public and I think they do a really great job each and every day,” the councilwoman said. She encouraged residents to come out to future meetings of the Township Environmental Commission.
The Councilwoman added, “they are looking to facilitate some more programs here in Manchester so by all means go to the website and try to be supportive of them and try to get out to a meeting. I want to also remind people to shop locally. We’re here to support our own businesses.”
