Letter to the editor: Fill out Manchester Township survey to help them decide how to spend ARP funds

Jan. 25, 2022

To the Editor:

I have been covering Manchester Township board meetings in the Mirror for nearly two years. As a resident of Manchester Township, I saw that the minutes of board meetings lacked detail, basically covering who was there and specific motions the board voted on. It is nearly impossible to tell what might be motivating them. The fire chief is usually the only other person there.

Now it’s your turn to give the township your feedback without leaving the comfort of your home. There is a survey on the township website that is easy to fill out, and asks for your opinion of roads, police response, various types of development and preservation of agriculture and natural resources, with some space to make comments. Don’t forget, Village residents are also Township residents. https://twp-manchester.org/ — under Announcements on the first page

This is especially important because the township will receive over $270,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The previous conditions on how that money could be spent have mostly been eliminated. So, the township board gets to decide, and has a couple of years to spend it. By filling out the survey, you can make sure the board knows what you think is most important.

The board has set a special workshop meeting to discuss these funds on Tuesday, February 8, 5:30 pm, at the township hall. You can rest assured I will be there and report on the discussion. I don’t cover every single thing discussed, so your best bet is to attend yourself. In addition, they will also discuss community engagement, which was prompted by the interviews they did to fill positions on the planning commission and zoning board of appeals.

Wherever you live, when you engage with your local leaders, and each other, you make your community stronger. Make sure your voice is counted before February 8!

Sincerely,

Sybil Kolon

Views expressed in any Letter to the Editor are always exclusively those of the author. Do you have something you want Manchester to know? Send your Letter to the Editor to themanchestermirror@gmail.com.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.