New Jersey General Election On November 5
By Pam Forman, Township Clerk
The 2024 New Jersey General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
For those voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked no later than November 5, 2024. In addition to using the U.S. Mail, voters can also place their completed ballots in the drop box located in the Township’s municipal complex, 5605 N. Crescent Blvd., by 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Below is a list of polling locations for the upcoming election. Residents who have voted by mail in the past and wish to cast their votes in person at a polling place must do so via a provisional ballot.
An Important Update For District 6 Voters
Due to ongoing construction at Pennsauken Towers, voters from District 6 will be voting at Faith Independent Bible Church, 7651 Rogers Ave., for the 2024 General Election.
Should residents have any questions, please feel free to contact the Pennsauken Clerk’s Office at (856) 665-1000 x122 or x124.
| Polling Location | Address | Voting Districts |
| Temple Lutheran Church | 5600 N. Rt. 130 | 1, 11, and 24 |
| Pennsauken Free Public Library | 5605 N. Crescent Blvd. | 2, 7, 12, and 15 |
| Faith Independent Bible Church | 7651 Rogers Ave. | 3, 6, and 23 |
| Martin Luther Christian School | 4106 Terrace Ave. | 4 and 16 |
| Pennsauken Municipal Court | 2400 Bethel Ave. | 5 |
| Homestead Youth Center | 4771 Willow Ave. | 8 and 10 |
| Saint Matthew's United Methodist Church | 1665 Derousse Ave. | 9 and 14 |
| Pennsauken United Methodist Church | 3451 Pennsylvania Ave. | 13, 17, and 18 |
| MPWC | 6751 Westfield Ave. | 19 |
| Stonegate at St. Stephen’s | 5101 Stonegate Dr. | 20 and 21 |
| Cooper River Plaza | 2400 McClellan Ave. | 22 |
Celebrating National Infrastructure Month, Beginning Leaf Collection Season
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director of Pennsauken Public Works
November is Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness and reaffirm the commitment to keep our country’s critical infrastructure safe and strong. We often overlook critical systems until they fail, immediately impacting our lives. Utilities, like water, electric, and sewer, are the first that come to mind, but also include roads and communication. With all things being tied to the internet, there is a host of effort put in place to keep the digital security of these systems intact.
Town Hall Meeting Honors Local Veteran
The Board of Commissioners will meet in Pennsauken tonight for the next town hall meeting for Camden County.
“These town halls are extremely important because it gives us the opportunity to hear directly from our constituents,” Commissioner Al Dyer said. “We encourage everyone to join us to voice your concerns and receive updates about what is going on here in Camden County, across New Jersey, and nationwide.”
During the town hall, Army Veteran Lou Morales will be honored.
Morales served in the Army from 1979 until 2006 and was involved in major military campaigns Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. During his service, Morales earned several honors and medals including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Morales is now a member of the VFW and American Legion Post 68 and has volunteered with Stand Down South Jersey, an event that provides necessary services to homeless veterans, for 30 years.
Merchantville Elementary Haunted House On October 18-19
The Merchantville Elementary School Haunted House returns for two nights of thrills and chills Oct. 18 and 19 at Merchantville School, 130 S. Centre St. Pick up Not-So-Scary tickets from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. for a tour designed with the littlest kids in mind. Regular admission available from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 adults, $3 kids.
This year’s event takes guests through a haunted adventure sure to make you scream! Snacks, glowsticks, and much more are also available for purchase.
Proceeds benefit the Merchantville School eighth grade graduation.
Pennsauken Police Trunk Or Treat On October 16
The Pennsauken Township Police Department invites the local community to its third annual Trunk or Treat event on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 2400 Bethel Ave. Trick or Treaters will be able to safely get candy and other snacks from vehicles decorated for Halloween. Food trucks will also be on site for participants to purchase meals. In addition, trophies will be awarded to the top five trunks!
Roadwork To Close River Road In Pennsauken
PSE&G will be working on River Road in Pennsauken on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Tuesday, there will be a full road closure at the intersection of 36th Street.
“Motorists should plan ahead to take alternate routes and give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations,” said Commissioner Al Dyer, liaison to the Department of Public Works. “Also, remember that when you’re traveling through a construction area, please slow down and stay alert for crew members and debris.”
The Camden County Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining over 1,200 miles of county roadway, 50 bridges and several dams. They are dedicated to making our area safer for motorists and pedestrians through county highway construction projects and road maintenance, including pothole repairs, street sweeping, grass cutting and storm drainage upkeep. The Public Works Department is located in Lindenwold where personnel are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve the residents of Camden County.
To report concerns on Camden County roadways, call (856) 566-2980 or visit www.camdencounty.com.
Pennsauken To Hold Fall Festival On October 19
Pennsauken Township’s Parks and Recreation Department will host the annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 20). This annual event, held from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex at the corner of Bethel and Westfield avenues, brings the Township community together with fun activities.
Obituary: John M. Coyle
John M. Coyle, age 81, of Merchantville, passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2024.
He was the loving husband of 60 years to Mary Ellen (nee McDermott); devoted father of Patty (Paul Hoffman), Loretta (Tom Huslin), Jay (Pam Colozzi) and Joe (Chanin McDowell); proud grandfather of Christian, Jessica (Wade Kennedy), Kristen (Brandon Traino), Olivia, Joseph, Cora and Kathleen and great-grandfather of Lilly Felicity; beloved brother of Linda (Peter Moller); brother-in-law of Doris Matlack; and cherished cousin of many. John is pre-deceased by parents Marie (nee Muldowney) and Colonel John J. Coyle of the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, where John was born and raised.
John was a graduate of Merchantville High School and long-time active parishioner of Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church in Merchantville, NJ. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with St. Peter’s Knights of Columbus Council #6735. John had a very successful 40-year sales career in Fleet Management with Holman Enterprises’ ARI branch. He served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves 915 MASH unit at Fort Dix as a Medic and Platoon Leader, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.
John had a strong work ethic which he is proud to have passed down to his children and grandchildren. His fierce love for his country and devotion to his Catholic faith were always evident in his generosity of time and talent.
Blessed to travel often with his wife and children, John and Mary’s favorite repeat destinations included Hawaii and Ireland. A decades-long resident of Merchantville, John was a proud homeowner for many years in The Gardens neighborhood of Ocean City, NJ, which he generously shared with his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and classic war movies, and “furrvently” devoted to lap cat, Princess, and porch cat, Tux.
Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and Friday, September 27, 2024, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 N. Browning Rd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church, 43 W. Maple Ave in Merchantville, NJ 08109. Interment will follow at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, NJ 08031.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Peter Church at the above address.
Pennsauken Fall Clean-Up Day On September 28
Pennsauken Township’s Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a fall clean-up day on Saturday, Sept. 28. Held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., volunteers will work at the park along 38th St. and Chestnut Ave.
“Every year, volunteers from our community step up to keep Pennsauken’s amazing outdoor spaces clean and free from litter,” said Pennsauken Mayor Marco DiBattista. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for community groups and young people looking to fulfill service hours. We invite you to be a part of this effort!”
Each person, family, or team will be provided with trash bags, a bucket, gloves (one size fits all), and trash pickers. It is suggested that volunteers wear boots, along with old clothes (long-sleeved shirts and pants), as individuals can get muddy and dirty. These clean ups may be canceled/postponed due to weather 24 hours prior to the event.
Registration for the fall clean-up is required. To register, please email the following information to jvazquez@pennsauken.gov:
- Your full name
- The number of people coming with you, if any
- A good phone number and email address to contact you with updates, cancellations, etc.
Pennsauken Native Returns To “Halloween Wars”
Pennsauken native Al DiBartolo returns to Food Network to compete in season 14 of “Halloween Wars,” the show where “teams of pumpkin carvers, cake bakers and sugar artists, captained for the first time ever by former champions, will showcase their ghoulish talents for a chance to win a sweet cash prize.”
“Very excited to be back on Halloween Wars Season 14 on food network starting September 22nd!!,” posted DiBartolo on social media. “The talent is incredible and I’m honored to be among the best in cake, sugar, and pumpkin once again!!”
DiBartolo, known locally as the talented baker who helped run his family’s business that was a Collingswood landmark for decades before closing in 2023, will be part of “Death by Deco” team, joining pumpkin carver Matt Thorup and sugar artist Rebecca Wortman.
Al is a veteran of the Food Network show, having won season 6 as part of the “Sugar Psychos” team. He has also competed in “Holiday Wars” and “Food Network Challenge” on Food Network, “Next Great Baker” on TLC, and “Stab That Cake” on Cooking Channel, among others. Season 14 of “Halloween Wars” debuts on Food Network on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 9:00 p.m.
