100th Anniversary Wenonah Train Station Built in 1893, it was described in the newspapers as Wenonah's new handsome station. It replaced the small "Mantua Station at Wenonah" built in 1870. After closing of passenger service in 1949, it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Through the efforts of the Railroad Station Restoration Committee and many involved citizens, it was restored and is now Wenonah's handsome community center—a tribute to its hundredth birthday.

ANNUAL MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Residents: 1992 was one of the most difficult years that we—and every other municipality in the State of New Jersey—have ever had to face. These difficulties stemmed from increasing state regulations and mandates (without the funds to pay for them) and a budgeting process that created havoc with our own ability to adopt a budget, keep taxes down, and get things done right here in Wenonah.

Yet, despite these difficulties, we pressed forward and were able to accomplish a number of significant improvements.

S. Princeton, N. Jackson and S. Lincoln Avenues were paved as part of our on-going street improvements program. Streets were selected for paving based upon their state of deterioration, and whether or not the sewer and water lines under those streets need further work; (we will not pave streets now, knowing that we have to dig them back up in the near future to fix the water and sewer lines underneath them). In addition to streets being paved, we surfaced a parking area on N. West Avenue across from the Grosscup Building, as well as repairing water lines on N. Synnott and Stockton Avenues.

Through a Community Development Block (Federal) Grant of over $44,000, we were able to complete the handicapped-accessible lavatory facilities at our Cedar Street Recreational Field. We hope to install similar facilities at the Wenonah Lake area this year after a major sewer line and pump station project is completed in that vicinity.

We were also able to finalize a computerized mapping (CAD) system of our water and sewer lines, a project initiated two years ago. This will go a long way toward helping us to improve our sewer and water systems.

It was a great day on Friday, October 30, 1992 when the traffic light signal at the intersection of Woodbury-Glassboro Road and E. Mantua Avenue was activated. As background, back in 1989 and again in 1990;1 urged the County Freeholders to put in this light, to no avail. In 1991, we organized a petition drive that gathered over 800 signatures of Wenonah and Deptford residents in support of this light. I presented this petition to the Freeholders at their meeting on October 16, 1991. After constant contact with the County since then, a good working relationship developed and our long-sought traffic light became a reality. Sometimes, persistence really does pay off!

Last year, we continued in our quest to apply for all available grants, an emphasis that I stressed since coming on Borough Council in 1988. In 1992, we received a 550,000 grant to pave Buttonwood Street this year. We also received 54,219 in Clean Communities funds, bringing our four year total for these "Clean Up Wenonah" monies to over S22000 (most of it going toward our youth groups).

In 1992, we began the removal of our old fuel storage tanks at the Borough Public Works Yard on Maple Street. We are able to do so, and save the $50.000-$100,000 that it would cost for new tanks and required monitoring equipment, because of an agreement that we reached with the County to use their fuel depot on Mantua Avenue (across the Wenonah line in Mantua). The removal of our existing fuel tanks was yet another example of a state requirement without providing the funds to do so.

We have applied for a $100,000 grant to completely overhaul the pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks (connecting N. East and N. West Avenues). In addition, almost a year's worth of labor was put forth by the Mayor's Commission for Planning the Future of Wenonah, as well as three months of review and final adoption by the Planning Board, resulting in our first major revision to the town's Master Plan since the 1970s.

It is my hope that the Borough Council will now follow up on this with major and critically-needed changes to our Land Use and Zoning Ordinances, so that development within Wenonah will be safeguarded well into the next century.

In January of last year. our Fire Company took possession of a new and sorely-needed fire truck. Through skillful financing, our excellent financial rating as a town, and the low interest rate environment, we were able to sell bond anticipation notes at 3.89% instead of going into permanent bonding to finance this purchase. By going to notes. we saved about $20,000 in legal, advertising and accounting fees. And, since the notes are paid on an annual anniversary date basis, we had use of our new fire truck for one full year before paying one cent in interest.

These, and many other accomplishments too numerous to mention here. are the result of hundreds of hours of hard work by your Mayor and Members of Borough Council—Wenonah's leading volunteers.

A small town is like a big family. In 1993. let's resolve to all work together in a spirit of mutual respect and fairness given these difficult times. The governing body asks that you direct any concerns, questions or criticisms that you may hear, or may have, directly to them so that you can get the facts and alleviate any misunderstandings or false information.

In closing, I wish to thank all of the members of the official family of Wenonah: borough officers, employees, appointed officials, and members of boards and commissions, for their line efforts and service to our citizens in 1992. The Borough Council will go forward as it has in the past, providing the maximum in borough services and improvements at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayers.

Sincerely,

DALE. T. TAYLOR
Mayor

Railroad Station Restoration Committee
Dave Miller, General Chairman
Jim McQuaide, Architectural
Loretta Ward, Personnel
Connie Cowell, Financial

The almost impossible task of restoration of the abandoned building was done with volunteers under the direction of the Wenonah Railroad Restoration Committee chaired by Dave Miller.

Trains like these made regular stops in Wenonah between 1893 and 1949 when passenger service was discontinued.

Top Left: Woodburning Engine #18 circa 1880

Bottom Left: West Jersey Railroad Engine #22 • Pennsylvania Railroad Class "C" circa 1890

Top Right: E-C Atlantic • Built for the West Jersey & Seashore Railroad • Used through the 1940s

Bottom Right: Electric Train • 1906-1946