Riverside Township approves community partnerships, two special-event permits and electronic payment for credit card

Riverside Township officials on Feb. 11 approved a slate of community partnership grants and sponsorships, cleared two special-event requests including a fee waiver for a Masonic partner pending insurance, and authorized electronic payment for the township credit card.

The board voted to fund five nonprofit programs and two arts organizations, awarding $5,000 each to Access to Care, Aging Care Connections and Best Buddies, $1,500 to Riverside Arts Weekend and $10,000 to the Riverside Arts Center. All grants were approved by roll call with the exception of the Best Buddies award, where Supervisor Wills registered an abstention because of a stated relationship to the organization’s state director.

Why it matters: The grants support primary and behavioral health services for uninsured residents, long-term services and supports for older adults, youth and disability-focused programming, and local arts education and public events in the township. Board members said these community partnerships are part of ongoing township support for service providers and cultural organizations.

Most consequential actions - Access to Care: The board approved a $5,000 partnership grant after a presentation by Kimberly Mertz, chief operating officer. Mertz said the program provides primary care, low-cost lab and radiology services and discounted prescriptions for low-income,…