Pine Barrens Tribune December 14 - December 20, 2024

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—A massive, unsightly electrical cabinet that was installed on a Southampton Township-

owned street island last year in the LeisureTowne retirement community as part of a community solar project by BEMS Landfill, a subsidiary of CEP Renewables, has been unplugged and

removed from its location on Saint Davids Place, returning the view of the street for approximately a dozen homeowners. The electrical unit, which caused

Nighttime Drone Sightings in NJ Expand to Pinelands, Unsettling Both Residents and Area

Enforcement Following Weeks of No Answers About Who Is Operating Them, South Jersey Congressman Claims ‘Deeply Troubling’ Information Points to ‘Foreign Adversaries,’ But FBI, Pentagon Dispute That

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

EVESHAM—Purported drone sightings - with some units of a large nature - during the nighttime hours across New Jersey have left lawmakers demanding answers and action, and residents and local police concerned about public safety.

And while the drone activity reportedly began in Northern New Jersey in midNovember, this past week it appeared to have expanded into portions of South Jersey, including into parts of our newspaper coverage area.

Some of the highest-ranking state officials have repeatedly insisted they have no answers on who is operating the unmanned aircraft, and the FBI said on Capital Hill Dec. 10 that they have not yet identified who is responsible, but then, in a bombshell press release and subsequent Fox News interview just before noon on Dec. 11, GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew, of the state’s Second Congressional District in South Jersey, claimed it is the “real deal,”

Cat Problem’ in Lower Bank Has Washington Township Considering Feeding Prohibition Suggested by Animal Control Closure Signs for Green Bank Road in Neighboring Atlantic County Being ‘Intentionally

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—A “feral cat problem” in the Lower Bank section of Washington Township has officials here considering introducing an ordinance that would address what the mayor maintains is people deliberately feeding them, including those reportedly coming from out of town.

Regularly feeding feral cats can result in an overpopulation, and in Lower Bank, that purported activity has led to what Mayor C. Leigh Gadd, Jr. called during a Dec. 3 Washington Township Committee session an “out of control” situation.

“We are going to have to find a way to address the people who are coming from out of town to feed these cats,” Gadd declared.

The mayor maintained that “I don't know if people are still dumping them off, but I know people who don’t live here, as well as probably some people who do live here, who are feeding them.”

“That is not helping the situation,” Gadd asserted. “Although, I understand why people feed them.”

Gadd described that the local animal control officer has “been trying to get a handle on the feral cat problem” by setting traps.

and Thrown to Side, Officials Claim

However, he contended that “a lot of the cats that are being caught have already been tipped,” with cat ear-tipping described by various animal control agencies as removing a small portion of one of a cat’s ears while the cat is under anesthesia for spay or neuter surgery, or what is a universally-recognized symbol of a cat who has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

The mayor said of the tipped cats, “apparently, they have to be released by law,” and as a result, “it was suggested by the animal control officer I spoke to a few weeks ago that the town should consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of feral cats.”

The mayor maintained it will be “unfortunate” if “we have to do that” or it “comes to that,” but also recognized “it is a problem that doesn’t solve itself” and “something” will have to be done to adequately address the “complaints.”

As for what any ordinance might stipulate, according to Gadd, “We haven’t had time to look into anything, as far as that goes, yet.”

“I am an animal lover myself,” Gadd said. “I have had plenty of cats that are

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State Police Reportedly Meet with Woodland Officials, Vow to Dedicate ‘Couple Troopers Weekly’ to Address Speeding Officials to Pursue Two People Allegedly Engaging in Illegal Dumping, Hear Call for Leaf Collection Amid Report of Resident Burning Leaves; Fire Company Awaits Compensation Decision for Damaged Tender

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WOODLAND—The New Jersey State Police Red Lion Barracks commander, Lt. Christopher Salvato, has reportedly committed to Woodland Township officials to changing the agency’s policing posture, at least somewhat, in the municipality.

It comes amid numerous accidents, including fatal ones, being reported in the township over the last several months, and Resident Jane Donoghue, involved in one of the non-fatal crashes, demanding changes and reporting her observations of both speeding and a lack of police presence in Chatsworth, or the downtown area of the municipality.

Woodland Mayor William “Billy” DeGroff revealed during the latest Nov. 26 Woodland Township Committee session that he and Township Administrator/ Clerk Maryalice Brown recently met with Salvato.

“He understands our concerns,” said DeGroff of the station commander. “All the other towns, as you know, have the same problems we are having with

according to the mayor, is “going to dedicate a couple troopers weekly within our town to try to prevent some speeding.”

The station commander’s “goal,” DeGroff added, is to “make sure that every week, at least a couple days a week, there are some Troopers in the area, in our town, Shamong, Tabernacle, and Southampton.”

“Hopefully, we’ll see some Troopers out,” DeGroff declared.

Woodland Deputy Mayor Mark Herndon said he already observed a Trooper patrolling on the day of the committee session.

“Thank you very much for meeting with the police,” responded Donoghue to the announcement. “I know everybody in town is probably extremely grateful for that. I know I am, myself.”

Problems, meanwhile, are reportedly continuing with purported illegal dumping at the Woodland Township Transfer Station. Last month, DeGroff revealed such activity was purportedly occurring and threatened to pursue legal action against anyone continuing

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A 6-3 rejection by the Pemberton Township Planning Board, following a standing-room-only meeting that lasted over four hours on the evening of Dec. 5, of a long-disputed application for the 89-unit first phase of Liberty Woods, an agerestricted community proposed for a nearly 700-acre site off Lakehurst Road known as Pole Bridge Forest, might appear to have officially closed the door on the project.

According to the applicant’s attorney, however, it may not have—not yet, anyway.

When asked by the Pine Barrens Tribune whether the potential developer, Equity Enterprises of Allenhurst, had any plans to pursue an appeal of that decision, William F. Harrison, a partner in the Newarkbased law firm of Genova Burns, LLC, replied, “There is certainly a mechanism

DRONE

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explaining that from “very high sources and very qualified sources and very responsible sources,” he has been purportedly told “Iran launched a mothership about a month ago that contains these drones.”

“I am going to tell you the deal – it is off the East Coast of America,” Van Drew told a Fox News anchor. “They launched drones, from everything we can see and hear, and again these are from high sources - I don’t say this lightly.”

Van Drew then pointed to a “deal” that “Iran made with China to purchase drones, motherships and technology in order to go forward.”

Van Drew concluded that the sources he has “are good,” but must maintain “confidentiality.”

“These drones must be shot down,” Van Drew declared. “Whether it be some crazy hobbyist, which we can’t imagine, or whether we think it is Iran, and I think it could very possibly be, they should be shot down.”

The Fox News anchor appeared stunned at what Van Drew had just proclaimed on air, summarizing that the congressman “gave us some pretty dire information here.”

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, however, during a subsequent Dec. 11 afternoon press conference, maintained, “At this time, we have no evidence these activities are coming from a foreign entity or are the work of an adversary.”

She added the Pentagon’s “initial assessment” is that “these are drones that are not coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”

The drone activity in our neck of the woods became persistent, noticeable and widespread enough on the night of Dec. 5, in the area of Evesham Township, for Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller to hold a press gaggle the following day.

“We had varying reports of anywhere between four to eight drones that were flying through the area,” Miller reported. “They weren’t like the normal, you know, drone that somebody would purchase and use. They were large.”

Miller maintained some “were described

to do that, and we are discussing how we want to proceed before any appeal could be filed with the court.”

Such an appeal would have to be based on the language of the board’s resolution “memorializing its decision, which presumably will be much longer than what was said at the meeting” by the members in casting their votes, noted Harrison, who serves as chair of the firm’s environmental law and land use and approvals practice specialty areas.

“Under the law, they have 45 days to adopt the resolution,” which would most likely be done at the next planning board meeting in January, Harrison said.

A good deal of what was discussed at the Dec. 5 session was devoted to questions of whether or not the acreage on which the units in question would arise was a habitat

as large as like an SUV” and that they had “blinking lights.”

“We checked the area, and we monitored their activity, up until they left the area,” Miller said.

Miller noted his agency has been in contact with the New Jersey State Police “to try to determine who is operating these drones.”

“At this time, we are still investigating,” the chief contended. “We have no information of who the drones belonged to, or what their purpose was. We are looking at possible connections to Northern New Jersey, which is experiencing the same type of incidents.”

Miller asked anyone with information about who might be flying them to contact his department.

“There is definitely concern,” Miller told reporters, noting that it was not only because they seemed to be larger than the ones used by hobbyists, but also because of how they were able to navigate the sky on what was a windy night, pointing to the apparent sophistication involved.

On the night of Dec. 5, the drones were observed over Evesham, according to Miller, before moving into Cherry Hill and ultimately heading towards Philadelphia. The chief reported that “complaints” on that particular night also came in from Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel and Medford townships, with sightings also as far east as Ocean County.

Some police agencies and towns in Northern and Central New Jersey have reported observing the drones hovering over critical infrastructure, as well as the Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, two military institutions. In one case, the activity reportedly had prevented a medavac chopper from landing.

Some 19 mayors in Northern New Jersey reportedly signed a letter demanding answers and action by authorities, taking issue with what they contend has been, so far, “a reactive instead of proactive approach” to the issue.

One state legislator, this past weekend, called for a special joint Legislative Session so that legislators can be debriefed on the issue, while one state Senator, on Dec. 10, called on Democratic Governor Phil Murphy to declare a limited state of emergency, to

The countdown is almost over! All that’s left to do is tie up the last loose ends so you can welcome everyone. Here’s a list of suggestions for wrapping up your preparations:

Buy perishable foods to ensure they’re as fresh as possible.

Unearth last-minute gifts. Unforeseen events and oversights are part of life!

Clean the rooms where your guests will be spending the most time. Lock the others to maintain privacy.

Reserve a well-deserved moment of relaxation alone or with your loved ones.

Brown Delivers Farewell Address to Residents of Tabernacle as Committee OKs Agreement for New Administrator/Clerk Departing Official Reflects on ‘Challenging’

Tenure, Praises Electeds Who Made ‘Decisions’ and Offers ‘Advice’ to Transparency Advocate

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—Maryalice Brown, who has been providing administrator and clerk services to Tabernacle Township through a shared services agreement with Woodland Township, was to be “dismissed as of the 2nd of December,” according to Tabernacle Mayor Noble McNaughton when questioned by resident and local transparency advocate Fran Brooks at the latest Nov. 25 Tabernacle Township Committee session about Brown’s scheduled last day.

Whether the transition happened as expected on Dec. 2, however, could not be immediately confirmed by this newspaper, with Brown’s name and email address remaining on the township’s “Administrator” and “Municipal Clerk” webpages on the evening of Dec. 8, but following a question from this newspaper on Dec. 9, both webpages were subsequently updated by early evening to remove Brown’s name.

Brown, during the Nov. 25 committee session, indicated her time serving Tabernacle was coming to an end.

When Deputy Mayor Joe Barton, also serving on a subcommittee exploring options for restoring shuttered Tabernacle Town Hall, told Brown, “We would like you to take a harder look for that Guzzi (Engineering) report for the landfill” that reportedly detailed plans for moving the Public Works Department to the landfill site from its current location next to the municipal building, all in a bid to increase the amount of pervious coverage the township can work with to potentially expand Town Hall, Brown snapped, “I’m done!” “So, you are going to have to ask Kathy to do that harder look!” Brown added.

Brown is referring to who has been hired as her successor, Kathy Burger, a resident of Tabernacle and former municipal manager and clerk of Medford Township. Burger’s name appeared on the township website Dec. 9 in place of Brown.

Burger also confirmed Dec. 9 receipt of a Dec. 8 Open Public Records Act (OPRA)

request from this newspaper, which sought, in part, her length of service to Tabernacle, to confirm she was officially on the job.

Burger appeared to join forces earlier this fall with Brooks in challenging Brown on the processes being followed by the Clerk’s Office to pass resolutions and the municipal budget. They maintained the correct processes were not being utilized.

It came as several residents called for the shared service agreement to be discontinued amid a debacle involving the Town Hall, in which the building at one point this spring was deemed by town officials to be in imminent danger of collapse and requiring urgent demolition, only for that determination to be contradicted amid ensuing litigation brought against the township to stop the demolition, including by an independent, court-appointed structural engineer.

A Superior Court judge ultimately found the independent engineer to be “credible,” ordered stabilization repairs to Town Hall, and the building has since been stabilized.

Additionally, Brown, during her tenure, caught grief for a utility contractor being permitted by the Tabernacle Fire Department to use its parking lot as an apparent storage lot, with Brown later contending the arrangement was unbeknownst to her, despite the building being a short distance from the municipal complex and used to hold township committee meetings.

In another sign that Brown’s Tabernacle tenure had drawn to a close, Brown delivered a farewell address at the Nov. 25 Tabernacle committee session, noting it was her “final meeting.”

“Tabernacle is a much larger community than Woodland Township,” Brown said. “And as a result, it presented unique challenges that required more attention and care. This experience allowed me to apply and expand my knowledge as a clerk, helping me to grow both professionally and personally in my role as a municipal clerk and administrator.”

Brown recognized that “the past few

See ADMINISTRATOR/ Page 11

‘Exciting Update’ on Pemberton Water Carnival Is That Event Is Included in Recreation Department’s 2025 Budget Request Local Association Previously Warned Event’s Future Was Uncertain; Now It’s Planning ‘Float-Building Seminar’ to Facilitate Participation

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A couple weeks after Browns Mills Improvement Association (BMIA) President Marti Graf-Wenger appeared at a Pemberton Township Council meeting to warn “we find ourselves at a critical juncture” in trying to save the “cherished tradition” of the Pemberton Township Water Carnival, contending funding had not yet been allocated for the event and it might be on the chopping block, Wenger returned to council’s latest Dec. 4 session declaring, “I am here tonight to provide an exciting update on the upcoming water carnival.”

“I would like to extend our gratitude to the mayor and the administration for their support of this event,” Graf-Wenger continued. “We have received confirmation from the Recreation Department that they have submitted their budget, which includes the Water Carnival.”

Pemberton Township Mayor Jack Tompkins and Recreation Director Nichole Pittman publicly clashed at the last carnival, back in July 2023, following a thunderstorm.

It led Tompkins to attempt to remove Pittman from her director position, but council ultimately restored her to the role. Later, Pittman filed a lawsuit, alleging the mayor engaged in both retaliation and harassment. The mayor has denied the allegations.

The cancelation of other Recreation Department events that followed the 2023 carnival have led to allegations that politics was at play in those decisions.

The 2024 carnival was canceled days in advance based on forecasted inclement weather, though the prediction of thunderstorms did not pan out. It led to questions about why such a call wasn’t reserved until the day of the event. While there were also high heat indices, some regular attendees of the carnival found the conditions to be no different than during some of the previous years’ carnivals.

Tompkins, last month when GrafWenger suggested the 2025 carnival would

be canceled, called it “100 percent wrong.”

He maintained the Recreation Department simply had not yet met with administration to propose its 2025 budget, and that is why there was no funding earmarked yet for the event.

Tompkins also insisted that he had nothing to do with calling off the 2024 carnival.

While the Recreation Department has apparently proposed its 2025 budget in consultation with administration, council ultimately approves the township budget, which comprises various departmental requests. A decision is not expected on the municipal 2025 budget until sometime later in 2025.

It was not until July of this year when the 2024 municipal budget was approved by council.

Graf-Wenger, in previously explaining the history behind the “beloved” carnival, said its inception was back in 1948, starting as a “humble canoe festival.” From there, according to the BMIA president, the Water Carnival “blossomed into a cherished tradition that embodies the spirit and unity of our community.”

In 1997, she recounted, the BMIA had taken a “bold step to revive the carnival” after a 20-year hiatus, “reaffirming our commitment to preserving our community’s identity and heritage.”

“This event has been a cherished tradition in our community, and we are committed to bringing it back to its original glory,” said Graf-Wenger in her latest Dec. 4 remarks. “We have been in discussions with various groups and individuals who are eager to submit floats for this summer’s carnival.”

“We believe that with our combined efforts, we can facilitate their participation and create a truly spectacular event for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, we are looking into hosting a float building seminar at the BMIA Building, in the near future, to help foster creativity and collaboration.”

Contention Over

Cannabis Takes Hold at Tabernacle Meeting

After Committeeman Asks Prospective Grower’s Associate to Give Remarks About Benefits, Despite Known Opposition

One Committeeman Discusses Fear of Chinese Taking Over Farms, While Another Says of His Opposition: Town is ‘Bedroom Community’

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—There was contention over cannabis during the latest Nov. 25 Tabernacle Township Committee meeting, with the governing body voting to not bring in an expert to present in 2025 about the industry, a decision intended to maintain the status quo of disallowing cannabis businesses in the “bedroom community,” though it was part of a motion that died from a tie vote.

Al and Dr. Maria Schultheis, who owns Schultheis Farm, a 130-acre operation at 288 Carranza Road in Tabernacle Township, along with their associate, resident Joe McNally, have repeatedly tried to get the committee to reconsider its position on the matter.

Previously, the Schultheises described that they have been “approached with an opportunity for growing and cultivating cannabis,” and believe allowing the industry could help not only support their farm, but other farms in town by allowing for a new revenue source, as well as bring in much-needed revenue to the township given municipalities are

allowed to tax any cannabis revenue by 2 percent.

But when Committeeman Mark Hartman was mayor at the time of the initial pleas for reconsideration, the Schultheises could not get a rise out of him, or the rest of the committee members for that matter, as to whether it something they would reconsider.

On Nov. 25, however, it was Hartman who unexpectedly introduced the topic during his committee report, asking the governing body to hear directly from McNally.

“I have been doing a lot of thinking and listening to a lot of other municipalities,” said Hartman in asking that McNally be allowed to speak during his report. “We are missing out on a lot of money being generated to the township. I think we need to open our minds to actually thinking about this - actually letting farmers start growing marijuana.”

Mayor Noble McNaughton pointed out that it was not yet “public comment,” but Hartman, with a little more than a month left in his term at the time, insisted that McNally be allowed to speak because “he has some facts that I want to talk about.”

See CANNABIS/ Page 8

Mill Street Bridge in Southampton Closed for Emergency Repairs

SOUTHAMPTON—The

Burlington County Engineer’s Office ordered Dec. 6 the immediate closure of the Mill Street Bridge over the south branch of the Rancocas Creek in the Vincentown section of Southampton Township.

According to a press release from Burlington County, the bridge has been closed “in order to perform emergency repairs.”

David Levinsky, a spokesman for Burlington County, later told this newspaper that the “substructure is damaged.”

“My understanding is the emergency repairs are needed to shore it up,” he maintained.

This newspaper observed Burlington County Highway Department crews working at the site of the bridge the following day, Dec. 7, despite it being a Saturday. A backhoe loader was observed loading materials into a county dump truck.

Other machinery was located near the creek bed.

The press release from the county stated the emergency closure is expected to remain in place until emergency repairs to the bridge structure are completed, and that design work for repairs is “ongoing.”

“It is anticipated the repairs will take approximately three weeks to complete,” it was added.This bridge is not to be mistaken with another a short distance away on Mill Street that

New Pumper Truck Receives Pemberton Council’s OK, But Not Before Fire Chief Had to Put Out Fires Over Less-Costly Models

Community Leaders Rally Behind Fire Department, Chief, with Mayor Describing Intent for Town to Purchase Second New Truck Next Year; Councilman Accused of Threatening Chief’s Job During Public Meeting

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A “fully-customized”

Sutphen pumper fire truck has been authorized for purchase by Pemberton Township Council for $998,222, with a “due date of 25 to 28 months,” but not before Fire Chief Craig Augustoni had to put out some fires in what became a tense Dec. 4 Pemberton Township Council meeting in which some interpreted the remarks of one councilman as a threat against the chief’s job.

Preceding the meeting was a pronouncement from the Presidential Lakes Civic Association, which is the homeowner’s association for the Presidential Lakes section of the municipality, that the “township budget created during 2024 had allotted for a new fire truck to replace a 24-year-old truck that has mechanical issues,” but that “town council wants to nix the truck currently in the budget.”

“This was done to save money and buy a truck with less features,” the Facebook posting alleged. “The truck in the budget was selected to draw from our shallow lakes and carry ample water

virtual forum on a concept plan for redesigning.

for fire control in rural areas. If they delay the purchase, the price will go up substantially after Jan. 1, 2025.”

And so numerous residents and community leaders responded to that posting by attending the latest session, and all except one person who spoke out threw their full support behind the Pemberton Township Fire Department’s bid to get the intended fire truck.

And what the crowd observed was Augustoni and GOP Mayor Jack Tompkins defending the need for the customized fire truck, as designed, to Republican Councilmen Dan Dewey and Joshua Ward, in particular, both who have repeatedly argued for fiscal conservatism.

What eventually was revealed to leave the two Republican councilmen apparently smoldering is that Dewey, Ward and Councilman-elect Harry Harper had attended a League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City last month, and in exploring the various vendor displays on Nov. 19, came across the owner of a supplier of Spartan Fire Trucks, with two models on the floor as show exhibits.

“And he says, ‘We can sell you these

See TRUCK/ Page 6

in June 2022, Burlington County, in cooperation with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Michael Baker Design Team, hosted a

Levinsky, when asked about the status of the bridge awaiting a redesign, answered, “We are currently awaiting action by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and New Jersey

Department of Transportation to approve the county’s recommendation to award a contract for preliminary and final design for the other bridge’s replacement project.”“Construction is not anticipated to start until the end of 2026 at the earliest,” he added.

By

Photo

Douglas D. Melegari

Burlington County crews work at the site of the Mill Street Bridge in the Vincentown section of Southampton, after an immediate closure was ordered.

Small Early Morning Brush Fire Breaks Out in Kings Grant

EVESHAM—A small brush fire broke out during the early morning hours of Dec. 8 in the Kings Grant community of Evesham Township.

It happened behind Woodlake Drive, according to Evesham Fire-Rescue, with officials posting a pronouncement about it just after 4 a.m.

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two trucks today, and you can have them Friday or Monday,’” Dewey recounted. “‘We’ll deliver them.’ And both trucks were $1.3 million.”

Dewey maintained he then called Tompkins, and the mayor allegedly responded, ‘“Oh no! He signed the papers! We ordered that truck!”’

Tompkins denied having ever said that, but Dewey snapped, “Yes you did!”

“We were standing right next to the truck,” maintained Dewey of when the alleged remark was made. “I said, ‘”What do you mean you ordered the truck?’”

Augustoni denied having ordered the fire truck in advance of the ultimate Dec. 4 council approval.

Prior to the accusation pertaining to the League conference, Dewey had grilled Augustoni about the “paper for the build” having been allegedly signed by the chief back on May 23, months prior to the 2024 budget passage and capital ordinance approval by council.

“So, according to this paper here, it was around May you started building this truck,” Dewey said. “Is that correct?”

Augustoni answered, “So, we were having conversations, yes.”

Dewey then charged that “according to the papers, it was 5-23-24 when the truck was ordered!”

Augustoni responded by asking the councilman if it was a “spec” he had in hand, and when Dewey claimed it was, the fire chief retorted, “So, it is not ordered.”

Ultimately, Augustoni found himself repeatedly maintaining “it is not ordered,” while Dewey kept vowing, “We’ll get to the bottom of this!”

Amid the claims pertaining to the League conference, Dewey declared, “Well, I am just saying, for $1.3 million,

An area of approximately 1 acre, surrounded on three sides by water, burned in the inferno.

It is the latest in a string of brush and forest fires to occur in Evesham over the past two months, but no immediate cause for the Dec. 8 fire was released, as of press time.

we could have had two fire trucks for the town.”

“And they didn’t know us from Adam,” Dewey added.

Dewey then pointed out “one of the things about the Spartans is they are the fire truck that the City of Philadelphia uses every day,” contending, “So, it has got to be a pretty good truck for them!” He also called the trucks “reasonably priced.”

The Republican councilman contended of his opposition - which would eventually ease upon clarifications and explanations from the fire chief – he wants the local fire department to “have the equipment,” but “if there is an opportunity to buy two trucks for $1.3 million, which is the better deal?”

Augustoni, however, explained that one of the fire trucks on the conference floor, as it was explained to him by Harper, holds 750 gallons of water, which the chief asserted, “we can’t use.” Additionally, the models on the floor are “stock trucks.”

“The reason why the City of Philadelphia buys trucks like that is because they are called throwaways,” Augustoni said. “Because they purchase trucks every 10 to 15 years. We purchase trucks every 20 to 25 years.”

The fire chief further maintained that “the truck that we have asked” council to consider “is designed for the tactical capabilities of our municipality, and for the fire department.”

Augustoni noted that in later speaking to a representative, if modifications are made to the stock trucks (which would be inevitable to address the township’s needs), it would “cost more money.”

The fire chief contended that there is already a “savings” being brought about with the new truck his department is seeking because the fire department “can bring over its existing equipment.”

See TRUCK/ Page 10

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include a possible ban on drone flying, until it can be determined who is responsible for the drone activity being observed.

Some lawmakers are also starting to propose legislation that would instill greater restrictions on drone flying, and make it illegal for drones to drop things such as incendiary devices.

It has been said by some officials that the reason the drones have not been shot down is because of strict guidelines from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that make it virtually illegal to do so.

Murphy, just mere hours before the Burlington County drone sightings on Dec. 5, posted on X that he had convened a briefing Dec. 4 with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, as well as senior leadership from various state and federal law enforcement agencies and the state’s Congressional Delegation.

“We are actively monitoring the situation, and are in close coordination with our federal and state law enforcement partners on this matter,” he said. “There is no known threat to the public at this time.”

However, Murphy reportedly had said at one point last week “we don’t know what this is,” giving rise to questions about how such assurances can be made that there is no threat to public safety.

When questioned by the press on Dec. 9, the governor maintained he and his team were taking the sightings “deadly seriously,” before describing “these are apparently, as I understand it, very sophisticated.”

“The minute you get eyes on them, they go dark,” Murphy added.

In response to additional sightings and concerns, Murphy retweeted Dec. 10 a posting from Democratic Senator Cory Booker, proclaiming, “My office has been in communication with Governor Murphy’s office and our federal agency partners. While the drones currently pose no known threat to the public, my team and I will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Booker, however, ultimately wrote a much stronger letter to various U.S. departmental secretaries, writing, in part, “I recognize the need to maintain operational security of ongoing investigations and that this situation requires complex interagency coordination.”

“However, there is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the statefrom constituents and local officials alikedespite assurances that the drones pose no known threats to public safety. As such, I urge you to share any relevant information about these drone sightings with the public. Without transparency, I believe that rumors, fear and misinformation will continue to spread.”

Booker also asked the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and FAA to brief municipal and county officials.

On Dec. 11, state lawmakers and mayors were reportedly summoned to the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC), in West Trenton, to be briefed by Homeland Security officials.

While the briefing was closed to the press, numerous officials emerged irate, maintaining there were no answers.

“It was worthless, it was the biggest amateur hour presentation I have ever seen about anything,” declared State Assemblyman Brian Bergen. “It was ridiculous. There were no answers. Every question asked by a member of the state Legislature were great questions, but there were no answers, no resolutions. They don’t know where the drones are coming from.

They say they don’t know who is doing it. They say they don’t know why they are doing it. But then they say there is no credible threat.”

Bergen called it “annoying to be there,” a “waste” of time and said he was so frustrated that he walked out.

Several officials who took part in the briefing contended that New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick J. Callahan described that a state helicopter had pursued a drone for a time, but then let it go out of safety concerns for those in the chopper.

Bergen, who was one of the officials to describe the remarks, called such a decision “frustrating.”

State Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia summarized of the briefing, “We know nothing. PERIOD,” before characterizing statements of there being no known or credible threat as “incredibly misleading.” Fantasia, in releasing notes to the public from the briefing, said Homeland Security officials recognized “sightings occurring every night” in the state since Nov. 18 and that they have occurred during a six-to-seven-hour period from dusk to about 11 p.m. Reports, she added, have ranged from 4 to 180 sightings per night. Some drones have been up to 6 feet in diameter, Fantasia claimed to have been told.

Officials also were told, according to Fantasia, that the drones “appear to avoid detection by traditional methods,” including by use of radio frequencies and radar.

“The lack of detection capability is a significant concern,” she said.

Local Assemblywoman Andrea Katz called it “actually absurd that no one in the state or federal government can tell us what is happening with these drones.”

“I’m disturbed and I know a lot of my constituents feel the same way,” Katz declared. “We need answers. Now.”

The entire Republican caucus of the state put out a statement following the briefing, demanding “immediate federal action.”

“First and foremost, our top priority is the safety and security of New Jersey residents,” it was said. “Unfortunately, today’s briefing provided no additional clarity, leaving us frustrated and with no further information regarding these troubling incidents since they began. New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement have done an incredible job with the limited information they have, but their efforts to intervene have been severely hampered by the Federal Government’s jurisdiction over engagement with these aircraft. This restriction, along with the Biden Administration’s slow-rolled response, has fueled growing concerns and left residents to speculate the worst-case scenario as they await answers.

“It is irresponsible for federal representatives to assert that there is no threat to public safety while simultaneously asserting they have no information about who is operating the drones, where they originate, or where they are going. This contradiction is eroding public trust and only deepens the sense of uncertainty that many of our constituents have expressed.

“We share the frustrations of our constituents and feel the same urgency to act. That is why we are calling on Governor Murphy to demand, in the strongest terms possible, the full support of the federal government. He must insist that the Biden Administration immediately provide the tools and resources needed to safeguard our state - up to and including authorization to neutralize any drone that poses a threat to our residents. New Jerseyans deserve swift and effective action to ensure their safety and See DRONE/ Page 11

Photo Provided

A view of a small brush fire Dec. 8 in the Kings Grant section of Evesham.

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immense controversy given its construction evidently had been unexpected by the homeowners, was lifted off the island by a large crane on Nov. 6.

Resident Phyllis Peak, who led the charge for the unit to be removed, photographed the progression of the removal over the last several weeks, providing the photographs to the Pine Barrens Tribune of each step taken along the way.

“It is nice to see clearly at the eyebrow,” Peak told this newspaper. “It is clean and not obtrusive.”

Southampton and LeisureTowne officials previously described that a deal had been reached to install a pole array as an alternative to the massive electrical cabinet, and for it to be set up just outside of the retirement community, on Big Hill Road.

Peak also photographed that new setup, which contains a substantially smaller electrical cabinet.

“Saint Davids is winding down with the

restoration of the island, and the removal of the solar switch,” wrote LeisureTowne Board of Trustees President Bill Cozzi, also a private electrical engineer, in a December communication to residents, later obtained by this newspaper. “The concrete has been removed … and the soil replaced in the island. Big Hill Road relocation of the switching station is almost complete with the smaller box installed, poles up and the enclosure erection is in progress.”

Cozzi, in an accompanying photograph distributed to residents, declared, “Our first win for Saint Davids!” He also called the removal of the unit a “major success.”

“Now for the finishing touches of the landscaping,” Cozzi added.

During a Nov. 26 Southampton Township Committee session, Southampton Mayor Elizabeth Rossell described that “if you haven’t been down to Saint Davids, right now it is nothing but dirt.”

“Everything has been removed,” Rossell reported. “There is no fencing. That is probably the way it will stay until the spring,

Bank of America Branch in Evesham Robbed, Suspect Nabbed

EVESHAM—A Bank of America financial center in Evesham Township was robbed during the afternoon of Dec. 4, and police are said to have quickly apprehended a suspect.

The robbery happened at the Bank of America located at 351 W. Route 70, around 2:43 p.m., according to a later press release from the Evesham Township Police Department.

Police contended that the suspect had passed a note “threatening violence” and “demanding money” to a teller.

The teller then reportedly turned over U.S. currency to the suspect, before the individual fled the bank on foot.

Upon police arrival, officers are reported to have quickly disseminated the suspect’s description to additional responding units. As officers were conducting a “thorough search of the area,” an alert Evesham police officer is said to have observed a vehicle matching the description of one belonging to the suspect.

A traffic stop ensued, and the suspect,

David Bello, a 33-year-old, white, Hispanic man from Mount Laurel Township, was arrested, police said. The arrest occurred, police added, without incident.

A search warrant for the vehicle was subsequently obtained from a Burlington County Superior Court judge, according to police, and the search purportedly “revealed evidence linked to the robbery, which was seized.”

Bello was charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree theft and lodged in Burlington County Jail, pending his initial appearance in Superior Court.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Evesham Police Department at 856-983-1116, or its confidential tip line at 856-983-4699.

This investigation is reportedly being coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Mount Laurel Police Department and the Westampton Police Department to determine if Bello has been involved in any other similar bank robberies in the area.

Two Medford Township Council Members to Cohost Town Hall-Type Meeting on Downtown Parking Issues

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

MEDFORD—As often happens in communities whose downtown areas become magnets for those in search of recreation, Medford Township, which is gaining a reputation as a thriving hub for microbreweries with another scheduled to open next year, is facing an increasing problem of how to provide parking spaces for all the visitors drawn by those establishments and still leave enough for occupants of adjacent streets - a subject broached at a meeting of Medford Township Council last month.

Now, two members of the council have taken it upon themselves to identify potential solutions suggested by those very residents, rather than simply relying on the

and then, a plan will be put in place to fix it up. Right now, it is just a great big dirt pile.”

Southampton Township Administrator Brandon Umba pointed out that “as you all know, landscaping can’t be put in during the wintertime” because the “plants won’t survive.”

governing body to tackle the issue.

Coming up with viable suggestions will be the purpose of a town-hall type meeting to be cohosted by Councilman Michael Czyzyk and Councilwoman Bethany Milk on Dec. 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Cranberry Hall Senior Center, 44 Charles Street.

According to local resident Zachary Wilson, the informal event will include a discussion of such issues as parking enforcement on Main, Union, and Branch streets, as well as side streets in the neighborhood, plans for a municipal parking lot on South Street, ensuring safe egress from driveways and parking lots at times when traffic is heavy, how to protect parking spots for permanent residents, and providing accessibility for seniors using Cranberry Hall.

“So, they are going to have to wait until the spring,” he said.

At one point during the relocation process, there was a purported 6-foot trench across the island, but Rossell observed “everything has been filled in.”

Photo By Phyllis Peak

The graded Saint Davids Place street island, following removal of the switchgear station. It will be landscaped in the spring.

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McNaughton conceded to allowing McNally to speak.

McNally then spoke of his estimate that a cannabis growing operation at the Schultheis Farm could generate $18 million a year, “and the township would receive 2 percent of that direct revenue,” or $360,000.

“That is strictly from cultivation,” McNally added. “If we were to implement manufacturing there, solventless manufacturing with no chemicals, you are talking about anywhere between $360,000 to $750,000 a year, direct revenue to Tabernacle Township from one facility.”

Officials have previously spoken about the likely strain the anticipated remediation of shuttered Tabernacle Town Hall will put on the municipal budget and township taxpayers.

McNally pointed out “under the state guidelines, you are allowed to implement 50 percent of one venture for any municipal expense, for the life of that venture.”

“For example, if you needed to fix the Town Hall, without raising taxes to the taxpayer, you could allocate 2 percent from that venture specifically for that municipal structure,” McNally maintained.

The state provides municipal aid to municipalities each year, and McNally contended “there is also discussion at the state level that if municipalities have not taken advantage of all the financial avenues that the state has offered them, the state aid will be restricted.”

“So, for example, if your town did not opt-in to cannabis, there may be discussions about restricting how much financial aid you are entitled to,” McNally claimed.

As previously reported by this newspaper, municipalities in 2021 had a period where they could decide to either allow or disapprove of six cannabis business licensing classes, as designated by the state.

According to the New Jersey League of Municipalities, a municipality that had failed to enact an ordinance prohibiting the operation of one or more classes of cannabis establishments before Aug. 21, 2021, is now precluded from passing an ordinance banning the operation for a period of five years.

After the five-year period, a municipality has another 180-day window to prohibit or limit cannabis operations, but this action only applies prospectively, according to the League.

During the five-year period, towns that initially opt-out can opt-in at any time.

Tabernacle, in 2021, decided to opt-out of the cannabis licensing program. Several, but not all adjacent towns, however, opted in or took no action that automatically opted them in to the program.

Hartman asked McNally if he is aware of other farmers in Tabernacle who are interested in cannabis, to which McNalley answered, “Yes.”

“From early, preliminary discussions, you are probably looking at anywhere between four and six farmers who are looking to get involved in this,” McNally maintained. “And I will also add you have, within 50-square miles, five universities now all offering degrees in cannabis

cultivation and manufacturing.”

Hartman, following McNally’s attestations, asserted, “That could be over a million dollars, gentlemen, generated to the township!”

“This is an easy cash cow for us,” Hartman added. “This is easy money being taken in. And there is no work for us!

McNally pointed out there are 137 active dispensaries in New Jersey, but maintained “only” 18 cultivators are “up and running.”

“The projections for 2025 show they are 220,000 pounds short of expectations for cannabis,” McNally maintained. “So, New Jersey needs cultivators and manufacturers, where Tabernacle is perfect for that. New Jersey offers the best blueberries, the best tomatoes, and the best corn. Let’s offer them the ‘best cannabis.’”

But the first sign of opposition being maintained on the governing body is when Committeeman William Sprague, Jr., asked an apparent critical question: “What happens a few years down the road if one of these farmers decides to sell and the Chinese come in and buy it?”

Sprague further asked what “is to stop” the Chinese from buying any cannabis operation, maintaining the Chinese are currently buying farmland in the state.

“They may be able to buy the property, but you cannot buy the license,” McNally responded. “The license holder has to be a New Jersey resident for at least the previous two years. They are thoroughly vetted. They cannot have criminal backgrounds.”

Sprague followed up by inquiring if the license is “saleable,” like a liquor license, to which McNally responded, “No.”

“So, in theory, the Chinese could come in and buy the property,” said Sprague, to which McNally retorted, “I mean, they would have to circumvent the state police and the background checks from the CRC (Cannabis Regulatory Commission).”

But Sprague contended, “My concern is the Chinese are buying so much property, and I am very concerned about it,” to which McNally quipped, “It shouldn't matter if they are Chinese, Russian or Irish!”

Hartman kept repeating throughout the back and forth that “it is a lot of money” and “it can keep the farmers going.”

“It is the future, guys,” Hartman further declared. “And we are just letting it go by!”

McNally then offered the committee a “presentation” from an expert, having that person come to present sometime in January or February, but Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Joe Barton asserted, “We have already had this presentation, and the committee decided not to act!”

“But don’t you think we are missing out on a lot of money?” Hartman asked. “I mean, we are going to have to spend a lot of money on the whole building, and will probably have to buy property for Public Works.”

Barton answered, “We have a bedroom community with a good high school, a good grammar school, and we didn’t want to send a message to the children that it is OK to smoke marijuana. And growing marijuana in Tabernacle would be well known, and the committee at that time decided ‘no.’ And since then, the committee has decided ‘no.’ Unless the committee decides that someone wants

CANNABIS/ Page 9

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Brown indicated Nov. 26 that the township has knowledge that one of the individuals allegedly responsible is a tenant of a unit in the township.

When DeGroff suggested that a warning letter be sent to the tenant, Herndon contended the individual “needs more than a letter.”

But Brown then revealed that the unit is not registered with the municipality as a rental, and “therefore, I have no information on who the tenant is,” and so, the “letter is going to the homeowner.”

Officials indicated there is a second, separate person that has also been observed engaging in illegal dumping at the transfer station, with DeGroff charging of that individual, “he keeps bringing dump truck loads of stuff.”

“Send him a copy of the policy on what you are allowed to bring to the dump, blah, blah, blah,” DeGroff said. “And if he continues to disobey, then we are going to take further legal action.”

Herndon, however, argued for greater initial steps to be taken, including temporarily rescinding the individual’s dump privileges altogether, “otherwise he is going to laugh at it.” The deputy mayor maintained that the person has “already been warned twice.”

One of the individuals at issue, Herndon noted, and Brown confirmed, “has a yard filled with trash.” Brown said that she, as a result, sent Woodland Code Enforcement Officer Tom Boyd there.

“Tom actually left me a note that I have to sit and meet with him, and discuss what he found,” Brown added. “I have to sit with him and find out what exactly the violations are that we can write up the property owner for, not the tenant.”

Woodland Committeewoman Donna Mull, in response to the revelation that one of the individuals at issue allegedly has a yard filled with trash, asserted, “he needs to get his own dumpster!”

“Yes, he is going to have to,” Brown responded.

But the “big thing,” Brown contended, is the property owner of the unit at issue has to “register her rental.”

Some of the items being dumped at the transfer station by “contractors,” Mull contended, include toilets.

“You just got to keep an eye on that,” she said.

Brown recognized that Woodland officials already have a photograph of an alleged illegal dumper in action.

In October, Woodland Solicitor William Burns proclaimed that Woodland would be undertaking “overdue,” but “significant litigation” that is a “multifaceted investment” to address a purportedly vacant, disheveled property at 115 Maple Drive, in the Lebanon Lakes section of Woodland.

“Notices and certified letters have gone out,” said Burns on Nov. 26 in giving an update. “There is a curing period, meaning the homeowner has the opportunity to cure, but it is only by the middle of December. If they do not cure by that date, further action will be taken, which may include filing a complaint in Superior Court and/or additional violations being issued for

presentation before the Municipal Court. So, steps have been taken with respect to the unsafe property.”

Resident Lisa Sabatini, of Lebanon Lakes, who has persisted in inquiring about the status of the purportedly abandoned, unkempt property, during the latest governing body session, returned to another topic she had previously raised: the lack of leaf collection in Woodland.

“Nothing was really resolved with it,” Sabatini declared. “There are residents putting other residents in jeopardy by trying to burn them (the leaves), even though we are not supposed to have any kind of fires at all.”

DeGroff, in response, asked if the Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS Company was dispatched, to which Sabatini replied, “Yeah!”

Fire Chief Shawn Viscardi then recognized that the company did respond to the report and found that an individual living in a duplex was “burning leaves in his backyard” at the “height of everything we were dealing with,” or an ongoing drought and thenfire ban (the latter which has since been lifted given some rain).

“So, he was advised of all rules, regulations, and everything,” Viscardi said. “Then he said, ‘Well, the vac truck didn’t come around this year.’ Well, we never had a vac truck. Then he said he ‘bought the leaf bags, took them to the dump and I was turned away.’”

DeGroff, nevertheless, pointed to a previous response given to Sabatini’s request for leaf collection: it is too costly for Woodland to undertake and several adjacent municipalities were either unresponsive or disinterested in coming into Woodland to provide a shared service due to costs, but that a list of private businesses that recycle leaves was disseminated, including one listed based in Wrightstown that is “very cheap” and “reasonable” in price.

“But the fact that they are putting other residents in jeopardy, they obviously don’t know or care to research it themselves,” said Sabatini in asking if the township considered reaching out to a private contractor to provide leaf collection.

The mayor replied, “we looked, and we found a place that you could take your leaves” to and “it is much easier and simpler, and cheaper, to take your leaves to a place in Wrightstown.”

Sabatini retorted, “I know that, and you know that, but a lot of residents don’t know that.”

DeGroff, in response, asked Brown to post on the township[ website about proper leaf disposal and where leaves can be disposed, but Sabatini repeated that residents burning their leaves are putting others “in jeopardy,” which she maintained is “kind of scary.”

DeGroff urged anyone who witnesses such activity to call fire officials, and contended the New Jersey Forest Fire Service “will find them” and “can fine them.”

“If you want to put a reminder there that you cannot burn your leaves,” asked DeGroff of Brown, but Sabatini pointed out residents are also pushing them to the edge of the road, which is “clogging up the storm drains.”

As far as an update from Woodland

See SPEEDING/ Page 11

An Unexpected Gift for Grammie

BY SARAH BEAUREGARD AND JOHANNIE DUFOUR

Snowy Dell is home to a magnificent nature park where young and old alike can enjoy countless winter activities. The villagers can try out ice skating, skiing, snowshoeing and more. There’s something for everyone! One of the main attractions is the pretty chalet. Villagers use it to warm up, read, play and enjoy other indoor activities.

Little Sally has reserved the chalet for the day to run a pop-up boutique. She wants to raise enough money to buy a Christmas present for her grandmother, Francesca, whom she adores. She’s brought everything she needs to make hot chocolate and baked cookies to sell to park visitors.

The gift is rather expensive — it’s a snowmobile helmet. Francesca misplaced her old helmet the last time she moved. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have enough money to buy a new one. She’s sad she won’t be able to enjoy her favorite pastime this winter.

Sally knows she’ll have to sell a lot of cookies and hot chocolate to reach her goal. However, she’s highly motivated!

TRANSLATED BY JASMINE HEESAKER

She happily calls out to passers-by.

“Who wants to have a treat and do a good deed at the same time?” she asks with a big smile.

People approach her, their curiosity piqued. Sally explains why she opened her pop-up shop. Touched by her story, the visitors are generous. They also promise not to reveal her secret project to her grandmother. After all, everyone in Snowy Dell knows Francesca!

Sally’s pop-up boutique is a resounding success — it’s beyond her wildest dreams! At the end of the day, she counts all the money she made. It’s more than enough to buy the snowmobile helmet!

On Christmas Eve, Francesca unwraps the gift from her granddaughter.

“Oh, thank you, Sally, you’re going to make me cry!” she says, taking the helmet out of its box.

“Merry Christmas, Grammie! Think of me when you go snowmobiling,” she replies, giving her a BIG hug.

- The End -

Contest open to those ages 3 and up. Anyone under the age of 18 must obtain parent or guardian consent to enter. Previous winners of such contests are not eligible to win. Identification for winner may be required. Employees of the newspaper and sponsor employees are not eligible to win. Entry automatically enters individual’s name into contest. Contest entries will not be returned. Contest entries may be displayed or published in print and online by this newspaper; and become property of the newspaper. Winner will be awarded a movie basket from Zallie’s ShopRite of Medford. One entry per contest permitted. Entry form along with completed coloring panel should be mailed to Pine Barrens Tribune, Christmas Coloring Contest, P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 and postmarked by January 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. All entries must be received no later than 12 noon on January 24, 2025 and will not be returned. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. The decision of the judges is final. Winners will be notified by phone and/or email no later than January 31, 2025, and must appear in-person for award and agree to be photographed by the Pine Barrens Tribune and contest sponsor for publication.

Important Information:

• Postmarked by January 21, 2025 at 5 p.m.

• Must Be Received by 12 noon on January 24, 2025 • Christmas Coloring Contest form must be provided with each contest entry

Gifts Your Favorite Teachers Will Love

Christmas is the perfect time of year to extend your thanks to your children’s teachers. Instead of giving them another “world’s best teacher” mug, choose one of the following gifts that’s sure to please.

• Personalized pencils with their name printed right on them

• A tote bag that’s roomy enough to carry all their work to and from school

• A personal laminator to neatly display student’s work (don’t

Celebrate the Birth of Christ with Us

4:00pm 6:00pm Children’s Mass with Gospel Re-Enactment and Children’s Choir 8:00pm 10:00pm with Festival Choir and Brass Accompaniment Christmas Day 8:30am 10:00am Livestreamed to YouTube.com/SMLParish 11:30am

forget extra laminating sheets)

• A gift card to a local coffee shop to keep them caffeinated while they’re marking homework

• A membership to a local museum to inspire their lesson plans

• A scarf to keep them warm

• A gift basket filled with supplies like dry-erase markers, red correc ting pencils, glue sticks, grade-appropriate books and Christmas Eve

“...by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.”

All Aboard the Smile Train!

BY SARAH BEAUREGARD AND

Every year, the village of Snowy Dell gives out gifts to children with a little help from Santa Claus. He distributes the gifts on a small electric train that meanders through the streets. However, the famous man with the beard has a jam-packed schedule as the holiday season approaches. He needs a helping hand to get the job done in record time. Clara, Marco, Theo and Nora have been chosen to help him this year.

The four friends are excited as they board the train with Santa. All day long, they knock on doors and hand out presents to their neighbors, cousins, classmates and more. They also meet children they don’t know, who seem very nice. Everyone is so happy to see them that they feel like they’re spreading smiles!

“Thank you so much for your help, children,” says Santa as he takes them back to the station.

“It was our pleasure, we had a great day,” replies Theo.

His three friends nod in agreement. Then, they wave goodbye to Santa.

“Ho, ho, ho, but you forgot your presents!” exclaims Santa.

The children can’t believe it. They’ve had so much fun, they haven’t even thought about their own gifts!

“Yippee! A science kit!” exclaims Clara as she opens hers. “I’ll be able to try lots of experiments!”

“I got the pencils I wanted for my comics!” rejoices Marco, grinning from ear to ear. “And you, Theo?”

“Candy and chocolate baking supplies,” replies the boy. “I’m in for a real treat!”

The three friends turn to Nora, who looks at her gift with tears in her eyes.

“Uh, don’t you like it?” asks Clara.

“Oh no,” says the little girl, “I LOVE it! It’s the figurine I’ve been missing to complete my dinosaur collection!”

The children are doubly pleased. They’ve spread joy and received wonderful gifts. They’ll be talking about this special day for a long time.

JOHANNIE DUFOUR

TRANSLATED BY JASMINE HEESAKER

Hostess Gift

If you get invited to someone’s home over the holidays, it’s best not to arrive empty handed. However, it can be hard to know what to bring, especially if the host or hostess is a relatively new friend or acquaintance.

Fortunately, there are number of things — wine, chocolate, coffee, tea, fancy hand soap and unscented candles, for example — that make great gifts when you don’t know the recipient very well. However, if you do know them, you

could offer your host or hostess something that you think they’ll appreciate. If they love to cook, for instance, a cookbook or an inexpensive kitchen gadget would be ideal. Whatever you bring, make sure it’s not something that makes your host or hostess work. For example, if you choose

to bring a bouquet of flowers, arrange them in a vase before arriving so they don’t have to.

Remember, this gift is meant for the hosts to enjoy after the guests have gone home. They’re not obliged to share it with you or anyone else, so don’t expect them to.

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“Everything is just a nice dirt pileanother ski slope for us,” Rossell quipped. Peak, following the unit’s removal from the island, thanked Steven P. Gouin, an attorney representing CEP Renewables, describing that he has been “instrumental in coming to meet with our small Saint Davids’ group.” “He heard our concerns and committed to us that he would do what he could to move the switch station,” Peak recounted. “That happened over a year ago.”

Peak also thanked “those in our community who spoke with legislators, and people close to the project,” as well as those who engaged in a letter writing campaign to Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), with it previously said by now-former Mayor Michael Mikulski that PSE&G’s approval for a pole-array setup was the first of its kind for the utility in New Jersey, which had

PROHIBITION

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feral cats around my house, that I fed for years, and got them fixed. But it is out of control now.”

During a preceding committee session, Gadd maintained Washington officials were caught by surprise with the temporary closure by Atlantic County of Green Bank Road for roadway operations, with the thoroughfare a key artery for residents to get in and out of the Burlington County township to access the nearest business district of Egg Harbor City in Atlantic County.

The route is also considered a critical access route for the Green Bank Ambulance Company to transport patients to the nearest hospital in Atlantic County, but a crane, according to the Washington mayor, has made it difficult for promised emergency access to be maintained.

The timing of the closing has also presented difficulties as a secondary access

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to make a motion and second it, and have a vote on it, the ordinance stands the way it is!”

When Hartman pointed to other municipalities “making money,” Barton asked, “Mark, it becomes a matter of do you want to trade your money for your morals, and for your children’s health and future?!”

Barton also asked two additional questions: “Who smokes marijuana?” and “Does anybody in this room smoke marijuana?”

According to later remarks by a township official, over half the room had raised their hand, all while Hartman noted “a lot of professionals smoke it.”

“Tabernacle voted for it with a (state) referendum (legalizing cannabis) back in 2021,” McNally shot back. “Tabernacle Township almost voted on this, 2-1, to approve it. 65 percent of the township taxpayers voted ‘yes,’ they wanted it. Now you have farmers who are saying we need it to survive, and because of

followed the public pressure.

The new setup takes after one that Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) implemented to connect the solar array on the BEMS Landfill, adjacent to LeisureTowne, to its grid. The pole array for PSE&G connects to the same solar array, as did the now-removed electrical cabinet.

Additionally, Peak thanked Cozzi for his efforts, maintaining he “was transparent and made great efforts to keep the project moving along.”

“He helped with the interaction with the solar company and our Saint Davids’ group to meet and discuss our concerns and give input for the final design,” Peak described.

Cozzi, in his December resident communication, said he would “call this a success by the LeisureTowne Board and Southampton Township in making this happen!”

Peak noted that a number of residents “thank me for all I did” to see to it that the unit was removed, describing it “was hard,

route on the Burlington County side of the border (County Route 542) also has a bridge that is currently out and is expected to be offline for about a year.

It has meant, in some cases, an extra 15 to 20 minutes for Washington motorists to access Atlantic County.

Gadd, at the latest meeting, described that some of the signage for the Green Bank Road closure has been “run over” and “damaged one way or another.”

“Some people are moving them, it appears,” Gadd said. “Some people are running them over.”

In some cases, Gadd observed, “people are throwing them off to the side.”

“It is my opinion that some of them were intentionally damaged,” declared Gadd, describing a need to get back in contact with Atlantic County officials to have the signage restored given the safety issue the damaged or missing signage has reportedly caused.

Emergency Management Coordinator David Simpson noted of a sign placed on the only detour route of Lower Bank Road,

the prejudice and beliefs of five council members, you are going to deny the town taxpayers (relief).”

McNaughton, a farmer himself, responded, “We heard that – and again it is up to the committee to decide what to do.”

Hartman then made a motion to “have them come in during February with a presentation.” After some brief silence, McNaughton seconded the motion.

It died due to a tie vote, however, with Sprague and Barton casting the opposing votes. Committeeman Samuel “Sammy” Moore, who previously was against allowing cannabis, was absent from the session.

Following the vote, resident and transparency advocate Fran Brooks took Hartman to task for “inserting” the cannabis issue in “willy-nilly” form on the agenda.

“And this is not a comment about the substance of the issue of cannabis,” Brooks said. “It is about process. … The main reason (for a process) is so that there is an orderly conduct that is undertaken in the process of holding a meeting.”

The way in which Hartman had McNally offer remarks on cannabis caused

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but now worth it.”

“I am so glad it is over,” she declared. “I am known as the lady who fought for the switch station removal.”

Sue Hoffman, another LeisureTowne resident who persistently applied pressure for the removal of the unit and also shared photographs with this newspaper of the switchgear station being removed, wrote in a Nov. 7 email immediately following its removal that she hoped this newspaper would do a follow-up story on the unit’s

also known as “Two-Mile Stretch,” that someone “literally, pushed it with their vehicle about 200 feet from the side of the road, on the bend.”

“You can clearly see that they pushed it with a vehicle,” Simpson said. “You can follow the dirt from the sandbag.”

Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Ambulance Company, acknowledged having moved a sign related to the closure, but did so on Green Bank Road, and maintained it was “because we needed to get the ambulance through.” Gadd recognized that is an entirely “different” circumstance from what he believes is taking place.

“They blocked the whole road,” the chief declared. “You can’t get the ambulance to fit through.”

Gadd asserted, in response, “that - I am aware of.”

The mayor previously contended that when he raised concern with Atlantic County about the closure of an emergency route, he was initially assured access would be maintained for local traffic and

the meeting to “collapse,” Brooks charged.

Stuart Brooks, the husband of Fran and also a transparency advocate, said cannabis is a “legitimate public issue,” but took issue with McNally having been given a “backdoor” to access the committee.

“Don’t waste our time trying to shoehorn something in the backdoor, please,” Stuart Brooks declared.

Maria Schultheis, however, responded that she agrees that the “process should be followed,” before “reminding the committee” that “this process actually was started a year ago, October 2023, when, upon request, we put a presentation together for the committee about the opportunities and benefits of bringing in cannabis.”

Since delivering that presentation, Schultheis contended, “We have been ignored!”

“I do believe that the committee has a responsibility to respond to requests of the people,” she declared.

After pointing out she “has been coming to these meetings repeatedly,” Maria Schultheis contended that she has “yet to hear a scientific, or wellfounded and rationalized response for not bringing in new revenue to help

removal since “it was your reporting that got residents going to fight this thing for almost two years.”

“We’ll have our ‘neighborhood’ back very soon now, I think,” Hoffman declared. Big Hill Road was closed for about three weeks to allow for the necessary electrical work, but reopened this past week, in a sign the relocation project is now winding down. Gouin did not return this newspaper’s requests for comment on this story, as of press time.

emergency responses, but that it became evident that it would be an impossibility given the size of the crane. Then, Gadd maintained, he was assured that the bridge would only be closed for up to three months, but that the contractor being utilized is known to be ‘“very efficient,”’ and it could only be a two-month closure, dependent on the weather conditions. Simpson, however, on Dec. 3, observed, “I didn’t see anybody working down there with the crane” for several days, with Gadd also noting, “I haven’t seen anybody working with the crane since last week.” Cavileer pointed out that, on Facebook, people “have been complaining no one is working.”

“I don’t know what the hold up is,” Gadd responded. “Last time I talked to the county, they assured me that the project was moving along, and they anticipated it being done earlier than projected. (But) it is hard to believe it is going to be done early, when they are not working. It will all be addressed when we get ahold of somebody.”

out the people of Tabernacle, who are now paying extensively in taxes for expenses (based on) decisions made by this committee.”

“Your decisions, our checkbooks!” Maria Schultheis declared. “We are proposing a new way of bringing in money that will make a difference - a significant difference to every household in Tabernacle.”

The farmer decried the denials being based on “personal reasons,” before raising the China remarks by Sprague, contending that as a Hispanic woman she felt they contained a “racist element.”

“I do not appreciate comments such as that, and (the) making (of) those insinuations,” she added. “I do not believe that is what I expect from the people who I have voted for to represent. … All I am asking is that you please remove the personal biases and make an educated and informed decision about an opportunity to help out the people of this town!”

With Hartman and Moore due to leave the committee Dec. 31, two new members will join the governing body, David Oiler and Grace McCloskey, though it is not yet clear whether it will open the door to the opportunity.

TRUCK

(Continued from Page 6)

“We can transfer it over,” Augustoni maintained.

The fire chief pointed to other advantages the new truck being designed for the township would have, including having any hoses “coming off the rear.”

“That gives us more of a tactical advantage when we are stretching line,” Augustoni contended.

Tompkins, in ultimately further responding to Dewey’s allegation about the phone call between them, asserted, “it was more you telling me instead of a conversation,” calling what transpired “unproductive.”

Then, according to Tompkins, Ward had called him, and in that call, Tompkins maintained he asked for specs of the vehicles on the League floor to “compare apples with apples, or apples to oranges.”

“And it was refused to send me any kind of information on this truck,” Tompkins charged. “I am not going to go shopping for anything without the specifications!”

Tompkins pointed out that officials had already “spec’d out a truck” and “we’re so far down the road in the process,” that it did not make sense to pursue the matter, and the $1.3 million would have exceeded the budgeted $1 million anyhow.

“It is not what you said, Jack,” Dewey shot back.

Ward also shot back, claiming that he said on the phone that he did not have the information in front of him, but would later provide it to Augustoni. Another call then took place, Ward maintained, this one between him and Augustoni, in which Ward contended he provided some details on the trucks seen on the conference floor.

“I was going to send him a spec sheet,” Ward maintained. “But he decided to disrespect the councilman-elect on the phone with me.”

Augustoni snapped, “That is not accurate,” causing Ward to retort, “Don’t lie! You said it was ‘a joke!’”

Ward also alleged the fire chief had told him, “‘Josh, you’re elected! I’m not!’”

Augustoni maintained, however, “that is not true” and contended he spoke to Harper as well and “appreciated the conversation,” adding that the councilman-elect was “very engaged” and they were even kidding each other at times.

“It was actually a very good conversation,” the fire chief maintained.

As Ward suggested there might be acrimony between the fire chief and Harper, Augustoni pointed out “we both went to school together in 1975.”

But the bottom-line, Augustoni pointed out, is the purchase of the fire truck is “your decision,” or that of the council. But in regards to the “stock trucks,” the fire chief asserted, it does not have, for instance, a “lower hose bed,” which he claimed “is ergonomically better.”

“It is easier for the firefighters to pack it,” Augustoni said. “So, the hose that is coming off the rear, it is more tactically advantaged to us. The lines on the bumper are more tactically advantaged to us. So, those are custom.

“The doors, the roll-ups - we have a problem with the roll-ups. Our chief mechanic is here. He can testify. The roll-up doors get a lot of sand in them.

And also, we lose compartment size. We lose room in the compartments. So, a lot of people are going back to the olderstyle doors.”

Additionally, the truck designed for Pemberton, according to the fire chief, has LED scene lights, a “special item,” that “if you want them, you have to pay for that.” He explained having them “will illuminate the scenes that we are on,” before revealing that “this particular truck, right now, is going to be assigned to Presidential Lakes, and so, it will be on the highway, and the highway is very dark.”

“And if we have to, God forbid, cut somebody out of a car, or do any type of operation on the highway, it will illuminate it safely for the firefighters,” Augustoni said.

Augustoni attested to council, “so the truck that we have spec’d for you, we believe is the best for the fire department, and for the community, as well as for the safety of the firefighters.” He also recognized “we are asking you to make a pretty substantial commitment” and “I appreciate the engagement – I do.”

In response to some additional skepticism from Dewey, Augustoni declared, “I am telling you, as your fire chief, and somebody who has been protecting this town for over 50 years, and who has had the privilege to be in that position since 2009, and then some as the chief of the Browns Mills Fire Company, this truck is what we need to protect our community.”

“And I am asking you to support that,” Augustoni added. “ … I am telling you; this is the truck that we need.”

If the fire chief was not convincing enough with his appeals to council, several public commenters seemingly compelled the council to act in the fire department’s favor as well.

“We have the utmost trust in Chief Augustoni and his team,” said Linda Vadon, president of the Presidential Lakes Civic Association. “I feel this is a good investment. It is good for our town, especially with the upcoming building that we have. We, the people, deserve this truck! The fire department deserves good equipment to work with to protect the town. Our organization feels it is a good thing. We support the Pemberton Township Fire Department and Police Department.”

America Phillips, vice president of the Presidential Lakes Civic Association, a meeting regular and township resident of 45 years, pointed out that the fire department consists of volunteers, before asserting, “give them the right tools to work with!”

Terry Maldonado, a resident (and current president of the Pemberton Township Board of Education as well as a past GOP candidate for mayor), asked, “How many fires have we had in the last month?”, and after recounting reports of recent fires in the township, declared, “Buy the fire truck! You are planning to build up this town. You are going to need the resources to support this town!”

One thing she suggested, however, is that the fire chief, along with other department heads, make monthly council meeting appearances to give reports to council, so, for instance in the case of the fire department, “when something like the fire truck comes up,

it should be a no-brainer.”

Kristi Van Bramer, a 20-year resident of Pemberton and member of the fire department since 2010, declared “we need this new fire truck” and for the council to “think about this.”

“Think about your own kids, or your own grandkids, if a fire breaks out,” she said. “Think about that if you don’t let us have a new fire truck. And everybody behind me, think about that, because I do! And I’d rather see us spend that money for our department so we can save lives, and that is what we are here to do.”

The fire truck purchase, as requested by the fire department, ultimately passed in a 4-0 vote, with Ward abstaining.

The lone resident to “talk about the opposition to this fire truck” was Kevin Guthrie, who took issue with the $1 million cost and asked several questions to bring out that it is a “custom truck,” contending it is “kind of on the expensive side.”

Tompkins responded, in part, “the pricing of this stuff is really, really high” and “it is not uncommon to see a fire truck running in the $1 million ballpark range, per vehicle.” He pointed out Pemberton is “unique” in that there are sections of the township without fire hydrants.

“But still, when you look, there are used fire trucks out there that are a quarter of the price,” Guthrie maintained. It led Tompkins to question why the township would replace a 20-year-old fire truck with a used truck, to which Guthrie snapped, “To save taxpayers a million dollars,” followed by a response from Tompkins, “I’d rather buy one new and get 24 years of service out of it.”

Augustoni clarified for Guthrie that the cost of the new fire truck is actually $998,222, the result of the township using a Co-op, or otherwise it would have been $1,135,362, a “discount” of $136,271. That being said, Augustoni noted he “agrees” with Guthrie that the present-day cost for a new fire truck is “ridiculous,” recalling a time back in the day that they were a “couple hundred thousand, if that.”

The presented cost, according to the fire chief, is an “industry standard,” noting some manufacturers currently “start off” at $2 million. A new ladder truck, Augustoni pointed out, starts somewhere between $3 and $5 million.

“We believe we have designed a truck for our community to last, because as Mr. Harper and I were talking about at the fire station, this won’t be replaced for another 20 years,” Augustoni said. “It is not like a city truck, where they have a replacement program.”

When Guthrie raised the possibility of “used trucks” again, pointing to one that was $350,000, Augustoni contended it could have “parts problems,” for instance, “or there might not be as much hose on it” that the firefighters require, and that there are also likely warranty limitations.

Guthrie’s questioning caused Tompkins to reveal that when he came into office two years ago, he sat down with the department heads, and the “chief told me one of his concerns was that some of our equipment is aging” and “he would like to start looking at getting a fire truck purchase in the pipeline.”

“We had a conversation, and I told him pretty much straight up at the beginning, ‘I agree,’” Tompkins declared. “The equipment is 20 years old. It is

time to look at doing this. I asked Chief Augustoni to go ahead and start building out a truck, get with his team and talk to his people and find out what we need to do the job, and do the job correctly for our community. I do believe that Chief Augustoni got with his firefighters, and they formed a committee. They had discussions on what works, what doesn’t work and what they need.”

Augustoni, according to the mayor, “assured me that what we will get is going to be a working truck, something to be for the community, to put out fires, and not a show truck that is going to be in parades and other things with all the bells, whistles, chrome and everything else.”

“This past year we did the budget, we talked about it, and I authorized putting two trucks into the budget,” Tompkins recounted. “During our negotiations, if you remember, we pulled one of those trucks out and that is where the price went from $2.5 to $1.25 million. And then, in further budget discussions, that number got dropped down to $1 million.

“So, the chief has been working really, really hard with his team to get the Co-op information, get all the pricing information and get to the point where we are now. This isn’t just 10, 15 hours of work. This is hundreds and hundreds of hours of work from the chief and the department, and the members in the department, doing their best for the community they live in, and they serve in, and they also pay taxes for. So that is why we have this on the agenda tonight, to purchase this truck, and I am going to be honest with you, my goal, or my hopes and desires, are to have another one of these trucks on the agenda next year at this time. Because we do have an older fleet that is starting to really need some serious love.”

As for Augustoni’s future, Ward, at one point asserted to the fire chief, “no matter how I took your comments on the phone, Craig, it was unproductive” and “and that came from you first, not me.”

“And if you question my integrity or my honesty again, there is going to be a problem,” declared Ward, to which Augustoni responded, “I don’t appreciate the threat” and “you are not going to sit there and threaten me!”

Democratic Councilman Donovan Gardner, who fully backed the fire truck purchase, during his later report, addressed the alleged threat, asserting, “What I really don’t appreciate is councilmembers, you know, threatening department heads.”

“They have knowledge and experience working those departments,” he added. Gardner, prior to the fire truck feud, had also questioned Dewey as to why he “always wants to delay things,” (Dewey wanted to hold off on awarding an engineering job until the New Year, given a new council will be taking over with Republicans slated to hold an absolute majority and expected to name a new engineering firm as township engineer) to which Dewey declared, “Get the hell out of here!”

“What do you mean get the hell out?” Gardner responded. “You’re always delaying, delaying, delaying – with stall tactics.”

At that point, Dewey asserted, “Can’t wait till Dec. 31, buddy!”, or when Gardner’s term ends.

DRONE

(Continued from Page 6)

the security of our nation.”

Murphy also was criticized for having reportedly not attended the briefing, as some officials said they were told he would be there for it.

Some alarmed locals have said they have dialed 911 and local police with drone sightings, but then were referred to the FBI.

Robert Wheeler Jr., assistant director of the Critical Incident Response Group for the FBI, told members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 10, it is “correct” that the agency has not yet identified an individual or group that may be responsible.

“The bureau is actively investigating the unexplained sighting of drone activity over that part of New Jersey, including proximity to sensitive sites and areas of concern,” Wheeler responded. “We do not attribute that to an individual or group yet. I don’t have an answer of who is responsible, one or more people that are responsible, but we are actively investigating.”

Some 3,000 tips and sightings, Wheeler added, had been called into the tip line, 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

But Van Drew, moments before taking to the airwaves of Fox News on Dec. 11, had his office provide the media, including this newspaper, with a press release contending Van Drew “has been meeting with officials to gather information on these incidents, which he believes could be part of a much larger national security threat.”

“What we have uncovered so far is deeply troubling,” Van Drew is quoted as saying. “There is circumstantial evidence that suggests these drones could be the work of foreign

ADMINISTRATOR

(Continued from Page 4)

years in Tabernacle Township were certainly among the most challenging the town has faced in recent memory.”

“The discussions surrounding the potential demolition of Town Hall were difficult, and unfortunately led to division within this community,” she said. “Despite these challenges, I am grateful for the opportunity to have navigated this period and worked towards solutions.”

Brown extended a “sincere thanks” to Tabernacle staff, maintaining they “demonstrated incredible professionalism and dedication.”

“Despite some internal challenges, the team and I were able to work together to improve morale, streamline operations, and foster a positive environment in the office,” Brown maintained. “Their support and cooperation have been invaluable, and I truly believe that the township committee should recognize and appreciate their hard work. While the committee sets the direction, it is the staff that ensures these decisions are carried out effectively.”

SPEEDING

(Continued from Page 8)

Fire and EMS, Viscardi reported the Chief’s Car, which had a “serious exhaust leak,” has been fixed and is “running fine.”

As for the fire company’s tender

adversaries, specifically Iran. Right now, we know that there are drones flying in from the direction of the ocean. We also know there is an Iranian drone mothership that is missing from port in Iran, with a timeline matching the emergence of these drones. The time to act on this information is now before the threat escalates any further. These drones are intentionally flying in uncontrolled airspace, expertly navigating around areas with radar coverage. We should have already taken action by imposing flight restrictions to regain our control. Whether this is a foreign adversary or even just a group of drone hobbyists, we cannot allow unidentified drones to operate freely in our airspace with no consequences and it is time we eliminate the threat they pose and shoot them down.

“We are currently falling behind our enemies in terms of drone technology, and because of it, our country is exposed. We need to catch up, and fast. South Jersey is home to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center, which is uniquely equipped to address these challenges. As Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I will be working to prioritize the development of a comprehensive national strategy to enhance our radar coverage along the East Coast and beyond, as well as the creation of a drone patrol network to monitor and defend our skies. Our enemies are not waiting for us to catch up–and neither should we.”

Van Drew’s Republican colleague, Chris Smith, from the 4th Congressional District covering parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties, described to U.S. officials during the hearing, including Wheeler, that he was briefed by a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) commanding officer stationed in Barnegat Light that more

Brown’s exit comes several months after a change in the political tide on the committee, with McNaughton replacing Committeeman Mark Hartman as mayor shortly following a bitter Primary in which voters had voted out Hartman and Committeeman Samuel “Sammy” Moore, following their votes to demolish Town Hall (Hartman maintained responsibilities in his day job, however, was the reason he was cutting back his mayoral duties early).

Hartman and Moore’s committee terms expire at the end of this month.

Hartman and Moore had joined earlier this year with now-former committeewoman and deputy mayor Natlie Stone in voting to demolish Town Hall (she has since been replaced by Barton, who was appointed in her place). Stone ultimately resigned amid controversy involving not only her support for demolition, but also an older social media posting that surfaced containing derogatory comments about Pineys (which she has since apologized for).

Brown started her farewell address by crediting Hartman and Moore, as well as former Committeeman Robert Sunbury, with giving her the opportunity to serve Tabernacle.

“In my experience, I have never

truck, which was damaged Sept. 8 when a motor vehicle reportedly ran a stop sign in Chatsworth and crashed into the Chatsworth firehouse at the intersection of Savoy Boulevard and County Routes 563/532, according to Viscardi, the insurance company is in receipt of a “price for it being totaled” and a “price for it needing repairs,” the

than a dozen drones had followed a 47-foot USCG motor lifeboat in close pursuit over the weekend. Additionally, Smith contended that another 50 drones were observed by law enforcement coming onto land from the ocean at Island State Park in Ocean County.

Van Drew, following the television hit, authored a letter later that afternoon to Democratic President Joseph R. Biden, writing, in part, “It has come to my attention that the New Jersey drone incursions may be an operation by the Iranian government to undermine the national security of the United States of America.”

“There are several pieces of circumstantial evidence that Iran is that adversary,” Van Drew wrote to the president. “First, the Coast Guard has observed drones coming into New Jersey from the Atlantic Ocean. Second, we have information that a sea-based Iranian drone mothership is currently missing from port, and that its embarkation timeline would align with

worked with a committee quite like this one,” Brown declared. “Committeeman Moore, Committeeman Hartman, and Committeewoman Stone may have made decisions that sparked differing opinions, but one thing is clear, they made decisions. I sincerely hope the committee continues to focus on improving the facilities for the staff, as they truly do deserve better than working in temporary trailers or the garage.”

Brown closed her farewell address by offering what she termed as “advice” to Brooks, who not only repeatedly challenged her during public meetings, but at one point filed suit (unsuccessfully), alleging that the clerk had mishandled Primary election petitions, including for Moore.

“Lastly, I would like to offer some advice to Ms. Brooks,” Brown asserted. “You are a highly intelligent individual, and I hope that moving forward, you will use that intelligence in a way that contributes positively to the community. I encourage you to find ways to support the township, perhaps through volunteering, joining a subcommittee, or offering constructive feedback. We all benefit when we come together to build a stronger community.”

Brooks, however, shouted back, “I do

latter coming in at “three-quarters the cost of a new vehicle.”

The insurance company, according to Viscardi, “hasn’t made a decision yet.”

“I am like, OK, well, it has been since September,” Viscardi said.

“Like, we need a water source, and my concern is it is getting close to the end of the year, and come Jan. 1, all

the appearances of the New Jersey drones. We know that Iran has both the motive and the capability to execute such an operation. They have in the past brought vessels in proximity of the United States, and Iran has a sophisticated drone production partnership with China. And of course, it is the policy of the Iranian government to bring about the destruction of the United States of America. While I remain open to alternate explanations, I have not been presented a single credible, cohesive narrative except for that Iran is controlling these drones from offshore.”

Singh was specifically asked by a Pentagon reporter about Van Drew’s comments, to which she responded, “there is not any truth to that.”

“There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the U.S., and there is no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones toward the U.S.,” Singh declared.

not solicit your advice! You don’t need to give me any advice! If you don’t believe in democracy, you don’t believe in what I do!” The Tabernacle committee then entered a closed session, and upon returning to public session, accepted an “employment agreement with Kathy Burger, starting Dec. 2.”

It was a 3-1 vote, with Hartman casting the lone opposing vote and Moore absent (Hartman not only recently praised Brown and expressed that he felt she was getting shafted, but also took issue with the township not hiring a full-time administrator/clerk, a reason initially given by McNaughton for searching for a new administrator/clerk).

It was not immediately clear what the final agreement stipulates – this newspaper’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for it was not answered by deadline time.

“I would like to wish Ms. Burger the best of luck in her new position,” Brown said. “I hope her experience in Tabernacle is marked by cooperation and progress, and that the challenges I encountered here do not overshadow her time in this wonderful community.”

the chassis go up by 15 to 25 percent or more, which that will fall on us to (pay) the difference, because they base it (the reimbursement) off of the old truck. Two, the vendor has a cab chassis to get us back (online) by July or August for the tender. If we lose this cab chassis, we probably won’t see a tender for two years.”

Photos By Douglas D. Melegari

An apparent drone spotted in the skies over Burlington County.

PLANNERS

(Continued from Page 3)

of the Northern Pine Snake, listed as a threatened species, and whether the area can be considered a wetland, within 300 feet of which development would be prohibited.

Both those issues have been the subject of studies done since the proposal was initially raised two years ago at a planning board meeting at which many residents showed up to register various concerns about the proposed development, ranging from the impact on sewer lines to the strain all those additional residents would create on the township’s emergency resources and roads.

The snake study, which Harrison said had been performed by the environmental consulting firm, EcolSciences of Rockaway, had determined that “the area proposed for development was not critical habitat (for the pine snake).” As for concerns about the area being a wetland, the Pinelands Commission, after doing its own study, had determined it did not meet that definition, he maintained.

But the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA), which has been part of the opposition to the project, claims those conclusions are contradicted by the results of other studies done of the same area.

For one thing, the Ecolsciences findings, according to Jason Howell, the PPA’s Public Lands Advocate, are disputed by independent research done by Herpetological Associates, of Pemberton, which has been

doing research with Rutgers University on the life cycle of the Northern Pine Snake, and claims it is a “documented critical habitat,” as well as by local environmentalists Emile DeVito, of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, and Planning Board Secretary Rick Brown, both of whom have contributed to a Pinelands Commission manual on how to identify wetlands.

Other evidence “not presented by the applicant’s engineers,” Howell told this newspaper, includes the discovery by the planning board itself of an existing wetland “right in the center of their proposed development plan,” which would make it an illegal use of the land in and of itself.

Also commenting on the ecological implications of the project during the Dec. 5 meeting was Stuart J. Lieberman, an environmental lawyer representing the PPA, who proclaimed that “once the destruction occurs, it is forever.”

“So, it is really a big deal,” he declared.

Contrary to the developer’s claim that the area involved doesn’t really fit the definition of a wetland, Lieberman cited testimony by Joseph Arsenault, whom he described as an authority on “wetlands delineation in the Pinelands.”

Arsenault, according to Lieberman, had determined that this area was indeed a wetland, based both on his experience and understanding of the applicable regulations,” and on the various types of vegetation he had observed there, “which is exactly what you would expect in a Pinelands wetland.”

“So, the area is encumbered by wetlands, and it can't be disturbed legally,” Lieberman contended. “And that is really a very important point, because that means that this project, as it is envisioned, can’t go forward.”

Furthermore, he maintained, there was no real “opposing testimony” or opportunity for cross-examination offered by the representative of the Pinelands Commission, who declined to answer 17 questions submitted in writing.

“So, the fact of the matter is there is no competent testimony that this board can entertain that is contrary to Mr. Arsenault’s position that that is wetlands,” and is “protected under the Pinelands Act and cannot be developed.”

A number of attendees at the meeting also took issue with the reports submitted by the developer.

For example, Diego Segura, who identified himself as a second-year undergraduate student at Princeton University pursuing a degree in Ecology, contended that pine snakes having been found adjacent to the property, “whether or not they are wintering on the habitat, would make the role of the area “critical” to this species and that “habitat fragmentation in the site” will threaten it.

“So, I’d argue that any encroachment in this area,” he declared, “is significant and detrimental.”

instance “has been a regional growth area since 1981,” and to maintain that nothing that has since occurred, in regard to the site should have altered its status as an area suitable for residential development.

“The Pinelands Commission went out, looked at it, determined it was not wetlands,” he maintained. “(They) sent two highly qualified, long-standing commission staff members and made that determination.”

Harrison went on to assert that “when the commission is reviewing a local approval, if they determine that the issue has been resolved, or in this case, there wasn’t an issue, and if it does not require an amendment to the approval, they simply send a letter saying the issue is resolved, which is exactly what they did here.”

“There was nothing different, abnormal,” he added. “There is no ability to appeal that decision. If Pinelands Preservation Alliance or any members of the public felt that the general development plan approval, including the wetlands boundary, was incorrect, their opportunity to appeal that was in 2007, or arguably in 2018, when we got an extension of that. They do not have an opportunity now to say, ‘Oh, Pinelands is wrong.’”

In the final tally, the three members of the board who voted in favor of the project were Chairperson Steven Borders, Lionel Lee and Charles Miskolcy, with the six who voted to reject it being Vice Chairperson Daniel Hullings, Township Council appointee Dan Dewey, Secretary Richard Brown, Gregory Shadman, Perry Doyle and John Willits.

Another speaker, Robert Smith, of Browns Mills, maintained that “the thinking that pine snakes are not in a development area or travel through it when they have been seen on property surrounding it defies logic.”

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Smith also said he believed “destroying Pole Bridge Forest is a mistake,” as it “is not a random lot down the street,” but rather a forest that called for “thorough and complete studies” to be performed by both sides of the issue.

“The beauty and the majesty of the New Jersey Pinelands is in our hands right now to protect and preserve for future generations,” he asserted.

Others in attendance pointed out the overwhelming opposition to the plan they said was represented by the size of the crowds that have showed up at this and other planning board sessions where the issue was raised.

That point was also echoed by Howell, who told this newspaper that he considers the vote “a victory for the community,” which has indicated it “wants the township to protect its open space and quality of life,” and shows that local residents have “made this clear through their presence at every meeting on the subject going back two years,” which he estimated at 14 altogether.

But Harrison, when it came his opportunity to address this latest and decisive meeting, presented an entirely different perspective.

Noting that “it is always hard” to follow the municipal land-use law when “large numbers of the public” come out in general opposition to a project, he told the planners that “the question before you is not whether this development is popular or unpopular,” but rather “it is a question of whether it meets the requirements of your ordinance, whether it meets the criteria, and whether it is consistent with the board’s prior general development plan approval.”

He then proceeded to point out that the area proposed for development in this

While most did not offer a reason for how they voted, a few did take the opportunity to venture an opinion.

Particularly loquacious was Brown, who said he was “concerned that this project has gone on forever,” and that, based on his experience as a consultant for the Pinelands Commission on the aforementioned manual, as well as with the Mid-Atlantic Hydric Soils Committee when it started and years of experience working in the Pinelands area, “there is a wetland in this property and that the information put out by the Pineland Commission was “arbitrary” and “capricious.”

Hullings simply offered that, “Given we have expert witnesses on each side of the environmental commission, I am going to side with the environment itself and vote ‘no.’”

Doyle responded in a similar vein.

“Based upon the inconsistencies and the unconformity between the two sides, as far as the snakes go and as far as the wetlands go, I'm not convinced,” he declared. “I’m a ‘no.’” Miskolcy, on the other hand, said that while the fact it is age-restricted might have caused him to vote against the project, “that is not what we are here to do.”

“We are here to review whether this meets with the municipal land use law and our site plan ordinance,” he asserted. “And I find no reason that I can vote anything other than ‘yes.’”

A more comprehensive idea of how the board arrived at its position will presumably be made available when the members again convene in January, at which point the developer will decide whether to attempt to have its decision overturned.

But as far as Howell is concerned, challenging the denial won’t be all that easy. While “you can appeal anything,” he noted, “they would just be wasting their time, because the facts are on our side.”

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Anything We Haul It

Estates – Attics – Basements – SafePlaces Odd Jobs –Yardwork – Hedges Removed/ Pools Removed Demolitions, Sheds, Etc. Call 609-694-9356

Household appliances. Televisions, furniture, etc. for disposal or transport. Garage and yard cleanups along with lawn cutting and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-477-9045.

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurancenot just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258.

LEAF CLEANUPS

Leaf Cleanups

Lawn Service, Landscaping

Serving the Medford Area 609-410-8033

MISCELLANEOUS

American Log Homes DEVELOPER LIQUIDATION SALE! Log Home kits selling for Balance Owed. Up to 50% off. Design plans can be modified! No time limit on delivery. Call 1-866-307-5491, M-F 9am–5pm ET.

Autos Wanted. Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398.

Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091.

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189.

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads .

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405. Don't let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595.

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936.

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don't wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day! 1-844-591-7951.

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/29/24.) Call 1-844-501-3208.

MobileHelp America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936.

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

MISCELLANEOUS

Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234.

Safe Step. North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306.

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation ExpertsOver $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971.

Water damage cleanup: A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code! We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-877-5833.

WANTED TO BUY

Cash for vintage/old clothing (any condition): Military, hunting, graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts, sports, Harley, concert shirts, denim, jackets, workwear Carhart, etc. Vintage women's as well. Call/text Dave any time 732-281-4508

READER ADVISORY

* Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds with an asterisk. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in U.S. dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.