Pine Barrens Tribune August 28, 2021-September 3, 2021

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Vol. 5 – No. 47 ♦

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August 28 - September 3, 2021

‘TIL THE COWS COME HOME

First Afghan Refugees Arrive at Joint Base After Escaping Threat of Taliban Reprisals Arrivals Among First of as Many as 9,500 U.S. Allies and Families Who May Be Accommodated on Area Military Installation

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

The Greenberg Farm at the corner of North Pemberton and Arneys Mount roads.

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

Officials Try Again to Develop Former Dairy Farm into Age-Restricted Housing Given Interest from Developers, Despite Resident Hostility to Idea 11 Years Ago; Mayor Says Latest Plan is ‘Watered Down’ and ‘Conceded a Large Tract of Land’

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A redevelopment plan that would likely set in motion the building of an age-restricted housing development on a former dairy cattle farm that abuts both North Pemberton and Arneys Mount roads is under consideration for approval

by Pemberton Township Council, with a public hearing tentatively scheduled for Sept. 1.

Bu s i n e s s Ad m i n i st r at or D a n i e l Hornickel, during council’s Aug. 18 meeting, urged the public body to introduce an ordinance that would approve the redevelopment plan for three of the lots, totaling some 153-acres, that comprise the Greenberg Farm, so that he can show the “developers” that the municipality “is ready to move forward” with the senior housing project and “council is making progress on it.”

“We are trying to attract development

here, not only in this location, but throughout the town,” the business administrator declared. “It is something, when I took this job, that I walked into and knew it was the lay of the land in Pemberton Township.”

Although the township has been searching to increase its ratables for several years now, the last time an agerestricted housing development had been See FARM/ Page 10

J O I N T B A S E MC GU I R E - DI XLAKEHURST—The first of what may be as many as 9,500 Afghan refugees began arriving at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) this week, where temporary lodgings were being prepared to house a growing number of individuals who have helped the American military in its 20-year presence in Afghanistan, along with their families, and whose lives were deemed to be in imminent peril as a result of that country’s having fallen back under the control of the Islamic militant group known as the Taliban.

Accommodations in the form of “a mixture of rooms for individuals and families, as well as other lodging options” have already been made available for the first arrivals, according to an email sent to the Pine Barrens Tribune Aug. 25

by Senior Airman Ariel Owing, a representative of the Joint Base Public Affairs Office.

“Our first priority is to provide shelter and security while we continue to build additional infrastructure to meet needs, such as religious areas or recreation areas,” her communique stated.

The temporary accommodation of the displaced Afghan allies at the Joint Base is in compliance with a presidential authorization and Joint Staff-issued “Planning Order for Department of Defense (DoD) Support to the Department of State for Afghan Relocation,” noted an Aug. 24 press release sent out to See REFUGEES/ Page 12

INDEX Business Directory... 14

Marketplace.................13

Local News................. 2

Worship Guide...........11

September Events.....11

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Bass River Decides to Allow 5 of 6 Cannabis Business Types, But Imposes Application, Annual Licensing/Registration Fees

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BASS RIVER—Cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and deliverers, will be allowed to open their doors in Bass River Township for at least the next five years.

The Bass River Township Board of Commissioners, ahead of an Aug. 21 statemandated deadline for a municipality to either opt-in or out of a cannabis business licensing program as outlined in legislation signed into law on Feb. 22 by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, unanimously passed an ordinance allowing five of the six “marketplace” classes of licensed cannabis businesses in town.

The one class that the Bass River board decided not to permit in town, at least for now, is retail operations.

“Townships in New Jersey need to optout of allowing cannabis businesses in their municipality by Aug. 21,” said Township Solicitor JoAnne I. O’Connor during a public hearing on the ordinance. “The state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) has a deadline of Aug. 21 to promogulate their rules and regulations that all the cannabis businesses are required to follow.

So, tow nships are basically drafting ordinances in the dark.”

The township board, given the state deadline and its regular meeting schedule, had no choice but to decide on the local ordinance during its July 5 meeting, though O’Connor noted during a subsequent Aug. 2 meeting, in a solicitor’s report, that her office had received no further guidance from the state by the time of that meeting, either.

The CRC, instead, released 160 pages of rules and regulations concerning cannabis businesses on Aug. 19, or only two days before the Aug. 21 deadline for municipalities, with the latter falling on a weekend. Local ordinances require a first and second reading, as well as advertisement, making it impossible for towns to pass them overnight.

Evan Manaresi, a Bass River resident who announced during a previous board meeting his interest in starting a cannabis cultivation site on Ishmael Road, thanked the commissioners for allowing most cannabis businesses in the township.

However, he questioned the initial application fee to obtain a local license, as well as an annual licensing/registration fee that the municipality, in passing the ordinance, decided to impose on cannabis businesses, which O’Connor said was $5,000 for microbusinesses and $10,000 for larger ones.

“I am trying to understand why the fees are $5,000 and $10,000, especially for a business that is going to affect our tax income in a very positive way, compared to any other business in the town,” Manaresi declared. “Then you are hitting it with double the licensing fees applied to the next comparable one, a liquor establishment. It feels a little bit punitive to have a higher fee because it is something new.”

Commissioner Nicholas Capriglione retorted that the fees are comparable to what other townships, allowing for cannabis businesses, are doing.

“Because we are rural and small, we tried to make sure it is not such a hardship, as in other towns,” Capriglione maintained.

Rebecca Ann, a resident who also participated in a public hearing on the ordinance, claimed that some other towns were charging microbusinesses as much as $10,000 for simply registering cannabis businesses.

Cannabis businesses must also receive a license from the state.

Manaresi, however, pointed out that the state is only requiring microbusinesses

to pay 50 percent of its standard license application and renewal fees “because we are limited in what we are allowed to do by the statute.”

Those limitations include limiting the number of staff for each microbusiness to 10, microbusiness facility size to 2,500 squarefeet, and the number of cannabis plants in possession of each microbusiness to no more than 1,000 per month.

“We also can’t deduct anything that a normal business does,” Manaresi said. “It ends up putting the effective tax rate at 60 to 80 percent.”

O’Connor acknowledged that upon reviewing the CRC’s rules and regulations for cannabis businesses, the local fee schedule called for in the ordinance may have to be revised.

“We don’t know if they are going to put a cap on what municipalities can charge,” she said prior to the release of the CRC’s rules and regulations.

The CRC’s rules and regulations state that “fees established by a municipality for issuing zoning permits, certifications or authorizations to cannabis business applicants must be reasonably based on the administrative costs for the issuance of such municipal permit, certificate or authorization.”

Initial state application fees, according to the CRC, “are structured to be affordable, “starting as low as $100 just to submit an application,” but “annual licensing fees range from $1,000 for a microbusiness to $50,000 for a cultivator with up to 150,000 square-feet of cultivation capacity.”

O’Connor told the Pine Barrens Tribune in a later interview on Aug. 24 that she was still reviewing the CRC’s rules and regulations, but that she did have an opportunity to look at the state’s fee schedule, and the township board “will probably address it at their Sept.

13 meeting.”

“Now that the regulations are out, I will see how the (township) commissioners feel and see if there is any movement on the application or licensing fees,” said O’Connor, noting that the local fee schedule that had been adopted by the township board prior to the CRC’s release “seemed reasonable” without the state guidance and that many towns are charging “thousands of dollars across the board” while Bass River imposed lower fees for microbusinesses.

“Now with the regs out, it’ll probably open back up to some sort of discussion at the next meeting,” O’Connor added.

Leo Assur, another resident of Bass River, pointed out during the July 5 public hearing on the ordinance that the use, sale and possession of cannabis, despite laws in many states such as New Jersey permitting it under various circumstances, is actually still considered illegal under federal law.

Thus far, according to Manaresi, “the federal government has decided not to prosecute businesses that operate under state statue.”

“Can a new administration change their mind and make you guys all criminals?”

Assur asked.

Initially, the township board was going to require that cannabis businesses in town register with the municipality every year, but renew their local license/permit to operate every three years.

But Assur’s question caused the township board to reconsider the licensing/permitting frequency of cannabis businesses in town (as was indicated by Mayor Deborah BuzbyCope calling it a “good point”). It settled on requiring cannabis businesses to renew their local license/permit every year as well, (just as liquor establishments in town have to do).

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Pinelands Regional Board Approves New Contract for McCooley as Shared Superintendent with LEHT

Evesham Council Unanimously Approves Ordinance Allowing Cannabis Growing, Manufacturing and Sales

Survey of Parents Finds Most Disapprove of Mask Mandate Imposed by Governor, Would Rather Have District Decide

New Rules Strictly Limit Licensees to Certain Specified Locales, Prohibit Advertising or Signs Referring to It by Any Other Name

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

LITTLE EGG HARBOR—The Pinelands Regional Board of Education, meeting on Aug. 17, approved a new five-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Melissa McCooley that will continue her shared-services status with the Little Egg Harbor School District only slightly modified from her initial contractual agreement, which was formally rescinded.

Regarding another issue – masking of students during the ongoing pandemic – McCooley reported that a substantial majority of the participants in a survey of district families had indicated that they were opposed to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent edict re-mandating that all students, faculty, and visitors in classrooms wear masks (with certain exceptions) until further notice and preferred that such a decision be left up to individual districts.

McCooley also indicated that she herself disagrees with the mask mandate and wants to talk to the board about whether it should now send a letter to the governor asking that he reconsider that decision.

McCooley’s new contract, which was approved by six board members present with two others, Jeffrey Bonicky, who had just been sworn in after rejoining the

board, and Betti Anne McVey, who has cited a possible conflict of interest, abstaining, extends retroactively from July 1, 2021, until June 30, 2026. Changes in the agreement had already been reviewed and approved by the executive county superintendent, according to Board Solicitor William S. Donio.

The contract will remain basically the same, only with the salary, which will be $190,000 for the next year with one percent annual increases after that, now split 50-50 between the two districts,” Board President August Dalio subsequently told the Pine Barrens Tribune. He added that no opposition to it had been currently registered nor had there been any negative sentiments expressed about McCooley’s service to the district.

McCooley, a veteran educator, was initially hired in July 2018 to take over the reins at Pinelands, from which she herself graduated in 1994. In addition to a doctorate in educational leadership, she holds bachelors’ degrees in psychology and elementary education, as well as a masters’ degrees in curriculum, instruction and administration.

In her report to the board, McCooley noted that some 526 of 659 respondents to her survey had expressed opposition to Murphy’s position on masking, which took See BOARD/ Page 7

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

E V E S H A M —T h e c u l t i v a t i o n , manufacturing, distribution and sale of recreational cannabis, the “controlled form of marijuana” that was legalized by New Jersey voters last November, has now been officially authorized in certain specific sectors of the township of Evesham in the form of an ordinance unanimously approved by the Evesham Township Council, along with two ancillary ones, at an Aug. 11 meeting.

But there are some rigid, no-nonsense local rules that will also go along with this new form of free enterprise, including ones that prohibit the products involved from being smoked or inhaled either inside any establishment selling it or anywhere in public and from being called anything other than “cannabis.”

That latter stipulation means that if an individual is successful in applying for a license to grow, manufacture, distribute, wholesale or sell it retail, they can’t refer to it as “pot,” “grass,” “weed,” or even “marijuana” on any sign they might be planning to put up identifying their business.

Nor can they display “signage reflecting a cannabis leaf or leaves or other symbol.”

Furthermore, they are not permitted to erect any signs that either advertise their business or display the prices of their merchandise.

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And that’s in addition to a number of other strict provisions regarding places where it may not be sold, including within 250 feet from any behavioral healthcare or residential medical detoxification facility, residential district or use, or place of worship; closer than 1,000 feet from any existing public or parochial school, private school, college, or child-care center, or closer than 500 feet from any existing public parks or public building.

That said, however, prospective operators of cannabis business ventures will eventually (meaning an undetermined number of months from now) be able to open them in designated locales at the intersection of state highways 70 and 73 and the industrial park zone in the northern part of the township – provided that they meet all the licensing criteria of both the township and the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) and don’t engage in any fraud or misrepresentation, violate any of the rules governing this new industry, get convicted of any felony or “misdemeanor involving moral turpitude,” or conduct their business in an unlawful manner or so as to create a breach of the peace or “a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the public.”

Despite all those safeguards, however, See ORDINANCE/ Page 8

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Saturday, August 28, 2021

Pemberton Council Votes 3-2 to Allow Particular Classes of Cannabis Businesses in Certain Zones of the Township Mayor Says He Believes Decision Will ‘Enhance’ Stigma That Town is ‘Drug Capital’ of Burlington County, But Doesn’t Intend to Veto It

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—After narrowly voting down a proposed ordinance that would have prohibited all classes of state-licensed cannabis businesses in Pemberton Township, the all-Democratic legislative body for the municipality voted 3-2 on Aug. 18 “to permit the operation of particular classes of legal cannabis businesses in certain zones within the township.”

That approval given by Pemberton Township Council was despite continued opposition from both Council President Gaye Burton and Mayor David Patriarca, though the latter is a non-voting member in Pemberton’s for m of gover n ment.

Councilman Jason Allen cast the other dissenting vote.

However, the mayor announced right before council’s decision on the latest ordinance that while he does hold the power of veto, “I do not intend to veto this bill.”

“If that is what the governing body wants to do (legalize cannabis businesses), then so be it,” Patriarca declared.

Patriarca, in announcing his decision, acknowledged that any veto of council’s cannabis decisions probably “wouldn’t last” because in Pemberton’s form of government, council can override one.

The mayor was also up against time in wanting the municipality to have any control over the local cannabis industry.

If a municipality did not enact legislation prohibiting all, or certain classes of licensed cannabis businesses by Aug. 21, any class is permitted to operate in that municipality, and depending on the type of establishment, it could be considered a permitted use in certain zones.

Passing ordinances takes several weeks, with advertisement, along with first and second reading, required. “… I appreciate the fact that the (latest) ordinance will limit where (these businesses can go), and that is the good thing about it,” said Patriarca in further explaining his decision not to use the power of veto. “… Directing where the use will be … we should at a very minimum do that for our community.”

Patriarca, nevertheless, maintained that by council allowing cannabis businesses and sales in the township, it “enhances” a perception the community “already has.”

“I still oppose the whole concept of the sale or manufacturing of marijuana in our community as we are already stigmatized with being the ‘Drug Capital of Burlington County,’” asserted Patriarca, also a former township police officer.

Councilman Paul Detrick retorted that he “appreciates the mayor’s concerns about the reputation of Pemberton Township, etc.,” and is “sensitive to them,” but he does not think council’s decision “is going to have a big impact” when it comes to Pemberton’s reputation.

“People are going to think of Pemberton Township what they are going to think of it,” Detrick maintained. “Quite frankly, if they want to stick their noses up in the air and look down on Pemberton Township, they can go right ahead! We’ll take the money because I don’t think if we don’t do this, suddenly, they are going to think (differently about the town). We might as well make money and let them think it! And, meanwhile, we’ll have a regulated industry that is well-controlled.”

Burton, in declaring that she “wholeheartedly agrees” with Patriarca and “doesn’t agree with this at all,” pointed out

that marijuana has “proven to be a gateway drug,” which drew strong rebuke from her African American colleague, Councilman Donovan Gardner, who contended that “it is not a drug,” despite being labeled as such.

“People are addicted to sugar, because it is so sweet and they can’t get enough of it,” Gardner said. “They end up getting diabetes and a whole host of other health problems.

Again, (the “labeling” of marijuana as a drug) is just formed out of racist lies, and comments, (all in a bid) to control people and put people in their place!”

Resident America Phillips, however, maintained that marijuana is a “drug” and pleaded with council to vote down the ordinance (though by council voting this particular one down, it would have technically meant there would be no local controls on cannabis businesses in town given there would not have been enough time for council to revive the proposed prohibition prior to the Aug. 21 deadline).

“I don’t think for us to improve our community, we need to bring more drugs!”

Phillips declared. We have enough in this place! Please save our children of this community! The only thing this township cares about is ratables. … Don’t kill our children! Save the community! Give them a chance to grow up!”

Detrick, in response, said “all the residents should know” that “everyone up here” on the dais is “trying to do what is best for the township, and the people of the township.”

He added that “the mayor, administrator and everyone on council cares about the welfare of the children of the township.

“I have no doubt about it,” he said. “I think if anyone of us thought this (ordinance) does something terrible to harm the children in this township, nobody would be in favor of it. I just don’t see how this would harm the children of the township.”

Detrick maintained that while “none of us want kids doing prescription drugs, smoking pot, or doing any other drug,” council “can’t entirely control that,” and in the event children do get a hold of cannabis, it would now be regulated, and “knowing what they are getting I think is helpful,” without the potential for it to be laced with “poison” or other “junk.”

“I view this as a business thing,” Detrick said.

T h e m ayo r, w h o r e it e r at e d t h at recreational use of cannabis has only been legalized in New Jersey for adults who are 21 years of age or older, said he doesn’t know “if it (allowing cannabis businesses) is going to be a money grab” and if the town “will make a ton of money off of it (the industry).”

“Is anyone going to be able to get a license?” Patriarca asked. “Can you open 10 to 15 stores in town? I don’t think you will have that many as the license distribution looks to be very limited and regulated very strongly by the state. So, there is going to be very minimal use of this ordinance by the retailer and manufacturers.”

Township Solicitor Andrew “Andy” Bayer pointed out that the ordinance council narrowly approved on Aug. 18 allows “commercial and manufacturing classes of cannabis,” or “Classes 1 through 4,” in the township’s industrial and commercial warehouse zones.

The approved ordinance also allows Class 5, “which is retail,” also in “a commercial zone subject to zoning limitations set forth in the ordinance and throughout our code.”

Resident Michael Sawka, after observing that the ordinance “keeps the warehousing See COUNCIL/ Page 8

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Use of Marijuana, Tobacco Products Banned in Public Places in Tabernacle with Cannabis Entities Also Forbidden in Town

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE —The Tow nsh ip of Tabernacle is seemingly thumbing its nose at the cannabis industry – and is even going a little bit further, not only prohibiting the use of marijuana in public areas, but also tobacco in such places, in addition to banning self-service and vending machine options for purchasing cannabis/marijuana.

The Tabernacle Township Committee unanimously passed an ordinance during its July 26 telephonic meeting prohibiting all six classes of state-licensed cannabis businesses (as outlined in legislation signed into law on Feb. 22 by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy) in Tabernacle.

But it didn’t stop there on July 26.

The governing body also unanimously passed an ordinance “prohibiting the sale of marijuana products to minors, and the consumption of marijuana and marijuana products by minors.”

And a third ordinance was approved by the township committee on July 26 that “prohibits the consumption of tobacco and marijuana products.”

No real overview of the ordinances was provided by township officials or the committee members during the July 26 meeting, except for Mayor Kim Brown and Township Solicitor William Burns contending that the package of measures did not pertain to the use of medical marijuana, but rather recreational marijuana only.

A key element left out of the title of the consumption ordinance is that the prohibition only applies to “public places,” as is stated throughout the body of that particular measure.

“Public places” are defined as “including, but not limited to” township buildings, including the historic school and community center; polling places; healthcare facilities; private residences that are used as childcare or healthcare facilities; museums; galleries; libraries; sports arenas; gymnasiums; schools; as well as restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways, elevators, service lines and any other common-use areas in enclosed public spaces. The measure also includes “business establishments and nonprofit entities generally accessible to the public” in the definition of public places, in addition to “buses and taxis” or “similar modes of transportation.”

“Consumption of tobacco products and marijuana products shall be always prohibited in all enclosed public places with the township of Tabernacle,” the consumption ordinance states.

A separate section of the consumption ordinance notes that “no person shall consume tobacco products or marijuana products while on the outdoor grounds of all the public parks, whether owned, leased or utilized by the township, including recreational areas.” It adds that such consumption is also banned at “any entrance or exit areas of public buildings” or in “any vehicles owned and/or leased, in part or entirely by the Township of Tabernacle.”

The new law defines “tobacco products” as “any product made from the tobacco plant for the purpose of smoking, chewing, inhaling, or otherwise consuming, including cigarettes (in any form), cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and snuff.”

While there had only been a prior discussion by the governing body about how it felt cannabis was not a good fit for Tabernacle given its rural character, the consumption ordinance states the township committee, having reviewed the matter, “determined that it is in the best interests of the township and its inhabitants to prohibit the smoking and ingestion of tobacco and

marijuana products in certain public areas.”

The consumption ordinance also states that the Tabernacle committee “finds and determines” that “the smoking of tobacco and marijuana products is a major contributor to indoor air pollution and breathing secondhand smoke is a cause of disease to nonsmokers.”

“The township committee of the Township of Tabernacle adopts the finding of the New Jersey Legislature that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the State of New Jersey and the nation, and smoke constitutes a substantial health hazard to the nonsmoking majority of the public,” the third ordinance states.

It is also stated in the measure that consumption of tobacco and marijuana products leads to the “inevitable discard of tobacco and marijuana products” which “serves as a source of litter.”

Ad d it i o n a l l y, it i s n ot e d i n t h e consumption ordinance that the state’s cannabis legislation “does not preempt a municipal authority to regulate the smoking and/or vaping of these items in public areas.”

However, the enacted cannabis legislation was intended to both legalize adult-use of cannabis and establish a comprehensive reg ulator y and licensing scheme for commercial recreational cannabis operations, use and possession, as is recognized in the consumption ordinance.

While it was not explained during the township committee meeting why the governing body decided to include “tobacco products” in the law, Township Administrator Doug Cramer told this newspaper on Aug. 24 that the decision was made at the “recommendation of our solicitor” who wanted to “keep it the same as the state restrictions are on smoking in general.”

Cramer maintained to this newspaper that the state already has ordinances that ban smoking in public buildings and the ordinance was created as such to “conform with that.”

Violators of the prohibition in public places are subject to a fine of $100 to $500 for each offense.

The ordinance “prohibiting the sale of marijuana products to minors, and the consumption of marijuana and marijuana product s by m i nor s” wa s approve d despite the enacted cannabis legislation only authorizing the recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 years of age or older (as is recognized in the second clause of that ordinance).

“The township committee and Township of Tabernacle, having reviewed this matter, has determined that it is in the best interests of the township and its inhabitants to prohibit the use and sale of cannabis and related products by minors,” the measure states.

The ordinance regarding minors specifies that “it shall be unlawful to sell marijuana, cannabis and/or a marijuana product to a minor” unless that individual presents a “medical prescription.” It is also stated in that measure that “it shall be unlawful for any person to purchase a marijuana product with funds furnished by a minor” or “with the intent to sell such a product to a minor unless said minor presents a medical prescription.”

The measure continues that “no person who is the parent, legal guardian or other person acting in place of a parent or legal guardian” of a minor “shall allow that minor to possess any marijuana products, cannabis and/or marijuana.”

Mar ijuana and can nabis “vending machines” in addition to “vending machine sales,” as well as marijuana and cannabis “self-service products, displays and display racks” are also outlawed in Tabernacle through the ordinance pertaining to minors.

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Incident with ‘Exposure’ to COVID, Rise in Cases Yet Again Causes Southampton to Return to Use of Zoom Technology Remote Session Features Selection of Deputy OEM Coordinators and Terse Exchange Over Consideration to Private Trash Hauling

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Saturday, August 28, 2021

SOUTHAMPTON—Two months after the Southampton Township Committee had decided to end its hybrid meetings, coinciding with what had been a sharp decline in Coronavirus cases amid increasing inoculations against the contagion, the governing body was forced to do something it hadn’t done since the initial days of the pandemic – hold an allvirtual meeting through Zoom (which featured the appointment of two deputy emergency management coordinators and a terse exchange about the municipality’s consideration to seek bids for privatizing trash hauling).

An announcement that the township committee’s regular Aug. 17 meeting was switched from an in-person to all-virtual session, the result of municipal staff having “a little bit of an exposure,” according to Mayor Michael Mikulski, to the potentially fatal respiratory virus, was sent through an e-mail, in addition to being put on the municipality’s website.

The exposure involv ing mun icipal staff comes at a time when COVID-19 is again surging in the U.S. due to the more transmissible Delta variant, one even responsible for several breakthrough cases reported amongst vaccinated individuals, though those who have been inoculated, according to local, state and federal health officials, tend to not become severely ill or die from the contagion.

The incident, which the mayor pointed out also led to the temporary closure of the municipal building while staffers awaited COVID test results, in addition to the latest rise in cases of the virus across the

U.S., prompted the mayor to state that the township committee is “likely” to return to hybrid meetings “for the foreseeable future,” beginning with its September regular meeting, unless the situation is such that necessitates another all-remote session.

“Although we had decided to go back to the regular (in-person) meetings, we will likely have a Zoom option, at least for the coming months,” said Mikulski, noting that the internet participation option would be offered as a “courtesy” to the public, but with no guarantee that it will work. “We are not Zoom experts, though we will make it as Zoomable as possible.

“If you have something important (to bring to our attention), we still encourage you to come to a meeting (in person). Unless something like this happens again, we will be (in-person) at meetings from here on out.”

Township committee meetings were legally advertised as being in-person since the start of the year, but another notice had appeared on the municipal website stating all regular township committee meetings for 2021 would also be accessible through Zoom, with officials going as far as having a television installed in committee chambers, in part, for that purpose.

In June, technical issues, what had been a decline in cases, and Democratic Governor Phil Murphy lifting the indoor mask mandate and most social distancing protocols, led the governing body to forgo using Zoom.

Mikulski, on Aug. 17, maintained that the township committee “will try its best” to “have a presence in the building” during future governing body meetings, even if there is another exposure, “especially if there is an See COVID/ Page 8

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(Continued from Page 3) effect Aug. 9 and will remain in place until revoked or modified by the governor.

“We’re hoping he changes that to local decisions,” she said, but emphasized that as long as it is in effect, “not wearing a mask is a violation of a New Jersey state mandate and any student that does not comply will be sent home and will be counted as absent for the day.” Students are also required to wear a mask on the school bus, she added.

(By contrast, in states like Florida, where the Delta variant has had a particularly devastating effect on children and teenagers, some local school boards have defied the orders that prohibit mask edicts from being imposed on a local level.)

T he New Jer s ey m a nd at e m ay b e d i s r eg a rd e d on ly u nd e r c e r t a i n circumstances, such as when mask-wearing would inhibit an individual’s health such as extreme heat, or result in difficulty breathing, when a medical condition precludes use of a face mask, when the individual is engaged in activity that cannot reasonably be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating, drinking or playing a musical instrument, or “when a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals.”

Providing further clarification, Donio noted that “we’re still in a state of emergency,” although not a public health emergency, “and when the governor issues an executive order pursuant to a state of emergency, it is the obligation of every person in the state, as well as any subordinate governmental entity such as a board of education, to follow the

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direction of that order.

The solicitor further noted that there is also a provision under which “the commissioner (of education) is directed to withhold state aid from any school district which fails to follow a lawful order,” as well as a code of ethics requiring individual school board members to comply with all such all orders.

“So, every component of it says it is mandatory,” he contended.

But Donio added that the masking requirement does not extend to legislative proceedings, such as school board meetings.

McCooley also reported that when survey participants were asked whether their children over the age of 12 had gotten COVID shots, 64 percent said ‘no,’ 23 percent said ‘yes,’ and the rest chose not to respond.

When staffers were asked whether they had been vaccinated, she said, approximately 90 percent indicated they had been.

While the superintendent once again stressed that full-time virtual learning would not be an option in the coming school year unless the guidance department determined a student had a valid medical reason for home instruction, she did announce that a new program of web-based tutoring services was being planned, using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds “so if a student needs assistance with geometry at 11 at night when the parents are sleeping, they can log into the service” and get it. The program, she added would also offer help with things like SATS. In addition, she said, a strategic plan was in the works to personalize learning for all students, which would begin with a survey of the student body designed to elicit feedback and create new programs based on the results.

“If we’re missing something we’re going to find a way to deliver it,” she declared.

See BOARD/ Page 15

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

COUNCIL (Continued from Page 4)

and manufacturing away from the residential areas,” called it a “pretty good” one, since it places cannabis businesses “where they should be.”

“To anyone complaining about the state statues: it (the industry) is going to be so regulated, so that you have nothing to worry about at our level,” Sawka maintained.

“Everything is going to be controlled by the state, all the town is controlling is where these businesses can go.

“If anyone is complaining about it, maybe they should leave New Jersey, travel to a state that has recreational marijuana, and go into one of the shops. Go look at how nice they are; how regulated they are; how they check every single ID; and how they register you into a computer. It is not like going to the corner and paying $100 for a quarter ounce bag of marijuana somewhere in downtown Browns Mills. And that is not going away because the state is already overtaxing it (cannabis) already. It is going to cost $700 an ounce in stores when you can get it for $100 on the corner.”

While resident Susan Sacco pointed out that medical dispensaries have opened recently in Bordentown and Edgewater Park, calling the experiences she had at such businesses “fantastic,” Phillips maintained that, “We are a unique little town!” and “We are not one of them!”

Allen, in explaining the reason for his dissenting vote, cited the municipalities

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not everyone who attended the meeting was convinced that passing a law allowing recreational cannabis sales was a good idea.

One individual, in fact, was quite outspoken in assailing it at the public hearing preceding passage of the ordinance, and again at the hearing prior to the vote on another ordinance setting up a taxation structure for cannabis cultivators, manufacturers and dealers, and a third time at the end of the meeting itself.

“Your upcoming, predictable vote to approve retail cannabis is a move in the wrong direction,” declared the resident, Gary Warga. “It will make our community here a little less safe and a little more violent, if you believe in medical science.”

Warga noted that his opinion that allowing the sale of recreational marijuana would be “both sad and dangerous to the public health” was based on a 460-page report issued in 2017 by the National Academy of Medicine, an independent nonprofit, on the

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM neighboring Pemberton that recently voted to disallow cannabis businesses, maintaining, “We shouldn’t get it twisted and make it seem like everyone should be for this.”

Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, in anticipation of the latest ordinance passing, noted that the planner of the Pemberton Township Planning Board wrote in a letter to council that “in another town there has been odor control issues reported through conversation.” Although McCartney said she “doesn’t see that as factual,” because the concerns were merely raised through conversation, she advised her colleagues that they need to be “considerate of all residents” when “we get to the point of deciding where we want a business to go.”

“We need to make sure we keep this concern in the forefront of our minds,” declared McCartney, with Bayer maintaining he was confident the cannabis industry in the state would be “highly regulated.”

Patriarca, in seemingly accepting a rare defeat, said that he recognized that the outcome was what the residents had asked for in the previous election.

“I have to believe with the numbers that came from Pemberton, or with the percentage of voters who voted ‘yes’ to (legalize recreational marijuana) [67 to 33 percent, according to Bayer], the majority of the voting residents are seeking this service in our community,” the mayor maintained.

“That is not to say we don’t sometimes disagree with the majority, and that we look for what we believe as elected officials is in the best interests of the community.”

health effect of cannabis and cannabinoids –one that he claimed was “considered the gold standard of science-based medical studies.” That report, he contended, stated that “cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychosis,” with “the higher the use, the greater the risk.”

He went on to say that marijuana had been characterized by the academy as “an addictive drug that will cause psychosis in a small percentage of regular users, especially in high-potency form, and will result in violent behavior in, some users.”

He added that while he did support “the medical use of cannabis under supervision of a qualified medical doctor,” having had a schizophrenic brother whom he once had to get a restraining order against, he would say “if you can possibly minimize it or prevent it (mental illness) from happening, it is the wisest choice to make.”

If the report cited by Warga seemed to suggest that there may have been some actual scientific basis for the idea that marijuana use can instigate insanity, as was claimed for many years (for example, in the muchSee ORDINANCE/ Page 9

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(Continued from Page 7) opportunity to have the building sanitized.”

“Thankfully, I am happy to report everyone, who has been tested, has tested negative,” contended Mikulski, with Township Administrator and Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman noting that officials, as of the Aug. 17 meeting, were still waiting for “one other” test result to come back.

The Coronavirus is one of several emergencies that Southampton Township has faced in just the past few years, the others being a derecho and Tropical Storm Isaias last year, and historic flooding from thunderstorms in June 2019, all of which have placed a renewed focus on the municipality’s Office of Emergency Management.

Mikulski, during the township committee’s February meeting, appointed Eammon Fitzpatrick-Ruth, of the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad, to a three-year term as emergency management coordinator, in the wake of the retirement of William Casian.

Fitzpatrick-Ruth, since taking over the position, has brought more structure to the office, including holding the first Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) meeting in years, as well as assigning members of the LEPC sections of the municipal Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to review.

He has also provided the township committee with detailed, monthly reports on emergency management operations in town.

And at Fitzpatrick-Ruth’s “recommendation,” the township committee this month appointed two deputy emergency management coordinators to join the office – Keith Harrison (a member of the Vincent Fire Company) and Joe Collis (a member of the Hampton Lakes Fire Company).

Previously, there had only been one deputy emergency management coordinator post, according to Mikulski.

The mayor maintained that by having a member from each of the township’s emergency service entities serving in the office, “it gives us a good range of experience, information, knowledge, etc.”

A n in itial agenda for the Aug. 17 proceedings had contained a resolution that would have authorized the “Township of Southampton to enter into a cooperative pricing agreement.” But that resolution had been removed from a “revised agenda” that served as the actual meeting agenda for the session, which was first provided with the announcement that the Aug. 17 township committee meeting would be all-virtual.

Its disappearance (and contents) drew questions from longtime LeisureTowne and township political activist, Evelyn “Evie” Doherty, who, among others has urged the Southampton Township Committee to drop its consideration of outsourcing municipal trash pickup, all as Mikulski has said that he “anticipates a decision on the long-term

future of trash by the end of 2021.”

Doherty, in questioning what happened to the resolution, pointed out that she learned Southampton would have entered into a cooperative pricing agreement with Springfield Township, should the item have passed. Earlier this year, the governing body was contemplating doing a joint bid with Springfield for trash hauling services.

“What is the difference between a cooperative pricing agreement with Springfield and a shared services agreement?” asked Doherty.

Mikulski, in response, explained that the resolution was for a “cooperative bid” and “shared service,” but it was removed from the agenda because “we have always said we would not go out to bid in any kind of process that did not allow us to back out of it if we didn’t like it.” The mayor maintained that “unlike a construction project bid where you are locked in,” the township committee is looking for just “what the prices and options are” so that an “informed decision” can be made.

“When we received the proposed paperwork for the bid, or Co-op request for prices, we didn’t like the way it protected us, in terms of having the right to opt-out,” the mayor maintained. “… Springfield has some different concerns than we do. They are already doing privatized trash and are up against an expiring contract.

We don’t have that (circumstance); we are just considering our options at this point.”

Doherty, who previously maintained that towns that privatized trash hauling experienced problems and higher costs in the long run, pointed out that if the governing body had proceeded with the “resolution” during the Aug. 17 meeting, there would have been no requirement for a public hearing, as is the case for ordinances on second reading.

“That’s the whole point why it was pulled,” contended Mikulski in response.

“Before any decision is made – we have said this publicly and we will maintain this promise – we will have public comments on it. That is the whole point of this.”

Mikulski emphasized the township committee “has not gone out to bid yet” and “are still in the fact-gathering stage.”

“We are still pursuing the options we discussed months ago – keeping it the same, privatizing it with one-armed bandit trucks or the outsourcing with manual throw trash,” Mikulski said. “This (resolution) was part of that process to obtain the price for either manual throw or outsourced onearmed bandits.”

Previously, the mayor, in discussing the three options being considered, said the township committee was entertaining the possibility of purchasing one-armed bandit trucks for Public Works, as well as the required cans for residents.

“No Evie – we will not be making any decisions on trash without public comment,” said Mikulski, to which Doherty retorted, “Then one has to be very careful on the agenda when you are going to do it because it is a ‘resolution.’” That prompted the mayor, also a lawyer, to claim resolutions are “non-binding.”

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CANNABIS (Continued from Page 2)

“What if a new administration comes in?” the mayor asked. “What if they change things and add more federal regulations?

It may be easier to go year-to-year, versus every three years.”

Capriglione maintained that by requiring any cannabis business to renew its local license/permit every year, it would allow the municipality to have its “finger on the pulse” with any changes in the rules and regulations.

“We can then say, ‘This has to be met; there are new rules,’” he said. “Then you can issue a new license.”

Assur contended that “a lot of times with these things, we don’t know what the unintended consequences might be.” He added that allowing for cannabis businesses “might generate money” for the township, but also “might create a lot of social problems.”

“We know we have kids getting into alcohol pretty readily (with it being legal to consume for those ages 21 and older), so now we are going to have kids smoking pot

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hyped 1936 film “Reefer Madness”), another speaker at the public session, Marshall Ogen, quickly cast doubt on that notion, as did Councilman Eddie Freeman III. Ogen, a cannabis industry executive, while telling Warga he was “touched to hear the story of your brother” and acknowledging how horrible a “disease of the mind” can be for a family, contended that the study in question had a “challenge” attached to it, and

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more regularly,” Assur maintained. “We know how pot affects the development of the brain. We know some kids (just like alcohol), will be getting it from their parents, and things like that. So, what we think is good on one hand, we won’t know until we get there whether we were right or wrong.”

Ann, however, retorted that “kids already can get it more easily than adults can” and that she is aware of instances where “people have gotten off pills and heroin because of being able to smoke marijuana.”

“It is good (for the town),” she declared.

Manaresi, who noted he is “looking to grow” cannabis and seeking a license to “sell it for adult use,” and “would be selling it to whoever is licensed to sell,” pointed out in response to the concerns, “When you go to a drug store to pick-up a bottle of Aspirin, that is recreational until you use it for medical use.”

O’Connor pointed out that the ordinance the township board approved “will allow cannabis businesses to come in to the township for a five-year period” and that “after the five-year period, the township can, if it is not working out, decide to opt-out.”

“However, any of the businesses already in the township will be grandfathered in,”

she added.

In addition to the local fees, other requirements were outlined in the approved ordinance “as far as lighting, odor control and security control,” according to O’Connor.

The CRC’s rules and regulations issued Aug. 19 state a municipality “may” enact “an ordinance or regulation” pertaining to cannabis as long as it does not conflict with the enacted state cannabis legislation, or the commission’s rules and regulations. A town, according to the CRC, “can establish a numerical limit on the number of cannabis businesses.” The CRC is also allowing for a municipality to enact ordinances that “govern the location, manner and times of operation of cannabis businesses, except for delivery services.”

Applicants will have to include with their application, per the CRC’s rules and regulations, proof of local “zoning approval” in the form of a “letter” or “affidavit,” as well as a resolution “showing proof of local support,” and “evidence” of compliance with local codes and ordinances.

“The CRC’s initial rules recognize that municipalities play a critical role in regulating the new cannabis industry and

recognize their rights to enact restrictions on businesses that make sense for their communities,” according to a summary of the CRC’s initial rules. “The commission’s rules provide the framework for operating a can nabis i ndustr y i n New Jers ey; municipalities have the power to define how that unfolds in communities.

“Cannabis businesses will only be licensed by the commission if they have demonstrated support from the municipality, zoning approval and have been verified to operate in compliance with any municipal restrictions.

Municipalities can determine hours of operation, the number and kinds of licensed businesses operating within their borders, and whether to enact a 2 percent transfer tax on any sales between cannabis businesses.

“They can also enact any requirement or restrictions on cannabis businesses that would apply for other business types, such as requiring compliance with all relevant codes and ordinances. Municipalities will also have the opportunity to weigh in on which applicants seeking to operate within their town should be issued a license from the commission.”

that cannabis is actually a Schedule 1 drug that has had “very limited research in the U.S.” However, a Harvard University study, he said, had concluded that for people with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, cannabis may initially alleviate some of the symptoms early on, providing a “short-term solution,” although it can’t stop the disease from progressing. Whether it may accelerate the condition, he added, is still unknown.

Cannabis is also not a “chemically add ict ive” d r ug l i ke opioid s, Oge n maintained, and “there has never been a rise in crime” associated with its recreational

legalization.

Freeman said he had done some research of his own on the subject and found several doctors and studies that indicated that while more research is needed, “there’s no way to correlate cannabis and psychosis.” He also noted that one particular expert, Dr. Diana Martinez, a psychiatrist and addiction researcher from Columbia University, did a talk on YouTube late last year showing how cannabis is actually being used to treat psychotic disorders.

“So, I think we’re making the right decision here, if we approve this,” he said.

Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy said she concurred with Freeman, contending that “we have done our due diligence and “benchmarked it against other municipalities in the state to see what they were doing,” as well as getting input from professionals, and that she felt “quite comfortable with what we are doing now.” Under the ordinance, she noted, cannabis will be regulated and “you’ll know what you’re getting and what is allowed and not allowed.”

Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper added that “our priority here is to see that it’s See ORDINANCE/ Page 15

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Another view of the Greenberg Farm.

FARM

(Continued from Page 1) considered for this particular farm, about “10 to 12 years ago,” according to Mayor David Patriarca, with the then-council rezoning it as part of an Active Senior Housing Cluster Overlay District (also called Affordable Senior Citizen Housing Overlay) through reexamination of the township Master Plan, it reportedly resulted in immense pushback from residents.

“Residents of the community came out strongly against any development on this property,” said Patriarca, recalling that several public hearings were held throughout the township in which residents voiced opposition to the previous proposal.

But the mayor, during council’s Aug. 18 meeting, contended that what is now being proposed for the farm is “a watered-down plan” that has “conceded a large tract of land” where the farm is “not entirely developed,” unlike the plan that had been presented in December 2009, according to council meeting minutes.

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A public hearing for an ordinance that had been enacted by the then-council in 2009 to rezone the Greenberg Farm to allow for age-restricted housing had drawn so many people, according to those meeting minutes, it went from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a thencouncil member recorded as noting that he recalled only two people during “36 hours’ worth of (prior) public hearings” saying that they were in favor of a development there.

But the redevelopment plan under consideration by the current council, or proposed change in zoning, according to Chris Dochney, of CME Associates, a consulting project planner to Pemberton Township, would allow for “a maximum” of 354 agerestricted, single-family homes to be built on the farm, compared to the 450 units currently allowed through the overlay district.

Patriarca asked council on Aug. 18, as it considered introducing the ordinance that would approve the redevelopment plan, “to keep in mind” that “there is already a permitted use on the property” allowing for the developer “under the parameters of the current zoning” to build hundreds of units.

“They can do it now, as it is permitted,”

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the mayor maintained. “They would not need a redevelopment plan on the property.

This plan gives us some options not within the zoning that is there now. That is why we went into a redevelopment plan on this.”

A redevelopment plan, Dochney explained to council, is “more or less” a “stand-alone zoning ordinance for a piece of property deemed an area in need of rehabilitation or redevelopment,” or modifies the existing zoning.

The Pemberton Township Planning Board, according to Dochney, recently recommended to council that the proposed setback of the development from the frontage of both roads, as outlined in the draft redevelopment plan, be decreased from 300 feet to 100 feet “to allow flexibility on the part of a developer to accommodate the stormwater management” required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The NJDEP recently implemented new regulations, he said, which have made stormwater management a “more difficult” process for developers, requiring many more basins than in the past.

But Dochney said “he didn’t know” if only a 100-foot setback would protect the “viewshed” that currently exists in the area “because everything else (other structures) is set back 400 to 500 feet, at least.”

The engineer told council that he would be “OK” and “comfortable” with reducing the setback from 300 to 200 feet instead, with adding a “landscape berm, or what is a little hill in front of it (the setback)” that would “more or less serve as a screen,” or reduce any potential visual impacts from the road.

“A 200-foot setback would be enough to maintain an open, visual corridor,” Dochney testified. “If you are a half-mile down the road (from the development), you would still not see the development until you come up on it. That is the idea.”

Patriarca, also a member of the planning

board, though he is not the chairperson of it, also recommended a 200-foot buffer with a berm as a “compromise,” contending a 100-foot setback is too small and a 300-foot setback is “a very substantial buffer in the development of today.”

“You don’t see that (a 300-foot buffer) unless there are environmental and wetland issues in developing,” the mayor added.

“Developers like to fill every spot up.”

Dochney said of any berm that would be contained in the setback that it should be “gently sloped” and about 4 to 6 feet high, with bushes and trees placed on top to create “an effective visual screen that gets up to 7 to 10 feet in height.”

“The gentler the slope, the more natural it looks,” he maintained. “You don’t want a random hill on the sides of the road.”

Council introduced the redevelopment plan with language in it allowing for an age-restricted development with a 200-foot setback that contains a gently sloped hill with the vegetation. Stormwater basins, as the draft calls for, would be allowed to “encroach” the setback.

Dochney maintained that the proposed redevelopment plan also calls for “significant setbacks” from the “wetlands on the western and southern sides of the property,” as well as along the “rail trail.”

Existing farmhouses in the middle of the farm, he said, in addition to two other properties in the middle of the parcel, “requires buffers” around them “because they are not part of this redevelopment plan” and “are going to remain.”

The proposed redevelopment plan, he noted, also “provides two access points to the rail trail.”

This reporter, while taking photographs of the farm on Aug. 25 for this story, was approached by a man living in one of those three farmhouses. He told this newspaper that he had not yet seen the redevelopment See FARM/ Page 12

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FARM

(Continued from Page 10) plan and asked when this edition would be on newsstands. The man, when told by this reporter the maximum number of homes that are proposed to be permitted under the redevelopment plan, contended that it was “more than before.” He also confirmed to this newspaper that dairy cattle are no longer part of the farm’s operations, but rather corn and soybeans are grown there now.

Both Dochney and Township Solicitor Andrew “Andy” Bayer explained to council on Aug. 18 that they were only deciding the redevelopment plan (or new zoning), which is one of its “core functions.” A redevelopment agreement would still need to be presented to council should the redevelopment process move forward, they said, and the redeveloper would also need to present a site plan for review by the planning board.

Dochney noted that the planning board also recommended that council amend the proposed redevelopment plan to allow for “age-targeted housing” instead of “agerestricted housing.” The former, he said, is a “style of home targeted towards a specific demographic or certain population.” Agerestricted housing, he said, is “deed restricted.”

“The intent of the Master Plan is to have age-restricted housing there, which has the least amount of impact on township services,” he said. “… The redevelopment law requires anything that is done to be consistent with the Master Plan. … An age restricted community is proposed here, and all the residents, or heads of household, must be ages 55 and up.

School children are not allowed to live there with very extreme exceptions.”

The proposed redevelopment plan introduced by council maintains agerestricted housing.

Other recommendations of the planning board were to “require a central green space in the development” and “require pocket parks with benches, specifically near the access to the rail trail.”

Dochney called the central green space “an interesting idea,” but maintained, “I don’t really know if it is necessary,” and that it would be difficult to “create a public park in the middle of the development,” particularly given that it would still be private property under any development. And pocket parks, he contended, could be something that the planning board requires of the developer when presented with a “fully-engineered site plan.”

The planning board, Dochney noted, also recommended that a concept plan for any development be presented to it before any “fully-engineered site plan” or “site-plan application” is submitted.

But Dochney maintained that he has only seen a concept plan presented in advance to a “technical review committee” or “designated redevelopment agency,” with

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Bayer pointing out that in Pemberton’s form of government, council “ultimately negotiates a redevelopment agreement.”

“You can negotiate specifics in the concept plan,” Bayer advised council. “Attach any concept plan to a redevelopment agreement.”

Both Cou nc i lwoman El isab eth McCartney and Councilman Paul Detrick pointed out that they had not yet seen the redevelopment plan, and acknowledged they were a bit “confused” on what they exactly were voting on.

“It feels a little bit odd because I have not seen this redevelopment plan,” Detrick said.

“I feel funny. I haven’t seen the plan myself, other than the description. I am concerned we may want other changes after reading it.”

Bayer assured council that they would have plenty of time to read the redevelopment plan prior to the second reading of the ordinance, with the administration informing the council members that they would have the materials as soon as possible. That’s when Hornickel urged council to still move forward with introduction of the ordinance so that the “developers” interested in the farm can be assured the process is moving along.

Detrick pointed out that “it was in our file” that the planning board asked for additional time to review the draft redevelopment plan and make recommendations to council. But Bayer, who was also the solicitor for the December 2009 council meeting, as confirmed by the meeting minutes, maintained that “the board made comments, and the law requires your (action) on the board’s recommendations.”

Burton said she didn’t understand why the planning board wanted more time and “it wasn’t explained.”

“It (this redevelopment plan) has been in front of the planning board twice now to go over and make recommendations,” Patriarca maintained. “Keep in mind the planning board’s role is to make recommendations to council … and they did. “I don’t know why they want to have another bite at this apple.

Now, council has to decide what comments it wishes to consider. “… They looked at this thing enough times; the plan has had a long time to breathe. …

Now we have an interested developer.”

Council, in unanimously introducing the ordinance that would approve the redevelopment plan, decided not to wait for any additional recom mendations from the planning board, and, for now, against incorporating any of the other recommendations (green space, pocket parks and advance concept plan).

The legislative body had previously declared the area to be a “non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment” on June 2.

“I don’t know that there is opposition, or a real volume of individuals coming out against the plan, unlike 10, or 12 years ago when we put this thing together and droves of individuals came out,” said Patriarca during council’s Aug. 18 meeting.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

REFUGEES (Continued from Page 1)

media by the office of Derek VanHorn, chief of the JBMDL media relations.

“In support of this order, the U.S. Air Force is proposing to make DoD land or facilities available at JBMDL and mobilize the temporary shelter of up to 9,500 ASIs (Afghan Special Immigrants) on JBMDL for up to 365 days,” the press release noted.

The Joint Base is one of four currently being used to receive the Afghan refugees, the three others being Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Lee, Virginia, according to an announcement earlier in the day from the DoD. “We expect these arrivals to continue throughout today, and in the coming days,” the announcement stated.

A warm reception for the Afghans came from Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who Tweeted on Aug. 22 that “New Jersey stands ready to provide safe harbor, support, stability and peace to Afghan refugees” and noting that he had sent a letter to President Joe Biden “making it clear that we welcome these brave individuals and their families to the Garden State.”

In the letter to Biden, Murphy noted that many of these people “have worked to assist our military or have put their own lives on the line in support of human rights and American initiatives” and “must not be left behind.”

Maintaining that “providing safe harbor and support is an expression of our values,” Murphy told the president that “accepting these refugees honors the sacrifice made by veterans of the war in Afghanistan – too many of whom died working toward the same goal sought by these refugees: stability and peace.”

The governor added that “we also know that the Afghans we welcome to New Jersey, like so many immigrant populations before them, will make enormous contributions to our state’s culture, community, and economy” and that “New Jersey will be better for having them.”

In concluding the letter, Murphy urged Biden to speed up and expand the Special Immigrant Visa Program, which is specifically intended for Afghans who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government.

Owings, in the email sent to this newspaper, maintained that “we do not expect any impact to local communities, and installation leaders will have open lines of communication with community leaders to keep them informed of any potential impacts that arise.” It also noted that all Afghans arriving at the Joint Base will be tested for the Coronavirus before continuing their in-processing and that quarantine measures will be taken per

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

An entranceway for Joint Base McGuireDix-Lakehurst. medical staff direction and coordination, and that “while in the United States, vulnerable Afghans will be encouraged to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for COVID mitigation.”

In a phone interview with the Pine Barrens Tribune, Owings, when asked whether the arrivals had been vetted prior to coming here or were in the process of being vetted, she answered “yes to both.”

In answer to a question as to whether the refugees’ children will be placed in local schools, the email said that as of now, a request made to the DoD by the department of State for additional ser v ic es and capabilities “has not included traditional education for the children,” but that updates would be issued as information develops.

As for whether the refugees are going to be accorded permanent residency or citizenship status, she maintained, “That is information we do not currently know/have at the moment.”

America’s mission in Afghanistan was initiated by the original Taliban government having hosted Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda while they plotted the 9/11 attacks on the United States. While bin Laden managed to escape to neighboring Pakistan, where he was found and killed several years later in a raid of his hideaway by U.S. Navy Seals, U.S. forces remained in Afghanistan, where 2,443 American military personnel have died, until President Biden ordered them withdrawn earlier this year after a deal was made with the Taliban to remove them this year by his predecessor, Donald J. Trump.

The resulting quick takeover by Taliban forces of the country and its government that was precipitated by the withdrawal of U.S. troops, and which caught the Biden administration by surprise, has resulted in a chaotic situation in which many Afghans who worked for the U.S. have had to be rescued and others are still trapped in the country.

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and that doing so in-house would “save a lot of money, manpower and time.” A request for additional funding to cover the program would be made in the 2022 budget, he added, although no specific figure was provided.

A third ordinance was also unanimously approved amending Chapter 64 of the township code entitled “Peace and Good Order” to prohibit the smoking or inhalation of marijuana, cannabis or cannabis items in public places.

When Ogen reappeared to suggest that this particular ordinance be revised to better differentiate between the substances involved, “so you don’t have a legal challenge later on,” Township Solicitor Primo Cruz responded that the issue would become better clarified as the rules governing it evolve on a state level, at which point it can be revisited and amended, there being “no deadline” involved, but that local officials were attempting to avoid giving people an excuse to skirt the law with ambiguous terminology.

“The way we framed it was from a nuisance standpoint,” he said.

But Warga wasn’t quite finished assailing the council’s vote, because during the general comment period of the meeting, he came

GUTTER

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As part of that effort, McCooley said she that in addition to meeting with the student council a minimum of three times a year, she would like to create a panel of students that are not “typical student council” types, but one representative of all the district’s programs, put them on stage, ask them a series of questions, and ”just have the staff listen to all the answers, so they can hear where they’re coming from.”

Another plan outlined by the superintendent involves the creation of an

Never Clean Your Gutters Again!

Helm

(Continued from Page 7)

academy she will be leading for new staff members, which would include workshops, mentoring them and offering them any help they might need.

“I really want to foster them as Pinelands employees so we can retain them, make sure they’re happy here and that they’ll have someone helping them,” McCooley maintained.

The board also accepted the resignation of Karen Kenney, who is retiring after 18 years as director of School-Based Youth Services for the district, effective Oct. 1, and of Dr. Kimberly Clark as assistant principal of the junior high school, effective August 31, to accept the position of director of planning, research, and evaluation.

G ter

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forward a third time to emphasize that he stood by his earlier comments, admonishing the council members for failing to support a “vulnerable minority” and ignoring “science-based predictions,” and to make his own prediction that the “increase in violence and violent crime” caused by the legalization of cannabis would “put an extra stress on the local police force” by causing “a new addiction-based drug epidemic” and result in a “public-health time bomb,” that though small, would be “real and dangerous.”

In subsequent phone interviews with the Pine Barrens Tribune, Township Manager Robert Corrales and Public Information Director Zane Clark said that it’s still very early in the process of getting cannabis enterprises ultimately up and running, noting that the CRC is still reviewing everything and has not yet even set a date when sales can begin, having 180 days to make that determination. In addition, they pointed out, applicants for licenses will need to go through the process of getting planning board approval.

As Zane put it, “We are still a very long way from actual (cannabis) businesses opening here in town.”

ut

done safely, it’s done responsibly and made accessible for those that want to utilize it,” and that the council’s role is to “lay the foundations for the regulations coming out.”

“We will not be the decisionmakers over who gets the licenses and who doesn’t,” Cooper noted. “The state will, and that gives me comfort because they’re going to hold things to a higher standard.”

Township officials, she pointed out, will “have a certain level of control” of design issues, and have had professionals go through a very specific process to ensure things are placed properly, which she thought “addresses the public safety of our town.

“There was enough data to make a proper decision,” she asserted.

Warga, however, remained unconvinced by such assurances, as he again spoke out during the public hearing session on a followup ordinance that established a taxation system for the new cannabis trade, which authorized a 2 percent tax per receipt for each manufacturer, 1 percent on each wholesale transaction and 2 percent on retail sales.

“I get it,” he asserted. “This tax will raise more revenue. … But now that you have voted to approve it, you are locked in for five

years, and we don’t even know what the state is going to impose in regard to regulations.

Isn’t that kind of backwards? Will the tax cover all the extra police work to investigate all the violent crimes and criminal activity because of those that develop psychosis? We don’t know, it’s all unknown.”

He also accused the council of having “just written a blank check at taxpayers’ expense” asking why it didn’t instead opt for a more prudent “wait-and-see approach” as he maintained was being done by 75 percent of the townships in South Jersey.

“They don’t know what is going to happen, but they can review it and come back,” he said of those towns opting out, at least until the CRC had issued its rules and regulations (which it ultimately did on Aug. 19, two days prior to an Aug. 21 deadline for towns to decide whether to opt-out). “What’s the urgency?”

In regard to the matter of extra police work the ordinance might necessitate, Police Chief Christopher Chew came to the microphone to explain that a program was being planned to train members of the local force in recognizing when someone might be driving erratically under the influence of cannabis, which isn’t yet as standardized a procedure as identifying a drunk driver.

Chew said he anticipated that training being assigned to a sergeant to handle internally, since the state doesn’t have that capability,

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