Pine Barrens Tribune October 24, 2020-October 30, 2020

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October 24, 2020 – October 30, 2020

A ‘PRIMARY’ MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Plan Introduced to Establish Tabernacle Fire Department After Charges Made Against All-Volunteer Fire Company Idea Said to Be Proposed to Bring About Additional Oversight, Not To ‘Fire’ Help

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

Photo By Andy Milone

Pemberton Township School District officials and other stakeholders take part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the new Denbo-Crichton Elementary School.

At a Time When Many Educational Objectives Are ‘On Hold’, the Opening of the New Denbo-Crichton Elementary School Is a Real Leap Forward for Pemberton Twp. School District

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—As the old Alexander Denbo Elementary School in Pemberton Township was being torn down two weeks ago, it was almost poetic that the sounds of its demolition could be heard on a windy morning by those nearby at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the inauguration of a brand new “state-of-the-art” elementary school for hundreds of local students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the township school district.

The Denbo-Crichton Elementary School, a 126,000 square foot, two-story building financed entirely by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), officially opened its doors after the Oct. 8 ceremony, which marked the completion of about two

years of construction at the site where the former Aletta Crichton Elementary School stood until 2018, when it was razed.

The opening comes at a time when inperson school learning and other educational objectives in the state and country have had to be put ‘on hold’ due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and when the Pember ton Township School District itself deemed it wasn’t immediately ready to reopen fully due to factors such as delays in orders for personal protective equipment (PPE). As part of a phased approach, pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students, whose families opted for a hybrid learning plan, made their return to classes on Oct. 13.

“The SDA is thrilled to share in your excitement for the completion of this new state-of-the-art educational facility that

will be transformative for the students of Pemberton,” said Manuel Da Silva, the CEO of SDA. “Pemberton’s young scholars deserve educational facilities that will help them learn and thrive on their path to academic success. Your dedicated teachers deserve classrooms and resources that will help them bring out the best in their students.”

The landmark occasion brought together a select group of guests, limited in attendance due to the pandemic, in front of the building’s barn-red-colored entrance to hear Da Silva and other district officials and stakeholders talk about the significance of the approximately $60 million project, which has resulted in the construction of the new school capable of accommodating more than See MISSION/ Page 8

TA BER NACLE —A major it y of t he Tabernacle Township Committee has initially supported a sub-committee’s recommendation to transition from contracting annually for third party fire and rescue services, currently provided by Tabernacle Fire Company #1, to a township fire department for the purpose of more oversight.

The sub-committee, headed by Committeeman Sammy Moore and Mayor Kimberly Brown, made this recommendation based on the findings of an “exhaustive” review on the township’s fire and rescue services, bringing forth concerns about the current day-to-day operations and finances of the current fire company, as well as a desire for transparency and accountability.

The township committee voted 4-1, at a special meeting held virtually on Oct. 13, in approval of introducing an ordinance that would enact this centralization of the fire and rescue services as a division of the township’s Department of Public Safety.

The second reading and public hearing on this ordinance, along with a possible a vote on final adoption, is scheduled to take place at the committee’s Oct. 26 virtual meeting starting at 7:30 p.m.

The proposed ordinance has drawn some opposition from the leadership and members of Tabernacle Fire Company #1.

Deputy Mayor Joe Barton was the lone member to vote in opposition to the ordinance’s introduction, expressing to his colleagues that he wanted to revisit the current contract and See FIRE/ Page 13

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

Job Board.....................14

Marketplace.............. 15

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Saturday, October 24, 2020

No Viable Offers Yet from Developers to Revive Three Lots with Vacant Buildings in Pemberton Municipality Continues Its Efforts to Market Parcels for Redevelopment Despite Pandemic, Upkeep of Former College Called into Question

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Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

A dilapidated section of the Browns Mills Shopping Center in Pemberton Township.

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—Efforts by officials to find developers for three properties with notoriously vacant buildings in Pemberton Township have come up short, for now, according to Mayor David Patriarca.

The mayor made the revelation after Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, during an Oct. 7 Pemberton Council meeting, asked for “the current status” of the Browns Mills Shopping Center or “old Acme property,” the former Suntrust Bank or “former yellow bank,” and the former main campus of Rowan College at Burlington County.

Pemberton Township became the owner of the Browns Mills Shopping Center on July 19, 2018 when a Burlington County Superior Court judge approved of the municipality acquiring it from Rocco and Antonia Berardi through eminent domain. The township received an appraised evaluation of $920,000, and according to Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel, the sale price for the Browns Mills Shopping Center will be determined by a jury trial.

“We are waiting for the judge to assign a trial date,” Hornickel said.

The 2018 decision to allow for the township to take over the property through eminent domain was reached after the judge agreed with the township that the center was being neglected by its former owners.

The Berardi family had owned the shopping center since 1988. After the shopping center lost its Acme anchor store in 1996, many of the complex’s other stores and restaurants failed, leaving the 42,000-square-foot retail strip mall with numerous vacated storefronts.

The shopping center, on a 2.5-acre parcel, eventually fell into disrepair with deteriorating signage and facade.

Pemberton Township employees, during November and December 2018, demolished the heavily boarded-up and deteriorating former supermarket.

“We are still marketing that (shopping center) through conversations with developers,” said Patriarca on Oct. 7. “There just hasn’t been any real excitement in that area.”

According to the mayor, a barbershop, laundromat and podiatrist, along with Dairy Queen, are still open in the shopping center.

Patriarca, when the former Acme was razed, had contended that the next step for the shopping center revitalization project entails “moving forward on other areas of the structure” to see if it can be demolished as well.

He added that officials were looking at the rest of the structure that remains to dismantle it without interrupting or disturbing the tenants.

However, no additional demolition work has

occurred since 2018.

“We do have some tenants,” said Patriarca on Oct. 7. “We are hopeful someone will see the value in that property and what it has to offer in the very near future. We do not want to continue to own it, but currently we do and are trying to be better stewards than the previous owner.”

The mayor asserted he recently had the township’s Department of Public Works “cleanup the back area.”

“I had them paint the back, and cleanup all the weeds and trash back there,” Patriarca said. “We removed all the signs from the empty buildings. We did paint the windows (of the vacant stores) black, just to dress it up a little bit.”

The mayor noted that some of the windows were “blown out” hours before the Oct. 7 council meeting by high winds.

“We boarded them up, and we’ll paint the boards,” Patriarca said. “We are working on it, and will keep the grass cut better than the last guy, I think.”

Patriarca, in 2018, said that an architect was going to design a “stand-alone system” that would allow the shopping center’s existing tenants to remain on the property throughout the entire redevelopment project.

“We would like to develop a small retail component on the west side of the property, where the Acme was, and move the tenants into that building,” he said at the time. “Then we would like to take down the existing structure that remains and develop the whole northeast side of the property.”

McCartney, during the Oct. 7 council meeting, contended that “development is very difficult right now” due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Commercial real estate has taken a hit as a result of the virus, with many businesses opting for virtual, online or drivethru operations.

“It is very challenging,” the mayor replied.

“The other part of that equation is that the brick-and-mortars of yesterday are different than today. With all of the online ordering, stores just are not opening up. So, you have to find the type of niche that is still not able to be ordered through Amazon. You are not getting your haircut on Amazon. The laundromats and restaurants aren’t on Amazon. So, you have to gear it toward that type of client. We are looking to get a developer who sees those services are still needed here.”

Patriarca, in early 2019, told this newspaper that the township had received “various offers from different developers” interested in the project, and that one was “very interested.”

However, he cautioned at the time that “we will not just jump on the first offer that comes See VACANT/ Page 9

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Medford Mayor, Called ‘Tyrant’ During Fiery Meeting, Denies Charges of Favoritism, Closing Firewood Stands Quarrel Centered Around Recent Leniency Given to Farm Stands, But Tougher Rules Assigned to Firewood Stands in New Tree Law; Deputy Mayor Meets Outside After Adjournment with Opponents

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

MEDFORD—Charles “Chuck” Watson, mayor of Medford Township, on the heels of council’s controversial decision earlier this month to limit the number of trees that can be removed annually from residential properties, was one of several officials lambasted for several minutes during a brief, but fiery Oct. 20 Medford Township Council meeting that even featured one dissatisfied man rising from his seat, shouting that the mayor is a “tyrant.”

The agenda and setup of the Oct. 20 meeting, however, was remarkably different from the last one on Oct. 6 that posed a number of social distancing challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic and featured public hearings on a total of three contentious ordinances spanning over two-and-a half hours (the others legalizing farm stands and approving a redevelopment plan). The latest session did not have a single ordinance heard for first or second reading, and many of the resolutions approved involved inconsequential matters. Seats for the public were spaced six feet apart this time, with only 36 chairs set up in council chambers.

Bright yellow hexagon signs also warned individuals in the room to keep 6 feet apart.

David Carns, a local tree service coowner who maintains a 30-acre tree farm in Medford, and is also one of the leaders of the My Land. My Trees. opposition movement to the tree ordinance, now considering a GOP primary contest, questioned the circumstances

behind the unanimously approved farm stand ordinance, which allows farm stands in certain parts of Medford, so long as 100 percent of the goods sold come from land owned or rented by the operator, and traffic safety requirements are satisfied.

Originally, the mayor had indicated in July that he wanted farm stands to be considered legal, in part, if an operator sells “at least 75 or 80 percent of New Jersey-grown produce,” and Carns, in citing on Oct. 20 those remarks, contended that the mayor was OK with allowing farm stand operators to bring in at least 20 percent of the goods sold from elsewhere.

Carns then pointed to the municipality’s firewood regulations in the tree ordinance, adopted by council on Oct. 6, which stipulates that properties that are 5-acres or more and farmland assessed are now permitted to sell firewood (previously no property could sell firewood), but includes a correlation to another provision that “any tree may be removed as part of the operation of an agricultural or horticultural use on property.” Carns’ interpretation of the latter is that any firewood sold must be harvested on the property.

“What is the problem with bringing firewood in, or what is your issue with some farms bringing firewood in to sell?” asked Carns on Oct. 20. “You passed a tree ordinance, and if you get a permit to cut some trees down, we have to take those trees and then throw them See MAYOR/ Page 6

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Rotary Club Hosts First Cornhole Tournament to Raise Funds for Local Scholarship Program

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Shamong Mayor Envisions His Township Becoming a Hub of Cannabis Cultivation if Legalization Is Approved by NJ Voters

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

Photo By Andy Milone

Participants take some time to capture a photo in front of the inflatable Rotary logo.

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

MEDFOR D —The an nual Halloween Parade and many other events organized by the Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club were cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but 2020 will be remembered as having been the first year for a brand-new outdoor fundraiser in memory of a longtime member who had passed away.

On Oct. 17, for the first time at Braddock’s Tavern on Main Street, the club held a cornhole tournament, where 28 teams of two players signed up to compete in this popular backyard game involving bean bags and accurate throwing ability. While it was a fun day to be outside, the greater mission was raising thousands of dollars, primarily for the Rotary Club’s annual scholarships, which are given out to local students, typically looking to attend college or a trade school.

The outdoor tournament was dubbed the Coles Roberts Memorial Cornhole Tournament for a valued member, Samuel Coles Roberts, who passed away (of causes unrelated to COVID) Aug. 12 at the age of 94, after “many, many years” of being heavily involved in not just Rotary Club, but the community as a whole.

“Coles had been a Rotarian for over 50 years, and he was just a rock star of a person,” said organizer Jonathan Dewees. “We wanted to do something that honored him, and the work that he put into Rotary. Then, with the pandemic and everything else that came along, we are still looking to raise funds that we use to give away for scholarships each year.”

Rotarians remembered the late Roberts, of Medford, who had taken over at age 26 his father's apple orchard business, Jersey Jerry Apples, as having joined the club in 1950, and having a record of 50 years of perfect attendance. He was former president, vice president, director, and government Downsize v2.pdf 1 9/21/2020 representative ofadthe club, as well6:12:40 as aPMPaul

Harris Fellow, which recognizes individuals who have contributed $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

T he “C ole s Rob e r t s Hu m a n it a r ia n Scholarship” will be given out in his honor, as well.

Cornhole teams paid $75 to register for the tournament and gave themselves the opportunity to win cash prizes given out to those that finished in first, second and third place. Participants enjoyed some music, fellowship, grub and drinks. In addition, a person or organization for $200 was able to become a sponsor of one of the cornhole boards that participants were targeting with their throws.

Dewees said the sunny Saturday event was estimated to have raised more than $10,000 thanks to the help of many participants, volunteers, sponsors and donors. The main sponsor of the event was Zallie’s ShopRite of Medford.

“Colleges and u niversities are ver y expensive and to be able to help those who need that extra help to go to college and see their dreams fulfilled is a great opportunity for us,” said Kim Bezanis, ShopRite marketing consultant. “Renee and David Zallie, who own the store, are very much about giving back to the community where they have their business, so that is why we are a part of Rotary, and decide to sponsor events like this one. It is very important to them that ShopRite is a part of the community as much as possible.”

Board sponsors included Murphy’s Markets, Harriett’s Energy Solutions, Sicklerville Chiropractic – Dr. Shruti Sinha, The Meehan Family, Merritt’s Service Station, The Painting and Wallpaper Company, Jen D’Alesandro – Weichert Realtors, Quality First Services, All American Auctions, Life Support International, Aloha Pools, Radwell International, Golden See ROTARY/ Page 7

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Photo Provided

Shamong Township Mayor Michael Di Croce, left, meeting with Edmund DeVeaux, strategic advisor of New Jersey CannaBusiness Association.

The Medical Society of the New Jersey Board of Trustees is another organization to come out against legalization. It said in a statement that its opposition is “based on data available on roadway dangers, negative effects on adolescent brain development and fetal development, risk of respiratory diseases and other health conditions.”

If the referendum passes and the local initiative moves forward, Di Croce said farmers would either lease or sell their land to producers of these commodities, or become growers themselves.

“In addition to calling for the state to share a portion of taxes collected in a ‘Local Government Fund,’ what if Shamong imposed a license fee for every business seeking to operate here?” posed Di Croce in a 2018 opinion column that appeared in this newspaper.

Burlington County municipalities located in the heart of the Pinelands, such as Shamong, struggle to attract new for-profit business that can contribute tax revenue due to state regulatory strictures overseen by the Pinelands Commission on how land in the preserve can be utilized.

Shamong’s initiative would allow “first-class producers” to take advantage of underutilized farmland for the growth of their crop in order to lower already high property taxes, generate as many as 100 new jobs, and help make its farmers more affluent.

About two years ago, when Di Croce first introduced the idea of the township becoming the site of major cannabis production, Neil Wilkinson, the owner of Long Meadow Farm on Oakshade Road, said he started a website See CANNABIS/ Page 11

WANTED!ALL FIREARMS

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SHAMONG—With New Jersey voters being asked to decide in this current Election whether or not to legalize recreational cannabis for adults by amending the state constitution, Shamong Township Mayor Michael Di Croce, a longtime supporter of lifting prohibitions on marijuana use and production, has indicated that his administration is laying the groundwork for the community to capitalize on this potentially lucrative cash crop.

The Republican mayor told this newspaper on Oct. 16 that in the last month or so, this prep work has included a “productive” meeting over lunch with New Jersey CannaBusiness Association leadership, i ncludi ng the organization’s president, Scott Rudder (a former mayor of Medford Township and 8th District Assemblyman), to discuss ideas and suggestions for turning Shamong into the “cannabis and hemp growing center for all of New Jersey.”

In addition, Di Croce noted at an Oct. 6 meeting of the Shamong Township Committee that he had sent out a letter to key stakeholders and top cannabis/hemp producers about the township’s initiative, or why “Shamong is open for business,” noting in it that there are “hundreds of farms ready to produce,” and “free crystal clear water” is available, in Shamong.

Among the recipients of the letter were Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and State Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-22nd Legislative District), who are both advocates of the effort to legalize this form of marijuana.

If the referendum is approved by voters, cannabis products would be subject to the state’s sales tax. A municipality would also be permitted to place a local tax on this controlled form of marijuana with approval of the legslature.

Under the proposed amendment, only adults at least 21 years old could use cannabis for recreation. The new market for the substance would be monitored by the same Cannabis Regulatory Commission created to oversee the state’s medical cannabis program, a panel Di Croce has expressed an interest in serving on.

Opposition to the ballot question has been voiced by a coalition of individuals and associations called “Don’t Let NJ Go To Pot,” who believe “New Jersey communities should not be victims of the commercialization and normalization of marijuana” for reasons related to youth use, social justice and driving, according to its website.

There are also a number of municipalities and counties, as listed on the opposition website, that have taken official actions to discourage commerce in cannabis.

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Saturday, October 24, 2020

Man Loses Home, Suffers Burns in Blaze PEMBERTON—A Pemberton Township man suffered first-and-second-degree burns on Oct. 9 after a “pretty bad” fire destroyed his Hanover Boulevard home.

The one-alarm blaze, according to Pemberton Township Fire Chief Craig Augustoni, was reported around 10:45 p.m. on Oct. 9.

“It was pretty bad,” he said. “The home was destroyed. It took us about an hour to get the fire under cont rol, and we were there until around 4 a.m.”

Philippe Floquet, said to be the sole occupant of the single-family dwelling, sustained fi rst-and-second- deg ree bu r ns on one of h is ha nd s, along w it h one of h is upper arms and his legs, Augustoni said.

He added that the victim was treated and released from Capital Health at Deborah Hospit al a nd is now st ay i ng w it h family members.

“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” Augustoni said.

Vehicles Burglarized in Vincentown Village SOUTHAMPTON—Several vehicles parked in Vincentown Village during the last couple of weeks were burglarized, New Jersey State Police have confirmed to this newspaper, with reports from those who live in the area contending that at least some of the incidents occurred during the late night and overnight hours.

One individual claimed that as many as 10 vehicles parked along Main Street were broken into on Oct. 16.

Another person asserted that vehicles were broken into on Plum Street just a week earlier.

In response to questions about the reports,

Sgt. Philip Curry, a spokesman for the state police, told this newspaper “detectives confirmed several vehicle burglaries in the Vincentown section of Southampton.”

“The burglaries are under investigation and there are no further details,” he added.

Yet another person contended that an individual(s) stole a bike from a yard in the area, and that pumpkins were purportedly also used to damage a car on Pleasant Street.

Pumpkins were also reportedly found smashed in the street.

A second per son f rom t he a rea of Pleasant Street contended “we had the same thing going on.”

Trump Merchandise Vendor Injured in Altercation Over Confederate-Like Flag Exhibited at Road Stand

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

LITTLE EGG HARBOR—A 57-year-old man sustained head injuries on Oct. 21 in a disturbance that played out near the border of Little Egg Harbor Township and Tuckerton

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

Borough, involving a confederate-like flag displayed at a roadside stand selling President Donald J. Trump and GOP merchandise.

According to a press release issued by the See VENDOR/ Page 7

♦ Page 5

Home on County Route 542 Burns to the Ground, 72-Year-Old Victim and His Dogs Survive Ordeal BASS RIVER—A home on County Route 542 in Bass River Township was fully engulfed in flames and destroyed during the early morning hours of Oct. 18, according to New Jersey State Police.

“Upon arrival, troopers observed the structure to be fully engulfed and were advised by the New Gretna Volunteer Fire Company that all occupants and animals were out of the structure,” said Sgt. Philip Curry, a spokesman for the state police.

He noted that some 11 firefighting agencies were involved in the response to the fire.

“The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Troop C Criminal Investigation Office and the New Jersey State Fire Marshall,” Curry said.

“There is no further information at this time.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser for the victim of the fire, David Belk, noted that the house of the Bass River resident “burned to the ground on Sunday morning.”

“He and his dogs made it out safely, but there is nothing left,” wrote the organizer of the fundraiser. “He now has to start over with nothing at 72 years old. Thank you to all the volunteer fire departments that were able to put the fire out, but I need to ask for more help for him. Please consider donating anything you can to him. The house will need to be rebuilt (he had no insurance), a place to stay in the meantime will be necessary and daily living items are needed.”

Motorcyclist Killed in Crash on New Road SOUTHAMPTON—A motorcyclist from Southampton Township has died from injuries sustained in an Oct. 17 crash on New Road.

The crash, according to New Jersey State Police Spokesman Sgt. Philip Curry, occurred around 6:45 p.m. on the Southampton portion of New Road, less than a mile south of West Patty Bowker Road.

Preliminary information, Curry contended, indicates that George Idell, 44, of Southampton, was operating a 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle behind a Honda Accord moving northbound on New Road when the incident occurred.

“Idell attempted to pass the Honda and struck the rear of the Honda, causing the motorcycle to run off the road to the left, overturn, and then Idell was ejected,” Curry said.

Idell (an 18-year resident of Southampton according to a published obituary) was

transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, and was pronounced dead on Oct. 18 as a result of injuries sustained in the crash the previous day, according to the state police spokesman.

According to the published obituary for Idell, he served as a construction superintendent at Bancroft Construction in Princeton, and was the founder and president of County Line Moose Riders in Orlando. It also noted that Idell “had a long history of race car driving” at racetracks in New Egypt, Bridgeport, East Windsor and Wall.

New Road was closed for approximately 5 hours while authorities investigated the Southampton crash, Curry said. “The crash is still under investigation,” Curry added.

The Oct. 17 crash is the fourth fatal one in Southampton this year, according to state police fatal accident statistics.

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Saturday, October 24, 2020

MAYOR

(Continued from Page 3) out, come back to the farm, and cut healthy trees down to sell them. That is how we would be in compliance in town, and that just seems to be ridiculous.”

Watson replied that it “has been an ordinance forever.”

Carns, previously told this newspaper that Zoning Officer Beth Portocallis, “shutdown” a firewood stand several years ago at their family farm, and would not leave his family alone until it was disassembled, and that the matter later snowballed into other alleged violations the zoning officer purportedly pursued.

“We had been selling firewood for 40 to 50 years,” Carns said. “My dad owned a tree service there and the township was well aware of the tree service. We go back all the way to the ‘60s selling firewood there. None of the other administrations cared.”

The mayor replied that he needed to “correct something” indicated by Carns.

“The (current) administration didn’t come out and say the Carns’ were selling firewood outdoors,” Watson said. “There was a complaint, as to my understanding, and the zoning officer could correct me if I am wrong, that you were selling wood.”

David Carns contended that the complaint was about a trailer, not firewood. It was at this point in the meeting that Brian Carns, the twin brother of David and the other tree service coowner, stood up and shouted from his seat.

“I am not going to sit here and wait for you to come up with your crappy answer to my brother – because you guys are all full of crap,” contended Brian Carns, initially ignoring a request by the mayor to sit down and not interrupt the proceedings.

Police Chief Richard J. Meder, who maintained a presence in council chambers during the entire meeting, walked toward Brian Carns, but still kept somewhat of a distance.

“Chief, you are going to remove me from this building?” Brian Carns asked.

Meder told Brians Carns to “sit down and let him (the mayor) speak,” and in reply, Brian Carns shouted to Watson, “You are a tyrant, mayor. You really are!”

Meder, however, did not take any further action, and Brian Carns sat down.

“I saw the complaint,” David Car ns contended. “Actually, I was at a table with you and Beth. It was about a trailer that was in plain view. There was never a mention about wood.

Then a competitor made a second complaint about wood a year later. So, the original complaint was only about a trailer. I have the complaint. It was about a trailer and some noise.

It was not about firewood – that is not true!”

David Carns added that the neighbor who made the complaint later came to a meeting to support his family’s position.

“Once that complaint came in about the

Charles “Chuck” Watson, mayor of Medford Township. trailer, it (resulted in) about six or seven different violations (being cited) … and the zoning officer called the state on us for a pile of wood chips, and the state came out and was like, ‘We don’t have a problem with that,’” said David Carns, contending that the letters that came from zoning were “very threatening” and that the office treats its residents like “they are a criminal.”

David Carns added that the reason he is “upset” is that the mayor previously said on the record in July that he was aware a farm stand “was bringing stuff in,” but was still allowed to continue to operate. Farm stands, as previously reported by this newspaper, no matter the percentage of homegrown goods sold, were not permitted in Medford, unless they were part of a qualified (Q) farm – though several farm stands have been open for business in the municipality for decades.

“But for us?” David Carns asked. “We were forced to shut down.”

David Carns, at the Oct. 6 council meeting, had stated the mayor “did nothing” when he came to him for relief.

“Just understand this – we didn’t shut you down,” asserted Watson on Oct. 20. “We passed legislation –the staff is in charge of enforcing it. I can’t tell the zoning officer, “‘Ignore this!’” or “‘Change That.’ It is against the law.”

David Carns contended the mayor previously told him, ‘“If we do this for you, we have to do this for everybody.’”

Township Manager Kathy Burger grew dissatisfied with the back and forth, and in a somewhat unprecedented move, interrupted the mayor who was about to respond to David Carns.

“Mayor, we are over five minutes,” she said.

“There is a debate going on.”

David Carns said that he was happy that Watson was “at least talking back,” because “these things can get resolved.” Brian Carns, upon hearing Burger interrupt the exchange between his brother and the mayor, started shouting, “Can I give him my five minutes?”, “Just give him my five minutes!” and “You guys need to hear this!”

“Just do it, and we will leave!” Brian Carns

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But the mayor, instead, told David Carns “his time is up” and that he “would be glad to sit down and have a cup of coffee” with him.

That prompted Brian Carns to “claim his five minutes,” and he did not hold back, contending “we tried that (sitting down for a meeting) with you guys.”

“And Kathy, I actually blame you for a lot of this,” Brian Carns contended. “Because you are chiming in when my brother is talking to him (the mayor) and you are actually trying to correct him. Why correct the mayor? He either knows where he stands or doesn’t!”

Brian Carns added that for the “township’s power” to be used to “hammer our farm into the ground” is “so unfair.”

“We both bought houses off the land!”

Brian Carns said. “We don’t want to build there! We don’t want to develop! We want to keep everything open! And you would think the township would be a little bit open minded about farms, instead of saying, ‘A neighbor called.’ Our neighbor that called has shown up to four meetings, written three letters and tried to talk Beth down! He has done it all to try to correct what has happened from a stupid call about a trailer out back that his wife didn’t like!

Did you guys know I cut his field for years?”

Brian Carns then alleged that the municipality expedited a request to legalize farm stands in the wake of a complaint about one on Taunton Boulevard, but yet has gone after others with stands, including the firewood stand that was run by his family.

“I am sure she is friends with either you (Burger), you (Watson) or someone up here (council)! Brian Carns asserted. “There is no way that lady with a stand isn’t friends with somebody up here, because you guys shut down a stand on Skeet Road. They had a big farm!

You shut down our stand! You shut down a stand on Stokes Road! Then you open up a stand on Taunton Boulevard!”

The mayor replied, “No! No!” “The last several administrations got it all wrong and you come into office and you really have it all figured out!” Brian Carns said.

“These stands were here before you came in!”

The mayor replied, “We did not shut those stands down!”

It was at this point the meeting divulged into a shouting match, with the mayor contending that he did not come into office telling people that they could not sell firewood.

“You (the mayor) are in text messages with Beth, you are in it!” said Brian Carns of apparent correspondence he contended proves otherwise.

“You, Kathy! You, mayor! You, Beth! All the emails! You are in it! You want somebody to fact check it; we can fact check it. Oh, please guys! I complained to you mayor. I begged for mercy! You did nothing! Your buddy, at Taylor Design Group, hammered us! He charged us so much crazy money!”

Brian Carns contended that what happened to his family farm is the equivalent of “robbery.”

“Our farm is not going to take this crap!” said Brian Carns, noting that officials brought his fiery “rough around the edges” speech on themselves by not allowing his brother to speak longer. “Next time you come out with one of your stupid letters to my farm, believe me, it is not going to go over so smooth! … Mayor, stop harassing us! That is all it boils down to!”

Watson could not be immediately reached for comment on this story.

The Oct. 20 meeting was attended by others opposed to the tree ordinance, including Jason Kleinman, who established a Facebook group titled, “MY LAND. MY TREES.: Defeating the Medford Township Tree Ordinance.” None of the other opponents to the law spoke, however.

Kleinman, who previously vowed to pursue legal action to stop the law from taking effect, told this newspaper immediately after the meeting concluded that he has since found out from a lawyer that pursuing the matter in court could cost over $10,000. He said he had not made a final decision on what he might do.

He also was critical of Burger, contending that a response to a related Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request was past due, and that he believed she was intentionally withholding the requested documents until after the meeting had passed.

Kleinman, according to David Carns in a later interview with this newspaper, received the documents he requested the day after the council meeting.

While council entered executive session on Oct. 20 to discuss sensitive matters, following the public session, Kleinman met with those opposed to the tree ordinance, including the Carns brothers, outside the Medford Township Public Safety Building, where the council meeting was held.

15 minutes later, following apparent adjournment of the council meeting, Deputy Mayor Erik Rebstock emerged from the building and shook hands, as observed by this newspaper, with the tree ordinance opponents, including the Carns brothers.

David Carns later told this newspaper that Rebstock listened to the group’s concerns See MAYOR/ Page 11

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A disturbance developed Oct. 21 over a confederate-like flag displayed at a roadside stand selling President Donald J. Trump and GOP merchandise.

A man carrying a Black Lives Matter Flag purportedly gets into an alleged altercation with a vendor selling President Donald J. Trump and GOP merchandise on Route 9.

VENDOR

The men who approached the stand could be heard in the video saying “we are here to protest” and “that is a flag of hate.” One of them wore a black shirt that stated “bad choices make good stories.” Someone can be heard responding “that is not a confederate flag.” A skirmish then breaks out, with someone repeatedly saying “they are not traitors!” One of the men who approached the vendor is seen carrying a Black Lives Matter Flag.

Lt. Troy Bezak, a spokesman for the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, told this newspaper that the incident began when two men approached “a vendor selling Trump and Republican flags and signs.”

“I guess he had a couple of products

(Continued from Page 5)

Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, officers were dispatched on Oct. 21 to Route 9, near Stage Road, around 1:25 p.m. after receiving reports of a disturbance occurring in that area.

“Responding officers discovered a 57-yearold male with head injuries,” the press release states. “The Great Bay Regional Volunteer EMS (Squad 85) responded to that location and transported the victim to a hospital for treatment.”

Authorities said that as a result of witness inter views and a police investigation, Thomas Sidle, 31, and Keith Hornberger, 32, both from Little Egg Harbor, were charged with agg ravated assault, cr imi nal mischief, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Video of the disturbance, shared widely online, depict two men approaching a temporary roadside stand surrounded by signs supporting President Donald J. Trump, and selling Trump and GOP merchandise.

A large confederate-like flag was attached to a tent overhanging it that said “come and take it,” with an AR-15 rifle in the middle of it.

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that appeared to be confederate flags, or based on confederate flags,” Bezak said.

“The two accused, I really don’t know what their political views are, and they didn’t say per se in the video, seemed to be offended by the flags perceived as confederate flags. They got into some sort of physical altercation and the vendor ended up getting assaulted.”

Bezak said he didn’t know how serious the vendor’s head injuries were, but that he was released from the hospital later in the evening, and returned to the site the next day to continue selling Trump and Republican merchandise.

“My understanding was he was out there today again,” said Bezak on Oct. 22.

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900 Pemberton elementary school students.

Board of Education President Jeffrey Wilson officially cut the ribbon, accompanied by four students—Hunter Mellor, 6, Hayden Mellor, 6, NyAire Cooper, 6, and Aiyanna Allen, 9.

Both the Denbo and Crichton schools that the new facility replaces were said to be aging facilities that had been in use for decades. The realignment brought about by the new school’s opening, which has been touted as a cost-saving measure for the district, has resulted in not only the student population of Denbo (grades 3-5) but of two other elementary schools, the Isaiah Haines (K-2) and Joseph S. Stackhouse (grades 3-5) facilities, being brought together in one building at 2 Learning Way, in the Browns Mills section of the township. More than 850 students originally from these schools eventually will make the move.

In turn, students from Harker-Wylie School (K-2) have now been moved into the Stackhouse building, while the former Harker-Wylie and Haines school buildings are repurposed for other uses that have yet to be formally announced.

According to a press release from the SDA, the new school will also address “overcrowding issues” and “deliver spaces that align with New Jersey Department of Education Standards.”

The Denbo-Crichton school facility includes some 40 classrooms (including self-contained special education space). Consistent with SDA standards, the school was delivered with “1:1 student-device technology,” an “educational necessity now more than ever before,” the SDA said.

“The technology provided for students attending this school stands ready to support student learning as educators navigate these extraordinary times,” the SDA noted in the press release.

Wilson said the new school project had been more than a decade in the making, starting with the advocacy and efforts of past administrators, including former superintendent Dr. Michael Gorman, former business administrator Pat Austin and former media services coordinator Michael Pinto. Through the years, more leaders, including former superintendent Tony Trongone, who left the district earlier this year, came aboard and played a role in “ultimately making this dream become a reality.”

“As big and as grand as this building looks on the outside, we all know it is the people on the inside, and the activities on the inside, that are truly going to make a difference in our community,” Wilson said. “This building is just a shell of the possibilities of what is to come.”

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Havers, who is a former Denbo student himself, pointed out many of the new school building’s features, including how each hallway has been painted in its own special color. For example, one green hallway leads to a green gymnasium, in

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM appreciation of Toby Green, a longtime physical education teacher, who was in attendance for the ceremony.

Other features of the new facility include a playground with an athletic field, and classrooms, larger than those in most of the district’s other school buildings, along with a cafeteria, band room, media center, and a multipurpose room complete with a stage.

There is also a plaque in memory of the late Gerald “Mr. D” DeClementi, who served as principal at the Crichton School from 1980 until 2006. It is located in a kindergarten/first grade hallway, which is referred to as “Mr. D’s Hall.”

The assistant superintendent, whose focus is the district’s preschool-through-fifth-grade education, also lauded the SDA for being responsive to questions and new ideas, as well as being attentive to details. Along with other speakers, he highlighted the work of the many people and parties involved, including the teachers who assisted with designing the room layouts and picking out the furniture in the various settings.

The newly appointed principal and vice principal for the new building are Brett Thorp and Cordalia Sullivan, respectively, who will lead a staff of nearly 150 professionals.

Together, this school’s students and staff will be known as the Denbo-Crichton (DC) Wolfpack.

The general contractor for the project was Philadelphia-based Ernest Bock and Sons, Inc., and the architect was SSP Architectural Group, of Bridgewater.

According to the SDA press release, the school was built to be LEED (United States Green Building Council – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.

The state agency anticipates that the new Denbo-Crichton school building will achieve a LEED certification.

The school was built using a designbuild approach, the SDA press release said.

The design-build method differs from the traditional design-bid-build approach by allowing the SDA to contract with one firm for both design and construction of a school facilities project.

The project was managed by Cambridge Construction, Inc. The pandemic prevented the district from hosting a farewell ceremony for the old Denbo school, similar to the one held for Crichton in 2017, before it was demolished. However, a virtual farewell to the building, which had been standing since 1965, can be viewed at: https:// youtu.be/NjfuERnXDus .

“Through this challenging time for school districts, administrators, teachers, students and families, the School Development Authority continues to deliver the school facilities and educational technology that students need in order for them to reach their full potential,” said Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in the press release. “I want to thank the authority, as well as the Pemberton school district in their efforts to building this educational facility that will help connect and educate thousands of students for generations to come.”

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Six-year-old brothers Hayden and Hunter Mellor check out a kindergarten classroom in the new Denbo-Crichton Elementary School.

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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VACANT

(Continued from Page 2) along because we are only going to get one shot at this, and whatever we do there will be with us for years to come.”

As previously reported by this newspaper, a $390,999 cont ract for st reetscaping improvements to Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, between Juliustown and Trenton roads, was unanimously awarded to Charles Marandino, LLC by council on Sept. 16.

Pemberton Township Council, on July 15, also unanimously approved of Patriarca’s administration applying to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a Rural Development Grant for a second phase of streetscape improvements to Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, from its intersection with Juliustown Road to at least the entranceway to Lakeshore Mobile Village.

The township, on Aug. 4, in response, was awarded a $234,000 USDA grant that requires a 45 percent local match, according to David J. Benedetti, director of Pemberton’s Office of Community Development.

The estimated project cost of the latter streetscaping project, according to Hornickel, is $434,862.

Officials recently expressed their hope that improved streetscaping will attract developers to the area. The Browns Mills Shopping Center sits at the corner of Juliustown and PembertonBrowns Mills roads.

The municipality is also collaborating with Business View magazine that will soon be featuring the township, highlighting what officials would like to get done over the next five years and “why companies should consider investing in Pemberton Township.”

Pemberton, in May 2019, took out a $420,000 bond for several properties in town that “had for sale signs on them for years and no one wanted

A 5,873 square-foot former wood frame bank branch at 1 Clubhouse Road. to buy them,” including the 5,873 square-foot wood frame former bank branch at 1 Clubhouse Road, which sits on the Mirror Lake waterfront.

Pemberton acquired the bank on Oct. 18, 2019, which sits on an approximate 2-acre parcel, for $200,000, Hornickel told this newspaper.

“The reason why we purchased it (the bank) is that the price was right, at the time, we felt,” said Patriarca on Oct. 7. “We wanted to control the destiny of that property. It is a beautiful, old building that we would like to see get brought back to life in its former way.”

The mayor added that “one of the fears” the township had was that the former bank building could become six or eight apartments.

“As you know, that is a prime location, it is right at the head of the lake, and it overlooks the lake,” Patriarca said. “It is a beautiful property for something else.”

Placing a deed restriction on the property, the mayor said, is a future possibility “so it cannot become something that becomes a

blighted property, an eyesore or nuisance to the community later.”

“There has been no serious interest at this point,” Patriarca said. “But we are still continually talking to different individuals for that property. … Our goal has been to capture that property, hold onto it and market it for what we want it to be.”

Rowan College at Burlington County (also known at one time as Burlington County College) phased out its former main campus at 601 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road from 2016 to 2019. An indoor swimming pool at the college campus closed in August 2019, the last facility that had been operational at the site.

“As far as the college property, we don’t know of anything coming up on the college end,” Patriarca said. “The college property belongs to the Rowan College at Burlington County Board of Trustees. They control that property. They have not come to us with any programs or plans to improve that property.”

However, the mayor added that the township has been marketing the property through its discussions with developers, as recently as the end of September, and that one was interested in taking a further look at the former college property.

Hornickel later told this newspaper that the township is not interested in taking ownership of the former college property because “we believe it should be redeveloped and restored to the tax rolls.” The township, he added, commissioned a study of the property “as an area in need of redevelopment,” which was completed in the summer of 2018.

“We are not privy to the college’s efforts to find a suitable purchaser, but believe the condition of the existing buildings would require a substantial demolition cost,” the business administrator said.

The Pine Barrens Tribune, on Oct. 16, received a phone call from Bill Tarn, a resident who lives a mile away from the former college. He called the site’s current condition “a disgrace,” contending that the property is overgrown with high weeds, has inordinate amounts of trash and one of the buildings at the site has smashed windows from people breaking inside to steal copper piping.

He told this newspaper that he has called the college, Rowan College at Burlington County Board of Trustees and the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders to no avail. No one, he said, will take responsibility for the deteriorating condition of the property and fix it.

“It is just a mess,” Tarn said. “I could take you over to show you all the garbage people keep throwing there. People keep breaking in, and the windows on one building are smashed.

The grass is so high along the road, and in the fields, that you can’t cut it. You would need a farmer to bale it! It is a disgrace. It is just getting worse and worse over there.

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“It used to be so beautiful. Instead of rebuilding Pemberton Township, they (the freeholders) just keep taking it away and investing in places such as Moorestown. They put the money where the freeholders are. It is just political crap. You keep taking things away from a place, and then you have nothing. Then you get more crime. This just isn’t right.”

Hornickel told this newspaper that the township has offered to assist Rowan College at Burlington County with marketing the property, and for a short while, “we helped with mowing and clearing brush.”

Greg Volpe, a spokesman for Rowan College at Burlington County, told this newspaper on Oct. 21 that although the college “doesn’t maintain the grounds to the level required of the active campuses,” the facilities team is performing “basic upkeep” around the perimeter of campus and addressing any critical

CANNABIS (Continued from Page 4)

and Facebook page for the “Shamong Cannabis Growers Association” (SCGA). The purpose of the association is to serve as a communitysponsored advocate for the initiative proposed by the Shamong Township administration.

The group’s website can be found at: shamongcannabisgrowersassociation.home. blog/.

Di Croce, on Oct. 6, said one of his objectives is ensuring this initiative does not change the “overall atmosphere of this small rural community,” a concern shared by a couple of residents he has spoken with, including one who said she wanted Shamong to remain “a quiet town.”

When pressed further by this newspaper in the Oct. 16 interview about how he can ensure the character of the township doesn’t change, Di Croce responded that cultivating cannabis is “like growing any other crop, essentially.”

“Part of it is just swapping out one crop for another crop,” Di Croce said. “If you are growing corn, or you are growing hemp, it doesn’t really matter. It is not making any noise.

Photo By Andy Milone

28 teams participated in the first-ever Coles Roberts Memorial Cornhole Tournament.

ROTARY

(Continued from Page 4) Pheasant Golf Course, Medford Bowling Lanes, Stiles Dental Care, Braddock’s Tavern / Ott’s Medford, and Beechwood Landscaping, Architecture and Construction.

Rotary member Gary Ley Jr., of Tabernacle, highlighted how the competition was another event representative of Rotary’s mission to raise funds that are invested back i nto t hei r com mu n it y, a nd how

it was “really a no brainer” during these trying times.

“It is in the middle of the pandemic,” Ley said. “It is worth getting out to do something fun. It is all socially distanced. People had the option to wear to wear mask. It is outside. It is safe, and it is somewhat bringing us back to normal.”

Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club is very familiar with Braddock’s Tavern, where this latest fundraiser took place, as this is where the group holds its meetings every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. To learn more about the local organization, visit: mvrotaryclub.org .

MAYOR

(Continued from Page 6) for 15 to 20 minutes, pointing out that the deputy mayor, in an email obtained through Kleinman’s OPRA request, wrote to Watson in January that “we cannot legislate against all issues, but at its worst, the three tree per year limit could prove harmful over time.”

A provision in the tree ordinance stipulating “up to three trees may be removed every 12 months for any reason from an existing lot within the Township of Medford, which contains a residential dwelling, but no more than 10 trees may be removed, for any reason, from an existing lot which contains a residential

issue that arises.

He added that Rowan College at Burlington County has received interest in the former campus from a few developers over the years, but has “yet to receive a viable offer.”

“RCBC has received renewed interest from prospective developers in recent weeks and continues to work toward a viable use of the campus,” he said. “The college continues to patrol the former campus and perform basic upkeep to the perimeter of the grounds, while fulfilling our core mission of providing safe, high-quality and affordable educational opportunities to our students.”

McCartney contended during the Oct. 7 council meeting that “certain residents” have been asking her about the three aforementioned properties and that these “particular topics seem to come up every once in a while.”

“I am asking now for the record, but I do recognize that there has been a lot of improvement done and infrastructure upgrades in our community,” she contended. “… I do recognize this through the solar, the water, our sewage and our webpage.”

It is not changing anything. It is not changing the flavor of the town.”

There have been at least eight different people in the township, including farmers, Di Croce said, who have approached him about being interested in the industry, “when the time is right.”

At the time of the Oct. 16 interview, Di Croce said he was not yet ready to release a list of those interested parties in Shamong.

One of his goals as mayor, he said, is transforming Shamong into a “little slice of heaven,” and he believes this cannabis initiative would bring the township closer to this vision, because it could result in fulfilling one of his loftier ambitions of eliminating local property taxes altogether.

“I would love it if Shamong were the only town in New Jersey that was local property tax-free,” Di Croce said. “Imagine what that would do to our town, what it would do for our property values. People would be wanting to come here, and maybe fleeing other towns in New Jersey to seek a little bit of a refuge.”

He also broached the idea of possibly using revenue generated to invest in establishing a community center, with “an Olympic-sized pool so we could actually do something in the winter.” dwelling within any five-year period,” has been the most controversial part of the law.

“He talked normal to us, listened to us,” David Carns said. “It was something none of the other council members have done. He just started a dialogue. I got to tell you I thought he was really listening to us. I think he genuinely wanted to talk to us. Obviously, I don’t know for sure as politics is a murky world. But I honestly thought he was genuine, and didn’t think he was there just trying to cool things off. He was listening, there is no doubt about it. Something good came out of the meeting.”

A veteran council meeting attendee, remarked to this reporter while exiting the building (but before Rebstock met with the tree ordinance opponents) that, “Democracy can be messy sometimes.”

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FIRE

(Continued from Page 1) present a new draft to Tabernacle Fire Company #1, in hopes of resolving the issues.

Barton told this newspaper in a later interview that he is not opposed to the idea of a township fire department, but would have liked to have seen every effort made before “the hammer is brought down,” bringing about any possibility of damaging personal relationships and causing volunteers’ enthusiasm to drop.

“If you have concerns, let’s talk about those concerns and try to resolve them with controls in the contract,” he said.

If this ordinance is adopted, it is expected that the $90,000 annual contract – first signed in 2015 with no set expiration date – with Tabernacle Fire Company # 1 as the “thirdparty firefighting service provider” will be terminated once a 90-day notice is provided.

If the ordinance is approved, the fire de pa r t me nt wou ld a s s u me t he n a me “Tabernacle Fire Company,” rather than “Tabernacle Township Fire Department,” in an effort to avoid any possible costs related to rebranding the building, trucks and other equipment and apparatus.

Despite this proposed change, Brown emphasized that not much will change, and “anyone who is in the fire company now, who wants to be a member of this (new) fire company, is automatically a member once we adopt this, and they just have to put their application in to formalize it.”

According to the proposed ordinance, “all of the present Tabernacle Fire Company #1 members, at the time of the adoption of this ordinance shall automatically be probationary members of the new township fire department and shall have 90 days to apply for permanent membership in the township department as a volunteer after the appointment of the chief.”

In addition, this swap of a third party company for a municipal department would result in a transfer of power in the selection of a Tabernacle Township Fire Chief from being the decision of the volunteers to the decision of what was initially recommended to be a panel of experts, whose selection ultimately will need

Tabernacle Fire Company #1 station. to be endorsed by the committee.

It has not been determined if the fire chief post will be a paid position.

The proposed ordinance states that other assistant chiefs, captains, lieutenants, and other line officers and members will be appointed by the fire chief, “with the consent of the township committee.”

As is stated in the ordinance, these chain of command posts will still be volunteer positions, or ones without compensation, in hopes of fulfilling one goal of the sub-committee, which is still being able to “capture the spirit of volunteerism.”

“I hope that the volunteers do stay, because if they do not stay, when they receive that 90day notice, Tabernacle Township is going to be covered through mutual aid,” Barton said.

“Hopefully, their hearts stay in this, and they stay with this and they continue to protect our residents and our property.”

Brown denied that this proposed change to fire service is “replacing volunteers with a paid fire company” and added that this “continuity of services” will not result in costing anything additional to the township, “because we are already paying for the fire company services and their equipment.”

In reference to the review conducted by the sub-committee, which she said included speaking with many stakeholders over a period of many months, Brown said “this was the only solution that was able to be found” in

Photo Provided

addressing the issues.

However, Tabernacle Fire Company #1 President Cheryl Smith, during the public comment portion of the committee meeting before the first reading vote was taken, denied these issues ever being brought to her attention.

She contended that there had not been “open communication” with the fire company on this proposal.

At the end of 2019, she said there were conversations between the fire company and sub-committee, but it was clearly stated that these discussions were not contract negotiations. Once the pandemic started, Smith claimed that she was told nothing else was needed from her.

Smith contended that when she first received word of the potential township fire department, she called and left a voicemail for Moore on Oct. 1, looking for clarification, but she never heard anything back.

“This company has been a failure,” said former member Sean Colton, a resident who sounded off on the committee plan. “Plain and simple. This fire company is a laughing stock in this county right now.”

He said the way that the finances are handled “needs to change.”

“It is scary what is going on with our tax money right now, and it is absolutely shameful that it has been allowed for this company to operate how they have so far,” Colton said.

Colton added that when he called 9-1-1 for

a fire, and the fire company responded to a fire on his property, “they were unprofessional.”

“They made jokes,” he asserted. “And plain and simple – they were slow.”

The fire department proposal was first brought to the attention of the public at a committee meeting on Sept. 28, after the governing body reconvened from a lengthy executive session involving discussions of the current contract involving the fire company.

“Let the record be clear that the committee was discussing the options under a contract and the potential terms and conditions,” said Township Solicitor Peter Lange. “As the discussion began to talk about patrol and authority over the fire company, some of the (committee) members wanted to discuss the potential of an ordinance, rather than a contract, and so it was appropriate to come out of executive session.”

Barton, during the Sept. 28 committee meeting, did make a motion to have a sub-committee conduct a review of the current contract in an effort to come up with a contract that addresses the concerns brought forth by this sub-committee, but he failed to get a second, and thus there was no roll call vote.

Moore, during that September meeting, described a review of the current contract, resources and responsibilities of the existing fire company. He said the review included many hours of speaking to members of the community and stakeholders, including current volunteers, as well as past volunteers, “who were either removed from the fire company or left on their own free will.”

The review, Moore said, concluded that there had been a history of conflict and dysfunction – related to the “decentralized nature” of the management of Tabernacle Fire Company #1 in the delivery of its services – and that the fire company has not been “promoting efficient, effective and exemplary services,” in spite of “terrific” spirit and volunteerism.

Some of the concerns were “decisions being based on personal relationships, rather than the merit” and “not enough efficient financial transparency,” Moore said.

As to the specifics of the concerns brought See FIRE/ Page 15

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The Pine Barrens Tribune is published every Saturday. This newspaper is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any part is not permitted by mechanical or electronic means without the expressed written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to revise or reject any advertisement. No liability shall be attached to the Publisher for interruption of publication or limitation of size and/or number of pages due to shortage of material, failure of transportation, flood, fire, severe weather, winter weather, riots, strikes, acts of God, a public health emergency or other causes beyond his or her control.

It is our policy to promptly correct errors. If you believe that you see a mistake, please call (609) 801-2392.

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FIRE

(Continued from Page 13) to the floor by his colleagues, Barton, in a later interview with this newspaper, described his own information about the concerns as being “hearsay, rather than first-hand knowledge.”

Brown declined to comment on the specifics of these issues when reached by this newspaper.

Days after the Sept. 28 meeting, the move was being viewed by the current acting fire chief Dave Smith as the township “firing us,” under his initial belief that the township will not end up keeping all of its some 50 current volunteers.

“I am very disappointed in the mayor that she would do this to the volunteers and taxpayers,” said Smith in an Oct. 2 interview with this newspaper. “… Sammy will take it one step further and do the same thing to the rescue squad.”

The acting fire chief denied allegations

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that decisions were being based on personal relationships, rather than merit, and that the volunteer organization was not providing enough efficient financial transparency.

The company goes “above and beyond,” he said, to be transparent with its financial statements being given to the township and posted on its website. During this interview, conducted at the fire station, he pointed to a booklet with its standard operating guidelines (SOG) in indicating that this is what guides decision making at the company.

There was still clear opposition from the organization ahead of the latest committee meeting on Oct. 13 to the centralization of the services, as the fire company posted a statement of disapproval to its Facebook page with a copy of the agenda that included the ordinance, as an item of business, circled.

“We thought the residents should know what the Tabernacle Township Committee is doing to your volunteers #StandWithTFC #1 #neighborshelpingneighbors.”

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