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IN SEARCH OF ‘SMALL TOWN’ ANSWERS

Shamong Committee ‘Breaks New Ground’ with Deputy Mayor Nomination Dissent Following Outcry That Anticipated Nominee ‘Talked Down’ to Residents Protesting Recommended Animal Regulations, Allegedly Didn’t Disclose Land Use Board Position Chris Zehnder Narrowly Survives Challenge After Getting into Vociferous Clash with Mayor’s Managing Paralegal, Fails to Garner Support of Two Prominent County Republicans on Body By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

File Photo

Chris Zehnder, a Shamong committeeman who has become the subject of controversy, and narrowly secured the post of deputy mayor during a Jan. 2 Shamong committee reorganization session.

SHAMONG—Dissent amongst the Shamong Township Committee for a leadership position is something the municipal governing body has “never had before,” according to veteran Shamong Township Solicitor Doug Heinold, but as veteran Committeeman Michael Di Croce put it during a Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, the all-Republican township

committee, in having it on full display that evening, was “breaking new ground.” In what completely caught Com m itteeman Chris Zehnder by surprise (as he ultimately acknowledged), a group of residents attended what is traditionally a harmonious occasion here, and called on the governing body to not nominate him for the position of deputy mayor. See ANSWERS/ Page 6

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Bonnie Haines Becomes First Woman Mayor of Pemberton Borough, with Former Official Detailing Her Family’s History of Public Service Terry Jerome, Melissa Tettemer Sworn into New Terms on Borough Council, with Jerome Retaining Council President Position for Second Year in a Row

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Borough Solicitor David Serlin administers the oath of office for borough mayor to Bonnie Haines, with her on Jan. 2 becoming the first woman mayor to serve the municipality.

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—Bonnie Haines, a former Pemberton Borough

councilwoman and council president, has been sworn in as the municipality’s mayor, and in taking the oath of office for the See MAYOR/ Page 10

Newcomer Tabernacle Committeewoman Successfully Propels Change to Expand Public Comment to Four Minutes Per Person Vote Ends Controversial Two-Minute Policy Known as ‘Hartman Rule,’ with Hartman Elected Mayor During Reset and Newcomer, in Stunner, Appointed Deputy Mayor During Evening of Three Dissenting Votes

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—In her third official a c t ion a s a Tab e r n a cle Tow n sh ip Committee newcomer, Natalie Stone, mere minutes after being sworn into the governing body on Jan. 5, made a motion to lift what has become known in town as the “Hartman Rule,” or what was a two-minute allotment for a person to give public comments suggested two years ago by Committeeman Mark Hartman, and adopted for both 2022 and 2023. Stone, as the committee’s first resolution for New Year 2024 was up for a vote, one to adopt a version of Robert’s Rules of Order procedures for the governing body to follow this year, initially made a motion to amend that resolution to expand the time allotted for each person to give public comments from two to three minutes. S t o n e ’s 2 0 2 3 r u n n i n g m a t e , Com mitteeman Noble McNaughton (w i t h S t o n e a n d M cNa u g h t o n adm inistered the oath of offic e for township committee by GOP Senator-

elect Latham Tiver, of the 8th Legislative District, at the very start of the Jan. 5 session), however, suggested a further modification, or that the allotted time to a person to make public comments be expanded to four m inutes, w ith Committeeman William J. Sprague, Jr. “seconding” that further modification. But as McNaughton explained to Sprague, it is Stone that would have to amend her initial motion, and she did so without any hesitation, declaring, “I am OK with that.” Com mitteeman Samuel “Sam my” Moore, who served as mayor in 2022 and 2023, had strictly adhered to the twominute rule during his time as meeting chair, despite increasing controversy with each passing meeting. More recently, the township committee, Pine Barrens Tribune and Burlington County Sheriff’s Office had been copied on two separate “legal notice and warning” letters/petitions signed individually by over 60 people, which included calls for See CHANGE/ Page 7

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 3

County Committee Selects Past Washington Township Mayor to Fill Late Committeeman’s Vacancy on Township Committee

Dudley Lewis, Who Had Retired in 2019, Administered Oath of Office with Governing Body Selecting New Mayor, Deputy Mayor for 2024; New Year Begins with Major Breakthrough on Senior Center Lease

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Mayor C. Leigh Gadd, Jr., looks on as Township Solicitor Tom Coleman administers the oath of office for Washington committee to Dudley Lewis, who has been chosen by the County Committee to fill the vacancy of the late Paul Seybold.

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—A very familiar face has been welcomed back to the Washington Township Committee, chosen to fill a vacancy left behind by Paul Seybold, who died suddenly in early December. Dud ley L ew is, who reti re d from the Washington Township Committee in December 2019 after 11 years on the governing body, and spent nearly a decade as tow nship mayor, is the County Committee’s choice for a oneye a r app oi nt ment to the tow nsh ip com m itte e, ac cord i ng to Tow nsh ip Deputy Clerk Karen Bacon during a Jan. 2 reorganization meeting. I m m e d i a t e l y fo l l ow i n g B a c o n’s pronouncement, Lewis was administered the oath of office. Seybold had been re-elected to the township committee in November, for a three-year term that was to commence this month. Township Solicitor Tom Coleman previously explained that state law is clear that in the event of the untimely passing of someone elected to a municipal office between Election Day and the day that the new term is to commence, it is the County Committee that gets to appoint a replacement, not the local governing body. The choice of Lewis, however, seemed to please both Committeemen C. Leigh Gadd, Jr., and Daniel James, both of whom www.pinebarrenstribune.com

previously served at some point on the governing body with Lewis. “I would like to thank Dudley for stepping up and filling the position,” Gadd declared. “It is a terrible loss to lose Paul, but everybody appreciates you stepping up and taking his spot.” L ew i s, who prev iou sly told t h i s newspaper that he has been serving the community in one way or another since the young age of 15, having also volunteered for the local EMS squad for over 50 years, in addition to having been a volunteer fireman, declared on Jan. 2, “I wish to thank the committee and the Republican Committee for asking me to step in to fill our former deputy mayor’s position.” “Paul did a phenomenal job,” said Lewis, who often attended governing body sessions since his 2019 retirement. “I was always very pleased with his (job) and hope I can step into those shoes.” James, who previously served as a deputy mayor under Lewis’ administration, shot back, “I think you will.” “I think you will do just as good of a job,” he added. Lewis, in his final year at the helm as mayor, had served alongside both Seybold and Gadd. When he set out for retirement, James returned to the governing body in 2020, having served since then as township mayor. However, this reorganization meeting See SELECTS/ Page 9 @PineBarrensNews

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Amid Apparent Troubles Securing Pinelands Commission Approval for Planned Subdivision in Woodland, Assessment Change Granted

Tract Dubbed ‘Estlow Estates’ Will Be Assessed as Vacant, Undevelopable Land Until Issue Over Threatened and Endangered Species is Resolved, While Owner Calls for Township Representation at Pinelands Council, Commission Meetings By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WOODLAND—A 16-acre tract in Woodland Township, once marketed online as featuring “12 buildable lots in an approved subdivision with improvements,” will now be “assessed as vacant and undevelopable land” until the “Pinelands Commission approves the development and subdivision of said property.” That was the Dec. 20 decision of the Woodland Township Committee as a proposed development for the Village of Chatsworth, dubbed the “Estlow Estates,” on land owned by resident and regional school board member Margaret “Cookie” Estlow, is apparently now being challenged. According to Pinelands Commission correspondence issued to Estlow, and her son, Jesse, which was provided by the commission to the Pine Barrens Tribune following inquiries about the township committee session, a “substantial issue” has been “raised by the final subdivision approvals granted by the Burlington County Planning Board on Feb. 1, 2022, and on March 29, 2022,” and a commission public hearing is now required on the matter. At the core of the issue, according to the correspondence, are “threatened a n d e n d a n g e r e d ( T& E ) s p e c i e s protection standards.” W h i le a T&E sp e cie s su r vey was completed in 2005 for the project, and a subsequent Certificate of Filing (CF) was issued by the commission allowing for “conditional” and “preliminary” county and township approvals “to take effect for the project,” it is maintained in the correspondence that the CF “does not constitute a commission approval” for the project, but rather a CF simply “denotes completion of an application with the commission.” The letter goes on to state that having obtained a CF from the commission “does not indefinitely protect development from addressing changes in municipal zoning or environmental standards” and now, “approximately 17 years have passed since

the T&E species survey for this application was completed” and “in those 17 years, additional sightings of T&E snake species have occurred in the vicinity of the parcel.” “The proposed development remains subject of the T&E species protection standard and all other standards of t he tow n sh ip la nd u s e ord i na nc e, a nd the P i nela nd s Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), until the development is completed,” it is added. “If new infor mation presents itself, it is always possible that subsequent approvals and permits could raise a substantial issue with the standards of the township land use ordinance and the CMP. Our regulations require that it be demonstrated that the proposed development remains consistent with the T&E species protection standards.” As described in the letter, there has been an apparent back and forth between the parties, and a meeting that had been requested for June 2022 never occurred. The commission staff has now scheduled a public hearing on the matter for May 21. According to public records, the property at issue is on Second Avenue, and at least several of the lots comprising the tract have been assessed at around $35,000. After speaking to the township tax assessor about the change in how the land will be assessed, according to Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown, he has figured on “$27,000 per property” for an assessed 2023 value. “Taxes will not be reduced until escrow fees are brought up to be current,” said Brown in asking for such a stipulation to be placed in an agreement to authorize the change in assessment. Cookie Estlow, later in the Dec. 20 session, asked, moving forward, for Woodland Township to have representation at the Pinelands Municipal Council (a sounding board among the 53 municipalities within the state-designated Pinelands Area and the Pinelands Commission, which works See TROUBLES/ Page 15

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Southampton to Fold Zoning Board of Adjustment into Planning Board Creating New Joint Land Use Board; Decision Sees Dispute Over Savings

As Re-elected Mayor Cites ‘Small Cost Savings,’ Canceled Meetings as Justification, New Deputy Mayor, a Former Zoning Board Official, ‘Can’t Justify’ Dissolvement

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—The scheduled February meeting of the Southampton Township Zoning Board of Adjustment could very well be its last – unless there is a new application that comes before the board prior to March 1. That is because the Southampton Tow n sh ip C om m it t e e, on Ja n. 2 , introduced an ordinance to “combine the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board into a single Joint Land Development Board,” and then passed it on second reading during a subsequent Jan. 16 governing body session, with the measure folding the Zoning Board into the Planning Board, effective March 1. But Mike Mikulski, re-elected as township mayor for 2024, has already gotten into a disagreement with the township’s new deputy mayor, Ronald Heston, as well as Bill Raftery, who Heston succeeds in the post, about whether merging the two boards into one will have the effect of saving the municipality money. Mikulski says it will, albeit by a small amount, while Heston fears it actually won’t do so. And as a result, the decision to dissolve the Zoning Board, was a non-unanimous one, with Heston casting the lone opposing vote. The Zoning Board, according to the township codebook, is to comprise seven regular members and two alternate members, each of whom shall be residents of Southampton Tow nsh ip and b e appointed by the township committee. This particular board hears and decides appeals where it is alleged by an applicant that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or refusal made by an official based on or made in the enforcement of the zoning provisions of the codebook. It also hears and decides requests for interpretation of the municipal zoning map. But most commonly, residents go before the Zoning Board to obtain a variance. The zoning board can also grant construction permits when a dispute arises. The Planning Board, according to the township codebook, is to comprise of nine

regular and two alternate members. This particular body can make, adopt and, from time to time, amend a Master Plan for the physical development of the township. But more commonly, it administers subdivision and site plan reviews, as well as decides conditional uses for projects. A Joint Land Use Board would do all of these things of both boards. But there is one significant difference in that a Zoning Board, under Southampton c ode, c an not have ele ct e d of fic ial representation on it, nor can any member of the Zoning Board hold a township position, but the Planning Board can have elected or township officials on it, and by creating a Joint Land Use Board, the appointees that could decide zoning matters can be elected officials. Therefore, the Jan. 16 decision is one that can give a mayor and administration more control over zoning matters – but it was something not mentioned by any of the officials in deciding the matter. “What we are looking to do, is taking our Zoning Board and Planning Board and combining them into one board,” Mikulski told residents on Jan. 2. “Towns our size – most of them have now gone to a single land use board, but not all of them. What happens is the Zoning Board folds into the Planning Board.” Mikulski maintained there is a “small cost savings if we do it and that is really from the elimination of one of our attorneys,” with Township Administrator and Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman adding, it would also eliminate the need for a secretary (each board, as a separate entity is required to have an attorney and secretary). Additionally, the mayor cited “multiple cancelations” by both boards of scheduled meetings as further justification for the formation of a Joint Land Use Board. “This way, we may see a consistent monthly meeting schedule,” Mikulski said. “If we reach the point where the meetings are running long to where people aren’t being heard, we can always re-address the issue. But at least it has not happened for the last few years.” See ZONING/ Page 13

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Washington Twp.’s New Mayor Calls It ‘Flat-Out Lie’ That Committee Approached Galloway EMS to Replace Green Bank Volunteer Squad

Response Given to Green Bank’s Chief Quoting Report from ‘Reliable Source’ That Is Also Disputed by Municipality’s Former Mayor and Now Deputy Mayor

with neighboring Washington Township. Initially, the arrangement drew some concern that it could not be sustainable because of distance, but officials in Bass River have since praised the arrangement, and extended it, claiming the response times have been better than expected. In early 2022, Cavileer made a plea for greater support from local campgrounds, describing that at the time her entity was “down to four active EMTs and three active drivers.” She explained at the time that Galloway EMS used to be a reliable backup provider to Washington Township, however, “they have already stated that they are not responding to the scene with the efficiency that they were in the past because they have committed to Bass River Township.”

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 5 Cavileer also said at the time that the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Squad is “surviving” at present from the “ancillary help” its “treasurer, secretary and president” are providing to the organization, and “we probably would not be doing what we are doing” without them, as “we are insufficiently covered from our outside sources and we are also having problems in-house,” in addition to “not getting a lot of reimbursement from our campgrounds, or from the enduros.” But as far as Cavileer’s latest Jan. 2 remarks, Gadd, in once more responding to it, asserted, “I am sure you don’t want to say who this alleged ‘reliable source’ is, but I would love to know because it is someone who flat-out lied to you.”

Chatsworth Newlywed Killed, Three Others Hurt in UTV Crash By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

Photo By Nick Weissmann

Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company, questions the Washington Township Committee about having been notified “that this committee has approached Galloway EMS to take over the EMS coverage for Washington Township,” one that the mayor called a “flat-out lie.”

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—A report that the Washington Township Committee recently approached Galloway EMS to take over emergency services in the rural Burlington County municipality from the longtime Gre en Ban k Volunte er A mbulanc e Company is one that new Mayor C. Leigh Gadd, Jr., has called a “flat-out lie” and “ridiculous,” with Deputy Mayor Daniel James, who was the previous mayor of the township, also vehemently denying it. Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company, declared during the township’s Jan. 2 reorganization meeting that, “I have just been notified that this committee has approached Galloway EMS to take over the EMS coverage for Washington Township.” “Is this a fact or a rumor?” Cavileer demanded to know from the committee. Gadd replied, “It is definitely not factual in any way,” with James adding, “It is the first I heard of it.” But Cavileer persisted that the report

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came “from a very reliable source” in which it was purported that the “chief of Galloway EMS stated he could not take the contract.” “Well, nobody on this committee approached anybody about anything of the sort!” Gadd tried to assure Cavileer. “That is ridiculous!” Cavileer shot back that, “I hope it is ridiculous, because I feel very blindsided by this,” to which Gadd retorted, “Your formerly ‘reliable source’ is not reliable because that is a bunch of crap!” While Cavileer moved to sit down, James suddenly lifted his arms, before declaring, somewhat in a sarcastic fashion, “Wow, when did we do this?” That is when Cavileer declared, “I am asking you!” “I need someone to tell me when I did it, because I don’t …,” replied James, with Cavileer informing the deputy mayor she will “follow up on my end.” Galloway EMS, based in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, a couple years ago, took over EMS services in neighboring Bass River Township, a municipality known to work closely

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TA BER NACLE — A C h at s wor t h woman was killed in the early morning hours of Jan. 14 when a UTV in which she was riding lost control, overturned and impacted a tree in Tabernacle Township, New Jersey State Police report. A GoFundMe established for the victim’s family has revealed that the woman from Woodland Township was a newlywed. According to Det. Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the state police, a Polaris Ranger UTV, occupied by four people, was traveling southbound on Butterworths Bogs Road, when the driver, at around 1:18 a.m., lost directional control of the vehicle and ran off the road to the left, impacting a tree, before overturning. J a m i e W i d r i g - S t i l l w i l l , 45, o f Chatsworth, died in the crash. The driver, identified by state police as a 42-year-old man from Chatsworth, as well as a front-seat passenger, a 28-yearold man, also of Chatsworth, and a rearseat passenger, a 39-year-old woman from Tabernacle, all sustained serious injuries. They were medevacked to an area hospital, Lebron noted. “T he ac c ident remai ns u nder investigation and there is no additional information available at the moment,” Lebron said. A “Jamie Widrig Stillwill Memorial Fund” has been established through GoFundMe, and in a posting asking for help, it is explained that Widrig-Stillwill was just

married on Jan. 1 after a 9-year relationship. Her husband is identified as Tim, a “partner and shop manager at Eastbound Auto in Southampton,” where donations are also reportedly being accepted. “It is hard to find words or know what to do, but I am sure all of the support and generosity will go a long way in helping Tim and family feel the outpouring of love and care from their friends and community,” the fundraising page states. Widrig-Stillwill was well known in the Chatsworth area, with numerous accounts of her involvement online. She was also a member of the Pine Barren VENOM Jeep Club (PBVJC). “It is with heartfelt condolences that we pay respects to the loss of our fellow PBVJC member, Jamie Widrig Stillwell, who tragically lost her life yesterday,” the club said in a statement. “She was a proud military hero who dedicated her life to others and did so much for our local community and helped all who loved her. Her dedication to military efforts, especially in supporting Operation Yellow Ribbon, leaves a lasting impact on all of us. “May her memory be a source of strength during this difficult time. We had the pleasure of first meeting Jamie in 2021. She was collecting food and supplies donations for troops overseas. Many PBVJC members stepped in to help create a successful supply drive for Jamie's mission. Her and her family are truly one of a kind. Please bow your head in a moment of silence to honor our local hero and friend. Huge hugs sent to her family at this most difficult time.”

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

ANSWERS

(Continued from Page 1) The residents expressed concerns with Zehnder’s “demeanor” towards the public at recent meetings, as well as what he said – and didn’t say – during a fiery September governing body meeting that dealt with the fallout of new, recommended regulations for animals by the township Joint Land Use Board, which came about through a recent re-examination of the township Master Plan that is required every 10 years. The animal recommendations have since been dropped by the township committee. Zehnder, as he did back during the September session, appeared to quickly become very defensive to the public protest, and in the process of doing so, has generated only more concern amongst some in the community, including that he gives a “politician answer” to queries, as well as “comes across as arrogant.” At one point on Jan. 2, he told resident Heather McGarvey, whose LinkedIn profile page identifies her as Di Croce’s managing paralegal at his law firm, that it was “obnoxious” for her to have brought her children to a committee session, to speak out on the proposed animal regulations back in September. Afterwards, while Zehnder, first seated on the governing body in January 2022, ultimately got the nod for 2024 deputy mayor, he failed to garner the support of two of the county’s most prominent Republicans who happen to sit on the Shamong committee, Di Croce, and Brian Woods, who is also the chief of staff in the GOP 8th District Legislative Office. Di Croce, who was unanimously chosen as township mayor again this year before the dissent broke out, nominated Woods for the deputy mayor post in the wake of public outcry about the possibility that Zehnder could be deputy mayor, with Woods casting a vote for himself, but the nomination of Woods was defeated by Zehnder, Committeeman Neil Wilkinson and newcomer Committeewoman Megan Mozitis (who was administered the oath of office at the very start of the Jan. 2 meeting). Wilkinson, instead, nominated Zehnder for deputy mayor, which passed in a 3-2 vote, with Di Croce and Woods voting “no.” “I could care less if Chris was the most abrasive person on stage here,” Wilkinson declared. “It does not really bother me because of the results that get done, and his dedication to the township. I have seen it. And I have no concerns he is antifarming, or that he would not do the best job for the town.” However, a handfu l of re sidents conveyed the message that they do care about Zehnder’s demeanor after Di Croce moved to open the meeting up to public comment on Jan. 2, specifically on the “deputy mayor nomination,” a move that appeared to surprise Township Administrator and Clerk Sue Onorato, who immediately pointed out to Di Croce that the governing body was to nominate the deputy mayor first before opening the session up for public comment. Di Croce proceeded anyway, in a somewhat persistent manner, to invite public comment before the governing body entertained any nomination of deputy mayor (he did not invite public comment for the mayoral nomination), in what appeared

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM to be an indication that he had some knowledge of what was about to unfold. “If anyone has any comments, I would suggest you make them now, before we make the nominations,” Di Croce declared. It was an invitation that resident Shawn Inman accepted, and in wanting to address the subject of “Chris,” Inman recounted having asked at the September governing body meeting “if you were on the Planning Board when it was going over the proposed zoning.” “You had said it was a matter of record,” Inman recalled. “Just a question – why didn’t you come out with it and tell us that night that you were on it?” Zehender responded, “I thought that I did,” causing Inman to shoot back, “You did not.” “It is just an honesty thing for me,” said Inman of why he was against any nomination of Zehnder to be deputy mayor. “It is a trustworthy thing for me. I hope you are not the guy they nominate tonight.” What remains unclear is how those who showed up to protest any nomination of Zehnder got any inclination prior to the reorganization meeting that he might be nominated for deputy mayor and have the majority support. Martin Mozitis, whose term expired Dec. 31, was deputy mayor in 2023. Zehnder, in further responding to Inman, pointed out that it is “public record” that he serves on the Joint Land Use Board. “See, that is the ‘politician’ answer,” Inman retorted. “It is not (the answer of) a ‘small-town mayor.’” W hen In man maintained he is a “straight shooter,” Zehnder responded that he “has that reputation as well.” “I am glad you do,” Inman said. “But as a taxpayer, I think you should be forthright with what you represent with the township! Are you still on that board?” Zehnder said his future service to the Joint Land Use Board would be “based upon a renomination tonight.” It led Inman to ask the committeeman if he recommended any of the regulations that the board had proposed back in September through a Master Plan review. “I participated in discussions over several months,” Zehnder answered. It caused Inman to point out that he did not answer the question posed to him. “Then the answer is ‘no,’ because it was a group discussion,” Zehnder said. Inman, however, sought a specific answer from Zehnder as to whether the committeeman supports any of the recommended regulations for animals that the Joint Land Use Board has proposed. “What was presented by the board was the group consensus,” Zehnder responded. “Some of it I agreed with, some of it I did not. … But it is not one individual who decides the policy of any of these boards.” Inman, however, not satisfied with the committeeman’s answer, pressed Zehnder on, “Where do you stand in supporting those changes?” When Zehnder responded, “We decided not to adopt them at this level,” Inman declared, “Again, that was not the question.” “Where do you stand on it if appointed a deputy mayor?” Inman asked. Zehnder initially chose to respond by pointing out that Inman was at the September meeting and that, “I have animals.” See ANSWERS/ Page 8

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(Continued from Page 2) rescindment of the “Hartman Rule.” Several meetings late last year saw intense opposition to the rule, with Moore at one point having successfully secured a motion to have State Troopers ma i nt a i n a pre s enc e at gover n i ng body meetings moving forward, with the meeting after that vote featuring four uniformed State Troopers (but an official later denying any formal arrangement had been agreed to for offduty Troopers as the motion had sought so that there would be a dedicated State Trooper who could stay for the entirety of a session so one is not pulled off road patrol during shift change). But that seemingly only led to more tension, in combination with a new stop clock and loud buzzer that debuted in December. Moore, in initially reacting to Stone and McNaughton on Jan. 5, declared, “three minutes is what it used to be” and “is what it is in a lot of towns.” It was Hartman, however, elected in a 4-1 vote as mayor through the governing body’s first official action of the new year (with Sprague casting the lone opposing vote), who appeared poised for a reset of sorts, and suggested doing what the committee wishes, and, in calling for a vote on the Roberts Rules of Order resolution, clarified that the governing body would be voting to amend the rules to expand public comment to four minutes. The resolution, with the amendment, passed unanimously. “Thank-you for expanding the twominute public comment period to four minutes,” declared resident and local transparency advocate Stuart Brooks. “We all saw that was long needed.” Brooks, however, in recounting that the two-minute limit had been “imposed because Mr. Hartman said we didn’t have much to say after two minutes,” called

what Hartman had imposed previously “really insulting.” “The point I am making is – it is so ironic because the committee has little to say,” Brooks continued. “Your discussions are so small on public issues of great value and importance. I encourage you to improve on that area – that is what your New Year’s resolution should be!” Prior to the governing body getting down to agenda business, it also selected a deputy mayor for 2024 – with Hartman, nominating Stone for the post. Stone’s nomination for deputy mayor was quickly seconded by Moore, with the committeewoman (the successor to longtime committeewoman Kim Brown) appearing extremely surprised, if not stunned, including with her jaw dropping and face becoming wide-eyed. She also put her hand on her chest, wh ile McNaughton, who had been looking down, jolted his head and perked up from his position. When Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown asked Stone, “Do you accept the nomination as the deputy mayor?”, the committeewoman quipped, “Can I have 30 seconds?”. It took her less than 5 seconds to accept the nomination. In an official committee vote to affirm the nomination, Stone, still in an apparent state of shock, let out an extended “yes,” but her 2023 running mate voted against her nomination, as did Sprague, in what became a 3-2 vote. (McNaughton is a veteran official with experience in various areas of town government, with a deputy mayor having the responsibility to chair the meetings and lead the tow n in the absence of the mayor.) After securing enough votes to be deputy mayor, Stone took what would be her second oath of the night, this one administered by Maryalice Brown, but in the process of doing so, Brown told the committeewoman, “There is no changing your mind now!”

Both when Stone was selected as deputy mayor, and upon her completion of the oath for that office, many in the room clapped and congratulated her, but McNaughton simply crossed his arms on both occasions, and Sprague also refrained from clapping. Local Raymond Ward, in making the first public comments under the expanded time limit, declared that he is “looking forward to bringing our town back to an Americantype town, where the people hold all political power, and bad trustees are held accountable

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 7 for their unlawful actions.” Ward, often identifying “as one of the ‘people,’” is one of several locals who have led a movement to “restore the Constitution,” including calling for the rescindment of the “Hartman Rule.” He noted on Jan. 5 that the “people” will continue to “demand strict obedience to our state Constitutions,” including the New Jersey State Constitution. See CHANGE/ Page 12

PUZZLE NO. 219

23. Run away 52. Charged atom 5. Record 29. Yoked animals 27. Snapshot 53. Clock 6. Tart 30. Sharp turn 1. Like some cheese 30. Strike suddenly 54. Minute amount 7. Solar ray 34. Leading lady 5. Beast of burden 31. Host Leno 55. Signal yes 8. Former French 39. Pearl maker coin 8. Ran 32. Lenient 56. No good 41. Mist 9. Smoked salmon 42. Passes along 12. Babble 33. Resound 57. Promising 13. Actor Costello 35. Astound 10. Pipe joint 58. Hazardous 44. Hisses curve 14. Drama part 11. Sandra or Ruby 46. Bee house 36. Valuable dirt 59. Blushing colors 20. Appearance 15. Musical staff 37. Small cask 47. In the thick of symbol 38. Foot woes 22. Granny’s chair 48. Firms up 16. Hairdo DOWN 40. More taut 49. Lancelot’s title 24. Partly open 1. Circle sections 25. Chess piece 17. Shaft 42. Pen 50. Also 2. Grand party 18. Right-minded 43. Examine 26. Storm centers 51. ____ a living! 3. ____-steven 19. Citified 45. Kind of rug 27. Parcel 4. Beat 21. Sleeve 49. Mix 28. Rabbit’s cousin

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GOP Senator-elect Latham Tiver (right), of the 8th Legislative District, administers the oath of office for Tabernacle Township Committee to Natalie Stone, who was joined by her family at the Jan. 5 township reorganization meeting.

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(Continued from Page 6) “You are still avoiding it,” Inman shot back. “You are giving me a ‘politician answer,’ I am just asking for a ‘local township guy’ (response).” Ultimately, Zehnder answered, “I don’t support them,” and told the resident that he could attend the Joint Land Use Board meetings to “see me in action,” with Inman responding that he conducts business in 22 states and can’t always attend every government meeting. Patty Niculescu, owner of Piney Pig and Poultry Farm, who recently relocated her operation from Woodland Township to Shamong, and had generated some concern in the process as previously reported by this newspaper, declared, “I am just concerned that whoever gets appointed, do they have the same values, as a lot of residents in Shamong, to keep farming in the community?” “It seemed Mr. Zehnder was very opposed to farming – it is the general feeling I got,” she said of watching his responses. “He seemed very abrasive to some of the residents questioning the things proposed by the Joint Land Use Board. It is not really a great attitude to have, as a public servant representing the farming community.” Niculescu, whose issue seemed to be largely resolved through a public meeting discourse session mediated by Di Croce last year, maintained that she had spoken to “a lot of farmers” since the September session and that they are “concerned

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WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM that if someone is appointed like that,” Shamong Township will “change” and “become another Medford” (a reference to nearby Medford Township undergoing a development boom, having recently vigorously prosecuted a farming family matriarch and strictly enforcing farm stand regulations it put into effect). She said that it was “a little misleading” of Zehnder not having disclosed that he was on the Joint Land Use Board during the September committee session, and while she agreed it is “public record” of who serves on the board, she pointed out that “at the time, those meeting minutes were not available” and the public, therefore, was “not aware of what was happening.” “It is just concerning,” she declared. “It feels like something is going on, and no one wants to come out and say it. Something weird is going on here. I feel like we should be kept informed as residents.” She continued that “it would be terrible to change Shamong,” and the lack of animal standards “is why I moved here, and why a lot of people moved here.” It led Onorato to come to the defense of Zehnder, with Zehnder having recently come to her defense in December over a proposal to bring electricity to a township cemetery for irrigation purposes, a plan that so far has been opposed by Di Croce. “As township administrator, we get a lot of complaints, and the complaints are also about the negative effects of animals in a residential zone, which is why the discussions started at the Land Use Board level and that is where it belonged,” said Onorato, who had indicated her support of the recommended regulations for

Saturday, January 20, 2024

animals in a previous statement to the Pine Barrens Tribune, prior to the outcry having developed, and is a Class II member of the Joint Land Use Board. “We spent hours in so many meetings, painstakingly trying to figure out if we wanted to write this recommendation, and if so, how to not impact as many people as possible.” Onorato, on Jan. 2, challenged those opposed to the regulations to “tell me how many quarter-acre lots there are in Shamong,” with the recommended regulations suggesting that chickens not be allowed on properties of a quarter-acre or less. There are “not many” such lots, Onorato emphasized, before contending officials were “trying to be as broad-based and liberal with this as possible” and that “all we did is make recommendations.” Onorato appeared to invite Heinold to “go into more detail,” but the solicitor notably stayed clear of the fray Jan. 2, careful to not take any sides. “Nothing was done behind closed doors,” insisted Onorato, noting several people comprising the board are farmers and long-time residents. “It was just not a one-person thing. It was brought on by my office, because the zoning official didn’t have anything to do to back up the complaints to help the people trying to enjoy their properties, when they want to.” While it “is a community where we always encourage people to talk to each other” to resolve issues, sometimes that is not always possible, Onorato maintained. T h e t o w n s h i p c l e r k , h o w e v e r, acknowledged that there was an issue with the meeting minutes not being posted, but maintained that it was corrected the “next

Worship Guide First Baptist Church

day” once it was brought to her attention at the September governing body meeting. Wilkinson maintained the governing body “took comments from the audience” that evening and “acted on them,” with a link for the minutes now in the center of a newly revamped township website, acknowledging they were “kind of buried also” at the time of the September session. W h i le Onorato tr ied to of fer an explanation, and Wilkinson tried to calm the waters, Zehnder spoke out again, and did not hold back, telling Niculescu, “you don’t know me, and I don’t know you!” “I respect your opinion, but here is mine!” Zehnder continued. “I live in this town for the same reasons – I love it; it is beautiful. I don’t want it to change. My objective on this board, and the number of boards I have served on in this town for the last 10 to 15 years, is to keep things stable.” Zehnder then declared that he not only has animals, but has “really good friends” who own them and “had I known there was going to be some kind of singling out of me tonight, I would have brought those people.” He maintained he had just been “thanked” by a woman in the Stoney Creek section of Shamong for his handling of the September session because “she felt we were looking out for everybody.” “There is nothing wrong in this state, community and country to have discussions about things,” he said. “And in a democracy, we listen to the people and that is what ultimately determines the will. And that was what was ultimately determined.” He contended that the recommended regulations came from “months-long See ANSWERS/ Page 11

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Washington Township Solicitor Tom Coleman swears in C. Leigh Gadd, Jr., to the post of township mayor, while Gadd’s family is by his side.

MARKETPLACE ♦ Page 9

brought about a change in the mayoral post. Gadd was nominated on Jan. 2 by James to serve as township mayor in 2024, a choice that was seconded by Lewis. Coleman administered the oath of office to Gadd, with his family by his side. Afterwards, James was selected to serve as deputy mayor for 2024. It was back in 2019, when Lewis was township mayor, that the Washington Township Senior Center, a former state ranger station, was shuttered due to a “major structural issue.” The chimney’s foundation reportedly tipped, which caused the fireplace to lean out, and then the chimney to break. A pipe had also purportedly frozen in the building and led to a flood. Since then, the township has been in a protracted back-and-forth with the New

Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) over renewing a lease agreement for the building, with there being a previous question raised about what repairs the township is responsible for, versus the state. Gadd has led the efforts to negotiate the lease for the senior center, which has been closed all this time, and in an ironic development, during Lewis’ return to the committee, Gadd announced, “Finally, we have gotten somewhere, and we have a lease that we think is agreeable.” According to a resolution authorizing the execution of the lease with the NJDEP, it is retroactive to Aug. 21, 2020, and the township is to pay the state treasurer a onetime payment of $15. “I know, I know – who would have thought, it has only been a few years,” Gadd declared. “Hopefully, we can finally move forward with the senior center and get the repairs completed, and get it back in service the way it should be.”

Page 10 ♦

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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MAYOR

(Continued from Page 2)

Bonnie Haines smiles as former council president Robin Mosher (not pictured) congratulates her on her inauguration as borough mayor, and recounts her family’s history of public service going back to the 1850s.

Photos By Andrew King

Sworn-in to new terms on Pemberton Borough Council Jan. 2 were Terry Jerome (right), who is beginning his 10th year on the governing body, and Melissa Tettemer (center), who is in the midst of her third year of service to council.

post on Jan. 2, she has become Pemberton Borough’s first woman mayor. “As most everyone knows, or may not know, when you took the oath of office tonight, you are now the first woman mayor in Pemberton Borough’s history,” declared Robin Mosher, also a former council president. It led Haines to quip, “Wouldn’t you say it is about time, now?” Haines, a Republican, was elected last November to a four-year term as borough mayor. She succeeds Harold Griffin, also a Republican, who chose not to seek reelection after nine years in the post. Haines had taken what would only amount to a brief break from politics, having served on council from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2022. She was also chosen as council president from 2019 to 2022, having been Mosher’s successor. “I had the oppor tu n ity to s er ve alongside you for many years, and grew up with you,” said Mosher in celebrating the mayoral inauguration of Haines. “I know of your commitment to the borough, and I just would like to wish you every success as you take on new responsibilities, and congratulations.” Mosher pointed out that Haines “comes from a family dedicated to public service” that “goes way back.” He pointed out that one of Haines’ “long ago relatives” included that of George Franklin Fort, who served as the 16th governor of New Jersey from 1851 to 1854 and is now “buried right behind us” in the borough cemetery. “Your late husband, Joe Haines; brother, David; father, Joe; and even your son, Jason; were all members of the Good Will Fire Company for many, many years,” Mosher pointed out. “Your father, Joe Fort, was also a part-time Pemberton Borough policeman for many years.” Mosher also recalled that Mayor Haines’ aunt, Viola Alice Fort (who died back in 2015), “was the first woman councilwoman” to serve Pemberton Borough, back in the 1970s, and had also been a member of the local school board. Also sworn-in to new terms on council Jan. 2 were Terry Jerome, who is beginning his 10th year on the governing body, and Melissa Tettemer. This will be Tettemer’s first, full three-year term on the council,

Saturday, January 20, 2024 after having been appointed to a vacant seat in 2021 and then later elected to fill an unexpired term. Jerome, in com mencing his latest full, three-year term on council, was also chosen as council president for the second year in a row, after having succeeded Bonnie Haines in the role during the first year. Tr a d it ion a l ly h e r e , t h e c ou n c i l pre sident hat goe s to the longe sttenured councilperson. All the officials congratulated each other during the session, but refrained from making any lengthy statements. There was a swap in department head responsibilities adopted at the meeting through a resolution, with Councilwoman Diane Fanucci now charged with oversight of Water and Sewer, while Councilwoman Andrea Martin has been tasked with overseeing Buildings and Grounds. Department heads are designated by the mayor.

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(Continued from Page 8) discussions” that involved “not just me,” but upwards of 10 people, “including a professional planner and attorney.” “Those recommendations are not solely mine!” he emphasized. “In fact, when in a party group, it is often a compromise. … I don’t see animal complaints every day, I just drive through town and look at the animals!” Zeh nder chastised Nicu lescu for “singling me out,” maintaining she “came here tonight with my name on her mouth,” but Niculescu maintained the committeeman was “very upset” in September with the outcry, to which the committeeman denied he was upset. “When people come here and scream at us, scream at our consultants, scream at our administrator and accuse us of subterfuge – that was the tone of the meeting, and we responded, say after the third repetition,” Zehnder said. “Look at every word and hold me accountable! We can have this discussion again and again, until my opinions are clear for you!” Zehnder’s response to Niculescu, gave rise to McGarvey coming to the dais, with the resident and managing paralegal for Di Croce at his law office, declaring, “I am not going to be talked down to!” “I too was present for that meeting, and since then, on three different occasions you have accused me of calling you names,” charged McGarvey of Zehnder. “I am a member of the zoning board, and you don’t even respect me, but you are going to respect the residents of this town? You talked down to everyone here at that meeting! “I don’t know if you have had a memory loss since then, but the people who were here remember. People may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel! That is reality! I don’t feel that you are (here in) the best interest of this town! I feel like you are only looking for power, and people who want power are corrupt in nature.” Zehnder responded, “I would agree with you on that,” with McGar vey responding, “So, if you are looking for power – that is an issue.” The two continued to quarrel, with Zehnder maintaining that McGarvey had “just been appointed” to the Joint Land Use Board and therefore, “I don’t know how, in two meetings, I managed to insult you and single you out.” He then accused

Di Croce’s managing paralegal of having referred to Joint Land Use Board members as “communists” and arranging a “gulag” to “kill the animals.” “You have singled us out, made a number of pointed accusations at us, and you are now upset because your action has been met with an equal and opposite reaction!” Zehnder declared. “I, too, am not going to be talked down to, accused (of something), or mischaracterized by somebody who has had minimal involvement, and who now wants to be in charge in everything, and wants everything changed to suit your will!” McGarvey, however, retorted, “I don’t want anything changed; I want everything to stay just the way it is!” “People have had animals, my family farmed in South Jersey for 225 years, and the problem is people moving in from all these other places want to change things. We don’t want to change things! We like them the way they are.” Zehnder responded that while he “can’t speak for other members of the board,” he has not been “asked” by anyone who recently moved into town “to change things,” but in fact, “people who have spoken up said that they moved here because they don’t want things to change, and that this town is a treasure within a state that has a lot of challenges.” The committeeman questioned what it was then that McGarvey was exactly arguing, and she responded that the September meeting wasn’t his to chair, contending it was Martin Mozitis who had the responsibility to lead the session (Zehnder mostly led the response that evening, with Mozitis making closing comments on the topic. Di Croce and Woods were absent that night.) Zehnder denied having done anything more than “participate” in the September proceedings. “OK, you can pretend,” McGarvey retorted. “But every person who got up and spoke, you spoke down to! We all remember that! I don’t know where you think you are somebody’s friend. I generally don’t go out and start fights, but I will finish them! I am not going to start with people for no reason. It was very uncomfortable!” McGarvey also took Zehnder to task for not being forthright that he is a member of the Joint Land Use Board, and pointed out that on three occasions in September, during the outcry, he stated the recommendations came about from the Joint Land Use Board, not the township committee, but “not once did you ever

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mention your own involvement in that.” “If the government is so open, why didn’t you say, ‘I am on that board’,?” McGarvey asked of Zehnder. “There were 50 to 100 people here. Not once did you say, ‘I am on that board,’ you just mentioned it in the third person.” Zehnder responded “because that ‘board’ is not ‘me.’” “That board is a group of people who make decisions, just the way this board is not me, it is a group,” he added. “These are committees. It says it in the name. So, I do not take credit for anything these boards do. I participate, and hopefully, the best ideas rise to the top. It is not ‘I, I, I’ or ‘me, me, me,’ but rather ‘us.’” Zehnder then, in remarks that caused only further concerns amongst those protesting his becoming deputy mayor, chastised McGar vey, “among other people,” who “were making insinuations that we are going around, collecting your animals and going to kill them.” “You brought photos, your children, and everything you can do to be as inflam mator y and as obnox ious as possible!” declared Zehnder of Di Croce’s managing paralegal. M c G a r v e y fo r c e f u l l y r e t o r t e d , “Bringing my children to expose them to government is not obnoxious!” “If more people did that, we wouldn’t be in the situation that this country is in,” she added. Zehnder pointed out to McGarvey that “this isn’t ‘this country,’ this is Shamong,” but Di Croce’s managing paralegal pointed out to the committeeman that Shamong is “part of the country.” “It is part of the country,” Zehnder acknowledged. “But we are not dealing with the same problems as the federal government is.” McGarvey, in response, maintained “everything flows downhill” and the “problems” are “not going to get better by changing things,” including by “adding more rules and regulations.” Zehnder demanded to know, “In what ways did we add more rules and regulations?”, to which McGarvey responded, “It was only because all the people came and flooded the meeting back in September.” Resident Denise Tollefson pointed to passionate meetings held to discuss a dog kennel controversy in town several years back, maintaining she “always appreciated the discourse and never felt the audience members or citizens were being chastised or spoken down to,” but that recently, “I

have felt that way.” “And I could not support that type of demeanor,” she declared. “I think we need to work together.” She added, in light of what Zehnder told McGarvey about how he took what attendees had to say, “When I spoke back in September, I hope it was not considered inflammatory when I advocated for farming.” Inman returned to the dais once more and made the observation that in “listening to you talk to other residents,” or Zehnder, “you do have a demeaning tone to people.” “If I have 2,200 employees, and if I talked to them like that, I would not keep any,” Inman declared. Inman added that back in September, Martin Mozitis “showed compassion” and “had c ompassion for p eople’s feelings,” but that Zehnder “did not.” In further addressing Zehnder, Inman added that it is “the way you deliver your message” and “maybe you need to change that approach” if “you are nominated” for deputy mayor. “Man, your attitude is not something that is open to people,” Inman declared. Wilkinson, who acknowledged just having Zehnder over at his house prior to the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, recognized that it “looks like a lot of people are picking on his demeanor,” or that of Zehnder, but contended “a lot of times” the basis for a decision to nominate a leader needs to be “based on the ability of the person to get the job done.” Besides Di Croce, attested Wilkinson, “Chris has done more for the town” with involvement in a dozen or so committees, and also has “donated his time,” including providing a foundation design for a historical building. “When you look at the ability of a person, Chris may be abrupt, abrasive, and maybe passionate at how to present things, but that does not necessarily mean he is not the right person for the job with the experience needed,” Wilkinson declared. In closing public comment on the nomination of a deputy mayor, Di Croce asked each of the committee people if they have input on the nomination. “Back when all that was going on, I was one of the members of the audience,” said Megan Mozitis, whose oldest brother is outgoing committeeman Martin Mozitis. “My take that evening was emotions were very, very high. I felt Mr. Zehnder was trying to get everyone to calm down, rather See ANSWERS/ Page 13

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(Continued from Page 7) “I hope everybody got a good lesson, because we hold all political power,” Ward declared. He continued that if officials are “not serving the public” and the people are “not happy” with their actions, the “people” have the ability to “write legal notice, serve legal notice and maybe even write affidavits if we have to” in order to “hold them accountable.” The four minutes of “uninterrupted” time, he maintained, is “appreciated.” Brooks, in thanking the committee for the expansion of time allotted for one to make public comment, told the governing body that he “was prepared to suggest you go back to the way it was done for decades – a long time at least,” allotting a speaker “two minutes of public comment at the beginning of a meeting for agenda items” and “two minutes at the end of the meeting for general comments as the law requires,” but that there was “no opportunity to do that.” He pointed out that “in actuality, you made policy on public comment through a process that totally excluded public comment,” with the Roberts Rules of Order resolution adopted before the Jan. 5 session was opened by Hartman for public comment. The committee, he maintained, needs to “fix the real problem of how you do business,” with him disputing how such a detailed resolution of rules “just got there” or purportedly “appeared on the agenda without any prior discussion.” He, along with his wife, Fran Brooks, also a resident and transparency advocate, charged that it could have only gotten on the agenda by the governing body “acting privately.” “It is both legally flawed and deficient from a policy perspective,” charged Fran Brooks of the rules resolution. “… In my view, it reflects how deeply insecure this committee, its staff, and professionals really are, and it is unfortunate for Tabernacle that you adopted it. It is also proof positive that you do your work in

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secret, which is a major violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). How else could this detailed resolution be authorized and drafted without even a word of discussion, or mention at any prior meeting, if all your work was not done ‘in the backroom,’ so to speak?” Fran Brooks also called on the governing body to pursue the “better option” of having two public comment periods as was the case for “many, many years.” The “splitting of public comment apart,” she maintained, would “go a long way to cleaning up your meetings” and be “appreciated by the public and improve the organization of your meetings.” “It is a good thing to do from a resident standpoint, because a lot of things could come up in a meeting that you can’t comment on until maybe the next meeting, which could be a month later, and by then, the issue may not even be (relevant),” Fran Brooks said. (Public comment is only currently permitted at the beginning of Tabernacle committee meetings and doesn’t allow participants to comment on business raised later in the sessions.) Resident Ryan Sherry “thanked the committee for addressing the people’s concern” in extending the time limit for public comment, but added, “however, the people have already suggested further adjustments, or the splitting of the time, and I for one, stand on the principle that people have the right to speak freely.” “Maybe splitting the time will be more effective to address issues, and I don’t see any reason for a stopwatch counting down my time,” he declared. T h e m ayo r a n d d e p u t y m ayo r nominations were not the only items to br i ng about d iss ent du r i ng the reorganization meeting – so did a late push by McNaughton to add 10 workshop meetings to the governing body’s meeting schedule for 2024. “I always believed workshop meetings are extremely important if you work them correctly,” McNaughton declared. Then, in looking out towards the public in attendance, McNaughton asserted, “I am tired of getting an agenda on Friday (before a scheduled Monday meeting), the

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Tabernacle Committeeman Noble McNaughton takes the oath of office on Jan. 5.

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Newcomer Tabernacle Committeewoman Natalie Stone in a state of shock after two of her colleagues, including Mayor Mark Hartman at right, nominated her to be deputy mayor within moments of being seated on the governing body. same as you are!” “And I haven’t seen half of the stuff that is on the agenda, and if I have any questions, I have to scour around to get them answered,” McNaughton continued. “At the workshop meetings, we should be able to discuss what is going to be on the agenda and set an agenda for the following meeting. The following meeting is formal. A workshop gives us a chance to talk about those items and discuss them in public.” Adopting a public comment format as the Brooks had suggested would be “perfect” for such meetings (which he noted have customarily in Tabernacle been held as roundtables), McNaughton maintained, and hav ing workshops would not only allow him to “know what is going to be on the agenda” for the regular business meetings, but also allow the “public to know what is going to be on the agenda.” “It is a fine opportunity for the public to bring up anything they are interested in, and for anyone on the committee to bring up anything to address,” he said. McNaughton, a past, veteran Land Development Board (LDB) member (who was appointed as a Class III member on Jan. 5 to represent the governing body after Hartman vacated his seat on the board) pointed out that the LDB re c ently conducted a 10 year Master Plan re-evaluation and produced a list of recommendations for the committee to adopt. “A n d I d o n ’t k n o w w h a t t h e com m ittee plans to do w ith that,” McNaughton declared. “There are a lot of recommendations that need to be changed, and should be changed in the township. And that is something we should be working on every month, talking about which ones we are going to tackle, or if there is one too expensive to tackle. It is

something that should be brought up at a workshop meeting. “We should be talking about the building (plans for a new Tabernacle Town Hall, which have come under fire for allegedly being arranged behind closed doors), and what is going on, so the public knows. We need to be more informed.” Stone, however, expressed that having what would equate to two committee meetings a month “is a lot.” Moore also suggested that he didn’t think the governing body needed anything more than quarterly workshop meetings (as a resolution in front of the governing body for action proposed). Brown, who evidently prepares the meeting agendas as township clerk, asked, “What if I changed things, and got everything to you earlier?” “I think a lot of things need to be discussed in public,” McNaughton responded. McNaughton, who appeared to get animated upon hearing opposition to the added workshop sessions, scoffed when Stone pointed out the governing body can hold special meetings, asserting, “I hate special meetings!” “You start having special meetings, and people aren’t going to get here!” he shot back. “I bet three quarters of the people in this room won’t know about it!” The meeting schedule was adopted as is, however, with Hartman, Moore and Stone voting against the McNaughton amendment, supported by Sprag ue (who complained at one-point last year he was potentially being excluded from discussions on the prospective town hall), to allow for 10 additional special meetings. McNau g ht o n c ro s s e d h i s a r m s for the remai nder of the me eti ng, appearing troubled with how parts of the reorganization session evolved.

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(Continued from Page 11) than everyone continuing to be amped up.” However, Megan Mozitis said as someone who did not speak that night, and had “nothing directed at me,” she “can’t put myself in anyone’s’ shoes.” Wilkinson continued his defense of Zehnder, by maintaining that as an owner of goats, horses, and alpacas he has “absolutely no concern Chris is anti-farming, at all,” and that he approaches the leadership question from the perspective of a “results-oriented” business owner, and in doing so, is satisfied that Zehnder gets results. Woods, however, maintained that a person in a leadership position “has to be able to handle public pressure”

ZONING

(Continued from Page 4) Raftery contended “the time has come” to follow through with such a decision and “for no other reason, it is that we don’t have enough activity to justify two separate boards.” “And even though it is a small cost savings, it is a savings and that is significant,” Raftery maintained. But Heston, a past Zoning Board member before his time on the township committee, maintained that he “analyzed” the matter “years ago” while in the capacity of a Zoning Board member, “and as long as

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 13

and “public comments” and that “it is what these meetings are for – public comment.” Every participant, he said, “should be handled with respect,” and as a former journalist “who used to cover hundreds” of meetings, “the best ones were where everyone was heard, people were handled honestly and things were treated as a real discussion, versus, come up here, get your three minutes and we won’t think about you tomorrow.” Di Croce, prior to calling for nominees, discussed that he is “big on property rights,” maintaining “people have paid their taxes and all of a sudden people can’t do what you want.” “We do realize, within reason, there has to be some rules because there are some knuckleheads out there,” he declared. “That is why there are laws. Right? But I think for every new law we have, there

should be a law taken away, basically.” He further declared that on most occasions, one should be able to “run your life, the way you see fit, without involvement from Shamong Township government.” “God knows there is enough of that already going on!” he quipped. And while he contended “there is so much talent I am surrounded with” on the governing body, and that “often, you don’t get people who care for the town like this” on a committee, and further maintained to attendees “I think you are in good hands,” he stopped short of mentioning Zehnder by name, simply discussing it has been a “pleasure” to “work with Marty and now Megan.” He then moved to nominate Woods for de put y m ayor “b e c au s e of h is background, connections with the state, his demeanor and talent.”

“I think he is the best person, at this time, to be deputy mayor,” he said, before his choice was defeated in a 3-2 vote. Z eh nd e r we nt on to s e c u r e t he nomination in a second 3-2 vote. “A lot of p eople came i nto that (September) meeting, and a lot of people spoke with me afterwards, thanking me,” Zehnder said. “A handful of people, for whatever reason, were not satisfied. I don’t know what to tell you. I have been volunteering for a long time here, and will continue to do that as I love this town, have animals, and love my animals. I am not the Land Use Board, I am a member of the committee, and participate.” He added that he is “listening” to what the people had to say Jan. 2, with one woman from Oakshade Road, declaring she is looking to a leader “willing to keep the peace and not add fuel to the fire.”

we have people, I don’t see where it gets us any real savings in the long run.” “The small amount of money you are talking about is basically insignificant,” Heston declared. “All you need is one development to come into the Planning Board and you can skew the Zoning Board and that goes to a special meeting then, and then that adds back to the cost versus having it separated. From what I looked at, at this time, I can’t justify it.” Former Southampton mayor of 25 ye a r s a nd c u r re nt Com m it t e e m a n James F. Young, Sr., administered the oath of office Jan. 2, with him now at 31 years of service on the governing body, did not opine on the issue, as well as

Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell, but both committeepersons did vote in the affirmative. The Jan. 16 session occurred on a day of inclement weather. A second reading of the ordinance establishing a Joint Land Use Board was advertised for that night, Hoffman maintained, but it did not appear as a scheduled item on the meeting agenda for the session. Mikulski questioned why it was not on the agenda, and then motioned to have the second reading added. Most attendees for the evening attended the session by Zoom, with Mikulski recognizing “this might be the most Zoomers we have ever had,” but when it came to a public hearing on the item, not one member of the public had anything to say. The measure then breezed through with no further township committee comments, though it was opposed by Heston. Both Mikulski and Rafter y have previously indicated their desire to see more ratables added in town, though future development was not raised at either the Jan. 2 or Jan. 16 sessions. The township website identifies residents Stephen Zoltowski, Timothy Q. Murphy, William Robbins, Thomas Heller, Larry Thomas, Patrick Kennedy and William Kelly as current members of the Zoning Board. It also identifies Philip Magazzo, John Schwarz, Raftery, Heston, Ryan Hagerthey (also township Public Works Director), Patricia Conover, David Coyle,

Patrick Kavanagh and Edward Keebler as current members of the Planning Board. Following an executive session on Jan. 16 to discuss a “legal issue that has come up,” according to Mikulski, the township committee reconvened its meeting, with the mayor announcing appointments to both boards as separate entities – for now, until March 1 comes around. Mikulski reappointed all members of the Zoning Board, and for the Planning Board, reappointed Raftery, Heston, Hagerthey and Kavanagh. Schwarz, he said, is “ready to step aside” and, for now, he will leave it as a “vacancy to be filled” once the Joint Land Use Board is officially established. “I am going to ask the Zoning Board to meet in February to conduct business as is,” Mikulski said. “Then, there will be one vacancy on the new Joint Land Use Board, plus four alternates.” It will be a decision of the new board, officials decided, as to whether to keep the same professionals as the current Planning Board when it reorganizes in March. Should something get on the docket for the Zoning Board in the interim, it “gets seen through” by the existing Zoning Board, according to Mikulski. The mayor told this newspaper the Joint Land Use Board will comprise of a total of nine members, “same as the Planning Board,” only instead of two alternates, there will be four.

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(Continued from Page 4) closely with the commission) and Pinelands Commission meetings. Woodland Mayor William “Billy” DeGroff asked, “Why?” Cookie Estlow responded that “if we are taking things before the Pinelands Commission” involving the municipality, especially in regard to its search for ratables, it is “important to have someone from a township committee standpoint knowing what is happening over there.” According to the Pinelands Commission’s website, the council is “empowered to review and comment upon changes proposed by the Pinelands Commission in the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan” and “also advises the commission on matters of interest regarding the Pinelands, and takes positions on issues affecting the region.” The council, it is noted on the Pinelands Commission website, is “made up of the mayors of the 53 municipalities in the Pinelands area, or their designees.” By Woodland having representation at both the council and commission meetings, Cookie Estlow maintained, the township

would develop a “knowledge base” and better “understanding” of how development in other areas “is getting done.” DeGroff recounted having attended a couple Pinelands Commission meetings in the past, asserting, “I don’t remember someone from other municipalities there.” But establishing a presence at the council and commission meetings was something DeGroff said he was willing to talk to Township Solicitor William Burns about. “I wish we can do more,” DeGroff told Cookie Estlow. “We want these houses built in this town, and I agree 100 percent that Pinelands would like to see us leave this area and turn it into woods. There is not a lot we can do.” Cookie Estlow, however, indicated her belief that there are some things that the township could do, including having its attorney present “precedent” in such matters and “case law,” as well as “reach out to other municipalities” to “see how they overturned a decision.” “There is a lot of there, there,” she declared. DeGroff, in response, reiterated “we support you” and “other people” who are in the Estlows’ predicament of trying to develop buildable lots, but who are running into hurdles with the Pinelands Commission, “but, unfortunately, as a

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township, we can’t really do a lot.” “We will talk to the attorney,” DeGroff promised Estlow. At a later Jan. 3 reorganization committee meeting, DeGroff was administered the oath of office for a new three-year term on the governing body, and his committee colleagues, Mark Herndon and Donna Mull, re-elected him as township mayor for 2024. Herndon again was chosen to serve as township deputy mayor, with both DeGroff and Herndon being administered the oath of office together for their leadership positions. During the preceding session, there was discussion about raising fees for taking in tires and metal, with the township, according to Brown, “being charged $3 a tire and that is what we are charging” (Brown claimed that the township recently removed 582 tires) and the municipality having to switch vendors for pickup of metal, and now being charged $7.50 per 100 pounds, all while the municipality “currently accepts all metals without charge.” There was agreement amongst the committee to possibly introduce an ordinance to increase the fees later in January, with the regular January township governing body meeting scheduled for a special date, Jan. 31. Public Works, according to Brown, has

also expressed concern about the number of Christmas trees that are tossed at the municipal transfer station after the holidays (they reportedly take up space in the dumpsters), and asked if the committee would be interested in entering a shared ser vic e ag reement w ith Taber nacle Township for use of a chipper, operated by a two-person crew, at $100 an hour. DeGrof f questioned whether the chippings could be stored at the transfer station and also whether Christmas trees were permitted to be dumped, but officials ultimately decided to enter into a shared service agreement, should the Tabernacle Township Committee be amenable to it, and then advertise a limited window in which any trees could be dropped off. Previously, amid concerns expressed about animal control in town, Brown maintained the township did not receive any proposals for an animal control provider, and it led to some discourse about the township possibly returning the position inhouse. During the reorganization session, however, a resolution was passed noting that “A-Academy has submitted a proposal indicating they will provide animal control services for $4,020 annually” and awarding the firm a one-year contract.

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