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Spree of Vandalism, Thefts in Medford Lakes Borough Prompt Residents to Inquire What’s Being Done to Curb It Residents Assured Incidents Are Isolated, Not Systematic as Local Recalls Cleaning Up Chards of Glass, Furniture and Fishing Bikes from Lakes

By Douglas D. M elegari

OFF THE AGENDA, BUT ON THE RADAR

Staff Writer

MEDFORD LAKES—It is serious enough of a problem to not just dismiss it as a case of “boys being boys” or that it is an early summer thing that happens every year in Medford Lakes Borough.

That is the take of Corey Landante, a resident there who has spent 16 years in the military and achieved the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard, on purported “vandalism and thefts” that happened in the borough in late spring and early summer, and in the wake of local officials characterizing what happened as a “perfect storm” with a handful of “isolated” incidents that occurred when school was winding down and it not being part of a “systematic” problem, declared, “but nonetheless they are still illegal activities.”

“I know I am one of many cleaning up chards of glass out of the lakes and furniture where our children play,” Landante said.

“I am fishing stolen bicycles out of areas of dark water where kids jump in. I am cleaning up, day-after-day, pieces of broken Colony property. For what? To wait for the summer to end and have it happen again next year?”

Landante indicated he was further put out by the fact that Medford Lakes Police Chief Robert Dugan Jr. could not take the

Photo By Linda Bonvie

Bass River Township Planning Board members listen intently as township residents vent their views on a deferred variance request that would allow the township’s former elementary school to be converted into a dormitory, as well as a proposed zoning change. In the foreground, from left, are Board Attorney Christopher Norman, Board Chairman Russell Bien, Vice Chairman Cindy Ruffo, Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope, and board member Bonnie Adams.

An Overflow Crowd of Bass River Residents Turns Out for a Planning Board Meeting, Bent on Registering Its Opposition to a Request for a Variance to Turn Classrooms at the Former Elementary School into Dormitories for a Yeshiva Proposed There, Even Though the Matter Had Been Temporarily Set Aside at the Applicant’s Request

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—It is not often that the Bass River Township Planning Board draws anything like the kind of overflow crowd that greeted its members on the evening of July 19.

Especially when the topic at issue is no

longer on the agenda, as local townspeople were made aware in advance of the meeting.

But despite the fact that Eli Blech, a Lakewood-based developer who purchased the century-old Bass River Elementary School building, had asked that his request for a variance “to start interior renovations

of prior school classrooms to dormitories” be removed from the agenda for consideration, for now, the residents who packed the New Gretna firehouse in this small rural municipality weren’t about to wait until it was back before the board to let township officials know the See AGENDA/ Page 8

See SPREE/ Page 11

INDEX

Business Directory...................................14

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

Event Calendar...........................................8

Worship Guide..........................................16

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

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Special Pemberton Meeting for ‘Employee Discipline Matter’ Scheduled as Sources Say It Entails Rec Director Action After Ugly Carnival Dispute Mayor, After Facing Charges He Dropped F-bomb in Exchange with Employee, Says ‘There May Have Been Word Used,’ Defends Use as ‘Freedom of Speech’

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A special meeting of Pemberton Township Council has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 31 “for the purpose of discussing an employee discipline matter,” according to a notice sent to the Pine Barrens Tribune, with this newspaper having learned from sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity for this story, that a job status notification of some sort was sent to the employee in the days that followed a purportedly ugly dispute with the township mayor that reportedly occurred at a carnival.

Those sources have also described to this newspaper that the mayor used an untoward word (having reportedly dropped the F-bomb in the process of the exchange with the employee), and after being pressed by this newspaper about the allegations, the mayor replied “there may have been a word used,” going on to vehemently defend his use of the word, pointing to his military background and saying that there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution or First Amendment that disallows him from saying it. Using it, he said, amounts to “freedom of speech,” something he fought for while serving in the military.

The employee matter to be discussed, according to sources, involves Nichole Pittman, director of the township’s Recreation Department. She was appointed to the top department position about a year and a half ago, it was described to this newspaper, and has served the department for about 17 years.

The advertisement of the special meeting came just several days after a woman, claiming to be Pittman’s cousin, posted in area social media groups that Pittman received a letter on July 14 stating she is “relieved of duties as Recreation Department director.”

“In order for this wrongful termination to be reversed, four out of five council members have to agree that she should not be fired,” the woman wrote on social media. “If you find it in your heart to support her and all that she has accomplished for our township, please write a letter of character witness to the council members.”

Reaction online has been swift, with the majority of locals offering their support of Pittman, though a few urged caution until “all the facts” can come out about the reason for the action. Still, what was originally believed to be a matter for council discussion in August ultimately has become one necessitating a special meeting.

That being said, as of press time, both the township mayor and business administrator have ruled out any firing in statements made to this newspaper.

Sources told the Pine Barrens Tribune newspaper that the dispute unfolded during the July 8 Pemberton Township Water Carnival.

It was described to this newspaper that a thunderstorm prompted Mayor Jack Tompkins to order vendors setting up for the event to shelter indoors, and that the mayor would not allow anyone to shelter in their vehicles. Upon the storm clearing, Tompkins, according to the sources, began directing vendors where to set up. But Pittman intervened, having already worked out those details, the sources said, contending Pittman is “very organized.”

It led the two to clash, the sources said, describing the dispute was, in part, over Pittman “not backing down to his desires” and unfolded simply because the “mayor didn’t like that she was not listening to him.”

At some point a bit later on, according to the sources, Pittman walked up to Tompkins to ask him a question, and that is when they allege Tompkins asked, “What the f*** do you want?”

The sources allege that the mayor “was very abusive to her.” In describing what happened

next, the sources claimed that any employee might become defensive when faced with such a predicament, particularly in a public setting.

“You don’t treat an employee that way,” the one source told this newspaper, while the second contended, “he cursed at her and was berating her.”

It has been told to this newspaper that the two Pemberton officials had also been butting heads over beach signage, with Tompkins purportedly upset over the length of time it was taking to have them placed, but that Pittman “wasn’t defying him,” and that it “just took longer” to get them in place.

Following the weekend carnival, the sources contend, Pittman was presented with a “‘you’re fired’ letter.”

The sources described to this newspaper that Pittman is a beloved figure in town, a township resident who they say has poured her heart and soul into the position, and that “she has never been written up for anything,” is “an amazing woman,” and that she was never even subjected so much as to a performance review.

“He wants to fire everybody!” one of the sources quipped of Tompkins, while another described extreme urgency in having council act to keep Pittman in her position, putting it this way to this newspaper: “the services in place now will disappear,” including the town’s “esteemed Senior Services,” and that residents should take note that it is because over her tenure “she has made them bigger and better than ever.”

Last year’s Christmas tree lighting was the result of Pittman applying to Jersey Central Power and Light for a grant, the second source pointed out, and that such an opportunity would not have been presented to the township without Pittman having the fortitude to apply for the grant.

Tompkins, when reached July 26 for comment on this story, initially told this reporter “I got a feeling why you are calling” and that “you are definitely not going to like my response.”

When told of the reason for this reporter’s call, he replied, “I can’t make any comment because it is regarding personnel matters.”

When further pressed for comment, he described being “uncomfortable talking about any of it, to be honest,” and he “has to be careful about an employee’s rights,” but, when the mayor was specifically queried about allegations of his using an untoward word, he broke his silence.

“There may have been a word used,” Tompkins replied. “I served for 20 years in the military and part of that was defending the Constitution, which protects our freedom of speech. And the last time I checked, it didn’t say there were certain words that you couldn’t use. “… I don’t recall anything in the First Amendment saying certain words weren’t authorized.”

Tompkins then added that one should “forgive me if the words coming out of my mouth offend somebody,” but that it is his “constitutional right, you know?”

The mayor then repeated he couldn’t discuss “employee actions,” and after subsequently being advised that this newspaper was giving him ample time to respond to the allegations made against him out of fairness – he said this: “I want to say something – but I can’t say it.

But I will say it!”

“I mean it happens!” Tompkins continued. “If I drop an F-bomb, unfortunately that happens with me sometimes and I am assuming that is the word someone said I said (with Tompkins having not been told by this reporter of the specific word he was alleged to have uttered).”

Then the mayor declared, “You and I have had conversations and I’ve never misled you before.”

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 3

‘Progress Continues,’ Southampton Mayor Says, to Have Electrical Unit in LeisureTowne Neighborhood Relocated, But Residents Have Watched Tall Fence Being Built Around It, Giving Way to Angst About True Intent

Height of Fence in Front of Homes Leads to Description That It’s the ‘Berlin Wall’; Adding to Debacle Is Confirmation That Sewage Line Has Been Struck Near Unit

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—“Prog ress continues,” according to Southampton Township Mayor Michael Mikulski, to have a massive electrical switchbox for a landfill solar array, constructed earlier this year by a solar developer in the middle of a LeisureTowne street, within a townshipowned island, relocated to another place.

But so has the progress continued, since last Friday, July 21, to install a tall brown fence (as of press time surrounded by a chainlink fence) around the nearly 20-foot-long unit, or what one upset resident described as the “Berlin Wall” in a phone call to this newspaper, taking issue with its appearance.

And several LeisureTowne residents, having watched the progress throughout this past week on the fence, which they assume must be costing the solar developer a considerable sum of money to have installed, as well as recent connectivity work by Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), believe it is progress toward a permanent installation of the electrical unit, and that talk of the unit being possibly moved by both the township and solar firm amounts to them merely being given – at the very least – purported false hope.

W h i l e n e it h e r t h e t ow n s h i p no r Southampton BEMS, a subsidiary of CEP Renewables, LLC that owns the solar array on BEMS Landfill, have been able to guarantee with absolute certainty that the

controversial unit will ultimately be moved (as both the Pinelands Commission and PSE&G must approve any relocation), the fencing and connectivity work for the unit should not be viewed as an indication that the electrical cabinet is a permanent fixture on the Saint David’s Place island, according to a letter written by Steven Gouin, an attorney representing CEP Renewables.

Rather, the continued work by PSE&G is “to satisfy its contractual obligations,” and as for the fence, it “has been on order for some time, and rather than store it on-site, my client felt it best to simply install it, with the understanding that it may need to be removed at some point in the near future,” Gouin told Saint David’s Place residents in a June 30 letter.

“Please understand that my client has directed CS Energy (a contracted-firm) to install the fence only to provide some measure of screening of the facility while we work through these other issues,” Gouin wrote. “Of course, it will be an added cost to remove the fence if that becomes necessary, but our thought is that at least some interim level of screening is better than nothing.”

Between the fence and unit, however, Saint David’s Place resident Sue Hoffman – pointing out that she has no relationship to the township administrator who shares the same last name – described the combination as “this ever-increasing pile of junk here on See FENCE/ Page 10

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Letter Sent to Medford Manager, from 47 Village Residents, Asks Town to Address ‘Noise, Littering, Intoxication’ Downtown Amid Revitalization Authors of Letter Request ‘Thoughtful Improvements and Proactive Enforcement’, Making Numerous Suggestions So Businesses, Residences Can Continue to Coexist

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

MEDFORD—The recent “heartening” revitalization of Medford Township’s downtown with breweries, entertainment, festivals and food trucks, amid a relaxation of parking standards and an establishment of an open container area in the village, has had the desired effect of drawing large crowds to the municipality’s business district, once suffering economically.

However, that hustle and bustle is said to have now resulted in “some significant issues,” particularly for the residents who also call the village home, with 47 of them (including a couple of the downtown bu s i n e s s ow n e r s t h e m s e lve s) h av i ng signed a letter to Township Manager Kathy Burger describing how the noise is “negatively impacting our quality of life,” among other things, and suggesting “thoughtful improvements and proactive enforcement” to strike the right balance, so residences and businesses can continue to coexist downtown.

A dozen or so tweaks to planning, enforcement practices and infrastructure, they say, “can assure our g row th is successful, sustained and safe for businesses and residents alike.”

The letter was written to Burger on May 1, this newspaper has learned, but was only read into the record at a July 18 Medford Township Council meeting by N. Main Street resident Zachary Wilson after he contended the initial response to it was “ridiculous.”

The letter touched on five specific areas that the residents contend need to be addressed – “safety,” “parking,” “noise and traffic,” “crowding and loitering public danger,” as well as “trash.”

“It is something we have taken very seriously,” said Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson after the letter was read into the record by Wilson. “We are looking into what we can do and have already done things.”

The Pine Barrens Tribune made several attempts to reach the president (Alex Breaux) and vice president (Abbie Galie) of the organization, Main Street Merchants of Historic Medford Village, which is essentially the business association specific to the downtown, and in response, received an email from Sean Galie, co-proprietor of Lower Forge Brewery with Abbie, with him writing, “Thanks for reaching out, but we don’t have any comment at this time.”

The Main Street Merchants’ website encourages “shop local and support our beautiful Main Street.”

‘Independent’ Safety Study Requested in Wake of Increased Traffic In pointing out that the township has “added many new businesses, relaxed parking, and created new ordinances to promote downtown revitalization,” and that there are “potentially more businesses to follow,” the residents maintain in the letter that “all of this has increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”

Efforts to grow and revitalize the town, they say, should take into consideration “safety at all levels.”

“We recommend that the township conduct an independent study to examine appropriate measures to ensure our town remains a safe place to live and visit,” the residents wrote.

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Parked Vehicles Reportedly Curtail Downtown Private Driveway Access Many of the residents who live in the village have driveways that “exit and enter onto Main Street,” but according to the residents who signed the letter, “on busy days we are unable to exit our driveways safely onto Main Street due to visitors parked immediately adjacent to our curb for our driveways.”

In addition, they contend that “groups of motorcyclists” often park along the curbs that are “clearly marked as ‘no parking zones.’”

The residents are calling on the township to further indicate no parking areas with yellow painted curbs, outline Main Street parking spots with white dividing lines and install “clear parking signage” as well as “no parking signs where needed.”

Addressing the pur ported park ing problem, they say, should include an effort to highlight where one can park in town, including off Broad Street.

That particular street, the residents claim in the letter, contains an appropriate parking lot for visitors, but it “requires regrading and repaving” from Railroad Avenue and Charles Street to the parking lot “to encourage use.”

The residents of the village are also calling on the Medford Township Police Department to conduct “more ticketing and enforcement” when it comes to illegal parking.

Residents of Village Ask for Consideration of Them and Their Families Several nearby businesses, the residents described, play music outside and offer outdoor seating options to patrons, but the “noise, including from outdoor speakers and amplifiers, especially during events, as well as from crowds of people, can often be heard inside our businesses and homes, negatively impacting our quality of life.”

“We ask you to consider we are raising families adjacent to these businesses,” the letter authors wrote.

They continue that “weekend traffic on and around Main Street” generated from “congestion around breweries, restaurants and shops” has “become dangerous to motorists and pedestrians alike.”

S p e c i f i c a l l y, t h e y c i t e i n s t a n c e s of p e de str ians c rossi ng Mai n Stre et i n-b et we e n st r e et c or ne r s , “for c i ng traffic to stop unexpectedly,” as well as motorcyclists “speeding and popping wheelies as they leave.”

A nother c ons e quenc e of Me d ford becoming a destination is that Charles Street, according to the residents, is now “sometimes impassible” due to “oversized vehicles parked diagonally in the diagonal spots” and “vehicles not being parked all the way into the parking spots.”

And the inability to “navigate the Rightsof-Way” has caused parking lots to become “new unregulated streets with drivers speeding down residential property lines” to cut through traffic jams.

As the letter authors see it, “potential solutions include, but are not limited to, ensuring proactive enforcement of the noise ordinance, including strict adherence to the allowable decibel levels and cutoff times for the close of business, requiring conversion See LETTER/ Page 11

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Medford Seeks Quote for ‘Assessment’ of Two-Mile Canoe Trail, Blocked by Fallen Trees, and Explores ‘Avenue’ to Fund Cleanup August Retirement of Township’s Public Works Director Announced as Well as New Monthly Brush Pickup Program; Field Project ‘Stalls’

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

MEDFORD—While it is not yet clear whether Medford Township has secured the permit officials previously claimed was needed from the state to clear the Rancocas Creek of fallen trees, Township Manager Kathy Burger says the municipality is now seeking a quote for an assessment of the situation.

Burger’s July 18 pronouncement followed two consecutive council meetings in which Medford Leas resident and local kayaker Kathleen Roberts called for a pathway to be cleared in the creek to restore the township’s much-advertised “two-mile Medford Canoe Trail” along the Southwest Branch of the “scenic Rancocas Creek,” said to serve as an important connection to the township’s downtown, or historic Medford Village. It also came in the wake of this newspaper’s published report about Roberts’ request.

“Beth Portocalis (the township’s Open Space coordinator as well as executive assistant to the

manager) was able to make some contact with a vendor who does it,” Burger revealed. “So, we are looking for a quote right now so they can come down and do an assessment for us … and ride the creek to see what kind of blockage is there, and to see if they can give us some pricing on what the clearing would be.”

The trail head in Medford Park is accessible from Gill Road off Allen Avenue, according to a blog post by Medford resident Kevin Sparkman, and the “most convenient access point” for the trail “is in the park, at the foot of Coates Street, where a playground, picnic facilities and parking close to the launch site are available.”

This newspaper previously reported that among the many locations where the creek is blocked is right at that launch site, and observed on a beautiful summer day, canoes at the site were shelved because of the situation.

The trail, according to Sparkman’s post, ends at a landing at Kirby’s Mill on Church Road.

Burger contended back on June 20 that the township has “applied for grants several times”

Seneca Reserve HOA Asks Tabernacle Body to ‘Hold’ Performance Bond on Developer, Citing Dispute Over Purported Shortfall, Retention Basin Township Attorney Recognizes ‘Whole Bunch of Issues at Stake’, Including Land Development Board Escrow Account ‘Shortfall’, Outstanding ‘Punch List’

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—The Seneca Reserve Homeowner’s Association is requesting that the Tabernacle Township Committee put a “hold,” for now, on releasing the performance guarantee with the builder of the development, Rockwell Custom, citing a dispute over an alleged shortfall as well as a retention basin.

Seneca Reserve, with an entryway in the 1400 block of Route 206, is one of two new developments in Tabernacle Township and has a total of 49 units. All those homes were sold as of October 2020, this newspaper has learned.

According to HOA President Mike Broadbent, who appeared at a July 2 Tabernacle committee meeting, Rockwell “turned over the community to residents” back in 2020. He said that Rockwell is “now in the process of transitioning out,” but as it does so, the association purportedly found a “severely deficient r e s e r ve a c c ou nt ,” w it h B ro a db e nt claiming there is a shortfall of $57,000.

That shortfall, Broadbent contended, is now placing a “hardship” on the residents, with him further maintaining that the developer has “ignored” requests to meet with the HOA directly to resolve it.

“We are asking that you do not release them from the p er for manc e bond,” Broadbent asserted. “We ask for your support, and that you do not release the money back.”

HOA member Rae Voss, who noted she joined the board this past April, c ont e nd e d t h at “s i n c e b e c om i ng a c o m mu n it y m e mb e r, t h e fi n a n c i a l structure and security has been very seriously questioned,” alleging that at issue is the way “Rockwell spent HOA money while it had control and access over it.”

T h e t ow n s h i p, i n ap p rov i n g t h e development, she maintained, required an HOA “so as to not create

a t a x bu rden” on re sident s, but the association is “not able” to prov ide the necessary upkeep and maintenance “w ith a $57,0 0 0 shor tfal l,” and that should be the reason why the township com mittee would not want to release Rockwell from the performance bond.

“The $57,000 we are asking for, that is money Rockwell understated in reserve, and it also inappropriately used funds from an operating account they should not have used,” Broadbent alleged. “It should have gone towards a reserve account, based on documents they drafted.”

All of this led Tow nship Solicitor William Burns to reveal that it also “came to my attention, a couple weeks ago, that there was a shortfall with the Land Development Board escrow account,” in addition to outstanding “punch list items.”

Rockwell did not return a message, left through a website submission form, seeking comment on this story. An email address the company had set up specifically for Seneca Reserve queries is apparently no longer working, with this newspaper’s email having not gone through to it. Rockwell now lists Seneca Reserve under a website tab for its “past communities.”

W h e n t h e Ta b e r n a c l e L a n d Development Board gave preliminary approval to Rockwell to develop the 87 acres of land near Route 206 and Flyatt Road back in 2017 with market-rate, single family homes, former township administrator Doug Cramer quipped in regard to a concern about infrastructure, “that is great for the two years that you are responsible for it, but I have to take care of it forever.” Eighteen township residents at that time voiced concerns about the new subdivision.

In addition to the monetary dispute, according to Voss, there has been “water issues” associated with a rear detention basin in the community that has affected “all homeowners of Seneca Reserve.”

Initially, she said, it was not draining

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 5

and has not received any grant funding for clearing the creek, adding that the municipality has also “tried to work alongside other townships, who are connected to us” in both clearing the creek and to “get funding” for that purpose.

During the July 18 council session, she reported that township “staff is also working on another concept” or “on another avenue to try to get some funding for it, because we have tried for multiple grants and have been turned down each time.”

“But I am not going to talk about it publicly,” said Burger of the specifics of that concept.

When Roberts first raised the issue of the creek on June 7, Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson responded that he “will ask the manager to have Public Works do some clearing so we can get a pathway through.” On June 18, during a subsequent council session, he denied having ever said that, with Burger maintaining “we have to get funding and a contractor that can do it” and that permitting from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is also required.

It led Roberts to press the mayor as to whether, “Are you in agreement it needs to be done?”

“I think it should be looked into to find out what the costs are, to find out whether we have the funding, and to find out whether we can even get a permit to do it,” responded Watson at the time. “That is my personal opinion.”

Officials have still not yet said why the trail

was not maintained over the years, nor have they explained why the municipal budget doesn’t contain a line item for maintaining the trail, which is promoted in two township brochures.

When Roberts had previously raised that there were two different brochures promoting the canoe trail, officials denied the existence of a second one, but Roberts has since given copies of both of them to this newspaper.

Roberts, last month, told the council that the fact that she has now seen a second brochure, “it says to me this is important to Medford” and “this is how you market it.”

Prior to the July 18 update on the creek, the retirement of a central figure in Medford’s infrastructure and maintenance operations, Richard L. Parks, director of the township’s P ubl ic Works Depar tment (for merly Neighborhood Services) as well as Municipal Utilities, was announced.

Parks has held the post since March 2015.

Watson, on July 18, described Parks as responsible for “administering all Public Works activities,” including park and playground maintenance, road maintenance, buildings and grounds, leaf collection, brush collection and solid waste collection. He added that Parks has also provided managerial support to the township’s Water and Sewer Division.

Parks, prior to coming to Medford, as

at all, creating a “habitat” and a place for wildlife to “grow.” Ultimately, she c ont e nde d , Ro ck wel l “c a me out to repair the basin at the instruction of the township engineer” and “cleared and resanded it,” but “what we still see is it is open to the public and not fenced in all the way around.”

She contended that the lack of fencing presents a “safety issue” in which children can access the area.

Additionally, she maintained that grass growing in the basin was only recently weed whacked by the developer, and by doing that, it “is certainly not going to kill the grass.” Dead trees in the area, she maintained, are yet another concern.

“It concerns me that only just now, after four years, it is starting to function like a normal detention basin,” Voss declared. “… And, if there is a problem, residents of the reserve will not be able to fix it.”

She “implored” the township committee to not only take the “financial aspect” of the situation into consideration, “but also the viability of the HOA.” She also requested that the township engineer walk the community with the board.

“We want to be good, upstanding me mb ers of th is c om mu n it y,” Vos s declared. “We want to raise kids here safely. Those basins are very unsafe. They allow access to children and animals and are providing for a drainage concern. If

the basins fail, it will cost several hundred thousand dollars to fix. And the reality is we are missing $57,000 in reserve.”

Additionally, Voss alleged Rockwell also didn’t file homeowner declarations and covenants with the state’s Department of C om mu n it y A f fa i r s ( DCA) a nd disputed a pur por ted notion by the developer that it doesn’t have to make any filings.

A qu e st ion shout e d out from t he audienc e dur ing the discussion, “Has anyone been hurt there?”, went unanswered. Back in 2017, one of the 18 residents to question the project had raised a concern about drawings showing that the basin would not have a fence around it, recalling a drowning that had occurred in the township.

While none of the township committee m e mb e r s r e s p ond e d t o t h e S e n e c a Reserve HOA members on July 2, Burns responded that he will “work with the township engineer to look at the basins” and “we will all coordinate what needs to be done to address the health and safety aspect, if anything.”

“There will be no action tonight, or on July 31 (the next scheduled governing body meeting) to release the safety bond,” Burns vowed. “… We also have to deal with a shortfall in the Land Development Board escrow account. There are a whole bunch of issues at stake.”

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Bass River Twp. Officials Offer Fond Recollections of Tommy Williams, Jr., Retired Cop Who Served for Many Years on Local, Regional School Boards

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Evesham Proposes Raising Property Taxes for First Time Since 2017, Citing Rising Costs and Loss of Revenue Sources, Including Verizon

Former LEHT Police Detective, Among First COVID Patients to Get Lung Transplant, Is Described as a Passionate, Dedicated Public Servant and ‘Really One of a Kind’

If Approved, Increase Would Cost Average Homeowner an Additional $211 a Year; Economic Relief Expected from Cannabis Retailers, Cell Tower and Solar Farm Leases

By Bill Bonvie

By Bill Bonvie

Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—Bass River Board of Education President Thomas D. “Tommy” Williams, Jr., a retired lieutenant with the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, former longtime member and previous president of the Pinelands Regional Board of Education and an active participant in various local causes and community groups, died on July 19 more than two years after having been one of the first COVID-19 patients to be given what was for a time successful lung-transplant surgery.

The 62-year-old law-enforcement veteran, according to his wife, Maggie, passed away peacefully at his Bass River Township home after having spent his last hours surrounded by his children and sisters. In recent months, she told the Pine Barrens Tribune, he was twice admitted to the hospital for twoweek stays after his body began to reject the transplanted lung, which he was among some half-dozen victims of the Coronavirus to receive at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia (as described by this newspaper in a front-page story on Aug. 5, 2021).

Maggie Williams described her husband as someone who was “passionate about the community and about helping people, and lived a life of public service,” and believed that was reflected in the size of the crowd that attended his funeral, reported to number several hundred, which she described as “a tribute to the man he was and a life well lived.”

When his time came, she added, “he was ready, and was at peace with it … he was tired.”

Williams’ fervent level of dedication to every endeavor in which he became involved, which would occasionally put him at odds with those who didn’t necessarily share his concerns, was summed up by Karl Swanseen, a 2020 township commission candidate and fellow member of the school board.

“Tom was absolutely inspirational, he cared so deeply for our community,” Swanseen told this newspaper. “When I saw him serving on the BOE, knowing the severe medical challenges he was going through, I knew none of us have any excuse for not getting involved. I visited a couple days before he passed, he was literally on his deathbed talking about the history and current events of New Gretna, the town he loved. I will miss him deeply and remember him with a smile.”

Also offer ing praise for Williams’ contributions to the Bass River community were the three current members of its governing body, Mayor Deborah Buzby-

Cope, Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon and Commissioner Nicholas Capriglione.

Buzby-Cope, in an email to this newspaper, attested to how Williams had not only been an asset to the Bass River community, but to many of the other municipalities in both Burlington and Southern Ocean counties, recalling how he was “always available when we needed an update on what was going on with the school boards” and who “always had the best interest of the children at heart.”

She also characterized him as someone who possessed “a wealth of knowledge on many subjects that always made for good, in-depth conversations,” and who will be sadly missed.

Bourguignon, when contacted by this newspaper, described Williams as “a great guy” of the kind that simply can’t be replaced.

“Tommy was a doer for the public, and really one of a kind,” he declared, adding that his passing represented the loss of a “real treasure” to the township and Village of New Gretna.

Capriglione, who noted he had worked with Williams for many years on the Pinelands Regional Board of Education, recalled him as a passionate public servant who “always, always put the students’ welfare first,” was “dedicated to their best interests and giving them a quality education” and “never took any short cuts” to achieve that.

“He served the public as an outstanding representative, and will be greatly missed,” the commissioner said.

One member of the community who knew Williams better than most was retired Pinelands Regional Board of Education President Susan Er nst, who said her nickname for him was “Poppa Bear” and provided this newspaper with a particularly moving and personal tribute.

“Like everyone, Tommy had some rough edges,” she recalled. “But mostly, deep down inside, he was a kind, giving person. He took in stray people like others took in stray pets.

He gave of himself to friends and strangers alike. I was one of the very fortunate people to have known Tommy and to have been blessed by his friendship. No matter what was going on in his own life, I knew that a single phone call to Poppa Bear would be answered.

“Truthfully, his service was the most heart-wrenching one I have ever attended.

Rest, Tommy ... at least until we meet again.”

Williams, a Lakewood native and lifelong area resident, has been described as giving the same kind of dedication to his 32-year See WILLIAMS/ Page 13

Staff Writer

EVESHAM—The average Evesham Township homeowner will pay an additional $17.64 per month in property taxes, or $211.68 annually, under the terms of a proposed new budget, amounting to $45,282,488 in total appropriations, that was introduced at the July 12 township council meeting in a presentation

by Chief Financial Officer Alex Davidson.

A resolution authorizing the budget proposal to move forward was approved by four of the five council members, with a fifth, Heather Cooper, abstaining from the vote. Cooper, who has announced her candidacy for the 8th Legislative District Senate seat soon to be vacated by the retirement of Jean Stanfield, later said she wanted to get more “clarification” of the issues involved before participating in a decisive vote in August.

If approved by the governing body at its next meeting, the tax increase, which would be the first imposed by the township since 2017, will generate additional revenues of $4,109,640, Davidson said, but would still be considerably below the maximum property tax cap of $5,304,576 allowed by the state.

“I want to stress to our residents that we’re only increasing taxes so we can provide the services they’ve grown accustomed to and we want to provide them,” said Davidson, before launching into an explanation of the factors necessitating a tax hike, including “numerous cost increases” in such areas as debt service, health insurance, state-mandated pension increases and police salaries, totaling $1,454,000 “that is largely outside the township’s control.”

There have also been declines in both permit and court fees over the past few years, he noted, along with some recent losses in ratables. The primary reduction in the latter category, he noted, was due to a state law that allows a phone utility to stop paying taxes to a municipality once 50 percent of households in that community drop their landline services, which is what has now occurred with Verizon—a factor that has translated into a loss of $17.2 million for the township for 2023.

While Evesham had joined another town in filing a tax appeal over the Verizon exclusion, Davidson said the township had just gotten word it lost that appeal, which will now be heard by the Appellate Division.

“But for right now, it looks like that tax is definitely off the books for this year,” he conceded.

Another $7.1 million loss in ratables this year came from tax relief granted to totally disabled veterans—something the CFO said “we are happy to do but still (has) a financial impact” on the municipality.

“The township has done everything in its

power to mitigate any tax increase on an annual basis,” Davidson contended. “Unfortunately, all those tools have been utilized. We don’t have any more options at this time.”

Among such mitigation measures were the elimination of three administrative positions and the auctioning off of surplus assets, including land. Township officials, however, are currently anticipating some new revenue-generating entities that should eventually compensate for the current reductions in the tax base, one of them being the pending opening of a number of legal cannabis retailers, which are expected to serve as “recurring revenue” sources, and another the leasing of an old landfill for a solar farm and a part of the municipal building for a prospective cell tower.

Evesham, Davidson pointed out, also now has a substantial source of ongoing extra revenue in the form of the municipally-owned Indian Spring Country Club, which had “another very strong financial year in 2022,” generating what he termed “a $250,000 golf course dividend to help offset the tax increase.

Praise for the efforts of Davidson and other officials who were involved in the budget process was offered by Councilwoman Patricia Hansen, who asserted that they had faced “a very difficult budget this year and an even more difficult decision to raise taxes,” but said she believed the result “reflects our commitment to meet the community’s increased demand for services, maintenance and protection.”

Also speaking in support of the proposal was Deputy Mayor Eddie Freeman III, who called it “a prudent budget” and “a tough yet responsible decision,” and Councilwoman Ginamarie Espinoza, who pointed out that “we are all feeling the effects of the greatest inflation we have seen in generations and rampant supply chain issues, all stemming from the pandemic,” and that “voting on the budget this year allows us to continue to provide outstanding services that we all expect” and “to ensure that our town continues to be a place that we love to call home.”

But one Evesham resident who got up to speak during the public comment period, Joseph Sereday, had a somewhat different take on the process.

“I want to know why it took until tonight to introduce our township budget,” asserted Sereday, who said that according to the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services, the township had far exceeded the statutory deadlines for budget introduction and adoption.

“With our local property tax bills due in less than two weeks, how do you expect residents to be able to responsibly manage and plan their finances without any definitive information about how much they’re going to owe and See TAXES/ Page 9

Saturday, July 29, 2023

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 7

Page 8 ♦

EVENT CALENDAR

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AUGUST Aug. 1

Train Rides Through the Woods of New Gretna Location: Bass River Township

Details: The Woods of New Gretna Park and the New Jersey Shore Live Steam Organization provide train rides for all each Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The small steam locomotives, and other trains, wind their way through the beautiful park. The rides are provided by a group of dedicated volunteers who have revitalized the park and laid out the railroad track, based on the historical Tuckerton Railroad. The volunteers maintain the railroad and walking trails, and are constantly expanding them. Riding the trains is free, but donations are very much appreciated. The train rides are outdoors.

Aug. 23

Annual Delaware Park Casino and Horse Racing Trip

Lumberton/Tabernacle DEADLINE JULY 31 Location: Townships (Pick-up Locations)

Details: The Pinelands Young at Heart Senior Club is sponsoring its Annual Delaware Park Casino and Horse Racing Trip on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The price is $35, with $20 back to play at the casino.

The first pick-up is at 8:45 a.m., at the Lumberton Plaza, Rt. 38, TD Bank parking lot. The second pick-up is at 9:15 a.m., at the Old Squad Building on Hawkins Rd. in Tabernacle. Enjoy drawings and Bingo games on the trip. Snacks and water are included. Reservations should be made by July 31. For more information, call JoAnn at 609-268-8951.

AGENDA

(Continued from Page 1) extent of their concern about its potential impact on the community.

An indication of what brought them all out to what should have been a routine and uneventful township business meeting came when an individual who insisted on shouting out queries to the planners without any invitation to do so was finally asked if he had a question.

“Yes, I’d like to know what exactly was approved for these dormitories that are being built inside a school that was being sold as nothing more than a day school,” he replied.

Board Attorney Christopher Norman responded that, “right now, there is a pending development application for that.”

“By law, we have to apply the zoning ordinance on the books today, not any new ordinance,” he continued. “And as a result, they are asking for a use variance. They were on the agenda for this evening but requested to have the application carried to a future meeting.”

When the man began speaking out of turn again, he was interrupted by an admonition from Board Chairman Russell Bien: “This is my meeting and I’m not done with it yet. At the end, I will open it to the public and everybody will have a chance to talk.”

Then, as people in the crowd continued shouting, Bien ordered the individual to “put your hand down” and to “let me finish my meeting, all right?” with a bang of his gavel for emphasis.

Finally, after more shouts, punctuated by laughter and remarks from the audience, Norman told the unruly residents, “We will open this up to the public, that will be the time to speak.”

“We’re just following normal procedures,” he said.

And when that didn’t succeed in restoring

order, a panel member shouted, “It’s not on the agenda!”

Bien then made a further attempt to reason with the crowd by explaining that in regard to the school, “we don’t have the variance before us, we’re not voting on it, we’re not even considering it tonight.”

“So, we’re not going to answer any questions about the school,” he asserted.

Blech, as previously reported by this newspaper, purchased the century-old Bass River Elementary School building – one that was no longer needed by the township – at the beginning of this year after coming in as high bidder in a 2022 auction and subsequently filing a lawsuit against the Bass River school board that ended up being denied by a Burlington County Superior Court judge.

“Eli Blech of Maple River, LLC – Land Use Application # 23-004 for Variance and Site Plan Waiver Block 56 Lots 36 & 37 to start interior renovations of prior school classrooms to dormitories,” the crossed-out July 19 agenda item read, with “Removed from July 19 Agenda as per applicant’s request” added at the end.

Blech, who claimed he had “nice things in store for the property” and attempted to smooth over any hard feelings over the lawsuit earlier this year by bringing pizza and soda to a township commission meeting, revealed to its members shortly thereafter what he hope to obtain permission to do with the property —open it as a yeshiva, which can be defined as either a school for Talmudic study or a Jewish day school that provides secular and religious instruction.

While the developer wasn’t specific about which type of yeshiva he had in mind, the variance request that has been postponed appears to indicate that it would be something on the order of a seminary, with students who would live on the premises.

That prospect, however, caused former Bass River Commission candidate Karl Swanseen to

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A standing-room-only crowd of residents listens to proceedings of the Bass River Township Planning Board during its July 19 meeting. go on record “in opposition to changing anything that would allow high density, live-in occupancy at the school.” While he thought using the school building for educational purposes would be fine, “going to a dormitory situation is not desirable and not in the best interest of the community.”

Swanseen said he was given an opportunity “to look at that application – it’s on record and it is nothing but a block diagram.”

“It shows a new section of the school with classrooms and rectangular beds, that is the extent of the plan,” he reported. “Two of the bedrooms don’t have access doors.”

Swanseen also noted that “they have checked off on their application public water and public sewer” (evoking laughter from the crowd), but that no kitchen or laundry facilities are indicated on the plan and “there is no school, so it is nothing but a high-density boarding house.”

Nor was the proposed transformation of the facility the only object of objection from residents, some of whom, judging from other comments made at the somewhat unconventional

planning board session, suggested that they are alarmed by what they see as a potential threat to their way of life.

One resident, Betty O’Brien, perhaps most candidly summed up that feeling of apprehension.

“Once that developer comes in here, you’re all going to be overthrown,” O’Brien contended.

“I’ve seen in Lakewood and surrounding areas— you will no longer have jurisdiction.

The state police will not be welcome. Our fire service, EMS and other emergency services will dissipate just like it has there. Our residents will no longer have a voice.

“As a town we are begging you, keep the zoning strict, do not change anything. It’s not that we don’t welcome outsiders, but what we don’t want is our town destroyed because of unnecessary change. If you couldn’t change the laws for me, my neighbor, my aunt or my uncle when building our homes and businesses, or our hot dog stands, why are you allowing change See AGENDA/ Page 13

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Tom’s Retreat Owner Hopes Neighbors Can Learn to Like Him as Much as Those Who Are Beneficiaries of Events He Hosts Like Recent ‘Run for the Fallen’ That Netted $20,000 for Vets

Thomas Sherwood Says He Was Unaware of Excessive Noise Due to Impaired Hearing; Claims He Wanted to Buy Bass River School as Gift for Town, but Missed Opportunity

Photo Provided

Thomas Sherwood, owner of Tom’s Retreat on Route 9 in Bass River Township, displays a check for $20,000 raised at the most recent event held by his nonprofit foundation in support of the New Jersey “Run for the Fallen,” half of which was donated by Sherwood and members of his family.

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 9

AD HOTLINE: (609) 801-2392

Saturday, July 29, 2023

BASS RIVER—The owner of Tom’s Retreat says he is every bit as desirous of being a good neighbor as he is of being a good citizen.

To that end, he would like to not just offer his apologies to property owners living near the Route 9 estate for the noise created by events sponsored by his nonprofit foundation that were intended to benefit and entertain surviving veterans of America’s decades-old conflict in Vietnam, but to bring them on board as supporters of, and perhaps even participants in, its charitable endeavors.

“I am there to do something good – even for my neighbors,” Thomas Sherwood told the Pine Barrens Tribune in a July 25 phone interview, adding that he only had the best of intentions in staging events on the property he purchased at the beginning of 2018, and noting that the last such event, which helped observe New Jersey’s “Run for the Fallen,” had benefited veterans’ causes to the tune of $20,000, half of which he and his family had donated.

He conceded, however, “but that doesn’t give me the right to make too much noise.”

Despite some of the remarks that various individuals have made on social media in regard to the residents who complained about his foundation’s events to the Bass River Board of Commissioners at its July meeting, Sherwood said he is not only willing to accept the criticism directed at those activities and tone them down in the future, but eager to extend an olive branch

to the people those activities disturbed.

The explanation he offered for the two previous events on the 250-acre walled enclave, the first of which of he acknowledged lasted until 2 a.m. when the New Jersey State Police asked that it be curtailed, is that he himself didn’t realize just how noisy they were, due to having had his hearing impaired by an injury suffered in combat while he himself was serving in Vietnam.

That’s why he has now ordered a device to measure the decibel levels from any future activities at the retreat, which he described as similar to one a neighbor said she had used to show excessive noise being generated at the previous function, although no more events have been scheduled there after the one set to take place July 29 until an observance of the annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 of next year.

The 78-year-old Sherwood, whose regular residence is in New Hope, Pa. (Tom’s Retreat being maintained by several live-in caretakers, who were also employed by the previous owner) and who earlier this year had triple bypass surgery, also claimed he had his eye on another local property last year – the now-vacant former Bass River Elementary School that has been a source of considerable consternation since being purchased at auction by a Lakewood-based developer with purported plans to turn it into a yeshivah, a seminary for orthodox Jewish students.

Once having become aware that the property had been put on the market, Sherwood said he See VETS/ Page 13

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(Continued from Page 6) what they’re paying for? This budget should have been introduced no later than March 31 –that makes tonight’s introduction more than 100 days overdue.”

To make matters worse, he contended that “the township is now subject to statutory penalties from the State of New Jersey,” and asked the council members whether they were aware of what those penalties might be and whether they were expecting taxpayers to pick up the tab, as well as wanting to know “the reasons for this delay, exactly.”

“I look forward to your responses,” he added.

While no one endeavored to explain why the township had gone so far beyond the deadline for presenting a budget, Davidson was asked by Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy if he could “advise the resident if we’re being fined right now for not introducing our budget” in a timelier manner, to which he replied, “the state has not levied any fine for the late introduction of the budget as of now.”

As for how that tax money is spent, according to the CFO, the average Evesham property tax bill in 2022 was $8,300, with education making up “the largest slice of that by far,” local schools accounting for 40 percent followed closely by regional school costs at 25 percent.

What is left – that is, the municipal share of the property taxes – only amounts to about 14 percent of the total property tax bill, he noted, “but it impacts 100 percent of our residents” who depend on services like the DPW, trash collection and the police.

Also approved on first reading was a capital improvements ordinance that, as Davidson described it, reappropriated funds intended for projects already completed, putting the monies toward new ones, with a total capital budget of approximately $5 million, the same amount as last year.

The expenditures involved, which are for short-term “pay as you go” needs, cover such items as five new police cruisers, one side-loading automated trash truck, two tandem axle dump trucks that “are imperative for snowplowing operations,” a brine truck, and multiple pickup/ mini dump trucks. Also part of the capital improvement package are $1,085,000 worth of facility improvements, including the completion of HVAC repairs in the municipal building which were begun last year but never adequately addressed, and some $2.8 million towards road improvements (which are also covered by about $1.2 million in grants, many from the New Jersey Department of Transportation).

As Davidson explained it, “if we don’t do an annual capital budget, roads don’t get paved, trash trucks don’t get bought, and we won’t have DPW vehicles to go and salt and plow the roads in the snow. And those capital needs don’t disappear.”

In other business, Ila Vassallo, the chair of the township Environmental Commission and the Evesham Green Team, came forward to request that the township consider becoming involved

in an education campaign now being offered by neighboring Mount Laurel, which is operated

by Community Solar, a state-run program that allows New Jersey communities to reap some of the benefits of solar energy without residents needing to install solar panels. Designed largely for low-to-moderate -income households and those living in affordable housing, the program delivers energy supplied by solar panels located on nearby commercial buildings, landfills or brownfields, via their electric utility.

While at present, she said, there is one source of such solar power of which Evesham residents might avail themselves, saving them 10 percent on their electric bills, an additional six are expected to become available by fall, which are expected to offer double that savings.

Vassallo’s request eventually elicited a response from Cooper, who revealed that the Community Solar concept was on the next agenda of the township environmental commission but hadn’t yet been made public.

The education campaign, however, “is part of Evesham’s initiative,” she said, adding that the commission was “happy to invite the Green Team” to attend its next meeting.

Another topic – that of the township’s dearth of pickleball facilities – was again raised during the public comment period by resident Stephen Huffnagle. He asked why pickleball had not been included in the township’s summer activities program, and wanted to know what had become of a proposal in a 2016 master plan for Evesboro Downs Park showing two tennis courts that “could have accommodated six pickleball courts,” and why the possibility of using that site hadn’t come up a couple years previously during the time when the township was considering the viability of the courts at Brush Hollow Park that were recently shut down as hazardous.

Huffnagle, among other things, also requested that “each council member give a brief statement on the status of pickleball in the township” and what “outside source of money” the council members might be contemplating to finance it.

In response to those queries, Freeman said that along with other council members, he has been trying for a number of months “to find locations in town that will be able to support a pickleball court as well as accommodating players’ vehicles, since pickleball is often played by a large number of individuals who will require a considerable number of parking spaces. He also said he had personally looked at possible sources of grant funding for the activity.

“We want residents to know we are working to try to get it done,” he declared.

“Unfortunately, that has not happened yet, but we are still working.”

Veasy concurred that while pickleball was not originally a top priority of the township, finding an adequate facility to accommodate it was something “we are working on as a council,” and that it is “just a matter of finding the right place and the right funds to make it come to reality, as you can see with our capital budget.”

Its popularity, she added, is not just limited to seniors.

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

DISCIPLINE (Continued from Page 2)

Tompkins said, “while some people may hold it against me,” or his choice of using a word, “I don’t see it in the Constitution where certain words, you are not allowed to say it.”

“Unfortunately, I am not a pastor!” he maintained. “I am not the most perfect individual in the world! Unfortunately, sometimes it comes out.”

T he m ayor d isput e d, however t he characterization that there was any “episode,” before repeating he didn’t want to talk about the matter because “I don’t want to trample on her rights.”

Tompkins, when asked by this reporter if Pittman was being outright terminated (there have been some conflicting reports that her position is simply being eliminated), he responded, “This may put some people at ease – I can’t say any names, but under Civil Service, let me put it to you this way: if you are a director under Civil Service, and you held a lower position, you cannot be fired, but you can be demoted. You can be demoted, but you cannot be fired.”

“I don’t want to name any names, or anything,” the mayor added. “But I am just saying that under Civil Service … you can’t be fired, but you can definitely be demoted.”

Tompkins went on to say, “if such an action were to happen, I have a feeling that this is what Monday’s special council meeting is about.”

When asked if personnel decisions in the township rest with him or rather the township business administrator, the mayor contended, “ultimately they rest with me because it is (a) strong-mayor” form of government. However, he confirmed a director of any department has 20 days to petition the council to consider revoking the administration actions and it takes threefourths vote I think it is, and with our council, you need four of the five (members).”

Tompkins, a Republican-elected mayor, has battled it out on numerous occasions with council, under slim Democratic control, 3-2, since commencing his term Jan. 1. At times, the

FENCE

(Continued from Page 3) Saint David’s Place.”

And with the fence higher in height than the approximately eight-foot tall unit, obscuring resident views even more, as well as the street view of the nearby dozen or so homes, resident James Corson, who previously, when just the unit was on the island, described that he now “lives in front of this Berlin Wall,” told this newspaper, in a phone call, that the addition of the fence boils down to the solidification of there being a “Berlin Wall” in front of his home.

In providing this newspaper with a photo of the fence, Hoffman asked, “Does this look like an ‘entity’ that is looking for elsewhere to go?”

“They are building out,” she declared.

But Gouin, in a second letter written to Saint David’s Place residents, this one dated July 14, wrote, “I would like you to know that my client, CEP Renewables, is working diligently with the township to facilitate a relocation of the switchgear.”

It is why, he said in his previous June 30 letter, that “my client is holding off on installing any permanent landscaping at the Saint David’s island.”

“I don’t have anything specific to share yet, because I don’t want to share anything

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM Republican councilmembers, Dan Dewey and Josh Ward (who were his running mates) have gone against the mayor.

Sources told this newspaper, that at present, Tompkins’ Republican council colleagues are “fully behind” Pittman and are outraged over “what has been done to ‘Nikki.’” One of the sources for this story told this newspaper that Tompkins was observed having an intense conversation with a Democratic councilmember, for about 45 minutes, at a recent public event in regard to this matter.

Previously, this newspaper reported on a dispute between Democratic Council President Donovan Gardner and Tompkins over Gardner’s photography services being provided free of charge to the Recreation Department. The issue came to a head during an Easter Bunny function.

It was also told to this newspaper that one Republican councilmember “had it out” with Tompkins approximately two months ago and has since ceased speaking to the mayor, believing these situations have done nothing to advance Republican causes and have only served as a distraction as both Republican Councilmen, Dewey and Ward, “fight hard for the people of this town every day.”

Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel, in a response given just before this newspaper went to press to a request for comment on this story, wrote “the township hasn’t terminated the recreation director – she is still employed here and will continue to remain employed for as long as she would like to continue working here.”

“I cannot comment further on the recreation director’s status as a department head as that is a confidential personnel matter,” Hornickel added. “Also, point of clarification: the mayor is the appointing authority for all employees, not the business administrator in the Faulkner Act Mayor-Council form of government.”

Pittman could not be immediately reached for comment on this story. Tompkins, when asked in the phone interview whether he would consider reversing course in regard to whatever has occurred with Pittman’s employment, replied, “once I make a decision, a decision is made.” that may or may not end up happening,” Mikulski told residents during a June 18 Southampton Township Committee meeting. “But I can assure you the effort has not slowed down to move it, the commitment to moving it is there from the developer and owner of the landfill, as well as by us. The Pinelands Commission was here yesterday at the meeting so that we can keep them updated on our ideas on how to accomplish this move. As soon as we have something more definitive, we will let everyone know, but the effort is continuing.”

In Gouin’s latest letter, written four days prior to the negotiation meeting referenced by the mayor, the attorney described “we have identified potential locations” to move the unit to, which are “along Big Hill Road,” one that runs adjacent to LeisureTowne, on the retirement community’s eastern flank.

“We have created a concept plan and shared several potential relocation options with the Pinelands Commission,” Gouin added. “We have received preliminary feedback from Pinelands on these locations and are now working to set up a meeting with Pinelands, which I hope to have set for next week. We are also working with the township to put some formal structure to the relocation effort to ensure that the necessary assurances and security are provided.”

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LETTER

(Continued from Page 4) of Charles Street parking to compact-only vehicles to facilitate traffic and pedestrian flow, lowering the Main Street speed limit to 25 mph (down from 30 mph) from Route 70 to the Rancocas Creek, or petition the appropriate party (county) for same, adding a crosswalk between Mathis Funeral Home and the Feed Mill to encourage safe crossing, and requiring signage to prevent illegal parking lot cut throughs.”

Police ‘Foot Patrols’ Requested to Focus on Purported ‘Intoxication’ Several breweries have been added to Medford Village over the last several years, and Watson has been working to bring another, a prominent North Jersey-based firm, to the village.

In addition, in 2022, Medford council

SPREE

(Continued from Page 1) time out of his schedule to attend the July 12 Medford Lakes Borough Council meeting to address resident concerns, or at least send a police department representative to the session. Landante was joined by several other concerned citizens on July 12.

Landante contended that the residents had been told to expect Dugan to attend that session to have their questions and concerns addressed, but were only to be informed a couple hours before it was to commence that the chief would actually not be present at the meeting.

When it was said that Dugan was on vacation, Landante responded that he would have to believe that the Medford Lakes Police follows an organizational system similar to that used in the military.

“When the chief is on vacation, there should be an officer acting or standing in his place to help answer questions,” Landante maintained.

“If not, that is an issue all in itself. I want it to be on the record that I want to know what the police are doing to curb these activities.”

Borough Manager Dr. Robert Burton responded that the chief plans to attend a scheduled Aug. 9 council session to address the matter (the timing of the chief’s scheduled August appearance has been later criticized online by locals, who maintained it is wellestablished that a number of borough families are away on vacation during that month).

However, Councilman Thomas Cranston maintained that the chief, and his lieutenant, John McGinnis Jr., are always “very approachable.”

Ultimately, however, Burton and the council members would convey some of the things being done to address the matter and where things stand.

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 11

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made it legal for one to carry alcoholic beverages in most of what is known as the Medford Village Business District, or the downtown section of Medford, so long as such beverages are purchased from the breweries and restaurants that are located there.

The area where public consumption is now legal, comprises a “quadrant” of properties that are “west of N. Main Street and south of Route 70, including Firehouse Lane, all properties east of Cherry Street, west along Union Street to its intersection with Allen Avenue, and all properties east of Allen Avenue to its intersection with S. Main Street,” excluding the Allen School and any property belonging to the local school district.

The open container area also includes a “quadrant” of properties that are “east of Main Street and south of Route 70, including all properties west of N. Main Street extended to Route 70, west along Branch Street and all properties west of Filbert Street extended south to South Street to its

intersection with S. Main Street.”

However, according to the authors of the letter, “unfortunately, due to the nature of breweries, there have been numerous instances of intoxicated patrons causing issues upon leaving.”

In shedding some light on the resulting consequences, the residents describe having to “clean up vomit and broken glass” in addition to “watching inebriated people wander in the middle of Main Street” and “witnessing really drunk people get behind the wheel of their vehicle.”

“It is only a matter of time till an overserved driver causes a tragedy in our town,” the letter authors warn, who also attest that there have been instances, following the close of business, where patrons of these establishments often loiter in parking lots along Main Street as late as 11 p.m., “resulting in groups of people speaking loudly right outside of homes past midnight.”

The authors of the letter make an ask for the police department to “add foot patrols”

during “regular busy times,” which they identify as occurring Thursday through Sunday, in addition to requesting that officers particularly “monitor traffic exiting breweries upon closing time.”

Little Bit’ of a Perfect Storm Occurred

On July 12, as residents demanded answers and accountability, Burton described what transpired as a “little bit of a perfect storm” with “two or three things that happened at the same time,” providing a slightly higher figure moments later.

“Pretty much, every summer, when kids get out of school, incidents happen in town,” Burton said. “It just so happened that at the end of school and beginning of summer, three or maybe four things happened all at once. I think those things are concerning and are important, but I don’t want the public to think there is a systematic problem in Medford Lakes with those types of activities. They all seem to have been isolated incidents. It wasn’t like a group of individuals came into town or there is a specific group perpetrating some of the things that are going on.”

Burton maintained that he and the council “can’t talk about other specifics” due to a need to maintain “confidentiality,” but revealed in some instances “folks have been actively identified.” Deputy Mayor William Fields noted that “some things that occurred are still being actively investigated.”

“Suffice to say, they have done a pretty nice job,” contended Burton of the police department’s efforts to quell the activities at issue, with Miller adding that since the June 17 vandalism spree, the Colony “has not reported” any additional, specific instances of vandalism.

The borough manager noted that Dugan described to him that the police department’s community policing model “kind of works to address those types of issues in positive ways.”

“I think it has been effective,” Burton maintained.

Miller added that “perhaps next year, we can be prepared and stem it off before it happens,” and that the police can “figure out a scheme” prior to school winding down and being dismissed for the year.

“Yes, it may just be boys being boys,” Landante responded. “It may be that it is going to happen every summer or maybe before summer camps start. But nonetheless, they are still illegal activities.”

The Pine Barrens Tribune previously reported that Colony property was vandalized on the weekend of June 17.

According to the Colony, a bathroom at the Medford Lakes Colony Craft Shop Pavilion “was broken into and vandalized,” with police reporting that they were dispatched to the scene on June 19 and suspect the incident occurred during the overnight hours, involving an individual(s) that “caused various damage.”

Additionally, according to the Colony, “two bicycles were stolen from separate Colonists” with the bicycles later found “tossed into the lakes.” Trash, the Colony reported, was also found thrown around Beach 3 in Medford Lakes.

Police also posted on Facebook that officers were dispatched on June 18 to a residence in the 100 block of Chippewa Trail for a report of a burglary and theft from a garage, which occurred overnight.

The suspect(s) gained entry and stole various alcohol from the victim’s garage refrigerator, police reported.

It was posted on the police department’s Facebook page that surveillance video captured two unknown subjects attempting to gain entry to another garage on Chippewa Trail. At least one of the individuals depicted in a released still frame from the surveillance video appears to show either a teenager or young adult male.

These reports followed an April incident in which an M-80 style firecracker was lit in the street in front of the family’s home on Hiawatha Trail amid allegations of harassment, with Miller later describing that incident as “a most disturbing act of violence, perpetrated against one of our fine families.” Video surfaced showing the explosion that followed.

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What Actions Have Police Taken So Far? Police, as of press time, have not yet announced any arrests, charges, or suspects.

In the wake of the chief’s absence from the July 12 session and no police department representation, Mayor Dr. Gary Miller, other members of council and Burton were left to try to address the department’s response to date.

“I can tell you this,” the mayor said. “They stepped up patrols. They have done a lot more visual policing in the area. And to my understanding, it has really been effective.

There hasn’t been much of any vandalism, vagrancy or children hanging out where they shouldn’t be hanging out. It looks like there has been some effect. But we are going to continue being vigilant in this to make sure that everything is going to be safe – that our properties are safe, our people are safe, and our children are safe.”

Officials Asked to Consider Clean-Up Plan for Events, Add Receptacles The i ncreased patronage to the downtown, the residents wrote, has resulted in a noticeable uptick “in the amount of plastic and paper” littered throughout the village, including plastic beer cups and cigarette butts.

“T h i s t r a s h i s ap p e a r i ng o n ou r sidewalks and lawns on a day-to-day basis,” they contended, maintaining it is “especially prevalent” after large events are held downtown.

The “potential solutions,” as they see it, according to the letter, are ensuring a “proper plan” is in place for “clean-up” See LETTER/ Page 12

Accountability for Juveniles Now Limited After describing the continual clean-up he has had to perform in the wake of the incidents, Landante demanded to know, “What does the town and police have in place to curb these behaviors and hold these kids accountable for their actions?”

Burton responded that there are “certain things I can’t discuss” because it “takes the See SPREE/ Page 12

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

SPREE

(Continued from Page 11) effectiveness away” as “kids watch for this and that” to avoid getting caught.

When Landante raised the prospect of having any caught perpetrators perform car washes, for instance, Burton, who acknowledged he at one time had gotten into trouble during his youth, responded, “I remember spending many hours washing cars, whereas today, we live in a litigious society and that is pretty much off the table,” adding insurance coverage would be required for such a program.

“In August, the chief will talk a little bit about how policing has changed, and how they are hamstrung as far as certain elements of enforcement, especially when it deals with juveniles,” the borough manager said.

Dugan, according to Burton, plans to “talk about why certain levels of accountability you and I had to deal with as kids” are no longer a possibility, indicating it was the result of controversial juvenile justice reforms tied to marijuana-related crimes enacted by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021.

The borough manager, in that regard, noted he had been contacted about a 15-yearold mouthing off to individuals, but that “unfortunately, the police can’t do anything, but parents should.”

Fields, a former police officer, attested that the “laws have changed significantly over the past two years in this state” and that the Legislature recently “targeted” the laws “dealing with juveniles.”

LETTER

(Continued from Page 11) following township-sponsored events and ensuring patrons are “held accountable” if they don’t properly discard their trash.

The residents also call on the municipality to place additional trash and recycling cans throughout downtown, in addition to having “fire-safe receptacles” for those wishing to discard cigarettes.

Having more containers would “encourage people not to litter,” the residents contend in their letter.

Councilman Says He Recognizes Challenges of ‘Community Expansion’ “We are so happy to see the revitalization of Main Street and welcome the many visitors to our village,” said Wilson in reading the letter’s conclusion. “We hope that through thoughtful improvements and proactive enforcement, the township can assure our growth is successful, sustained and safe for businesses and residents alike.”

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM “When I was in policing not too long ago, there were a lot more things we could do, and a lot more tools in our belt to deal with juveniles,” Fields said. “The state has taken those away from the police and the children know it. And as result, there is no fear – no fear of the police anymore.”

Locally, this newspaper has reported on a number of vandalism and unruly behavior incidents involving youth just this year – from Mirror Lake Beach in Pemberton Township to Prickett’s Mill Park in Tabernacle Township.

A number of shore communities have reported severe problems, including Ocean City, which has had to enact a strict curfew and reduce beach availability at nighttime.

Fields noted that he was “just down at the beach” and observed a group of 400 to 500 kids circling police officers on duty and “taunting them.”

“It is sad,” he contended. “They have no fear anymore.”

As for Medford Lakes, “I do know the police are doing some things to help curb things within our laws.” As for what that might entail, Fields recounted a Colony meeting from three weeks ago in which the possibility of implementing curfews were discussed, as well as not allowing those responsible for the crimes to be on beach property (the beaches are owned by the Colony, which is private property).

Another “suggestion made” and under consideration, Burton revealed, is that those found to be perpetrating the criminal acts would not be allowed to play Medford Lakes Athletic Association (MLAA) sports for either an entire season, or year.

Additionally, a “discussion” has been had

with the Colony about installing surveillance c a meras, Bu r ton d is clos e d, w ith the organization “now in the process of installing a number of cameras.” Councilman Dennis P. O’Neil, actively involved with the Colony, described it as an “ongoing project” where the organization is “currently working through technical issues,” mainly how to establish WiFi range for the cameras to properly operate.

Katie Bailey, who ultimately conveyed “a lot of her questions have been answered,” despite the chief’s absence, and revealed she was one of those impacted by the spree with both her daughter’s bike and bike trailer “still missing,” responded by declaring, “I think it is great – the thought of kids having to sit out a sport if found guilty of something.”

She also expressed that by the Colony or municipality putting up surveillance cameras, it would “maybe hold kids accountable” by “having them seen on Facebook.”

Still, however, as Landante had conveyed, with Bailey’s daughter’s bike having not yet been found, “who is to say it is not in the lakes.”

Former Medford Lakes Borough Councilman Joseph A. Aromando III, in also weighing in on the matter, pointing out that over the course of his 30-year residency he has had a number of his bikes stolen, maintained “one of the number one things police have to do” is address the use of electric bicycles in town.

“Anything that is not powered by your body and legs should have some regulation on it, and there should be an age cut-off before any kid can ride on one,” the former councilman declared. “And they definitely should be taken away if a kid abuses them. And the way these kids swarm on these bikes, in these streets –

this is the first problem. You start by letting people know there is some kind of enforcement, through an education, remediation and then adjudication process. You don’t have to jump on people with two feet in the beginning, but you can teach them. That is why we pay people such as code enforcement, and hopefully we will educate people first to do the right things.”

But, right now, he maintained, “these kids ride the streets like motorcycle gangs,” and in also pointing to a past incident in which his campaign signs were stolen, asserted, “I think the point here is that there is a little bit of a virulent attitude and even the kids share it.”

“I mean I had 40 of 60 campaign signs stolen, and they weren’t all kids who took them, OK, but that attitude here is prevalent in some families and they let these kids slide!” Aromando added.

Despite some possible creative enforcement strategies potentially in the works, the borough manager pointed out the police department does have a L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) community engagement program and that the local police force “wants to have a good relationship with kids” and “teach respect both ways.”

“Some kids unfortunately don’t have that, and that is where we get into these types of issues,” Burton maintained.

But one thing the borough manager emphasized is that “we live in a safe town” and “these things are very, very few and far between,” and if the municipality is facing a “systemic problem, we would have had a lot more incidents in town.”

Landante, meanwhile, maintained his hope that the “community, Colony and police can come together.”

Wilson then noted the letter was “signed by 47 residents of the village” and indicated he wanted to read Burger’s June 1 “response” to it, but was abruptly cut short by the township manager who said “that was five minutes” as a timer sounded. Watson held strictly to the council’s five-minute public comment limitation policy, despite Wilson requesting more time to speak.

However, Councilman Erik Rebstock revealed that he had an “opportunity to sit down with Mr. Wilson at the end of May and hear all his concerns.”

“I do appreciate and recognize the challenges of expansion in our community,” Rebstock said. “And I do recognize that we do have residents living in this space.”

He added that a meeting had since been held with the police about the issues raised, and that he also is aware of “some county efforts underway in terms of crosswalks and additional safety pieces.” Main Street is a county-maintained thoroughfare.

“And I would be happy to continue the conversations with Mr. Wilson regarding the neighborhood,” Rebstock added. “… I am happy to put my hand up for that.”

Burger added that in acting on the concerns, the county has already “put in one

crosswalk” at Firehouse Lane and County Route 541 (also known as Main Street in the village). She said a meeting with the county is scheduled to discuss a cross beacon at where both Cedar and Branch streets intersect with the county road.

“And I know the police chief (Arthur Waterman) spoke with your neighbor, and they have done increased enforcement out there,” Burger continued. “And we did move the trash cans further down, toward Main Street, and further south, stretched down to the Feed Mill. We already do provide trash cans and recycling buckets to each food truck when they are out.”

Watson, in ultimately responding as well, said it is his understanding that many of the asks in the residents’ letter are “already in the works” and that “other things would be considered from the letter from the residents.”

And while the mayor tried to assure Wilson that the township is taking the residents’ concerns “very seriously,” and Rebstock noted that Wilson “has my cellphone number,” Wilson, having neared the exit to council chambers by that point, shouted, “there are 47 names you could have reached out to at any time … 47 names …

and your response is ridiculous: ‘spread out trash cans.’ What is that going to do?

Goodbye, have a good one!”

While Wilson did not return a message left at a listed number for him as of press ti me, Burger’s June 1 response, th is newspaper learned through an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request, included advising resident Jennifer Schirmer (a neighbor to Wilson) that “the chief advised his staff of the concerns noted in the letter,” the department’s traffic sergeant was dispatched to speak to the concerned parties, and that the police department “will be conducting a sign and speed study along Main Street.” Burger also noted that the fire marshal visited the area of one brewery and was going to see if he could suggest a cigarette receptacle, and that the county plans to install a handicap ramp and crosswalk at Firehouse Lane.

If there is a “parking, noise, nuisance, disorderly person or any other such complaint, please contact the police,” she added, noting residents could call Waterman at anytime with concerns or ask that Burger relay them to him.

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(Continued from Page 5) Watson pointed out, served as the manager of Eastampton Township’s Public Works Department and was its code enforcement officer for over 25 years.

“During his years of faithful and dedicated service to Medford, Rich has earned the admiration and respect of his fellow township staff, colleagues, friends and residents he has served,” said Watson in honoring Parks with a proclamation. “The township council, on behalf of the township employees and residents, wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Rich for the integrity, professionalism and enthusiasm he brought to Medford Township.”

Watson called Parks’ service to the township

VETS

(Continued from Page 9) even called the auctioneer and “told him I’d be willing to purchase it and they wouldn’t have to put it up for auction.”

“I wanted to donate it to the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and to the township, as I thought it would make a nice municipal facility,” he maintained. “It was only $720,000, which was nothing.”

AGENDA

(Continued from Page 8) from an outside developer that brings nothing but havoc? Wolves hide in sheep’s clothing, the residents here see the wolf, now we need the governing body to see the same.”

Then, in eliciting cheers and applause from the crowd, she asserted, “stand up, stay strong and listen to our cries for help.”

Further complicating the matter was another item on the planning board agenda – an update of a re-examination of the township’s master plan required every 10 years by law, which because Bass River is under the jurisdiction of the Pinelands Commission, according to Norman, requires any related zoning changes to be adopted simultaneously in ordinance form, which wouldn’t be the case in a nonPinelands community.

There are, however, “certain activities where they don’t have to go to Pinelands first,” one being

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♦ Page 13

WILLIAMS

(Continued from Page 6) career in law enforcement. The leadership and energy he displayed during Superstorm Sandy rescue and evacuation efforts two years before his 2014 retirement from the LEHT Police Department, for example, were described as “phenomenal” by a local politician. And in 2010, when a resident of the Tall Timbers condominium complex went on a shooting spree in that community with an assault weapon, gunning down his brother and a neighbor from a second-story window before taking his own life, Williams was one of the first officers to arrive at the scene.

He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating when not involved in serving the community.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Thomas Williams lll, daughters Brittany Williams, Jillian Williams, Christina Hedgepeth, and Melissa Penk, and sisters Cindy Cranmer, Dee Gilliam, and Dorrie Pedalino, as well as several grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made in Williams’ memory to the Temple University Lung Center.

“exemplary.” His retirement, according to the mayor, is effective Aug. 1.

In the final days of Parks’ service to Medford, the township has implemented a “new monthly brush collection program” with the “trial program” running for a total of six months, through December 2023. The specific pickup schedule can be found on the municipality’s website.

“We appreciate any feedback on this program as it runs through the next six months,” it is stated on the township website. “… No collections will be made in January as the program will be evaluated for continued implementation.”

The township has five brush collection zones.

Prior to this trial program, brush was collected in each zone, once in the spring and once in the summer/fall, according to a provided Public Works brochure.

Meanwhile, a project to make additional

improvements at Bunning Field (a township baseball field) “has really gotten stalled,” Burger reported on July 18, with this newspaper previously reporting on plans to construct a grandstand there.

According to a statement provided on the township’s meeting agenda, among the latest developments is that Portocalis met with a Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club representative to get a status update on the project (council, back in 2015, approved an agreement with the Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club to help restore the grandstands and surrounding Medford Park.)

The July 18 township statement continued that the Rotary Club was to meet with the contractor to come up with a final list of materials, and ask if the contractor would purchase any of the existing materials that cannot be used for the project. The project architect, it said, had been

working with a vendor to try to get a discounted price on materials.

Portocalis has since found a prefab grandstand that could be purchased in lieu of constructing a grandstand, according to the statement, and a “prefab would offer less maintenance than a wood grandstand.” It is added that Portocalis is obtaining a quote on the prefab structure and a set of bleachers.

“And the materials, they gave us an updated list – it is more involved than before,” Burger told council on July 18. “So, we did look at a prefab, roof shelter and bleachers. But I don’t think we are going that route as the cost is well over $100,000.”

Just the shelter piece alone, according to Burger, was priced at $96,000.

“Rotary asked for a special meeting, to get together to see what they could do to get the project moving along again,” Burger said.

But by the time he got around to making that offer, he said, the building had already been sold.

Now, however, Sherwood said he would like to get his enterprise reorganized and start an organization geared to local veterans, to be called the Bass River/New Gretna Veterans Society.

He said he thought Bass River would present a particularly receptive environment for such an endeavor because it has “a lot of patriotic people—more so than the rest of New Jersey,” something that the real estate agent who sold

him the property, which he thought somewhat “resembled a military base,” had said was “a good reason to be there.”

“What I tried to do with Tom’s Retreat was to make it as American as apple pie,” he added, noting that he had indeed paid $800,000 for it (as originally reported), plus a $90,000 commission.

But when he first saw it, despite the previous owner’s attention-getting display of eclectic objects on its wall, “the place was a wreck,” he contended.

“It wasn’t safe to walk around there,” Sherwood said. “We had to make sure it wouldn’t be dangerous for the veterans. But I’m in the construction business, so that was no big deal.”

As for the litany of complaints the Bass River commissioners heard from the neighbors of Tom’s Retreat, Sherwood said he hoped that “we can all move forward and laugh about that situation” adding that “the last thing I want to do is offend my neighbors,” who he said are all invited to attend future events at the estate.

a user variance application, one member of the board pointed out.

“If what someone is proposing to do doesn’t require any exterior changes to the site, and all the renovations are on the inside of the building, it does not have to go to Pinelands,” that board member added.

O’Brien, speaking as a lifelong local resident whose family “has been part of this town since the land was first settled” and whose “roots run extremely deep as do many of yours, beseeched the board “not to change the zoning ordinances,” which she said “have protected us in this quaint little village that we love.”

“Changing the zoning ordinances are going to be the beginning of the end for this town as you know it …,” O’Brien declared. “And that is all that they need to take over – a change in our strict ordinances. What we have currently in effect is our only defense.”

The zoning issue, in fact was one reason why many residents may have decided to attend the meeting despite the variance application being tabled. A posting on the Facebook site New Gretna News and Views the previous day, in

fact, called it “URGENT” that people attend the meeting, saying the proposed zoning change was on the agenda and it was “what the LLC (referring to the applicant) wants.”

At one point in the proceedings, Bass River Mayor Debra Buzby-Cope, who is also on the planning board, tried to provide some clarification by telling the residents: “I think a lot of you folks are here for a different ordinance.”

“You’re here for an ordinance that was introduced, which is separate from the Master Plan and the zoning ordinance,” she said.

That ordinance, which she said was introduced at the last commissioners’ meeting and will be up for a public hearing on Aug. 7, would involve making both sides of North Maple Ave. a commercial zone up to West Road (including the area where the former elementary school is located).

“I know there has been a lot of feedback on that,” the mayor added. “Three or four years ago a lot of people wanted it, maybe (now) not so much. But the next meeting, that is when the public hearing will be for that specific ordinance.”

She then invited the residents to “give us your

thought process on that.”

Norman noted that one thing he thought the public is losing sight of is that “we’re subject to the Pinelands master plan, and their master plan is very restrictive to begin with.”

“A lot of residents in Pinelands towns complain that they can’t use their property fairly compared to other parts of the state,” he added. “This town cannot adopt any ordinance that is inconsistent with their standards.”

Norman then quipped, “I hear a lot of the sky is falling with these zone changes.”

But in reply to any questions regarding the requested variance that was off the table for this particular session, the attorney would only say, “I prefer to not discuss the application because there’s a prejudgment issue.”

One thing that was evident by the end of the session, however, was the sudden surge of community interest in a governmental process that is usually conducted out of public view. As 51-year resident Pearl Koteles put it, “Shame on all of us, we should be at more meetings, so this crap doesn’t get out of hand.

“After tonight, I will be at every meeting.”

Page 14 ♦

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FENCE

(Continued from Page 10) The fence now causing angst among residents was described by Gouin as merely “an interim measure to provide some screening as CEP and CS work through the specifics of the relocation.”

“As always, I understand the sensitivity associated with this matter and I know that you are all frustrated with the process,” he added. “I would like you to know that we are working hard to create a solution that should be acceptable to all parties.”

Specifics about three “possible” locations on Big Hill Road being entertained for moving the unit were shared in Gouin’s June 30 letter, among them, “directly across from the PSE&G manhole on Big Hill Road on Block 3301, Lot 1,” “further to the south along Big Hill Road, also on Block 3301, Lot 1, but approximately 318 feet from the manhole,” “and on Leisuretowne HOA property (Block 2703, Lot 3), behind Block 2702.25, Lots 45 and 46.”

Additionally, he noted, the Pinelands Commission, “going only by aerials,” has identified two other locations, “one being located about 750 feet to the north of the PSE&G manhole on Big Hill Road at an existing turnoff by the cranberry bogs and the other on either Lot 45 or 46 in Block 2702.25 itself.”

Previously, when residents put the question to Mikulski about why the electrical unit was not constructed behind the homes in LeisureTowne, either on or around the landfill, or on Big Hill Road, he responded that the Pinelands Commission would not allow it due to wetlands. The Pinelands Commission previously pointed to a Southampton com m ittee resolution approv ing the interconnection plan as the approval for the current location of the unit, and also told this newspaper the agency’s original approval was based on the local one that had been given.

“None of these locations has been ‘selected’ as a new location of the switchgear and we are still evaluating all potential locations for relocation,” wrote Gouin on June 30.

“Each of the above locations that have been identified has pros and cons associated with it and we need to meet with Pinelands and discuss the best possible solution.”

While negotiations continue, Gouin recognized, “I know that some people noticed that PSE&G continues to do work both on Big Hill Road and on Saint David’s Place.” In explaining why the work hasn’t been halted, the attorney said “PSE&G is contracted by the owner of the solar facility (Luminace, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable – my client’s tenant) to complete the physical interconnection work for the solar facility” and “PSE&G has its own deadlines to meet to satisfy its contractual obligations with Luminace.”

“Additionally, there are safety requirements

Keith Abrams Lic# 1283

that dictate that PSE&G must complete certain work and not leave work unfinished or partially complete,” Gouin added. “Very likely, PSE&G will be finished with any construction work within the next week and then there will be a phase for testing and ensuring that everything has been safely constructed. In any event, the fact that PSE&G is continuing to perform its work is completely independent of what my client is doing in pursuing potential options for relocation. My client will continue to work through that process and will coordinate with PSE&G as, ultimately, PSE&G will also have to approve any new potential location.”

What hasn’t been touched on in any of Gouin’s or the township’s communications is whether PSE&G has been cooperative, or at the table. PSE&G has said nothing publicly since the controversy erupted several months ago.

But in anticipating the possibility of an approval, Gouin told Saint David’s Place residents “my client is working with various contractors and subcontractors to gather estimates of costs associated with the relocation” and “those costs will likely be significant.”

Meanwhile, in adding to the debacle, Gouin confirmed what several residents told this newspaper – that a sewer line belonging to Pi nelands Water and Wastewater Company was struck in the vicinity of the unit construction work. The residents who phoned this newspaper with the reports expressed fury with having to only endure more heavy machinery and intense street

digging in their neighborhood over the last couple of weeks.

“I understand from CS Energy that Pinelands Water Company has returned to the site to do repairs to an existing sewer line that was damaged,” Gouin wrote.

“The cause of the damage is still under investigation. I have had some people reach out to me about the return of heavy equipment to the site of the switchgear, but I believe this to be the cause.”

As Hoffman put it, “day-after-day, weekafter-month” there has been “persistent noise, dirt, heavy truck traffic and garbage in the street,” a situation she referred to as a “disgrace.”

“There is no respite from either the junk, the noise, or the lies we have been told,” she said. “No resident here on this street has ever been dealt with in good faith. Not from day one. The solar guy lied right in peoples’ faces, and our beloved township? Well, they seem to be trying to turn ignorance into a virtue.

“They obviously think because we are older, we are stupid. We now have the metal cabinet, 8 foot tall, and about 4 foot wide, add on the horrible dark brown 10-foot tall panels, in addition to the chain link fence and the rest of the garbage there. I think there is a light there as well, and I guess we’d fully expect others. How sad. … As usual, there is outrage regarding noise, dirt, and construction truck traffic, but who cares?

The character of this sweet and lovely neighborhood is destroyed. For now.”

Page 16 ♦

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