FENCE

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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

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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