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Halloween Countdown SEE PG. S1
Vol. 7 – No. 48
♦
The News Leader of the Pines
♦
October 21 - October 27, 2023
Pemberton Township Taxpayers ‘Whammied’, Councilman Says, After Municipal Tax Levy Rises by 5 Percent, School District by 9
SAFE ROUTES FOR ‘OUR CUSTOMERS’
Cost Drivers ‘Out of Our Control’ Blamed for Town’s Circumstances, While State Aid Cuts Nearing $17M Cited for School District’s Increase By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer
Transportation Commissioner, During International Walk-and-Bike-to-School Month, Joins with Local Leaders to Celebrate Safe Routes to School, a ‘Remarkable Program’ That Just Awarded Pemberton Twp. $600K to Construct Safe Sidewalks, Crosswalks, ADA-Compliant Ramps, Bicycle Markings and Other Improvements for Student Safety
PEMBERTON—As Pemberton Township Democratic Councilman Paul Detrick recently put it, “taxpayers are getting whammied by the township, and are getting whammied even bigger by the (Pemberton) Board of Education this year.” Pemberton Township taxpayers have taken to various forums of late to express their shock in opening this year’s tax bills that were recently mailed out – the municipal tax levy has increased by 5 percent for 2023, according to a municipal budget presentation by Township Business
Photo By Nick Weissmann
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti (right center), commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), observes a safe driving/crossing the road demonstration put on by Pemberton elementary school students on Oct. 12.
By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer
PEMBERTON—Diane Gutierrez-
Scaccetti, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), views schoolchildren as one of “our
customers,” and it is the department’s job, she told students who gathered on See SAFETY/ Page 6
See LEVY/ Page 7
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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES
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Chatsworth Elementary Special Education Teacher Charged with Sexually Assaulting Seven Students as Investigation Reveals Conduct Occurred ‘Over Multi-Year Period’ Public Records Indicate Suspect Has Been Employed with District Since 1997, Got Certification as ‘Handle with Care’ Instructor; Parents Told District Is ‘Deeply Concerned with Allegations’
By Douglas D. M elegari
According to both Weiss and Bradshaw, Root has been placed on administrative Staff Writer leave and has been banned from school WOODLAND—A late Friday afternoon property. The superintendent added that announcement from the Burlington County he has also “been banned from contacting Prosecutor’s Office that a Chatsworth anyone affiliated with the school district.” Elementary School special education teacher During a Sept. 25 Woodland Board of was arrested for “sexually touching seven Education meeting, the board approved of students while they were enrolled at the an employee to be “placed on administrative school” in Woodland Township, and that a law leave” effective Sept. 18, though the enforcement investigation “further revealed employee placed on leave is only identified that the abuse occurred over a multi-year by an identification number. period,” has sent shockwaves through the Also during the Sept. 25 board meeting, tightknit township nestled in the Pines, which the district hired an individual as a “leave has an elementary school enrollment, as of replacement,” who has since been listed on the previous school year, of only 103 pupils. the school website as a special On Oct. 12, one day education/pre-school teacher, before the announcement public records indicate. by Bu rl i ng t on C ou nt y Root’s name and position P ro s e c ut or L aC h i a L . has been removed from the Bradshaw – which resulted school’s staff directory. in both state and regional Root, according to a public headlines, Vincent Root, record database known as 58, of Carpenter Street in DATAUNIVERSE, has been Philadelphia, was charged enrolled with the township with seven counts of secondschool system since October degree sexual assault and 1997, and as of 2021, had seven counts of second-degree accumulated 289 “pension endangering the welfare of a months.” His last reported child, and taken into custody salar y was $82,761. A n at the Prosecutor’s Office in Root attempt to confirm Root’s Mount Holly. length of service with Weiss He w a s t h e n lo d g e d i n remained outstanding as of press time. Burlington County Jail, pending a detention Authorities are asking that anyone with hearing in Superior Court. information concerning Root that “might According to a press release issued by be helpful to investigators” email tips@ Bradshaw’s office, an investigation commenced co.burlington.nj.us or call 609-265-5035 and ask last month “after a student came forward and to speak to a detective in the Special Victims accused Root of touching him inappropriately Unit. The New Jersey State Police, responsible during previous school years.” for law enforcement activities in Woodland, is As the i nvestigation conti nued, it said to be assisting in the investigation. “revealed that the victims, all of whom are During the 2017-18 school year, according male, were touched in classrooms inside the to public records, the local Board of school building.” Education approved of Root attending a The investigation, it was noted in the press workshop, “Handle with Care - Instructor release, “further revealed that the abuse Program,” with the subject matter to include occurred over a multi-year period.” “comprehensive verbal skills, personal The names, ages and further details about defense, primary restraint technique.” the victims are being withheld in an attempt Root was since “recertified” in “Handle with to protect the identity of the victims, the Care,” according to board meeting minutes. prosecutor’s office said. The district employs five special education According to New Jersey Department of teachers, according to its website, four of Education (NJDOE) records, as of the 2022whom are assigned solely special education 23 school year, Chatsworth Elementary, the duties. The total school staff roster includes only school in the Woodland Township School about 24 personnel. District, has the smallest enrollment of any Weiss, in response to questions posed by school in Burlington County, with 103 pupils. this newspaper inquiring, in part, about A letter sent to parents by Superintendent how Root’s alleged conduct was able to Misty Weiss, which she later provided to occur over a multi-year period, despite the this newspaper, contends that “as soon district’s relatively-small size, and are the as the school district was made aware of victims still currently enrolled in the school, this matter, we reported it to the proper responded that the “district is aware of the authorities and immediately contacted charges and is cooperating fully with law parents of the affected students.” enforcement,” in addition to attaching “Throughout the investigation by the the “communication that was shared with authorities, we continued to communicate parents and staff in response to the arrest.” with the affected parents and offered support Weiss, in acknowledging the arrest to any person who was impacted or affected by announcement in her parent communication, this news,” the superintendent continued in her wrote, in part, “we are deeply concerned letter. “We care deeply about the wellbeing of about the allegations against Mr. Root and everyone in our school district community and have fully cooperated with authorities in have resources available to help you process their investigation” and “we are very grateful this information if you have any concerns.” for the quick and thorough work of our law Weiss, who is also considered the principal enforcement partners on this matter.” of Chatsworth Elementary, advised parents “The health and safety of our students, that the district will have the Burlington staff and our entire community are always County Crisis Response Team available to meet with any students or staff who are our highest priorities,” she added. “Our struggling with this information. partnership with local police helps to “T h i s t e a m i n c lu d e s i n d i v i du a l s maintain our safe environment.” specifically trained to help students and staff The local school board was scheduled to cope with traumatic experiences,” she wrote. meet next on Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. SEND NEWS, EVENTS AND LETTERS TO: NEWS@PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM
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Pair of Hawkin Road Residents, in Pointing to ‘Out of Control’ Speeding on Street Also ‘Torn Up’ from Drainage Project, Calls on Local Officials to ‘Figure Out’ Fixes Two-Minute Public Comment Policy Again Leads to Tense Moments for Governing Body That Also Gets Asked Questions Surrounding Its Decisions and Hears Praise for Township
By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer
TABERNACLE—A pair of Hawkin Road residents has called on Tabernacle Township officials to “figure out, as a township, what can we do with this road for speed, the safety of our residents, the people walking on the road, and the kids leaving that high school,” or nearby Seneca High School. Brian Serafine, who previously maintained that he would bring out issues happening in town in response to officials paying a summertime visit to his landscaping business over an American flag display, and already publicly revealed what had been an unauthorized storage and parking arrangement between a township firehouse on Hawkins Road and a utility trucking company, returned to the Tabernacle Township Committee on Oct. 2 to report “our road was taken apart to put drainage in 18 months ago” and “we were told they were going to repave the road,” but that “now we have a road that is torn up.” Additionally, Serafine contended that the drains that were put in are not working and the area is “getting flooded out again.” On top of all that, he maintained, “we have speeding that is out of control on this road,” alleging “people are going 60, 70, 80 mph” on the road with a posted speed limit of only 25 mph. “This is out of hand!” Serafine declared. “And I need your help to fix this situation.” Serafine alleged that in contacting all
LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 3
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Saturday, October 21, 2023
three local school transportation agencies, Tabernacle Public Schools, the Lenape Regional High School District and Garden State Transportation (GST), one “can’t get in contact with them.” Additionally, he and Kim Serafine charged that when they reached out to Seneca, a secretary to the principal said it is “not our problem.” “You are in our community and the school does not want to take any responsibility for this?!” Brian Serafine asserted. “It is kind of senseless.” Kim Serafine called the comments from the secretary “very discouraging.” “‘Well, what do you want me to do about it?’” is the response that Kim Serafine alleged she was given by the secretary upon bringing the concerns to the school. “There are, actually, a lot of non-economical things you can do about it.” Among what Kim Serafine believed the Seneca administration could do to bring traffic calming to the area is “make an announcement to families” and “separate time frames.” As for what the township can do to relieve the purported problem, the resident suggested a restriction be applied to Hawkin Road, allowing local traffic only, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Seneca releases its students at 2:27 p.m.), in addition to installing speed bumps. “It is insane,” said Kim Serafine of the various traffic issues she has observed on Hawkin Road. “There is rear-end tailgating. It is a 25-mph road. There is no reason to be
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What’s in a Street Name? How About an Obvious Typographical Error That Somehow Is Allowed to Exist for 40 Years Before Being Corrected? New Evesham Ordinance Will Finally Put the Missing ‘r’ in Canterbury Court
By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer
EVESHAM—Anyone even slig htly acquainted with British cultural or religious institutions should instantly recognize the name “Canterbury”—as in Canterbury Cathedral, one of England’s oldest and best-known Christian structures, Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” or the Archbishop of Canterbury. The name “Cantebury,” however, not so much. In fact, the only place that goes by that moniker to be found in a scan of the Internet is a residential cul-de-sac in the Kings Grant neighborhood of Evesham Township called Cantebury Court. And that particular street should soon be gone from the map, to be officially replaced in a matter of days by Canterbury Court, which was apparently the intended spelling when the development was laid out about four decades ago. To make that change, however, took nothing short of an act of the Evesham Township Council at its Oct. 11 meeting, or more specifically, the final passage of an ordinance “amending the name of Cantebury Court to Canterbury Court and providing for the erection of signs and guideposts thereon.” And those include the street sign that for many years read “Canterbury Court,” representing a grammatically correct spelling of an officially misspelled street name until it was recently replaced with one reading “Cantebury Court” to conform to the incorrect spelling of the name on street maps. www.pinebarrenstribune.com
However, that apparent typographical error, which occurred sometime back in the early 1980s when the street was in the planning stage, was allowed to be included in (or excluded from) its official name is a detail seemingly lost to history. But it wasn’t lost on residents, two of whom spoke during the public comment period preceding passage of that ordinance. According to one of them, Maureen Br a n d au , t h e s t r e e t s ig n w it h t h e “Canterbury” spelling “was there in 2005 when I moved in,” but “not too long ago … was changed to Cantebury.” “I wanted to thank all of you for helping us to correct the situation,” said Brandau, who said she took a photo of the original, adding, “Everybody on the street is very happy (with the passage of the ordinance).” Especially so was her neighbor, Lorraine Stanley, who also thanked the council members, claiming that she had missed out on rebates and other items mailed by the state due to the incorrect spelling of the street name. “I actually got a piece of mail (with the name) spelled two different ways on the front and back,” she contended. And it is not hard to see how that could happen, inasmuch as addresses listed for those residents on the Internet have them spelled both ways. Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy also chimed into the discussion by thanking Township Tax Assessor Karen McMahon for pointing out
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One Democrat, Two Republicans Vie for Two Open Medford Council Seats, Democrat Ray Coxe Responds to Series of Questions from This Newspaper By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer
MEDFORD—One of three candidates who are now running for two open seats on the Medford Township Council on the Nov. 7 ballot has provided answers to questions asked by the Pine Barrens Tribune in regard to issues affecting the township, which is now experiencing a period of transition, not all of it smooth. The three contenders are Democrat Raymond W. Coxe and Republicans Bethany Milk and Michael Czyzyk, who are vying for the seats soon to be vacated by Deputy Mayor Lauren Kochan and Councilman Frank Czekay, who chose not to seek reelection to the currently all-Republican gover n i ng body th is ye ar fol low i ng controversies, but said they were doing so to “spend more time with their families and to focus on their careers.” Coxe holds an Exe cutive MBA i n business administration and management from Drexel University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in educational leadership and administration from Northeastern University. He currently serves as chief operating officer (COO) of the Camden City School District, where he also was the school district business administrator. He was previously employed for over seven years as assistant superintendent for business of the City of Burlington Public Schools. Milk is a graduate of Stockton University, where she earned a B.A. in Communications, and currently serves as a director for PRC Market Research Company, where she has worked for the past 23 years. She is active within the Medford Youth Athletics Association (MYAA), where her sons have served as both players and referees. Czyzyk, a 22-year Medford resident and 2000 graduate of Shawnee High School, attended The Academy of Culinary Arts of Atlantic County, which led him to help launch and become the COO of Oilmatic, a bulk supplier of cooking oil, which he helped grow into a company that serves 900-plus restaurants in eight states with over 100 employees. He has also served as a member of the Medford-Vincentown Rotary and the Softball Commissioner for the Medford Youth Athletics Association. The Pine Barrens Tribune has prepared a list of questions for these candidates to answer. As of deadline time, however, only Coxe had responded to them. Below are his answers. (This newspaper will attempt to obtain replies to these queries from the two GOP candidates in time for next week’s edition, which will precede the election.) PBT: What is your position on the restrictions, fines, and violation letters to which some local businesses (e.g., the Carns
tree farm, Maggie Moose Bakery) have been subjected for purported violations of local zoning, ordinances, etc.? Coxe: Current mayor and council claim to be small-business friendly, however, the actions we have seen taken demonstrate a different reality. While I was disheartened to see and read how these small businesses were being treated, I was more disturbed by the way they were spoken to by elected officials. The lack of respect and decorum was unfathomable. I believe that while there should be compliance with zoning laws and ordinances, there is a responsibility on the part of the mayor and council to work with our business owners, and residents, to ensure they understand the ordinances and work with them to develop a plan that meets their desired outcomes within the framework of the codes and ordinances adopted by the governing body. I also believe there needs to be a level of reasonableness in working with business owners and residents. We have seen a mayor and council refuse to listen and be reasonable. PBT: How about the way Village residents’ complaints about the impact of other commercial enterprises downtown (e.g., breweries, food trucks), regarding things like noise, traffic, litter, and disorderly behavior, have been handled to date by the current administration and council? Are there ways these matters could be addressed more expeditiously than the council claims are possible? Coxe: The local governing body has the primary responsibility of protecting the quality of life for residents. In Medford Village, we have seen a lack of empathy from this mayor and council for the residents and a lack of interest in protecting their quality of life. It is wonderful to see the events on Main Street that bring families to our downtown, but there are actions that could be taken by the mayor and council to ensure their success, while still protecting the quality of life for those who live in the area. Actions as simple as investing in trash receptacles that could be placed along Main Street, not just for the events, but for daily use by those who visit the restaurants and breweries. What we have been witnessing is yet another example of how this mayor and his council continue to ignore the voices of those they have been elected to serve. The voices of Medford Village residents should not be ignored. They have valid concerns, which the mayor and council should be willing to listen to and have an open and honest conversation about. PBT: What kinds of reforms would you like to see brought about in order to correct these various complaints and the negative publicity they have generated if you are elected to the council? How would you address these matters as a council member? Do you think greater
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transparency in government is indicated, and if so, how would you help to promote that? Coxe: First and foremost, there must be an increase in transparency from the gover n i ng b o dy a nd a governing body that represents all residents. Everyone has a right to be heard, even if they put forth a counterpoint which they have a right to do. Everyone should be treated with respect regardless of viewpoint. Listening and treating people with respect are things we have seen lacking from this mayor and his council. I intend to conduct roundtable and community meetings with residents, volunteer groups, and the Business Association Photo Provided to hear their concerns and to share the actions being taken Democratic candidate for Medford Township Council, by the mayor and council. I Raymond W. Coxe. believe there should be a focus people’s faith in the governing body and the on each of our business districts to encourage township. I want to see a community where businesses to invest and occupy current, residents are not left questioning the motives empty storefronts. behind certain actions taken by the mayor PBT: How about the matter of the affordable and council. I want to see a Medford in which housing developments that have rapidly gone everyone is represented and not just those who up in response to court edicts arising from the agree with the policies of an elected individual Mount Laurel II ruling and the effects they have or party. My vision for Medford is to ensure had on local schools? Do you think the mayor, it continues to be a place where families want council, and solicitor are being honest that they to move—a sense of community; a vibrant have done everything they can do to address this downtown; exceptional school system. situation? Do you have any solutions in mind PBT: What do you think makes you that haven’t yet been addressed? especially qualified to help lead the community Coxe: Each day we are experiencing more through these issues? congested roadways and increased traffic. Coxe: I believe I am most qualified to help Each day our children are placed in crowded lead in these efforts because of my background classrooms and schools. We can see the and experiences. I have served in various correlations between the overdevelopment in capacities at the municipal level—planning the township and these experiences. I believe board; housing authority; board of education; we can address our statutory requirements to charter study commission. I have negotiated address affordable housing by looking within with public sector unions. I am able to draw and utilizing our current housing stock. from my background to bring key stakeholders The fact that the current administration together for discussions and decision-making continues to push housing developments to to ensure things are addressed in the best address affordable housing requirements is interest of the community. I have experience an indication of either their unwillingness in public budgeting, turning a financial status to explore alternative methods or once around from a negative $8 million fund again, they do not care and are unwilling to balance to a positive multimillion-dollar fund listen to residents. Additionally, I believe we balance. I collaborate with disparate groups to should be collaborating with our partners build consensus. I would be ready to lead the at the county and state levels to utilize our day I am sworn into office without having to open-space dollars in the most effective take time for a learning curve. Finally, I would way possible to ensure our open spaces are be a new voice for ALL residents representing protected from development. I also intend to what is best for everyone and not solely taking work with the Department of Community the lead or direction from others. Affairs to conduct a full re-evaluation of the The two Republican candidates, Milk township’s master development plan. Part and Czyzyk, are running on a platform of of that evaluation will include seeking input keeping taxes stable, protecting open space from residents and businesses as to what they for farming and agriculture, ensuring youth would like to see in terms of development. athletics have the facilities they need to be PBT: Do you have a vision for the future of successful, and working closely with the Medford that you would like to see implemented? local small business community to continue Coxe: My vision for Medford is to restore to revitalize downtown Main Street.
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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES
SAFETY
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Saturday, October 21, 2023
(Continued from Page 1) Oct. 12 at Samuel T. Busansky Elementary School, in Pemberton Township, “to make sure no matter how you get to school, you get to school safely.” And in putting emphasis on a program that NJDOT administers to do just that – providing safe opportunities for students who walk and bike to and from school, Gutierrez-Scaccetti joined with local GOP 8th District Assemblyman Brandon Umba, Republican Mayor Jack Tompkins and District Superintendent Jeffrey Havers, among others, during what is known as “International Walk-and-Bike-to-School Month” to “celebrate” New Jersey’s Safe Routes to School initiative. That “remarkable program,” as Patrick Farley, program director of the non-profit Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association (TMA), put it on Oct. 12, just awarded Pemberton Township some $600,000 to provide for various traffic safety infrastructure enhancements in the vicinity of Busansky, as well as the nearby Howard L. Emmons Elementary School, both of which are on Scrapetown Road. Work on Phase I of the project is reportedly expected to commence shortly. (According to Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel, the township is still working on securing the necessary easement rights from the Lake Valley Association, and is currently negotiating a favorable outcome, despite some initial resistance.) “Safe Routes to School is a federal, state and local effort to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk or bike to school,” Farley explained. “Safe Routes to School facilitates the planning, development and implementation of projects that improve safety and air quality, as well as reduces traffic and fuel consumption around schools.” Farley described that there are “two goals” of the program, including, “making it safe to walk or bike to and from school” as well as “giving them the skills necessary so they can do so safely.” TMA, which Farley described is the “designated management association” for seven counties in South Jersey, including Burlington County, prepared “travel plans” for seven of the eight communities that received Safe Routes to School funding in 2022, and “Pemberton was one of them.” “Several years ago, your community was awarded a grant, and Pemberton Township received $600,000,” proclaimed Gutierrez-Scaccetti in speaking directly to the students. “And we did that because the leaders in your town wanted to plan for building safe routes to school. I am happy to say, in working with the NJDOT, they now have the Phase I agreements ready to
Photo By Nick Weissmann
A map showing the upgrades slated for the area around the Samuel T. Busansky and Howard L. Emmons elementary schools in Pemberton Township. go, so that they can begin to implement that project, and begin to construct what has to be done to create safe sidewalks, crosswalks, ADA-compliant ramps, bicycle markings and other improvements that will keep you safe. It is not going to just make it easier to walk or bike – but safer. Safety is first.” In pointing out to the pupils that you “don’t cross in the middle of the road because it is dangerous,” but rather should do so at “crosswalks and traffic signals,” Gutierrez-Scaccetti maintained “we want to make sure we put everything out there, so you understand where it is safe to walk, bike and cross.” “We are going to invest an awful lot of money to make sure you can do that,” the transportation commissioner declared. According to a map from Pemberton To w n s h i p ’s O f fi c e o f C o m m u n i t y Development, which was displayed on an easel at the event, Phase I is to comprise of upgrades to 16 intersections on Scrapetown Road (including four that intersect with driveways for Busansky and Emmons) and 26 intersections in the west side of the Lake Valley development. Specifically, what is planned includes
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“ADA curb ramps where appropriate,” “crosswalks where appropriate,” bike facilities, as well as a new sidewalk on one side of First Avenue. Additionally, damaged sidewalks are planned to be repaired, and some tree removal may occur “where appropriate.” The next phase, or Phase 1A, will include upgrades to 9 intersections in Rottau Village, all of which are identical to the initial phase. Phase II, or the final phase, will include work to 35 intersections in an additional part of the Lake Valley area. The Safe Routes to School Program, ac c ord i ng to Tompk i ns, “g ive s th is community, and our people, an incredible advantage and opportunity to review how our children go back and forth to school every day.” Gutierrez-Scaccetti, who told Pemberton students that “this is the time of year that you are my customer,” asked the pupils, by a show of hands, how many of them got to school on Oct. 12 by bus, car, walking and biking. “If we are able to make the community safer for you to walk and bike, how many of you would walk or bike to school?” the
transportation commissioner asked of the students in a follow-up query. As Gutierrez-Scaccetti recognized that a far greater number of hands went up, she pointed out, “that is almost twice as many who walked or biked today.” “So, we need to make sure that when you want to walk or ride, we provide the exact same protections to you (as are in place for those riding a bus or car), including better sidewalks, better curbs, ADA-compliant ramps where you can easily get off the curb, and most importantly, lanes to ride your bike in as protected as we can make them so you have a hazard-free route. And in doing this, it isn’t what we call ‘discretionary’ – it is not a choice – it is a must.” It is why, she said, grant programs like Safe Routes to School have been created. “They are created to provide money to communities, like yours, to make sure your pathways to school are safe,” GutierrezScaccetti declared. T he tra nsp or t at ion c om m is sioner recounted having walked to school every day during her childhood. It was in 1969, See SAFETY/ Page 15
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‘All Day and All-Night Search’ Continues in Trying to Locate Missing Woman from Woodland with Dementia Who Disappeared from Home Early on Oct. 9
Searchers Plan to ‘Re-group’, ‘Double Check Areas’ with Family Asking Public to Stay Vigilant
By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer
WOODLAND—An “all-day and allnight” search, as Burlington County K9 Search and Rescue put it, continues, as of Oct. 19, in hopes of finding Denice Smith, 51, of Woodland, who New Jersey State Police previously reported left her home around 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 9. The organization posted on social media that it has “covered hundreds of acres” to date, searching for “hours on end” for any signs of Smith, including by using “specially trained canines.” But judging from emotional pleas of various family members, friends and searchers in online social media groups, as of Oct. 19, there had been reportedly still no sign of Smith, described as a white female, 5 foot, 5 inches tall, 125 pounds, with brown/gray hair and brown eyes, who suffers from dementia. As previously reported by this newspaper last week, according to family members, Smith, sometimes answers to her maiden name, Denice Johnson. One relative, in a recent Facebook post, revealed that Smith disappeared once before prior to this latest incident, and she ended up being located in the Magnolia Road area of Pemberton Township, asking for the public just not in the Woodland area, but beyond, to remain vigilant for any sign of Smith. Missing person posters have been posted in various locations throughout the area, including at the Vincentown Post Office in Southampton Township. In addition to local search crews, an apparent search organizer announced on
Smith Facebook Oct. 18 that a “new SAR dog team from North Jersey” has joined the search. “We had high hopes that a new team, with fresh ‘sniffers’ might bring us to Denice,” that person wrote, posting a picture of the K-9s by Chatsworth Lake, which is near the heart of the search area. “Spark and Willy worked their ‘hineys’ off trekking for miles. But unfortunately, we had no new leads. I commend the handlers for coming to help and making the three-hour drive down. And I really appreciate all the information they See SEARCH/ Page 14
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(Continued from Page 1) Administrator Daniel Hornickel, while the Pemberton School District tax levy has risen by 9 percent for the current 2023-24 school year, according to School Business Administrator Pasquale Yacovelli. Additionally, Hornickel has told this newspaper that “the county taxes went up over 9 percent.” (While David Levinsky, a spokesman for Burlington County, told this newspaper he is not going to comment on that information, he did maintain that “overall, the county tax rate dropped, and the real-market value countywide increased substantially – and these are all good trends.” “And the bottom-line is, the county has a record of having the lowest average county tax of any county in New Jersey, going back to 2019, according to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) tax data,” he added. “And we expect that when 2023 tax data is released, we will continue to have the lowest average county tax in New Jersey.”) Hornickel, in referring to the 2023 municipal budget, which is the driver of the increase in the municipal tax levy, said that the budget is “higher than in previous years” and it is the result of costs that are “almost entirely outside of our control.” Among the municipal budget “cost drivers” for this year that he listed: salary and wages, utilities, pensions, budgeted capital expenses and debt service. The $26.4 million municipal budget, ultimately approved unanimously in late June by Pemberton Township Council, reflects around a $180,000 increase in salary and wages “against the backdrop of a $9.3 million salary and wage budget.” It is a 2.3 percent increase over the $9.3
LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 7 million in 2022, taking the salary and wage budget to $9.6 million for 2023, according to the township business administrator, and the increase is simply to “cover our contractual obligations.” Pemberton, according to Hornickel, has a “regular workforce of about 175 individuals,” 145 of whom are regular employees, with the other 30 considered seasonal employees, the latter which assist in running the municipality’s recreational operations, such as at the township’s Mirror Lake Beach and concession stand. The township Police Department’s 50 personnel, a figure which includes civilians, comprises half of the township workforce, Hornickel noted, while the township Department of Public Works accounts for another 50 or so employees, and the team in the township offices reflects about another 11 percent of the workforce. There is also a “great deal” of employees as part of the Municipal Court operations. The remaining staff, he said, works in the township’s Recreation and Senior Services Department. The 2023 municipal budget, Hornickel pointed out, allows for the hiring of “additional sp ecial law en forc ement officers,” something he maintained the chief is “very grateful” to have to “help out in strategic places.” The business administrator maintained of the salary and wage figures that the municipality is “stretching its dollars and our employees really live up to it.” With government employees typically comes pensions and benefits. “Another cost driver,” as Hornickel put it in referring to the 2023 municipal budget, is that the township has “seen an approximate $300,000 increase in our pension bill.” A pension bill covering police officers and firefighters, Hornickel noted, was See LEVY/ Page 8
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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES
(Continued from Page 7) about $107,000 more than last year, while one covering other public employees came in around $175,000 more than last year. “Our pension bills went up dramatically this year, and again that is something c omplet ely out side of ou r c ontrol,” Hornickel maintained. “The pension line item (in the budget) includes police and fire, public employees and our costs for social security.” One of the other areas of the municipal budget that app ears to have s e en a large increase is utilities, according to information provided by Hornickel, with the tow nsh ip business adm inistrator recognizing “our utilities are up nearly $200,000” over last year. “The cost of our streetlighting has gone up,” Hornickel declared. “Natural gas has gone up … electric has gone up and propane has gone up.” The township business administrator, however, was optimistic that some savings could be realized by years’ end, however, as the township is a member of the New Jersey Joint Energy Sustainable Meeting, which has recently sought bids on electric rates and “so, if they are able to be successful in getting lower electric rates, that will reduce our costs for electricity.” Nevertheless, the township has had to anticipate that the current electric costs will continue for the remainder of the year. Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, as was explained by Hornickel, township Public Works employees often tag-teamed to assignments, but when the pandemic hit, the municipality was forced to implement a policy of one employee per vehicle to meet social distancing requirements. “One area I will mention is not going up (in the utilities area) is “gasoline,” and that is because the mayor (Jack Tompkins) made a strategic policy decision (back in April) to require two employees per vehicle whenever possible,” Hornickel revealed. “… When the mayor came in (sworn into office in January of this year), he took a look around, and said you know what, the COVID emergency was ended by the President (Joseph R. Biden), and there is no reason employees can’t drive in tandem to job assignments. So, he has implemented a rule allowing us not to ask council for more money for fuel costs.” Hornickel explained that in Pemberton Township, its “capital budget” is “partly inside our budget” and “it is also partly outside our budget,” and therefore, some things are bought “outright,” while other items can be funded through “borrowing,” or where “we (the administration) ask you (the council) for approval to bond for capital items in the capital budget.” “Our budgeted capital is going up modestly – by $132,000,” the township business administrator reported. Hornickel then detailed a number of items “within the capital budget – within the general fund portion” for this year in which the township is “directly funding projects or buying assets” and not borrowing money, including for four new police cruisers, park improvements, recreation enhancements and fire equipment. The police cruisers, he maintained, are “very necessary” as officers put 175,000 miles on a cruiser within four years and “we need to keep” the fleet “fresh.” He described an ongoing program in which each cruiser is used for 24 hours, in 12-hour shifts, and then rested for 24 hours to prevent them from overheating, etc. “Park improvements” for this year, according to Hornickel, include fulfilling a purported request of local seniors to “have some outdoor functions at the Senior Center,” which is a municipal activity, socialization and dining facility renowned
WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM by area senior citizens. “What better way than to do that, than install a deck for their enjoyment,” Hornickel declared. “We also don’t have any pickleball courts yet in the township, so we are looking to resurface some of the courts out at Presidential Lakes, and put some pickleball courts in there.” He added that the allocation for park improvements also covers tennis court upgrades at Mirror Lake Beach, as well as basketball court upgrades at the township basketball court near the local American Legion post, with the township deciding to use “poured-in-place surfacing” for the tennis courts, which is rubberized material that “does not get into shoes,” as well as helps to prevent injuries and clothing stains while one is at play. Another capital item that the township has decided to buy “outright,” Hornickel said, is a livescan machine for the Police Depar tment, wh ich enables them to “do fingerprinting.” The machine the department has been using, the township business administrator maintained, “is beyond its useful life.” As for the fire equipment purchases in this year’s capital budget, Hornickel said included is thermal imaging equipment, oxygen life stations and gas meters – with the existing forms of those pieces of equipment, the township business adm inistrator maintained, “beyond useful life.” “We literally get our value out of the equipment, and use it well beyond the rated useful life,” Hornickel declared. One new item included for the Fire Department is a “knock-down door,” with Hornickel, also the township’s Fire Director, explaining that it is “something they would use to train new recruits on how to get into commercial establishments,” a lot of which he noted have steel doors. Street paving is one area, however, according to Hornickel, where the township is “borrowing about half the money” and “budgeting the other half inside the budget,” noting “each year, we try to add more inside the budget for street paving, and are working our way up so we don’t have to borrow.” And “the last cost driver” of the 2023 municipal budget increase, according to Hornickel, at “about $330,000,” is the debt service. “And if we were not going out to sell our debt this year, that number would be up by $1 million,” Hornickel maintained. “And the reason is, over the last several years, our borrowing rates for bond anticipation notes, or the notes we use to borrow the money, were historically low. Well, we were paying about three-tenths of a percent in 2021, and last year it jumped 10 times that, up to 3.9 percent (as the Fed continues to raise interest rates to combat inflation). So, the concern is that if we were to continue rolling our bands, we would have an extra $1 million in debt service. Instead, we are looking to sell our debt, hold a little bit of bands, and that way we have a more predictable debt service going forward.” He noted that in 2021, the township was “borrowing money for less than half of a percent,” but by the end of 2022, “it went up to 4 percent.” Hornickel recognized that, as of Dec. 31, 2022, the “township (through council) had authorized – but not necessarily spent, $28 million in debt.” “We probably have a $2 million cushion for stuff we have not borrowed for yet,” Hornickel contended. “In addition to the municipal debt of $28 million, we have debt for water and sewer.” The township’s debt has been a past st ick i ng p oi nt at c ou nc i l me et i ng s. Hornickel, in recognizing this, said that in answering, “How much remaining capacity could we theoretically borrow?”, “Based on See LEVY/ Page 11
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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 9
Burlington County’s Republican Team Pro-Parent. Pro-Taxpayer. Pro-Law Enforcement. H VOTE H
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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES
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Medford Apple Festival 2023
The 44th Annual Apple Festival was held in Medford Township, at Kirby’s Mill, on Oct. 14. Hosted by the Medford Historical Society and presented by ShopRite of Medford, the event draws thousands of visitors to browse more than 120 hand-made crafters, plus great food, apple cider, apple baked goods, signature apple cider donuts made on-site and specially made apple ice cream. Popular Medford Historical Society apple butter is also available each year. The blacksmith’s shop at Kirby’s Mill was also open to visitors.
Photos By Andrew King
Saturday, October 21, 2023
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Witch way?
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Halloween Countdown ♦ Page S1
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Monstrous Pancakes Prepare these fluffy pancakes in the shape of adorable little monsters to celebrate Halloween at breakfast! INGREDIENTS Servings: 4 • 1 banana, sliced into 16 rounds • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 tablespoon sugar • A pinch of salt • 2/3 cup milk • 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 12 blueberries • 1 strawberry, cut into thin strips DIRECTIONS 1. Cut four banana slices into small triangles to make the monster’s teeth. Set aside. 2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. In a second bowl, combine the milk, melted butter and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Whisk gently until the mixture is smooth. 3. Pour 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil into a non-stick frying pan over
medium-high heat. Using a ladle, pour about 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pan to form a circle. Add small amounts of batter to the sides of the circle to create the arms and legs of the monster. Cook for about 3 minutes, then carefully turn over and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Set aside and repeat this step for the other three pancakes. 4. Place the pancakes on four plates. Add three banana slices, then three blueberries to form the eyes. Arrange the strawberry strips and banana triangles to form the mouth.
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Halloween Countdown
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Halloween Countdown ♦ Page S3
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Halloween Countdown
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Saturday, October 21, 2023
5 Decorations to Get You IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT
1. Pumpkins: Whether they’re real or made of cardboard or plastic, pumpkins are a Halloween must. Depending on your artistic talent and budget, you can carve real pumpkins or paint them to match your decor.
2. Cobwebs: Fake spider webs immediately make your property look creepy and derelict. For a less alarming effect, decorate your home with pretty plastic or paper cobwebs topped with friendly, colored spiders. 3. Candles: Decorating with halfmelted candles will make your home look like a witch’s lair. The more dripped wax, the better! You can also hang battery-operated candles from the ceiling for an eerie supernatural effect. 4. Ghosts: Make ghostly companions out of old bedsheets, create ethereal reflections in a mirror or
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stick them to a window. Realistic or comical ghosts will turn your home into a spectral delight. 5. Scarecrows: Combined with a few fake crows, scarecrows evoke a sense of the forbidden and instill fear. However, a cheerful face can make them look much more inviting. Are you organizing a Halloween party and trying to create the perfect atmosphere? Visit your local party and craft stores to stock up on themed accessories, or turn to an event equipment rental company.
ANSWER:
Do you want to create a Halloween atmosphere in your home and yard? Here are five winning decorations to get you ready to celebrate the spooky season.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
LEVY
(Continued from Page 8) the value of all properties in Pemberton, which totals $400 million,” and that the municipal government is “allowed to borrow 3.5 percent of that amount,” the township is “at less than half of what we theoretically want to borrow.” “We have no intention of going any higher, however,” Hornickel emphasized. And in what Hornickel maintained was “good news” on the township’s debt front, Moody recently upgraded the township’s bond rating from A1 to AA3, “due to good financial management over the past few years into this year.” In noting that the township, in May, “sold long-term bonds to begin paying down our debt (the municipality sold over $13.8 million in general obligation bonds and $2 million in water utility bonds, according to Hornickel),” the township business administrator noted that they “sold for 2.917 percent,” which would allow it to “pay off” the debt in “roughly 12 years at an excellent long-term interest rate due to our upgraded rating.” He added that the township got a “3.58 percent interest rate on our renewal notes, which was also less than anticipated.” As for utility debt, according to Hornickel, while “council approved authorization to spend $2 million,” for the Sewer Division, “we have not spent a dime in borrowing for sewer,” and for the Water Division, the debt is $3.1 million, with a bond ordinance corresponding to the budget taking it up to nearly $3.6 million. Resident Michelle Forman recently pressed officials as to what a $463,000 water capital bond ordinance for 2023 would float. Hornickel replied around $279,000 would be used to allocate some 1,200 radio-read water meters (meters that can be read from a vehicle) for those who have townshipsupplied water, and that another $75,000 would go towards a utility body truck with a snowplow. The remainder of the borrowed money would be allocated towards site and engineering work, as needed, he added. In early June, prior to the municipal budget’s final approval, the water capital bond ordinance passed unanimously. The 2023 municipal budget, according to Hornickel, reflects a 6.84 percent or $1.7 million increase over 2022’s final appropriation of $24.7 million. In 2021, the municipal budget, he noted, was $24.8 million. Salary and wages comprising about $9.6 million of the municipal budget represents the largest chunk of it, with the second largest of around $9.1 million a required set-aside for uncollected taxes, according to the township business administrator. While the school district and county are entitled to get 100 percent of their tax dollars, “who is left holding the bag if someone doesn’t pay their taxes – us, the township.” “Now here is the ugly part of it,” Hornickel declared. “This is the part where I stand up and say I am not happy with this, and I don’t expect you to be happy with this either – if you do the math, we have asked council for a $788,196 tax increase (or an increase in the amount of the municipal budget to be raised through local taxes).” How that “translates,” according to the township business administrator, is that the township tax rate would rise “a little over a nickel,” or from $1.05 per thousand of assessed value to $1.10 per thousand of assessed value, and for a home assessed at the township average of around $164,000, it “would increase taxes by about $96,” or what amounts to “about $8 a month.” Hornickel noted that “other revenue sources” comprising the $26.4 million budget include using $1.57 million in surplus (the same amount as used last year), state aid, a hospital contribution,
LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 11
AD HOTLINE: (609) 801-2392 grants and two (Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes) PILOT payments. The township business administrator emphasized a couple points in this regard, including that in using $1.57 million in surplus monies, “it still leaves us with over a 5 percent surplus balance, which is what the rating agencies want to see,” and that the municipality saw a “slight increase” in state aid this year, or what amounts to a “couple hundred thousand dollars more.” But what he put the most emphasis on is that helping to balance the budget is a half million-dollar PILOT payment from the Seldat Warehouse at 200 S. Pemberton Road, a project that has been completed, but has been opposed by hundreds of residents from the start, and the outcome of which has recently led to much larger resistance to nine other warehouse proposals reportedly planned for the township (residents are opposing the warehousing in favor of keeping the traffic at a minimum, as well as the town rural and agriculturally rich). “As you go through the budget, you will see that we have identified new sources of revenue, for example the ‘despised’ warehouse is going to be bringing us $486,000 in revenue, which we didn’t have last year,” Hor n ickel qu ipp e d. “Otherwise, you would be looking at $1.2 to $1.3 million tax increase.” Fol low i ng a late June amend ment taking total water utility revenues from $1,999,970.21 to $2 ,0 48,470.21, a nd accounting for “interest on bonds that went up by about $50,000” as the municipality “went for permanent financing” as officials “knew they wanted to sell bonds to pay down the water utility debt,” council unanimously approved the budget. The only public comment on the municipal budget came from resident Desiree Dumm, who proclaimed, among many things, that “you have to cut from somewhere because taxes are only going up and up and up,” and that “sometimes we have to make cuts,” pointing out that in her household, “we don’t get big screens or fancy new chairs.” “If you don’t have the money, you don’t spend it,” she declared, calling for the release of itemized breakdowns of what all the money is going towards, so she can decide whether to lend support towards those things. “… When times are as tough as they are for us – we really need to lockdown.” Having a more detailed breakdown is a position that Republican Councilman Joshua Ward appeared to side with, inquiring whether there was a computer system that would allow council to see such details. Ward also called for additional “council involvement” in the preparation of the municipal budget, including proposing that a member of council, or the council president, sit with the administration as it prepares the municipal budget, though “I don’t know if that is possible.” After noting “we talked a lot about transparency” and “accountability was also discussed in-depth” in the lead up to the budget’s passage, Ward declared, “the township is waking up to a new day – transparency and accountability.” G O P C o u n c i l m a n D a n D e w e y, meanwhile, urged the administration to be in a position to “know what we are going to need” by the middle of January, though Hornickel cautioned that may not be possible as the township will need time to prepare its annual financial statements. “The other thing I would like to stress with the administration, especially with this year and the year coming, is we have to get all the departments to tighten their belts and stop wasteful spending!” Dewey declared. “It has to be done as a group. When I go over the bills, it is already spent, and there is stuff on there that just drives me nuts! A lot of waste! We need one vendor for toners, and to put that out to bid, instead of going See LEVY/ Page 14
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Fire Prevention Night 2023
The Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company hosted its annual Fire Prevention Night on Oct. 12 in Shamong Township. The event included a live vehicle rescue demonstration, in which firefighters simulated recusing a trapped occupant, first by removing the car doors, and then by removing the roof of the vehicle. Photos By Douglas D. Melegari
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Saturday, October 21, 2023
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(Continued from Page 11) to five places! These are bad times for a lot of places, and we have to start here, and you just can’t spend money because you are given it every quarter!” Detrick responded that “absolutely, any waste we can find, we should do our best to ferret it out and cut it off, but I would additionally comment though that I don’t think we would find enough waste to solve our budget problems.” “I think we need to work on generating and finding more revenue,” Detrick asserted. “I don’t think we are going to cut millions out of the budget because I don’t think we are going to find that much waste.” Detrick added that, “I want the citizens
FIXES
(Continued from Page 3) going any faster than 25 mph! It is a one-mile road (from Carranza Road, where Seneca is, to Route 206). It is sad, there is no respect, and nobody cares! Other towns restrict – or have their police there. There is no reason we don’t have a police presence! People should have respect for the community! It is just lacking, and it has been lacking for years!” Tabernacle Mayor Samuel “Sammy” Moore III, in response, said he believes Hawkin Road is “coming up for paving.” Township Engineer Tom Leisse said a proposal to repave the road was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) in hopes of securing a 2024 municipal aid grant, but that “we have not gotten anything back from the NJDOT yet.” However, he anticipated an award notice within the next month or two, and “if we get notice of the award,” there is a possibility the paving project can “get awarded in the winter, we do the design, and then pave in the spring.” For yet another meeting, as the township committee continues to be challenged by locals over its two-minute public comment policy, a pair of uniformed State Troopers were in
SEARCH
(Continued from Page 7) shared with us.” State police, which put out the initial bulletin announcing Smith’s disappearance a s a “m is si ng e nd a ngere d p er son,” reportedly sent specialty search teams to Woodland on Oct. 13. One eyewitness told this newspaper “there must have been 25 or 30 vehicles there,” but that by days end,
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to realize, who are not happy with how we are trying to raise revenue, that is just the municipal side of it, not the Board of Education or county side of it.” Hornickel, in informing this newspaper that “the county taxes went up over 9 percent,” shared with this newspaper the Burlington County Board of Taxation’s certifications of Pemberton Township’s tax rate for 2022 and 2023. Those documents – for Pemberton Township – show that for “county taxes,” the “adjusted tax levy” is $5,485,060.94 for 2023 compared to $5,044,205.29 in 2022. (The general tax rate has increased from 0.340 to 0.372, according to the document.) For the “county library,” it shows the “adjusted tax levy” is $507,403.44 in 2023 compared to $448,605.60 last year. (The general tax rate has increased from 0.030
to 0.034, according to the document.) For “county open space,” it shows the “adjusted tax levy” is $452,549.04 this year compared to $391,313.13 last year. (The general tax rate has increased from 0.027 to 0.031, according to the document.) The 2023 “net valuation taxable” is $1,478,046,135, the “net valuation for county tax apportionment” is $1,815,106,717 and the “county apportionment rate” is $0.30303727 compared to $1,483,357,540, $1,567,604,166 and $0.32240759, respectively, in 2022. Levinsky, in declining to comment on the figures presented for Pemberton Township in the certificates, was waiting for the official, public release and certification by the Tax Board of the Abstract of Ratables, which he explained shows “the equalized county rates for each of Burl i ng ton County’s 40 municipalities.”
“Those are the rates you would need to calculate a property tax impact in any specific municipality,” he told this newspaper, noting the tax impact from a county budget can vary from town-to-town. “The county is different from municipal and school districts, because by law we must use the equalized true market valuation of all county property, rather than the assessed value. The Burlington County Tax Board uses a formula to establish the equalized county tax rates for each Burlington County town based on the true market value of the property in each. Again, those rates will be released by the Tax Board in the Abstract of Ratables once all 40 towns have their rates finalized. “And once more, the reason this is all
attendance, appearing to provide security. Moore, in acknowledging “we have our wonderful folks in blue here,” remarked, “I don’t know if you can report back to the station” and “put an extra car on during those time frames (mentioned by Kim Serafine).” “I know it (the speeding) is all over,” Moore declared. The Tabernacle mayor also inquired about the “chances of putting 25 mph radar signs up.” Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown responded that she would “get DPW on the radar signs,” with Moore responding, “Yes, please, ASAP.” “You have got to keep in mind, that when we do repave that road, it is going to be more desirable (for speeding),” Committeewoman Kimberly Brown remarked in asking Leisse to consider that possibility. By that point, Brian Serafine’s two minutes had expired, and when he went to respond to the committeewoman, Moore advised the resident and business owner “you can’t go out of order” and officials “will work on it” and to “just give us a little time to have a discussion.” Brian Serafine, however, was once again not deterred from trying to have discourse with his elected officials, making the point that he felt “radar makes them go faster.” When Moore attempted to cut Brian Serafine short, the meeting briefly divulged
into a shouting match, with Brian Serafine contending “our two minutes is not fair” and that the governing body’s policy for resident input is “ridiculous.” While the mayor asserted, “Please! Please,” the resident shot back, “You are supposed to be representing us!” Once the flare-up calmed, Maryalice Brown asked, “Can we look into speed bumps as part of the design?” with Kimberly Brown noting it was “why I was throwing that out there.” “The only thing we have to take into consideration, is the fire company is around here (on Hawkin), and if (a firetruck) goes that way, they have to be careful because of the drops. … I am sure we will be talking a lot more about this.” In between the moments that Brian and Kim Serafine took to the microphone, Ryan Sherry, “who stands before you as one of the people,” cited a number of articles and paragraphs from the Constitution in asking a series of related questions of the governing body, among them: • Can you confidently say your decisions are devoid of personal bias? • Have a l l you r r e c e nt d e c i s ion s unequivocally upheld the rights of every one of the people, of Tabernacle? • Have t h e p e op l e’s voi c e s b e e n acknowledged and valued in your decisions? • Are the avenues to voice concerns and
seek redress clear and effective for all people in Tabernacle? • Have the people’s wellbeing been the primary driver of all of your actions? • Do the fiscal decisions truly reflect the best interests of Tabernacle’s people? “Members, people seek transparency, integrity and adherence to our sacred constitutional principles,” Sherry declared. “Your answers to these questions will reveal this committee’s true commitment to foundational promises.” Meanwhile, Brian Scott, originally from Washington, D.C. and who lived there for 50 years, declared “Tabernacle is the most amazing place I have been – I love it here,” though he too found himself cut short, due to the public comment policy, in extending further praise while explaining, “where I come from, a crime is committed every two-and-a half hours, whereas here it is every 13 days.” An audience member ultimately asserted his displeasure with the resident being cut short by the policy, declaring that he “witnessed critical information being cut off.” Moore responded Scott’s praise of the town, however, before moving on to the next commenter, declaring, “I think we all love it, too, very much.”
“they didn’t find her.” Det. Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the state police, told this newspaper at press time on Oct. 19, that “the investigation remains ongoing and there are no additional updates to provide.” The apparent search organizer, who could not be immediately reached for comment on this story, took to social media on Oct. 18 to declare “frustrations and emotions are running high at this point,” but vowing to “re-group with our search team and
start making a plan to see if we are missing something,” with the intent to start “double checking areas.” “We are not trained professionals,” the person wrote. “We are a community of volunteers, desperate to find one of our own. The community support has been amazing.” The person made a point to deny reports of FBI involvement in the search. On the morning of Oct. 19, the person asked for donations to be made to the “search teams who’ve been involved and
have helped in the search for Denice for the past ten days,” and among the logos, posted the ones for the Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS Company, Burlington County K-9 Search and Rescue and Specialty K-9 Search and Recovery. “These teams have volunteered their time, effort and knowledge,” the individual wrote. “If it weren’t for donations these teams couldn’t operate and be here to help.” “… I know if I ever go missing, I’d want this team out there looking for me!”
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Saturday, October 21, 2023
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State and local leaders gather with pupils at Samuel T. Busansky Elementary School, in Pemberton Township, to celebrate New Jersey’s Safe Routes to School initiative, during what is known as “International Walk-and-Bike-to-School Month.”
SAFETY
(Continued from Page 6) Gutierrez-Scaccetti revealed, when she was in elementary school and “statistics tell us that in 1969 many more children walked to school than they do today.” She attributed that “difference,” or what was seen in 1969 versus in 2023, to “more traffic” today, as well as a “greater expectation of safety by parents,” with parents feeling reassured when “they see you get in and out of the car, or on and off the bus.” “It is our job to create a safe environment for you,” Gutierrez-Scaccetti declared. “Why? Because walking and biking to school is healthier for you.” Tompkins made similar observations to that of Gutierrez-Scaccetti, only he could provide it from the perspective of having actually lived, for nearly the past three decades, in the Pemberton neighborhood that the grant will ultimately benefit. “I live in this community,” the mayor told those who gathered for the celebration. “I live across the street, and my wife and I purchased our house 27 years ago and we have been here ever since. And one of the things that made us decide to live in this community is that our house is so close to the
schools, and our daughter could walk right across to the school. … And my wife and I have really enjoyed watching other parents walk their kids to school. And there is a grandmother where it is a family tradition to walk the kids to school. “But over the years, things have been changing. Kids used to walk to school, and parents used to walk kids to school, and somehow, we changed. Now, it is more of either busing, or parents driving, kids to school. And it just creates a lot more confusion, chaos, and makes things a little bit more dangerous.” Tompkins recounted just a “couple years ago” having observed “a lot” more parents parking in front of Emmons, asserting, “It was a hazard.” And more recently, he said, new parking lots have been installed for Busansky and Emmons, but “we still have a lot of congestion with the new parking lots.” “So, we have to do something different,” the mayor declared, recognizing “newer families” with children have recently moved into the neighborhood as well. And programs like Safe Routes to School, Gutierrez-Scaccetti emphasized, “helps us fund what it costs to build these roads and sidewalks, and curbs, in such a way to keep you safe.” “As the mayor of the town, we would have
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to raise taxes substantially to support the costs of this (infrastructure improvements that provide greater walking and biking opportunities),” Tompkins said. “With our grants, the federal, state and county governments are looking out for us, and are providing some of the funding we are going to need to be able to do this. It is a phenomenal opportunity for us, and I appreciate the fact that people are looking out for the safety and wellbeing of our children.” Gutierrez-Scaccetti noted that “it is important to the governor (Democrat Phil Murphy) that we make sure we spend our money wisely and invest in our children” and that “part of that is making sure you get here safely” as well as “arrive home safely,” adding “none of this happens with the NJDOT by itself.” “There is an expression, ‘Dreamwork makes teamwork,’” the transportation commissioner recounted. “So, our team is not only the NJDOT, but also the federal government in Washington, D.C. that actually provides us the money to give to you. … The second partner is the regional and local governments, as well as the county connection. This helps us to understand the community-based transportation network. Then there are our friends at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), the school district, the Board
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of Education, and, most importantly, the residents – your moms and dads, and neighbors. We want to make sure that what we are doing fits the community.” A point that Gutierrez-Scaccetti made throughout the celebration is that being able to walk to school,” or bike, allows one to “be healthy and get fresh air,” with Tompkins reinforcing that point, or that “it is healthy to walk to school every day.” “The NJDOT, working with Pemberton Township and local officials, are working very hard together to try to make sure you have opportunities to walk or bike, safely, to and from school each day,” Havers told the pupils. “John Hopkins University said that if you walk to school, or bike to school, it is much better for your health. When walking to school, or biking in the morning, you can breathe in fresh air, have an opportunity to get that exercise, and you avoid cellphones, as you can’t ride a bike and look at that cell. You can talk (to each other), and then come to school more alert and ready to go in the morning!” Wa l k i n g o r b i k i n g h o m e , t h e superintendent added, “gives you a chance to calmly reflect” on the day’s events. “So, I encourage all of you, if you are not already (walking or biking to school), See SAFETY/ Page 17
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(Continued from Page 14) necessary is because by law, county taxes are determined based on real market value rather than assessed value.” While Levinsky told this newspaper that the County Tax Board has until Dec. 31 to release the “Abstract of Ratables,” typically the board releases the document by mid-October. When this newspaper queried the county spokesman as to why the board has not yet released the data, he responded, “To answer your other question about why the Abstract of Ratables is not yet posted, Washington Township’s rates are not yet approved because New Jersey is reviewing a defeated school district budget that impacts them.” “Again, without rates for all 40 towns, by law the Tax Board cannot approve and publish the abstract of ratables,” maintained Levinsky, also pointing out to this newspaper that in general, schools represent the larger portion of tax bills. (The Washington Township School District is facing a $942,000 shortfall, as previously reported by this newspaper, and it is something that district is still trying to address.) Pe mb e r ton Tow n sh ip D e mo c r at i c Council President Donovan Gardner, during Pemberton Township Council’s budget discussions, further explained that the municipal tax levy is separate from the school tax levy, and that a resident had mentioned to him the “percentage is going to go up” for the schools as well, and asked Hornickel if he could “add” what the school impact would be to provide for one figure in the rise in taxes for Pemberton Township residents. While Hornickel said he could not provide a total figure as the school district budget is
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separate from the municipal budget, “it is ugly for the school district and the township – the school district (tax levy increase) is 9 percent, ours is 5.” “It is not pretty,” he added. In an earlier presentation to Pemberton Council, Yacovelli, who recently joined the Pemberton School District as its business administrator, and has been a school business administrator for the past 19 years, pointed to a “substantial, substantial amount of state aid lost” to the school district through “S-2 legislation adopted in 2018,” which was enacted by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, and it essentially revised the school funding formula. Through that revised for mula, the district’s “adjustment aid has had to be reduced over a seven-year phase in cycle.” T he c u r re nt 2023 -24 s chool ye a r, according to Yacovelli, “represents year six of seven of that phasing cycle,” and, including the 2023-24 school year, the Pemberton School District has “lost just under $17 million in state aid.” Adjustment aid to the district, starting in the 2018-19 school year, was reduced by 5 percent, and now, in the 2023-24 school year, aid has been reduced by 76 percent, he said. The Pember ton distr ict compr ises Pemberton Township and Pemberton Borough. In the legislation, there is a “municipal overburden” exemption, the school business administrator explained, that “compares the total tax rate for the municipality, and takes the school tax rate, county and municipal tax rate, and compares it with the state average tax rate.” “What does that mean for Pemberton Township?” Yacovelli asked. “When the state aid figures were released, (Superintendent) Mr. (Jeff) Havers and I reviewed those numbers, the state-aid differential, which is calculated aid vs. actual aid, and we are not spending above adequacy, and spending
under. We are $950,000 under adequacy. So, according to the funding formula, there are no cuts in state aid for Pemberton Township.” Pemberton Borough, however, is a “different case,” in which it is “spending above adequacy,” and “so, we have to apply that 76 percent to $427,000, and we get a $325,117 state aid reduction, or Pemberton Borough is losing $325,000 in state aid.” “Also, in S-2,” noted Yacovelli, is “a term, ‘Local Fair Share (LFS),’ which looks at how much can a district afford to contribute to its adequacy budget, or the minimal amount, comparing equalized value versus aggregate income.” The township’s LFS, he said, is $25,322,287, while the borough’s is $1,627,288. “Add those two LFS amounts, and the total LFS for the Pemberton district is just under $27 million,” the school business administrator said. “So, that is what the state is saying our minimum tax levy should be to contribute towards our adequacy budget.” In emphasizing that the district is in “year six of S-2,” or that the full phase-in has not yet occurred, the 2023-24 school district $111 million budget calls for a tax levy of $22 million, “which leaves a balance of $4.8 million less than the LFS.” In describing “what this means for the local taxpayers,” Yacovelli said a home assessed at the township average will see a tax increase of $204 for the year, or what amounts to $16.99 per month. (For the borough, the average assessed home of $184,059 will see a rise in taxes of $4.89 per month.) Still, however, the tax increases don’t fully balance the school district budget. Yacovelli noted that the district withdrew $1 million from its maintenance account earlier this year to fund several projects, including for sewer system maintenance and repairs, HVAC equipment repairs and maintenance, sidewalk/parking lot maintenance and repairs, gym floor refinishing, roof maintenance
and repairs, door hardware maintenance and repairs, and fire safety equipment maintenance and repairs. The school budget also includes federal grant funds or use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) III funding, put towards HVAC work at Newcomb and Helen Fort middle schools, as well as at Pemberton Township High School, in addition to funding certain personnel, after school enrichment and aides in kindergarten classrooms. Reductions for the 2023-24 school year, according to Yacovelli, “came by way of just over a $1 million through salaries and benefits.” Specifically, six full-time staff members were eliminated through attrition and the “remaining savings achieved through breakage,” the latter, he said, is defined as the “difference in salary of budgeted staff versus higher budgeted staff who they replaced, who retired or resigned.” (It was later announced by Havers that a “new type of stabilization aid” was approved by the Legislature and enacted by the governor (following outcry earlier this year around the state about certain school districts having lost substantial aid), restoring 66 percent of the original cut in aid for the 2023-24 school year, but that the amount salvaged this year will still, as of now, be cut the following school year with the funding formula still in effect. He further pointed out more than $5 million is still scheduled for cuts over the next two years. And when asked by this newspaper whether the 9 percent increase in the tax levy was still continued in light of the stabilization aid, Havers responded, “The state, pausing the reduction of $325,117, was certainly helpful in order to help us maintain services for students and to offset the challenges we face with rising costs. The See LEVY/ Page 17
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MARKETPLACE/JOB BOARD ♦ Page 17
AUTOMOBILES/TRUCKS
FALL CLEANUPS
HAULING
LAWYERS
Cash Paid for Your Car. Looking to buy better than junk cars. Call 1-866-261-5277. We come to you.
Fall cleanups, lawn cutting, and gutter cleaning. Shrub pruning and some tree work, along with hauling. Free estimates=reasonable rates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.
Household appliances. Televisions, furniture, etc. for disposal or transport. Garage and yard cleanups along with lawn cutting and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.
Erwin Apell Attorney, Browns Mills. All legal matters - free hotline 24/7. Visa, Mastercard. Call 609-220-3059 or email Erwinapell@gmail.com .
CA$H
FURNITURE REPAIR
PAID FOR YOUR CAR
Adam’s Furniture Restoration, LLC. Fully insured. Furniture repair, kitchen cabinet refinishing, touch-ups, and in-home services. Call 1-856-979-6210. Visit www.facebook. com/adamsfurnres .
CAREGIVER
HAULING
Caregiver companion for elderly and sick people, by Polish woman, 24/7. Please call or leave message. 20 years’ experience and has a car. Call 856-879-8410.
Anything We Haul It Estates – Attics – Basements – SafePlaces Odd Jobs –Yardwork – Hedges Removed/Pools Removed Demolitions, Sheds, Etc. Call 609-694-9356
SAFETY
(Continued from Page 15) to talk to your parents about it,” Havers said. “Some of you may be too far away, or some of you obviously don’t have the sidewalks you need right now, but talk to them to see if it is an option. And as you see the sidewalks being installed and curbs being put in, it is going to provide more and more opportunities ….” John F. Schmidt, current principal of Emmons, who was the principal of Busansky at the time the Safe Routes to School opportunity was first pursued, said that during his time at Busansky he “saw firsthand how the students who walked or biked” to the school were “more energized and ready to learn in the morning.” “It is because they get that fresh air, and they are ready to go and feel good about themselves,” said Schmidt, who recounted having walked to school for all 12 years of his elementary, middle and high school education while living in Willingboro. Schmidt also pointed to when Busansky held “Walk to School Events” with parents and students during his tenure at the school, having observed the “exciting opportunity” giving “students a chance to connect and socialize with each other without technology.” “This opportunity for connection and socialization provides the means for us to get to know each other on a more personal level,” he said. “It is important.” The current principal of Busansky, Keith Swaney, told those gathered on Oct. 12 that “our highest priority is the safety of our students” and that the
LEVY
(Continued from Page 16) district continued with the 9 percent increase because we are below what the state has indicated is our Local Fair Share, and we are still targeted with another $5.5 million in cuts over the next two years.” Jeannie Mignella, a spokeswoman for the school district, confirmed that the final school budget figure, after the stabilization aid was factored in, is $111,943,569 with the tax levy $22,075,579, leaving a balance less than the LFS of $4,883,996.) ) “The taxpayers are getting whammied by the township, and are getting whammied even bigger by the Board of Education this year,” concluded Detrick, with Hornickel
school “appreciates the investment the department has made to help provide safe walking and biking routes to and from school.” He noted that, currently, the school has about 70 of approximately 300 students, or around 20 percent, who live in the current walking zone. Once the Safe Routes to School-funded improvements are completed, GutierrezScaccetti (who is now also Murphy’s chief of staff and is due to leave her NJDOT post in January), indicated her hope to see those statistics rise dramatically. “You are our customer; you are the boss,” the transportation commissioner told the pupils. “And you make sure that we do the right thing for each of you. So, it is important for us to also be an example. And when we have a town, like Pemberton, that does such a good job at building out safe routes to school, you will become an example for other towns so they can apply for grants, and they can do the same thing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if throughout the State of New Jersey, we can build safe routes to school for the other 565 municipalities? That is the goal. “Your community is going to be an example, and will lead the way for us in showing people just how important it is to apply for these grants. That is the job of the adults. But the part you have to worry about is making sure that once we build them, you use them. Is that a deal? Can we shake on that?” “And if you do that for me, I promise – and I keep my promises – we will continue to make sure Pemberton has what it needs to complete this project, and bring it home successfully for all of you and your classmates.” emphasizing, for the municipal side of things, “I just want the public to know that the proposed tax increase is $793,000, and of that, $329,000 is for debt service, $310,000 is for pensions and social security costs, and $189,000 is for utilities – costs of which are outside the control of the administration.” Hornickel acknowledged, in response to a question from Detrick, the 5 percent increase in the municipal tax levy is the largest he has had to implement in his now over four years with the township. Following approval of the municipal budget, council voted to re-appropriate $750,388 “in excess proceeds from various bond ordinances not needed for their original purposes” for various 2023 capital improvements, with Ward calling on officials to use the re-appropriated funds “expeditiously.”
HOME HEALTH AIDE Experienced certified home health aide. Companion and caregiver. References available. Call or text Cindy 609-227-9873.
Full-Time Custodial Position
Custodians are responsible to maintain Common buildings in a neat, clean and orderly condition, cleaning All Common area Facilities, hallways, offices, fitness center, restrooms, showers, and pool areas; emptying waste baskets and handling trash/recyclable. Also assist in setups for meetings/events, unlock and lock buildings, assist with snow removal, etc. May need to work weekends as needed for special events, as needed. JOB DUTIES ALSO INCLUDE: • Floor and carpet care: sweeping, vacuuming, wet-mopping, stripping/waxing, refinishing, extracting, shampooing, etc. • Clean walls and ceilings: washing, wiping, dusting, disinfecting, deodorizing, etc. • Clean interior windows/mirrors in common areas, bathrooms, and entrance/exit ways • Clean exterior windows • Clean/polish furnishings, fixtures, ledges, room heating/cooling units as needed Work schedule: Monday through Friday 7-3:30 QUALIFICATIONS • High School diploma or equivalent. • Minimum of 6 months’ experience in institutional/commercial cleaning. • Valid NJ driver’s license in a good standing. • Working knowledge of cleaning products & procedures. • Working knowledge of cleaning equipment, small tractors, gators or similar equipment and snow removal equipment, such as blowers. • Custodians are considered essential personnel therefore required to be available for snow removal and other essential duties as assigned. • Physically fit to lift/move items up to 50 pounds on regular basis. BENEFITS: • Health Insurance, Dental, Vision • 401K
Please contact caa@leisuretowne.org with your resume, applications online on our website, once can also be secured at the front Association Office.
Pine Grove Plaza
Association, Inc.
102 S. Plymouth Ct, Southampton, NJ 08088
Pine Grove Tenants
Shopping Center
18 BROADWAY, BROWNS OWNS MILLS, MILLS NEW JERSEY 0801 08015
PINE GROVE DRY CLEANERS
TOP NAIL SALON
WWW.WHLR.US RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
757-627-9088
HAPPY TAP SPIRITS
LIQUOR WINE BEER
ALBA PIZZA
Page 18 ♦
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Local BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE
ATTORNEY
LAW OFFICE OF KIT APPLEGATE
Making Old Tubs Look New! Tub and Tile Tii Glazing
VINCENTOWN, NJ
(609) 228-5750 GENERAL PRACTICE ATTORNEY SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF LEISURETOWNE SERVING THE SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES OF SOUTH JERSEY HOME AND OFFICE VISITS AVAILABLE FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION ESTATE PLANNING PACKAGES STARTING AT $500
• • Countert rtop t Refinishing
Quiles Quality Tubs
Free Estimates • Fully Insured Commercial/Residential • 10% Senior and Veteran Discouunt
Over 10 Years Experience
Please don’t hesitate to call for more information: (609) 228-5750 or www.kitapplegatelaw.com
ELECTRICAL BERRIES & BEAUTY Phone (609) 859-2424 License HIC 13VH00274200 NJ State License #8759
Fax (609) 859-0941 Cell (609) 820-0292
524 Lakehurst Rd. (Rt. 530) Browns Mills, NJ 08015 609-893-8614 INC. Tuesday By Appointment Heating & Air Conditioning Thurs. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Joseph Scialabbo Sr. Sat. 8 - 2 p.m. Licensed Master Electrician 143 Red Lion Rd. Cranberries & Blueberries In Season Joseph.S@Shamrock-Inc.com Box 2537 Fresh Cranberries ForP.O. Sale www.shamrock-inc.com Vincentown, NJ 08088
SHAMROCK
G G && G G
DIETITIAN/NUTRITIONIST Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
Certified Diabetes Care & Education Spe ecialist Integrative & Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner 53 S South th M Main i St Street, t 3 3rd d Fl Floor Medford, NJ 08055 609-7726-11407 • Lizamisson7@verizon.n net In-person or Telleh heallth h appoiintments!! Accepts many insurances, as well as self-p pay. Experienced with Diabetes, Gastrointestinal & Autoimmmune Conditions, Heart Disease, Weight Management, Liver & Kidney Diseases, Cancer and Other Health Conditions. lizamissonintegrativenutritionist.com
• Communications & Fire Alarms • Communications & Fire Alarms • Controls & Special Systems • Controls & Special Systems • Site Utilities • Site Utilities
Bucket Truck Bucket Truck && Excavator Service Excavator Service
609-268-3 3181 181 609-268-3 3 Tabernacle, NJ NJ 08088 08088 Tabernacle,
NJ ELEC LIC. #17352 NJ HIC LIC. #13VH06386900 PA HIC LIC. # PA103855
JEFF PEREZ Owner/Operator
2127 Suite D, Route 206, Southampton, NJ 08088
www.paradisesolarllc.com
MASONRY
Lawn Cutting, Fertilization & Bed Maintenance Landscape, Shrub & Tree Installation
It's Time to Check Your Chimney!
Office: 609-268-1211 • Text: 856-297-5200 Email: classic@mygogreen.com • www.MyGoGreen.com
“We Provide a View for You to Come Home To” Credit C reditt C Cards ards Accepted Acceepted NJ Lic. 13VHO1135600
PAINTING
Pest Lic. 98445A
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL Whole House Generators Backhoe & Bucket Truck Service A+ BBB Rating • FREE Estimates
609-894-9014
RUSS HUBSCHMAN
www.bearelectricco.com
OWNER • LIC# 9924
ELECTRICAL Fax (609) 859-0941 Cell (609) 820-0292
SHAMROCK Heating & Air Conditioning
INC.
tel: 609 • 801 • 2420 Email: jperez@paradise-solar-energy.com
LANDSCAPING
In Business Over 25 Years
SINCE 1989
Phone (609) 859-2424 License HIC 13VH00274200 NJ State License #8759
•Sales •Service •Installation Since 1991 - NJ LIC. #7025A Since 1991 - NJ LIC. #7025A
ELECTRICAL
Liz Amisson, MS RDN CDCES IFNCP
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
• Electrical Construction • Electrical Construction • Security & Access Control • Security & Access Control • Site Lightting & Control • Site Lightting & Control
NJ Lic. #0450332322
Call Jorge 609-752-2308 • Email quilesqualitytubs@yahoo.com
ELECTRICAL/SOLAR
ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL
BATHTUB REFINISHING
Joseph Scialabbo Sr. Licensed Master Electrician Joseph.S@Shamrock-Inc.com www.shamrock-inc.com
143 Red Lion Rd. P.O. Box 2537 Vincentown, NJ 08088
OFFICE SOLUTIONS
WE ALSO SELL
We Offer Expert Chimney Repairs and Free Chimney Inspections. Call for Appointments!
Murphys Office Solutions
• INSTALL • REPAIR • REPLACE
shipping • printing • copy • fax
MASONRY AND CONCRETE • Brick • Block • Stucco • Stone • Concrete
The Solid Choice Since 1975!
Call 856-268-7013 No Job Too Small!
Lic. 13 28420 • Lic. 19000 132842
PEST CONTROL
murphysofficesolutions@gmail.com 609-694-5842 111 Pemberton-Browns Mills Rd. Browns Mills, NJ 08015
PET SERVICES
1603 Route 206, Tabernacle, NJ 08088
Phone: (609) 535-5201 Email: bbpetsalon@yahoo.com 125 Red Lion Road Southampton, NJ 08088
Visit Us Online!
BUSINESS DIRECTORY ♦ Page 19
AD HOTLINE: (609) 801-2392
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Local BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY PUBLIC ADJUSTERS
ROOFING ASPHALT PAVING
ROOFING
PROPERT Y DAMAGE?
WE BEAT EVERY WRITTEN OFFER...
WE BEAT EVERY WRITTEN OFFER...
Call Joe First!
Joseph R. Moore Jr. Public Adjusters, LLC
609-330-2292
P.O. Box 326 Medford, NJ 08055
Guaranteed Return Phone Call Within 24 Hours!
Owned & Operated By Dave Mikulski Lic.#13H01716900
NOW CallCALL 609-268-9200
for No Money Down Financing Options!
609-457-3959
email: joe@joemoorepublicadjusters.com JoeMoorePublicAdjusters.com
Operates in All of South Jersey Specializing in Roofing and Gutters FREE Estimates Fully Insured • Roofing • Siding ••Gutters • Paving
Personalized service for homeowners claims: FIRE • SMOKE E • WIND IND • WATER WATE ER • FLOOD FL OD • ETC. ET TC.
DIAMOND ROOFING
Has Been in Business For Over 35 Years
Operates from Sunrise to Sunset
Proud to be Local Women Owned Small Business NM-00497209
OFFERING FREE ESTIMATES HIC# 13VH11412400
DIAMOND ROOFING
Has Been in Business For Over 35 Years
Guaranteed Return Phone Call Within 24 Hours!
Owned & Operated By Dave Mikulski Lic.#13H01716900
Call 609-268-9200
Operates in All of South Jersey Specializing in Roofing and Gutters FREE Estimates • Fully Insured Operates from Sunrise to Sunset
OFFERING FREE ESTIMATES
TREE SERVICES
TOWING
N.J. Lic. #NJTC768133
TREE SERVICES
TREE SERVICES
Reynolds & Sons Tree Service
Land Clearing
Removals
WELL SERVICES Firewood
“Professional Quality Service is a Family Tradition”
Serving Burlington County for 33 Years Fully Insured
Expert Tree Care Landscaping
Free Estimates
Firewood
Medford Area 609-654-1900
Mt. Laurel 856-234-3453
ERROR
(Continued from Page 3) the apparent typo on the tax map, as well as Township Solicitor Christopher Orlando and Acting Township Manager Lavon Phillips for “working to make sure we could get it changed so people could get their mail and everything else they need to get at Canterbury Court.” McMahon, when contacted by the Pine
Pemberton 609-893-9329
P.O. Box 311 Medford, N.J. 08055 Robert H. Griscom Fully Insured NJTC768766
Barrens Tribune and asked how the change had been facilitated, explained that “the homeowners on the street came to me, and I gave it to the council to look and decide if they wanted to change it.” The original development, she noted, “had it without the ‘r.’ “That is the way they have it in the applications, plans, all documentation,” she said. Those came from “a bunch of builders,” McMahon added, who put up the homes
(609) 654-6602
NJ Lic. 13VH06395500 during the early 1980s. But the change, she said, won’t become official until 20 days after passage of the ordinance, which will be on Halloween, after which yet another street sign replacement will need to be facilitated. The assessor, who said she’d never before been involved with anything of this nature, added that “once they get approval for the spelling of a street name they have to stick with it,” as does everyone thereafter.
Keith Abrams Lic# 1283
According to a posting found on the Internet from the Kings Grant Open Space Association, the land now occupied by the development, consisting of nearly 2,500 acres of woodland, was bequeathed some 300 years ago by King James II of England to “a friend of the crown.” It was then left “uninhabited, untouched and unspoiled,” until becoming the “planned urban development” of Kings Grant in 1974, with nearly a third of its acreage remaining open space.
Page 20 ♦
LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES
WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM
Saturday, October 21, 2023
FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Please register early. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.
VAPING: GET THE FACTS Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 6 p.m. Location: Zoom Meeting The use of e-cigarettes skyrocketed in recent years under the incorrect thought that they were safer and contained fewer toxic chemicals than regular cigarettes. We now know that once inhaled, these harmful products have ingredients that can damage the lungs and can also cause many other physical and psychological symptoms from cardiovascular effects to nausea, flu-like symptoms and decline in sexual performance. Join DR. DOLLY PATEL, a board certified and fellowship trained pulmonologist from Capital Health Pulmonology Specialists, to get the facts about vaping.
BRAIN FOG CAUSES AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT Thursday, November 9, 2023 | 6 p.m. Location: Zoom Meeting Forgetfulness, lack of mental clarity, loss of motivation, and an inability to concentrate are associated with a non-medical condition broadly identified as “brain fog.” Join DR. EMIL MATARESE, director of our Concussion Program and board certified neurologist at Capital Institute for Neurosciences, to learn about the cognitive impact of COVID-19 and other conditions and treatment options to help dissipate the fog.
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS: COPING WITH SCHOOL SHOOTINGS: TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILD Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting
SMALL STEP STRATEGIES FOR PREDIABETES Monday, November 20, 2023 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting
OVERCOMING LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION Thursday, November 30, 2023 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting