Pine Barrens Tribune Dec. 17, 2022 - January 6, 2023

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A “hypothetical study” looking at the “potential” for future redevelopment along the “PembertonBrowns Mills Road Corridor,” with a specific focus on the now-vacant and dilapidated main campus of Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) [also formerly known as Burlington County College [(BCC)], has been completed with its results presented to Pemberton Township Council during its

Dec. 7 meeting.

The study, which looked at PembertonBrowns Mills Road from the Pemberton Township border with Pemberton Borough to the start of Browns Mills, the township’s “downtown” area, according to Architectural Planner Michael Kinney, of the firm Looney Ricks Kiss (LRK) with offices in Philadelphia, determined that “not a lot of areas can be developed along here because it is so environmentally impacted.”

That being said, however, one of the

“conclusions” reached through the study is that the former RCBC campus is “one of the largest areas along this corridor that can be developed because of pre-existing building” there.

Discussion of possible redevelopment, particularly on the former college tract, however, resulted in some tense clashes following the presentation between residents, a school board member and members of the all-Democratic council. See CORRIDOR/ Page 8

Crowd Comes Out to Protest Proposal for Senior Complex in Browns Mills

Opponents Cite Unsafe Road, Stress on Limited Resources, Inadequacy of Infrastructure, Leveling of 700-Acre Forest

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—If a plan to build hundreds of units of senior housing on a site now occupied by nearly 700 wooded acres off Lakehurst Road, on the edge of the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township, has accomplished nothing else, it appears to have united many residents of this admittedly problem-plagued municipality in opposition to the proposal.

That, at least, was the take-away from a three-hour-long special meeting of the township Planning Board at the Helen A. Fort Middle School on the night of Dec. 13, which perhaps as many as 150 members of the public came out to attend on a frigid evening two weeks before Christmas (in spite of warnings to avoid crowded indoor venues during a “tripledemic” of respiratory illness), in a seeming show of solidarity against the proposed Liberty Woods development.

If anyone was under the impression that the board members would vote on the project’s fate at the session’s conclusion, however, they were advised to the contrary by Township Planner David Banisch, who announced that this would just be the first

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

Former site of Rowan College at Burlington County in Pemberton Township.

Sponsored by Zallie’s ShopRite of Medford

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—Whether Tabernacle Town Hall, a historical building which sits on a prominent corner lot in the center of town, but is currently in disrepair and closed, should be restored and reopened as Tabernacle Township’s municipal building, or simply restored in some limited capacity, if at all, and whether the municipality should move ahead with its purchase of a 19-acre parcel at 144 Carranza Road, referred to by some individuals as a “flag lot” due to its purported significant frontage, for

the purposes of erecting a new municipal complex, is something the Tabernacle Township Committee has still yet to decide.

But as the one-year anniversary of town hall’s closure approaches, two former Tabernacle mayors, Joseph Barton and Rick Franzen, have publicly indicated that they have several questions and concerns about the township committee’s current plan to possibly erect new facilities, including a township building, at 144 Carranza Road. And they are not the only ones, apparently. This coming Monday, Dec. 19, as the

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari Tabernacle Town Hall.

WEEK before Christmas

Time flies in December! Now, there’s only one week left before Christmas. Even if you’ve been preparing for a while, here are a few things you may still need to do in the coming days:

Make desserts to serve at your party or enjoy in the coming days

• Clean and organize your home so it’s ready for entertaining

• Go to the grocery store to buy fresh and perishable foods

• Take a moment for yourself to enjoy this festive and joyous time

Sponsored by Zallie’s ShopRite of Medford

Police Officer Resigns After Accusations of Illegally Accessing More than 2,800 RCBC Email Accounts, Sending Nude Photos

More Than 87 Charges Are Brought Against Former Cop in ‘Hacking Case’

EVESHAM—A former Mount Laurel Township police officer who was charged in October with hacking into the social media accounts of an Evesham Township woman and distributing her nude pictures has been charged with victimizing multiple other women in a similar manner.

Ayron Taylor, 22, of Delran, was taken into custody on Nov. 30 and released Dec. 2 following a first appearance in Superior Court in Mount Holly, according to a press release from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Taylor faces 87 new charges that accuse him of illegally accessing the social media and email accounts of 18 additional women, and in several instances, distributing their nude photos to people on their contact lists.

The complaints allege 28 counts of seconddegree crimes that include computer criminal activity and distribution of child pornography, which was brought against him because some of the photos he accessed were taken before the victims became legal adults. The remaining 59 counts are third degree charges including elements of computer theft and other cyber-related crimes.

An investigation began in September after the initial victim contacted the Evesham Township Police Department to report that her Snapchat and Facebook accounts had been hacked by an unknown person who then sent nude photos she had taken of

herself to her Snapchat contacts, messaged them to her Facebook friends, and posted them on her Facebook wall.

The investigation determined the commonality among all victims was that each one had a student email account through Rowan College of Burlington County (RCBC). The investigation further determined that Taylor illegally accessed more than 2,800 RCBC email accounts.

Some of this activity reportedly occurred while he was on duty with the Mount Laurel Police Department and sitting in his patrol car, utilizing personal electronic devices.

Taylor became a full-time officer in Mount Laurel, according to the prosecutor’s office, after graduating from the police academy in October 2021. The department suspended him following the initial charges and began measures to terminate his employment.

He has since resigned from the force.

RCBC officials have been cooperative with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

“This is a repugnant cyber intrusion of privacy against the college and, especially, many of our students,” declared RCBC President Dr. Michael A. Cioce through a statement provided to this newspaper. “Rowan College at Burlington County immediately strengthened network security upon the first report of the incident.

Shamong Governing Body Authorizes Street Sign Refurbishing Project, Formally Approves Purchase of $777,379 Custom Pumper Fire Truck

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG—When entering Shamong Township, you might soon take a glance at one of six signs welcoming you there and notice something is different about them. That is because the Shamong Township Committee on Dec. 6 awarded ID Sign and Lighting, LLC, of Egg Harbor Township, $10,358 for a “street sign refurbishing project.”

“The ‘Welcome to Shamong signs are all looking tattered, torn and tired,” said Shamong Township Administrator and Clerk Susan Onorato. “So, we want to get them cleaned up and repaired.”

The project will also include replacing a sign for the Lexington Ridge development that was taken out by a car “over a year ago.” That particular replacement will be done using an insurance reimbursement, according to Onorato.

While a purchase order had already been turned in to Fire & Safety Services, Ltd., of South Plainfield, for a new Pierce custom pumper fire truck, a resolution memorializing the purchase was approved by the Shamong Committee during its Dec. 6 session.

The final sale price for the new fire truck is $777,379.29, according to the resolution, with a $48,000 trade-in credit being provided for a 2000 KME pumper that is being replaced after approaching the end of its useful life, as defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

As previously reported by this newspaper, the township is contributing $677,379.29 (by floating a bond) toward the expenditure, while the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company is making a $100,000 contribution

towards the purchase (covering a down payment).

The fire truck purchase was one of the largest ones anticipated in the 2022 municipal budget, with work now beginning on the 2023 municipal budget.

In previewing what is to come, Onorato revealed that the township is facing a 21 to 23 percent increase in health benefits for 2023, or what amounts to an approximately $44,000 increase.

However, some staffing changes have allowed the salaries to “go down by $4,000, instead of going up $38,000,” which she said “offsets the increase” anticipated for health benefits. Additionally, the township’s pension contribution, she noted, is expected to come down by 10 percent, or some $9,700.

Still, the township is faced with other added costs, including a some $68,000 a year annual payment on the new fire truck, in addition to a payment towards its road program debt.

“Check your corners for whatever you can find,” said Onorato of the township currently analyzing its anticipated budget for additional cost savings.

Onorato also revealed that Shamong is in the process of renegotiating a shared services agreement for municipal court with nearby Medford Lakes Borough “so that the numbers are a little bit more favorable.”

“We are feeling the pinch,” she said of the current arrangement, which she maintained has been exacerbated by Shamong not having a local police department, but instead using the services of the New Jersey State Police for law enforcement.

The Shamong governing body also

NJ

Taylor

Victim of ‘Bad Accident’ Calls for Fixes to Three Dangerous Intersections in Pemberton, with Mayor Revealing Study Underway for One Junction

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A victim of a recent “bad accident” in which she purports “someone ran a stop sign” is calling on Pemberton Township officials to address three notoriously dangerous intersections in the municipality, including two that have been the site of recent fatal collisions.

America Philips, a regular attendee of Pemberton Township Council meetings, is calling on the governing body and administration to improve the intersections of County Route 530 and Route 70, Spring Lake Boulevard and Route 70 as well as Tennessee Trail and New Hampshire Road.

Her calls have grown louder since both August and October, when she first demanded that action be taken.

“On Thanksgiving Day, there was a very bad accident at Tennessee Trail and New Hampshire Road,” said Philips to Pemberton Council during its Dec. 7 meeting. “That is the third accident that has occurred there.”

Currently, the intersection, which is part of a residential area in the Presidential Lakes section of the township, is regulated by a two-way yield sign.

“And that doesn’t mean beans to the people,” Philips declared. “People race. It is like a speed highway there!”

Philips said racing in the area starts “very early” in the day, and is especially bad on Thursday nights. Of great concern to her, she explained, is the “little ones,” pointing out that four school buses make stops in Presidential Lakes, near the intersection.

“In the future, I am wondering if you can put a four-way stop sign there to avoid another bad accident,” said Philips in making a request to local officials.

Councilman Donovan Gardner inquired as to the specifics of the intersection. Pemberton Mayor David Patriarca later told this newspaper, when asked if this particular intersection will be addressed, that the matter has been “brought to the Pemberton Township Police Department and our engineers to consider solutions.”

Philips, also on Dec. 7, pointed out that there have been very bad accidents she has heard about (some of which have been fatal) at Spring Lake Boulevard and Route 70, in addition to where Routes 530 and 70 come together.

“Please work together as a team and we can probably save a life in the future,” said

Philips in making a plea to council.

Philips previously called for a jughandle to be installed for eastbound traffic wishing to make a left turn onto Spring Lake Boulevard from Route 70. She was told by a Pemberton official that the township engineer reached out to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to “ask for a left turn lane traveling east toward Toms River into Spring Lake Boulevard.”

Being able to safely make a lefthand turn into the Country Lakes section of Pemberton is a concern “shared” by the township, it was told to Philips, one that local officials “have heard from a couple of residents.”

“They will do a study and let us know,” Philips was previously told by a Pemberton official.

Spring Lake Boulevard, which had been considered one of Pemberton’s roughest thoroughfares, was repaved in August, Patriarca pointed out, noting over a mile was paved by the township’s Public Works Department, or what amounted to “over 5,900 linear feet of paving.” Officials previously advised they were looking into adding “rumble strips and an illuminated advanced warning sign.”

Patriarca later told this newspaper that the “signage has been looked at” and “determined to already be in place.”

“They determined not only the signage was in place, but it was before the intersection,” he added.

On Dec. 7, Philips suggested that a “traffic light” be installed at the intersection of County Route 530 and Route 70 to solve the dilemma there.

“There is a study underway between the county engineer and state highway department NJDOT for that intersection to determine how best to handle that – whether reconstructing the intersection, teeing it off, or adding a light or whatever,” replied Patriarca.

The mayor previously noted that the township has been “trying for years to get somebody to look at this intersection” and that the state “finally gave in” to doing a study “to potentially and hopefully realign that roadway.” He contended the intersection only requires a “small alignment” and that he “doesn’t believe they have to all that much to straighten it out.”

“Hopefully, in the near future, we’ll see a change in that intersection there,” Patriarca added.

Shamong Committee Targets January for Launch of Meeting Livestream, But Expresses Hesitancy in Allowing for Public Comment Through Zoom

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG—New equipment has been installed in the meeting room for the Shamong Township Committee, enabling the governing body to livestream its meetings to the public via Zoom, providing an alternative to one having to attend sessions in person.

After the upgrades to enable a “hybridmeeting format” were advertised as a move towards “transparency” last month, the township committee, this month, however, has indicated its reluctance in allowing online viewers of its meetings to make public comments out of concern that one may overtake the meeting or do something inappropriate, though no definite decision was reached.

Township Administrator and Clerk Susan Onorato, who revealed the $10,722 in upgrades by Haverford Systems, Inc. were mostly completed by Dec. 2, suggested to the governing body during its Dec. 6 meeting that it will begin livestreaming in January to coincide with its annual advertisement of public meetings.

But as for allowing public comments to be made over Zoom, she declared, “my

biggest fear is someone with a demented mind taking over the controls.”

“There are a lot of crazy people out there,” she added.

Committeeman Chris Zehnder expressed his agreement with the township administrator, asserting, “it is not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when.’”

“I am a little hesitant to allow them (the public attending online) full interaction,” Zehnder added. “I think if you have something to say, it is far more effective to show up.”

Committeeman Brian Woods said if one “gets angry or happy” with what they are watching, he is sure they can just “jump in the car and get here on time.”

Deputy Mayor Michael Di Croce, leading the meeting in the absence of Mayor Timothy Gimbel, noted that other possible options are to allow the public watching online to send their public comments through email, or having someone wishing to make a public comment “raise their hand” in the remote platform, or type their remarks into an accompanying chat.

Some towns that offer Zoom participation

Vandals Flip Portable Toilet Containers and Cut Tire Swing at Prickett’s Mill Park, Causing Officials to Install Cameras

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—Officials are investigating “disgusting” vandalism that has reportedly occurred in the last couple of months at Prickett’s Mill Park in Tabernacle Township.

According to Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown, individuals, with her having strong suspicions that it might be “kids,” have been taking portable toilet containers maintained by Bob Drayton Inc., also known as Mr. Bob, and “flipping them upside down, causing sewage to run all over the place.”

Some of the portable toilet containers have also had graffiti painted on them, she noted, in addition to a tire swing having been “cut up and destroyed.”

The vandalism to the portable toilet containers has required of Mr. Bob, she said, to perform multiple cleanups, which has been billed to the township, while the tire swing had to be replaced.

“If someone sees something, say something,” said Brown, noting that the state police have since been asked to perform “random checks” of the area.

Brown asked the governing body to

consider having the individuals responsible for the crimes pay for the repairs and cleanups, and in the case of any minors doing it, their parents or guardians.

“I definitely want the responsible party to pay for it, but I don’t know how they will get caught, unless someone rats them out,” replied Committeeman Mark Hartman.

Mayor Samuel “Sammy” Moore suggested that the township “buy cheap cameras and set them up” in the park.

“Basically, hide them until we can get someone identified,” said Moore of his suggestion.

The Tabernacle committee arrived at consensus to do just that, with Moore further suggesting that Brown have some posters posted in the park warning guests that they are subject to video surveillance so that whoever might want to vandalize the park “will think about it.”

“It is really a shame to have something like this,” Brown declared. “It is disappointing. We provide nice parks for our residents, and this is costing the taxpayers every time we have to have Mr. Bob come out and clean everything.”

Moore asserted that such behavior is “disgusting on top of it.”

JANUARY 2023

Jan. 1

Train

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

Jan. 17

Trip to Casino Resorts

Location: Lumberton/Tabernacle (pick-up locations)

Details: The Pinelands Young at Heart Senior Club is sponsoring monthly casino trips to Atlantic City Resorts on the third Tuesday of each month. The price is $30, with $20 back to play at the casinos. The first pick-up is at 8:30 a.m., at the Lumberton Plaza, TD Bank parking lot. The second pick-up is at 9 a.m., at the Old Squad Building on Hawkins Rd. in Tabernacle. Enjoy drawings and Bingo games on the trip. Snacks and water are included. For more information, call John at 609-268-8951.

Events and special promotions happening locally this month!

To promote your February event on this page contact Jayne Cabrilla at 609-801-2392 or email jcabrilla@pinebarrenstribune.com

EVESHAM—Officers from the Evesham Township Police Department, as well as State Troopers, recently assisted in an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation in Burlington County that resulted in an arrest of a Mount Holly man last month and confiscation of a machine gun.

Evesham Police posted confirmation of their involvement in the federal investigation on Facebook, with both the Evesham and State Police’s assistance in the investigation mentioned in a press release.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, in connection with that investigation, announced that Cody Starr, 35, of Mount Holly, was charged Nov. 17 with firearms and narcotics offenses.

According to filed documents in the case and statements made in court, as relayed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of New Jersey, on Nov. 8, undercover agents met with Starr at his residence.

While reportedly armed with a machine gun, which was said to be a privately made firearm (PMF), Starr sold methamphetamine and three PMFs to the undercover agents.

Starr was charged by complaint with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a machine gun, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a

drug trafficking crime.

He made an initial appearance on Nov. 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal, in Camden Federal Court, and was detained without bail.

A PMF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office explained, is a firearm, including a frame or receiver, completed, assembled, or otherwise produced by a person other than a licensed manufacturer, and without a serial number placed by a licensed manufacturer at the time the firearm was produced.

“The charges described in this complaint include possessing a privately-made automatic weapon,” Sellinger said. “We are committed to protecting the community by prosecuting those who commit firearms offenses.”

The charge of drug distribution, the U.S. Attorney’s Office detailed, carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, with a potential maximum term of life in prison, and up to a $10 million fine.

The felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun each carry a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge, the U.S. Attorney’s Office added, carries a mandatory minimum term of incarceration of five years in prison, with a

McGinnis Resigns

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—Nancy K. McGinnis, who obtained a seat on the Tabernacle Township Committee after having bested her 18-year competitor by just one vote in a 2019 recount, has resigned from elected office just before her three-year term was due to expire on Dec. 31, the Pine Barrens Tribune has learned.

McGinnis, who was a 35-year co-owner of the landmark corner store that is in the center of Tabernacle, Nixon’s General Store, according to a resignation letter that was read aloud by Tabernacle Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown, resigned her elected position effective Nov. 1 because she “sold her house and is moving out of town.”

“It has been a blessing and a pleasure having lived in Tabernacle and served the community,” McGinnis wrote.

Despite McGinnis having been at odds with her colleagues on a number of different occasions during her lone term on the committee, including on key issues, Committeeman Robert Sunbury thanked McGinnis “for her serving the community and participating in our discussions and for bringing different ideas to the table.”

“I wish her all the best in her new home,” he added.

McGinnis later told this newspaper that she has since moved to Southampton

Township, “downsizing,” her home.

Tabernacle Mayor Samuel “Sammy” Moore explained that he has known McGinnis “for many years going back to her time with the store” and called serving on the committee with her a “pleasure.”

“And we have had a lot of good laughs together, and a lot of good times,” the Tabernacle mayor recounted. “I wish the best for you and Jack (McGinnis’ husband), and your endeavors.”

Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Kim Brown added that Nancy McGinnis’ lengthy time “in the community, volunteering and helping out, far outweighs her brief period of time on the committee.”

“She will be missed in the community,” Brown declared. “She has a kind heart, and we are going to miss her.”

McGinnis now owns JerseyShoreDelivers. com, a distribution company with a storefront and warehouse on Route 206 in Springfield Township where the Puppy Barn used to be.

During its Nov. 21 meeting, the Tabernacle Committee appointed William J. Sprague, Jr. to fill the vacancy. Sprague had already been on the November General Election ballot after McGinnis announced in the spring that she would not be seeking a second term. Sprague, reportedly a retired union carpenter from Philadelphia, ran unopposed for a three-year term beginning in January, garnering 2,309 votes.

from Tabernacle Committee After Selling House and Moving to Southampton; Sprague Fills Vacancy Left Behind

Rides Through the Woods of New Gretna

Location: Bass River Twp.

BurlCo Man Charged with Possession of Machine Gun and Drug Trafficking in ATF Investigation with Assistance Provided by Area Police Departments

Former Pemberton Boro Councilwoman’s Request for

Spot to be Removed Near End of Her Driveway is Met with Hesitancy Ward Says There Are ‘Swing’ and Visibility Issues Presented by Location; Sinking Manhole Covers and Crosswalk Problems Also Brought to Council

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—A former Pemberton Borough councilwoman is pleading with the current Pemberton Borough Council to remove a parking spot near the end of her driveway on Hanover Street, and give her “a little bit of an easement” there, maintaining she “has a situation that does not currently allow for the proper swing of a vehicle out of the driveway.”

However, the governing body has so far expressed some reluctance in granting the former councilwoman’s request, with Council President Bonnie Haines stating her fear it could “create another problem” with homes being renovated and new families moving into the borough, all as the municipality already has parking spaces reportedly in short supply.

According to former councilwoman Norma Ward, that is “the whole problem,” or that the parking spot at issue used to be rarely used, but now she fears it will be used on a regular basis.

“We haven’t had a large problem with it because it has been a commercial end of town, and now that we have a residence going in, there will be on-street, continual parking,” Ward explained.

Ward pointed out there are “12 parking spaces at that end of town, other than the one at end of my driveway.”

She maintained that the parking spot of concern is also “not swingable for a vehicle to drive out of there safely” and that one “does not have a good view” of traffic when pulling out of it.

“I am asking you to rectify it before there are any problems,” Ward told council. “Have that space taken away or shortened into a motorcycle space – have that space either taken out completely, or cut down to onethird of its size.”

Haines pointed out that a Public Works employee had “already shortened it,” to which Ward responded that the worker “put some paint there” and took about two feet off, but still, she maintained, “it is not enough to see safely or swing properly there.”

“I am not going to address the swing, because I don’t know,” Haines said. “You can’t see to get out of any of the side streets in Pemberton Borough when there are cars parked on the street. You just can’t. It is just an issue in town with on-street parking. I don’t know what the answer is to be honest with you, and I am hesitant to take away parking spaces.”

After explaining that the reason for her hesitancy was because of new families moving into town and a shortage of spaces, Haines surmised the situation Ward was experiencing is worse currently because of construction vehicles working in the area, expressing her belief the situation will improve when it “will be just cars” parking there.

“I am just hesitant to take away parking spaces,” Haines reiterated.

Borough Solicitor David Serlin reminded Ward that the county has jurisdiction over Hanover Street, being it is a countymaintained road, but Ward advised officials that the county has sought a recommendation from the local governing body.

“I have been a resident and business owner for years, and I am just asking for a little bit of an easement at the end of my driveway,” Ward said.

If council was not obliged to take the parking spot away completely, Ward suggested it either make it “economy-sized” or for the “handicap.”

Serlin responded that he “does not think” the council can make for an economy-sized vehicle spot, while Councilman Robert Brock

Parking

said of the latter suggestion, “everyone will then want one.”

“I want one, that is for sure,” Brock quipped.

Ward appeared to be somewhat distraught with the response she had received, with Councilman Terry Jerome returning to the topic a couple of minutes later.

“On the heels of the request, I would like us to consider what we can do – put our heads together – to ease this situation that may not put the rest of the town in jeopardy,” Jerome said. “I would not like to leave it a ‘dead issue,’ and would like us to see what we can come up with. I certainly don’t want to say this is the ‘end of the issue.’”

Haines said she “agreed.”

Ward, in describing the difficulties with parking in her area, pointed out that the county had even recently painted a parking spot right in front of her driveway (where it comes out to the street) and that she had to contact the county to remove it, which she reported that they ultimately did.

Also drawing concern at the latest Pemberton Borough Council meeting are manhole covers that have reportedly fallen in on roads in and around the borough, as well as a lack of crosswalks.

According to resident Margaret Burns, there are five manhole covers between St. John and Elizabeth streets and “when you hit them, you hear … boom.”

“People try to avoid them and go into oncoming traffic or swing off to the shoulder where pedestrians are trying to cross,” she maintained.

Mayor Harold Griffin replied that “it is the same thing” on North Pemberton Road, near a Wawa store. The manhole cover issues, he pointed out, are on county roads and “I want you to know we have addressed that with the county.”

“Out past the Wawa, it is like a jig-saw puzzle,” Griffin declared. “I have tried addressing it with the county and will try again.”

The mayor explained that he had suggested to the county that “when they pave the road, they somehow raise the manholes.” He also chided the county for not thinking about placing the manholes in the center of the road, rather in the travel lanes.

“I know they are not going to move them now, but if they thought about this from the beginning, they would not have had that problem,” Griffin declared.

Burns pointed out that “front-end alignments nowadays are expensive.” The resident, who said she was speaking on behalf of several others in the audience, also inquired as to why the borough does not have crosswalks on Hanover Street similar to that of other county towns, such as Moorestown and Medford, with a signal that is activated by the press of a button.

“I was down near Ely’s (Laundromat), and was in the middle of the road, and five cars blew by,” Burns described to council. “I don’t know how many times I have seen kids trying to use the crosswalk there, and motorists are blowing by and won’t let kids go by.”

Griffin again pointed out that Hanover Street is a county road, “and we can address it with the county, but I am not sure what to do about it.”

Councilman Nick Conner suggested that a “good start” would be for the borough to purchase “reflective signage” warning motorists to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, and then place the signs on Hanover Street.

“Then, at least that is something versus nothing,” he said. “I have walked the streets here and people don’t stop at all.”

One upset resident asserted that the reason two Democrats will lose their seats on the township governing body come January, in addition to Democratic Mayor David A. Patriarca losing his post in the administration, is because “people were totally against” redevelopment and warehousing, and in particular, “developing the college area,” prompting them to vote Republican on the local level.

“You don’t want taxes going up either, do you?” Councilman Paul Detrick shot back in an exchange with resident Michelle Forman. “Where in the township can you get tax revenue to keep taxes from going up (without having redevelopment)?”

Council set the township’s reorganization meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 4, when Republican Jack Tompkins will take the baton from 16-year mayor, Patriarca, with Republicans Josh Ward and Dan Dewey being seated on council after having defeated Council President Gaye Burton and Councilman Jason Allen. The Republican’s platform was to “stop warehouse encroachment” and “support small businesses,” with the GOP ticket having expressed some dismay with the amount of redevelopment that is in the works for the township.

Tompkins previously told this newspaper in an interview just before November’s General Election that he was interested, however, in finding out whether the former college campus can be transitioned into a VA clinic/hospital for local veterans to have easier access to healthcare.

Following the Dec. 7 presentation by Kinney, Tompkins inquired whether the “federal government” could build on the former college tract, and possibly bypass the Pinelands Commission’s restrictions, the latter which Kinney discussed at length was presenting a hurdle that any redevelopment in the corridor will have to overcome.

Previously, the Pine Barrens Tribune reported that council had designated Fieldstone Associates, LP, on May 18 as the “conditional redeveloper” of the former RCBC site. The firm proposed to demolish the former college campus, located along both the Pemberton Bypass and PembertonBrowns Mills Road, replacing it with “mixed-use residential housing” with some 452 proposed units in total that would be either for rent or sale.

But the property still belongs to RCBC’s Board of Trustees. This newspaper has since learned from Patriarca that Fieldstone “was unable to come to terms” and successfully negotiate acquisition with the board, “so it (the developer) pulled out.”

Since that time, according to Patriarca, another developer has approached the

township with an interest in doing something with the site similar to Fieldstone, but this time around, “instead of appointing them as a conditional redeveloper, we thought it would be better for them to first get an agreement to purchase the property, then negotiate afterwards.”

“We felt it would be better if they could come to an understanding with the property owner, or have some type of an agreement to purchase property, and if it were to occur, we would then entertain making him the sole redeveloper on property and give him sole access,” Patriarca explained.

However, the Pemberton mayor told this newspaper that the developer recently approached the township to ask if they have heard anything from RCBC, having not heard anything from the institution itself.

“I don’t know why, because he seems to be offering what they want to sell it for,” Patriarca told this newspaper.

Kinney, whose study was funded through two grants, one from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Transportation and Community Development Initiative, and the other from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s 21st Century Initiative, maintained on Dec. 7 that it concluded a “Letter of Interpretation needs to be developed” in working in tandem with the Pinelands Commission, which he recognized has jurisdiction over the majority of the study area, to determine where on the former college property one can build “with wetlands,” noting that parts of the former college tract abut the Rancocas Creek.

However, according to the architect planner, who was “procured” by the current council via the pair of grants, the study has suggested it is feasible to build about “10 units per acre,” and with their being approximately 40-acres in play, some 400 units can be proposed. After factoring in that there must be a “10 percent affordable housing set aside,” that leaves a developer with the potential to erect some 360 market rate units there.

But in order for some 360 units to be built at the former college campus, about 25 percent of those units can only be built through the purchase of credits from the Pinelands Commission. While acknowledging he was “no expert” on the subject of such credits, Kinney explained that they can be essentially “purchased from landowners” who are “normally agriculturally focused,” with them having the intent to “basically preserve the land that they have.”

The credits, he pointed out, are based on their “free market” value and therefore the purchase price “fluctuates,” with just one credit currently “going for around $20,000,” noting that they “can go as high” as $30,000 each depending on “supply and demand” at the time of purchase.

In the “scenario” he offered of putting some 400 units on the former college property, some 90 credits, Kinney said, would need to be purchased, and after having done the math, the cost for buying all of them at once would be some $1.8 million.

The “good news,” he maintained, is that the Pinelands Commission allows such credits to be purchased in phases to correspond with the development phases of any project.

In performing a “market analysis” of the study area, which also included a former minimum-security prison, as well as the “Browns Mills Town Center,” in addition to the nearby vicinity, it was found, according to Kinney, that the average home was built in 1974, and the median home value is some $187,000.

Over the years, Kinney noted, “the change in the median home value hasn’t been as large here,” compared to other areas in the region, “creating affordable housing” in the township.

“Pemberton is desirable because it is affordable,” he declared.

Some of the other “large takeaways,” Kinney asserted, is that while new housing has been limited in the study corridor, outside of it, in parts of adjacent Burlington and Ocean counties, “senior housing is on the rise,” with about 1,300 such units having been built in recent years.

“That is a market to keep your eye on,” the architectural planner declared. “There is potential there.”

Additionally, the market analysis, Kinney said, found that outside of Pemberton, apartments are near “100 percent occupancy,” and therefore there is a “big demand” for new apartments.

“The top two buyers,” he surmised, would be “retirees and first-time homebuyers,” with the latter presenting high-demand locally, he further maintained, because their interest is “tied to the Joint Base,” or Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL), serving as home to many military families just starting out.

“So, what could be done” when new housing is built and planned for in the corridor, he contended, is to aim for “single-family detached townhomes, walkup multifamily units,” as well as add a “little bit of commercial on that site.”

The reason for only suggesting a “little bit” of retail development in the area, he explained, is not only so that it doesn’t interfere with the businesses in Browns Mills, but also because there is “lower density in Pemberton,” making it “harder to support retail.”

“Each house that is built – that one house can support about 100 square-feet of retail space,” Kinney said. “That same house can support 8 to 10 square-feet of a grocery store. Basically, you need a lot of houses to support any new retail that comes in, and with any new store, the first thing they will

look at is, ‘How many houses do you have?’, as well as, ‘How many roofs do you have?’”

Any retail, he noted, should be limited to the Four Mile Road-side of the former college parcel, or the part that is nearest Browns Mills.

“Retail typically doesn’t come first,” Kinney added. “It will follow residential construction. Once in place (the housing), people will then look for places to go shopping.”

The architectural planner added that “something to be kept in mind” if and when “new housing is built” in the study corridor is that most will be interested in “new, lowcost housing” or owning a “single-family house that is moderately sized,” having their properties comprise a “quarter-acre lot” and various “amenities.”

Kinney added that the market analysis found that in Burlington and Ocean counties, at least in the parts closest to the study area – in explaining they found “total demand” over the next five years for such units, some 1,700 such units will be bought.

“Someone will buy them from somewhere,” the architectural planner declared. “The question is how can Pemberton Township capture those units to be bought.”

Initially, the presentation was not supposed to solicit any public comments, with public comment having already been closed for the Dec. 7 council meeting. But Forman shouted from her seat, “Why have a presentation if the public can’t comment?”

Burton agreed to reverse course, and allow for public comments and public questioning of Kinney.

“Why do we need to bring the city to the country?” Forman asked. “People move out here because they don’t want to be in close quarters. We have a beautiful place here with the Rancocas Creek. Why put people packed in like sardines in apartments, or in fourstory row houses. I see no reason for this!”

Forman pressed local officials as to whether, instead, an “environmental study” was done, one “focused on keeping this area rural.”

“The Democrats want a lot of development and warehouses!” Forman declared. “I don’t want development, or warehouses, which are ruining peoples’ lives!”

It is the reason, she maintained, the majority of voters decided to vote Republican in November’s municipal races.

Those remarks caused Allen to retort that when Forman is “saying ‘Democrats,’” she is unfairly “lumping a whole bunch of people together.”

When Allen then asked Kinney to repeat the reasoning behind the study, Forman charged she got “flyers” from the Democratic ticket supporting “redevelopment” and “warehousing,” and didn’t need to listen to anything else, with Kinney, during the lively exchange, remarking he has presented

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“I am not saying this is being built,” the architectural planner declared.

Forman, in response, pointed to a social media post about the original redeveloper’s agreement for the former college tract, claiming the comments indicated “70 people are totally against developing the college area.”

“Listen to the residents who don’t want this!” pleaded Forman to the council. “Otherwise, if they wanted this, they would have voted the other way.”

Forman indicated she voted for the Republican slate, emphasizing, “I am proud with the way I voted and (who I voted) for.”

But that remark got the hackles up of Detrick, a retired attorney, who shot back, “You don’t want taxes going up either, do you?, also asking, “Where in the township can you get tax revenue to keep taxes from going up (without having redevelopment)?”

When Forman raised the prospect for some five additional “mini-warehouses” potentially slated to be built in the vicinity of the Birmingham section of Pemberton, as well as a larger one on the Route 206 corridor of the township (all of which local officials previously acknowledged was potentially in the works), Detrick declared that Forman was “clearly listening to too much non-sense” and disputed that a figure of five had ever been raised.

But amid an ensuing, brief exchange between Burton and Forman, the council president remarked, “that is an idea – we are not saying we are going to do it.”

(Daniel Hornickel, who has served for

the past three-and-a-half years as the township’s business administrator, but whose employment status has become unclear, as previously reported by this newspaper, with him having been absent from the Dec. 7 council meeting, had told this newspaper two months ago that a prospective developer shared preliminary engineering plans with the township in August to develop five smaller warehouses on parcels near Birmingham [across the entire breadth of overall tract] ranging from 21,000 to 35,000 square-feet.)

Allen then began trying to move the meeting along, with Forman quipping, “You tried to shut me up before, and you didn’t get re-elected, now did you?”

Other residents, however, disagreed with Forman’s point of view, including Susan Sacco, a resident who turned into a community advocate for Sunbury Village, as well as Pemberton Township Schools’ Board Member Sheri Lowery.

Lowery pointed out that currently “people are leaving town,” which has had the consequence of resulting in a state education funding formula applying steep funding cuts to Pemberton Schools.

“Everyone better get the big picture here,” she declared. “We need people moving into this town and need money. Our kids need it (the money), or it is going to come out of your pockets!”

Lowery contended that the local school district no longer has funding for its baseball program, for example, and warned that pretty soon the township’s “kids are going to be out on the street,” similar to that of Philadelphia, where crime, including “murders,” is at an all-time high.

She said that while she “loves” the local school district’s bus drivers and teachers, “guess what – they are not going to have

municipal government’s central operations are being temporarily housed in conjoined construction trailers while the public body works out the details of the future.

any jobs soon because the state didn’t give us money.”

Forman shot back, however, that the local school district was “crying for money even when you had a lot of money!”

Sacco, who referred to herself as a “big advocate for doing something with that eyesore – BCC,” maintained that the presentation was “showing that they are keeping the ‘country’” lifestyle, while also “keeping the wetlands’ fingers.”

“They are bringing in more housing, but also clearly making it ‘green’ to comply with the Pinelands Commission and township Master Plan,” said Sacco of her interpretation of the proposal and provided graphics.

Tompkins, while he didn’t express a viewpoint either way on the study’s conclusion, asked, “What would happen if the federal government stepped in and purchased the (former college) property?” Specifically, the mayor-elect with a previously expressed desire in having the former college campus be possibly turned into a VA facility, said he wanted to know, “Would the Pinelands Commission still be in play?”

Kinney said he has been “left to assume, yes,” the federal government “would still have to go through the Pinelands Commission.”

Patriarca, when later asked if he thought a VA facility would be a viable option for the site, responded that “the majority of the customers or veterans serviced at that facility would be from out of town,” and estimated that only about 5 percent of the township’s residents would actually benefit.

“Pemberton has always been very proveteran,” he maintained as he explained his position. “We provide one of the largest vet benefits in State of New Jersey, and that is

hall, but potentially reconstruction of the old town hall.”

our property tax exemption. I believe we are only second to Willingboro in that area. We forgive about three-quarters of a million dollars in property taxes to veterans as opposed to most towns that barely do $100,000. So, Pemberton is very proveterans, but we are also in desperate need of ratables and certain types of infrastructure, housing and commercial properties.”

It was pointed out at an event two weeks ago in town that properties belonging to the county, state and federal governments are exempt from municipal taxes.

“We have got more than our fair share of tax-exempt properties in Pemberton Township,” added Patriarca when asked about the feasibility of a VA facility at the former RCBC college site.

Allen, on Dec. 7, recognized, in summary, the Pinelands Commission, and its regulations in particular, are “a deterrent for most developers” when they “look into developing” parcels in Pemberton, which is a “major issue.”

Kinney suggested of the next step for council – which will retain a narrow Democratic majority in 2023 –is to instead of designating specific parcels in the corridor at issue as all separate redevelopment areas, which it has done in the past, it consider designating the “entire corridor” as one “area in need of redevelopment,” which he maintained, allows “you more flexibility,” pointing out council could still amend the zoning standards at a later date.

“With anything that needs to be done, the Pinelands Commission needs to be involved,” Kinney added. “We found out early on in this study that we couldn’t get far without the Pinelands Commission as they hold all the answers. … This report is really a road map for redevelopment that ‘could’ occur.”

questions and concerns, including about the possible options, mount in the community, as evidenced online, including by the circulation of a pair of petitions opposed to the building of a new town hall (with one calling for the existing one to be saved), Tabernacle officials and committee members plan to hold a “town hall-style” information meeting for the public, which is scheduled to be held in-person, to address them.

The session will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Seneca High School’s Performing Arts Center at 110 Carranza Road in Tabernacle. It will mark the first time that the public body will have appeared in-person since the COVID pandemic and closure of town hall, the latter which has long contained the governing body’s meeting chambers. The

“Questions” for the Dec. 19 evening presentation, however, must be emailed in advance to provide time for “research,” according to Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown, with residents asked to send any that they have to townhall@ townshipoftabernacle-nj.gov by noon on Dec. 19.

“We know there have been a lot of questions about the old town hall and a potential new town hall,” said Mayor Samuel “Sammy” Moore at a recent Tabernacle committee meeting held remotely, with the two former mayors in attendance. “Right now, the Building Subcommittee has been working with the township staff and professionals, and we are in discussions about not only the creation of a new town

The pre-question format of the upcoming session, according to the mayor, will allow local officials to answer any questions “as good as possible,” with Brown noting that the answers to the pre-asked questions will be part of a PowerPoint presentation to be given Dec. 19. (The email address, she said, will still be active after the presentation for anyone who would like to pose additional questions.)

According to Brown, the presentation will also include “facts and information” regarding the anticipated costs associated with renovation, restoration and rehabilitation of the existing town hall.

Brown, ahead of the Dec. 19 meeting, released “preliminary estimates of probable construction costs” for the existing town hall to this newspaper, showing that the anticipated bid range is between $4.1 and

$5.6 million. Additionally, she provided the Pine Barrens Tribune with an opinion from the township engineer maintaining “septic would need to be repaired or replaced to accommodate the reconstruction” and that it is “not feasible to have septic installed on the existing town hall site without significant reconfiguration of the property.”

The Monday presentation, she said, will also include information related to the anticipated costs of acquisition of land for and construction of any new town hall.

Thus far, “millions” has been loosely thrown about for the cost of land acquisition and erecting new facilities, and there have been some figures offered for the recent construction of other municipal complexes in the county, but hard figures for the local project have not yet been provided, leading to some of the questions.

Another open question has been if a

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in “a series of meetings” on the matter — one intended “to give the public a chance to ask general questions” for which the school had been made specially available to accommodate the anticipated crowd.

While many of those present voiced vociferous and often emotional objections to the planned 55-and-over residential complex, no one in attendance had anything positive to say about the prospect—that is, other than representatives of the development company, Ryan Homes, of Voorhees, which, according to its market manager, Michael J. Leib, has been in business for 75 years, operates in 15 states and is currently involved in a number of projects in South Jersey (although Equity Enterprises, Inc., of Allenhurst, with which it has a contractual arrangement, is the actual applicant for this one).

Among the plan’s more vocal opponents were Republican Mayor-elect Jack Tompkins, who publicly declared he was against it “for many, many reasons” and didn’t think it “was the right thing to do.”

And while outgoing Democratic Mayor David Patriarca, who was among the board members present, didn’t make any public statement, when asked his opinion by the Pine Barrens Tribune, replied that “it’s not going to happen without the support of the community.”

The reasons such support currently appears to be lacking, if the sentiments expressed at the meeting were any indication, ranged from concerns about the township’s lack of resources and infrastructure to adequately accommodate such a largescale development and the potential strain

on accident-prone Lakehurst Road and purportedly overburdened municipal sewers to indignation over the destruction it would cause of a sizeable area of miniwilderness treasured by many residents for its extraordinary variety of flora and fauna.

Several of the individuals who spoke proclaimed Pemberton, with all its current acknowledged deficiencies, to be the community where they intend to spend the rest of their lives – “people who live here love this place” was how one of them put it – and vented their resentment at the idea of outside interests attempting to alter the natural attributes of the town that they find so appealing while offering nothing in return that would benefit the present population.

Improving Pemberton’s quality of life, however, was precisely what the three advocates for the planned complex who addressed the meeting attempted to convince skeptical residents that it would ultimately help to achieve.

The meeting began with an initial presentation by William F. Harrison, an attorney for the applicant, who explained that the tract involved is in a regional growth area of the Pinelands that was originally approved for such a project 15 years ago under a general development plan (although approval of specific variances is now required from the planning board, as is a green light from the Pinelands Commission before it can proceed) and the 575 units now under consideration would be far below the maximum of 918 that would have been permitted there with Pinelands development credits.

Richard Ragan, a professional planner and registered architect who has been involved in many such developments, then proceeded to expound how such regional growth areas, which are on the fringe of the 1.1-million-

acre Pinelands preservation area, actually serve to protect “the core of the Pinelands,” where development is prohibited, along with the “precious resource” of the mammoth Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer that lies beneath it, and how this particular site, which had been designated for development since 1980, would pay somewhere around $1.5 to $2 million into the Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Fund.

When Ragan got to the part about how such a trade-off would assure that “those woods are going to stay there forever,” he was interrupted by shouts and heckling from a number of attendees, prompting a warning from the board solicitor that those who engaged in such disruption would be removed from the hearing, an incident that only provided a preview of the high level of emotion that would follow once the public had its say.

Ragan then went on to contend that while developers had previously passed on Browns Mills as a viable locale for such a project because it didn’t have enough “disposable income,” changes in the residential real-estate picture have now made it a more economically promising proposition, and that the eight-phase plan as currently envisioned would help to create an “economic boost” and a more prosperous future for the township.

For example, he asserted, “you can certainly say that each homeowner would spend $10,000 a year on services” that would be purchased from local vendors and that a “multiplier effect” could be expected to increase that bonanza fivefold, which would have the effect of bringing new businesses, services and jobs into Pemberton, as well as the construction itself (which he later acknowledged may go on for a decade) being a source of added revenue for area businesses.

advantage of not increasing the burden of school taxes, and that it would add an estimated $1,668,000 in net proceeds to municipal coffers after allowing for any additional costs in municipal services, one reason being that senior citizens tend to be “the lowest contributors to major traffic” as compared to typical occupants of singlefamily homes and apartments — a claim that evoked laughter from some in the audience.

Yet another plus resulting from the project, he maintained, would be the 800 or so new residents it would bring into a township that has lost more than 6,000 in the past three decades, according to figures from the last three censuses. But all this, he acknowledged, would take time, and “there are a number of issues to be resolved.”

From the public comments that followed, however, it quickly became evident that the residents who came out to the meeting not only weren’t about to buy any of those purported benefits, but did have a number of urgent concerns about problems they believed were likely to either be created or exacerbated by all those potential new residents, as well as by the ongoing construction of the homes in which they would be living.

Among the first to pose questions about the proposal’s viability was a member of the planning board itself, Vice Chairperson Donna Lefebvre, who after ridiculing the suggestion that “people over 55 park their cars and don’t move them,” said she still had not heard answers to the same questions she had posed when the general development plan was approved in 2007, one being “what happens if there is a hardship and those homes can’t sell to (those) 55 and over.”

“At that time, I was told they would have to go back and tried to change it,” she added.

Photo By Bill Bonvie

Members of the public arrive at the Helen A. Fort Middle School on the night of Dec. 13 for a special Pemberton Township Planning Board meeting specifically called to give residents a chance to vent their views on a proposal to build a 575-unit age-restricted housing development on a wooded 700-acre tract in the Browns Mills section of the township.

Photo By Bill Bonvie

Pemberton Township Mayor-elect Jack Tompkins airs his opposition to the plan for a senior housing development while standing in front of outgoing Mayor David Patriarca (wearing black mask).

decision is ultimately made to pursue a new town hall, whether the township will still end up having to expend considerable costs in fixing the existing town hall in order to preserve it for historical purposes, or to adapt it for another use. And to what capacity would the existing town hall be restored to is another unknown at the moment.

Township Solicitor William Burns, also the municipality’s public information officer, when queried by this newspaper on Dec. 15 as to whether there were any hard figures available yet for the possible new municipal building, responded “no.”

“And the reason is nothing has been signed yet and we haven’t purchased the property,” he added.

But a “general estimate” of $600 per square-foot for the possible new municipal building is something that the public information officer shared with this newspaper when asked if there was at least an estimated cost available at this time.

“But it is not designed,” he stressed to this newspaper in revealing the estimated cost,

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locally will only enable a person’s audio and visual feed when that person is “called on” by the system administrator. A couple of towns just call on remote attendees oneby-one, while others ask anyone wishing to speak to click a “raise your hand” button in Zoom.

Other municipalities are more liberal, leaving it up to an individual to turn on or off their microphone/video feed, which is sometimes a benefit to the audience in allowing them to report an issue with the feed, but also can be a hinderance if a user has a lot of background noise and doesn’t mute their sound. However, a system administrator can, by a click of a button, silence the microphone of any user generating noise or being disruptive to the proceedings.

Two towns and one school district in our coverage area currently offer livestreaming through their own websites (not Zoom), but do not provide a mechanism for the public to make comments.

In May 2020, amid a COVID pandemic lockdown, a state law was passed that permits a “local public body to conduct

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potential maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

“ATF remains steadfast in identifying, investigating, arresting, and prosecuting those offenders responsible for violent crime and preventing them from wreaking havoc in our neighborhoods,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the Bureau of ATF said. “We will continue to target not only those who illegally possess or utilize firearms to commit violent crimes, but also those who facilitate illegal manufacturing and trafficking of firearms. ATF will never waver in our commitment to protecting the community and we will continue to work

noting that there are a number of things that need to be looked into that haven’t been looked at yet, or even produced, before officials can obtain hard figures.

One thing Burns was adamant about in the interview with this newspaper is that Tabernacle’s municipal government needs a “fully functional municipal building” and that the existing town hall with its “significant structural issues” is “not designed to permit a fully functional municipal building.”

Despite the sheer cost to rehabilitate the existing town hall for continued use as a municipal building, multiple individuals have called on the township committee in recent weeks to explore more into the possibility and see if it somehow can still be feasible, with some believing the building should be restored into the town’s municipal building.

As previously reported by this newspaper, an Oct. 21, 2021, structural engineering report for the existing town hall, which sits at the corner of Medford LakesChatsworth (also known as County Route 532) and Carranza roads, found that the “building needs significant help to the point it is a structural concern to keep using the building,” with “significant deterioration” of the building’s foundation detected.

Additionally, load issues were also cited as a concern, with the building’s second floor apparently not rated to hold the permitted (and needed) meeting room capacity (in addition to having only one point of ingress/ egress for fire escape).

There was also concern with what could be found behind the walls of the facility given its age, with the report’s author, Michael A. Beach, a structural engineer who owns Michael A. Beach & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in structural engineering, design, investigation and analysis, previously informing the governing body that “once you get into it, you can potentially open Pandora’s box with the things you don’t see right now.”

“That was a preliminary report,” Barton told the township committee ahead of the Dec. 19 presentation. “It was not an in-depth study of the whole structural integrity of the building. It did not include the second floor. It made some guesses about it.”

He then queried the township committee as to whether it had any “study” performed on the “complete condition of town hall,” as well as inquired about the “budget on what it would take to repair that building.”

After his initial questions had gone unanswered, Barton began to point out that federal legislation, such as the Build

Back Better Act, may contain funding for such rehabilitation work, and when he began to ask if the project could be a qualifying one, the former mayor’s sound was abruptly muted by the current mayor, citing the governing body’s strict two-minute public comment policy.

“Thank-you for your comments, Mr. Barton,” Moore told the former mayor.

Stuart Brooks, a transparency advocate and resident of Tabernacle, who is also a frequent critic of the municipal government, in referencing “the property on Carranza Road that you are building on,” maintained that he doesn’t “see why you are buying a flag lot with 75 feet of frontage, which has almost no visibility” from the road.

“The existing town hall has the most prominent local corner – entirely frontage,” asserted Brooks to the township committee.

“It has high visibility, and that is the basic attribute of municipal buildings, so I don’t understand your thinking.”

While Stuart Brooks, like Barton, expressed he was happy to hear there would be an upcoming information session, the transparency advocate asserted, “most questions asked at public meetings go unanswered and unresponded to.”

a public meeting remotely by electronic means, provided that reasonable public notice and provision for public input is made under the circumstances.”

But that statute only applies to when a state of emergency has been declared and is active. And even when a state of emergency had been declared for COVID, some towns found it reasonable for anyone wishing to be heard to just simply send a letter or email 48 hours in advance of a meeting with their comments (though that provoked some criticism because those individuals could not comment on the events of the proceedings they were attending).

Additionally, that same year, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) adopted “emergency remote meeting protocols,” which are to be followed for any remote meeting held during a public health emergency.

“Remote public meetings may be held by means including, but not limited to, audio-only teleconferencing, electronic communications platforms with video and audio, and Internet accessible technology such as live-streaming,” the DCA rules state. “If an electronic communications platform or Internet-accessible technology is being utilized for a remote public meeting, a telephonic conference line shall be also be provided to allow members of the public to

dial in by telephone to listen and provide public comment as otherwise required by law. A local public body may require members of the public to state, prior to providing public comment, whether they wish to speak and to identify themselves prior to speaking.

“A local public body shall provide the public with similar access to a remote public meeting as members of the local public body, staff of the local public body and any individuals seeking one or more approvals from the local public body. If a remote public meeting is held by audio and video, the public shall also have the opportunity to participate in the meeting in both audio and video capacities. A local public body meeting held in-person shall not prohibit members of the public from attending in person.”

Currently, there are no state of emergency or public health emergency edicts in effect, as of press time. But as Township Solicitor Doug Heinold recognized on Dec. 6, some towns have not yet returned to in-person meetings, while others have done away with all remote means, and now only offer inperson only sessions like it had been “prepandemic.”

“Other towns are still trying to incorporate Zoom,” Heinold noted.

While Zehender pointed out that all-

remote meetings provide a convenience to municipal professionals (in which they don’t have to travel long distances to the state’s various towns to attend a session), Woods shot back that holding all-remote meetings, “is a shame for the public.”

Zehnder, on Dec. 6, said he views the future livestreaming of Shamong governing body meetings as simply an “enhanced” benefit in which people can tune in to see what is happening in town between their watching of “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” (popular shows which are broadcast on television during the 7 p.m. hour when the Shamong committee traditionally meets.)

Onorato said she would like to test the new system “a little bit more” before a final decision is made on whether to accept public comments via Zoom.

The cameras, she noted, were still being adjusted to provide for the best possible view, with the new system the first audio and visual equipment upgrade at town hall “in 14 or 15 years.” One benefit to all of this, she noted, is “being able to have mics on everybody,” which she said is “helpful – as far as projecting out for the audience.”

“Shamong has gone from black and white to colored TV,” quipped Di Croce, with Onorato teasing that the governing body will now be broadcasting in “high definition.”

with our law enforcement partners to hold all violators accountable.”

Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Camden Field Office, under the direction of Miller, with the investigation leading to the charges.

He also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection, New Jersey State Police, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Mount Holly Police Department, Evesham Police Department, and Pine Hill Police Department for their assistance.

The government, in this case, is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Waegener of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

OFFICER

Although there was no systemic failure of the college’s technology infrastructure, there is always opportunity for stronger security measures. The college’s Office of Student Support can provide assistance to victims who are impacted.”

Individuals who have an RCBC email account and suspect that their private photos were shared without authorization are asked to contact investigators at bcpohtc@co.burlington.nj.us .

The investigation, which is ongoing, is being conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit and the Evesham Township Police Department, with assistance from the Delran Police Department and the Riverside Police Department. The lead investigator is Evesham Detective Christopher DeFrancesco, who is assigned to the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit as a Task Force officer.

The case will now be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment. Taylor will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy, supervisor of the BCPO Insurance Fraud Unit.

Also publicly stating that he “shares a lot of questions about town hall” is Mark LeMire, who co-chairs the township’s Land Development Board and also has heavy involvement in the municipal GOP, having served as chairman of the organization.

“The Master Plan very much involves the center of our town, which is town hall,” declared LeMire, who also chairs the town’s Recreation Committee. “Any plans going forward in rectifying the situation with town hall, or any additional facilities, I really think needs to be put in context of our Master Plan, which is trying to improve the town center.”

It needs to be a “consensus issue,” he added,” for “maintaining the town center.” He urged the governing body not to just consider “office space” when arriving at a decision, but to consider “how the character of the town is going to be affected as well.”

Franzen, president of the Tabernacle Historical Society, and who has a somewhat of a following as “Piney Rick,” expressed that his thoughts were “along the lines of what Joe and Mark are saying,” declaring, “It is critical to retain a downtown Tabernacle area with a town hall that is the center of our activities.”

“I am a little concerned with the flag lot concept and what may or may not be going up in there,” the former mayor said.

The concept of erecting a new town hall on a flag lot, away from what he perceives as the town center, “is an issue,” Franzen added, “because I think that tends to destroy what we have downtown.”

Also eliciting controversy, as detailed in one of two petitions being circulated by resident Tammy Creelman, is that the proposed site for the possible new town hall

is apparently “land that is surrounded on all four sides by private homes,” maintaining that the parcel sits “directly next” to “wetlands” and is listed as containing “important farmland soils.”

“Building a township facility and recreation area in the middle of these private homes invites thousands of people along their properties, takes away their privacy, increases potential threat to these properties, and eliminates their sense of security,” Creelman’s one petition charges. “Along with this, it eliminates the quiet, peaceful, beautiful view, containing local wildlife, that makes these homes more marketable, only to be replaced by brick and mortar buildings, the activities of several people, usage, and maintenance of large vehicles, fumes, public facility lighting, etc.”

That particular petition, which references a township plan to potentially subdivide the property to accommodate the municipal building, has collected some 244 signatures, as of this newspaper’s press time.

Burns, on Dec. 15, when read part of that petition, responded that the “township committee will do everything possible” to ensure that if a new municipal building is built, “it will take into account residents’ concerns.” He contended that the project would not cause “thousands of people to descend on Tabernacle Township.”

Adding recreational amenities as an element of the project has not been something that has been mentioned at recent township committee meetings, and when queried about whether the plan actually includes such things for 144 Carranza Road, Burns responded that “I don’t know” because “again the township hasn’t designed the project yet.”

“The goal is to build a fully-functional municipal complex,” he told this newspaper, noting that officials are “hopeful” that there are “walking trails and things like that.”

But when pressed by this newspaper as

to whether soccer fields or something on that scale was planned for the site, Burns responded, “not that I am aware of,” but then again emphasized the project has not yet been designed.

The second petition created by Creelman, titled, “We Choose to Save Town Hall!”, but also expresses concerns about potential future tax increases to offset the cost of new facilities, has garnered 49 signatures as of this newspaper’s press time.

“Downtown Tabernacle, where stands a stately manor house, we know as Town Hall,” the petition states in part. “She was built by The Order of Saint Mechanics, for their Junior Order of American Mechanics Hall, OUAM for short, in 1874. In 1960, after World War II, as membership dwindled, the Juniors voted to donate their hall to the Township of Tabernacle for use as its town hall. This beautiful building has honorably served as the heartbeat of Tabernacle Township for the past 62 years. From the outside, she exhibits classic beauty, well suited to our hometown. Inside, she needs major repairs. We would like to see our township keep with traditions, and honor that long ago gift, by going forward with those repairs. We choose to see our tax dollars spent to repair her, over building something elsewhere.”

Burns, when asked by this newspaper on Dec. 15 about the concerns in this second petition, reiterated that “the cost to build a new municipal building is significantly less than fully repairing, renovating and retrofitting the existing town hall.”

“It is not structurally sound, and the township has an obligation to ensure that it fulfills its needs of having a fully operational municipal building,” he added.

The “due diligence” work done so far, he noted, has found that repairing the existing town hall to the point to be once again a fully functional municipal building is “cost prohibitive.”

“We understand the historical importance of that building,” Burns added. “And we are looking into ways of restoring it in a more limited capacity. The township committee is trying to balance the needs for a fully operational municipal complex, while also balancing the needs to honor and respect the historical nature of the Township of Tabernacle.

“The committee values and wants to preserve the history of the township, while at the same time, provide residents with a safe and fully operational municipal building, so that government services can be provided to residents in a fully operational town hall.”

As far as the tax concerns, Burns pointed out that the township committee has “always” been able to maintain a relatively stable tax rate, though he could not really comment on whether there would be a future tax increase because of this project because he doesn’t have the estimates available.

Burns again pointed out that the township currently “does not own yet” 144 Carranza Road, and although there is a “tentative contract,” the municipality has “not closed” and “not purchased the property” at this time.

One of the purposes of the Dec. 19 presentation is for the various “options” to be discussed, Burns explained, noting that the township committee is still looking at “other tracts of land” for the municipal complex project.

Both Barton and Franzen, during a regular township committee meeting ahead of the Dec. 19 presentation, impressed upon the governing body to be “transparent” on this topic, and conduct “community outreach,” calling the pending decision “very important” for the community.

“The important thing is what you are doing now is going to affect this township for the next 50 to 75 years,” Franzen declared.

“A decision needs to be well thought out, and involve the community. Ask the people what they want the town to look like, too.”

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currently serving the area breaks constantly and asked how it would be feasible to allow several hundred more users to access it.

“I’m not going away, but I do want answers before I vote any which way,” Lefebvre declared.

Concurring in such concerns were a number of local people who subsequently spoke, some of whom attested to the sewer problems Lefebvre described, repairs to which one likened to “Band-Aids,” while others agreed that age-restricted developments usually don’t remain that way, all drawing rounds of applause from the crowd.

Veteran firefighter Steven Martin used his allotted five minutes to bring up a variety of anticipated problems in rapid-fire sequence, among which were the “added burden” that the presence of an additional 575 homes, additional roads and a new traffic light called for in the plan will create for the township’s already “stressed” emergency personnel, as well as the impact of a great deal more traffic on Lakehurst Road, which he pointed out is “constantly under construction and has countless motor vehicle accidents,” many involving fatalities, and has no real stormwater runoff.

Another potential problem Martin said he anticipated (as did other speakers) is that the influx of new residents will lead to “empty shelves in the only grocery store in town,” the Browns Mills Acme.

He further decried the idea that in a community that offers so little in the way of activities for children and teenagers, “we’re going to take away 700 acres” of woodland that are now accessible to them for recreation.

The condition of Lakehurst Road was also cited by resident Cindy Boggess, who claimed to have “watched people die in front of my house” and that “the road has never been fixed, it doesn’t drain properly, the county doesn’t take the ice and snow away.”

“If you put elderly people on this road, guess what?” she asked. “There will be a lot more dead people.”

Another reason Boggess gave for not supporting the plan was “what has happened to Holiday City in Toms River,” which she alleged “didn’t stay a 55- plus community” because “grandchildren moved in, children moved in, and it takes an act of Congress to get them out.”

“Something of this magnitude cannot be supported in this town, in the Pinelands,” Boggess asserted. “It is unacceptable, and

it will hurt not only the people, but the environment here.”

Browns Mills resident James Dudley also contended that “for that many homes, I don’t think we have enough infrastructure,” and added that while approval was being sought for hundreds of adjacent structures, an application he had filed to build a house for his son and daughter-in-law was denied simply because it would have bordered on his own home.

Environmental concerns were also repeatedly emphasized by those who spoke at the marathon session.

Heather Watson, one of the organizers of the protest, accused the developers of planning to “go right up to the critical habitat line,” pointing out that the Pinelands Commission’s rules state they have to be 200 feet from that line,” and questioned why a second entrance to the complex, which was considered such a crucial safety issue 15 years ago, has suddenly become optional now that the Pinelands Commission has rejected it.

Another resident asked the developers if the acreage that would be sacrificed and the wildlife and trees “that are very, very old and beautiful” there were considered precious resources, and whether the potential developers had ever done an analysis to see how current residents “want the community to be developed.”

The reason people stay in Pemberton, she maintained, is that “We like it rural; we don’t want Pemberton to be like Marlton,” with “cookie cutter” developments.

Also speaking was Jason Howell, public lands advocate for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, who noted that “we have a large group of people who care deeply about their community and have major concerns about this particular project, and I think all of those concerns are valid, from maintaining the character of the community to protecting the existing infrastructure that people rely on, as well as emergency services that are under-resourced already.”

Howell added that he believed the individuals who first drafted the Pinelands map made a mistake by including this particular tract, which is actually an endangered species habitat, in the general growth area in the first place.

Echoing a sentiment expressed by a number of others who spoke at the meeting, resident Laura Borschel said she’s bothered by the fact that the developers “don’t live here, they’re not from here.”

“You do not have to allow this application to pass,” Borschel told the planners. “It’s not set in stone. The vast majority of the people here do not support this project.”

Jerome noted that crossing guards were in position when Pemberton Borough had its own school district (having since disbanded with borough children now attending the Pemberton Township School District.)

But there were questions about whether permission to put such signs on the county roads should be obtained from the county.

After Burns told another story of children almost getting hit while crossing the street, she asked, “Why can’t the borough put back part-time crossing guards?”

“I think that would help with the kids’ safety,” she declared.

“I see kids crossing without any parents around,” Burns told council. “Bring part-time crossing guards back!”

Griffin said the borough can look into bringing them back, while an audience member pointed to a Pemberton Borough police sergeant attending the meeting and quipped, “give them (motorists breaking the law) tickets – money talks!”

PROJECT

approved during its latest session a “cancellation of property taxes for a totally disabled veteran.” Such a cancellation is made possible through a state law enacted in 2020 that “permits the exemption from property taxes for any citizen and resident of the state who is a 100 percent totally and permanently disabled veteran.”

But Shamong, as Deputy Mayor Michael Di Croce pointed out, already has a “substantial number” of qualifying veterans receiving the exemption, “and for a town like ours,” with limited ratables and revenue

sources, the program has been “very costly.”

It is an issue that Di Croce revealed he brought to the attention of Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in a recent conversation held with him.

“We had a discussion to start a (state) reimbursement program,” said Di Croce, with Committeeman Brian Woods, also chief of staff to the local 8th District GOP delegation pointing out there is already legislative proposals on the table that would do just that (though there is one piece of legislation on the table, which has advanced, that would actually make any exemptions retroactive to the date a veteran’s total disability had been first determined, and prompt the issuance of refunds).

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are realizing that the best gifts aren’t things, they’re experiences.

Here’s your guide to how to give the best experiences that won’t break the bank this holiday season.

Memberships

Buy a family — particularly one with young kids — a yearly membership to a museum, zoo, aquarium or other local fun activity. Within just a few visits, these memberships usually pay for themselves and are a great, year-long activity they can take advantage of. Make sure that you purchase the appropriate level of membership for that group. Some family memberships, for instance, cap out at four or five family members. If your family has more, or frequently visits with friends, consider going up a level.

Seasonal Park Passes

For the adventurer, consider a seasonal state or national park pass that gets them in the gate free all year round. A U.S. national park pass is $80 for the general public and can be purchased at any federal recreation site, online at the USGS store, or by calling (888) ASK USGS, extension 2. Senior passes, military passes and other types of passes may cost less or

even be free.

Check with your state’s division of state parks for more information on state park passes.

Vouchers

Give the gift of a voucher (or several vouchers) to their favorite places. Around the holidays, lots of places offer service gift certificates — think nail salons, spas, barbers and more — or vouchers for future use, such as those for cooking classes, tours, amusement park tickets, movie tickets and other things. This gives the recipient flexibility to choose the best time to redeem their gift and get the best experience for them.

Plan a Day Away

Pick a local festival, fair or other activity and plan the whole day. Start with breakfast at a favorite restaurant, then a picnic lunch and maybe dinner under the stars. Don’t forget to hit up their favorite activities, rides and more, and throw in a few things that they wouldn’t normally do for themselves.

Don’t have a favorite? Find one that you’ve never been to before and book the whole day for them. You can even get creative with the wrapping, with clues to what you’re going to do.

Charitable Gifts for Philanthropists

Gifting to the person that has everything just got easier.

You can give them the warm fuzzies all year long by supporting a cause that’s dear to their heart. Get started giving the best gift ever now.

Finding a Charity

First, think of the person you’re giving to and think of the causes they enjoy supporting or might enjoy supporting. If they have a house full of rescue dogs, consider animal charities, for instance. Then find a charity worth giving to. You can use sites like Charity Navigator to find organizations that responsibly use your

donations. It also gives you suggestions on different topics, so you can browse by interest, too.

Making the Gift

Next, choose how much you want to give. Different charities may have different levels of giving for you to peruse, but remember that every little bit helps.

Heifer International, for instance, maintains a gift catalog that allows you to choose concrete examples of what your money goes to. A flock of chicks is $20 or $10 per month. You can purchase a goat for a family for $120, or shares for $10. Ducks are $20 each, honeybees are

$30 and so on. The organization will then send them free honor cards to let them know you gave on their behalf.

Giving the Gift

Like Heifer International’s honor cards, most organizations will contact the person you’re giving on behalf of to let them know. They may even send something beyond a card, such as when you adopt an animal at a wildlife organization. The World Wildlife Foundation offers a Tub of Cubs or a Bucket of Frogs (don’t worry, they’re plushies) to help your recipient learn more about wildlife conservation in a

cute and fuzzy way. You can also choose other stuffed critters if cubs and frogs aren’t your thing.

Regular Giving

You may choose to have your gift go out monthly, quarterly or annually on behalf of your recipient, setting up a gift that keeps on giving. For smaller organizations, a long-term gift, even if it might be smaller than a lump-sum gift, makes it easy to plan programming to help their cause. Your recipient will appreciate it, too, as it stretches out the gift all year.

Gifts for Sports Fans

Outdoors, Outdone

Hit a home run, score a touchdown, cross the finish line — whatever it is your sports enthusiast is into — with these great holiday gifts.

Igloo Little Playmate Coolers

This one also gets you right in the nostalgia. Igloo’s iconic Little Playmate coolers are the ones everyone’s dad had, and now they come in great team colors. Look for their favorite NFL team on Igloo’s website. Not into football? Igloo also offers lots of colors and even a few pop culture references.

Baseball Park Map Pint Glasses

Every true baseball fan has a favorite stadium and a favorite team, and they might not even be in the same place. Check out a set of pint glasses that lets them sip their favorite cold brew from their favorite stadium’s glass. You can get a variety of stadiums, including Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox; Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Houston’s Minute Maid Park, Yankee Stadium and more. Find them at Uncommon Goods.

New York Times Personalized Golf History Book

This personalized, leather-bound chronicle of the greatest players and

tournaments of all time is a beautiful look back at some of golf’s greatest moments. It’s a coffee-table sized book that will be a conversation piece for years to come. Get it online at The New York Times Store.

Stanley Cup Popcorn Maker

Score a hat trick with this hotair popcorn maker in the shape of Lord Stanley’s cup, proclaiming loud and proud a love for both hockey and healthy snack foods. It makes 128 ounces of popcorn at a time and includes a removable serving bowl. Find it online or in-store.

Ticket Stub Diary

If you’ve got a sports fan whose tastes go far beyond any one playing field, consider a ticket stub diary to help them keep track of all the great moments they’ve witnessed. You can find a plethora of diaries online, even some personalized options on sites such as Etsy and Amazon.

Sports Team Memory Match Card Game

A classic mix-and-match card game featuring illustrations from your favorite team. Includes college, Major League Baseball and NFL teams. Great for passing time at the tailgate or during that rain delay.

Give the gift of adventure for the outdoors lover in your life. Check out these great gift ideas to get them out there.

Tent Camp Lights

Available in a variety of colors, these tough LED lights perfectly illuminate your tent or campsite. They run on 3 AAA batteries and have three lighting modes, off, full light and flicker. The storage case for the 100 inches of Big Agnes mtn GLO LED lights includes a pyramid-shaped storage case that doubles as a lantern.

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker

Get your outdoor lounge on with this comfortable and lightweight rocking chair. It holds up to 250 pounds and includes a cup holder. Folds for compact storage. It comes in maroon and gray and navy and gray.

Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer

Never have cold, wet feet again with this PEET M97-FS Original Dryer. Bonus: It gets out odor-causing bacteria as well, all without deteriorating the materials. It also has a 25-year warranty.

Leatherman FREE P4 Multitool

This top-of-the-line multitool has 21 tools, including scissors, knives, pliers and wire cutters, all on the outside of the tool so you can deploy any of them with one hand. It’s made in Oregon and comes with a 25-year warranty.

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks

You won’t get far with bad socks, so get the best there is with these moisturewicking socks with cushioning for all your outdoor activities. Darn Tough also guarantees its socks for life. Comes in several colors and three sizes.

Jetboil Flash Cooking System

This tiny pocket rocket of a camp stove boils water in just over a minute and half. It features a push igniter, so no matches are required, and the bottom cover serves as both measuring cup and bowl. It’s compatible with other Jetboil accessories, including the coffee press, cooking pot, frying pan and more. Fuel not included, cool factor free. Available in a range of colors.

Gifts to Rev Auto Lovers Engines

Since they first became widely available in the early 20th century, cars have inspired no small number of passionate devotees. Some people simply can’t resist the thrills of the open road, while others love driving because of the sense of independence it provides.

Regardless of what inspires their passions, come the holiday season, auto enthusiasts undoubtedly would be excited to unwrap these auto-related gifts.

Car Wash Kit

It’s one thing to drive, and another thing entirely to drive a car that looks like it’s fresh off the dealership lot.

Car wash kits come in various sizes, so they’re ideal for holiday shoppers working with various budgets. Kits may include wet wax, wheel gel, glass cleaner, a short handle brush, and microfiber towels, among other supplies.

Each accessory within the kit can make cars or trucks shine and look as good as new.

Mechanics’ Tool Kit

Many car lovers enjoy working on their vehicles almost as much as they love driving them. That makes a mechanic’s tool kit a must-have for auto enthusiasts.

Like car wash kits, mechanics’ kits are ideal gifts because they can suit shoppers working with various budgets.

Extensive kits include all the tools car lovers need, from ratchets to extension

bars to sockets and more, to spend a fun day working in the garage.

Tire Inflator

All those miles on the open road is bound to catch up with tires over time, and a portable tire inflator can ensure tires are always properly inflated.

Cordless varieties are popular, but so are options that can be plugged into vehicle lighters.

Either way, this is a must-have item for anyone who puts a lot of miles on their vehicle.

Autocross Lesson

Of course, gifts for auto lovers needn’t be restricted to helping them take care of their own cars.

Autocross lessons can teach drivers the finer points of timed competitions while enabling them to get behind the wheel of an exotic car they’ve dreamed of driving.

Autocross schools typically have classes for drivers with experience as well as novices, making this a fun gift for anyone who wants to take the thrill of driving to the next level.

There’s no shortage of gift ideas to please the auto enthusiast on your holiday shopping list this year. From the fun to the functional, there’s something for everyone who loves being behind the wheel.

Ask most anyone these days what they wish they had more of, and they’ll answer “time”.

The good news is that you can finally wrap that up and put it under the tree with the gift of a few of their favorite services to save them time.

House Cleaning

When you decide to gift a service, start with one that takes up the most time. Book an introductory house cleaning service and give your loved one those hours back to take for themselves. Introductory cleanings are usually longer (and more expensive) than normal cleanings, so take this into consideration when booking. Also ask for future rates if your recipient decides to continue regular cleanings.

Car Detailing

There’s no busy parent on this planet that wouldn’t welcome a nice, clean car, even if it’s just while they sit in the pickup line. Book a car detailing service and let your recipient have that new car feeling again.

Bonus points: Grab a mobile detailing service that will come to your recipient’s home or office so they don’t have to go out of their way or spend a day (or two, depending on how bad it is) without a vehicle.

Babysitting/Petsitting

Speaking of busy parents, give them a night out sans kids for a hot date or even

just to go grocery shopping in peace by booking a few hours with a neighborhood sitter. Or offer to take the kiddos yourself and treat them to dinner out and ice cream, just make sure you don’t run into Mom and Dad.

If your recipient’s kids have four legs instead of two, or sports feathers, book petsitting for their next getaway instead. You can get a voucher from their vet or favorite boarding kennel, or even from home-based services such as Rover.

Grocery Delivery

Having a week’s worth of groceries deposited on your doorstep feels nextlevel luxurious, and is a kindness that many busy people appreciate. Offer up a gift certificate for whatever delivery service works best in your area, or get them a premium membership for the gift that gives all year.

Laundry Service

Book a few weeks of a laundry service that washes, dries and folds, all for a simple fee. Anyone who has ever spent time staring a the dryer for a clean pair of pants will appreciate your forethought.

A note about giving services: Make sure to choose a service that your recipient is comfortable with. Not everyone is OK with someone coming into their house to clean, and other people make take it as a snide commentary. It’s the thought that counts, so make sure to put some thought into what services your recipient will appreciate.

It’s hard to stay ahead of technology these days, but when you have a techie in your life, you’ve got to give it a try. Here are some of the smartiest, geekiest gifts to give this holiday season.

Smart Fish Finder

This tiny bobber houses sonar that will tell you where the fish are, how deep they are and how big they are, all within seconds of hitting the water. It works in both salt and fresh water and is good for ice fishing and night fishing. You can get 10 hours of fishing on a single charge. The Smart Fish Finder is compatible with iPhone iOS 11 or later and Galaxy/ Android OS 6.0 or later.

Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Popular Mechanics ranks this little speaker among the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. Water-resistant with simple controls, it’s a great companion for outdoor adventures. It plays for 24 hours on a single charge and pairs up to 60 feet away.

Logitech C920S Webcam

Work-from-home warriors can get behind the need for a great webcam. Zoom into that meeting with 1080p video, high-definition auto focus and automatic light correction. This tiny Logitech cam also features dual microphones so they can definitely hear you now.

Yootech Wireless Qi Charger

Bye, tangled USB cords. Hello, freedom. More tech devices than ever before use wireless charging, so get onboard with this quick Qi charger. Compatible with a variety of devices and with a stocking-stuffer price tag, this tiny gift packs a big punch.

Form Swim Goggles

These smart swim goggles show live metrics in the lenses as you swim, allowing you to track improvements in real time. It gives you workouts, shows your effort level and gives you progress updates. The goggles are fully adjustable with seven different nose bridges to ensure a snug, custom fit. One charge gives you 16 hours of battery life. The goggles are also compatible with a range of smart watches for open-water swimming.

AquaSonic Black Series Toothbrush

Yes, even toothbrushes are high-tech these days. This ADA-approved electric toothbrush comes with six brush heads and a travel case. Its lithium ion battery charges wirelessly and it features four brushing modes to help you to your brightest smile ever. The travel case uses UV lighting to kill 99.9% of germs after you’re done brushing.

Makeblock mBot Neo Coding Robot Kit

If you’ve got a techie kid on your list

(or kid at heart), look no further. The mBot lets them build and code their own robot, learning programming all the while. It can be built in one hour and the open-

source software allows for hundreds of add-on packs. It can also hear, remember and speak voice commands. It’s OK if you want one, too.

Sit, Stay, Gift

These gifts are better than a long walk for both pets and their people.

Custom Pet Portrait Phone Case

Protect your phone with the cute mug of your favorite pet with this wireless charging compatible phone case from West & Willow. Choose your favorite pet photo and upload it with your order, choose your phone model, pick your illustration and shipping and you’re all done.

Not into phone cases? The company offers a complete line of merchandise, including framed portraits.

Playology Silver Dri-Tech Dental Rope Dog Toy

This toy is specifically designed for older dogs who need softer material for aging teeth and gums. Playology embeds scent into their toys so that it doesn’t fade and it doesn’t get old and, most importantly, humans can barely smell it. It’s also easy to clean and you can’t wash away the scent from the toy. Comes in peanut butter and pork sausage scents.

Dash Dog Treat Maker

Churn out your own homemade doggie goodies with this bone-shaped dog treat maker. The adorable, waffleiron type cooker comes with a recipe book full of recipes to drool over and a portion of the proceeds benefit the North Shore Animal League America, Port Washington, New York.

Personalized Pet Socks

Get your pet’s face emblazoned on socks for their favorite human using PetPartyCo (or one of the other shops on Etsy). Upload, choose your sock and colors, and off you go. Gifting done. You can also add personalization to your sock.

Hyper Pet Doggie Pal Crab Interactive Dog Toy

This crab has skills! He wiggles, vibrates and barks to goad your dog into playing, encouraging exercise and reducing anxiety and boredom. The toy takes 3 AAA batteries and has an automatic stop feature to save on battery life.

K&H Thermo-Kitty Deluxe Hooded Cat Bed

Soft, cuddly and warm, this bed features a dual thermostat heating unit to keep kitty cozy. It’s also easy to clean with a washable cover. Available in two sizes and two colors. For indoor use only.

PetFusion Ambush Interactive Cat Toy

Awaken the hunter in your cat with this stimulating interactive cat toy that mimics prey popping out from the bush. LED lighting means your cat can play day or night, keeping them nimble and engaged. You can get replacement feathers when your cat eventually wears these out.