7 days ago

October 27th Council Meeting - The Empire Strikes Back
The Council Meeting resumed after a recess.
First Public Comment: The session was opened for agenda items only.
Nothing notable
Council Actions: The Consent Agenda was approved, as no items were requested to be removed.

Second Public Comment (General)
The floor was opened for the general public comment period.
Brian Burns
Hickstown Road: Asked if the Council, acting as the redevelopment entity, supports the Master Plan's recommendation to create a redevelopment zone for preservation in the Hickstown Road area
Freeway Golf Course: Questioned why the Clerk's office stated no development plans were on file when a resolution for a wastewater pumping station referenced 567 townhouses and 229 single-family units Clip 1
Denise Coin
Williamstown Road Settlement: Expressed concern that the vote to include the lot at 1092 Williamstown Road was scheduled after the election to "avoid scrutiny" CLIP 2
Challenged the settlement they made and if it was more beneficial to residents or the developers. CLIP 3
Dave Leader
Asked Councilman Castro if he approved the "nasty" political ads being sent to residents CLIP 4
Has an idea to reduce trash removal costs. CLIP 5
He also followed up for the Green Team request and no one has called him back.
He followed up on a request for an Org Chart and no one wants to give him one.
Nancy Kelly Gentelli
Williamstown Road Settlement: Echoed Ms. Coin's concerns and asked for clarification on whether the developer's settlement is contingent upon the approval of the ordinance adding the disputed lot. CLIP 6
David Brown
Inquired about the financial figures for revenue generated from solar panels, Prime Outlets, and marijuana sales, noting that property taxes continue to rise
Expressed concern about the increasing Township debt, which he calculated had risen by approximately $38 million since 2010 CLIP 8

3. Council Response to Public Comment
Council President Marcato
School Enrollment/Housing: Mr. Marcato addressed the overdevelopment and school strain narrative by citing a decline in student enrollment in the Gloucester Township Public School District from 7,843 (2005-2006) to 6,496 (current) and noted that only 14.2% of the Township's housing stock has been built since 2000 CLIP 7
According to a survey of multi-family rental developments in New Jersey, the number of school-age children per 100 units is significantly higher in affordable rental housing than in market-rate rental housing – 62.9 children per 100 affordable units versus 20.4 children per 100 market-rate units. ” realestate.business.rutgers.edu+2NJB Magazine+2
Source: Rutgers Center for Real Estate, School-Age Children in Rental Units in New Jersey: Results from a Survey of Developers and Property Managers (July 2018). realestate.business.rutgers.edu

Final Council and Staff Remarks
Chief Harkins says goodbye CLIP 9
Troxell gives her thoughts on the chief. CLIP 10
Nash gives his remarks about Council’s responsibility of growing the township. CLIP 11
The number one priority of a township council is to serve and represent the best interests of the residents of the township.
More specifically, this usually includes:
1. Public Safety and Well-Being
Ensuring that police, fire, EMS, and other safety services are properly funded and functioning. If people don’t feel safe or protected, nothing else works.
2. Responsible Stewardship of Taxpayer Money
Council is in charge of budgeting and spending local tax dollars. Their priority is to use those funds wisely—maintaining roads, parks, utilities, and services without waste.
3. Setting Local Policy and Long-Term Direction
They make or update ordinances, zoning rules, development plans, environmental rules, etc., to manage how the community grows and functions.