Christopher Leusner

The key discussion points included following up on the ANJEC membership fee renewal status. Old business covered updates on the Harvest Festival volunteer list, the success of the Christmas in Court House event, discussions regarding the Pollinator Pathway brochure printing costs and tracking new registrations, and planning an educational class to be taught at the Library. General discussion involved the Business Administrator auditing the meeting, clarifying the responsibilities of commission members, term limits, and the role of alternate members. New business involved a member rescinding her resignation, scheduling the Spring Clean event for May 16th, confirming the Cape May County Zoo Ribbon Cutting date, reviewing printing quotes for new brochures and investigating grant funding, and reviewing a rough draft of the Tree Ordinance developed by commission and alternate members.

The Township Committee addressed numerous resolutions and ordinances. Key actions included approving payment for general bills across multiple funds totaling over $1,014,000 for Bill List A and over $5,000 for Bill List B. Ordinance 1734-26 was adopted, repealing Article II of Chapter 175 concerning Rent Control, due to preemption by new State law. Ordinance 1735-26 concerning Development Fees and Affordable Housing regulations passed first reading. Resolutions were adopted acknowledging several resignations and various internal personnel changes, including new hires and department/title changes. The Committee approved Change Order No. 2 for improvements to the Clarence and Georgiana Davies Complex, increasing the contract amount by $58,300.00. Triad Associates was designated as the Affordable Housing Administrative Agent. Contracts were awarded under a Fair and Open Process to Vincent C. Orlando as Planning Board Engineer and Zoning Board Engineer, and to Robert T. Belasco as Planning Board Solicitor and Zoning Board Solicitor, each not to exceed $20,000.00 through December 31, 2026. Mobile Food Vendor licenses for 2026 were authorized, and Mobile Home Park licenses were renewed for 2026. The Mayor was authorized to sign a Treatment Works Application for Block 29 Lot 30. An extension was authorized for a temporary above-ground gasoline storage tank until October 31, 2026. Emergency purchases were awarded for outfall pipe repair at 28 Seabreeze Lane ($44,000.00) and ceiling repair at the Senior Center ($39,900.00). A mortgage discharge was authorized for a property on Lehigh Avenue. The contract with Middle Township Ambulance Corps. for emergency medical services for 2026 was ratified. A purchase price of $7,500.00 was established for a property acquisition in the Indian Trail Redevelopment Area. Performance bond guarantees were reduced for two separate projects. The Committee adopted an Updated Spending Plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to comply with new DCA regulations. A refund of $7,319.25 for cancelled job fees was authorized for Joe Fulford. The meeting concluded with a resolution to enter a closed session to discuss contract negotiation pertaining to potential development.

The agenda for this meeting included the approval of payment for bills (Lists A and B), consideration of Ordinance No. 1736-26 which amends Chapter 250-403 of the Zoning Code regarding inclusionary affordable housing in Hidreth Village, and the scheduling of the second reading and public hearing for that ordinance for April 6, 2026. Resolutions were introduced for tax refunds, extension of business registration due dates, appointment to the Recreation Advisory Board, award of bid for ADA improvements to the Davies Complex (Goshen Complex), approval of a Social Affairs Permit for the TJ Hunt Memorial Foundation, release of a performance bond for a street opening by South Jersey Gas, and authorization to submit an application for the Cape May County Land of the Free Celebration 250 Grant Program for the 4th of July. A resolution authorizing an executive session to discuss potential litigation concerning developers' default was also adopted.

The meeting included a question and answer period regarding agenda items, followed by resolutions for approving bill payments (Bill List A) and acknowledging resignations and title changes. Key legislative actions involved the adoption of Ordinance 1734-26, which amends the code regarding rent control for mobile and manufactured homes, and the first reading of Ordinance 1735-26 concerning development fees and affordable housing regulations. Several resolutions were passed, including appointments for new hires, approval of Change Order No. 2 for improvements at the Goshen Complex, appointment of Triad Associates as the Administrative Agent for Affordable Housing Programs, authorization to execute fair and open contracts, approval of mobile food vendor licenses and mobile home park license renewals for 2026, authorizing the execution of a treatment works application, authorizing the temporary installation of an above-ground gasoline storage tank, an emergency purchase for bulkhead repair, authorization to execute a mortgage discharge, ratification of a contract with the Middle Township Ambulance Corps, and establishing a sale price for property acquisition in the Indian Trail Redevelopment Area. The committee also adopted a resolution to adopt a spending plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and authorized an emergency purchase for a bulkhead pipe repair.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the recognition of Bill Candell's retirement and the acknowledgement of Jennifer Graham's retirement. The Committee approved the payment for general bills totaling over $3.2 million and authorized the approval of donation of time for employee Dustin Sturm. Appointments were made to the Rent Leveling Board. The Committee acknowledged the resignation of Katrina Born from the Environmental Commission. An emergency purchase resolution was adopted to award a contract for pier repair on Shell Bay Ave. Several resolutions addressed tax matters, including cancellations due to property tax exemption and Disabled Veteran Status, as well as refunds for taxes paid on exempt properties. The Committee also approved the release of trust account balances, the refund of permit fees to Maureen Denison, acceptance of a performance bond from G7B LLC, and an amendment to a prior resolution regarding a lien creation on a property. Liens were also imposed on properties for maintenance violations. The grace period for 3rd quarter property tax payments was extended to August 31, 2025, and the submission date for gravel pit license applications was extended to December 1, 2025. Township Officials were appointed to tabulate bids for improvements to the Clarence and Georgiana Davies Complex. Approval was granted to submit a Local Aid Infrastructure Fund Program grant application for the Beach Avenue Reconstruction Project and to execute the subsequent grant agreement. A Mobile Food Vendor License for 2025 was approved, and a resolution was passed authorizing the public sale of certain real property. Finally, a Social Affairs Permit for the Billy Kindle Memorial Scholarship Fund was approved. Public comments focused heavily on traffic concerns on Railroad Avenue, including signage, crosswalks, lighting, and the relocation of NJ Transit bus routes, along with specific inquiries regarding sewer laterals and property maintenance code enforcement.