Joseph M. Cunningham

The public meeting agenda included several key items. Proclamations were presented to Mal Anderson and Nancy Anderson of the Historical Society, followed by presentations from the Historical Society and RE Digital regarding Communication Services. The meeting addressed two ordinances on second reading, both related to Affordable Housing, which included a public hearing for each: Ordinance 2026-02 to repeal and replace the Affordable Housing Ordinance and Development Fee Ordinance, and Ordinance 2026-03 adopting an Inclusionary Affordable Housing Zoning District. Two ordinances were introduced on first reading concerning the establishment of salaries for various Township employees and Police Department employees. The consent agenda involved several resolutions, including authorizing acceptance of a grant from the State of New Jersey, authorizing cancellation of taxes for a disabled veteran, appointment of the Township Public Defender, ratifying a contract with CWA Local 1036, and adopting several manuals and expressing intent regarding the Affordable Housing obligations. The consent agenda also included approval of Mercantile Licenses, approval of the minutes from the February 10, 2026 Public Meeting, authorizing bill payments, and accepting reports from the CFO and Tax Collector/Township Clerk. Finally, an Executive Session was authorized to discuss a grievance (Delran FOP Lodge 230 -- Grievance 2026-02).

The Work Session agenda included discussions on a Medicare/Medicaid Workshop Series, the Delran Social Media Working Group, the Delran Volunteer Job Bank, the Annual Delran Senior Expo scheduled for September 21, 2026, a discussion regarding NJ Traffic cameras on Route 130, and the 2026 Municipal Budget. The Consent Agenda addressed several resolutions, including authorizing the award of a contract for Affordable Housing Administrative Agent Services to Triad Advisory Services, Inc., authorizing engineering services for Municipal Stormwater Reporting by CME Associates, and approving various Raffle and Bingo Licenses for the Burlington County Animal Alliance and the PTO of Holy Cross Preparatory Academy. Resolution 2026-51 authorized an adjustment to the 2026 Quarterly Sewer Billing for a property in Hunters Glen. The session also included authorization for the payment of bills.

The Public Meeting agenda included a presentation by the Green Team regarding the Delran Forestry Program. Key actions involved ordinances on second reading, including Ordinance 2026-01 to exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and establish a Cap Bank, which included a public hearing. Three ordinances were introduced on first reading: Ordinance 2026-02 to repeal and replace the Affordable Housing Ordinance and Development Fee Ordinance, and Ordinance 2026-03 amending Chapter 355 "Zoning" to adopt an Inclusionary Affordable Housing Zoning District. The Consent Agenda covered a resolution for tax cancellation for a disabled veteran, approval of the 2026 Floating Holiday Schedule, approval to apply for a grant for park improvements, approval of Mercantile Licenses, authorization for bill payments, and acceptance of financial and tax collector reports. Reports were scheduled from Emergency Services, Boards/Committees, the Business Administrator/Township Clerk, the Mayor, and the Solicitor.

The meeting included a detailed discussion regarding the security protocol for a facility, emphasizing ID checks upon entry, at the register, and exit procedures designed to prevent unauthorized access or activity, including an anti-diversion mechanism using separate entry and exit vestibules. The board reviewed the security plan in coordination with local police and noted the effectiveness of the existing camera system. A key agenda item was the motion to approve an amendment to the conditions of approval for Castaway Cannabis, specifically to change the security staffing from armed guards to regular guards. The motion was approved following a roll call vote.

The meeting commenced with a flag salute and the reading of the sunshine statement, confirming proper notice was given. The work session began with a discussion regarding the planning for the Fourth of July celebration, focusing primarily on significant concerns related to public safety, staffing shortages across Fire, EMS, and DPW departments, and the impact of concurrent events. Further discussion addressed the multi-township nature of the event, which is tied to the 250th-anniversary commemoration and involves county participation and potential security support from county sheriffs. The council also reviewed preliminary estimates for the 2026 road program, totaling approximately $2,721,710.75, including specific road projects like Fullwood Avenue, Suburban Boulevard, Whan Road, Hannes Mill Road, Shelly Lane, and Timothy Court, as well as the intersection of Juniata and Ithaca. The scope of work for the road program includes paving, utility replacement or lining, new driveway aprons, ADA ramps, and localized drainage improvements. Separately, the acquisition of defibrillators was finalized, with a plan to formally present them to the recipients (Delan Police Department, BFW 3020, Post 3020, and the NIS of Columbus) during the December public meeting, including arranging necessary training. Ordinance 2025-22, establishing salaries for various township employees, was approved on first reading. The consent agenda, which included the approval of mercantile loss licenses and the contract award for two chiller water pumps for Public Works HVAC, was also approved.