Lindsey Ferguson

This document details the Borough of Collingswood's Housing Element of the Master Plan and Amended Fair Share Plan. It outlines the municipality's strategies to meet its affordable housing obligations, specifically addressing the Fourth Round (2025-2035) as mandated by the 2024 FHA amendments, alongside existing Third Round and Present Need requirements. Key initiatives include implementing mandatory set-aside ordinances, establishing overlay zones, and redeveloping properties like the Water Tower site to create new affordable and very low-income housing units, with an overarching goal of ensuring compliance with state affordable housing regulations.

The meeting agenda includes the Call to Order, Flag Salute, compliance confirmation with the Open Public Meetings Act, Roll Call, and Reorganization/Election of Officers. New Business items center on the Board's consideration of adopting a proposed Housing Element of the Master Plan Amended Fair Share Plan for the Borough of Collingswood. Specific applications involve seeking a Certification of Preexisting Nonconforming Use or use variance relief for residential properties, an interpretation that a proposed use is principally an office use or a use variance for a commercial property, and bulk variance relief for porch additions or existing structures. The agenda also lists resolutions to be memorialized for previous applications regarding use variance approvals and preliminary/final site plan approvals.

The Commission meeting addressed the second reading and public hearing for Ordinance 1825, an ordinance determining the rate of compensation for Borough officers and employees, detailing numerous salary schedules across various departments including Administration, Police, Fire, and Library. Several resolutions were approved, notably Resolution 2026-229 concerning the 2026 Salary Resolution, which involved Commissioner Maley citing concerns about budget sustainability tied to the privatization of EMS and the funding sources for raises and new police hires. Resolution 2026-234 regarding the appointment of Conflict Counsel also generated discussion due to an alleged conflict of interest involving the Mayor on a previous EMS contract vote. Other actions included authorizing shared service agreements for code enforcement and recreation facility enhancement funding, appointing fill-in officials for various subcodes, approving the payment of bills, and proclaiming January as Muslim American Heritage Month.

The regular meeting involved the first reading and approval of four ordinances scheduled for a second reading on December 1, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026. These ordinances concerned amendments to Chapter 301 regarding Water Rents, including service charges and consumption rates; amendments to Chapter 247 regarding Sewer Rents, specifically adjusting minimum annual sewer rentals for residence and non-residence units; and two ordinances amending Chapters 247 and 301 to introduce new connection permit fees and a fire hydrant usage permit fee. Key resolutions approved included updating the Borough's Personnel Policy, authorizing a 2025 Budget Transfer, approving grant applications for EV Chargers, authorizing a contract for special matters, approving a Shared Service Agreement for Project Save, authorizing advertising for Janitorial Service bids, and approving various raffle licenses. A proclamation recognized the retirement of Susan Grella from the Collingswood Library, and council members provided updates on holiday events and community support efforts, including raising over $10,000 for SNAP benefits.

The regular commission meeting included several second readings and public hearings for ordinances. Ordinance No. 1813 concerned the subdivision of Borough property at 627 Haddon Avenue, retaining the Rear Parcel for public use and conveying the Front Parcel to Design Pro Development, LLC's nominee. Ordinance 1814 amended Chapter 141, Section 13 of the Borough Code regarding fee schedules for variances and professional escrows. Ordinance 1815 amended Chapter 57 of the Borough Code to revise Police Department organizational structure and staffing levels, including increasing the maximum number of Patrolmen. Ordinance 1816 amended Chapter 167, Section 31 of the Borough Code by adding a fee schedule for permits. Ordinance 1817 appropriated $625,000.00 from the Sewer Capital Improvement Fund for the purchase of a Combination Sewer Cleaner. Ordinance 1818 established regulations and a fee schedule for commercial and educational filming in the Borough. Ordinance 1819 adopted revised rules and regulations for the Police Department regarding facial hair standards. Ordinance 1820 authorized a Bond Ordinance to finance the completion of new water treatment facilities for $26,500,000. Resolutions approved included appointments of personnel (Firefighter/EMT, Police Officer, Library Assistant) and reappointment of others (Deputy Registrar, Emergency Management Coordinator, Fire Official), expressing support for Ranked Choice Voting legislation, approving contracts for water treatment plant design services, approving electric energy services, joining a wastewater cooperative pricing system, authorizing advertisement for professional services, authorizing an application for a resiliency grant, adopting the Recreation Master Plan, and approving payment of bills. A presentation was given by Flow Forward NJ regarding the distribution of menstrual products in municipal buildings.