Township of Pennsauken

The Township Committee Meeting agenda for February 19, 2026, included several significant actions. The committee was set to consider ordinances on second reading concerning amendments to Chapter 233 (Peddling and Soliciting) and Chapter 299 (Vehicles and Traffic) related to handicap signs. Ordinances introduced on first reading included amendments regarding handicap signs on 44th Street, the Calendar Year 2026 budget appropriation limits, and adding a 'No Parking' restriction on King Avenue. A substantial list of resolutions addressed financial matters such as authorizing various tax refunds and cancellations for veteran exempt properties (Smith, O'Neill, Sanoguel, Ugarte), authorizing transfers of appropriation reserves, establishing a policy for disabled veteran tax exemptions, approving shared services agreements for the Project SAVE program, authorizing pre-payment for a new ladder truck through the HGACBuy program, approving grant contracts with the NJ Department of Community Affairs and NJDEP for composting, and authorizing used car licenses for several auto businesses. The agenda also allocated time for a Public Hearing regarding the NJDEP MS4 Watershed Improvement Plan Information Session.

The meeting included the call to order, the Pledge of Allegiance, and confirmation that public notice requirements under the Open Public Meetings Act were satisfied. New business involved an application from Matthew Zabel concerning the property at 4102 & 4104 Maple Avenue, seeking approval for multiple uses on the site. The agenda also listed legal bills for review and resolutions pertaining to properties at 5063 Garden Avenue, 5824 Westfield Avenue, and 6223 Westfield Avenue.

The Township Committee meeting agenda included several key items. Compliance with the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act" was announced, noting that notice was sent on January 2, 2026. The meeting included administering the Oath of Office to nine police personnel, including K-9 West, several Officers, Sergeants, and a Lieutenant. A public hearing was scheduled for the Green Acres Application for Lena Skelly Park. Three ordinances were introduced for first reading, concerning amendments to regulations on peddling/soliciting, removal of a handicapped sign, and establishing fees for The Pennsauken Country Club. A consent agenda covered numerous resolutions, including approving Change Order #3 for the New Pennsauken Township Public Library/Municipal Complex Project (resulting in a decrease to the contract sum), authorizing tax cancellations for disabled veterans, authorizing the transfer of expired premium account funds to the General Fund, authorizing various tax overpayment refunds, appointing Andrew Eichel as Emergency Management Coordinator and Brian Evans as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, and extending a shared services agreement with the Borough of Lawnside for Municipal Clerk services. The agenda concluded with approval of bills from December 2025 and a resolution authorizing a closed session to discuss matters of acquisition of real property.

The Zoning Board Agenda included a review of public notice procedures pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act. New business focused on an application by Eliah Delvalle for a substantial addition to a property at 5063 Garden Avenue, which requires bulk variances for both front yard setback (10 feet requested versus 30 feet required) and side yard setbacks. The agenda also covered administrative items, including legal bills, resolutions related to Z-2025-38, the 2026 Reorganization (Z-2026-2), and the appointment of a Solicitor (Z-2026-3) and Engineer (Z-2026-4), as well as the 2025 Annual Zoning Report.

The meeting focused on the Reorganization Agenda for the year 2026. Key activities included the general acknowledgement of dignitaries, remarks from the outgoing Mayor, and the certification of election results. The agenda proceeded with the swearing in of the new Mayor, Patrick Olivo, and the subsequent election and swearing in of the Deputy Mayor, Vince Martinez. Several resolutions were considered, including the reappointment of the Municipal Administrator, authorization for temporary appropriations pending the final 2026 budget adoption, and numerous consent agenda items covering professional appointments for the year 2026 such as Municipal Attorney, Auditors, and various counsel roles. Additionally, resolutions addressed yearly appointments for various boards and departments, including the Board of Health, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Rent Stabilization Board, and departmental responsibilities for the new Mayor and Committee members.