The July meeting of the Evesham Town Council began 26 minute late, and both Mayor Brown and Councilman D'Andrea were not in attendance.
After the approval of minutes from previous meetings, Police Chief Christopher Crew began a presentation for a new police officer in Evesham Township, Patrolman John Matthews. Chief Crew noted that after many applications were received, it was obvious that Patrolman Matthews was the top candidate.
Patrolman Matthews is a 27 year old graduate of William Patterson University. After college, he graduated from the Camden County Police Academy in 2015, subsequently serving as a police officer in the Camden Metro Police Department until he was 'stolen' by Evesham Township. Welcome to Evesham Patrolman Matthews and thank you for serving the community!
The final presentation was from Don Elsas. from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The annual "Bike MS: City to Shore" will be coming through Evesham on September 29th and 30th. It is the second biggest Bike MS Ride in the country, and last year involving 6000 cyclists and 1200 volunteers, banding together to raise $4.7 million. The bike ride will be from Cherry Hill to Ocean City. You can read more about it and get involved here.
The Mayor joined the meeting by phone at 7:19 pm.
Only one member of the public spoke during preliminary public comment: Pat Hansen asked about resolution 229-2018, drainage improvements at North Locust and Neville Drive. Director of Community Development Nancy Jamanow advised that she expected repairs to begin within 30 days, and to be completed within 30 days after that.
Ordinance 15-7-2018
This ordinance is to grant a PILOT agreement to a new development on Executive Drive. If you are unfamiliar with the new development, I wrote about it here. The PILOT for the 64 unit family affordable development allows for the following payments in lieu of payment of taxes:
The measure passed 3-0-1, with Mayor Brown abstaining without comment.
At the close of the meeting, Mayor Brown castigated the Evesham Township School Board and Administration again. I won't bother repeating his statements, as they are almost identical to previous months. If you want to read the previous statements along with my analysis, you can do that here or here or here or here.
The next Town Council meeting is August 21 at 6:30pm.
Prior Blog Posts
After the approval of minutes from previous meetings, Police Chief Christopher Crew began a presentation for a new police officer in Evesham Township, Patrolman John Matthews. Chief Crew noted that after many applications were received, it was obvious that Patrolman Matthews was the top candidate.
Patrolman Matthews is a 27 year old graduate of William Patterson University. After college, he graduated from the Camden County Police Academy in 2015, subsequently serving as a police officer in the Camden Metro Police Department until he was 'stolen' by Evesham Township. Welcome to Evesham Patrolman Matthews and thank you for serving the community!
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| Evesham's newest Patrolman John Matthews and family, along with Chief Crew and Deputy Mayor Hackman |
Next up was our Ryan Peters, our newly elected Assemblyman. Mr Peters is making a tour of the towns he represents in Trenton, stopping at as many Town Council meetings as possible. He spoke of a bill he is co-sponsoring to try to get the state to stop 'skimming' payments from utility companies that should be going to Township governments. He admitted it will be difficult to get it to pass, but he is going to push it anyway. He brought a resolution that he hopes Evesham Town Council will adopt in the future supporting his efforts. You can read more about his resolution here.
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| Assemblyman Ryan Peters |
The final presentation was from Don Elsas. from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The annual "Bike MS: City to Shore" will be coming through Evesham on September 29th and 30th. It is the second biggest Bike MS Ride in the country, and last year involving 6000 cyclists and 1200 volunteers, banding together to raise $4.7 million. The bike ride will be from Cherry Hill to Ocean City. You can read more about it and get involved here.
The Mayor joined the meeting by phone at 7:19 pm.
Only one member of the public spoke during preliminary public comment: Pat Hansen asked about resolution 229-2018, drainage improvements at North Locust and Neville Drive. Director of Community Development Nancy Jamanow advised that she expected repairs to begin within 30 days, and to be completed within 30 days after that.
Ordinance 15-7-2018
This ordinance is to grant a PILOT agreement to a new development on Executive Drive. If you are unfamiliar with the new development, I wrote about it here. The PILOT for the 64 unit family affordable development allows for the following payments in lieu of payment of taxes:
- For years 1 through 15, the township shall receive 5% of the annual gross revenue
- For years 16 through 21, the township shall receive 5% of the gross revenue or 20% of the taxes otherwise due on the value of the land and improvement, whichever is greater
- For years 22 through 27, 5% of gross revenue or 40% of taxes, whichever is greater
- For years 28 and 29, 5% of gross revenue or 60% of taxes, whichever is greater
- For year 30, 5% of gross revenue or 80% of taxes, whichever is greater
One member of the public spoke out against the terms of the PILOT, concerned that the amount of revenue received will not even cover the cost of trash collection, which the town will be providing. He also pointed out that the agreement at Renaissance Square was 10% of annual gross revenue, whereas this project was only 5%.
The measure passed 3-0-1, with Mayor Brown abstaining without comment.
Ordinance 16-7-2018
This ordinance was to adopt the Planning Board recommendation for changes to the Redevelopment Plan. I wrote about these changes extensively here. The measure passed 3-0-1, with Mayor Brown abstaining without comment.
Resolutions 222-2018 and 223-2018 were tabled (appointment of zoning board alternates) and all other resolutions were passed by a 4-0 vote. They will not all be mentioned here, but some highlights:
- Resolution 213-2018 - a resolution of support for the NJ Department of Transportation Improvements to Route 73, EXCEPT for the rotary at Marlton Parkway and Sagemore Drive. You can read about the changes the DOT was advocating here.
- Planning Board appointments
- Member Steve Zeuli
- Member William McGoey
- Alternate Paul Cortland
- Alternate Richard Maratea
- Member Dominick Mondi (Mr Mondi was a Mayoral Appointment of a Class II Township Official, based on his term on the Environment Commission and not subject to a Resolution or a vote by Council)
- Zoning Board appoinments
- Member Phil Wessner
- Member ? Dave (I apologize I did not get Mr Dave's first name)
- Alternate Nilka Shah
Signs for the Kettle Run Road construction and detour are in the process of being put in place. Road closures will be in effect on Monday July 23rd through the end of August, 7AM to 4PM Monday through Friday.
South Maple will be closed from Main Street to Route 73 beginning Monday July 23rd from 7AM to 4PM daily for water main replacement.
At the close of the meeting, Mayor Brown castigated the Evesham Township School Board and Administration again. I won't bother repeating his statements, as they are almost identical to previous months. If you want to read the previous statements along with my analysis, you can do that here or here or here or here.
The next Town Council meeting is August 21 at 6:30pm.
Prior Blog Posts