By Katrina Grant
The Tabernacle Township committee voted to share court services with Pemberton Borough at a recent meeting. The township is hoping that the new, shared service will provide it with a little extra money.
“Tabernacle breaks even on court costs, so there will be no savings,” Mayor Kim Brown said. “But, we will be getting a percentage of the profits.”
Resident Fran Brooks asked the committee about any additional costs to the taxpayers for the shared service.
“Any additional cost accrued for the for the shared service because of Pemberton Borough will be paid by Pemberton Borough,” Brown said.
Currently, Tabernacle Township spends about $60,000 on court costs. Pemberton Borough will add about the same amount. If the cost is projected to be more, Tabernacle is guaranteed its break-even amount.
In other news at the meeting:
One concern of some residents was a cell tower that may be put up in the township along Route 206. Some residents are against the tower and expressed concern that despite any decisions being made, it seems as though the cell tower process is getting under way. The company wanting to install the cell tower is putting herbicide where the land has been surveyed.
The committee said that no decisions have been made about the cell tower and that is something that is still going through the zoning board approval process. They said that if the company is spraying herbicide that they are doing so at their own risk.
“The township does have a legitimate process for this,” Peter C. Lange Jr., township solicitor said. “They do review the applications. The board is independent and the committee cannot comment on pending applications.”
At the closing of the meeting the Board of Health gave a presentation about the many services it offers and that are available to the township and residents. The committee asked the Board of Health to come and make the presentation.
