Several resolutions approved ahead of bond referendum vote
During a light schedule at the most recent Cherry Hill Township Council meeting, several resolutions were passed, including one concerning property owners’ maintenance of their land.
Passing unanimously was Resolution 12–3, charging owners the cost for cutting grass and removing trees debris, refuse and other material from lands when the property owners fail to do so.
According to Chief of Staff for Cherry Hill Township Erin Gill, pursuant to the provisions of Section 15–16.4 b,c,d of the Municipal Code (Ordinance 95–36), notices were sent to property owners requiring them to cut their grass and remove trees and debris. The owners failed, within the specified time frame, to cut grass and remove trees and other debris which created a condition detrimental to public health, safety and general welfare and/or is likely to create a hazard.
Cutting of the grass and removal of the trees and debris will be accomplished under the direction of Property Maintenance, which sent a violation notice and invoices for the work completed by Public Works. That certified letter was returned unclaimed or signed for by the property owner. Upon failure to effect payment within the time prescribed, the Property Maintenance inspector certified to Township Council that the cost shall be charged against the land.
While Gill additionally revealed this is a standard resolution council discusses in nearly every other meeting, there are always properties in the township that fall under its provision. After numerous notices and violations, the township undertakes the maintenance, then places a lien on the property for the cost to do so.
Among the violations under the Property Maintenance Code that might cause Resolution 12–3 to go into effect for township properties are: trash and recycling waste placed at the curb prior to 5:30 p.m. the night before a scheduled collection day and later than 7 a.m. on collection day; yard waste collected and stowed in plastic bags; grass or weeds grown to greater than 10 inches in height; and inoperable vehicles (without current registration, inspection stickers or insurance) that are left in driveways, on the street, or anywhere on a residential property.
Resolutions 12–9 through 12–11, which dealt with appointments to various township business roles, were also passed. Bowman and Company, LLP was once again appointed as township auditor, as it has been since 1939. Serving as township bond council will once again be McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC, while Acacia Financial Group, Inc. again was appointed as township financial advisors, as it has served since 2012.
In addition, Resolution 12–2 also passed without dissent. Mona Noyes was appointed to the Cherry Hill Public Library Board of Trustees for a five-year term.
Public comment was non-existent regarding the $210 million, three-question bond referendum that was to be voted on Dec. 11. During the previous council meeting, Superintendent Joseph Meloche spoke for 15 minutes and several township residents echoed those remarks on the benefits of voting “yes” on all three questions.
With one day remaining before Cherry Hill residents would head to the polls, only Councilwoman Carolyn Jacobs and council Vice President Sara Lipsett spoke on the subject, going on record by simply urging the public to vote “for the future of our schools.”
With votes still unofficial as of publication, none of the three bond referendum questions passed.
In other news:
- Council gathered together at the start of the meeting to celebrate Lenore Rosner, who will be retiring at the end of December after serving as township business administrator for the past 15 years. A reading of a proclamation in Rosner’s honor was undertaken by all members of council, including Mayor Chuck Cahn.
- The next council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 27, moved back due to the Christmas holiday earlier in that week.
