Borough Meeting

During the November borough meeting, Mario’s Pizza located at 100 N. Black Horse Pike received a plaque from the Camden County Commissioners for 50 years of being in Runnemede. 

Patrolman Logan Stemetzki was presented with a plaque for an incident that took place in August.  Two individuals were arrested for drugs and a stolen vehicle.

Absent from the November meeting was councilman Luis Cepero.  The meeting minutes for the 9/27/2022 and 10/4/2022 meetings were approved. 

Under public hearing was ordinance #22-13: an ordinance repealing chapter 265, section 5 of the Runnemede Borough Code due to pre-emption by State Law.  This was adopted on second and final reading. 

Council then adopted bond ordinance #22-14: an ordinance authorizing various improvements to the sanitary sewer system and road improvements related thereto in the Borough of Runnemede; appropriating the sum of $7,250,500 therefor; authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds or bond anticipation notes of the borough in the aggregate principal amount of up to $7,250,500.  This was adopted on second and final reading. 

Under committee reports, director of finance councilman John Ranieri relied on his caucus report. 

Director of public safety councilwoman Eleanor Kelly reported that for October the police department had 887 calls for service, 315 traffic summonses, 34 arrests, and no Narcan deployment. 

Director of public events council president Pat Passio reported that the Halloween party was fantastic.  Passio thanked everyone who helped with it.  Passio added that on Sunday, November 27^th at the Harry Williams Community Center will be the Christmas tree lighting, starting at 6 p.m.  The Christmas parade will be going through the town, starting at 7 p.m.

Director of engineering councilman Robert Farrell relied on his caucus report. 

Director of public works councilman Craig Laubenstein reported that the leaf schedule is posted on the borough’s website.  Laubenstein also reported that yard waste will be every other week. 

Council adopted several resolutions.  Mayor Nick Kappatos did allow the public to speak on resolution #22-140: resolution conditionally granting a municipal license for the establishment and operation of a facility for cannabis retail by Phasal, LLC, located at 1100 N. Black Horse Pike. 

Phasal was already approved at the last planning zoning board meeting.       

The payment of bills was approved. 

The next borough caucus meeting will be on Tuesday, November 29^th starting at 6 p.m. 

[Borough Agenda 11-1-2022]

[Approved Resolutions 11-1-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 11-1-2022 for the approved resolutions.  The request was completed on 11-10-2022.

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Planning Zoning Board Meeting

The planning zoning board heard two applications at their October meeting.  Absent from the meeting were board members Kandy Klehamer, Mary Dodds, Mayor Nick Kappatos, Councilman John Ranieri, and alternate board member Sharon Burke. 

Board member Joesph Aupperle ran the meeting.  The meeting minutes for the September 28, 2022 meeting were approved. 

Under old business was resolution #22-18: resolution approving conditional use variance for 10 E. Clements Bridge Road, block 112, lots 12, 12.01 & 12.04 was approved.  This was heard at the last meeting.

In addition resolution #22-19: resolution deeming the application for conditional use variance incomplete for Greenhouse Garden, LLC, block 42, lots 1, 1.01, 1.03, 1.04 & 1.05 was approved.  This application was not heard at the last meeting because it was deemed incomplete by the Board. 

Under new business, the Board heard application #22-07A: application of 10 E. Clements Bridge Road, block 112, lots 12, 12.01 & 12.04 for site plan.  This is for Cottonmouth.  The applicant was at the last meeting for a conditional use variance. 

The applicant will be adding lights to the outside of the building, along with adding evergreens.  They are expected to remove some of the old trees along Clements Bridge Road.  There was a brief discussion over the type of paint that should be used for stripping the parking lot.  

Several residents who live nearby were present and expressed their opinions to the board members. 

The hours of operation are seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.  The parking lot lights are expected to turn off one hour after closing. 

[Application #22-07A]

After the Board had a lengthy discussion on the site plan, all members voted yes. 

The Board then heard application #22-09: application of Phasal LLC, 1100 North Black Horse Pike, block 32, lot 8 for conditional use variance and site plan. 

This location is currently occupied by a funeral home.  The applicant is looking to have a retail cannabis store.  It was mentioned that the product will be individually wrapped.  There will be no growing of the product on-site and no consuming the product on-site. 

It was mentioned that the location is expected to have around 300 people per day.  There will be third-party security for this location.    

There were concerns about the traffic to the surrounding area from residents. 

All board members voted yes for this application. 

[Application #22-09]

Runnemede did adopt an ordinance that only allows for two retail cannabis stores.   

The next planning zoning board meeting will be on Wednesday, November 30^th starting at 7 p.m. 

[Planning Zoning Board Agenda 10-26-2022]

[Approved Resolutions 10-26-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 10-26-2022 for the approved resolutions.  The request was completed on 11-03-2022. 

Borough Caucus Meeting

Council discussed agenda items for the Tuesday, November 1^st meeting starting at 7 p.m.

[Borough Caucus Agenda 10-25-2022]

[Approved Resolutions 10-25-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 10-25-2022 for the approved resolutions.   The request was completed on 10-28-2022.

Board Meeting

During the October board of education meeting, there was a brief presentation on NJSLA/Start Strong/STAR Benchmark Test scores. 

The Board approved the meeting minutes for the September 21, 2022 meeting. 

Cheval Moyer was approved as a substitute cafeteria/playground aide (pending paperwork).  Martin Williams was approved as a long-term substitute custodian at Bingham School from October 24, 2022, through June 30, 2022, at step 1 $35,000 (prorated). 

Under finance, the Board approved the financial reports for September 2022. 

Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D., Psychologist, for Psychoeducational and ADOS evaluations for the 2022-2023 school year. 

[Psychologist Fee Schedule]

Board president Samantha Spaulding did mention to the Board about possibly changing the January 2023 reorganization meeting to another night.  Spaulding and board member Angel Beebe won’t be attending the scheduled Wednesday, January 4, 2023 reorganization meeting.   

The next board of education meeting will be on Wednesday, November 16^th starting at 6:30 p.m. at Mary E. Volz school.  It was mentioned the meeting location might be changed to another school. 

[Board Agenda 10-19-2022]

[Financial Report 10-19-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 10-19-2022 for the approved financial report.  The request was completed on 10-20-2022.

Borough Meeting

During the October borough meeting, Mayor Nick Kappatos presented Sergeant Arthur Burns with a plaque for his 20 years of service to the Runnemede Police Department. 

Absent from the meeting was Council president Pat Passio.  The meeting minutes for 8-30-2022 and 9-6-2022 were approved by Council.

Brian Zimmer, Jr. was hired to join the Runnemede Police Department at $38,250.00 per year (pro-rated) from 10/4/2022.

Council approved Traci Washart, Jacqueline Ortiz, and Tia Chrzanowski as police matrons at $13.00 per hour. 

During the committee reports, director of finance Councilman John Ranieri relied on his caucus report. 

Director of public safety Councilwoman Eleanor Kelly reported for the month of September the police department had 1014 calls for service, 298 traffic summonses, 78 arrests, 8 bike patrols, 1 Narcan deployment, and 1 hour of overtime. 

Mayor Nick Kappatos gave the public event’s report.  The annual Halloween party will take place on Monday, October 31^st from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Field House.  There will also be early voting starting Saturday, October 29th through Sunday, November 6^th. 

Director of engineering Councilman Robert Farrell relied on his caucus report.

Director of public works Councilman Craig Laubenstein reported that Public Works is getting ready for leaf season. 

Director of parks & recreation Councilman Luis Cepero relied on his caucus report. 

Halloween trick-or-treating hours will be from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, October 31^st.    The curfew will be at 9 p.m. starting October 28^th through October 31^st. 

The next borough caucus meeting will be on Tuesday, October 25^th starting at 6 p.m.  

[Borough Agenda 10-4-2022]

[Approved Resolutions 10-4-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 10-4-2022 for the approved resolutions.   The request was completed on 10-14-2022 and received out of order by the Borough. 

Planning Zoning Board Meeting

Absent from the September planning zoning board meeting were board members Cashor Farmer, Nick Kappatos, John Ranieri, and Cathy Walker. 

The minutes for the July 27, 2022 meeting were approved. 

Under old business, the Board approved resolution #22-16: resolution approving bulk variances for Francis Accardo, 132 Knight Avenue, block 147.5, lot 5.  The Board also approved resolution #22-17: approving a minor subdivision with bulk variances for Albert and Karen Hastings, 70 N. Oakland Avenue, block 60, lot 17.  These were approved applications from the last meeting. 

Under new business, the Board heard application #22-07: application of 10 E. Clements Bridge Road, block 112, lots, 12, 12.01 & 12.04 for conditional use and site plan wavier.  The name of the business is Cottonmouth.  The company is looking to have a cannabis retail store at this location. 

The building has over 8,000 square feet and around 5,000 square feet would be used for retail.  The property is in a commercial area of town.  It was mentioned there would be no odor from this location.  Merchandise is prepackaged.  There will be a high-end security system at this location. 

The Board took a brief break before continuing the application. 

One resident did state he had a petition from the neighbors who are against this business. 

All present board members did vote yes for this application.  The applicant still needs to get a site plan approval from the Board. 

 [Application #22-07]

The Board did not hear application #22-08.  The application was for Greenhouse Garden LLC, 413 N. Black Horse Pike, block 42, lot 1, 1.01, 1.03, 1.04 & 1.05 for a site plan.  It was stated this application was deemed incomplete.  

The next planning zoning board meeting will be on Wednesday, October 26^th starting at 7 p.m. 

[Planning Zoning Board Agenda 9-28-2022]

[Approved Resolutions 9-28-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 9-28-2022 for the approved resolutions.  The request was completed on 10-3-2022. 

Borough Caucus Meeting

Council discussed agenda items for the Tuesday, October 4^th meeting starting at 7 p.m.

[Borough Caucus Agenda 9-27-2022]

[Payment of bills 9-27-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 9-27-2022 for the approved payment of bills. The request was completed on 10-4-2022.

Board Meeting

Absent from the September board of education meeting were board members, Naomi Davidson and Heather Farrell.  The August 17, 2022, regular meeting minutes were approved.  

There were no scheduled presentations.   

Under personnel, the Board approved the resignation of Gia Cerminaro, copy clerk for the school district as of September 9, 2022.  Vianna Lombardi was approved as the new copy clerk for the 2022/2023 school year beginning September 22, 2022, at $15.00 per hour, up to 25 hours, as needed. 

The resignation of Karen Engelhart, elementary music teacher as of October 20, 2022, was approved.  The Board approved Caleb Leon as the new elementary music teacher step 1 BA for $50,791.00 (pending certification). 

The Board approved additional 3 days of summer work for Michelle DiMatties at $476.55 per diem.  Elizabeth Kehler was approved additional 6 days of summer work at $475.56 per diem. 

The financial reports for the month ending August 2022 and along with the payment of bills were approved. 

The next board of education meeting will be on Wednesday, October 19^th starting at 6:30 p.m.

[Board Agenda 9-21-2022]

[Financial Report 9-21-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 9-21-2022 for the approved financial report.   The request was completed on 9-22-2022.

Borough Meeting

The minutes for the 7/26/2022 and 8/3/2022 meetings were approved at the September borough meeting. 

Ordinance #22-10: An ordinance creating chapter 396, entitled “murals and public art” of the code of the Borough of Runnemede was adopted on the second and final reading.  The requirement to send a notice to surrounding neighbors was eliminated on this ordinance’s second and final reading.

All council members voted yes. 

Council president Pat Passio did mention she is disappointed that notification to the surrounding residents if a mural should go up near them was taken out of the ordinance.  Councilman Robert Farrell agreed with the council president. 

During the committee reports, director of finance councilman John Ranieri relied on his caucus report. 

Director of public safety councilwoman Eleanor Kelly reported for the month of August the police department had 1016 calls for service, 314 traffic summonses, 24 motor vehicle crashes, 100 arrests, 2 hours of overtime, 3 bike patrols, and no Narcon deployment. 

Director of public events council president Pat Passio reported that early voting will be from October 29^th through November 6^th.  Flu shots will be on Tuesday, November 1^st from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Harry Williams Community Center.  The Town Wide Yard Sale will be on September 24^th and 25^th from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  The annual Halloween party will be on Monday, October 31^st from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Field House. 

Director of public works councilman Craig Laubenstein reported that Public Works is preparing for the leaf season.   The yellow curbs around the schools have been painted. 

Director of parks & recreation councilman Luis Cepero reported that Public Works has been taking care of the fields.

Council approved several resolutions and the payment of bills. 

The next borough caucus meeting will be on Tuesday, September 27^th starting at 6 p.m. 

[Borough Agenda 9-6-2022]

[Approved resolutions 9-6-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 9-6-2022 for the approved resolutions. The request was completed on 9-13-2022 and received out of order by the Borough. 

Borough Caucus Meeting

Council discussed agenda items for the Tuesday, September 6^th meeting starting at 7 p.m.

[Borough Caucus Agenda 8-30-2022]

[Approved Resolutions 8-30-2022] – An Open Public Records Act request was submitted on 8-30-2022 for the approved resolutions. The request was completed on 9-6-2022.