[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6040172,"mediaKeyId","3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a","parentId",3764538,"title","Residents press Camden County to act after repeated EMR fires in Waterfront South; commissioners say they are coordinating with city and state","audioSeconds",647,"startMs",1784000,"endMs",2431000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a&start=1784&end=2431","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a/thumbnail_1784000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6040172/Camden-County/New-Jersey/Residents-press-Camden-County-to-act-after-repeated-EMR-fires-in-Waterfront-South-commissioners-say-they-are-coordinating-with-city-and-state","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040172-2834bf598cb577d899f87087015a0175/orig.mp4?Expires=1770883071&Signature=MCiDN2B80Se2GBR5ScnZrAALmB70u3CM-GnfCg3mrxMuq5bzN7F32O9nXqlcXC7OZXTn~zOEUxLPhJ1XF1XRy~Q~rjNcPwzBXtZiP6WtW0zogvRn4LO8gAgnQUPqQSyGkEZdlEU-m7bba3ZWfxP00dyRU1rKtV5dZSr7TUhZFZfUXQe0brZXQbIzvBXwys5FZBptGwoUwU7N69xLSZm0gVaEZWaywWIJq3HQCFxax-J6UGbW2QP89tSSmyR8BSuPqvkeSy5qscq5~KCRejZblHI2dy~Snn9zxEw1JXZ7vz7APv8qgKtrH3S-lgBfLcHTqkQ3muwVtzkkrVBkeJPh4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Camden County, NJ","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Residents from Waterfront South and nearby communities told the Camden County Board of Commissioners they want more aggressive oversight and enforcement after a recent large fire at EMR's Camden facility produced thick smoke and lingering air impacts.

\"The air was terrible in Collingswood, you know, giant dark clouds that lingered till, like, 08:30, 09:00 at night,\" said Kate Delaney of Collingswood. She urged the county to \"hold EMR accountable and make sure that an environmental disaster of this sort doesn't happen again.\"

Kevin Barfield of Camden for Clean Air and a waterfront task force said the problem is operational and site-location related, not just a question of installing suppression equipment. \"It's still about operation. It's still about the location of where that particular shredder is at next to the CCMUA,\" Barfield said. He and other speakers questioned whether automotive shredder residue and other materials stored on-site are being handled safely and noted concerns about runoff and air toxins.

Mike Morgan, a Waterfront South resident, said residents have been displaced by multiple fires and described the recurring disruptions: \"This has happened 5 times in the last 4 years... We've had to evacuate 3 times in [my child's] short life.\" Robert Bennett of Oaklyn described severe smoke and nausea in his town after the most recent plume.

County officials said they are pressing EMR for operational changes. Director Cappelli said the county and the City of Camden \"have demanded, together with the city that EMR come up with a fire suppression system that will resolve this issue. The conditions there and the fire were unacceptable.\" She said the county expected to learn more about the company's proposed suppression system soon and that, if EMR does not act, \"we will explore what other options we need to take to prevent that type of fire from happening in the future.\" Deputy Director McDonald said the county was \"taking this extremely seriously\" and that county leaders had joined city officials on a call to discuss next steps.

Speakers also urged reclassification and stricter oversight of automotive shredder residue (ASR). One public commenter proposed that the state classify ASR as hazardous waste (a standard currently applied in California) to restrict on-site storage and require stricter controls.

The county does not yet have a publicly released fire marshal or DEP investigation report in the transcript; county officials said they would share information as it becomes available and would coordinate with the city and state agencies to ensure corrective action.

Why it matters: Recurrent fires at a large industrial facility adjacent to critical county infrastructure raise air-quality, public-health and continuity-of-service concerns for surrounding neighborhoods.

What the county said it would do next: County officials said they will continue to coordinate with the City of Camden, review EMR's proposed fire-suppression plan, and pursue additional enforcement or regulatory options if the company does not implement prompt, acceptable changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Camden County Board of Commissioners March 20, 2025 Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and community groups urged Camden County officials to force operational changes at EMR after a recent fire produced large smoke plumes; county leaders said they are coordinating with the City of Camden and state agencies.","taxTitle","Camden County, New Jersey","taxId",14427,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6040177,"Unions urge Camden County to pause changes to employee health coverage; county staff say details will follow board approval",237,681000,918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a&start=681&end=918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a/thumbnail_681000.jpg","/articles/6040177/Camden-County/New-Jersey/Unions-urge-Camden-County-to-pause-changes-to-employee-health-coverage-county-staff-say-details-will-follow-board-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040177-20b5af5369df643044257568d26124b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770883071&Signature=RiahFBwZ0s2e2uEaC7tkgdACWhh9pce~8xLYFefnvqkQSgX8AOc~fuUcRL3VkSVOslk1VIcP8OHlQv6JxbUORGFn5IUHG6yaMXt-3l-66VdGV5RIUppPH~WUVQQAYl6BoaMJMdmGOXsYPz8tbFQtxqYbvsYr6pIYisxj7Eg2xHyDHzTt5OgMFqhxMEdq-P7UMylTgK28e30qNtHCaFpA09V~TLTvftez1rl9Ivf5Sth-4Yzl~OM5SrbBmW3Js8ZRIMez2qPebrP~ZiQunOgP4UjSW31c1487uwpG7HG1ObVyk24r2i9L9gh-JJx7IMLt7BzGvrbqnKdJ8qFKlIyKWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Union leaders asked the Camden County Board of Commissioners to delay action on proposed changes to county employee health coverage so county negotiators and union representatives could finish discussions.

\"We are all for coming out of state health benefits, so please don't confuse this for us not wanting to do this,\" said Jaren Steiner, a commenter who identified himself during public comment and asked the board to consider tabling the item until the county and union could meet on carrier selection and plan details.

Steven Johnson, president of CWA Local 1084, told commissioners his members at the Board of Social Services are negotiating a contract and are struggling with cost-of-living pressures. \"We need a fair contract. The reason we need a fair contract is not just because we're we want more money. It's because we need the money. My members are struggling to live everyday life,\" Johnson said.

County staff responded that the carriers named in recent procurement efforts have not yet been finalized but that, contractually, any carrier selected must provide coverage that is \"similar to, or better than\" the coverage currently in place. A staff member identified only as Jim said: \"The carriers aren't being named yet only because it hasn't been approved yet by the board... contractually, we are obligated to provide coverage that is similar to or, you know, substantially similar to the coverages that are, you know, provided now... We understand our obligation to our employees and our contractual obligations to our labor agreements, and we are following that.\"

When asked whether the county would share full plan documentation with union representatives, the staff member said those materials would be provided after the commissioners approve changes to the TPA, pharmacy benefits manager and the Medicare Advantage carrier.

Board members acknowledged the unions' concerns but said some actions must happen this month for an operational transition to be effective. The relevant resolution or resolutions addressing health benefits were among the package of items the board moved to approve in a block vote later in the meeting; the block vote (resolutions 1'63) carried with several recorded abstentions.

Why it matters: County decisions about third-party administrators, carriers and pharmacy benefit managers affect plan design, provider networks and the timing of coverage transfers; unions said they want more time and direct information before the board finalizes decisions.

What the board said it would do next: County staff committed to sharing carrier names and documentation after board approval and to providing contract documentation that stipulates coverage will mirror current plans.

Public commenters and union representatives who addressed the board during the meeting included Jaren Steiner (public commenter), Steven Johnson (CWA Local 1084 president), Kimberly Poole (Board of Social Services employee and bargaining committee member) and Tammy Carr (CWA vice president).","Union leaders asked the board to delay implementation of changes to county employee health benefits and to share carrier details with bargaining units; county staff said carriers will provide coverage \"similar to, or better than\" current plans and that approval is needed this month to effect changes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6040182,"Camden County commissioners introduce 2025 budget, approve resolutions 1–63 with several abstentions",830,526000,1356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a&start=526&end=1356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3764538-6c3a083626c6f3ce2ce744b93dea398a/thumbnail_526000.jpg","/articles/6040182/Camden-County/New-Jersey/Camden-County-commissioners-introduce-2025-budget-approve-resolutions-163-with-several-abstentions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040182-f7b4462ef0cf16cff771f6ec2b54ea6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770883071&Signature=c18mF3zSseLchHdCJUBqPOn7SS6o7KCpfyHS1pVrYz~lXD6dASLvXr7qaRi7BA3YtrPKvFyBwW~fWhL-bXMgK05yCmqYM1EgSeNj1e-~h0spC69~XcesMepGZCUDv~A7PVRFKTjPwNBgdee4kWLOBqKDuz4H5hkP6uBiZtdtwhFHZKHx0j23swVmnQs4B2RfE8Se5jo2PAsAfEDYJgorF3OjzE9EAkZFrrPuVlCaLgQcdq8nYi-RJcj9CqvnCxOsi9p9eTCOlwpQaNtCTLQAXgCI7j1BU57TILgyKJlS-w32wO6jopsf5UlqmG9qzM1K3-yFIIpUUi94p1SJUKzjtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Camden County Board of Commissioners introduced the county's 2025 budget and approved a block of resolutions numbered 1 through 63 during its meeting.

At the start of the meeting, Director Cappelli read a proclamation and then read two budget-related resolutions: one to exceed the county budget appropriations limit and to establish a cap bank for calendar year 2024, and a separate resolution introducing the 2025 Camden County budget. The board set a public hearing on the budget for April 17, 2025, at 12 noon at the Camden County Courthouse, 520 Market Street.

Commissioners moved to vote on resolutions 1 through 63 by unanimous consent. In the roll call on that block, most commissioners voted \"yes\" but a number of targeted abstentions were recorded: Commissioner Nash abstained on resolution 58; Commissioner Young abstained on resolutions 6, 7 and 47; Director Cappelli recorded abstentions on resolutions 1 and 11. Deputy Director McDonald indicated \"yes to all.\" The board then opened the meeting to general public comment.

Other routine business approved by voice or roll call included acceptance of the minutes from the prior meeting and the controls report; both were approved by recorded vote. When the board asked for a motion on resolution 64, the chair said the motion did not pass before moving on to open public comment on other county business.

Steve Williamson, Camden County chief financial officer, explained a revenue difference in the draft budget tied to timing of grant recognition: \"When we have a budget if you look at revenue that's shown for, last year, it includes all grants that were taken in by the county for the entire year, whereas the 2025 revenue is all grants that have been taken in to date.\" He said the year-end numbers should be comparable when all grants are recognized.

The board also indicated that it would follow a standard calendar for public hearings and further actions on the introduced budget.

Votes at a glance

- Introduction of resolution to exceed county budget appropriations limit and establish a cap bank for calendar year 2024: motion moved and approved (roll-call recorded at introduction). Public hearing set for 2025-04-17 at 12:00 p.m. at the Camden County Courthouse, 520 Market Street (location shown in the public notice read aloud).

- Introduction of the 2025 Camden County budget: motion moved and approved (roll-call recorded at introduction).

- Resolutions 1'63: approved by vote with recorded abstentions (Commissioner Nash abstained on #58; Commissioner Young abstained on #6, #7 and #47; Director Cappelli abstained on #1 and #11). Deputy Director McDonald recorded \"yes to all.\"

- Resolution 64: no successful motion recorded on the floor at the time the chair moved on to open public comment.

Why it matters: The introduction of the budget begins the formal public-review process; the public hearing on April 17, 2025, will allow residents to comment on the draft appropriations and any proposed changes before adoption.

A copy of the introduced budget and related documents was placed on the record; county officials said grant timing accounts for apparent revenue differences between the prior adopted budget and the draft 2025 numbers.","The Camden County Board of Commissioners introduced the 2025 budget and voted to approve a block of resolutions numbered 1–63; several commissioners recorded abstentions on specific items. A public hearing on the budget is set for April 17, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Camden County to act after repeated EMR fires in Waterfront South; commissioners say they are coordinating with city and state

Unions urge Camden County to pause changes to employee health coverage; county staff say details will follow board approval

Camden County commissioners introduce 2025 budget, approve resolutions 1–63 with several abstentions