Clark Council adopts consent agenda, introduces multiple ordinances and approves temporary appropriations

The Township of Clark Council on Feb. 28 took multiple formal actions: it introduced five proposed ordinances (public hearings set for March 17), approved consent-agenda resolutions including appointments and tax-exemption adjustments, authorized emergency temporary appropriations for the current, sewer and pool funds, extended pool contracts, and approved final payments and other routine items.

Ordinances (introduced; public hearing March 17)

- Ordinance 25-04: Amend Chapter 114 (Certificate of Compliance → Certificate of Resale) to comply with Department of Community Affairs (DCA) terminology. Motion to introduce moved by Council member Toll; second by Council member O'Connor. Roll call: Hunt, Mazzarella, O'Connor, Toll, Council President Smith — all yes. (Introduced for first reading; public hearing March 17.)

- Ordinance 25-05: Amend section 122 (fees) to separate zoning and construction fees. Motion and second recorded; roll call passed with yes votes from Hunt, Mazzarella, O'Connor, Toll and Smith. (Introduced for first reading; public hearing March 17.)

- Ordinance 25-06: Amend Land Use and Development code (administrative officer role and fees). Motion to introduce passed by roll call; public hearing March 17.

- Ordinance 25-07: Adjust civil service ranking for public works repair job title (technical alignment). Motion introduced and passed by roll call; public hearing March 17.

- Ordinance 25-08: Create custodial worker position and set salary range (civil-service position). Motion introduced and passed by roll call; public hearing March 17. A resident asked whether returning custodial services in-house would save money; municipal staff said it will cost more but reduce turnover and improve long-term stability.

Resolutions and other formal actions (roll-call outcomes)

- Emergency temporary appropriations for the current fund: approved by roll call (Hunt, Mazzarella, O'Connor, Toll, Smith yes). Administration described this as standard interim appropriations while finalizing the 2025 budget; amounts were described as a percentage of last year’s budget but no dollar total was provided in the meeting.

- Emergency temporary appropriations for the sewer utility: approved by roll call.

- Emergency temporary appropriations for the pool utility: approved by roll call.

- Authorize police chief to issue two additional clothing-bin permits for 2025: approved by roll call.

- Pool utility actions (moved as a group and approved): authorize council president to enter employment contracts for pool manager/assistants; extend pool food concession contract with Clark Concession Operations, LLC for a two-year term (optional extension); extend pool maintenance contract with Aquatic Service, Inc. for a one-year term (optional extension).

- Final payment to AJM Contractors, Inc. for Bartell Park parking-lot and other capital work: approved; final payment amount authorized $12,313.50.

Consent agenda (approved as a group)

The council approved routine items including: confirming mayoral appointment of Nathaniel Klee as the alternate library trustee; authorizing tax-collector adjustments to grant 100% property-tax exemptions for properties subject to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs directives (blocks and lots cited in the agenda); authorizing a sewer-account credit adjustment in the amount of $5,220; and supporting publishing legal notices on official government websites. The council reported total bills reviewed this month of $227,843.77.

Votes and attendance

For roll-call votes on ordinance introductions and the listed resolutions, council members Hunt, Mazzarella, O'Connor, Toll and Council President Smith voted yes; Council members Hoff and Manetti were absent. Where motions were moved and seconded in the record, the meeting transcript identifies the mover and seconder for several items (for example, Ordinance 25-04 was moved by Council member Toll and seconded by Council member O'Connor).

What happens next

Introduced ordinances were scheduled for public hearing March 17; the Mount Laurel subcommittee (separate resolution) will continue consultant work on affordable housing compliance. Final budget approvals and any ordinance adoptions will be taken up at later public hearings per statutory notice requirements.

Ending

The council adjourned after routine final business. Several residents addressed the council during public comment on unrelated topics including the reservoir and redevelopment projects.