Camden County commissioners approve resolutions 1–90 in block; resolution 91 fails; officials honor community leaders

The Camden County Board of Commissioners voted to approve resolutions 1 through 90 as a block during a regular meeting; several commissioners announced targeted abstentions on specified items. Resolution 91 received no motion and therefore did not pass. The board also presented proclamations recognizing Dr. Jayden Mehta, PhD, and members of the SNAP-Ed team and heard brief departmental updates on parks, public works and sustainability programs.

The board approved the minutes of the previous meeting and accepted the controller’s report before taking up the block vote. The motion to adopt resolutions 1–90 carried after a roll call in which commissioners noted abstentions on particular resolutions rather than a blanket opposition. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing on resolutions.

Why it matters: The block vote advances a slate of routine and programmatic actions for county administration; the recorded abstentions identify a small number of items on which individual members declined to participate. The failed resolution 91 remains pending because no commissioner moved it for consideration.

The vote and abstentions Commissioners moved to approve resolutions 1–90 as a single block by unanimous consent with roll-call statements describing abstentions on specific numbered items.

• Commissioner Dyer: voted yes. • Commissioner Nash: voted yes; stated he would abstain on resolutions 1, 20, 23, 32, 40 and 82. • Commissioner Betteridge: voted yes; stated she would abstain on resolution 40. • Commissioner Young: voted yes; stated she would abstain on resolutions 3 and 16. • Deputy Director McDonald: voted yes to all. • Director Cappelli: voted yes; stated he would abstain on resolutions 1, 20, 23, 32, 40 and 84.

The meeting record shows those targeted abstentions were announced during the roll call on the block motion; the block was adopted and the individual abstentions apply to the specific resolution numbers listed by each member. Resolution 91 received no motion and was recorded as not passing at this time.

Minutes and controller’s report A motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting carried on roll call; one member recorded an abstention on the minutes. The controller’s report was approved on a subsequent roll call vote with all voting members recorded in favor.

Proclamations and recognitions Commissioner Nash introduced and presented a proclamation honoring Dr. Jayden Mehta, PhD, citing his local community work, involvement with professional organizations and recognition by trade publications. Dr. Mehta said he was honored, adding that his parents taught him to give back to the community: "Since my childhood, my parents has taught me to sow and to give back to the community, and this county has given me an opportunity to sow and give back." The proclamation text referenced his community engagement, roles on professional advisory councils and recognition in business publications as reasons for the honor.

Commissioner Betteridge recognized members of the FCHS SNAP-Ed team and praised their work in underserved communities. She said the program helps residents stretch SNAP benefits while teaching shopping and cooking skills and described the team’s approach as "evidence-based" and focused on reducing health disparities. The commissioners took a photo with the SNAP-Ed members during the meeting.

Department updates and community events Commissioners used their remarks to thank county staff and to highlight recent and upcoming county activities. Items noted in the meeting record included:

• Camden County Department of Parks: commissioners thanked parks staff for off-season maintenance and repairs. • Office of Emergency Management and fire marshals: appreciation for recent storm response and resident assistance. • Camden County Department of Public Works: recognition for pothole and winter-weather response work. • Sustainability and horticulture programming: commissioners said 32 new interns are taking part in a horticultural training program; a symposium on native plants was scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m.; an annual plant sale was scheduled for April 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Camden County basketball championship: the third annual county basketball championship was scheduled for Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Rutgers–Camden.

Public participation and next steps The board opened and then closed a public hearing on resolutions; no members of the public spoke during that portion. After the roll calls and presentations, a motion to adjourn carried and the meeting ended.

Votes at a glance • Minutes: approved (one abstention recorded). • Controller’s report: approved (all in favor on roll call). • Resolutions 1–90: approved as a block; individual commissioners announced abstentions on specific numbered items as listed above. • Resolution 91: not passed (no motion).

Meeting adjourned.