South River council advances cannabis ordinances after extended public hearing; zoning amendment sent to land‑use board

The South River mayor and council held an extended public hearing on multiple cannabis‑related ordinances on Feb. 3, receiving broad public comment and then taking formal action on two measures while referring a zoning change to the land‑use board.

Ordinance 2025‑2 (chapter 120, “Cannabis”) and Ordinance 2025‑3 (amending chapter 155, fees associated with cannabis licenses) were on the agenda. Ordinance 2025‑4 (zoning amendments related to cannabis) was placed on the agenda but council members agreed to send it to the land‑use board for consideration.

Public commenters voiced strong and divided opinions. Father David Garretson (153 Cam Avenue), a longtime resident and clergy member, told the council he opposed retail cannabis and described the measures as “one of the most egregious misuses of our rights” and morally objectionable. “You are using a weakness and an addiction issue,” he said, warning of public‑health and social risks.

Several other residents raised concerns about youth access, addiction and crime; Sylvia Patrick, a substance‑use counselor, warned about fentanyl and mixtures in illicit products and urged the council to vote no. Multiple speakers urged the council to respect the town’s earlier referendum result; others argued legalization would allow regulated, tested product and bring municipal revenue.

During council discussion, a council member said the borough faces mounting financial pressures and noted potential revenue math for municipal budgets, using $100,000 as a basis point to compare revenue from new homes versus retail sales. “We have to become creative on solutions,” the council member said, noting dispensaries are already operating within a short drive of South River and that municipal revenue could help the borough.

Council action recorded in the transcript: - Ordinance 2025‑2 (Cannabis): Motion to adopt by Council President Ciolo, seconded by Councilwoman Balas. Vote recorded in the transcript: Councilman Yurczynski abstained; Councilwoman Balas yes; Council President Ciolo yes; Councilman DeSantis yes; Councilman Jennifer Morris no. (Recorded outcome: ordinance advanced/passed on the action recorded in the meeting.) - Ordinance 2025‑3 (fees): Motion carried with council voice vote recorded as “Aye” during the meeting (clerk announced unanimous voice approval on the floor); the roll‑call names were not fully recorded in the hearing excerpt provided. - Ordinance 2025‑4 (zoning amendment): Council agreed not to vote on the zoning amendment at that meeting and to move the item to the land‑use board for review before further hearing.

Speakers for and against the ordinances included longtime clergy, substance‑use counselors, working‑class residents and people who described personal therapeutic use of cannabis. Father David Garretson spoke against the measures on moral and public‑health grounds; other residents described personal medical benefit, economic arguments and neighborhood reputation concerns.

Council members noted the state’s regulatory structure (New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission was referenced during public comment) and described the local process for suitability applications and local support resolutions that a prospective operator must submit to the borough clerk and council before the state issues a license.

The transcript records the votes described above and the council’s referral of the zoning amendment to the land‑use board. The meeting record does not identify a final retail site; staff said suitability applications will be handled through the clerk’s office and reviewed for conformance with local land‑use rules before any site is recommended for local support to the state.