Millville commissioners approve consent agenda, UEZ grants, ACUA extension and equipment purchases in March meeting

The Millville Board of Commissioners approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and routine items at its meeting. Key votes included approval of UEZ event funding, a $500,000 exterior-improvement grant application, an extended shared-services solid-waste agreement with a 3.38% increase, and authorization to purchase an ICOP e-ticket system via state contract.

Votes at a glance (motions and roll-call outcomes recorded in meeting minutes):

- Pay the bills: motion carried by roll call (unanimous yes recorded).

- Ordinances (second reading): - Intersection improvements at Buckschutum Road and Cedarville Road (ordinance, second reading) — approved by roll call (unanimous yes). - Millville Code chapter 62 (solid waste and recycling) amendment to allow the director of public works to offer replacement/additional approved containers at a price fixed by the director — approved by roll call (unanimous yes). The commission clarified the change is intended to allow variable container pricing tied to supplier and shipping costs rather than a fixed ordinance price. - Salary ordinance amendment to add a part-time Public Safety Telecommunicator (Council 18) with an hourly range of $17 to $30 — approved by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Ordinances (first reading): - Ordinance to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank in accordance with NJSA 48:4-45.14 for calendar year 2025 — approved on first reading by roll call (votes recorded: Hewitt yes, Watson yes, Kasabian yes, Sui no, Romanek yes). (Note: statute citation is as stated on the record.) - Ordinance to add two additional lieutenants to the Millville Police Department — approved on first reading (4-1; see separate article).

- Consent agenda and resolutions (passed by single motion unless removed): - Duplicate certificate of sale authorization (tax collector) — approved. - Discharge of mortgage for 2 North Sixth Street — approved. - Cancellation of expired grant balances — approved. - Resolution authorizing application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for Neighborhood Preservation Program funding (approx. $125,000) — approved. - Adjustments to tax and utility records — approved.

- Additional resolutions (passed by roll call): - UEZ first-generation enterprise zone assistance funds ($55,000) for special events in the UEZ zone — approved. - UEZ application for $500,000 in exterior improvement grants for UEZ-certified businesses (maximum $20,000 per business) — approved. Commissioners clarified the grants are for businesses to apply (not landlords) and that the funds come from UEZ sales-tax revenue rather than general property tax. - Certification of volunteer firefighters for LOSAP benefits (2024) — approved. - Authorization to purchase ICOP e-ticket system from Gold Type Business Machines, amount not to exceed $396,000, with CFO certification of funds $46,350 noted on the record — approved. Commissioners confirmed the purchase relies on a state contract. - Professional services contract with Holly City Development Corporation in connection with the DCA Neighborhood Preservation Program grant application, not to exceed $25,000 — approved. - Approval of an indoor air quality program for the City of Millville — approved. - Extension of the shared-services agreement with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) through 12/31/2025 with a solid-waste collection increase tied to the October CPI of 3.38% taking effect 04/01/2025; CFO certified funds in the amount of $860,953.50 — approved. - Shared-services agreement with Cumberland County Improvement Authority and Landis Sewerage Authority for a household hazardous-waste day, contribution $8,000 — approved (note recorded abstention by one commissioner related to affiliation; majority approved).

What the votes mean: Several approvals use outside funding sources (UEZ, DCA grants) or state contract purchasing to fund projects and events; commissioners emphasized that UEZ funds are drawn from zone sales tax revenue and are not part of the general property tax levy. The ACUA extension maintains curbside collection under a shared-services arrangement; commissioners explained the CPI-based adjustment reflects increased tipping, fuel and personnel costs noted by ACUA.

All recorded votes and certifications were on the public transcript. Items requiring further committee work or budget detail (for example, the police staffing ordinance on first reading) will return for a second reading or follow-up presentation.