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Residents press board on blight enforcement, candidate selection and library planning
Summary
Multiple residents told the board it is not adequately addressing blighted properties, urged greater enforcement, criticized how a commissioner appointment was handled, and questioned a proposed library study and grant; a resident also urged training for police on enforcing protective orders.
During two public‑comment periods on April 16, several residents raised neighborhood blight and process-transparency concerns.
Adele Cubell opened public comment on the agenda by alleging widespread slum conditions she attributed to outside developers and urging stronger action on boarded windows, rotting roofs and vehicles left on township streets. Later, a returning commenter listed specific addresses he said have missing garage doors, collapsed roofs, abandoned vehicles and other hazards and asked when enforcement action will be taken.
Several speakers also criticized the process used to fill the Ward 13 vacancy, saying applicants were not interviewed. Joe Rooney urged the board to allow candidates to speak publicly and asked that the board show professional courtesies in appointment decisions. Laura Lehman repeated requests for an explanation of how meeting configuration and speaking rules changed and asked the board to make the meeting transcript available to the public. She also asked that the township publish a single, consolidated list of township actions and documents.
Heather Frey (on Zoom) raised a separate concern about the police department’s enforcement of protection-from-abuse orders and urged additional training or education for officers responsible for enforcing these orders.
President Hecker reminded speakers of the three‑minute limit for public comments and the board concluded public comment before adjourning.
