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Gloucester Township adopts new block-party, parking and traffic rules; introduces pawn-broker update
Summary
The Gloucester Township Council approved ordinances to require block-party permits ($20 fee, 75% resident approval), add parking and stop-sign restrictions on several streets, and introduced an update to pawn-broker reporting and fees to modernize stolen-property tracking, with unanimous roll-call approvals on the measures recorded.
The Gloucester Township Council on April 28 approved a package of local ordinances tightening permits and traffic controls and introduced an update to pawn-broker regulations.
The council adopted Ordinance 0-25-11 to create formal block-party procedures, including a $20 application fee, a requirement that 75% of residents in the affected area sign a petition, chief-of-police review and obligations for post-event cleanup and unobstructed movable routes. Council members recorded a roll-call vote in favor after a public hearing in which no residents spoke.
Council also approved Ordinance 0-25-12, amending chapter 81 to prohibit parking at specified stretches of Village Green Lane and Farmfield Lane, and Ordinance 0-25-13 to add stop signs at several intersections (Summerdale Road West and Eaten Place; Summerdale/Sherbrook intersections). A separate measure, Ordinance 0-25-14, amended one-way and no-parking restrictions on portions of West Summerdale Road. All three traffic- and parking-related ordinances passed on roll call after a public-hearing period with no speakers.
Council introduced Ordinance 0-25-15 (first reading), which rescinds prior pawn-broker/secondhand-goods provisions and replaces them with updated reporting and fee requirements. Police Chief David Harkkins told the council the update reflects newer scanning and reporting technology used by pawn and secondhand dealers and said the fee adjustments are intended to offset township costs while improving the department’s ability to identify stolen property.
Each ordinance advanced with motions, seconds and recorded roll-call approvals. Council did not receive substantive public opposition during the hearings.
The township clerk recorded the adopted parking and block-party ordinances for second reading/administration as required; the pawn-broker ordinance was introduced and will return for subsequent hearing and final adoption.
Council President said the Traffic Safety Unit will assist residents with block-party questions and that the police department will help implement traffic changes identified in the ordinances.
