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Delanco sets July 29 special election on $3.6 million bond to buy 401 Creek Road
Summary
The Delanco Township Committee certified a petition and voted to hold a July 29, 2025 special election on a $3.6 million bond to acquire 401 Creek Road after officials said the township is under contract and cannot wait until November.
The Delanco Township Committee voted unanimously on May 5 to set a special election for July 29, 2025 on a referendum to authorize a $3.6 million bond to purchase 401 Creek Road.
Municipal Clerk Janice Emlor certified a petition filed April 28 that challenges incurring indebtedness under Ordinance 2025-4 but said her office’s review found the petition met the statutory requirements of NJSA 40:49-27 after an examination concluded May 1. The committee then adopted Resolution 2025-75 to place the question on the July ballot.
Opponents urged delaying a referendum until the November general election, saying a midsummer vote would reduce turnout and that settling a purchase could be postponed without harm. "Insisting on the special election gives the more cynical among our town's people the feeling that the committee may be going through this motion begrudgingly, counting on low turnout," Christine Holland told the committee.
Township officials said postponing risked losing the contract. "We literally are under contract until July 1st," a committee member said during the meeting, noting sellers could seek additional compensation if the township asked for an extension. Solicitor remarks and staff updates said soil borings and other due diligence were underway but that any extension was uncertain.
Supporters argued the purchase is a strategic municipal investment and pointed to past acquisitions, including a previously preserved mansion and waterfront improvements. Resident Todd Burke and others said contingencies in the sales agreement allow the township to walk away if the bond fails, but officials emphasized the practical limits of that approach if the seller refuses to extend the contract.
The committee’s roll call on the resolution was recorded as unanimous in favor of setting the special election. No formal change to Ordinance 2025-4 was made at the meeting; the referendum will let voters approve or reject incurring the debt.
What’s next: The township will proceed with election logistics and mail-in ballot timing. Officials noted mailing ballots and primary-election schedules informed their choice of dates and that the township will publish official election notices and instructions to voters.
