Delanco committee tables library space agreement to Dec. 22 after attorney request

Delanco’s township committee voted on Dec. 1 to table Resolution 2025-160, which would authorize execution of a library space agreement with the Board of Education, after the township solicitor said the matter needs further discussion.

Township Solicitor Doug Heinhold told the committee he had received a letter from attorney Brandon Croker of the Cameo Law Group and, following an executive-session discussion, recommended the governing body carry the item to the Dec. 22 meeting. "We did today receive a letter from an attorney, Brandon Croker of the Cameo Law Group," Heinhold said, and he asked to "reach out to Mr. Croker with the subcommittee to arrange a meeting" before returning the matter to the committee.

The mayor opened the motion to table the resolution and it was moved and seconded; a roll-call vote carried the motion. Committee members also asked that the library association meet with the township attorney and the board liaisons "so that this can happen sooner than later," the mayor said, with the aim of resolving the issue by the end of the year.

A member of the public, David Souter, later raised historical context during public comment, saying the township financed half of the library building roughly 50 years ago and questioned whether the township had sufficient leverage in recent negotiations with the school district. "The township also did something unusual. They applied for a state library construction grant... the township took out a bond to pay for half of the library," Souter said. The claim was presented as public comment and not adjudicated at the meeting.

Next step: the solicitor will contact the outside attorney and the subcommittee will meet; the item is scheduled for the Dec. 22 committee meeting for further action.