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Southampton Township Committee approves ordinances, grant applications and redevelopment designation; clerk appointed
Summary
At its June 18 meeting the Southampton Township Committee adopted multiple ordinances, approved consent resolutions including grant applications for pedestrian and bikeway improvements, accepted a redevelopment recommendation for the Stokes Cannery property, and appointed Melanie L. Brown as municipal clerk.
The Southampton Township Committee on June 18, 2024 at the Robert L. Thompson Building approved several ordinances, authorized grant applications for pedestrian and bikeway improvements and accepted a recommendation to designate the Stokes Cannery property a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment.
Mayor Michael Mikulski and the five-member committee voted by roll call to approve the minutes and multiple agenda items. The Committee approved Resolution 2024-77 making certain appointments (Mayor Michael Mikulski, Deputy Mayor Ronald Heston, Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell and Committeeman James Young voted in the affirmative; Committeeman William Raftery abstained). The body advanced Ordinance 2024-14 on first reading (amending Chapter 4 on solicitation), adopted Ordinance 2024-12 (amending Pinelands development and waste/stormwater chapters) after a public hearing with no speakers, and adopted Ordinance 2024-13 establishing tree removal and mitigation provisions tied to State of New Jersey stormwater pollution prevention rules; all ordinances passed by roll call vote.
The consent agenda (Resolutions 2024-66–2024-75 and 2024-79–2024-82) passed by roll call and included: appointment of deputy emergency management coordinator; appointment of registrar of vital statistics; authorization for tax collector adjustments as recommended by the tax assessor; submission of an application for State Transportation Trust Funds under the Safe Route to Transit program for US Route 206 pedestrian improvements (from Rancocas Trail to Estates Drive and 150 feet west along NJ Route 38); renewal of multiple alcoholic beverage licenses for the 2024–2025 license year; acceptance of the Land Development Board recommendation that certain lots known as the Stokes Cannery property be designated a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment; continuation of a shared services agreement with the Township of Mansfield for court facilities and personnel; and authorization to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the Brownfield Development Area initiative.
Resolution 2024-76 authorizing submission of a Local Bikeway Program application for the Good Farm Bikeway Improvements was approved by roll call. The Committee also appointed Cole Zink as Deputy OEM (announcement during the meeting).
The Committee entered executive session at 6:53 p.m. under Resolution 2024-83 to discuss personnel matters and reconvened at 7:44 p.m.; meeting minutes state that no formal action resulted from the executive session. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2024-77 (appointments): Yeas — Mikulski, Heston, Rossell, Young; Abstain — Raftery; Outcome — approved. (SEG 002) - Ordinance 2024-12 (Pinelands/Waste/Stormwater amendment): Approved by roll call after public hearing; no public comment. (SEG 002) - Ordinance 2024-13 (tree removal/mitigation): Approved by roll call; public hearing opened and closed with no comments. (SEG 002) - Ordinance 2024-14 (amend Chapter 4, solicitation) first reading: advanced. (SEG 002) - Consent agenda (Resolutions 2024-66–75, 79–82, including license renewals and grant applications): Approved by roll call. (SEG 003–004) - Resolution 2024-76 (Local Bikeway Program application): Approved by roll call. (SEG 004) - Resolution 2024-78 (appointment of Municipal Clerk Melanie L. Brown): Approved by roll call; Committeeman Young abstained. (SEG 006)
What the actions mean - The submissions for State Transportation Trust Funds and the Local Bikeway Program initiate grant processes; award and implementation depend on state review and funding decisions. The Stokes Cannery designation as a non-condemnation redevelopment area records the Land Development Board’s recommendation for potential redevelopment planning and does not, by itself, authorize acquisition or demolition.
Next steps and context - Grant applications will proceed through state review. If the Brownfield Development Area initiative proceeds with NJDEP support, the township and a steering committee would coordinate next steps as authorized by the MOU. The newly appointed Municipal Clerk, Melanie L. Brown, was administered the oath of office during the meeting.
