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Residents, emergency squad and committee members raise transparency, volunteer and reimbursement issues at Southampton meeting
Summary
Public commenters urged transparency in pre‑meeting posting and asked about township support for businesses during the pandemic; the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad reported increased volunteers, and the mayor announced a PSEG reimbursement window for prolonged outages.
Public comment and committee reports at the Southampton Township Committee’s Aug. 18 meeting covered local services, transparency and an upcoming reimbursement deadline for residents.
During the privilege‑of‑the‑floor portion, Pat Topham of 450 New Road said the township received recognition related to National Park roads. Chris Parks of the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad reported the department’s monthly call statistics, training activities and an increase in volunteers. Doug Melegari of the Pine Barrens Tribune asked what the township is doing to support business owners during the COVID‑19 pandemic and urged that resolutions and first‑reading ordinances be posted on the township website before meetings for public review.
In committee reports, Committeeman Ronald Heston criticized Environmental Resolutions Inc. (ERI) for providing documents on short notice to the Committee. He also noted the 27th year of the township’s Summer Concert series and announced the Bonsal Blues band will perform. Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell echoed thanks to Heston, commented on the Governor’s caution about reopening businesses, and announced the Shade Tree Advisory Board will meet on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. Deputy Mayor William Raftery offered no comments. Mayor Michael Mikulski informed residents that PSEG will reimburse customers up to $250 for food and medicine spoiled after power outages of 72 hours or more; residents must apply by Sept. 16.
No public‑recorded responses to Melegari’s request about posting were noted in the minutes; several items were later tabled or advanced per the meeting agenda.
