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Carneys Point committee rejects police carport bids, introduces EV charging shut-off ordinance and weighs liquor-license transfer
Summary
At its March 5 meeting the Carneys Point Township Committee rejected all bids for a police carport, approved audited vouchers totaling $1,573,801.25, introduced Ordinance 1065 on emergency shut-offs for EV chargers, and discussed a proposed liquor-license transfer to Penns Grove; public commenters urged keeping licenses local.
The Carneys Point Township Committee on March 5 rejected all bids for a planned police carport, advanced an ordinance to require emergency shut-offs on electric-vehicle charging stations and discussed allowing an intermunicipal liquor-license transfer to Penns Grove.
Deputy Mayor Bomba called the meeting to order and the committee approved properly audited vouchers totaling $1,573,801.25; Committee member Pelura moved the bill list and Dr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Pelura also moved to approve meeting minutes from Feb. 20, 2025 and the Feb. 15, 2025 budget meeting; the motion passed with Dr. Johnson recorded as abstaining.
The committee adopted Resolution 2025-65 to reject all bids received for the police carport after members said the initial bids were substantially higher than expected. "Prevailing wages" and other procurement costs were cited as drivers of the overrun, and the committee directed that the project be rebid, according to comments recorded by members.
Committee members also approved Resolution 2025-66 supporting publication of legal notices on the township's official website. "We should support posting legal notices on our site," Committee member Pelura said; the motion was seconded by Dr. Johnson and the vote was unanimous.
On Ordinance 1065, Committee member Pelura moved to introduce a new chapter to the township code that would require emergency shut-off switches for electric-vehicle charging stations. Solicitor A. Telsey said the measure was requested by the Fire Chief and that the ordinance, once adopted, would be included in Planning Board review for installations. Deputy Mayor Bomba said the lack of shut-off switches presents a fire hazard.
Deputy Mayor Bomba also noted correspondence from the New Jersey Department of Transportation awarding Carneys Point a FY2025 Municipal Aid Program grant of $130,966 for Ives Avenue Phase II and East Del-A-Vue Avenue; Engineer S. Cosaboon said the award is smaller than requested and the project scope will need to be revisited.
Solicitor A. Telsey reported that a new state ABC law allows transfers of liquor licenses to adjoining municipalities where there is a redevelopment zone. Telsey said a transfer would include a fee "of at least $25,000." Committee member Pelura said the seller holds two licenses and wants documentation from Penns Grove that a pocket license is unavailable before consenting to a transfer. Police Chief D. VanNamee described state population-based limits for licenses and noted many existing licenses are grandfathered.
Members of the public urged the committee to retain local licenses. Greg Martin told the committee he "does not think we should sell the liquor license because once it's gone, it's gone." Amy Tighe asked how much the carport bids exceeded estimates and was told the winning bid was about twice the expected amount and will be rebid. Darlene Davis asked the township to address trash at a neighbor's property; officials advised she contact the Housing Office and noted volunteer clean-up groups are limited to public rights-of-way.
The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. The committee expects to introduce the municipal budget at its next meeting while ADA improvements to Dunns Park and other capital items remain on the agenda.
