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Woodland Township Committee moves into closed session after introducing cannabis-support ordinance for consideration
Summary
The Woodland Township Committee on Oct. 30 placed an ordinance on introduction that would serve as a municipal letter of support for a prospective cannabis retailer, then voted to enter a closed executive session to discuss contract negotiations with Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS and property maintenance at 115 Maple.
The Woodland Township Committee on Oct. 30 placed an ordinance on introduction intended to provide a municipal letter of support for a prospective cannabis retailer and then voted to adjourn into a closed executive session to discuss contract negotiations and property maintenance matters.
The chair opened the workshop at 6:05 p.m. and, after routine notices and roll call, the clerk outlined an ordinance the committee had drafted for introduction. “We do have a business owner that is looking to start selling cannabis,” the clerk said, and the clerk added that the owner’s attorney “said the state wants a letter of support from the township in the form of an ordinance.” The clerk said the item was being introduced only and could be revised later.
Committee members debated whether specifics should be discussed in public; one member suggested handling detailed negotiations and litigation-related points in executive session. The committee then moved and seconded a motion to adjourn to a closed session under the Open Public Meetings Act to discuss contract negotiations (other than collective bargaining) and attorney–client privileged matters related to the agreement with the Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS, along with property maintenance issues involving 115 Maple.
On a roll call taken before the recording was paused, the mayor and two committee members were recorded as voting in the affirmative and the motion carried. The committee estimated the closed session would last about 30 minutes.
The ordinance related to a municipal letter of support was placed on introduction; the clerk said the item was intended to enable the business owner to proceed with a pending property sale but that the committee could amend the ordinance before any final action. The resolution authorizing closed session cites the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (NJSA 10:4-12) as the authority for a nonpublic meeting.
The committee did not take additional public action on the ordinance or on the contract and property matters during the open meeting. The public record was paused as the committee entered closed session.
