Woodstown Council adopts three ordinances, approves $150,000 for roads and EMS shared-services agreement

Mayor Joseph Hiles presided over the Woodstown Borough Council meeting on March 10, 2026, where councilmembers unanimously adopted three ordinances, approved event and road-closure resolutions, appointed an assistant chief financial officer and authorized a shared-services agreement for emergency medical services.

The council finalized adoption of Ordinance 2026-2, which authorizes the private lease of certain emergency medical vehicles to Event Medical Staffing Solutions, LLC under N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14 and 40A:12-15. Councilmember Glenn Merkle moved the final-adoption motion, Heather Bobbitt seconded it, and the ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

Councilman Jesse Stemberger moved and Merkle seconded the adoption of Ordinance 2026-3, which appropriates $150,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for roadway improvements to Bertha Avenue and Guersney Place; the public hearing drew no comments and the measure passed unanimously. Council also adopted Ordinance 2026-4, amending salaries and compensation for borough officers and employees (mover: Glenn Merkle; seconder: Jaclyn Morris); that measure also passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

On the consent agenda the council approved minutes of the Feb. 24, 2026 regular meeting; multiple road-closure resolutions connected to the Fourth of July parade and the fall festival (Resolutions 2026-37 through 2026-40); accepted the Tax Collector’s 2025 annual report and the February 2026 monthly report; approved the Hope Cathedral Easter Egg Hunt at Marvin L. Watson’s Park on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and welcomed two new Reliance Fire Company members, Rocco String (regular) and Logan Warfield (junior). The motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Heather Bobbitt and seconded by Bertha Hyman.

Finance business included a motion to pay bills that passed unanimously and a notice that a budget workshop is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Borough Hall Council Chambers. By motion of Heather Bobbitt, seconded by Bertha Hyman, the council appointed Jennifer Koeturius as Assistant Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer (Resolution 2026-41); that appointment was approved by unanimous roll call vote.

Chief DeFalco reported that two officers from the Woodstown Police Department — one current officer and one retired officer — received awards from the county. He also outlined logistics for an upcoming film festival (one food truck on North Main, the remainder to park in an easement off Route 40) and said Vineland Police Department assisted with a search at Memorial Lake for an item that was not located.

Council approved entering into a shared services agreement with Alloway Township for EMS/BLS (Resolution 2026-42); the motion was made by Glenn Merkle, seconded by Jesse Stemberger and passed unanimously. Engineer Jim Biegen reported that the Rose Drive project is in the design phase. Public Works Supervisor James Farro said repairs on a pipe project behind the Public Works building are progressing; Assistant Foreman Jeffrey Fredo presented an EACR proposal, and the council later authorized acceptance of that proposal on a motion by Bertha Hyman, seconded by Jesse Stemberger.

On matters of recreation, Councilman Jesse Stemberger thanked Councilwoman Jaclyn Morris and Deputy Clerk Erin L. Maurer for facilitating the annual free rabies clinic. Mayor Hiles also provided an update on deceased geese in Memorial Lake, stating the borough followed applicable state protocols and departmental procedures.

The council adjourned at 7:36 p.m. The next scheduled budget workshop is March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Borough Hall Council Chambers.