Woodland Township Committee authorizes solicitor to seek Superior Court action on unsafe structure and approves $516,891.62 in bills

WOODLAND TOWNSHIP — The Woodland Township Committee on Dec. 18 authorized the township solicitor to pursue legal action in Superior Court concerning an unsafe structure and approved bills and claims totaling $516,891.62.

The authorization came after Clerk Maryalice Brown reported on behalf of Township Solicitor Burns regarding the unsafe property. Mayor DeGroff moved and Committeeman Mark Herndon seconded a motion "to authorize Mr. Burns to move forward with taking action in Superior court regarding unsafe structure." The motion was entered into the minutes; the transcript records the motion and second but does not provide a roll-call tally for that specific vote.

The committee also approved bills and claims in the amount of $516,891.62. The finance breakdown presented included $378,150.12 from the Current Fund, $6,565.50 from Payroll, and $132,176.00 from the Capital Account. The motion to approve the bills was made by Mr. Herndon and seconded by Mayor DeGroff; recorded votes on the bills and on the earlier minutes approval show DeGroff — yes; Herndon — yes; Mull — absent.

As part of the consent agenda the committee approved resolutions identified in the range 2024-70 through 2024-80. The minutes specifically list Resolution 2024-79 appointing LUB member Quagliato and Resolution 2024-80 granting a raffle license to the Woodland Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. The consent agenda was opened for public comment and closed with no remarks before the committee moved to approve the slate.

Other business and staff reports noted routine municipal matters. The tax collector reported November collections of $800,208.97. Clerk Brown reported November miscellaneous collections of $842.00, a statement concerning the cancellation of a shared service agreement, and upcoming meeting dates (the next regular meeting anticipated on Jan. 22, 2025, and the reorganization meeting scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025, at 8 a.m.).

Township Engineer Mr. Leisse said no bids were received on a bid opening for a well scheduled for Dec. 27; he also reported efforts to evaluate speed bumps in Lebanon Lakes, discussions with the county about installing bollards at the fire house, and looking into rumble strips for Savoy Boulevard.

During public comment, resident Jane Donoghue of Old Tuckerton Road asked that potholes on Jones Mill and Old Tuckerton be repaired; the clerk noted that "Clerk to have Fred repair." Donoghue also asked for an update on the veterans memorial; Mayor DeGroff said he "will jump on it in January" and provided a brief update request on the township's fire truck.

Teri Sheerin of Old Tuckerton Road raised several procedural questions about the master plan (the clerk said the work is a revaluation rather than a new master plan), asked that Land Use Board applications be attached to agendas, and questioned whether engineering design is required for roofing on commercial buildings (the clerk said commercial projects require design plans). Sheerin also asked why Tom Boyd was not listed on a salary resolution; Clerk Brown said Boyd is not an employee of Woodland Township but is "rented" from Tabernacle Township, and his compensation is handled outside Woodland payroll.

Resident Lisa Sabatini of Maple Avenue asked whether the unsafe property discussed earlier was the same property she'd asked about previously and whether Committeewoman Mull had contacted a cell tower company; Mull was noted absent from the meeting and the transcript does not record a response to the cell tower question.

Mayor DeGroff said a Dec. 12 meeting with the fire company (including Chief Viscardi, Chris Stopero and the department attorney) addressed rumors and confirmed progress toward acquiring a new fire truck, which he said the township "should receive ... within 2–3 months." The mayor also said he participated in a statewide Zoom meeting on drones and characterized the briefing as conveying that officials "basically [have] the same information — no one knows how it is and there is no threat." Committeeman Herndon closed committee comments with seasonal greetings. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Votes at a glance • Approval of minutes (Nov. 26, 2024): motion by Herndon, second DeGroff; recorded DeGroff — yes; Herndon — yes; Mull — absent. • Approval of bills and claims ($516,891.62): motion by Herndon, second DeGroff; recorded DeGroff — yes; Herndon — yes; Mull — absent. • Authorization to solicitor to pursue Superior Court action on unsafe structure: motion by Mayor DeGroff, second by Mr. Herndon; motion recorded in the minutes (vote tally not specified in transcript). • Resolutions 2024-70 through 2024-80 (including 2024-79 appointment and 2024-80 raffle license): motion by Herndon, second DeGroff; approved (no roll-call provided in transcript).