Council rescinds bond amendment with no vote, introduces bond ordinance to buy Public Works trash truck

Merchantville — The Borough Council recorded that Ordinance 26-02, an amendment to Bond Ordinance 22-12, had no recorded vote and was rescinded at the March 23 caucus meeting. The transcript shows the proposed amendment would have altered capital financing across several projects, including removing a previously-anticipated Department of Environmental Protection grant for an electric trash truck and shifting appropriation and bond amounts; the record contains no roll-call vote or tally on the ordinance before it was rescinded.

The amendment to Bond Ordinance 22-12 described a decrease in appropriation for the Project (electric trash truck) by $105,000, an increase in the down payment by $4,350 (to $14,750), and an increase in bonds or notes authorized for the Project by $82,650 (to $280,250). The supplemental debt statement cited in the ordinance text states these changes increase the Borough’s gross debt by $82,650 but remain within Local Bond Law limits.

Separately, on a motion by Council member Anthony Perno and second by Council member Ray Woods, the council introduced Bond Ordinance 2026-03 to appropriate $295,000 and authorize up to $280,250 in bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of a Public Works trash truck (useful life listed as 10 years). The proposed ordinance lists a required down payment of $14,750 and allows up to $14,000 of proceeds to be used for Section 20 costs (interest, engineering, legal fees). The ordinance notice included in the transcript states the bond ordinance was introduced March 23 and will be considered for final adoption after public hearing; however, the text lists both April 9, 2026 and April 13, 2026 in different places for the public hearing/final adoption date. The transcript does not resolve which date is authoritative; the clerk’s office would need to confirm the correct final-adoption hearing date.

Also during the meeting the council approved the use of borough facilities for three community events (Mystical May Street Fair; Mystery and Magic Street Fair; Suicide Awareness Walk) on a motion by Andrew McLoone, seconded by Dan Sperrazza. No public comments were recorded on these items. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

Next steps for the bond ordinance are the public hearing and final adoption at the date stated in the final notice; the transcript includes procedural instructions that copies of the full ordinance will be available at the borough clerk’s office prior to the hearing.