Residents raise complaints about construction and a farm; council tables minutes; mayor announces retirement

Public comment at the Lawnside Borough Council meeting on April 1 included two resident complaints that the council recorded but did not resolve during the meeting.

Michael Harper Sr., of 508 Ellis Ave., asked who inspects sewer connections and said there had been late-night construction activity at 492 Ellis Ave. without police or utility-company presence. Thelma Tutt, of 110 Williams Ave., said a dumpster was present at 105 Williams Ave. on March 16–17, referenced an OPRA request she filed about a fence taller than six feet, and said the farm there continues to operate a business in apparent violation of an approved resolution. The minutes record the questions and concerns but do not show council action or a response that resolved the issues during that session.

Separately, the council attempted to adopt the March 4, 2026 meeting minutes; the roll call produced two ayes, zero nays, three absences and one abstention (Councilperson Rhonda Wardlow-Hurley). Because the motion was not declared carried the clerk recorded that the item was tabled to a future meeting.

Mayor Wardlow announced funeral arrangements for Court Clerk Jennie Lee, a borough employee for more than 20 years, and told residents she plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2026. Councilman Ronald DeAbreu read the DPW monthly report (leaf removal, pothole repairs and placement of 100th-anniversary flags). Councilwoman Wardlow-Hurley asked for an update on the fire department’s submission to the New Jersey American Water grant program.

What happens next: the resident complaints (sewer/construction and alleged fence/illegal business activity) were recorded during public comment and may require follow-up by borough staff; the minutes adoption will be revisited at a subsequent meeting. The mayor’s announced retirement is scheduled to take effect Dec. 31, 2026.