A cannabis planning subcommittee formed during the workshop portion of the Berlin Borough council’s Sept. 9 meeting will be made up of three council members and the police chief.
Council members Len Badolato, Keith Hohing and Patricia Cummings will be joined on the panel by Police Chief Millard Wilkinson. Their task is to work with the planning and zoning boards on potential locations and types of businesses they will allow before the creation of any ordinances that specify cannabis regulations.The subcommittee will have its first meeting in the coming weeks.
During the council’s regular-session committee reports, Badolato reported that missing cover plates on town posts will be replaced in the upcoming weeks. He also announced that the Department of Transportation will cover costs for the light study that they asked the borough to do, saving about $5,000.
In other news, Cummings announced that fire-hydrant flushing would begin on Oct. 4 and last through Oct. 29.
Hohing said that more people were registering for the Do-Not-Knock registry that prohibits licensed solicitors, canvassers and peddlers from knocking on doors.
“We’re glad to see the participation from our residence,” he said.
Mayor Rick Miller clarified that while the registry is intended to prevent unwanted solicitors, the knockers are required to register for a permit.
“Unfortunately, a lot of times people don’t do that, so they’re not even aware of the do- not-knock list,” Miller explained “Be safe. Ask for a permit, and if you feel uncomfortable, your best bet is to call the police department.”
The mayor also invited residents to take part in the 9/11 remembrance that was held on Sept. 11 at the George Walton American Legion Post 371 in Gibbsboro.
Council passed three ordinances, one of which releases certain units in the Carriage Stop Apartments from their deed restrictions. Previously, the units had been designated as part of the borough’s Second Round Affordable Housing Compliance Plan.
For 20 years, the units had to adhere to affordable-housing standards and prices, the last referred to in the ordinance as “affordability controls.” The deed restriction expired in April and May of this year, and the ordinance releases the units from the restriction rather than extending or renewing it. The ordinance also notes that the Third Round Affordable Housing Compliance Plan to offer affordable housing throughout the town has been approved, but it does not include the Carriage Stop units.
Council also passed an ordinance approving salaries for various positions and a memorandum of agreement with borough police. In resolutions, a memorandum of agreement between the borough and the local police union, Southern Camden County PBA, also passed.
The next council meeting will take place on Thursday, Oct. 14, at Berlin Borough Hall. A workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the regular session will start at 7.
