Politics & Government

Five Things from the Borough Commissioners Meeting

Proclamations, purchases, collective energy buying, tax appeals, even George Norcross—it's all here.

Missed Monday's May meeting of the Collingswood borough commissioners? Here's a brief recap of five things that happened. 

1. Proclamations

Swimmer Andy Schuehler, who had been previously honored by the Collingswood Board of Education for his top finish in the 100-yard breaststroke at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, also received a proclamation from the borough for his achievements.

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Likewise, borough leadership got a sample of the state-winning performance from the Odyssey of the Mind Pet Project team, and formally commended their efforts to bring "the highest spirit of teamwork and innovation" to the borough.

Odyssey of the Mind is still raising funds to send the team to the world championships in Michigan at the end of May. At a cost of about $125 per child per day, the group is looking to raise some $3,750 for the project.

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Commissioner Mike Hall and family made a personal contribution to the efforts at the meeting, signing over a $125 check to the group.

2. Energy and natural gas aggregation program

Collingswood already saw some $26,000 in savings to its energy infrastructure costs as part of a joint purchasing agreement under the New Jersey Sustainable Energy Joint Meeting (NJSEM).

Now the borough is looking for ways to extend that type of arrangement not only to Collingswood residents, but to citizens in other municipalities within its seven-town shared services group.

Ordinance #1537, introduced Monday, would give Collingswood the ability to negotiate for group electricity purchasing for borough residents.

"It’s a long process, but this is the first step," said Mayor James Maley.

3. Buying new trucks

Thanks to some "unexpended balances in improvement authorizations"—a 2011 paving project that came in under budget—the borough found $35,000 to devote to the purchase of a new truck for the Department of Public Works. The measure was introduced for a first reading as Ordinance #1536.

The borough also introduced an ordinance to purchase a new command vehicle for the Collingswood Fire Department: a $42,000 Chevrolet Tahoe.

4. TD Bank tax appeal sheds light on value of 'Old' Zane School sale

The borough commissioners authorized a $9,800 payment based on a tax appeal for the TD Bank property currently being developed as the (DePace Sports Museum).

On appeal, 2011 taxes for the bank property, which had been levied based on a $1.2 million valuation, were reduced to $700,000. This was based on its 2013 sale price of $500,000.

"That equates to 42 percent of the revaluation tax assessment," Maley said. "It just so happens that is 42 percent of the revaluation assessment done [on that property] in '06-'07.

"Those that are concerned that we’re giving away the school, the market value is right in line with what that assessment was," he said.

5. Cameo by George Norcross

In the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Joseph Dinella criticized Maley for an unsolicited nod his office received in a recent article on Democrat power broker George Norcross that appeared in Philadelphia magazine.

The excerpt in question:

An insurance executive and the unquestioned leader of the South Jersey Democratic party, Norcross holds unshakable influence over offices from the mayor of Collingswood to the Camden County freeholders to the state senate.

Within New Jersey, he boasts true omnipotence—his alliances with North Jersey Democrats are so strong that no governor can ignore his wants, and he is second only to Governor Chris Christie in terms of influence.

Dinella criticized Maley for the aside, saying “It reflects poorly on all of us.”

“It reflects poorly on the reporter,” Maley countered, adding that he spoke with the author, who said his intention was misrepresented in the final publication.

“You’re welcome to talk to him," Maley told Dinella. "Things get written in magazines that sometimes aren’t true.”

Finally, on a positive note 

Commissioner Joan Leonard gave a shout-out to her husband Tom, who has been recuperating from health problems for more than a year. Over the weekend, Tom Leonard participated in the Broad Street Run, Joan Leonard said, and although "he walked most of it, he came home with a medal.

"He did four miles, got a ride for three, and did the last two," Joan Leonard said. "There were Collingswood people who helped us to make that possible."


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