Discussion topics included the uses of public land, nominees for “Focus on our Town” and the approval ordinance 2017–7.
Thursday night’s Medford Township Council meeting, which was moved up five days from June 6 to June 1 in an effort to avoid conflicts with primary election day, kicked off with a discussion regarding Public, Parks and Education zones, led by Jack Hartwig, chair of the Medford Planning Board.
The discussion included talk about the best course of action to combat an increasing number of private camps, private places of worship and “possibly a few [private] residences,” according to Hartwig, in areas that are zoned to be solely for public areas. Officials have noticed the increase over the past few years.
Council, which initially begun studying this subject when the topic was first brought up in a council meeting in September, decided initiating a masterplan review of the PPE zone would be the best way to accomplish this goal.
Council also deliberated possible nominees for its “Focus on our Town” choice to be featured at the 2017 Pine Barrens Festival, which will be held July 24–29.
Without mentioning a specific name, Councilman Chris Buoni suggested “someone from the Hartford Trails Committee” and also Matt Keane, chairman of Medford Township’s Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee.
Township Manager Kathy Burger suggested longtime resident Patrick Devlin, who has been a firefighter for 37 years. Burger also suggested David and Renee Zallie, the owners of Medford’s ShopRite. Burger noted the Zallies “do a lot for the community.” She said the Zallies’ business has sponsored a lot of events and noted that David is a member of the Medford Historical Society.
Finally, council approved an ordinance on second reading that bans left turns in and out of the future Dunkin’ Dounts from Route 541. The future Dunkin’ Donuts will be located on the corner of Route 541 and Church Road.
The next Medford Town Council meeting will be held Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. in the courtroom of the Medford Township Building, located at 91 Union Street in Medford.
