Township council passed a resolution on Monday night in opposition of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and reaffirming its commitment to continue fighting climate change.
A little more than a year after Cherry Hill Township unveiled its Roadmap to the Future sustainability plan, township council reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to a greener future in the wake of the United States’ withdrawal from an international climate change agreement.
Cherry Hill Township Council passed a resolution at last Monday’s meeting to oppose the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change and to memorialize its commitment to create a sustainable township.
The resolution was passed 10 days after Mayor Chuck Cahn and council released a statement in opposition to President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. Trump announced the decision on June 1. The U.S. and more than 100 other countries signed the agreement on April 22, 2016.
“We stand united with cities and towns across the U.S. in condemning the reckless, irresponsible decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement on climate change,” the township’s statement read. “As leaders of Cherry Hill, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to fight climate change and protect the health and well-being of Cherry Hill residents today and for generations to come.”
During the caucus portion of last week’s meeting, Cahn said he felt it was important for the township to take a stand in the fight against climate change and said Cherry Hill will remain committed to creating a clean and healthy community in the years ahead.
“We stand strong on climate change and we support our commitment to minimize the impact on the environment,” Cahn said.
On the same day the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement, Cherry Hill submitted its application for silver re-certification with Sustainable Jersey. The township has received silver certification the last seven years. According to Sustainable Jersey, silver certification is given to municipalities who made significant progress in a number of categories toward sustainability and is a statewide and national leader.
The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement also came a little more than a year after Cherry Hill announced its Roadmap to the Future, a 51-page document detailing ways the township can become a more environmentally friendly municipality in all facets of living for years to come.
Resident Brian Everett thanked council for passing the resolution and asked council to work with homeowners to take action in preventing climate change.
“Cherry Hill possesses a vast amount of privilege within our constituency, so we have the means to leave a very green footprint on our portion of Camden County,” he said.
Pay range to change for special law enforcement officers
Council passed an ordinance on first reading to increase the maximum salary a special class one or class two law enforcement officer can receive.
If adopted on second reading, the new ordinance would increase the maximum hourly pay rate for officers in this category to $32 per hour. Previously, the maximum rate for a special class one or class two law enforcement officer was $21 per hour.
Chief of Police William Monaghan said the officers are part-time employees used for security during municipal court and township meetings. The officers also work security at the Cherry Hill Public Library.
Monaghan said the new ordinance would make the hourly rate more competitive compared to surrounding towns.
“We’re just trying to attract and retain better applicants and bring our hourly pay to a point that is equal to surrounding jurisdictions,” Monaghan said.
The second reading and public hearing for the ordinance will take place at the next council meeting on June 26.
