By Wyatt Rogers
NEWS Correspondent
Gloucester City Council at its November regular meeting passed a resolution creating an committee to investigate $2.3 million in properties owned by GAF along the waterfront near the original site of the former GAF plant at Water and Charles Streets.
A possible sale of the property had been voided for environmental problems, and GAF has served the Mayor and Council with subpoenas.
The mayor described this as \”childish,\” and said Council would respond in kind by serving the president of GAF and the company\’s Board of Directors with subpoenas.
City Council also passed a resolution allowing Gloucester City to enter into agreements to acquire the Chatham Square and Gloucester Terrace apartments near Route 130 and Klemm Avenue.
During the Council meeting, Councilman Nicholas Marchese Jr. said Gloucester City wants to renovate and rebuild homes in an attempt to create greater value for the area, particularly the new Beazer homes nearby.
\”(Chatham Square) has been a problem for years,\” said Marchese, adding that the City has no intentions of canceling any leases after acquiring the property.
The resolution still needs to be approved by the Finance Committee.
After the meeting, Mayor William P. James announced intentions of proceeding with creating a senior center at Gloucester Heights Fire Hall.
\”It\’s something we need and seniors in this town rightfully deserve,\” James said.
Marchese said the center will be finished in a few months.
In other business, City Council introduced an ordinance on first reading increasing the registration fees for dogs and cats. Spayed or neutered dog licenses will now be $13.20, with a $3 surcharge for non-spayed or neutered animals.
Cat licenses will be $12 for spayed or neutered animals, with the same $3 surcharge.
The mayor said the additional fees are necessary because Camden County is coming up with a new program for handling dogs, cats, and other animals.
Marchese was the only one to vote against the increased fees. After the meeting he said he would like to look at using other sources of revenue.
During public forum, Theresa Graham spoke about the state of the railroad owned by Conrail.
She said there is a knee-deep hole in the ground under the tracks by her house, which makes the tracks unsafe for the train line.
She also said big trucks have had to drive on her neighbor\’s property in order to avoid the hole, and that her neighbor should not have to pay for those damages.
Mayor James said an old pipe collapsed right under the track during a storm. FEMA is donating $115,000 to the reconstruction efforts, leaving Gloucester to cover the additional $230,000 needed.
The City intends to repair the pipes and create a better pipe connection sleeve, James said. Council is unable to hold Conrail accountable for the repairs at this time.
The Council also passed a resolution to allot for a $2,625 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for bullet proof vests, a resolution to designate handicapped parking spaces at 822 Monmouth Street, resolutions for subordination of mortgages held by Gloucester, and resolutions for refunds of a liquor license fee, a certificate of occupancy inspection fee, and return overpayment on various tax records.
A highlight of the meeting was when James presented plaques for years of service on the Planning Board to John Bisconti and Ron Pollander.
Bisconti is moving temporarily, and has to give up the position. As he received the award, the audience gave him a standing ovation.
The mayor then appointed Ryan Murphy and Patrice Cerrone to the Planning Board. Ryan stood up after the appointment was announced, and received applause from the audience.
Finally, the mayor gave a proclamation for the families from the Gloucester City Lakes Association for accomplishments including the aeration system project, the kids fishing tournament, raising funds and grants, and ensuring the health of Martin\’s Lake.
The mayor said he recognizes and congratulates this outstanding organization.
Many of the families were at the meeting and received a standing ovation from the rest of the audience.
The next City Council meeting will be Thursday, December 27, at 8 p.m. in City Hall.
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