Cherry Hill Sun

Tag: cherry hill council meeting

  • Roskoph retires from council after 12 years

    Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township
    Council honored retiring member Carole Roskoph and heard public comment on an ordinance that would increase the fee for massage businesses and their licensing.

    Township council’s meeting on Dec. 8 was the last for Carole Roskoph after 12 years of service.

    Fellow members took time at the end of the meeting to express their gratitude to the councilwoman.

    “We know that this is just the conclusion of this chapter and tenure of your service, but certainly not the end of your service to Cherry Hill or with any of us …” said Mayor Dave Fleisher. “We know this is the beginning of something new, and not the end, but it is with great gratitude that we say thank you for the 12 years that you’ve given the people of Cherry Hill in this role.”

    Each member of council said a few words about Roskoph before presenting her with a proclamation. She finished the meeting with some words of her own, reflecting on how she first took her council oath on the same night she and other members of the time paid final respects to former board member Joyce Alexander Walker.

    Roskoph also acknowledged her replacement, Rob Connor.

    “To the residents of Cherry Hill, thank you for your continued votes of confidence,” she said. “It has been the honor and privilege of my lifetime to represent you.” 

    One major issue discussed during the meeting was an ordinance that would increase licensing fees from $250 to $2,000 for massage parlors with more than one therapist. A number of owners expressed their opposition.

    Some are sole proprietors who would be exempt from the fee but still had concerns over the wording of the ordinance, fearing other area towns would enact similar measures. One of them is massage practitioner Rena Margulis. She worries the measure would deter other massage and bodywork therapists from moving to the township.

    “And while Cherry Hill government could have an understanding that self-employed, licensed massage and body or therapists who do not have employees are not covered by this fee,” she observed, “this understanding is not clear in the code.”

    Margulis also recalled that at one point in her career, she broke her arm and had to hire two student assistants to staff her business. She is concerned that a temporary disability could also negatively impact independent massage practitioners. 

    The township’s rationale for the fee is the cost of police resources it says are necessary to deter illegal activity at the businesses.

    “We recognize the legitimate massage businesses and the right to operate in Cherry Hill, but we also recognize the very unfortunate reality nationwide of illicit conduct and potential sexual exploitation,” Fleisher explained.

    “Sadly, that does take place in some organizations – and certainly none of you here tonight – but that is a reality that we recognize statewide and nationwide.”

    The mayor then went into more detail about the time it takes to review regulatory compliance, monitor, investigate and enforce criminal statutes when a permit is requested. Council also heard from the public on second reading of changes to zoning ordinances that will allow for solar projects without the need for a special use variance permit.

    The changes were approved.

    The next township council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday in person and via Zoom.

  • Budget plan touches on the nation’s rising costs

    Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township
    Mayor Dave Fleisher discussed the proposal during a special township council meeting on Nov. 20.

    Mayor Dave Fleisher and council have introduced a new 2026 municipal budget addressing increased costs for township services that mirror rising costs nationwide.

    “This budget also reflects the reality of rising costs outside of our control,” the mayor said, “just as families across the nation are experiencing in their own households: the soaring cost of energy, increasing health-care costs, inflation, tariffs, along with trash and recycling collection and disposal, all which significantly impact our budget.”

    Fleisher then explained in detail the increased cost of township trash collection and disposal. After a competitive bid process, the cost of the services will increase by $1.4 million beginning in January, with additional increases annually for the next four years.

    That translates to a cumulative cost of $47.8 million for trash collection and disposal over the next five years, an increase of $12.4 million – or 34.9% – compared with the previous five-year period.

    “As you see, trash collection, a critical service for our community, has a serious negative impact on the township budget,” Fleisher noted.

    The proposed financial plan also includes a 5-cent increase in the municipal tax rate; for the average township homeowner, that translates to $31.50 more in quarterly property taxes.

    The budget also invests in new technology for the police department and in the upgrade and repair of more than 20 miles of township roads. Improvements to township parks, recreation spaces and historic sites are also included.

    “This budget puts public safety first, makes critical investments in neighborhoods, is fiscally responsible, plans for the future and is focused on what our residents have told us is most important,” Fleisher emphasized.

    The proposed budget – its total as yet unknown – will appear on the township website before a hearing is held for residents to make their voices heard on the plan. That session will be held on Monday, Dec. 22, in person and via Zoom. The next regular council meeting will be held on Monday.

    In other meeting business, council appointed Aidan Kerr and Patrick Gaffney to serve as Class II SLEO (Special Law Enforcement Officers).  

  • Council adds to the township zoning board

    Township council appointed two people to fill vacancies on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and declared the alternate member position vacant at its Oct. 14 meeting.

    Kevin Cockfield was named a regular member to fill an unexpired term that ends on Dec. 31, 2026. Neelima Straiges was also appointed a regular member; she will fill an unexpired term that ends on Dec. 31, 2027.

    Council approved an ordinance on first reading that would prohibit parking at all times on specific streets in the township. An amendment to the revised general ordinance would prohibit parking on Europa Boulevard, at the Marlkress Road entrance, and Jefferson Avenue, at the entrance across from an Erlton South resident’s home.

    The proposed measure comes after requests from residents who hope the change will improve safety and traffic flow in areas where road widths and ingress-egress commissions don’t support concurrent vehicle passage. 

    Now that the amendment has been formally introduced to the council, it will be considered for final adoption after public comment at the next council meeting.

    A consent agenda for the October meeting featured a resolution to authorize the cancellation of property taxes for those approved for a full tax exemption, namely totally disabled veterans or their widows. Another agenda measure will increase the township’s temporary budget for fiscal year 2026 to allow for funding the township payroll and other essential operating expenses until a full budget is adopted. 

    Residents expressed concerns during the meeting’s public comment on a range of issues. Resident Rick Short expressed disappointment that the township’s first statement on the ceasefire in Gaza did not acknowledge the efforts of President Donald Trump. He thanked Mayor Dave Fleisher for rectifying that in his meeting statement.

    Short also expressed concern about consultants in the school district voicing their own political agendas to township students.

    “This town’s either going to be a town of truth or a town of lies,” he said. “So in my speech, it’s kind of the same thing. No one can come to a public mic and praise the radical, crazy consultants we have.” 

    Resident Andy McLean made his opposition to Short’s views known, though he did not specifically mention anyone. 

    “There is a cancer in Cherry Hill,” McLean maintained. “Online trolls have for years been spreading increasingly malicious and blatantly false information about our community, our schools and this council. The cancer is hate being promoted as a reasoned response to what they characterize as hate in our schools and in our community.” 

    The meeting ended with each council member acknowledging recent events related to township diversity and the ceasefire in Gaza.

    The next meeting will be held on Monday in person and via Zoom.

  • Council approves new zoning ordinance

    Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township
    Council President William Carter III gives opening remarks at the Sept. 29 council meeting.

    Township council has approved an amended zoning ordinance on second reading that was originally introduced in August.

    The ordinance will establish a new mixed-use overlay zone that will be residential inclusionary, meaning that within the designated area, projects that mix residential with retail or commercial are encouraged. Such zones also require developers to set aside a percentage of units for affordable housing.

    The township planning board reviewed the ordinance during its Sept. 15 meeting and found it consistent with Cherry Hill’s master plan. Adoption was recommended by board members, though they asked that small edits be made to the measure, including more references to procedural history.

    After council went over the details of the ordinance at its Sept. 29 meeting, it opened the floor for public comment, when two individuals voiced their support for the resolution. Charles McDonald represented Urban Edge Properties, owner of the site where the new zoning will take place.

    “We are fully supportive of this proposed ordinance and appreciate any future development flexibilities for the site,” he said.

    Township resident Anne Einhorn also expressed her support for the measure, specifically its affordable housing.

    “So I really am in favor of this,” she noted. “I did listen to the planning board that night when they were discussing this issue, and we do have to fulfill our affordable-housing needs. My only concern that night was the development of the property when it ensues, but I am comfortable, because this is something that Cherry Hill needs to do.”

    Five council members voted to approve the ordinance; members Sangeeta Doshi and Carole Roskoph were absent. Councilwoman Jennifer Apell was in favor of the measure.

    “I really appreciate that there are green building fixtures featured in that ordinance,” she pointed out. “So that’s a really good step for Cherry Hill. And hopefully, the builder will incorporate a lot of green building features.”

    In other meeting business, council approved a resolution authorizing the township to accept a grant of up to $638,286 from the state’s Historic Trust for the preservation of Kay Evans Farmstead – also known as Croft Farm – and authorized the rejection of bids for the purchase of trees, shrubs and evergreens. The township can now re-bid the project with revised specifications.

  • Councilwoman issues public apology

    Courtesy of the Cherry Hill Township Facebook page. Cherry Hill Township Council meets to address community concerns and handle routine business.

    Cherry Hill Township Council’s meeting addressed concerns of several residents as well as handled routine business on Sept. 8.

    Councilwoman Carole Roskoph started off the meeting issuing a public apology for comments she had made during the public participation portion of the Aug. 26 Board of Education meeting, where she compared immigration detention facilities to concentration camps run by Nazis during World War II.

    “The comparison… was inappropriate, factually and historically inaccurate,” Roskoph said. “I recognize the harm my words caused, and I deeply regret making the statement… I am committed to listening, learning… thank you for sharing your perspective and giving me the chance to reflect and do better.”

    The council then approved an ordinance to amend the Alcohol Beverage Control portion of the township’s general ordinances to provide the issuance of an additional distribution license and up to two shopping mall special licenses.

    The township received correspondence regarding temporary use permits for the Silver Diner’s Alzheimer’s Awareness car show on Sept. 21, the Jewish Federation of South Jersey’s planned 5K on Oct. 12 and the Glass Garden’s glass blowing demonstrations scheduled for Oct. 12 to 14. 

    In addition, the council also received three block party applications. All of the applications had already been reviewed by the relevant departments and were approved as recommended.  

    During the public participation section of the meeting, the first person to speak was Sabrina Spector, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, who took the opportunity to commend Roskoph for her apology.

    “She recognized her mistake and apologized,” Spector acknowledged. “In today’s environment, when words do have an impact, leaders who take ownership of their mistakes and show a genuine desire to learn should be recognized.”

    Nicole Nance, a resident who was attending virtually, echoed Spector’s sentiment before also asking if there were any plans for what could be done with two boarded up homes on Mercer Street.

    “We see sidewalk,” she noted. “They’re working on the sidewalks. That’s great, but those homes have been there. I think people have asked about them in the past. Are there any plans… to do something with those two boarded up homes next to each other?”

    Another resident, Anne Iver raised concerns over minors allegedly threatening and harassing citizens in the community.

    She also raised concerns over the traffic light patterns between Abington Road and Route 70. 

    “The light allowed seven cars from the Barclay Exit to exit, and the Kingston side got three and a half,” Iver explained. “I was the half as the yellow light went bright red before I crossed the full intersection. Something is wrong with the timing.”

    This issue was later addressed by the council, who said that they are actively pursuing improvements to that intersection, receiving some concessions from the state to improve the timing by a few seconds and are trying to have a dedicated right turn installed. 

    The next township council meeting will be held on Sept. 28 in the N. John Amato Council Chambers and via Zoom.

  • Council supports proposed ‘Green Amendment’

    Courtesy of the Cherry Hill Township Facebook page.

    Cherry Hill became the latest municipality to support the proposed “Green Amendment” to the state’s constitution.

    “Council and I are also pleased to support the proposed green amendment to the New Jersey constitution, which will provide our residents additional constitutional rights to clean water, air and a healthy environment,” Mayor David Fleisher said during a council meeting on Aug. 19.

    This support on the municipal level will encourage the state legislature to take action on the pending legislation regarding the amendment, which will then put the proposed amendment on the ballot to be decided by New Jersey voters.

    In response to the news, several members of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, as well as other local and statewide organizations focused on ecological health like the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, came out to express their gratitude for the support.

    “Thank you for passing resolutions for the green amendment,” said Steven Elliot, who works as water use specialist for Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. “It’s an important step, and you’re taking on a leadership role. It’s really about starting a conversation and placing the values of pure air, clean water and healthy environments at the same level as our right of free speech.”

    Councilwoman Sangeeta Doshi commented on her own appreciation for the township’s support of the proposed green amendment.

    “It’s about clean energy and clean air, and I think everybody wants clean air for their children and families,” she said.

    In other news, the council made a move to approve on first reading a township zoning ordinance to establish a new residential inclusionary mixed use overlay zone.

    This would allow for an amendment to the existing zoning ordinance to create a new zone at 2100 to 2110 Route 38, which will allow for mixed use development including a minimum of 20% affordable housing units to meet the township’s obligations.

    Another decision from the meeting involved an ordinance amendment that will modify fees associated with certain required documents, as well as amending certain licensing provisions associated with massage parlors and other massage providers.

    During the public comment period, township resident Susan Wolf raised concerns about zoning violations in her neighborhood, alleging that some of the houses in her area were being rented out as multiple apartments despite being zoned as single family residences.

    “People are buying them to rent them out … One became an Airbnb, which I didn’t even know was allowed, and then they changed to the apartments, four apartments within one house … I’m really concerned … it seems to me like it’s happening more and more,” she said.

    Wolf also raised concerns about the use of pesticides around the community, specifically around the health and environmental impacts associated with the sprays, as well as speeding in the area.

    Fleisher thanked Wolf for bringing her concerns to the council, promising to look into them and giving reassurances that the police would address the issue of speeding and that the zoning violations would be investigated through the proper channels.

    Remote callers during the meeting expressed concern over the removal of trees in the township and asking about when they would be replaced, thanked the council for holding the National Night Out at Cherry Hill High School East and called in to relay their gratitude for the public works department’s removal of overgrown foliage.

    The next township council meeting will be held on Sept. 8 in the N. John Amato Council Chambers and via Zoom.

  • Council meeting focuses on new grants

    Township council held its meeting of the month on June 9, when several grants were formally accepted into the fiscal year 2025 municipal budget. 

    One of them is a $70,000 Age Friendly grant from the state that would give the township money to support programs benefitting seniors and creating a more age-friendly community. Another state grant of $196,556 in clean community funding will be used for programs that support the cleanup of litter, education on the environment and community beautification. 

    Other resolutions passed at the meeting included a resolution for the purchase of office supplies, bottled water and cooler rentals from WB Mason Company that is not to exceed $40,000, and a resolution for heating and hot-water pump replacement at the library.

    Another resolution authorized an increase in the contract amount for 2024 road maintenance programs of $1,985,163, bringing the total contract value to $12,498,476. The increase was necessary to revise the quantities of line items and include additional streets not originally included in the contract details. 

    Mayor Dave Fleisher gave opening remarks upon moving from the caucus meeting to the public meeting in council chambers, specifically making mention of the township’s trail maintenance programs.

    “We’re fortunate to have such a dedicated group of trail ambassadors who often perform routine trail maintenance or lead small work groups to accomplish the improvement of many projects,” he said. 

    He also mentioned the commemoration of Pride Month and the upcoming Juneteenth celebration’s parade and festival at Croft Farm, as well as the Independence Day celebration that will take place at Cherry Hill High School West.

    “Our diversity is one of the things that makes Cherry Hill special,” noted Fleisher, who requested volunteers for Independence Day and Juneteenth.

    Public comments included residents thanking the township and council for repaving on roads in their communities, concerns about antisemitism and issues with road work that blocked access to a polling place on Primary Election Day.  

    When it came time for council members to give their own remarks, each commented on something important happening in the township. Councilwoman Sangeeta Doshi echoed Fleisher’s gratitude for the work done on National Trails Day.

    “I also wanted to say thank you to the environmental board and to all the volunteers that came out on Saturday for National Trails Day, for all their hard work,” Doshi said.

    Councilwoman Jill Hulnick thanked school district teachers and administrators for their hard work over the past academic year, and urged drivers in the township to slow down and drive carefully in school zones.

    Courtesy of the Cherry Hill Township Facebook page

  • Road contract, gun violence among council issues

    Cherry Hill Facebook page

    The township council meeting on May 27 – postponed from Monday’s Memorial Day – included awarding a contract to fund brick road resurfacing and approval of a Title VI program for the senior bus program.

    The township awarded a nearly $500,000 contract for the road work to Lexa Concrete LLC of Atlantic County, funded by a New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) trust fund. The resurfacing process extends use and improves the condition of existing brick roads by adding new materials. 

    The NJDOT trust fund is a state agency that finances the cost of planning, engineering and construction for transportation-related projects. 

    The township also approved a Title VI program for the township’s senior bus program.

    “This resolution approves the Township’s Title VI program to ensure that its senior bus program complies with federal civil rights requirements and remains eligible for grant funding through the Federal Transit Administration,” said council President William Carter. 

    Mayor Dave Fleisher announced receipt of a $400,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration to conduct a study on pedestrian and sidewalk infrastructure throughout Cherry Hill.

    “We will use these funds to develop an action plan for future infrastructure improvements and continue the work that we’re doing to make our neighborhoods safer,” he noted.

    Representatives of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense – a nationwide organization aimed at combating deaths caused by gun violence – urged council to recognize June 6 as Gun Violence Awareness Day, a national observance that honors the birthday of Hidya Pendleton. The Chicago teen was killed in a random shooting there in 2013.

    The day will be marked by participants wearing orange, the color worn by hunters to announce themselves to other hunters, symbolizing the value of human life. Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense told council that the estimated number of annual gun-related deaths in the U.S. is more than 45,000.

    Council also adopted a proclamation recognizing June 6 “to encourage all citizens to support efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor the value of human life,” Fleisher read from the document.

    The township also approved several resolutions on vehicles and equipment for the police department, including two new Chevy Tahoes at a cost $133,809. Council also entered into a five-year contract with the Sourcewell Cooperative – a state purchasing organization – to replace seven Taser devices, body cameras, cloud storage and related materials.

    The next township council meeting will take place on Monday at 7:30 p.m., with a caucus meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m.

  • Muslims call for public recognition of Muslim American Heritage Month

    Special to The Sun
    Members of the Muslim community in Cherry Hill and the South Jersey region gather independently to celebrate the proclamation of January as Muslim American Heritage Month on Jan. 3.

    Gov. Phil Murphy designated January as Muslim American Heritage Month in April of 2023, during an Eid celebration, to “promote awareness and appreciation of the many contributions of the state’s Muslim community.”

    Following suit, a number of local communities in the South Jersey area have made proclamations to celebrate the Muslim community, including Moorestown, Mount Laurel – whose mayor is Muslim and which also recognized the Muslim holidays Ramadan and Eid al Fitr – and most recently, Cherry Hill.

    But to the disappointment of people in the Muslim and larger community, there was no public presentation of the Cherry Hill proclamation. It was dropped off at township resident Mona Lari’s house on Dec. 27 without photos taken or community members gathered to receive it. There has also been no mention of it on social media.

    Special to The Sun
    The proclamation was delivered privately to Cherry Hill resident Mona Lari on behalf of the mayor’s office on Dec. 27, but without fanfare.

    Lari serves as a trustee of the Pakistani American Society of South Jersey and is also on the advisory council of the mayor office, and though she feels honored to receive the proclamation, both she and others would have preferred a more public recognition after about 20 township Muslims and others attended the Dec. 30 council meeting in person and more joining online, anticipating their community would be cited for its contributions.

    “The Muslim Heritage Month, Muslim American Heritage Month is a way to celebrate and reflect on the contributions that Muslims have made in our country and specifically for us in Cherry Hill, and so the month of January provides an important opportunity for us to come together to celebrate those contributions, to share our stories and to build greater understanding and unity within the broader community,” said John Starling, director and Imam of the Gracious Center of Learning and Enrichment Activities (GCLEA), a Cherry Hill mosque that serves the South Jersey Muslim community.

    “Having a public proclamation really just emphasizes that point,” he added, “and I think sets a standard for the community. For that reason, while we’re honored and looking forward to celebrating the month, I personally and many other people were disappointed that the mayor and council chose not to publicly present the proclamation.”

    The proclamation was not on the council meeting agenda and was verbally acknowledged only during the mayor’s comments and those of other members.

    “All across town, families are celebrating Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanza,” noted Mayor David Fleisher during his initial comments. “In addition, many families held joyful Diwali celebrations last month, and in January, we will celebrate Three Kings Day, Muslim Heritage Month, and the start of Lunar New Year.

    “As a community, Cherry Hill exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday season, of kindness, connection and inclusivity.”

    During his later comments, Fleisher reiterated that he did acknowledge the proclamation in his earlier comments and during his mayor’s message, sent by email on Dec. 23 as part of the e-newsletter, which contained the same wording.

    Though she was honored to receive it, Lari shared that she was not given a choice about how to receive the proclamation and that the township initially indicated it would be part of the Dec. 30 meeting. Council later retracted the decision due to a full agenda for the session that included six ordinances with public or second readings. As of Jan. 3, the mayor’s office had not responded to a request for comment.

    “… I appreciate that they did (give her the proclamation), but it was not presented with the dignity that my community deserves,” Lari said. “Just dropping it off to one person, because they know me, doesn’t make me feel any better that the whole community is hurt.”

    While members of the Muslim and Jewish communities have expressed their thanks for the proclamation acknowledging Muslim American Heritage Month, they also emphasized their contributions to the community and expressed disappointment with the lack of public acknowledgment.

    A petition created by township resident Samia Mian calling for a more public recognition went out on Dec. 26 and had garnered more than 200 signatures by the time of the Dec. 30 meeting. Omar Raja, a graduate of Cherry Hill school district, recalled some of the contributions he has seen and been part of growing up in Cherry Hill.

    “It’s been part of my whole life to be part of the GCLEA, feeding people in the community with the restaurant that we have (in Phiadelphia) …” he noted, ” … but I just want to say, as a community, we would like a more public proclamation to validate all the things that not just the Muslims have been through this year, but everybody around the community has been through this year.

    “So we all deserve the same standing as everyone else in the community,” Raja added. ” … I guess we would all like to feel included like we’re part of this community, too.”

    In January, the Cherry Hill library will screen “The Sultan and the Saint” on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and hold a children’s storytime and craft event to celebrate Muslim heritage through art on Saturday, Jan. 18.

    The New Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Coalition will also be celebrating the month with a festival on January 25 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Eden Gardens at 1444 Rte. 73 in Pennsauken.

    The full council meeting is available on the Cherry Hill Facebook page.

    This article was updated on Jan. 7, 2025.