Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township Mayor Dave Fleisher at the Nov. 10 council meeting. The ordinance was approved on first reading at council’s last session on Oct. 27.
Township council has postponed until December a second reading and public hearing on an ordinance that would amend township zoning regulations on solar energy.
The ordinance was approved on first reading at the last council session on Oct. 27. If it eventually passes, the measure would repeal and replace the township’s existing section on solar energy to update standards for various types of installations.
The change would be made with the goal of supporting solar projects that are both a part of the state’s Community Solar Energy Program and that provide benefits to the program’s subscribers, including residents who have low or moderate incomes.
New standards would also facilitate the development of projects that serve the on-site energy needs of a property’s principal use, whether residential, commercial or public. The ordinance also outlines standards for all ground-mounted solar systems: They cannot exceed 12 feet in height and must be screened off from adjacent property lines and public roads, sidewalks and trails with landscaping or opaque fencing.
The new second reading and public hearing on the issue will take place at the Dec. 8 council meeting.
Council also approved two redemption amusement games licenses for the 2026 calendar year for Chuck E. Cheese and Lucky Strike Bowling.
Since the October council meeting was the first after election day on Nov. 4, Mayor Dave Fleisher spoke about the reelection of council President William Carter III. Councilwomen Sangeeta Doshi and Jill Hulnick congratulated newly elected member Rob Connor, who will join the body in January.
“Tremendous progress has been made over the last two years, which would not be possible without the leadership and partnership of all of our council members, including those who were reelected last week,” said Fleisher.
He also addressed the issue of food insecurity in the community caused by the government shutdown and the resulting delay in November’s SNAP allotment, and asked for donations to the township’s Thanksgiving food drive, which runs through Sunday. The shutdown ended last week.
“Food insecurity is not a new problem in our community,” Fleisher explained. “Uncertainty that has surrounded the SNAP nutritional program … has created even greater urgency for our residents in need at this time of year.”
Several council members echoed the mayor’s sentiment, emphasizing the need for donations.
“It’s a wonderful time to give back, and I know my family cleaned out our pantry last weekend and had a lot of good giveaways for those in need,” Doshi said, “so hopefully the community can help with that.”
The mayor and several council members also made their gratitude for veterans and active-duty service members known in honor of Veterans Day.
“I sincerely hope that our veterans are appreciated and supported, because they certainly do deserve it,” said Councilman Daniel DiRenzo.
Four candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for the four seats on the Cherry Hill Township Council in the election on Nov. 4. Each would serve a three-year term.
All candidates, William A. Carter, III, Jill Hulnick, Sangeeta Doshi and Rob Connor were asked to submit an election questionnaire. Answers have been lightly edited for space.
At the time of deadline, Connor had not responded.
Name: William A Carter III Age: 73 How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 35 Family: My family and I reside in the Surrey East neighborhood. We have 6 adult children School and degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – Pennsylvania State University Class of 1974 Profession: I am a retired Construction Management professional, currently a private consultant.
Is this the first time you’ve run for a council seat? This is the third time I have run for a seat on the Cherry Hill Township Council. I have served on Council for 5 1⁄2 years.
What is your involvement in the community? In addition to my duties on the Township Council, I am a past member of the Cherry Hill School, Zoning and Planning Boards. I am involved in my local church activities, and as a member of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association I participate in our Scholarship Fund.
Why are you running for another elected seat?
I believe in the power of service and the responsibility of leadership. I am dedicated to representing our residents and making a positive impact on our township by addressing safety, economic, social and political challenges with thoughtful solutions. Financial stability and public safety remain at the forefront of my priorities. Working alongside the Mayor and Council, I will continue to provide strong leadership as we proactively navigate our evolving community needs. With integrity and commitment, I will strive to ensure our township remains a safe, stable and thriving place for all residents while fostering unity and progress for future generations.
What is one area you would concentrate on if reelected?
If elected I will concentrate on strengthening public safety while ensuring financial stability. Both are essential to protecting the quality of life for our residents. Public safety is more than emergency response, it is safe streets, neighborhoods, parks, and community spaces, planned infrastructure upgrades and dedicated resources that give families peace of mind. Simultaneously I will work to keep our township financially strong, by making prudent decisions that balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s growth. Listening closely and keeping residents’ interest first, I am committed to creating a safe, stable and thriving community where every person feels valued and supported.
Name: Jill Hulnick
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 11
Family: Married to David Hulnick, with a 10-year-old son
School and degree: BA in Economics from Tufts University, MBA from Harvard Business School
Profession: Nonprofit consultant
Is this the first time you’ve run for a council seat? This is my second time running for office. I was appointed to township council in January 2024 and was elected in November to fill the remaining one-year term. In total, I have served as a councilwoman for approximately 20 months.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have been actively involved in the Cherry Hill community in various capacities. My council service has given me a deeper understanding of our community’s needs and the importance of governance in addressing them. I am committed to continuing this work, using my skills and experiences to benefit our town. My family and I are engaged in many local activities. We love cleaning up trails with the Environmental Board, listening to free concerts at Barclay Farmstead, participating in Cherry Hill FC soccer matches, exploring the library and or biking around our neighborhood. In addition, I am actively involved with the Jewish Federation, where I serve on several committees. For the past two years, my husband and I co-chaired the Federation’s Super Sunday and Community Mitzvah Day, a signature event that brings people together to support our community.
Why are you running for another elected seat?
My career and volunteer leadership experiences have allowed me to support national, statewide and local organizations in Cherry Hill. While I have enjoyed contributing to many incredible missions, I find the most joy and feel the greatest impact when supporting my immediate community. Since joining council in January, I’ve witnessed first hand how our council, in partnership with community organizations, can effectively address community challenges. Together, we have successfully secured significant grant funding to enhance our town’s infrastructure; revived our community fireworks celebration; rebuilt playgrounds across town; and resolved thousands of resident issues, from clearing downed trees to fixing potholes. I approach this role with a deep sense of duty and appreciation for the trust placed in me by this community, and I look forward to serving Cherry Hill for many more years to come.
What is one area you would concentrate on if reelected?
Customer service. The Cherry Hill government’s primary purpose is to serve its residents and neighborhoods effectively and efficiently. As a council member, I will work with the mayor, township officials, fellow council members and community organizations to enhance communications and responsiveness. This includes building on initiatives like the My Cherry Hill app and expanding our social media outreach.
Name: Sangeeta Patel Doshi
Age: 59
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 29
Family: Husband and three sons
Schools and degree: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering; Babson College, master’s in Business Administration.
Profession: Engineer, program management, telecommunications executive and small business owner.
Is this the first time you’ve run for a seat on council? No
If not, how many years/terms have you served as a council member? Eight years, two terms
What is your involvement in the community?
I was the first Indian American elected to office in South Jersey in 2017. I have been a member of the Domestic Violence Response Team, the planning board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the District IV Legal Ethics Committee. I have volunteered with Cherry Hill Atlantic Little League and Moms Demand Action. In 2021, I received a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction. I am co-chair of the Cherry Hill Human Relations Committee and the township green team. I led efforts for Cherry Hill’s first dog park, solar-powered bus shelter and NJ Transit’s first electric bus in Camden. I am an active member of the Indian Cultural Center and Indian Temple Association. I serve on the Camden Air Quality Committee and on the advisory boards of Inspiring South Asian American Women, the New Jersey Leadership Program, the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey and the North South Foundation. In 2020, I was appointed to the NJ Transit Board of Directors by Gov. Murphy and served a four-year term. I was honored to receive the Sustainability Hero Award in 2023, the Rutgers Green Champion Award in 2024, and the Martin Luther King Award for Service from Camden County in 2025.
Why are you running for reelection?
I want to advance sustainability, environmental protection, clean energy and infrastructure improvements. As an immigrant, I am a voice in local government for diverse constituencies. I am committed to listening to residents and focusing on projects that our community needs: public safety, neighborhood parks, a dog park, solar shelters and electric buses. I am an advocate for gun safety. My family taught us to “give back” and “leave things better than you found it.”
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?
I will focus on making Cherry Hill a leader in sustainability, investing in clean energy, protecting our environment and building parks and infrastructure that improve quality of life for families
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.
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.
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
Seven candidates – two of which are incumbents – are vying for two seats on the Cherry Hill Township Council in the election, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The following four candidates are vying for one, one-year term on the council listed alphabetically: Anna R. Adler for the Republican Party, incumbent Jill R. Hulnick for the Democratic Party, Mohammed Jawaad Hussain running independently for Advocate for Children and Nicole Nance running independently for Ebony Ivory 1124.
The following three candidates are vying for one, three-year term on the council in alphabetical order: Incumbent Daniel V. Direnzo, Jr. for the Democratic Party, Judi Giacoboni-Russo for the Republican Party, and independent Stephen Heath, Jr. for Ebony Ivory 1124.
All were asked to submit an election questionnaire. As of deadline, Adler, Giacoboni-Russo, and Heath had not responded before press time.
Name: Daniel V. DiRenzo, Jr. (No photo was submitted)
Age: 73
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 69 years
Family: My family moved to Cherry Hill when I was four years old – almost a life-long resident. I graduated from Cherry Hill High School West and Rutgers University/Camden, and I am proud that my two children also graduated from West! My family is committed to public service. My son is a retired Cherry Hill Fire Department Captain and my daughter has a Master’s degree and teaches in an elementary school in Cherry Hill. My wife Lisa is the Administrative Assistant to the Principal at one of the high schools. You will often see me at interscholastic sporting events cheering on my 4 grandchildren.
School and degree: Rutgers University with a BA in Education. Post graduate, I completed courses in the Rutgers University Edward Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy (Municipal Finance Officer Program) and I understand the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act and Uniform Fire Safety Code.
Profession:Retired Fire Department Captain/Chief Financial Office. Retired Student Support Supervisor at West.
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? Yes. This is my first time running for office. I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Township Council in January 2024 and am currently serving on Council.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have been very active in my neighborhood civic association for many years and have served as Vice President, on the Township Joint Civic Association Board and volunteered side-by-side with my neighbors on park clean-up projects. I served on the Township Zoning Board for 12 years, as well as on the Township-School District-Fire Department-Library Liaison Committee, the Cherry Hill Economic Development Committee, Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Boards and Cherry Hill School District Long Range Facilities Planning Committee.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I have been proud to serve my community as a Council Member, as a volunteer, and as a Fire District Commissioner, and I hope that the community will elect me to serve as Council Member. I am committed to working with everyone in Cherry Hill to make our community the best it can be. I I believe that my long-time commitment to Cherry Hill and experience serving in many different capacities gives me the knowledge and the perspective to serve our community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I have been focused on community outreach and engagement-to improve communication with residents and our neighborhoods, and if elected, will continue to listen to residents to make our government better. We need to provide high quality municipal services and public safety initiatives, support our neighborhoods as they represent the heart of the town and bring our residents together with community events such as the Township Independence Day celebration which was on a hiatus for ten years.
Name: Jill Hulnick
Age: 45
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 10 years
Family: Married to David Hulnick and a 9-year-old son Micah
School and degree: BA in Economics from Tufts University, MBA from Harvard Business School
Profession: Nonprofit Consultant
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? This is my first time running for office, however, I was appointed to township council in January where I have been serving as a councilwoman for the last 9 months.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have been actively involved in the Cherry Hill community in various capacities. For nearly a year, I have served on the Town Council, which has given me a deeper understanding of our community’s needs and the importance of governance in addressing them. I am committed to continuing this work, using my skills and experiences to benefit our town.
Beyond my role on the Council, my family and I are engaged in many local activities. We love cleaning up trails with the Environmental Board, listening to concerts at Barclay Farmstead, participating in Cherry Hill FC soccer matches, exploring the Cherry Hill Public Library, or biking around our neighborhood.
In addition, I am actively involved with the Jewish Federation, where I serve on several committees. This February, my husband and I will once again co-chair the Federation’s Super Sunday and Community Mitzvah Day, a signature event that brings people together to support our community.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Through my career and volunteer work, I have supported national, statewide, and local organizations. While I’ve contributed to many great causes, I feel the greatest impact when supporting my immediate community. Since joining the Township Council in January, I’ve seen how we can effectively address local challenges alongside community partners. We have secured grants to enhance infrastructure, revived our community fireworks celebration, and resolved thousands of resident issues. I deeply appreciate the trust this community has placed in me and look forward to serving Cherry Hill for years to come.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Customer Service: Cherry Hill Township government’s primary purpose is to serve its residents and neighborhoods effectively and efficiently. As a council member, I will work with the mayor, township officials, fellow council members, and community organizations to enhance communications and responsiveness. This includes building on initiatives like the My Cherry Hill app and expanding our social media outreach.
Name: Mohammed Jawaad Hussain, MD
Age: 41
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Lived in Cherry Hill nine years
Family: Married, three kids (two middle schoolers, one elementary school)
School and degree: B.A. Biology at Swarthmore College then MD at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn then Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia
Profession: Pediatrician
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? First time running for Cherry Hill Township Council.
What is your involvement in the community? I have been working in southern New Jersey as a pediatrician for over 12 years. In recent years, I’ve volunteered as coach and assistant coach at the Cherry Hill Football Club and the New Jersey Flag Football League. Campaign website: VoteMJH.com
Why are you running for an elected seat? My decision to run for Cherry Hill Town Council was inspired by many recent statements by the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. The Office of the Surgeon General has been sounding the alarms about the mental health crises affecting American families–whether its worsening childhood depression, the epidemic of loneliness, or undue parental stress. To confront these grave problems, we need community solutions. When I look at the current council, it is predominantly staffed by lawyers and businesspeople–there are no healthcare workers. I felt compelled to serve to help our community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? My duty on the Cherry Hill Township council would be to ensure our community’s health is factored into every decision that is made. As a healthcare worker, I can provide a unique, informed perspective on how any decision made by the council would affect our community’s physical and mental health.
Name: Nicole Nance
Age: 52
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Four years
School and degree: Bachelors Degree in Biblical Administration – JDT Bible College Training Center
Profession: Clergy and Administration
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? No
What is your involvement in the community? Community Advocate and Community Health Worker
Why are you running for an elected seat? I believe that elected officials should be people who are compelled or called to serve the greater good. I am running to see a recovery and restoring of why government exists. To be a representation of the people, for the people. To be the voice for community members who may not get to be heard any other way. We need to see taxpayer results in our town on the smallest to the largest levels.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? To be more engaging by making sure the ENTIRE town knows and stays updated about what’s going on in our town. By getting their input into some of the daily matters. By making sure that everyone doesn’t just get a “seat at the table” but helping my fellow Cherry Hillians realize – we “own the table” that contributes to the betterment of Cherry Hill.
This article was updated on Tuesday, Oct. 15 to clarify that Jill Hulnick is running with the Democratic Party.
