One of the most prominent topics was the council’s authorization of a redevelopment agreement with Columbia Care, a company proposing to establish a medical marijuana facility on Black Horse Pike. Representatives from Columbia Care presented their plans, which involve only interior renovations, expediting the timeline for opening. They projected the facility would commence medical operations in about 160 days and adult use operations in about 190 days, contingent upon receiving planning board approval. The site plan was presented, highlighting sufficient parking spaces beyond the typical requirements. The council approved the agreement through a roll call vote, with all members in favor.

In addition to the medical marijuana facility, the council addressed several appointments. Steven Adair was appointed as the Director of Management Information Services with an annual salary of $95,500, effective August 6, 2024. The council expressed confidence in Adair’s capabilities, noting he would be a valuable addition to the team. Eliza Waron was appointed as Financial Assistant at an annual salary of $51,000, with a $2,000 salary increase contingent upon obtaining a qualified purchasing agent certification, effective August 6, 2024. Jordan Brooks was appointed as a full-time truck driver with a base salary of $41,600, effective August 6, 2024, also contingent upon successful completion of a physical and background check. Heather Jin was appointed as a clerk in the Office of Construction Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement at an annual salary of $46,000, also contingent on a physical and background check. Additionally, Amanda was appointed as a clerk in the Office of Planning and Zoning at an annual salary of $42,000, with a potential salary increase upon certification completion.

The council also discussed various ordinances. One involved the sale of a specific piece of land, granting adjacent property owners the right of first refusal. The ordinance was adopted unanimously after a public hearing with no comments. Other introduced ordinances included amendments to the zoning code affecting major subdivisions and agricultural use, as recommended by the planning board to enhance safety and accommodate agricultural needs. These ordinances faced no opposition and were introduced without issue. Another ordinance proposed amending the zoning map by removing outdated overlay districts within the industrial business park, a recommendation from the planning board due to a lack of development for over 15 years. This ordinance was approved without questions or concerns.

A resolution authorizing acceptance of a proposal from Remington and Vernick Engineers for environmental grant application services for a specific property was also discussed. The contract aimed to secure funding for environmental cleanup. Although there were discussions on procedural transparency and contract thresholds, the resolution was approved without objection.

Personnel matters were also a focus, with the appointment of a new full-time police officer. The candidate’s salary and start date were contingent upon successful completion of required physical and background checks. The motion for this appointment was made and seconded without objections.

The meeting included reports from various officials. The township administrator congratulated Steven Adair on his promotion and acknowledged his long-standing service. The engineer provided updates on ongoing projects, including the concession stand and the Underhill fencing project, with a projected completion timeline of two weeks. The Malaga Road bids were set to be accepted shortly.

Dr. Thelma Witherspoon shared personal experiences attending a ribbon-cutting event for a new Mexican restaurant and a press conference regarding the dam project, emphasizing bipartisan efforts that secured funding for necessary repairs. The council discussed the importance of the dam’s maintenance, with Dr. Witherspoon reflecting on the manual operations that had persisted for decades before improvements were initiated.

Community events and acknowledgments were also highlighted. The National Night Out event was scheduled for the following night from 6 to 9 PM, with assurances from the Chief that weather conditions would not affect the event. Upcoming events included the Midsummer Night Main Street Market on August 8th and a clam bake hosted by the Maz Landing Yacht Club on August 11th to raise funds for the Night of Lights event on August 17th. The 34th annual Maryanne and Daniel J Murphy Jr Memorial Regatta on September 7th and 8th was also mentioned.