0:00The meeting commenced with the ceremonial swearing-in of Joshua Lee and Patrick Mason as lieutenants, alongside Matthew Lincoln and Blake Wenzel as firefighters in the Glassboro Fire Department. The appointments were met with unanimous approval from the council, followed by applause from attendees. Council President Anna Miller and other members extended their congratulations, emphasizing the importance of these roles in ensuring community safety.

Rocco Fogarino, a dedicated employee of the Borough’s Water and Sewer Department, was honored for his retirement after 28 years of service. The council echoed the mayor’s sentiments, acknowledging the significant impact of Fogarino’s service and expressing regret over his departure.

22:38The council then turned its attention to infrastructure development, with updates provided on various projects. The most notable discussion centered on the forthcoming DOT project on Route 47. This extensive project, expected to last approximately four years, will involve curb, sidewalk, and traffic signal replacements, followed by roadwork. Additional plans for Route 47 include milling and resurfacing work set to begin in May, which will proceed without significant sidewalk alterations. These developments are important for improving the borough’s infrastructure and are anticipated to impact traffic and local businesses during the construction period.

Further updates were provided on ongoing housing developments. The Camelot project is nearing completion, with the final building under construction and plans to finish road surfacing by late spring. Across the street, 30 townhouses are completed and closed. The High Street townhouses have reached the final punch list stage, with paving finished and bond issues being resolved. The old Lisso facility project is also complete, with the final punch list work done and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy expected soon. In addition, other projects, including the Dr. Leo McCabe Boulevard project, are moving forward, with building permits nearly finalized.

Business developments were also addressed, including the ongoing construction of a Taco Bell and a Raising Cane, both aiming for completion by year-end. However, the Chick-fil-A project has faced delays due to pending approvals from the DOT, with hopes for progress by year-end.

In the realm of cultural events, the council highlighted the upcoming Civil War history weekend at the historic train station. Sponsored by the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage, the event features reenactments, speakers, and a live band, concluding with a ball banquet at the VFW. The weekend promises to offer educational and engaging experiences for attendees, with further presentations scheduled for Sunday.

The council also attended to administrative duties, approving several resolutions, including the insertion of a special revenue item into the budget, fuel contracts, cannabis retail license renewals, and the appointment of Andrew Thompson to the Park and Recreation Commission. These approvals were completed following a roll call vote.

0:00In closing remarks, the borough administrator congratulated the newly appointed fire department personnel and expressed appreciation for Fogarino’s long-standing service. An update on downtown parking revealed a record month in September, with a 56% increase in parked cars since February, reflecting residents’ adaptation to new parking technology.