The council’s discussion on public safety featured the Maple Shade Police Department’s positive outcomes in partnership with Volunteers of America, including a reduction in hotel motel district calls and the deployment of Narcan for fentanyl overdoses. The police chief’s election as the second vice president for the Burlington County Chiefs Association and the success of the “Beards for the Year” fundraiser for community initiatives were also highlighted.

One topic that garnered considerable attention was the potential implementation of a Cannabis ordinance in Maple Shade. The Mayor and council members deliberated on the possibility of permitting retail, delivery, and cultivation businesses within the town. The council agreed to allow three retail licenses, one cultivation license, and one delivery license, and showed a willingness to engage with the community and stakeholders to refine the ordinance.

Site plan approvals sparked debates regarding the visual impact of PSNG’s expansion plans at the former Roy Rogers property, residential and business conversions, and the need for additional dumpsters at Deerfield Associates Fox Meadow. The council stressed the importance of beautification, adequate parking, and addressing ongoing trash problems.

The council also focused on community events and initiatives. The Maple Shade High School environmental science class presented a project to protect the Indian white eye, involving fundraising and the creation of pollinator corridors. The council expressed interest in the project’s various elements, including outreach efforts and the construction of nesting boxes.

The introduction and first reading of an ordinance to establish salaries and wages for certain officers and employees were also key points of the meeting, with the public hearing scheduled for March 14, 2024. A resident sought clarification on raises for officers and employees during the public portion for the consent agenda, and it was clarified that the raises were in accordance with contracts.

Road repairs, off-duty employment rates for police officers, and temporary appropriations were addressed, with the council passing resolutions for the authorization of the municipal lot and gazebo park for community events, including the food truck festival and the annual fireworks display.

Parking issues were a concern for residents, particularly those affecting local businesses and on dead-end streets. The council assured residents that these issues would be addressed and also discussed the implementation of time-limited parking spaces on Main Street.

The meeting featured discussions about a local gun range’s noise issue, fees for commercial applicants during site plan reviews, and the acknowledgment of the Maple Shade Police Department’s accreditation and a leadership change at the DPW.

Another notable debate centered around the use of a triangular portion of land owned by the town, the potential creation of a gravel parking lot to resolve parking issues near recreational areas, and the possibility of purchasing part of an adjacent property to create an even lot line.