Millville Residents Rally Against Bond Release for Incomplete Four Seasons Development
- Meeting Overview:
During a recent Millville City Council meeting, residents from the Four Seasons at Millville development prominently voiced their opposition to the proposed bond release for their community. The residents were united in their concerns over unfinished construction and maintenance issues, urging the council to halt the bond release until these matters are resolved. Their grievances centered on incomplete punch list items, including poorly graded areas causing standing water, ADA compliance issues, and a prevalence of dead trees. Dennis Sandifer, representing the Four Seasons board of trustees, stressed that releasing the bond would unfairly shift the burden of these unresolved issues onto homeowners. The council listened to these concerns, with several members expressing understanding and agreeing to delay the bond release decision to ensure the developer fulfills its obligations.
In a related topic, the council’s discussions also highlighted ongoing issues with the city’s engineering department, which faced criticism for its lack of communication and perceived inaction regarding the Four Seasons development. Residents recounted their struggles in securing meetings with city engineers and addressing their community’s maintenance needs. The council acknowledged these challenges and agreed to invite an engineering representative to the next meeting to provide clarity and address resident concerns directly. This move was seen as a critical step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in the city’s development processes.
The council meeting also touched on various city ordinances and resolutions, with a focus on public safety and infrastructure improvements. Commissioner presentations revealed that the local police department responded to over 3,400 calls in a month, emphasizing the need for additional personnel. Plans were unveiled for the recruitment of more officers, with several new recruits expected to join soon. The council also approved a capital ordinance for purchasing a used ambulance.
Another notable discussion involved the city’s solid waste utility, where concerns were raised about delinquent bills and the inconsistent application of trash collection policies, particularly for nonprofits. The council acknowledged these issues, with members suggesting potential solutions such as placing liens on properties with unpaid bills. This discussion highlighted the broader challenges of managing city utilities and ensuring equitable service provision to all residents.
In addition to these issues, the council meeting celebrated community events and cultural initiatives, including a successful Puerto Rican flag-raising ceremony and a well-attended chicken barbecue hosted by the Cedarville Fire Department.
Benjamin Romanik
City Council Officials:
Lisa M. Orndorf, Joseph Sooy, C. Kirk Hewitt, Stephen E. Watson, Jr., Jeanne M. Parkinson (City Clerk)
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
08/06/2025
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Recording Published:
08/06/2025
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Duration:
108 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Cumberland County
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Towns:
Millville
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