Watchdogs in the Watershed

Prior to the election, I made a lot of comments about the need for people to be vocal and active participants in local government. Now that the election is over, I realized that I had to follow my own directive. I can't ask others to do something I don't do myself.

With that in mind, I went to the Cinnaminson Township committee meeting on Monday. It was both interesting and enlightening. After all the vehement comments on the Patch before Nov. 8, I expected to see more people than the 25 who were there. It's sad to think that some people will only speak up or get involved only when there is a crisis or they have a personal stake in an issue.  Unfortunately, that's the nature of the beast. Many people don't speak up until it's too late for a change. That is why we all need to be involved as much as possible.

If public opinion is heard early enough in the process, there is a better chance of that opinion being considered when decisions are made. For instance, at Monday's meeting, two ordinances were presented and notice given that there will be public hearings on both at the Dec. 19 meeting. With that knowledge, I can look into these issues, develop an opinion and be able to come up with well thought out questions and comments at the hearings. A couple of items came up for a vote, one of which I would have questioned if I had been there at the start of the process.

I got to hear very informative reports from Mr. Brauckmann/Parks and Recreation and Ben Young/Dept of Public Works. Mr. Young had a few important announcements/requests for residents. He advised us to not put our leaves out for collection more than seven days prior to scheduled pick-up, and that the schedule is available on line or by calling public works. He asked that we keep our storm drains clear of leaves and debris, that we not to mix brush with our leaves, and let us know that there will be no brush pick-up until at least February.

Mr. Seneski, township administrator, said that he was unable to produce a financial report for Monday night, but that it would be available in December. There was no report from the economic development committee.

When all the regular business was concluded, the floor was opened to the public for comments and questions. There was a man asking for assistance or guidance with his situation involving affordable housing. There was another man who is having difficulty with the retention basin near his house, and another concerned about the goings on at Morgan Cemetery. There was an elderly woman who was upset about having received a notice of tax sale of her home while she was hospitalized. Taxes were due on the first, but the township announced an "accelerated tax sale." The mayor said that the notice was being misinterpreted, and that the notices were only sent after several quarters were delinquent. I must disagree with the mayor.  I got the same notice and my taxes were only about 2 weeks late (They were actually paid the day before I received the notice.).

My question to the committee concerned the status of the economic development committee. Since January, that page has said "committee being recreated. Please stay tuned." Eleven months have passed, and it still says the same thing. Mr. Minniti said that he couldn't get any business owners to participate in the committee, which means he IS the committee. After hearing Don Brauckmann talk about community involvement on the parks & recreation committee, I would feel a lot better if there was even one person from the community on the economic development committee. Mr. Minniti said that there is little redevelopment to be done in town; however, it is called economic development, not economic redevelopment. In an effort to help Mr. Minniti, I am going to ask the proprietors of all the local businesses I patronize to contact him about serving on the committee.

My next adventure in participation is with Tuesday afternoon's meeting of the historical commission. I'll keep you posted, and I'll fill you in on my question about the environmental commission too! Better yet, become a watchdog in the watershed, and join me at the next township meeting on Dec. 19. Hope to see you there!