Cherry Hill Township Council’s meeting addressed concerns of several residents as well as handled routine business on Sept. 8.
Councilwoman Carole Roskoph started off the meeting issuing a public apology for comments she had made during the public participation portion of the Aug. 26 Board of Education meeting, where she compared immigration detention facilities to concentration camps run by Nazis during World War II.
“The comparison… was inappropriate, factually and historically inaccurate,” Roskoph said. “I recognize the harm my words caused, and I deeply regret making the statement… I am committed to listening, learning… thank you for sharing your perspective and giving me the chance to reflect and do better.”
The council then approved an ordinance to amend the Alcohol Beverage Control portion of the township’s general ordinances to provide the issuance of an additional distribution license and up to two shopping mall special licenses.
The township received correspondence regarding temporary use permits for the Silver Diner’s Alzheimer’s Awareness car show on Sept. 21, the Jewish Federation of South Jersey’s planned 5K on Oct. 12 and the Glass Garden’s glass blowing demonstrations scheduled for Oct. 12 to 14.
In addition, the council also received three block party applications. All of the applications had already been reviewed by the relevant departments and were approved as recommended.
During the public participation section of the meeting, the first person to speak was Sabrina Spector, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, who took the opportunity to commend Roskoph for her apology.
“She recognized her mistake and apologized,” Spector acknowledged. “In today’s environment, when words do have an impact, leaders who take ownership of their mistakes and show a genuine desire to learn should be recognized.”
Nicole Nance, a resident who was attending virtually, echoed Spector’s sentiment before also asking if there were any plans for what could be done with two boarded up homes on Mercer Street.
“We see sidewalk,” she noted. “They’re working on the sidewalks. That’s great, but those homes have been there. I think people have asked about them in the past. Are there any plans… to do something with those two boarded up homes next to each other?”
Another resident, Anne Iver raised concerns over minors allegedly threatening and harassing citizens in the community.
She also raised concerns over the traffic light patterns between Abington Road and Route 70.
“The light allowed seven cars from the Barclay Exit to exit, and the Kingston side got three and a half,” Iver explained. “I was the half as the yellow light went bright red before I crossed the full intersection. Something is wrong with the timing.”
This issue was later addressed by the council, who said that they are actively pursuing improvements to that intersection, receiving some concessions from the state to improve the timing by a few seconds and are trying to have a dedicated right turn installed.
The next township council meeting will be held on Sept. 28 in the N. John Amato Council Chambers and via Zoom.
