Council honored retiring member Carole Roskoph and heard public comment on an ordinance that would increase the fee for massage businesses and their licensing.
Township council’s meeting on Dec. 8 was the last for Carole Roskoph after 12 years of service.
Fellow members took time at the end of the meeting to express their gratitude to the councilwoman.
“We know that this is just the conclusion of this chapter and tenure of your service, but certainly not the end of your service to Cherry Hill or with any of us …” said Mayor Dave Fleisher. “We know this is the beginning of something new, and not the end, but it is with great gratitude that we say thank you for the 12 years that you’ve given the people of Cherry Hill in this role.”
Each member of council said a few words about Roskoph before presenting her with a proclamation. She finished the meeting with some words of her own, reflecting on how she first took her council oath on the same night she and other members of the time paid final respects to former board member Joyce Alexander Walker.
Roskoph also acknowledged her replacement, Rob Connor.
“To the residents of Cherry Hill, thank you for your continued votes of confidence,” she said. “It has been the honor and privilege of my lifetime to represent you.”
One major issue discussed during the meeting was an ordinance that would increase licensing fees from $250 to $2,000 for massage parlors with more than one therapist. A number of owners expressed their opposition.
Some are sole proprietors who would be exempt from the fee but still had concerns over the wording of the ordinance, fearing other area towns would enact similar measures. One of them is massage practitioner Rena Margulis. She worries the measure would deter other massage and bodywork therapists from moving to the township.
“And while Cherry Hill government could have an understanding that self-employed, licensed massage and body or therapists who do not have employees are not covered by this fee,” she observed, “this understanding is not clear in the code.”
Margulis also recalled that at one point in her career, she broke her arm and had to hire two student assistants to staff her business. She is concerned that a temporary disability could also negatively impact independent massage practitioners.
The township’s rationale for the fee is the cost of police resources it says are necessary to deter illegal activity at the businesses.
“We recognize the legitimate massage businesses and the right to operate in Cherry Hill, but we also recognize the very unfortunate reality nationwide of illicit conduct and potential sexual exploitation,” Fleisher explained.
“Sadly, that does take place in some organizations – and certainly none of you here tonight – but that is a reality that we recognize statewide and nationwide.”
The mayor then went into more detail about the time it takes to review regulatory compliance, monitor, investigate and enforce criminal statutes when a permit is requested. Council also heard from the public on second reading of changes to zoning ordinances that will allow for solar projects without the need for a special use variance permit.
The changes were approved.
The next township council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday in person and via Zoom.
