Despite freezing temperatures outside, there was a festive and warm atmosphere in City Council chambers on Thursday, Jan. 29, as family and friends filled the room to see Mayor Dayl Baile gave the oath of office to four new Gloucester City Police Department officers.
There was a standing ovation for each officer after they were sworn in, starting with Aydan Hagan and followed by Nicholas Iepson, Brandon Keenan and Collin Morrell.
Originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, the council meeting had been rescheduled to Jan. 29 due to Winter Storm Fern.
After the new officers were all congratulated and welcomed by the City Council members, the room emptied – leaving just four people in the audience. The governing body then approved 40 resolutions by consent agenda and approved five ordinances on first reading with the second reading and public hearings scheduled for the Feb. 23 meeting.
Fourteen of the resolutions concerned landlords who had their rental licenses put on probation for not keeping up their properties. Four resolutions designated handicapped parking spaces at 221 Cumberland St., 607 Hunter St., 619 Division St. and 842 Monmouth St.
One ordinance allows the City to exceed the municipal budget appropriation and establish a Cap Bank.
Another ordinance concerning mobile home parks and municipal services fees will charge fees that gives assessors the ability to assess the properties and “generate some income for the city,” Solicitor Howard Long Sr. said.
A third ordinance delineates who would pay for repairs of sewer connections. It establishes that Gloucester City is only responsible for the main that goes down the street, while the homeowner is responsible for the lateral connection to their homes.
City Council members also approved a block party request from the Knights of Columbus Council 674 on Oct. 11.
Then they unanimously approved a request to allow bar owners to open at 8 a.m. for the St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday, March 1. Nobody spoke up during the Open Public Forum, and Council adjourned the meeting.
