Resident Jeffrey Tabello speaks during public session at an Oct. 27 council meeting about increasing no-parking zones on Europa Boulevard.
Township council approved resolutions for renewable-energy initiatives at its Oct. 27 meeting, including the purchase of four new electric vehicle charging stations.
The stations will be installed with accessories under the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) cooperative pricing system. The stations’ seller is Hamilton-based Bryan Electric, and the purchase is not to exceed $435,984, with $280,000 of the cost offset by state and utility incentives.
Two Level 2 and two Level 3 charging stations are expected to be constructed at town hall. While they will primarily serve township vehicles, there are plans to allow use by people outside Cherry Hill at specific times and days of the week.
In her public remarks at the meeting, Councilwoman Jennifer Apell praised fellow member Sangeeta Doshi for her role in advocating for the stations.
“I’m going to say it because she won’t say it herself, but we should be calling this the Sangeeta Doshi charging station,” Apell said, “because Sangeeta has really been a champion for this. I have to say in every Green Team meeting that we have had, she has pushed for these EV charging stations.”
Council also approved a resolution to consult with Gabel Associates Inc. for evaluation and implementation of a community solar program. The measure also authorizes requests for proposals from solar developers to fund, install and operate an energy system at no cost to the township.
Another ordinance approved on second reading will prohibit parking on certain streets throughout the community at all times. During the meeting’s public session, Jeffrey Tabello of the township’s Europa section spoke in support of the ordinance and asked it to be extended to his neighborhood.
Several of his neighbors were at the meeting to support the measure. They are also asking the township to increase no-parking zone space and address safety concerns caused by cars from people who don’t live in Europa parking near its entrance, blocking it and making exits less visible.
“Our priority is safety, access for fire trucks, emergency vehicles, snow plows,” Tabello explained. “Getting around the median looks like it’s going to be addressed in this ordinance, and we’re just looking to see if we can make it a little bit more restrictive to address the geometry of the roadway on the south side of Europa Boulevard.”
No decision was made on the issue but council indicated it would discussed further at future meetings. The next council session will be on Monday.
