Gloucester City Council approved two bond ordinances on first reading for a total of $2.5 million during its meeting Sept. 28, with the public hearing and second reading slated for the next meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.
Funds in the first $1 million bond ordinance would be used to build a new elevated water storage tank for the Gloucester City Sewer and Water Utility Systems.
The second $1.5 million bond ordinance includes $650,000 to purchase a pumper fire truck, $375,000 for the purchase of utility vehicles, $350,000 to purchase a trash truck and a generator, $100,000 for improvements to Gloucester City Public Works heavy equipment, and $25,000 for the acquisition of various information technology equipment.
Also, after no public comment, Council members unanimously approved a $600,000 bond ordinance on second reading for completion of various improvements to the Gloucester CIty Water and Utility Systems.
There was a festive aura in the council chambers to start the meeting, as family, friends and fellow firefighters gathered to watch Ian Muenzenberger take the oath of office as the newest member of the Gloucester City Fire Department.
When he finished the crowd broke out into a rousing round of applause, and then left to continue the celebration elsewhere.
After the noise died down, Council members approved a series of 28 resolutions by consent agenda, including approving Gloucester City liens against private property owners for violations of the brush, weeds and debris code.
Another resolution approved a contract under the Camden County Cooperative Pricing System to purchase road salt for the upcoming winter season.
During the public forum, resident Jacqueline Borger asked why property taxes keep increasing. She also expressed concern about the number of people living in a home in her neighborhood, and said she was told by a city code official that “I have no control of how many people live there.”
City Administrator Brian Morrell said the code official had gone to the property twice since the issue came up during last month’s Council meeting to see what was happening.
The next regular meeting of Gloucester City Council will be Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 313 Monmouth St.
