Major Transparency Issues Created By Township Committee
This ordinance change was added onto the meeting agenda after an executive session that lasted over an hour. Therefore, it didn’t appear on the agenda handed out at the meeting, posted on the municipal website, posted on the bulletin board, or on the copies that the Township mailed out. In addition, no member of the Commission was notified that this ordinance change was going to be introduced at the Township Committee meeting. The community members in attendance left the meeting once the executive session began as they were not expecting the Township Committee to return and take action with such significance. The introduction and first reading of the ordinance change was also placed onto the agenda after the privilege of the floor portion of the meeting was closed. Therefore, the public did not have what would normally be a first opportunity of two to speak on the ordinance change.
The one and only chance to speak on the matter also falls in-between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, when many residents and professionals are preoccupied with holiday shopping and preparations. Scheduling a hearing on an ordinance change, during an inopportune time, further limits the community’s and consultant’s chances to have a say on a matter that carries serious consequences for those who live, work, and travel in the municipality.
Such a serious and impactful decision should receive ample opportunity for public comment. Before such an ordinance change is put on the Township Committee’s agenda, it is paramount that our elected officials go beyond conventional participation and utilize thin and thick participation techniques (i.e. hold focus group meetings with small groups). So far, that hasn’t been done.
The Township Committee introduced this ordinance change without consulting with the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation, New Jersey State Forest Service, or a Certified Tree Expert. The Commission is not aware of any public discussions related to this matter with Hardenbergh Insurance Group or Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund. Furthermore, the Township Committee meeting minutes confirm that no public discussions were held between the Committee members about dissolving the Shade Tree Commission and that no public presentations were sought on the matter. A joint meeting with the Shade Tree Commission and Township Committee was also not held.
Since 2012, the Shade Tree Commission has asked members of the Township Committee to attend CORE Training, offered by the New Jersey Forest Service. The training program is designed to familiarize individuals with the background of community forestry and shade tree commissions, the legal aspects of managing trees, and the basic recognition of hazardous tree situations. To date, no elected official from Southampton Twp. has attended the training. The training provides information on the tort claims system and the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act. Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell was planning on attending this year and the Commission passed a resolution which authorized using our appropriated funding to pay the registration fee. Kathleen D. Hoffman, who is also the Municipal Clerk, removed Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell’s name from the purchase order and refused to allow her to attend, interfering with the Commission’s decision. It should be noted that a community forestry program should sponsor dedicated volunteers. Two volunteers were also approved to attend by the Commission and were denied by the Township.
A group of volunteers should not be treated like this and certainly the Commission's authority should be respected as long as it is recognized under municipal law. In addition, whether you agree or disagree with having a Shade Tree Commission, residents have the right to hear discussions about the Shade Tree Commission and should receive adequate notice of Twp. Ordinances appearing on the agenda. The Township Committee's actions defy the purpose of the Open Public Meetings Act.
The one and only chance to speak on the matter also falls in-between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, when many residents and professionals are preoccupied with holiday shopping and preparations. Scheduling a hearing on an ordinance change, during an inopportune time, further limits the community’s and consultant’s chances to have a say on a matter that carries serious consequences for those who live, work, and travel in the municipality.
Such a serious and impactful decision should receive ample opportunity for public comment. Before such an ordinance change is put on the Township Committee’s agenda, it is paramount that our elected officials go beyond conventional participation and utilize thin and thick participation techniques (i.e. hold focus group meetings with small groups). So far, that hasn’t been done.
The Township Committee introduced this ordinance change without consulting with the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation, New Jersey State Forest Service, or a Certified Tree Expert. The Commission is not aware of any public discussions related to this matter with Hardenbergh Insurance Group or Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund. Furthermore, the Township Committee meeting minutes confirm that no public discussions were held between the Committee members about dissolving the Shade Tree Commission and that no public presentations were sought on the matter. A joint meeting with the Shade Tree Commission and Township Committee was also not held.
Since 2012, the Shade Tree Commission has asked members of the Township Committee to attend CORE Training, offered by the New Jersey Forest Service. The training program is designed to familiarize individuals with the background of community forestry and shade tree commissions, the legal aspects of managing trees, and the basic recognition of hazardous tree situations. To date, no elected official from Southampton Twp. has attended the training. The training provides information on the tort claims system and the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act. Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell was planning on attending this year and the Commission passed a resolution which authorized using our appropriated funding to pay the registration fee. Kathleen D. Hoffman, who is also the Municipal Clerk, removed Committeewoman Elizabeth Rossell’s name from the purchase order and refused to allow her to attend, interfering with the Commission’s decision. It should be noted that a community forestry program should sponsor dedicated volunteers. Two volunteers were also approved to attend by the Commission and were denied by the Township.
A group of volunteers should not be treated like this and certainly the Commission's authority should be respected as long as it is recognized under municipal law. In addition, whether you agree or disagree with having a Shade Tree Commission, residents have the right to hear discussions about the Shade Tree Commission and should receive adequate notice of Twp. Ordinances appearing on the agenda. The Township Committee's actions defy the purpose of the Open Public Meetings Act.
| The Twp. Commitee's Nov. 10 meeting agenda (No Shade Tree Item on Agenda).pdf |
| shade_tree_res._approving_attendance_of_twp._committeewoman_elizabeth_rossel.pdf |
| Crossed Out Purchase Order.pdf |
| 2015_core_training_schedule_and_description.pdf |
| new_jersey_community_forestry_program-core_training_brochure.docx |