Members vote 4-3 to reject leadership change; Haberkorn doesn’t offer reason
SOMERS POINT — City Council President Charlie Haberkorn attempted to step down from his leadership position Aug. 14 but his request was rejected.
“It is my understanding that Council President Haberkorn wishes to step down from the council president seat and we need to take a vote on whether to accept that presentation or not,” solicitor Tom Smith said.
Council members Rich DePamphilis, Janice Johnston and Howard Dill voted no, while Sean McGuigan, Mike Owen and Kirk Gerety voted yes.
“I would like Charlie to continue,” DePamphilis said.
The tie required Mayor Dennis Tapp to decide the matter, and he voted no.
Haberkorn asked what that meant, and Smith informed him that he could refuse to handle the meeting and allow president pro temp McGuigan to handle the meeting or could continue.
Haberkorn asked whether he could recuse himself from the meeting and consider his options, wondering aloud whether he would be able to resume the presidency the following day.
Smith said that would have to be decided in open session at the next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 28.
“At this point, your resignation was rejected,” Smith said.
He said Haberkorn could recuse himself from the meeting, swap positions with McGugian and “we go from there.”
Following the meeting, Haberkorn declined to comment on his motives. However, Smith said he believes Haberkorn has reconsidered and will remain in the president’s seat.
Shore Road project
In other business, engineer Greg Schneider said the Shore Road Pedestrian Improvement Project is moving forward. Work was finishing up near Dawes Avenue and then moving to Bethel Road, where they hope for completion before school starts at nearby St. Joseph Regional School.
Schneider said the state has awarded a contract for paving Route 9 from Somers Point-Mays Landing Road through the city.
“I’m hoping that everything can get done before the winter,” he said.
He could not provide a start date but said the contractor and state held a pre-construction meeting several weeks ago and the contractor has a notice to proceed. The engineer added that sidewalks would be added where they are missing.
Nature trail
McGuigan said the Environmental Commission and Green Team have been working on a proposal for a nature trail off DeFeo Lane. He said a grant paid for design, which is close to being completed.
“Our next steps will be discussing strategies for funding that project,” McGuigan said, noting that the city would be speaking with adjacent property owners about acquiring land easements for the project.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff