Coggins, audience members question need, added up to $100,000 expense
UPPER TOWNSHIP – Upper Township Committee discussed the potential hiring of an assistant township administrator in talks that became contentious at points.
During the public comment portion of Monday’s committee meeting, local resident Barbara Murphy-Leary voiced concern over what she characterized the vagueness of the job description in the proposed ordinance creating the position.
The ordinance described the role as assisting and filling in as needed for the administrator and qualifications as general knowledge of local government.
“If and when the position is posted, will there be more requirements?” Murphy-Leary asked.
Township solicitor Dan Young explained that the ordinance was not a job listing but a statutory description.
“We’re creating a position, it’s not a salary ordinance,” he said after Murphy-Leary raised concern over the $100,000 maximum salary listed.
“As taxpayers we rely on you for checks and balances,” Murphy-Leary said regarding this allocation of township funds.
Young reiterated that the six-figure salary is not set in stone but is a maximum.
“Is Scott (Morgan) no longer capable of the job?” asked resident Bonnie Collins. “Why do we suddenly need a new person?” Morgan is the township administrator.
Deputy Mayor Jay Newman explained that more responsibilities have been given to the administrator and the township has grown in the five years since the administrator position was created.
Committeeman Mark Pancoast said ordinances in place limit the administrator’s role.
Young explained that the administrator’s authority and responsibility will now extend to every department, whereas previously this was divided among the committee members.
“A direct liaison to the departments is needed,” he said.
“My concern is that it seems so vague,” Collins said.
Committeeman John T. Coggins Jr., who has opposed creation of the position from the start, explained that when Morgan was hired five years ago, the committee limited his focus to what were seen as problem areas.
“A lot has changed,” he said, “and most of those issues have since been resolved.”
Coggins proposed meeting with Morgan to see if he is up to the new responsibilities of the position and finding a new administrator if not.
“An assistant administrator in a township of this size is pure frivolity,” Coggins said.
Coggins described the added scope of the job as an opportunity to step up.
He also suggested the matter should not be voted on without Mayor Curtis T. Corson present. Corson was on vacation.
“Reading this ordinance, it sounds like a substitute teaching job,” Collins said. “You just step in when needed.”
“This just gives us the flexibility to bring an assistant if needed, instead of it taking three months,” explained Committewoman Kimberly R. Hayes.
Coggins made a motion to table the issue until Corson could vote, but he didn’t get a second. The ordinance approving the assistant township administrator was approved in a 3-1 vote, with Coggins against.
Blanche Adams, representing the Upper Township Business Association, expressed disappointment no one seconded Coggins’ motion and said she believed the money could be better spent elsewhere.
EV stations grant
Township engineer Paul Dietrich said grants are available for electric vehicle charging stations. However, he said, “It’s a competitive application process.”
Dietrich said grants are available through the state or Atlantic City Electric, and suggested Caldwell Park, Amanda’s Field, and Beesley’s Point Park as locations.
He said users would pay for it and a management company would oversee maintenance.
Coggins suggested forgoing the grant and bidding the project out to a private company to recoup the money.
“If we build it, then we own,” Hayes said.
Coggins also noted it would expose the township to liability and expenses.
Per unanimous vote, Dietrich will apply for the grants.
Vandalism at Caldwell Park
Coggins raised the issue of vandalism at Caldwell Park just after recent repairs.
The damage was done in broad daylight to the shed and to electrical panels.
The township reached out to the State Police who will keep watch on the park after school hours.
Addressing Roosevelt Boulevard accidents frustrating
The committee discussed an ordinance allocating funds to road work.
During public comment, Murphy-Leary asked if any of the funds would be used for Roosevelt Boulevard, where so many accidents occur.
Newman explained they cannot be as it is a county road.
Young said that investigations and action have been requested, “but it’s out of our jurisdiction.”
Murphy-Leary went on to ask if there is any way to expedite action.
“We’ve been asking for the 43 years I’ve lived here,” Hayes said.
Regarding accidents on the boulevard, Newman said the majority occur from motorists heading straight through the light westbound at the Parkway ramp.
Dietrich said any changes would result in further congestion on the road and offset any positives.
The funding ordinance needed four votes but without Corson, and with Coggins abstaining, it did not pass.
Hearing April 11 on parking permits
The committee announced a public hearing for April 11 regarding parking permits in Strathmere.
In new business the committee discussed raising the fees at Beesley’s Point Park boat ramp to cover costs of maintenance.
Hayes noted the fees have been frozen for two years.
“We’re significantly lower than the rest of our area,” she said.
There has also been no fee increase for the Strathmere ramp.
Dietrich said this is because there is far less parking there and thus it makes more sense to have an attendant at Beesley’s Point Park.
At Strathmere it would not be worth the cost.
The next committee meeting will be 6:30 p.m. March 28.
By KYLE McCRANE/Special to the Sentinel