| Consolidation Commission regroups for second meeting |
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According to SJ Sun News reporter Melissa DiPento, the self-designated Consolidation Commission held their second meeting last week and will have to restart the process of writing an RFP seeking a consultant to study a possible municipal merger of the communities. Commisssion chairman, Roger Dennis, reported that neither governing body will foot the bill for a study. Also, as previously reported here, former Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt advertised for an RFP last year, before the commission had been sworn in. The responses to that RFP were thrown out due to a last-minute addendum that was not sent to everyone. A new subcommittee is now tasked to research how other merging towns wrote their RFPs. Some of the commissioners present agreed to put out an RFP that would not require an immediate examination of specifics, such as exactly how many police officers or firefighters are needed per 1,000 residents or how class size would be affected. “I don’t think we need to go into the weeds just yet", said Rosemari Hicks noting that looking into the specifics of merging, such as class sizes, public services and property tax implications would only be concerns once the study shows signs of progress. Dennis remarked that a study should answer whether a merger works culturally and would create a better community.
The audience of 15 was told that there has already been turnover in the commission with Cherry Hill resident Pat McCargo replacing real estate agent Sandy Levenson. The absence of Anthony Perno, Bernie Platt and Kathy Birmingham found the commission with barely enough participation to meet the required quorum. Although not present, Councilman Anthony Perno was named as liaison to Merchantville Borough Council. The municipality is not represented on this commisssion.
About 15 residents from the two towns attended. The commission will take a month off to resolve the issue of the RFP and hold their next public meeting on March 6th.
Meeting Videos.
Related articles. Transparency missing before and during merger meeting First meeting yields sparse audience, no-show chairman Ad for merge consultant gets just three responses The Petition to Consider Consolidation with Cherry Hill |
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