Gcity Council Expected to Okay "Pot" Store, $3,225,000 Bonds, $75K for Housing Official
Monday, August 28, 2023
Monday's meeting begins at 6:30 PM and is held in Council Chambers at the Police Administration Building, 313 Monmouth Street.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (AUGUST 28, 2023)(CNBNews)-The Gloucester City Council has a number of resolutions to approve this evening at its regular meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. One of those resolutions being considered is a request by BluLight Cannabis to utilize the former O'Donell's Restaurant and Bar, 401 N. Broadway, to sell marijuana products. The governing body previously authorized five marijuana dispensaries in the city, and the approval of BluLight's request will not exceed this limit. The board gave the business the green light at the June planning/zoning meeting. In 2021, the state of New Jersey legalized marijuana use and sale, and currently, 24 dispensaries sell recreational cannabis in the state, while 13 shops sell only medical marijuana.
For those unfamiliar with Gloucester City, the O'Donnell family opened their restaurant in 1923 and sold it in 2009. The popular eatery was known for its Manhattan clam chowder, seafood, rye bread baked at Mosteig's Bakery, and ice cream cake roll. The small bar was usually crowded and located on the side of a building near Warren Street. Many customers would travel from near and far to try the O'Donnell Manhattan cocktail made with secret ingredients. Since the business changed hands numerous times, the building and surrounding parking lot have been vacant for two years.
RELATED; Planning/Zoning Board to Decide if Cannabis Store Should Open at former O'Donnells Bar
At the upcoming Monday meeting, there will be a second reading of the bond ordinances worth $3.225 Million. The public will have the opportunity to voice their opinions before the vote, whether they are in favor of or against borrowing the money. This year, property taxes for numerous residents have increased by $1,000 or more. It is unclear if anyone will attend the meeting to object to the council's continuous increase in taxes and excessive spending.
The first bond ordinance amounts to $1.5 million.
A breakdown reveals:
*$35,000 will be used for body cameras for the police
*$105,000 for a tractor at the Public Works Dept
*$100,000 for new furniture at the municipal building
*$30,000 for improvements to the municipal building/public works
*$180,000 for sports utility vehicles
*$500,000 for a ladder truck for the fire department
*$50,000 flooring at the municipal building
*$500,000 for the repaving of city streets.
Sub-total.........$1,500,000
The second bond ordinance amounts to $1,725,000.
A breakdown reveals:
*$900,000 - improvements to water and sewer mains, curb/gutter replacement
*$500,000 - repairs to the city water tower
*$150,000 - repairs to various wells
*$175,000 - sewer utility pickup truck and media for air stripping tower
Sub-tOTAL ...... $1,725,000
nsert related article.
The upcoming council meeting will include a vote on the proposed $75,000 salary for Bill Gallagher, who will be taking on the role of Chief Housing Official as of July 1. Gallagher is a longtime resident of Gloucester City and previously operated Gallaghers Roofing, a business his father,
Charles Gallagher started many years ago. Charles, who has since passed away, served as a Democratic city councilman for a number of years.
Additionally, an inter-local service agreement related to housing assistance activities between Gloucester City, Camden County, Cherry Hill, and Gloucester Township was recently amended.
Gloucester City has been awarded $15,000 from the Department of Agriculture to combat the Spotted Lantern Fly, $25,000 from Camden County’s Proprietors Park Fencing Fund program, and $26,100 from the Lead Abatement program.
ThinkPavers Hardscaping, located in Mt. Laurel, is expected to receive a $201,777 contract for the repaving of Barnard Avenue. The company recently completed work on repaving the Johnson Blvd. jogging track with asphalt.
Pennoni Engineers has been awarded two contracts: one for Proprietors Park Playground Environmental Assessment and Design services in the amount of $35,200, and another for Radioactive Materials License Compliance Monitoring for 851 Water Street for a fee of $32,000.
Finally, the council is expected to approve and pay bills totaling $1,218,913 for the months of July and August.