Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pennsauken public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Former River Road Landfill Remediation
A resolution supporting remediation and redevelopment at the former River Road landfill on River Road was scheduled. Redeveloping the old landfill site could change how that land is used for years to come.
Police Chief Separation Agreement
A consent resolution would ratify the separation agreement for Chief of Police Phillip Olivo, marking a leadership change at the top of the township's police department.
Stockton Park Improvements
A $918,179 state grant was inserted into the budget for the Lena Skelly Park Project, supporting park improvements in the township.
Veteran Tax Exemptions and Refunds
A new policy makes the township cancel taxes effective from the exemption date when a totally disabled veteran's application is approved, giving qualifying veterans their full relief.
Body-Worn Cameras for Police
The township planned to buy body-worn camera equipment for police through the state NJSTART cooperative contract with AXON Enterprise.
CDBG street resurfacing - Bloomfield, Homestead & Terrace Avenues
The Township is applying for $353,294.70 in federal Community Development Block Grant money to rebuild streets on two blocks of Lafayette Avenue. Work would run from July through December 2026 — good news for homeowners on those blocks dealing with aging streets.
Traffic ordinance for Horner & Upsal Avenues
First reading of an ordinance changing vehicle and traffic rules at Horner and Upsal Avenues — it needs a second reading and public hearing before final adoption.
Traffic safety at Merchantville Avenue and Camden Avenue
A resident says box trucks parked near a crosswalk and mopeds and cars speeding 50-60 mph make it dangerous for kids crossing to school. He's asking for no-parking signage and crosswalk markings.
Pennsauken Country Club turf products contract
A $240,000 bond ordinance funds bunker rebuilding, cart path relocation and golf course maintenance equipment. The course has been outperforming last year's earnings despite a six-week snow closure.
Revocation of VFW Post 1270 club liquor license
The township revoked the Gross Hollinshed club liquor license held by VFW Post 1270 at 2324 Penn Street because the organization no longer meets the requirements to hold one.
School crossing guard staffing
Barbara Mount resigned as a crossing guard, and the township hired Linda R. Sweeney and Joan M. Mignano to keep school crossings covered.
Zoning Board of Adjustment appointments
The committee filled two seats on the Zoning Board of Adjustment — Anibal Sanchez as an alternate and one full member filling an unexpired vacancy — shaping which residents decide future variance cases.
No-parking sign enforcement dispute on Froschhoffer/King Street alleyway
Old handicap parking restrictions on 45th and 44th Streets are being removed, and parking will be banned in the alley behind 3735–3725 King Avenue with new signs.
Police fleet vehicle upfit funding
Three new Ford Explorer police vehicles will be bought from Winner Ford for up to $140,000 under the state contract. Mayor Olivo abstained on this one.
Remington Avenue sewer project condition and property maintenance
Pat Williams flagged leftover dirt piles, weeds, potholes, and crevices from the sewer separation project on Remington Avenue, plus deteriorating, vegetation-covered houses on 41st Street. Officials said they'd contact contractor South State and look into code issues.
Incomplete curb construction safety concern
A resident reported dangerous curb and mailbox-area construction in her neighborhood and asked whether crews will return to finish. Staff took her information to follow up.
Long-range stormwater and drainage plan
A new resolution requires the township engineer to map every storm drain, pipe, and basin the township owns and build a multi-year plan for flooding fixes — with funding weighed each budget year. Residents with flooding problems can weigh in as the plan develops.
Senior bus service expansion with Stonegate Three
The Township signed an MOU with Stonegate Three LLC adding a weekly senior shopping bus run, with the property chipping in $1,000 a year.
Pennsauken Community Center Progress
The audio-visual and paging contractor at the new library/municipal complex got a third change order of $52,111, pushing the contract to $507,810 — total changes now exceed 20% of the original award.
2026 Municipal Budget Amendment
The township approved letting its 2026 budget grow up to 3% instead of the state's 2% cap, banking the difference for future years. It gives Pennsauken more room to fund services without an immediate tax bill decision.
Irving Avenue Roadway Reconstruction
The township is applying for a NJDOT grant to reconstruct Irving Avenue — a state-funded road improvement project for the neighborhood.
Summer Recreation Programs
The township's expanded slate of summer camps — from jiu-jitsu to golf to skateboarding — is filling fast, and committee members urged families to sign up through the township newsletter.
Estimated tax bills for third quarter 2026
Because the 2026 budget is late, the township will mail estimated tax bills for the third quarter. The anticipated general tax rate is $2.364 per $100 of assessed value — about 4% above last year's levy.
Redevelopment study near Pennsauken Transit Center
Several underused properties near the Transit Center are being studied as a possible 'Area in Need of Redevelopment' — the first step toward new housing, jobs, and investment there. The designation would be non-condemnation, meaning no eminent domain.
2026 Municipal and Solid Waste Budgets Introduced
Public Works reported the township's trash hauler is dealing with broken machinery at the Camden incinerator, causing pickup delays while Seaside Waste works around the problem.
Criminal activity and safety concerns at Cooper River Plaza
A resident described break-ins, trespassing through unsecured roof doors, and homeless youth at the Cooper River Plaza complex, saying seniors are afraid to come home after 9 p.m. Township officials promised follow-up, and the complex owners face a rent stabilization board hearing July 29.
Third-party billing for EMS and police extra duty
The township is outsourcing billing for ambulance services and police extra-duty jobs — EMS billing goes to Farnsworth & Semptimphelter for three years, and a competitive process will pick a vendor for police extra-duty billing.
Planning Board study on data centers and server farms
Data centers are booming across New Jersey, and Pennsauken wants to get ahead of it — the Planning Board will study how to regulate server farms and hyperscale facilities, weighing concerns about power use, water consumption, noise and air quality.
Lawn maintenance contractor change
Yellowstone Landscape flunked out — leaving clippings, missing areas, even mowing over trash — and never signed its $65,768.80 contract. Second-lowest bidder Maple Leaf Lawncare ($80,775) now takes over township lawn care.
Illegal dumping and neighborhood quality of life near 36th-43rd Streets
A resident flagged chronic trash dumping along Chestnut Street near the railroad tracks, clothes left at a corner trash can, speeding, and dirt bikes riding without helmets on weekends — and asked for a camera to catch dumpers.
New stop intersections on Camden Avenue and residential streets
Four-way stops are coming to Camden Avenue at 45th and 46th Streets, plus new stop signs on Bannard, Jefferson, Woodruff and Horner Avenues — aimed at slowing cut-through traffic.
Bullying concerns at Jake's Place playground
Committeewoman Rafeh said older kids are bullying younger ones at Jake's Place. The township plans letters, a video with Jake's grandparents, and school visits this fall to promote respect at the inclusive playground.
Escrow refunds to applicants
The township is returning about $11,264 in planning and zoning escrows to eight applicants, plus a $500 street-opening deposit to HAH Development for completed road repair work on Waldorf Avenue.
Payroll services renewal (PrimePoint LLC)
The township locked in another year of PrimePoint payroll processing under its seven-year contract — up to $95,000 for the year.
Zoning ban on carceral facilities
Pennsauken has now written a prohibition on detention centers, prisons, and similar facilities into its zoning code, township-wide. Only municipal detention facilities are exempt. Township leaders say these uses don't fit the town's residential character.
Postponed police officer swearings-in
Pennsauken swore in five new officers, two sergeants, a lieutenant, and K-9 West, the department's first crisis response canine. The new hires will hit the streets after field training, and the canine team will support officer well-being and community policing.
2026 Capital Improvement Bond Package
A $5.065 million bond package funds road repaving, storm drain repairs, police body cameras and radios, a $1 million tower ladder truck, park and pool upgrades, and public works vehicles. State grants cover about $1.77 million of it.
New fire department ambulance
The township is borrowing up to $304,000 to buy a new ambulance for the Fire Department. Final approval comes after a May 7 public hearing.
Purchasing thresholds raised
With a certified purchasing agent on board, the township raised its no-bid quote threshold to $7,950 and bid threshold to $53,000 for 2026, letting staff handle smaller purchases without full committee bidding.
2026 Municipal Service Contracts
The consent agenda locks in year contracts for landscaping materials, dumpster services, lawn maintenance, concrete repairs and storm drain repairs — the routine work that keeps parks, roads and cleanup services running.
Autism Awareness Month and child abuse prevention efforts
Committee members highlighted April's Autism Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention months, including the township's third annual autism expo on April 24 and a Pinwheels for Prevention event April 9 at the police station.
Traffic and parking changes on local streets
Three ordinances tweaked parking and transit rules: removing a restricted zone at 1824 44th Street, adding no parking on King Avenue, and moving a bus stop on Derousse Avenue.
Lend-A-Hand home rehabilitation grant program
A $150,000 federal grant will fund home repairs of up to $18,000 for income-eligible Pennsauken homeowners, township-wide. If you've been putting off a roof or furnace repair because of cost, this program could help.
2026 Temporary Appropriations
The Committee moved $505,000 between 2025 budget reserves to pay bills that arrived without purchase orders late in the year, and passed emergency temporary appropriations to keep the township funded until the full 2026 budget is adopted. This is standard year-end cleanup, not new spending.
Election Logistics
Two new drop boxes at the municipal building let residents drop off tax payments, permit applications and clerk forms around the clock. One catch: no cash — and materials are only collected during business hours.
$850,000 Federal Grant for Public Works Facility
Congressman Norcross secured $850,000 in community project funding to renovate and improve the public works facility — safer equipment storage and better conditions for the crews who plow streets and respond during storms.
Culture Transformation Contract with DillonMarcus
The township is spending up to $75,000 on a year-long internal culture program for township employees through a Cherry Hill firm, awarded without competitive bidding as a unique professional service.
River Road Bus Stop Relocation
A bus stop on westbound River Road will move from the near side to the far side of Derousse Avenue. It's on first reading, so there's one more vote before it takes effect.
2026 Country Club fees set; course revenue offsets taxes
The township set all golf course prices for the 2026-27 season — memberships run $1,389 for residents versus $3,500 for non-residents, and greens fees range from $41 to $68 in season. Rates can swing up to 20% daily under dynamic pricing, so the posted price isn't always the price you'll pay.
CFO Reappointment with Tenure
Elizabeth Peddicord was reappointed as Chief Financial Officer and granted tenure after her four-year term, meaning she can only be removed for good cause after a hearing.