Township council fills Ward 2 seat

Former Councilman Cody Miller nabs vacant spot

The Ward 2 seat on Monroe Township Council was filled at the meeting on Jan. 28 by former Councilman Cody Miller.

The Democratic Executive Committee of the township nominated two candidates: Miller and newcomer Christine Gorham.

Both candidates addressed council in the work session.

“I served on council for the last four years, I had the pleasure of working with some of the members who are seated here on council to do a lot of positive things; such as for the last two years a zero percent tax increase,” Miller said. “Working with the municipal alliance commission to implement programs for substance abuse within the school systems. Additionally working on redevelopment designation to try to entice commercial businesses in the township.”

Miller said his family has lived in the township for more than 100 years starting with his great-great grandfather who came right off of a boat from Sicily.

Gorham addressed council next.

“I lived in Williamstown for more than 20 years. My daughter went through the school system here, we had nothing but positive experiences,” she said.

While Miller’s area of expertise is in the public sector, Gorham’s expertise is in the business and budgeting. She worked as an executive for Burlington Coat Factory for 17 years and managed a budget of $100 million, including travel to and from New York. Since then she opened a business called “Sweet and Sassy Kids Salon,” which has locations in Cherry Hill and Pennsylvania.

At the open meeting, Miller was unanimously voted to fill the Ward 2 seat. He was sworn in by Mayor Rich DiLucia.

“I would like to thank the Monroe Democratic Executive Committee for having the faith in me to put my name forward,” Miller said after being elected. “I would also like to thank all of council for having their faith in me to serve in this seat again. I’m no stranger to this municipality, I’ve worked with each of you on council and outside of council and I know I’m going to do this role justice.”

Gorham was gracious in defeat.

“Although I did not get the position the experience was positive,” she said. “Cody Miller who was selected for the position is eminently qualified and a dedicated public servant who will serve the people of Ward 2 well. In addition, the mayor and several other officials took the time to speak with me personally and encouraged me to stay involved.”

In other news:

• Council appointed Lorraine Boyer as the certified municipal financial officer and qualified purchasing agent for Monroe Township,
• Solicitor John Trimble brought up the possibility of the Fox Hollow East development requesting to enter a reimbursement agreement in regard to its snow removal.

“We’ve made agreements in the past with a number of these developments,” Trimble said. “They want to hire private landscapers to do snow and ice removal and get some type of reimbursement. The act allows the town to reimburse these developments for the cost we would’ve expended to do the work. If it costs us a dollar but they go out and hire a landscaper and it cost them five dollars, we reimburse them for a dollar.”

Council gave Trimble the authority to negotiate with Fox Hollow East.

• DiLucia gave a report on a planning board meeting he attended. He said a new WaWa will be coming to the intersection of Route 322 and Tuckahoe Road.

“That was passed by the planning board the other night, all of the professionals were here. It looks like everything’s a go. Once the new WaWa comes, I believe other things will follow in that area.”

• The next Monroe Township Council meeting will be on Feb. 11. The work session starts at 7 p.m. and the regular meeting starts at 8 p.m. Both sessions are open to the public.