Dennis Committee Briefed on Open Space Project

DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee held its March 1 meeting and unanimously passed all consent agenda items without public comment. Items included authorizing issuance of various 2016 campground licenses and authorizing execution of a shared services agreement with the county Municipal Utilities Authority regarding its annual recycling report.
Committee also unanimously passed a resolution that provides for issuance and sale of up to $140,000 special emergency notes and related interest exemptions for maturing bonds.
Community Activities
Committee member Lisa Salimbene reported that the township Environmental Commission has organized a poster contest for township fourth-graders around the theme of storm water run-off and littering. The commission will also distribute free tree seedlings as part of Dennis Township’s Community Day April 9.
Deputy Mayor Brian O’Connor announced that the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be March 20. Committee member Julie Fry-DeRose announced a reminder that property tax appeals are due April 1.
Controversy Continues
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a sole resident, Diann Walters of South Dennis, came forward and her subject was the Arc. “I want to update you on the Arc situation, they’ve duped us again. I went to the last Freeholders meeting and asked them what was the status of the Arc’s grant application and how that relates to the 1989 resolution which places limitations on their use of the land at their site.” The Herald has reported extensively on this matter.
Walters continued her explanation of what transpired at the freeholder meeting by saying, “Mr. Will Morey informed me, ‘We are moving forward anyway, please take your problem to the township Zoning Board and talk to them.’”
According to Committee members Donald Tozer and Fry-DeRose, who said they also serve on the Zoning Board, they have heard nothing from the county and/or freeholders regarding The Arc’s request for grant funding.
Committee asked township Solicitor Jeffrey April to ask county officials about the status of The Arc’s grant application.
Walters asked, “In light of the 1989 resolution do they indeed have approval to operate a respite program for handicapped people at the site despite the ‘strings attached’?” referring to the covenants in the resolution.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.