Woodbine Council Votes Not to Permit Year-Round Campground Living

WOODBINE— Borough Council held a hearing on Thursday, Dec. 3, regarding a proposed ordinance revision to the boroughs campground ordinance.
The current ordinance restricts the amount of days “campsites” can be occupied to 21 days during any 30-day period after Nov. 1. In winter months, residents would still be homeless nine days out of every month until April 1.
According to Mayor William Pikolycky, the ordinance was as broad as they could have made it in line with state laws.
The proposed revision would have allowed campers to occupy their trailers year-round and receive additional benefits such as trash removal.
During the hearing Carol Lynn residents both for the ordinance and against testified.
Jay Otto, director of the New Jersey Campground Owners Association, said campgrounds would face greater state scrutiny. Otto said if the ordinance were to passed it would “open a can of worms”, causing increased inspections by the Department of Community Affairs.
“On behalf of 100 campgrounds in New Jersey, we urge you not to adopt this ordinance,” he said. “They are not intended for residential use.”
Council voted 2-1 with two abstentions to remove the stipulation from the borough’s rules that required campers to leave nine days of the month between November and April.
The ordinance failed because approval required a majority of the five councilmen present to vote in favor, according to Clerk Lisa Garrison.
Solicitor Paul Baldini confirmed the ordinance did not pass because the statue requires a minimum of three votes in favor.
Councilmen Clarence Ryan and Louis Murray voted yes. Councilman Eduardo Ortiz voted no. Councilmen Anthony Saduk and Douglas Watkins abstained.
Saduk sat at the council table however did not participate during the hearing. The campers’ lawyer, Brenda Rascher with South Jersey Legal Services, said Saduk should have stepped down from the table.
Rasher says they will file additional legal actions to invalidate the hearing because Saduk remained in attendance at the hearing. The law is clear regarding conflicts of interest, she said.