JACKSON – Some residents are referring to the controversy as “Doorgate,” but the doors at Town Hall are open again, and a Zoning Board meeting was held following the July 14 cancellation of a Township Council meeting over concerns involving recently installed doors.
In an update posted on Jackson Township’s Facebook page, Council President Mordechai Burnstein said the decision to cancel the council meeting was made late in the afternoon on July 14.
“The township was informed about possible problems with the recently replaced doors to the meeting room that may not have met applicable code requirements from the State of New Jersey Uniform Construction Code,” Burnstein said.
“Upon reaching out to the local fire official, the fire official was unable to make a firm determination as to the NJUFC requirements as they relate to the meeting room doors,” he added.
Burnstein said that on July 15, a representative from the state Division of Fire Safety determined that the doors met the intent of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and approved the continued use of the council meeting room.
“We look forward to seeing you soon and will update you on the upcoming meeting details as they become available,” Burnstein said.
Some residents took to social media claiming that concerns about the doors had been brought to the administration’s attention before July 14. Others expressed frustration over the cancellation of the council meeting.
Burnstein told The Jackson Times on July 16 that the planned agenda for the July 14 meeting was fairly light.
The public comment period during meeting however was expected to draw a large crowd, as several unresolved matters from the previous council meeting were scheduled to be addressed. Those issues included the early conclusion of the last public comment period and Council Vice President Giuseppe Palmeri’s recommendation that Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, Township Administrator Charles Terefenko and the council consider adding a police presence at meetings through the November 3 general election.
Burnstein confirmed that this was approved but he was unaware of whether there would be one or two police officers at council meetings as that would be a decision of Police Chief Mary Nelson.
Palmeri had cited concerns about possible politically motivated disruptions and said officers were needed to maintain order during future public comment periods until Election Day.
The council were expected to further discuss the proposed purchase of land for preservation purposes.
Burnstein said whether an additional meeting to replace the canceled one would occur was still undecided.
The next scheduled council meeting is July 28 at Town Hall.
