New EHT Committeeman Says Housing Boom Biggest Challenge Facing Township

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Newly appointed Egg Harbor Township Committeeman Patrick Ireland says the rapid pace of residential development will be the biggest issue facing township leaders in the coming years, as new neighborhoods bring opportunities but also increased pressure on schools, roads and municipal services.

Ireland, who was recently appointed to fill the vacant township committee seat left by the resignation of former Committeeman Will Pauls, discussed his priorities during an appearance on "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" on News Talk 1400 and 92.3 WOND.

"The biggest issue right now is just—you see it on social media—it's the housing boom," Ireland said. "We have a lot of construction going on, and that's going to be the issue that we have going forward."

A former two-term Egg Harbor Township Board of Education member and former president of the Atlantic County School Boards Association, Ireland said growth brings challenges that extend well beyond new homes.

"The problem is when the Pinelands Commission has a lot of that authority, it messes with our infrastructure," he said. "Are our streets prepared for that? Our public works? Our schools? First responders? That's the thing we've got to tackle."

Ireland pointed to several major residential developments underway throughout the township, including projects near the Atlantic City International Airport and the Peckham Farms area, where dozens of new homes are planned. During the interview, Cronick noted information from a listener indicating the Peckham Farms project alone includes approximately 95 residential lots.

While some residents have questioned whether the township should slow development, Ireland said local officials have limited authority because much of Egg Harbor Township's growth area is governed by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.

"We have an issue," Ireland said. "The Pinelands Commission regulates it. They designated the growth area."

He said that although the township's Planning Board can make recommendations on projects, outright denying development applications can expose the municipality to litigation and could ultimately result in the Pinelands Commission approving projects anyway.

"We've got to talk to the Pinelands Commission," Ireland said. "The governor appoints the commission, and they've got to come to the table."

Ireland also expressed concern about the long-term impact of growth on Egg Harbor Township schools, noting that additional housing will inevitably increase student enrollment.

"The state of the schools are good," he said. "It's just going to be interesting now when we have a lot more residents and development that's coming up."

He argued that New Jersey's school funding formula needs to be updated to better reflect enrollment growth in rapidly expanding communities.

"The state funding formula has to come in for the school districts and they've got to figure out that funding," Ireland said. "There are a lot of districts out there that don't get a lot, and then there are some that do get a lot, and it doesn't make any sense."

Ireland noted that education already accounts for the largest share of local property taxes.

"If you take one dollar, 62 cents goes to the school district, 17 cents goes to the county, and about 20 cents goes to Egg Harbor Township," he said. "With that, we're doing the municipal budget, police department, public works, administration—everything."

Despite the challenges, Ireland said the township remains an attractive place for families because of its schools, municipal services and quality of life.

"Who doesn't want to come to EHT?" he said. "We have great schools. We have a great tax portion. It's a great town. People take care of each other. People want to live there and they want to have a family."

Ireland said one of his priorities as a township committeeman will be meeting directly with residents to better understand their concerns as Egg Harbor Township continues to grow.

"I don't know what's wrong until somebody says it's wrong," he said. "I want to talk to as many people as possible about how they live in EHT, how they want to see EHT, and go from there."