Public Comment Brings Black History Month Resolution, Kenvue Property Questions, Inclusion Concerns, and Park Cleanliness to Forefront

Nicholas Mistretta

Public comment at the Feb. 19 Montgomery Township Committee meeting touched on a range of issues—from how the township recognizes Black History Month, to ongoing community attention on the former Kenvue/Grandview property and affordable housing messaging, to concerns about inclusion in a local interfaith gathering and quality-of-life conditions at a county park.

Resident criticizes Black History Month resolution language and local focus
Candy Willis, a longtime township resident, addressed the committee with a prepared statement reflecting on her family’s early experiences in Montgomery and her work researching local Black history. Willis said she was “dismayed” by the township’s Black History Month resolution, describing it as repetitive in recent years and objecting to what she characterized as a “conflation” of Black History Month with a well-funded nonprofit organization that she said has no ties to Montgomery beyond its location. She argued that the resolution should better reflect Montgomery’s specific history, including its agrarian past and its 19th-century Black community, and she urged greater inclusion of volunteer historical organizations that have shared Montgomery’s history for years.

Willis’ remarks were cut off when the meeting’s three-minute limit was reached. She concluded by calling the resolution “shortsighted,” “insulting,” and “non-inclusive.”

Residents raise concerns about reporting and terminology tied to the former Kenvue property
Lloyd Fernandes of Skillman criticized a recent news article he said was confusing to residents because it included plans related to proposals involving the former Kenvue property while, in his view, those plans were unrelated to the affordable housing ordinance introduced that evening. Fernandez also objected to the use of the term “EKAHN site,” arguing that it should not be used for 199 Grandview and asserting that a different entity—199 Grandview Partners LLC—was the source of a commitment letter previously provided to the township. He urged the township to avoid referring to EKAHN Development in connection with the property and described EKAHN as “irrelevant” from his perspective.

Nancy Castellino followed with a statement reiterating her opposition to housing development on the former Kenvue site and urging the township not to pursue zoning changes there. She said residents support the site remaining zoned for light industrial use and asked committee and planning board members to confirm they have no direct or indirect interest in the property or related entities.

In response, Township Attorney Wendy Rubenstein stated that, to their knowledge, no one on the dais has an interest in the site’s current owners and noted that elected officials must file annual disclosures of business and property interests with the state.

Castellino also referenced contamination concerns at the property and said she could provide paperwork. The committee indicated she could submit documents to the clerk for review, and emphasized that the township’s housing plan does not contemplate a zoning change or housing opportunity at that site. Township officials also noted that any zoning change would require a formal township committee ordinance process, including public notice and a public hearing.

Former mayor questions exclusion from interfaith event; Mayor Singh rejects political retaliation claim
Former Montgomery mayor Sadaf Jafar told the committee she registered for an upcoming interfaith event—one she said would include remarks by the mayor and police chief—but was later told she was not welcome. Jafar said interfaith gatherings should build trust and inclusion, and argued that excluding residents based on political views undermines that purpose. She asked how attendance decisions were being made and who was deciding which residents, including Muslims, were included or excluded.

Mayor Neena Singh responded directly, stating that the event referenced was a private event and that the township committee was not the host, adding that any invitation decisions would be made by the event’s organizers rather than the governing body.

Singh also pushed back on Jafar’s allegation that she had been excluded due to her public speech related to Gaza. Singh said she had never said Jafar’s exclusion was tied to that issue and asked that such statements not be attributed to her. She also objected to references linking her to certain past township events, noting that some actions cited by Jafar occurred during another administration and not when Singh was mayor.

Singh emphasized what she described as the “dignity of the office” and said that the committee meeting was not the appropriate venue for personal disputes or accusations. She invited residents to schedule appointments to discuss concerns directly with the mayor, deputy mayor, or other township committee members, urging the community to address disagreements constructively rather than “sow seeds of division.”

County park conditions prompt request for township outreach
A final speaker, Brian Nann of Skillman, raised a quality-of-life concern regarding Skillman Park following recent snowstorms. Nann said the amount of uncollected dog waste had become “alarming,” despite the county providing bags and posting signage reminding dog owners to clean up. He asked whether the township could help reinforce the message—such as through a newsletter reminder—and suggested the issue may also be relevant to the Board of Health.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com