Question 1

What is this case about?

Accepted Answer

This website is to inform you about several class action lawsuits that were
filed that were consolidated for settlement purposes under the lawsuit captioned
Mary Peek et al. v. Borough of Runnemede et al, CAM-L-2419-24, filed in the
Superior Court of Camden County, New Jersey (the “Action”). The Action alleges
that all persons or entities who, between June 25, 2018 and January 18, 2022,
either paid and/or were caused to reimburse monies as registration fees for the
Vacant Properties Registration Program (“VPRP”) in Borough of Runnemede, Borough
of Bellmawr, Borough of Barrington, Gloucester Township or Voorhees Township
should be reimbursed or refunded because such VPRP fees are allegedly
unconstitutional. Defendants deny Plaintiffs’ allegations and have asserted
numerous defenses to Plaintiffs’ claims.  Defendants do not admit wrong doing or
fault, or violation of the law. Defendants deny all allegations and claims
asserted against them, but are settling the Litigation to avoid the risk,
burden, uncertainty and expense of continued litigation.

Question 2

Why should I read the Notice?

Accepted Answer

You may be a member of the Settlement Class.  The parties have proposed a
settlement of the Action (the “Settlement”), which has been preliminarily
approved by the Court.  If the Settlement receives final approval from the
Court, your legal rights may be affected.  The Notice
[https://angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com/www.camdencountyvprpclassaction.com/docs/Class_Notice.pdf]
describes what the Action is about, explains the terms of the Settlement, tells
you who would be covered and what legal claims would be resolved by the
Settlement, and explains how members of the Settlement Class can obtain benefits
under the Settlement, if approved by the Court.

Question 3

Am I covered by this class action lawsuit and the proposed settlement?

Accepted Answer

You are a member of the Settlement Class if you are a person or entity who,
between June 25, 2018 and January 18, 2022, either paid and/or were caused to
reimburse monies as registration fees for the Vacant Properties Registration
Program in any of the following municipalities: Borough of Runnemede, Borough of
Bellmawr, Borough of Barrington, Gloucester Township or Voorhees Township. You
can obtain more information about the Settlement Class and Settlement by
visiting the important documents
[https://www.camdencountyvprpclassaction.com/important-documents] page.

Question 4

What are the terms of the settlement?

Accepted Answer

The proposed Settlement requires Defendants to establish a Settlement Fund in
the amount of Five Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Twenty Four Dollars
and Thirty-five Cents ($545,624.50). This Settlement shall provide any Class
Member who files a Valid Claim Form
[https://angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com/www.camdencountyvprpclassaction.com/docs/Claim_Form.pdf] ,
provides proof of ownership of a property subject to the Vacant Properties
Registration Programs in any of the following municipalities: Borough of
Runnemede, Borough of Bellmawr, Borough of Barrington, Gloucester Township or
Voorhees Township, and attests they paid a VPRP Fee, a Settlement Payment of
$200. Any Class Member who files a Valid Claim Form and submits proof of paying
a VPRP  fee will receive a Settlement Payment equal to a 60% refund of the VPRP
fee(s) which that Settlement Class Member paid based on the total amount of any
and all VPRP fees paid to Defendants as calculated using Defendants’ books and
records. Proof of payment shall include, but not be limited to, cancelled
checks, bank statements, receipt of payment, and credit card statement. In the
event that the amount of refunds from the submission of Valid Claims Forms
exceeds the Settlement Fund, the Settlement Class Members will receive a pro
rata share of the Net Distributable Funds calculated based on the total number
of claims filed by Class Members. Distribution of the Settlement Class Member
awards shall be paid by the Settlement Administrator no later than (90) days
after. December 14, 2026 checks shall remain negotiable for one hundred eighty
(180) days from date of issue. Any checks not cashed within one hundred eighty
(180) days shall be void, and their amounts shall revert to Defendants. In
addition, Defendants have agreed to pay from the Settlement Fund an incentive
award of $5,000.00 to each of the named plaintiffs, and the costs of
administering the Settlement to the Settlement Administrator, subject to Court
approval. In addition, Defendants have agreed, subject to Court approval to pay
Class Counsel $250,000 in Attorneys Fees and Costs. This amount will be paid
separately and not form the Settlement Fund and will not reduce the amount any
Class Member may be entitled to receive.  Upon the Effective Date, each and
every Class Member shall be deemed to have  released each and every Released
Party, and the Released Parties shall be released and forever discharged from
any and all claims, causes of action, demands, rights, actions, suits, and
requests for equitable, legal and administrative relief of any kind or nature
whatsoever arising from or relating to the facts alleged in the complaint in
this Action, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, that any Class
Member ever had, could have had, now has, or can, shall or may have up to the
date of the Effective Date  of this settlement.

The foregoing is a summary of the basic terms of the Settlement. The full terms
of the Settlement are set forth in a Settlement Agreement
[https://angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com/www.camdencountyvprpclassaction.com/docs/Settlement_Agreement.pdf]
that can be viewed on the Important Documents
[https://www.camdencountyvprpclassaction.com/important-documents] page

Question 5

What are my rights?

Accepted Answer

If you are a member of the Settlement Class and wish to participate in the
Settlement, you need to file a claim on or before December 14, 2026 to
potentially receive a Settlement Award. If you are a member of the Settlement
Class and do not file a claim you will still be bound by the Release in this
matter. If you are a member of the Settlement Class and you do NOT want to
remain part of the Settlement Class, you may exclude yourself (“opt-out”).  To
opt-out, you must mail a written request, postage pre-paid, to the Settlement
Administrator Angeion Group located at 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103 or email to Info@CamdenCountyVPRPClassaction.com
[Info@CamdenCountyVPRPClassaction.com] on or before October 29, 2026.  To be
effective, the request for exclusion must include (1) the Settlement Class
Member’s full name, telephone number, mailing address, and email address; (2) a
clear statement that the Settlement Class Member wishes to be excluded from the
Settlement Class; (3) the name of this Action: “Peek et al. v. Borough of
Runnemede et al”; and (4) the Settlement Class Member’s signature.  Any
Settlement Class Member who submits a timely and valid request for exclusion is
foreclosed from objecting to the Settlement or to Settlement Class Counsel’s
motion for attorneys’ fees, costs, and service awards.  If a Settlement Class
Member submits both a timely and valid request for exclusion and an objection,
the Settlement Class Member shall be treated as if they had only submitted a
request for exclusion.

FAQs

Basic Information

Who's Included in the Settlement?

The Settlement Benefits

Excluding Yourself from the Settlement

Objecting to the Settlement

The Final Approval Hearing

Getting More Information

The Lawyers Representing You

Basic Information

1. What is this case about?

2. Why should I read the Notice?

Who's Included in the Settlement?

3. Am I covered by this class action lawsuit and the proposed settlement?

The Settlement Benefits

4. What are the terms of the settlement?

Excluding Yourself from the Settlement

5. What are my rights?

Objecting to the Settlement

6. How can I tell the court if I do not like the Settlement?

The Final Approval Hearing

7. When and where will the court decide whether to approve the settlement?

Getting More Information

8. Where do I get more information?

The Lawyers Representing You

9. Do I have a lawyer in this case?