Feb 04, 2025 Township Council

OKAY.

THIS

[00:00:01]

WE'RE GOOD.

ALRIGHT.

NOTICE IF THEY HAD A LIGHT ON,

[I. PUBLIC MEETINGS STATEMENT]

NOTICE OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT BY POSTING A COPY OF THE AGENDA ON THE BULLETIN BOARD AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ON THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE, FILING A COPY OF THE AGENDA IN THE OFFICE OF THE TOWNSHIP CLERK, THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, FORWARDING A COPY OF THE AGENDA TO THE BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES, AND THE CENTRAL RECORD FORWARDING WRITTEN NOTICE TO EACH PERSON WHO HAS REQUESTED COPIES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE.

ALL OF THE ABOVE POSTING, FILING, AND MAILING HAVE TAKEN PLACE ON THE 31ST DAY OF JANUARY, 2025.

PLEASE RISE FOR THE FLAGS.

[II. FLAG SALUTE ]

INVISIBLE LIBERTY JUSTICE.

ALRIGHT, ROLL CALL PLEASE.

[III. ROLL CALL]

HERE.

MR. LAS HERE.

DEPUTY MAYOR.

IS IT HERE? MAYOR REP SCOTT HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPECIAL PRESENTATION SCHEDULED FOR TODAY.

UH, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS

[IV. Communications, Scheduling Matters, Council Agenda, Presentations and Any Amendments to the Agenda ]

UM, I WENT TO THE EAAC MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH AND IT WAS REALLY POSITIVE AND THEY'RE CONTINUING TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEY'RE COMING, I BELIEVE, NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

RIGHT DANIEL? I THINK TO PRESENT THEIR, EVERYTHING THAT THEY'VE DONE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR FOR THE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE COMMUNITY.

ALRIGHT, GREAT.

THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? ALRIGHT, SCHEDULING ITEMS. OUR NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS FEBRUARY 18TH, 2025.

THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AT PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING HERE AT 6:30 PM MOVING ON TO THE APPROVAL OF

[V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES? NO, I WAS NOT AT THE MEETING MEETING, SO WILL ACCUSE MYSELF.

OKAY.

OKAY.

ANYONE LIKE PROVIDE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES? SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED THE MEETING? UH, THE MINUTES ARE

[VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS]

WE HAVE THREE TOPICS LISTED AS DISCUSSING ITEMS THIS EVENING.

SO THE FIRST ONE IS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION TO NJ DOT FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ALONG TAUNTON BOULEVARD AND TOMLINSON TOWELL ROAD.

AND I JUST WANNA POINT OUT THAT THIS IS AN APPLICATION SUPPORT.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION TO THE NJ DOT FOR WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.

AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE WEIGHTS WILL BE REDUCED MERELY THAT WE WILL APPEAL FOR A WEIGHT REDUCTION.

SO, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS? I, I, A COUPLE THINGS THAT I HAVE ON IT, BUT IF THIS IS FOR THE APPLICATION, WE CAN CERTAINLY ADDRESS MY CONCERNS WHEN IT COMES BACK WITH WHATEVER OTHER RESTRICTIONS THEY MAY PUT ON IT.

THE DEAD END IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CONCERN OF ME AND ENFORCEMENT.

LIKE HOW DO POLICE OFFICERS KNOW, WHETHER IT'S AN ASPHALT TRUCK DELIVERING ASPHALT TO MEDFORD OR A CONTRACTOR OR ET CETERA, AND A TRUCK THAT'S VIOLATING LAW.

IT'S EASY IF IT'S A BRIDGE THAT HAS A WEIGHT LIMIT, RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU GO OVER THE BRIDGE, YOU'RE VIOLATING THE WEIGHT LIMIT.

SO IF THAT'S JUST SOME CONCERNS, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO DEAL WITH THEM IF WE, OR WHEN WE HEAR BACK FROM DOT AND IF THEY'RE APPROVAL, WE CAN THEN ADDRESS THEM.

MM-HMM .

OKAY.

SO I'M, I'M, I'M CURIOUS, I KNOW YOU MAY HAVE SOME SIMILAR QUESTIONS.

I I DID A LOT OF WORK, BUT I I AGREE THAT AT THIS POINT JUST SEND IT OFF AND, AND SEE WHAT THEY COME BACK WITH.

I DO SEE THINGS, UM, EVEN IN MY NOTES ABOUT THE POLICE HAVING TO PATROL IT.

UM, THERE WOULD BE NEW SIGNAGE, UM, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE DEAD END EITHER.

AND WE HAVE HOPEWELL ROAD.

THAT'S PART MEDFORD, PART EVESHAM.

IT, IT'S A BIT OF A STRUGGLE.

UM, I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH.

I HAVE, UH, ALL THE VEHICLES, ALL THE AXLES, JUST HOW IT GOES.

BUT I THINK THAT, UM, JUST MOVING FORWARD WE'LL SEE WHAT, WHAT DOT HAS TO SAY.

OKAY.

DEFINITELY WORTH ASKING.

SO MREL, YOU'RE A TOWNSHIP ENGINEER.

I'M CURIOUS, UH, THE, THE DEAD END CAME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I KNOW THAT WAS INCLUDED IN YOUR REPORT, RIGHT? THAT'S THE DEAD END.

THAT WOULD BE THOMASON MILL ROAD.

YOU'RE COMING FROM HAM TO MEDFORD.

SO IF YOU'RE A CLASS SEVEN OR EIGHT TRUCK, THERE'S NO PLACE FOR YOU TO GO ONCE YOU GET THERE.

SO EITHER YOU DON'T GO ON THOMASON ROAD AT THAT LO AT ON THAT, THAT STRETCH.

OR IF YOU DO GET THERE, YOU HAVE TO FIND A PLACE TO TURN AROUND.

THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY PLACE TO TURN AROUND EXCEPT THE PARKING LOTS THAT ARE THERE.

AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

THAT'LL BE ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE DOT HA WILL HAVE.

'CAUSE WHEN THIS WAS APPLIED FOR,

[00:05:02]

AND WE ALSO, THE ALTERNATE ROUTES ARE, UH, JACKSON ROAD IN WATERFORD, WHICH THEN GOES TO 5 41 IN SHAMONG THROUGH MEDFORD, MEDFORD LAKES AND MEDFORD.

SO WE HAVE TO GET, UH, FOR THAT ALTERNATE APPROVAL FROM WATERFORD, SHAMONG, AND MEDFORD LAKES.

UM, WE'LL TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.

UM, THE OTHER ALTERNATE IS 70 AND 73.

THAT'S UP TO DOT TO DETERMINE IF THIS TRAFFIC'S APPROPRIATE ON THE STATE HIGHWAY.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY'LL SAY ABOUT THAT.

I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD HAVE AN ISSUE, BUT WHO KNOWS.

AND THEN, UM, AS FAR AS HOPEWELL ROAD GOES, WE DID MEET WITH E FROM PROBABLY A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AT THEIR REQUEST AND THEY WERE LOOKING FOR THE SAME RESTRICTIONS ON HOPEWELL ROAD TOO.

SO I DON'T THINK ISHA WILL HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH ISHA IN COORDINATING WITH THAT.

RIGHT.

OKAY.

GREAT.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT.

SO WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD RESOLUTION AND MS. WICKER, WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE 40, 20 25? YES.

OKAY.

UH, RESOLUTION NOW 40 20 25 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS SIMPLY FOR A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE APPLICATION FOR THIS WEIGHT CHANGE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

OKAY.

A SECOND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

ALRIGHT.

ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? ALRIGHT, THE RESOLUTION IS ADDED.

OUR SECOND DISCUSSION ITEM IS A SUBCOMMITTEE CHARTER FOR TAUNTON BOULEVARD TRAFFIC AND HISTORIC MEDFORD VILLAGE PARKING.

AND I KNOW THAT DEPUTY MAYOR CIZIK AND COUNCILWOMAN MILK ARE BOTH ON THAT SUBCOMMITTEE.

SO PERHAPS EITHER OF YOU OR BOTH OF YOU'D LIKE TO COMMENT MM-HMM .

FIRST.

YEP.

YEP.

UM, SO AS WE'VE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY, WE'VE COME UP WITH, UM, TOWN HALLS AND NOW SUBCOMMITTEES TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE FACING.

UH, DANIEL, I WANNA TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK YOU FOR DEVELOPING A CHARTER THAT WOULD HELP US, UM, FRAME THESE SUBCOMMITTEES.

AND, UM, I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME ONE FOR EACH, UH, TAUNTON WILL BE RETROACTIVE 'CAUSE WE'VE ALREADY BEGUN TO HAVE MEETINGS THERE.

UM, BUT WE WILL ENACT THE TAUNTON SUBCOMMITTEE CHARTER.

UM, IT WILL CONSIST OF THREE LAKE PINE, UM, RESIDENTS AND TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UH, COUNCILMAN MILK AND I ARE ALREADY APPOINTED TO THAT.

UM, THERE'LL BE PERIODIC MEETINGS.

THE NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY THE 13TH AT SIX 30 AT THE COLONY CLUB.

UM, AT THAT POINT, UM, WE'LL FORMALLY NOMINATE THE MEMBERS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND AT THAT POINT, UM, THERE'LL BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF MEETINGS, THEN COME BACK WITH ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS OR FEEDBACK FROM THAT SUBCOMMITTEE SIMILAR TO WHAT WE JUST SAW WITH THE WEIGHT RESTRICTION RESOLUTION, THE SENATE GENERAL RESOLUTION.

SO ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT? UH, JUST THAT, THAT MEETING IS NEXT THURSDAY, CORRECT? YEAH.

YEP.

UM, AND UM, WITH THIS SUBCOMMITTEE, IN ADDITION, IN ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE SUBCOMMITTEE, WE HISTORICALLY, AND I MEAN HISTORICALLY BY THREE MEETINGS HAVE HAD THEM PRIOR TO 7:00 PM COUNCIL MEETINGS.

WE OBVIOUSLY CAN'T DO THAT NOW 'CAUSE THE COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE SIX 30, SO THEY'LL BE ON ALTERNATE DATES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS.

SO, UM, MEDFORD VILLAGE PARKING SUBCOMMITTEE CHARTER, UM, THE DETAILS OF THIS AGAIN, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO, UM, APPLICANTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING.

BUT WE'RE LOOKING TO HAVE OUR FIRST SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ON FEBRUARY THE 20, UM, SORRY, FEBRUARY THE 19TH OR FEBRUARY 27TH.

IF WE CAN GET IT TOGETHER BY THE 19TH, THAT'D BE GREAT.

IF NOT, WE'LL WE'LL MOVE IT TO THE 27TH.

UM, THAT'LL BE THE EVENING OF APPROXIMATELY SIX 30, BUT THERE'LL BE MORE DETAILS ON THE ACTUAL TIME.

IT WILL CONSIST OF TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UH, COUNCILMAN MILK AND I HAVE ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED TO THAT.

THREE RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE, TWO BUSINESS OWNERS WITHIN HISTORICAL METHOD VILLAGE AND THE TOWN MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE.

OUR HOPE IS TO HAVE THAT GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS DISCUSS THE TOPICS THAT COME BACK WITH, UM, IDEAS THAT THEY AGREE UPON ARE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH.

UM, AGAIN, UM, MORE DETAILED, MORE DETAILS WILL COME OUT, BUT, UM, OUR HOPE IS TO HAVE THE FIRST MEETING ON THE 19TH.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? JUST IF I MAY, UM, SO APPLICANTS TO THESE POSITIONS, UM, I'M GONNA ASK, UH, MANAGER HORAL, IF YOU CAN COME UP WITH A MEANS TO ASSEMBLE ANYBODY WHO'S INTERESTED.

UM, SO WE CAN JUST LIKE WE DO WITH ALL THE OTHER BOARDS, ANY ANYBODY INTERESTED SHOULD APPLY.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WE WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO NARROW IT DOWN TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF SPOTS WE HAVE, BUT UM, THAT WAY WE HAVE A CONCISE COMMITTEE.

YEP.

GREAT.

THAT MAY BE SOMETHING

[00:10:01]

DEFINITELY.

FOR AN APPLICATION FOR THIS.

WE DO.

UM, MR. PRIME, IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO TO FORMALIZE THIS? NO, NOT AT THIS TIME.

OKAY, GREAT.

UH, MOVING ON TO OUR THIRD DISCUSSION ITEM.

IT IS A RESOLUTION OPPOSING INDUSTRIAL OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS ALONG THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY.

AND SO AS A COUNCIL WE ARE CONCERNED AND ENGAGED WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

YOU MAKE SURE THAT MEDFORD'S PROTECTING THE LAND IN WHICH WE LIVE.

AND SO, UH, IN LIGHT OF THIS, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION? I'M IN FULL SUPPORT.

FULL SUPPORT, OKAY.

FULL SUPPORT OF IT.

OKAY, GREAT.

AND SO AS I MENTIONED, WE DO HAVE A, UH, A TERRIFIC GROUP OF OF INDIVIDUALS, RESIDENTS HERE IN OUR TOWN, THE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY, UH, OR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

AND SO PERHAPS MR. HARLE, WE COULD PASS THIS BACK ONTO TO THEM FOR THEIR REVIEW.

YES, THAT'D BE A GOOD IDEA.

OKAY.

THANKS.

ALRIGHT, THAT'S GREAT.

AND THEN WE WILL REVISIT THIS AT A FUTURE MEETING.

YEP.

OKAY.

EXCELLENT.

ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? ALRIGHT, DISCUSSION IS CLOSED.

UH, WE MOVE ON TO OUR,

[VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

AND WE WOULD ASK THAT GENERAL DECORUM IS EXHIBITED, SO PLEASE BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND YOUR NEIGHBORS.

UH, MANY VETERANS LEFT THEIR LIVES TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FREE SPEECH AND SO WE HONOR THEM AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOMS CURRENTLY BY HONORING EACH OTHER.

AND SO WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU WOULD NOTE THAT WE DO HAVE ON RECORD ORDINANCE THREE DASH 2020, WHICH CALLS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE IN PROPER CONDUCT AND TO AVOID DISTURBING THE PEACE OF A MEETING.

AND SO THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EACH OF YOU IF YOU SO DESIRE TO PUBLICLY COMMENT.

IT'S NOT A TIME OF PUBLIC DEBATE, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, CALL YOU UP FOR THE MICROPHONE, AND WE'LL SET THAT LIMIT AT FIVE MINUTES JUST TO, UH, MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

SIR, PLEASE.

TO THAT, UH, CHARLES, THIS IS THE LAST THING I WAS HOPING TO SEE THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE COUNCIL, I'M JUST CURIOUS, I KNOW THAT, UH, LAST TIME MEETING TO SEE HOW COULD YOU TRY TO ESTABLISH A UEC SONG FOR MATTER FOR I KNOW THAT IS POSSIBLE.

THERE'S A WAY YOU CAN DO IT.

IF BEHIND YOU CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT.

I MEAN, IT DOES SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

I MEAN, FOR ENTIRE TOWN, IF YOU DO A SEARCH, IT, LIKE I SAID, IT COULD HELP YOU IN THE FUTURE, LIKE MOUNT HIGH.

AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR OH YEAH, I'VE GOT THREE DIFFERENT LINES RIGHT HERE, , AND THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT.

WENT OVER A THOUSAND, OVER THREE HOURS.

A THOUSAND LINES LAST TIME, SIR.

EXCELLENT.

I APPRECIATE IT AND THANK YOU ASK EVERY AND ONE, GIVE THANKS TO TWO PERSON TO JACKIE.

SHE'S, I THINK'S, UH, THE ADMINISTRATION FOR DE UH, THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEMOCRAT, UH, MEDICAL CASE.

I WANT THANK HER.

I WANT THANK NANCY AND WANNA THANK EVERYBODY THAT HAVE ME AS A YES.

THANK YOU.

EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU.

THANK, THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE PLEASE? HELLO, MY NAME IS KELLY WHITAKER AND THIS IS MY HUSBAND BRANDON AND HIS MOTHER.

UM, DEBORAH, I TOOK A FEW NOTES 'CAUSE I HAVE THREE KIDS I MIGHT FORGET.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE US.

WE ARE RESIDENTS OF BEDFORD FOR A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS AND WE LIVE AT EIGHT HARTFORD ROAD.

WE RECENTLY APPLIED FOR A ZONING VARIANCE APPLICATION.

UM, MY HUSBAND IS A PROFESSIONAL DISC GOLFER AND I SUBSTITUTE TEACH HERE IN MEDFORD DISTRICT.

UM, WE OWN A LITTLE OVER 15 ACRES AND WE HAVE A DISC GOLF COURSE THAT MY HUSBAND, UM, PLAYS AT AND PRACTICES WITH HIS FRIENDS ON OUR LAND HERE ON HARFORD ROAD.

RECENTLY THERE WAS A COMPLAINT FROM A NEIGHBOR WHO DOESN'T, UM, HIS LANDLINE DOESN'T BUTT UP TO US, BUT HE IS IN THE REAR THAT WE WERE OWNING AND OPERATING A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS, UH, WHO DO NOT OWN OR OPERATE A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS.

IT IS A HOBBY, A RECREATION SPORT THAT HIM AND HIS FRIENDS PLAY WITHIN THE WOODS.

UM, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE HELD LOCAL NINE TOURNAMENTS WHERE WE'VE HAD HIS FRIENDS COME AND PLAY DISC GOLF.

UM, WE'VE HAD NO CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

UM, THERE'S NEVER BEEN ANY INFLUX IN TRAFFIC ON HARTFORD ROAD BECAUSE, UH, DISC OFFERS ACTUALLY CARPOOL OFTEN TOGETHER AS WELL AS THEY COME IN INCREMENTS BECAUSE THEY COME TO PRACTICE PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED TIME.

UM, SO MOST RECENTLY WE ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER FROM OUR NEIGHBOR WHO WE SHARE A DRIVEWAY WITH TO HAVE PERMISSION TO PARK UP TO 50 CARS IF

[00:15:01]

AND THEN WE CAN ALSO ACCOMMODATE AT LEAST 30 CARS ON OUR OWN PROPERTY.

SO WE PUT A LOT OF LOVE AND TIME INTO MAINTAINING OUR LAND AND WE WOULD JUST REALLY LOVE TO, YOU KNOW, RECEIVE THE VARIANCE THROUGH THE ZONING BOARD.

SO WE HAVE PURSUED LEGAL COURSE, UM, AND WE PUT OUR APPLICATION IN.

SO OUR LAST NAME IS WHITAKER AND WE JUST WANTED TO HAVE IT ON PUBLIC RECORD.

GREAT.

THANK YOU.

THANK, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

PLEASE SIR.

ZACH WILSON.

EXCUSE ME.

ZACH WILSON, 51 NORTH MAIN STREET.

HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

UM, JUST WANTED TO, UM, COME UP AND RESPOND A LITTLE BIT TO THE, UM, TO THE RESOLUTION OF ABOUT THE WINDMILLS.

UM, I AM CURIOUS AND I I WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK YOU HAVE AS TO WHETHER THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE THAT ACTION OR IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE TASKING THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE TO COME BACK AND DO.

UM, YOU SAY THAT YOU CARE IMMENSELY FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT, BUT IT CANNOT BE DENIED THAT ONE OF THE MOST EXISTENTIAL THREATS TO OUR ENVIRONMENT IS THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS IN THIS COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

AND WE HAVE TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO THAT.

AND THIS NOT IN MY BACKYARD ATTITUDE THAT WE TAKE TOWARDS WINDMILLS.

WHILE I UNDERSTAND THERE CAN BE PERCEIVED NEGATIVE, UH, CONSEQUENCES OF THAT, THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TAKING STEPS LIKE THAT IS SO FAR GREATER THAN THE, THIS TYPE OF ACTION OF FINDING WIND FARMS, OF CREATING SOLAR FARMS, OF HARNESSING TIDAL ENERGY, OF HARNESSING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

THESE ARE THI OF HARNESSING NUCLEAR ENERGY.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT MUST BE DONE IF WE ARE GOING TO STOP THE ADVANCED CLIMATE CHANGE THAT HAPPENS FROM BURNING FOSSIL FUELS.

FOSSIL FUELS ARE, YOU'LL HEAR A LOT OF PROPAGANDA AROUND THE WINDMILLS FO THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY IS FAR AND AWAY THE HIGHEST, UH, INCENTIVIZED INDUSTRY IN THIS COUNTRY.

THEY RECEIVE THE MOST FUNDING FROM GOVERNMENT.

THEY RECEIVE FAR MORE INCENTIVES THAN, UH, THAN WINDMILL, INDUSTRY, SOLAR, ALL OF THAT COMBINED.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN TAKING THE STANCE? IS THIS A STANCE THAT YOU ARE TAKING AFTER REVIEWING ACTUAL DATA AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ENVIRONMENTALISTS? OR IS THIS A STANCE THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE AND ARE LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR STANCE? BECAUSE IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO DO THIS FOR A LIVING, IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO STUDY THE ENVIRONMENT, WHO STUDY BIOLOGY, MARINE BIOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY, THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT FAR AND AWAY THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS IS FAR MORE DANGEROUS FOR THIS ENVIRONMENT THAN WINDMILLS.

THAT THE DANGERS POSE TO LOCAL, BIO LOCAL, UH, LOCAL FAUNA IS FAR AND AWAY GREATER IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE BURNING FOSSIL FUELS AT THE RATE THAT WE DO, INSTEAD OF FINDING ALTERNATIVES LIKE WINDMILLS.

UM, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE ACTUALLY PROPOSED THIS AS A STANCE FOR YOU, OR AGAIN, IF YOU, THIS IS YOUR STANCE AND YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND EVIDENCE FOR THAT AND SUPPORT FOR THAT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE.

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT IF YOU STAND UP AND OPPOSE THE PEOPLE WHO STUDY THIS FOR A LIVING, WHO DO THIS JOB, WHO KNOW THE DATA IN AND OUT AND TELL US THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO, YOU'RE NOT SPEAKING FOR ME AND I'D APPRECIATE YOU NOT PASSING RESOLUTIONS AT THE TOWNSHIP LEVEL THAT DON'T SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THE TOWN.

SO I, I'D VERY MUCH LOVE TO KNOW, UH, HEAR ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS YOU DOING THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE OR SOMETHING THEY'VE COME TO YOU ABOUT.

SURE.

I I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE'RE DIRECTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE.

WE DID RECEIVE THE RESOLUTION, WE VIEWED IT, WE ALL ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH IT AND WE'RE PASSING IT ON TO THEM.

WHO WHO DID YOU RECEIVE IT FROM? OH, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

SO THAT CAME FROM, UH, THERE'S A CONTINGENT OF MAYORS AROUND THE STATE WHO HAVE SAID, WE AGREE WITH THIS AND WE'RE, WE'RE IN DENIAL OR NOT IN DENIAL.

WE'RE, WE'RE AGAINST THIS, UH, BUILDING OF WINDMILLS OUT AT SEA ON AN OFFSHORE PROJECT AND WOULD YOU STAND IN SUPPORT WITH US? AND SO THAT'S HOW THAT CAME THROUGH.

I I'D LOVE TO HEAR, YOU KNOW, A A MORE ROBUST CONVERSATION AROUND THIS AND THE ACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT YOU'RE GONNA USE TO BACK SUCH A RESOLUTION.

I THINK THAT YOU'LL FIND THE ACTUAL SCIENCE BEHIND IT DOESN'T SUPPORT THAT.

ALRIGHT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALRIGHT, SEEING NONE, CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT? SO MOVED SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? A AYE.

OPPOSED?

[00:20:01]

[VIII. MANAGER’S REPORT]

UH, GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU.

I HAVE UM, ONE REQUEST FOR COUNSEL TONIGHT TO APPROVE A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS APPLICATION.

I LOVE THE NAME ROCKY PATEL.

HE'S A, A RESIDENT, HE THE PAST COUPLE YEARS AND HE'S LOOKING TO, UH, STEP UP AND HELP OUT IN THE VOLUNTEER COURT.

GREAT, THANK YOU.

WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE VOLUNTEERS.

AND CHIEF JOVI, IF YOU COULD PLEASE EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR NEW VOLUNTEER WHEN YOU SEE HIM.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE APPLICATION? IF I MAY, JUST, UH, MR. PATEL, SINCE LITERALLY THE DAY HE MOVED INTO TOWN, UM, HE'S BEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH THE YOUTH SPORTS AND, UM, I SEE HIM AT, AT ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL.

SO HE'S GONNA BE A GREAT ASSET TO OUR VOLUNTEER STAFF AS WELL.

ANYONE ELSE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? ALRIGHT.

OUR NEW FIREFIGHTER IS APPROVED.

MS. WICKER, CAN YOU PLEASE

[IX. CLERK’S REPORT]

THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TWO.

ONE IS SEPTEMBER 27TH, IT'S A 5K RUN IN BEER CEREMONY AND OCTOBER 18TH FOR A DONOR RECOGNITION FUNDRAISER.

UM, ALSO HAVE THE OF ST.

MARY'S LITTLE RAFFLE LICENSES FOR CASINO NIGHT HORSE RATE BASKET RLE 50 50 RAFFLE AND A BASKET RAFFLE ON MARCH 8TH AT THE MEDFORD VILLAGE COUNTRY CLOUD.

AND WE HAVE APPROVAL MEO LICENSES, BASKET RAFFLE 50 50 RAFFLE AND BINGO.

THAT'S ON MARCH 8TH, UH, THREE STOKES ROAD.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANKS.

ALRIGHT.

AND REGARDING

[X. BILL LIST]

I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BILL LIST.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

THE BILL LIST IS ACCEPTED.

WE HAVE NO ORDINANCE FOR FIRST READING.

UM, WE DO HAVE

[XII. ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S) ]

SO I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

YEAH, I MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT ON SECOND READING ORDINANCE 2025 DASH ONE AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL A TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP AS ADOPTED IN 3 0 3 OF THE MEDFORD TOWNSHIP CODE TO CORRECT THE ZONING DISTRICT DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN PARCELS IN THE TOWNSHIP.

SECOND.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

JUST FOR SOME CLARIFICATION, UM, THIS ORDINANCE RELATES TO THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP.

SEVERAL OF THE PROPERTIES, UH, IN THE MAIN STREET DISTRICT WERE ZONED PROPERLY, BUT THEY WERE MISLABELED ON THE MAP.

SO IT'S SIMPLY JUST REVERSING THAT ERROR TO MAKE EVERYTHING LINE UP CORRECTLY.

OKAY, GREAT.

UH, WE'LL NOW OPEN UP THIS ORDINANCE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

WE'LL CALL YOU UP TO THE MICROPHONE.

ANYONE? ALL RIGHT.

SEEING NONE, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING? SO MOVED.

OKAY.

ALRIGHT.

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

MS. MILL.

AYE.

MS. SIMONS? AYE.

MR. WATSON? AYE.

DR.

MAYOR AYE.

MAY ZA AYE ALL, ANY COUNSEL COMMENTS? OKAY, ROLL CALL FOR ADOPTION PLEASE.

MS. MILL.

AYE.

MS. LEMONS? AYE.

MR. WATSON? AYE.

DEPUTY MAYOR SIZ.

AYE.

MAYOR AB AYE.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

THE ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED.

UH, THEN WE HAVE ORDINANCE 2024 DASH TWO.

I'LL ENTERTAIN MOTION, I MOVE THE COUNCIL, ADAPT ON SECOND READING ORDINANCE 2025 DASH TWO CALENDAR YEAR 2025 MODEL ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK, NEW JERSEY SA 40 A 44 DASH 45 14 SECOND.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

AND THIS ORDINANCE, I'M SURE EVERYBODY'S FAMILIAR WITH THIS ONE, BUT IT ALLOWS, UH, THE MUNICIPALITY TO BUDGET A CERTAIN, UH, CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OVER YOUR BUDGET APPROPRIATION.

SO IT'S BASICALLY A TOOL TO PUT ASIDE SOME EXTRA MONEY IN CASE YOU NEED IT.

YOU'RE NOT SPENDING IT, YOU'RE NOT ALLOCATING IT OR BUDGETING IT, OTHERWISE, JUST HAVING IT IN CASE YOU NEED IT.

AND HISTORICALLY I BELIEVE WE'VE DONE IT EVERY YEAR AT LEAST AS LONG AS WE'VE BEEN HERE.

WE'VE NEVER SKIPPED IT.

IT'S USUALLY RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR, CFO.

UH, SO IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT WE RECOMMEND PASSING.

THE ONLY ARGUMENT I EVER HEARD AGAINST IT WAS FORMER COUNCILMAN BONY WITH THE, UH, CORTEZ AND THE BURNING OF THE SHIPS.

RIGHT.

SO THAT'S, OTHERWISE IT'S BEEN, UH, PRETTY SIMPLE TO PASS.

GREAT.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, WE WILL NOW OPEN THIS UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

WE'LL CALL YOU AT THE MICROPHONE.

ANYONE? ALRIGHT.

UH, SEEING NONE, WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING? SECOND.

SECOND.

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

MS. MILL.

AYE.

MS. SIMMONS? AYE.

MR. WATSON? AYE.

SECOND MAYOR CICK.

AYE.

MAYOR, STOP.

AYE.

OKAY.

ANY COUNSEL COMMENTS?

[00:25:01]

MS. MILL.

AYE.

MS. SIMONS? AYE.

MR. WATSON? AYE.

DEPUTY MAYOR ICK.

AYE.

MAYOR, REST STOP.

AYE.

THANK YOU.

THE ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED.

UH, REGARDING THE CONSENT

[XIII. CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS]

PROPERTY TAXES ON PROPERTY OWNED BY QUALIFYING TOTALLY DISABLED EXEMPT VETERAN RESOLUTION 39 DASH 2025 AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO A LS TESTING SERVICE.

TESTING SERVICES GROUP, INCORPORATED AN AMOUNT UP TO $26,688 FOR LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES FOR THE WATER UTILITY AND RESOLUTION 40 DASH 2025 SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ALONG TAUNTON BOULEVARD AND TOMLINSON HOPEWELL ROAD.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I THINK JUST THAT, THAT WOULD BE RESOLUTION 41, RIGHT? 'CAUSE ISN'T THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IN THE NEXT CATEGORY? UH, IT IS.

WE HAVE UH, WE WERE GOING TO PREP ON THAT BUT SURE.

WE CAN CALL THAT 41.

EXCUSE ME.

WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

OKAY.

SORRY.

MY MISTAKE.

SORRY.

ALRIGHT, SO WE'LL LEAVE IT AT 40? YES.

OKAY.

GOT IT.

ALRIGHT, GREAT.

MM-HMM .

UH, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALRIGHT, ROLL CALL FOR APPROVAL PLEASE.

NO, A MOTION.

OH, I'M SORRY.

AND SECOND.

SECOND.

THANK YOU.

ROLL CALL FOR APPROVAL.

MS. MILK.

AYE.

MS. SIMON? AYE.

MR. LASSO? AYE.

DEPUTY MAYOR? AYE.

MAYOR AYE.

CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED SO WE WILL BE POSTPONING

[XIV. RESOLUTIONS]

THAT IS AN HONOR OF A LONG-TERM VETERAN, UH, LONG-TERM VOLUNTEER.

EXCUSE ME.

ALRIGHT, NOW WE HAVE OUR EXECUTIVE

[XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION ]

SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.

SO MOVED.

SECOND.

ALL ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS APPROVED.

WE'RE GONNA GO INTO OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY IN THE ROOM, WE'LL BE BACK OUT.

WE MAY CONDUCT SOME BUSINESS.

ABOUT HOW LONG CAN YOU THINK WE'LL BE? PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MAY BE.

UH, WE 30, 45 MINUTES? UH, 35 MINUTES OR SO.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY.

OTHERWISE WE'LL SEE YOU PERHAPS THE NEXT MEETING.

OKAY.

I RECONVENE THE OPEN PORTION OF THE MEETING.

WE DISCUSSED, UH, SEVERAL ITEMS IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND SOME ACTION WAS TAKEN.

CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADD? UH, RESOLUTION 41 DASH 2025 AMENDING APPOINTMENTS TO THE ZONING BOARD AND RESOLUTION 42 DASH 2025 AUTHORIZING A COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD AND UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 1612 UTILITIES UNIT.

SO, GOOD.

SECOND.

GOOD.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL RIGHT.

THE ITEMS ARE ADDED.

ALRIGHT, SO NOW WE HAVE RESOLUTION 41, 20 25 AMENDING APPOINTMENTS TO THE ZONING BOARD.

HAVE A WE HAVE ROLL CALL FOR THAT MOTION.

MOTION.

MOTION.

I A MOTION FOR THAT PLEASE.

SO MOVED.

SECOND ROLL CALL FOR APPROVAL PLEASE.

MS. MILK? AYE.

MS. COL? AYE.

MR. WAS AYE.

DEPUTY MAYOR CIZIK.

AYE MAYOR AYE THE RESOLUTION IS ADDED NOW WE HAVE RESOLUTION 42 DASH 2025 AUTHORIZING A COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD AND UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 1612

[00:30:01]

HAVE A MOTION PLEASE.

SO MOVED.

SECOND.

SECOND.

ALRIGHT, ROLL CALL FOR APPROVAL PLEASE.

MS. MILL.

AYE.

MS. SIMONS? AYE.

MR. WATSON? AYE.

THANK YOU MAYOR C AYE.

MAYOR RUSTOCK.

AYE.

ALL THANK YOU.

UH, I THINK WE CAN MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MOTION.

SO MOVED.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? MEETING IS ADJOURNED.