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UM, I CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF MEDFORD ON FEBRUARY 17TH, 2026.
THIS MEETING IS CALLED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE OAKLAND PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT.
THIS MEETING ON FEBRUARY 17TH, 2026 WAS INCLUDED IN A MEETING NOTICE SENT TO THE BIRMINGHAM COUNTY TIMES AND THE CENTRAL RECORD ON JANUARY 7TH, 2026.
AN ADVERTISING SAID NEWSPAPERS ON JANUARY 11TH, 2026 AND JANUARY 15TH, 2026, RESPECTIVELY POSTED ON THE WEBSITE AND ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING ON JANUARY 7TH, 2026, AND HAS REMAINED CONTINUOUSLY POSTED AS REQUIRED UNDER THE STATUTE.
IN ADDITION, A COPY OF THIS, A COPY OF THIS NOTICE IS AND HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND IS ON FILE WITH THE OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CLERK.
UH, PLEASE RISE FOR THE FLAGS PLEDGE OF THE FLAG FLAG, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO REPUBLIC FORAND ONE ONE INCH UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR RIGHT.
UM, BEFORE WE GET BEGIN WITH OUR VERY SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE MR. PAT VARGA.
UM, HE'S SITTING IN FOR MR. MCGUCKIN, UM, HE'S PART OF THE DITY LAW FIRM.
AND, UM, MR. MCGUCKIN, UM, AS HE WAS HIRED, KIND OF AT THE END OF THE, UH, UH, TENURE THERE OF MR. PRIME, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED.
HE HAD PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS THE NIGHT THAT HE COULDN'T MAKE IT, WE KNEW MR. VARGA WAS GONNA BE HERE.
UM, AND MR. VARGA DOES HAVE EXPERIENCE HERE IN MEDFORD.
HE SERVED AS OUR ZONING BOARD ATTORNEY FOR SIX YEARS, UH, LAST FIVE TO SIX YEARS.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
[IV. Communications, Scheduling Matters, Council Agenda, Presentations and Any Amendments to the Agenda]
UM, SO TONIGHT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF RECOGNIZING SOMETHING THAT OFTEN GOES UNSEEN, BUT NEVER UNFELT.DECADES OF QUIET, STEADY SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF MEDFORD.
PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT ALWAYS GLAMOROUS.
IT HAPPENS IN THE EARLY MORNINGS DURING SNOWSTORMS, BEHIND INSPECTION REPORTS IN PUMP STATIONS, AT WELL SITES, AND ON THE FIRE GROUND.
IT HAPPENS WHEN MOST OF US ARE ASLEEP OR SIMPLY GOING ABOUT OUR DAY.
THE THREE PRO PROCLAMATIONS I'M ABOUT TO READ REPRESENT MORE THAN RETIREMENTS.
THEY REPRESENT LIFETIMES OF COMMITMENT TO SAFETY, TO INFRASTRUCTURE, TO LEADERSHIP, AND THIS COMMUNITY WE ALL CALL HOME.
IT'S MY HONOR ON BEHALF OF MEDFORD TOWNSHIP COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE THESE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE WORK STRENGTHENS MEDFORD IN WAYS WELL BEYOND TODAY.
UH, WE'LL HAVE THE VELASCO FAMILY JOIN US UP FRONT FIRST.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US OVER HERE? THERE YOU GO.
ACTUALLY, I'LL HAVE YOU STAND THIS.
UH, PROCLAMATION HONORING RICHARD SCO.
WHEREAS RICHARD SCO BEGAN HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE TOWNSHIP OF METFORD IN JUNE OF 2000, WHERE HE WAS HIRED AS THE ACTING TO PLUMBING, ACTING PLUMBING SUB CODE, OFFICIAL INSPECTION OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS THROUGH HIS PROFESSIONALISM, TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, MR. KLASKO EARNED THE TRUST AND RESPECT OF HIS COLLEAGUES, TOWNSHIP LEADERS, AND THE RESIDENTS HE SERVED.
WHEREAS IN 2007, MR. SCO ASSUMED THE ADDITIONAL ROLE OF BUILDING INSPECTOR, TAKING ON EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITIES WHILE CONTINUING TO CARRY OUT HIS EXISTING DUTIES WITH DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY.
WHEREAS IN 2012, MR. SCO WAS APPOINTED CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL OF BEDFORD TOWNSHIP OF A POSITION OF SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY IN WHICH HE PROVIDED STEADY LEADERSHIP, SOUND JUDGMENT, AND A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF CODES AND REGULATIONS CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH HIS 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, MR. COSCO CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE, FAIRNESS, AND ENFORCEMENT, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TO THE EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS OF DETACHMENT CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION
WHEREAS MR. GLASCO RETIRED FROM METRO TOWNSHIP ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, INCLUDING A DISTINGUISHED CAREER MARKED BY PROFESSIONALISM, RELIABILITY, AND A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
NOW FOUR, LET IT BE PROCLAIMED THAT THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF MEDFORD DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR RICHARD KLASKO FOR HIS
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25 YEARS OF FULL AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, AND BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP EXTENDS ITS SIGNIFICANT GRATITUDE AND BEST WISHES TO MR. SCO AND HIS FAMILY FOR A LONG, HEALTHY, FULFILLING RETIREMENT AND EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION FOR THE LASTING IMPACT OF THE SERVICE TO THE MEDFORD COMMUNITY.WOULD YOU BE OKAY TAKING A PICTURE? THANK YOU.
PROCLAMATION HONORING DAVID FRANK UPON HIS RETIREMENT, WHEREAS DAVID FRANK BEGAN A SERVICE WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD IN AUGUST, 1997 AS A MEMBER OF THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES DIVISION AS A LINESMAN.
WHEREAS SINCE 2010, DAVID HAS SERVED AS A WATER DISTRIBUTION AND WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR DEMONSTRATING SKILL, PROFESSIONALISM, AND DEDICATION TO THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS DAVID EARNED HIS STATE OF NEW JERSEY LICENSES AS A WATER DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR, W2 AND WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR T TWO FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE TOWNSHIP'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE SAFE, RELIABLE DRINKING WATER TO ITS RESIDENTS.
AND WHEREAS DAVID ALSO HOLDS A C TWO LICENSE IN SEWER CERTIFICATIONS REFLECTING HIS BROAD KNOWLEDGE AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE WITHIN THE UTILITY DIVISION.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH HIS CAREER, DAVID ASSISTED WITH CRITICAL UPGRADES AND REHABILITATIONS TO MULTIPLE UNI MUNICIPAL WELLS HELPING TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE TOWNSHIP'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND WHEREAS DAVID'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE UTILITY EMERGENCIES, ENSURING PROMPT SERVICE AND SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC HEALTH, PROMOTING I'M, I'M SORRY, PUBLIC HEALTH PROPERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT DURING URGENT AND UNFORESEEN SITUATIONS.
AND WHEREAS IN ADDITION TO HIS UTILITY RESPONSIBILITIES, DAVID CONTRIBUTED TO THE TOWNSHIP OPERATIONS THROUGH SNOW REMOVAL EFFORTS DEMONSTRATING HIS WILLINGNESS TO SERVE WHENEVER NEEDED.
AND WHEREAS DAVID CONCLUDED HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS A UTILITIES FOREMAN PROVIDING LEADERSHIP GUIDANCE AND EXPERIENCE TO HIS COLLEAGUES AND DEPARTMENT NOW FOR LET IT BE PROCLAIMED BY THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD TOWNSHIP COUNCIL, THAT, THAT WE HEREBY HONOR AND RECOGNIZE DAVID FRANK FOR AS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF MEDFORD TOWNSHIP AND EXTEND THEIR SINCERE APPRECIATION AND BEST WISHES, WISHES FOR CONTINUED HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND FULFILLMENT IN YOUR RETIREMENT.
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RIGHT.PROCLAMATION HONORING CHIEF WAYNE ROCKHILL UPON HIS RETIREMENT, WHEREAS WAYNE ROCKHILL JOINED THE FIRE SERVICE IN 1965 AS A FIREFIGHTER WITH THE UNION FIRE COMPANY OF MEDFORD, NEW JERSEY WITH HIS FIRST CREDITED YEAR OF SERVICE BEING 1965.
AND WHEREAS WAYNE ROCKHILL WAS FAITHFULLY AND HAS FAITHFULLY AND HONORABLY SERVED THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD FOR OVER 60 YEARS.
AND WHEREAS WAYNE IS A LIFE MEMBER OF THE UNION FIRE COMPANY AND AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BURLINGTON COUNTY TRACTOR PULLERS ASSOCIATION.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER, WAYNE SERVED AS THE FIRST ASSISTANT CHIEF TO THE UNION FIRE COMPANY AND HELD THE RANKS OF LIEUTENANT, CAPTAIN AND CHIEF ENGINEER.
AND WHEREAS WAYNE HAS PROUDLY REC REP REPRESENTED METFORD TOWNSHIP AS A LIFE MEMBER OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMAN'S ASSOCIATION AND AS A MEMBER OF THE METFORD EXEMPT ASSOCIATION.
AND WHEREAS DURING HIS 60 YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE, WAYNE HAS EARNED THE DEEP ADMIRATION AND RESPECT OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL, TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS, FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS, PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND THE RESIDENTS HE SO FAITHFULLY SERVED.
AND WHEREAS WAYNE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE UNION FIRE COMPANY DEDICATING COUNTLESS HOURS TO REPAIRING AND MAINTAINING FIRE APPARATUS AND RESPONDING WITH TANKER 25 16 TO NUMEROUS FIRES AND EMERGENCIES THROUGHOUT MEDFORD, BURLINGTON COUNTY AND THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
AND WHEREAS WAYNE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE PLANNING AND, UH, PROCUREMENT OF NUMEROUS PIECES OF DEPARTMENT APPARATUS, ENSURING THE CONTINUED SAFETY AND READINESS OF THE COMMUNITY.
NOW FOR LET IT BE PROCLAIMED THAT THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF MEDFORD, THAT THEY DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR WAYNE ROCKHILL FOR HIS EXEMPLARY 60 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF MEDFORD TOWNSHIP AND BURLINGTON COUNTY AND EXTEND THEIR SINCERE APPRECIATION AND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
DEPUTY MAYOR, MANAGER HOEL, COUNCIL MEMBERS CHIEF ROCKHILL AND GUESTS.
TONIGHT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF RECOGNIZING CHIEF WAYNE ROCKHILL.
THE PROCLAMATION SPOKE OF CHIEF ROCK HILL'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A FIRST ASSISTANT CHIEF OF THE UNION FIRE COMPANY AND HIS 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS.
WHAT I'M GONNA SPEAK ABOUT IS WAYNE AS A PERSON AND HIS DEDICATION TO THE FIRE COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY HE HAS SERVED.
WAYNE ROCK HILL'S NAME IS AS SYNONYMOUS WITH MEDFORD AS KIRBY'S MILL.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO OR WHAT FIREHOUSE YOU STOP IN, SOMEONE KNOWS WAYNE.
HIS REPUTATION IS DUE TO WAYNE'S HARD WORK AND KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS MECHANICAL.
WHETHER WAYNE WAS WORKING IN A FIELD ON A COMBINE OR AT HOME WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN THE SIREN SOUNDED SOMETIMES BECAUSE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUSHING THE BUTTON AT THE MAIN STREET FIREHOUSE, WAYNE WAS THERE TO SERVE BEFORE 9 1 1.
THE POLICE DISPATCHER WOULD CALL WAYNE'S HOUSE.
AND BECAUSE HE LIVED NEXT DOOR TO THE FIREHOUSE, HE WOULD SOUND THE SIREN TO ALERT THE OTHER MEMBERS THAT THERE WAS A CALL.
THERE ARE STORIES THAT HE WOULD ALMOST MISS A TRUCK BECAUSE HE WAS, BECAUSE HE WAS BUSY, UH, BECAUSE HE WAS SOUNDING THE SIREN.
IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER ALL THE MAJOR EMERGENCIES WE RESPONDED TO IN TOWN, WAYNE WAS THERE.
HIS MOST IMPORTANT JOB WAS ENSURING THAT WE HAD WATER TO FIGHT THE FIRE.
WAYNE WOULD BRING THE TANKER AND WAS AN EXPERT IN RURAL WATER SUPPLY OPERATIONS.
YES, WAYNE HAS DRAFTED WATER FROM THE CREEK TO FIGHT FIRES IN THE VILLAGE.
WAYNE'S ROLE WENT BEYOND RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES BECAUSE OF HIS MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE AND BACKGROUND.
WAYNE WOULD DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR FIRE TRUCKS, PUMPS AND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING GAS OPERATED.
THIS MADE HIM AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND SAVED COUNTLESS DOLLARS WHEN WE HAD A PIECE OF FARM EQUIPMENT OVERTURNED AND TRAP THE OPERATOR, WAYNE WAS THERE TO GUIDE THE RESCUE PERSONNEL THROUGH STABILIZING AND SAFELY EXTRICATING THE FARMER.
WAYNE CONTINUES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE RECENT STORM.
WAYNE OPERATED ONE OF THE TRACTORS AND COULD BE FOUND ON THE SOUTHERN END OF MEDFORD WITH HI WITH HIS THERMOS PLOWING THE ROADWAYS.
I'M SURE WE WILL SEE HIS GRANDKIDS SERVE ALSO AS THEY GET OLDER.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT THANK WAYNE'S WIFE FOR ALL HER SUPPORT AND SACRIFICE.
I WILL TRULY MISS SEEING WAYNE
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DRIVING THE TANKER.HOWEVER, I WILL GUARANTEE THAT WAYNE WILL STILL SHOW UP AT THE MAJOR EMERGENCIES IN TOWN AND BE A RESOURCE TO THE INCIDENT COMMANDERS.
WAYNE'S INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE TOWNSHIP IS IRREPLACEABLE.
HOWEVER, HE HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE THAT KNOWLEDGE OVER COFFEE.
ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR, TOWNSHIP MANAGER COUNSEL AND THE MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, WE WISH TO CONGRATULATE CHIEF WAYNE ROCKHILL ON AS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HAVE SPANNED HIS 60 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH MEDFORD TOWNSHIP.
AND ON HIS RETIREMENT, HIS LEGACY WILL, WILL BE REFLECTED WELL INTO THE FUTURE OF THIS DEPARTMENT.
TO CHIEF ROCKHILL AND HIS FAMILY.
WE SAY THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK AS YOU TRANSITION INTO RETIREMENT.
BE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE TO ALL OF US.
AND TAKE SOME TIME IN YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX, WHICH IS PROBABLY AT THE FIREHOUSE, SITTING ON THE BENCH WITH A CUP OF COFFEE.
WAYNE, WE ARE HONORED TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS ACTS AS A THANK YOU FOR 60 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO METRO TOWNSHIP.
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST OF LUCK.
AT THIS TIME, WE TYPICALLY GIVE, UH, THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE AN OPPORTUNITY.
IF, UH, YOU DON'T WANNA STICK AROUND FOR THE BORING STUFF, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO LEAVE THIS TIME OR STICK AROUND.
BUT, UH, NOTHING WOULD BE AS EXCITING AS WHAT WE JUST EXPERIENCED, BUT THANK YOU.
WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO COMMUNICATIONS.
DO ANY OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING THAT THEY'D LIKE TO SHARE? I DO.
SO WHEN I STARTED, I, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WAS LOOK BACK OVER ALL THE DIFFERENT MEETINGS AND THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED.
AND I HAVE BEEN FORWARDING THOSE QUESTIONS TO THE FOLKS WHO COULD ANSWER THEM.
SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP WAS TEST PITS AND WHETHER WE WOULD HAVE A WITNESS.
SO GOING FORWARD, WE WILL HAVE A WITNESS FOR EVERYTHING.
AND IN THE LAST SET THAT WERE DONE, UM, ALSO WERE WITNESS BY CRYSTAL'S COMPANY.
UM, SO I DID ASK HIM FOR A BRIEF STATEMENT THAT I COULD READ.
SO FORGIVE ME FOR READING THIS, BUT I WANNA GET IT WORD FOR WORD.
UM, SO IN REFERENCE TO TEST PITS SOIL BORINGS AT MEDFORD AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITES IN REFERENCE TO PARK VIEW AT MEDFORD, THE PRELIMINARY TEST SITES, SOIL BORINGS, WERE COMPLETED ON FEBRUARY 13TH, 2026.
THEY WERE WITNESSED BY MY OFFICE.
AGAIN, THIS IS FROM CHRIS KNOWLES HIMSELF.
THESE RESULTS WERE, WILL BE UTILIZED TO REFINE THE CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE PERFORMED AND WITNESSED BY THIS OFFICE DURING THE DESIGN STAGES.
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THE REPORTS OF ILLEGAL DUMPING OF FILL MATERIAL ON THE SITE DATE FROM 2019 WERE NOTED AND WE ARE AWARE, A NOTICE OF VIOLATION WAS ISSUED BY THE TOWN AND BY THE NJDP, EXCUSE ME, UM, BY THE TOWN.AND THE N-J-D-E-P WAS NOTIFIED THE N-J-D-E-P IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCE CONS CONSERVATION SERVICE INVESTIGATED THE COMPLAINT AND REQUIRED REMEDIATION, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN STATISTICALLY COMPLETED IN 2020.
MY COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS TROLLER SLASH KEY AND CAMP EFS PRELIMINARY TEST PITS.
SOIL BORINGS WERE CONDUCTED MONTHS AGO AND WERE NOT WITNESSED BY THIS OFFICE AS WE DID NOT ASK THEM TO.
UM, WE DID NOT ASK THEM TO START WITNESSING THEM.
THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT GOING FORWARD.
UM, ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR STORM WATER DESIGN PURPOSES AND WILL BE WITNESSED BY THIS OFFICE.
ERI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL BORINGS AS REQUIRED BY MEDFORD ORDINANCE AND STATE REGULATIONS.
AND HE WAS SIGNED CHRISTOPHER J. KNOWLES, UM, TOWNSHIP ENGINEER.
SO THAT DOES ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I BELIEVE WERE MENTIONED IN THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, UM, MEETINGS.
ARE YOU GONNA PUT THAT ON THE WEBSITE? I CAN DEFINITELY DO THAT, YES.
I MEAN, IT'S RECORDED, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A GREAT CALL.
AND THAT, THAT IS, THAT'S BEEN A HOT TOPIC.
OR YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE WE'VE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THAT AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED.
SO WE APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, MR. NOLAN YOURSELF.
YEAH, THANK AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S, THERE'S OVERSIGHT FOR THE TOWNSHIP ON THOSE TESTS.
NOT JUST, WE'RE NOT JUST GONNA TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT.
WE ARE NOT JUST TAKING THEIR WORDS FOR IT.
UM, I JUST HAD A, A FEW, UH, RANDOM'S A FUNNY WORD THAT IT'S ACTUALLY RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS DAY.
UM, SO JIM
UM, BUT
I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION.
AND THEN OBVIOUSLY YESTERDAY WAS PRESIDENT'S DAY.
UM, EVERYBODY, UM, HOPEFULLY ENJOYED THAT DAY AND WAS ABLE TO REFLECT ON DIFFERENT LEVELS OF, UM, GOVERNMENT AND, AND HOW WE CAN SERVE AND GIVE BACK.
AND, UM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE COMING UP IN MARCH.
THERE'S A FEW, YOU KNOW, BIG EVENTS THAT WILL START HAPPENING AND WE'LL, WE WILL NOTE THEM AT LATER MEETINGS.
NEXT UP IS SCHEDULING ITEMS. OUR NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETINGS FOR MARCH 3RD, UH, 2026 IS A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HERE AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AT SIX 30.
AND THEN OUR MARCH 17TH MEETING, WHICH WILL BE OUR FIRST TOWN HALL MEETING, IS CURRENTLY SLATED TO BE AT THIS BUILDING, THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AT SIX 30.
[V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
NOW WE HAVE APPROVAL OF MINUTES OR WE HAVE TWO JANUARY 2ND, 2026 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AND FEBRUARY 3RD, 2026.DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE MINUTES? NO.
SEEING NONE, THEY HAVE A MOTION.
WHEN ARE APPROVED, YOU SAY JANUARY 2ND OR JANUARY 20.
DEPUTY MAYOR BOIZ, THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES WAS IN REFERENCE TO THE JANUARY 20TH, 2026.
UM, AM I RIGHT? WE HAVE NO DISCUSSION ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.
[VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
COMMENTS SECTION.I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE GIFT WE'RE ABOUT TO DO ACROSS THE WORLD.
COUNTLESS PEOPLE STILL DREAM OF THE FREEDOMS. WE HAVE FREEDOMS THAT SO MANY BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES TO DEFEND THESE RIGHTS.
WERE WE EXERCISED TONIGHT? TO SPEAK OPENLY, TO DISAGREE RESPECTFULLY, AND TO BE HEARD BY OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOT JUST PRIVILEGES, THEY ARE INALIENABLE GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS PAID FOR, AND COURAGE AND SACRIFICE.
LET US HONOR THAT BY ENGAGING EACH OTHER WITH STABILITY, WITH RESPECT, AND WITH A SHARED COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
I'LL ASK MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE, UM, IF I MAY GIVE AN EXTRA MINUTE TO SIGNIFICANT SPEAKERS IF NEEDED.
UM, SO I'LL ASK MR. HORWELL TO KEEP THE TIME, PROVIDE ME A ONE MINUTE WARNING, FOUR MINUTES IN.
UM, AND I ASK THAT THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HOLD THEIR COMMENTS UNLESS THEY'RE QUESTIONED DIRECTLY BY THE MEMBERS THAT ARE THE, THE PUBLIC THAT'S SPEAKING.
AND THEN AT THAT TIME, WE CAN DECIDE TO PAUSE OR ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AT THE END.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND YOU'LL BE CALLED THE MICROPHONE.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ANY PORTION OF YOUR ADDRESS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE, AND PLEASE SPEAK LOUDLY AND CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.
MY NAME IS TOM, MORE LIVE AT 2 72
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CHURCH ROAD, MEDFORD.I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT TO ADVISE AND WARN OF THE POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC EFFECT THAT THE THREE HIGH DENSITY HOUSING UNITS WILL CAUSE AND HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE STORM WATER RUNOFF AROUND KIRBY'S MILL.
KIRBY'S MILL IS BY, IS ON ON CHURCH ROAD BY THE DAM ON THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH OF THE RAND COCUS.
THIS AREA IS THE LOWEST ELEVATION POINT IN MEDFORD.
MOST OF THE STORM WATER IN MEDFORD EVENTUALLY ENDS UP AT THIS SITE.
CURRENTLY, THIS AREA HAS FLOODS APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FIVE TIMES PER YEAR.
EVERY TIME THE WATER GOES OVER CHURCH ROAD, THE COUNTY BLOCKS OFF THE ROAD FROM ALL TRAFFIC.
AND IT ISN'T TO KEEP THE VEHICLES FROM STALLING OUT ON THE ROAD.
IT'S BECAUSE OF FEAR THAT CHURCH ROAD WILL COLLAPSE DUE TO THE, DUE TO THE WATER THAT'S SEEPING AROUND AND UNDER THE DAM.
NOW WE HAVE THREE LARGE HIGH DENSITY HOUSING UNITS BEING PROPOSED, TWO OF WHICH ARE RIGHT NEXT TO THE MILL.
THE STORM WATER RUNOFF WILL INCREASE DRASTICALLY DUE TO THESE THREE DEVELOPMENTS.
THE INCREASE WILL DRASTICALLY INCREASE BECAUSE OF THE HARD SURFACES OF COVERINGS FROM THE MILES OF ROADS THAT'LL BE PART OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, THE PARKING LOTS, SIDEWALKS, AND THE ROOFS OF OVER 1000 FACILITIES.
OUR COALITION HAS ASKED FOUR ENGINEERING FIRMS WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE IN REGARDING THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE EFFECT THAT THEY WILL HAVE.
AND EACH ONE CAME UP WITH THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT THESE THREE DEVELOPMENTS WILL CAUSE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN STORM WATER RUNOFF.
NO MATTER HOW MANY RETENTION PONDS ARE PUT IN.
KIRBY'S MILL COMPLEX AREA IS THE MOST HISTORIC AREA IN MEDFORD.
THERE ARE 18 HISTORIC STRUCTURES WITHIN A STONE'S THROW OF THE MILL.
THE MILL ITSELF, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS THE SYMBOL OF MEDFORD AND GETS FLOODED EVERY TIME IT RAINS HARD.
NOW, EACH TIME CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FOUNDATION WITH THE DRASTIC INCREASE OF POTENTIAL FLOODING KIRBY'S MILL AND SEVERAL SURROUNDING HISTORIC SITES WILL BE IN JEOPARDY OF COLLAPSING THE MEDFORD CREST BEHIND YOU.
WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A NEW WORDS PUT ACROSS IT THAT SAYS, IN MEMORY OF, AS HORRIBLE AS THIS SOUNDS, RIGHT BEHIND THE MILL IS THE MEDFORD SEWER PLANT AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY THAT PROCESSES A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF MEDFORD SEWER WASTE.
THE THOUGHT OF THE SEWER PLANT BEING FLOODED IS MIND BOGGLING.
THE DAMAGE THAT AND CLEANUP WOULD BE OVERWHELMING.
THE CONTAMINATION WOULD TRAVEL DOWN.
THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH OF THE RCO IS ALL THE WAY TO THE RAMCO IS RIVER CAUSING MASSIVE DAMAGE TO EVERY MUNICIPALITY ALONG THE WAY.
AND WHO WILL BE LIABLE FOR THAT CLEANUP? I FEEL IT'S GOING TO BE MEDFORD BECAUSE YOU KNEW IN ADVANCE AND HAVE BEEN
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WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF THIS STORMWATER RUNOFF, BUT STILL APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENTS.SIR, WE'RE GONNA GRANT ONE EXTRA.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGES THAT MEDFORD COULD BE LIABLE FOR ANYBODY WATCHING THE NEWS REALIZES THAT GLOBAL WARMING HAS BEEN INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STORMS END THEIR INTENSITY JUST WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
STORMS HAVE CAUSED TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO OUR COUNTRY.
IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT I'VE LEARNED BY VIEWING THE RESULTS OF THESE STORMS IS NEVER, I MEAN, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF WATER.
MS. P*****K, WOULD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NEXT? NO.
MR. SCHIFFER? I DID YOU ONLY GET FOUR MINUTES, SO I'M SORRY.
I LIVE AT 2 0 9 TOLTON BOULEVARD.
AND I WROTE THIS BEFORE I WAS AWARE THAT IT WAS ACT OF KINDNESS DAY.
IS THAT WHAT YOU SAYING,
WELL, I'M SORRY I CAN'T OH, I, I CROSSED AT LEAST GO.
HOW ABOUT AN EASY DAY, BUT GO EASY ON COUNT DAY.
I CROSSED SOME THINGS OUT IN HERE AFTER YOU SAID THAT.
SO I WROTE THIS STUFF DOWN SO I DON'T LOSE MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT.
THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THE GENTLEMAN TO MY RIGHT, MR. HORAL GAVE A DETAILED LIST OF STATISTICS REGARDING THE MEDFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ATTEMPT AT A ENFORCEMENT OF THE SPEED LIMIT ON TAUNTON BOULEVARD.
ONE STATISTIC STATED THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE ACCIDENT ON TAUNTON BOULEVARD IN RECENT MEMORY THAT RESULTED IN BODILY INJURY.
AND THAT RAISES THE QUESTION, IS THE BENCHMARK FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE SPEED LIMIT ON TAUNTON BOULEVARD NOW MEASURED BY HOW MUCH BLOOD IS SPILLED ON THE STREET, DISREGARDING THE RESIDENCE AND THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE? IS THAT NO LONGER IMPORTANT? YOU MIGHT WANNA THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE SPEWING OUT NUMBERS THAT HA HAVE TO DATE HAVE FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM ON TON BOULEVARD.
IN THE SIX YEARS SINCE I APPROACHED THE TOWNSHIP ABOUT THE EXCEPTION SPEEDING ON TOM BOULEVARD, SEVERAL THINGS HAVE OCCURRED.
ONE, THE AVERAGE SPEED ON 85 PERCENTILE THROUGH OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD HAS INCREASED.
OBVIOUSLY, THE 15% OF ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS ON TOON BOULEVARD HAVE FAILED.
AND MUCH LIKE THE PHILLIES WHO RUN IT BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR, MEDFORD TOWNSHIP CONTINUES TO RUN IT BACK BY PROMOTING WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SPITE OF THESE FAILURES, MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR SOME NEW BLOOD TO BE BROUGHT IN TO GET THE OVERT SPEEDING ISSUES THROUGHOUT THIS TOWNSHIP UNDER CONTROL.
THE OLD APPROACH IS NOT WORKING.
SECONDLY, WE CONTINUE FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME, ALMOST LITERALLY TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION.
WHY AREN'T CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES TICKETED FOR SPEEDING ON TAUNTON BOULEVARD? THE SAME GOES FOR ANY OTHER LARGE VEHICLE ON OUR ROADWAY.
WE HAVE TO TOLERATE THESE VEHICLES DAY AFTER DAY, UPWARDS OF 180 A DAY OVER 40 FEET, OKAY? 180 OVER 40 FEET EVERY SINGLE DAY.
BUT THE FACT THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO TOLERATE THEM SPEEDING IS UNACCEPTABLE.
I TOLD CHIEF WATERMAN YEARS AGO THAT IF HE WOULD JUST HAVE HIS OFFICERS TICKET, SEVERAL TRUCK DRIVERS, SOMEBODY'S GONNA LOSE THEIR TICKET TO DRIVE FOR SPEEDING.
THAT WORD WOULD GET OUT NOT TO SPEED ON TAUNTON BOULEVARD, AND THAT HAS NEVER OCCURRED.
INSTEAD, WE LOOK FOR METHODS TO SLAP BANDAIDS ON THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF GOING DIRECTLY AT IT.
IN CLOSING, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S PATHETIC THAT THE RESIDENTS OF LAKE PINE, MANY OF WHOM ARE ELDERLY AND ON FIXED INCOMES, HAD TO FIND IT NECESSARY TO PURCHASE SIGNS TO CURB THE SPEEDING ON OUR ROADWAY.
YOU'VE ALL SEEN THEM, BUT THEY'RE NOW ALL PLOWED UNDER THE SNOW.
BUT WE HAVE MORE, I HAVE 50 NEW ONES ON MY FRONT PORCH THAT ARE GONNA GO OUT AS SOON AS THE SNOW IS GONE.
WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? DO WE NEED TO POLICE THE ROADWAY OURSELVES? DO I NEED TO GO OUT THERE AND START STOPPING TRUCKS? SPRING WILL SOON BE HERE, AND WE'LL WANT TO OPEN OUR WINDOWS.
IT WON'T BE LONG UNTIL THE COLLECTIVE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL ONCE AGAIN BE UP IN ARMS AND WE'LL BE HERE AT THESE MEETINGS.
IT'S HARD TO GET PEOPLE OUT WHEN THE WEATHER'S BAD AND COLD.
I'D LIKE TO CLOSE BY ASKING COUNCILMAN
[00:35:01]
COX IF HE HAS HAD ANY ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE WITH THE FINE FOLKS IN EVESHAM TOWNSHIP ABOUT OUR REQUEST FOR WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.AND I'LL STICK AROUND AND HOPEFULLY YOU'LL GET A CHANCE TO ANSWER THAT AFTER THE MEETING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND HAPPY ACT OF KINDNESS DAY
MS. LUCAS, IS THAT OKAY, MS. HOLLOWAY, YOU'LL BE NEXT.
MARY LUCAS, 2 0 7 TAUNTON BOULEVARD, MEDFORD.
UM, A COUPLE THINGS AND SORT OF FOLLOWING UP ON JIM, AND, AND MAYBE MY TONE WILL BE DIFFERENT, BUT THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME.
AND I'VE HAD THIS THOUGHT ALL DAY TODAY THAT BUREAUCRACY SHOULD NOT BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO GOOD GOVERNMENT.
AND THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE DIFFERENT ENTITIES ARE WORKING ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
SOME ARE WORKING ON OUR, BUT THE BUREAUCRACY SHOULD NOT BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO GOOD GOVERNMENT IN GETTING THINGS DONE.
UM, THE PROBLEM WORSENS ON TOTTON BOULEVARD SINCE WE'VE HAD THE SNOW, AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS, THERE'S NO SHOULDER TO THAT ROAD TO GET THE MAIL.
I HAVE TO WALK OUT LITERALLY IN THE STREET DOWN A WAYS TO THE MAILBOX AND HOPE I DON'T GET HIT.
IN THE MEANWHILE, THE SPEEDING INCREASES, THE LANES ARE NARROWER BECAUSE THERE'S STILL SNOW ON THE EDGE OF THE ROADWAY.
SO IT'S, IT'S, IT'S DEFINITELY STILL A PROBLEM.
AND I GUESS THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IS, AND JIM ALLUDED TO IT OR SPOKE TO IT, IS THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONSEQUENCE FOR THIS MEETING.
UM, I PROPOSE THAT THE COUNCIL PREPARE A RESOLUTION TO BE SENT TO THE COUNTY AND ALSO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ON OUR BEHALF THAT WILL ASK THEM TO MOVE ON.
THIS NOTION OF GETTING THE SPEED RESTRICTIONS AND THE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE NEED THAT SUPPORT.
WE WE'RE NOT GONNA RELY ON WHETHER ISHA DECIDES THEY WANNA PARTICIPATE OR THEY DON'T.
WE CAN'T, I BELIEVE MEDFORD IS A COMMUNITY CAN STAND TOLL FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.
AND I BELIEVE THIS IS ACTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AND SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, I ALSO OFFER MY DRIVEWAY TO HAVE THE POLICE OFFICERS STAY DURING THE NIGHT TO OBSERVE THE SPEEDING THAT OCCURS EVERY NIGHT FROM ONE O'CLOCK TO FIVE O'CLOCK, HUGE TRUCKS COME RATTLE THE HOMES AND THERE'S NO CONSEQUENCE.
AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE FRUSTRATION, YOU KNOW, AND AS JIM SAID, IF A COUPLE OF TRUCKS GOT TICKETED, MAYBE IT MIGHT SLOW THINGS DOWN OR AT LEAST MAKE THEM AWARE THAT THERE'S, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.
AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE DON'T SEE THAT.
AND WE ARE JUST, YOU KNOW, KIND OF VICTIMS NOW BECAUSE NOTHING'S REALLY HAPPENING WITH THAT.
AND IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, I WORKED IN GOVERNMENT MY WHOLE CAREER, SO I ALWAYS KNOW GOVERNMENT'S LOOKING FOR A BOTTOM LINE.
THERE'S NO BOTTOM LINE ON CHANGING THE SPEED LIMIT.
THERE'S NO BOTTOM LINE ON POSTING WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
SO I HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SOME ACTION.
MR. BARGA, IF I MAY, UM, JUST IN OUR DEBRIEF WITH MR. MCGUCKIN, IF WE COULD BRING TO HIS ATTENTION A POTENTIAL RESOLUTION TO BE DRAFTED ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL TO THE ENTITIES AND MRS. LUCAS RECOMMENDS ABSOLUTELY.
NO, THAT'S NOT, UM, I KNOW YOURSELF AND ONE OTHER, BUT WE'RE GONNA LET YOU GO FIRST.
WHY DON'T THEY GIVE OUT MORE TICKETS THERE? UM, TICKETING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE AS COUNSEL ALLOWED TO DICTATE.
UM, IT IS THE MOST, UM, AND I DON'T WANT TO MISSPEAK, BUT I THINK IT'S, SIR, DO YOU MIND IF I ASK YOU THE, THE PROPER TERMIN KNOWLEDGE HERE? IT'S THE MOST TRAFFIC PATROLLED ROAD IN MEDFORD, IS THAT CORRECT? BASED ON THE STATISTICS? YES.
SO WE HAVE THE HIGHEST PRESENCE OF METFORD POLICE.
BEFORE WE CHANGE THE SUBJECT THOUGH, UH, MR. HORNO BOOK, COULD YOU PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY THAT WE PULLED FROM THE LAST MEETING? YEAH, CERTAINLY.
I DID, UH, COMMUNICATE WITH THE COUNTY AND I'VE HAD, UM, OUR ENGINEER, CHRIS NOLL, COMMUNICATE WITH THE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY HAS THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND BELOW
[00:40:01]
THE COUNTY ENGINEER IS THE COUNTY TRAFFIC ENGINEER.SO THE TRAFFIC ENGINEER IS THE ONE THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR, UH, THE SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT.
HE WAS OUT VACATION LAST WEEK.
I'M TOLD HE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.
HE WANTS TO REVIEW THE SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT ONE LAST TIME AND THEN GET IT ON THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONER'S AGENDA.
SO WE'RE OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN HAVE IT HERE FOR THE MARCH 3RD MEETING.
MY NAME IS MARYANNE HOLLOWAY AND I'M GONNA BE POINTING OUT SOME SPECIFICS AND THERE MAY BE QUESTIONS AND THERE MAY BE ANSWERS.
UM, L 1 71 DASH 25 THAT WAS, UM, THERE WAS A MEDIATION AGREEMENT AND, UH, A SETTLEMENT SIGNED BY JUDGE BOOKBINDER ON PAGE SIX OF THAT SETTLEMENT.
SORRY, THE SETTLEMENT RECOMME, THE PROGRAM SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDATION SIGNED BY JUDGE BOOK FINDER STATES THAT THEY GRANT THE MUNICIPALITY CONTINUE PROTECTION OF LAW AND IMMUNITY FROM EXCLUSIONARY ZONING LITIGATION AND FOR THE DURATION OF THE COMPLIANCE PROCESS CONDITIONED UPON THE MUNICIPALITY'S COMPLIANCE WITH ITS ORDER AND GOOD FAITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AMENDED HESSA HEF AND GOOD FAITH PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPLIANCE PROCESS, WHICH YOU ARE IN.
YOU ARE IN A STATE OF STRICT COMPLIANCE PAGE.
ONE OF THE MEDIATION AGREEMENT STATES THAT MEDFORD'S PRESENT NEED IS 69 UNITS.
THE REST OF THE UNITS DO NOT HAVE TO BE PLANNED OR RUSHED AND THE TOWN SHOULD NOT COMMIT TO A DEVELOPER WHEN IT DOES NOT HAVE TO AT THIS TIME.
ON PAGE 24, IT STATES THAT THE FOURTH ROUND NEED THE TOWNSHIP PLANS TO SUBMIT AN EXTERNAL HOUSING SURVEY TO REDUCE THE PRESENT NEED OBLIGATION UPON RESOLUTION OF THE PRESENT NEED OBLIGATION.
THE TOWNSHIP WILL PROVIDE MECHANISMS OF COMPLIANCE INCLUDING FUNDING REHABILITATION MARKET TO AFFORDABLE AND ALTERNATIVES.
I ASK THAT ALL THE ABOVE IS CONTAINED IN THE MEDIATION AND SIGNED AGREEMENTS FILED WITH THE COURTS.
WHAT IS THE RUSH ON DESIGNATING A DEVELOPER THAT NOT ONLY HURTS THE RESIDENTS OF EFFORT, IT LEGALLY TRIGGERS OTHER MECHANISMS THAT FAVOR THE DESIGNATED DEVELOPER AND HURTS THE TOWNSHIP AND IN FACT COULD CAUSE UNNECESSARY LITIGATION.
THERE'S ALSO A STIPULATION ON PAGE 20.
THE TOWNSHIP BY FEBRUARY 15TH, 2026 AND ANNUALLY AGREES TO ELECTRONICALLY ENTER DATA INTO THE M-A-M-H-S SYSTEM OF THE DCA OF UP-TO-DATE MUNICIPAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE UNITS ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED CONSTRUCTION OF START DATES, CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES GRANTED, AND THE START AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE DEED RESTRICTIONS.
HAS THIS HAPPENED AFTER ALL THE ABOVE ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING IS A RESOLUTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
YOU SHOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC WHAT CONTRACT IS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED.
SO I'M ASKING WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT ON THE TABLE TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? IS IT DIRECTLY CONCERNING THE NAME NAMING OF A REDEVELOPER? I ALSO WANNA ASK IF WE HAVE THE 69 UNITS.
THIS COUNCIL HAS SAID REPEATEDLY THAT THEY ARE SINCERE IN EXTENDING THE DEED RESTRICTIONS.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK THAT THOSE DEED RESTRICTION EXTENSIONS DO NOT APPLY TO ROUND FOUR AFTER A LENGTHY ANALYSIS OF THE ALL OF THE STATE LEGISLATION, THE LAWS, THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
IN FACT, THEY DO APPLY TO ROUND FOUR.
NOT ONLY DO THEY APPLY TO ROUND FOUR, THE LEGISLATION HIGHLY SUGGESTS THAT THE TOWNSHIPS DO THIS TO MITIGATE HAVING TO BUILD EXCESSIVE HOUSING.
SO THEY PUT THAT IN THE LEGISLATION TO HELP.
I HAVE THE ANALYSIS, I HAVE GONE TO TWO ATTORNEYS, I HAVE ASKED TO MAKE SURE IT'S CORRECT STATEMENT.
IT'S, UM, I KNOW THAT THE NEW COUNSEL PEOPLE, MS. FORHE, MR. COX, ARE WORKING VERY HARD ON THE EXTENSIONS.
I HAVE EXERTED A LOT OF ENERGY INTO HAVING THIS HAPPEN.
UM, BUT I'M ASKING IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION TONIGHT, ARE YOU DISCUSSING NAMING A REDEVELOPER? I DON'T BELIEVE WE ABLE TO DISCUSS, SO WE'RE NOT YES, MR. MAY, WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DISCUSS WHAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
UM, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, I CAN RESPOND TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE MEDIATION AGREEMENT AS WELL AS THE IMPACT OF THE REVISED REGULATIONS, ACCOUNTS OBLIGATIONS ON ROUND FOUR, AS WELL AS THIS CONVERSATION
[00:45:01]
ABOUT THE ABILITY TO DE RESTRICT THE PREVIOUSLY DEED RESTRICTED.SO I CAN PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON THAT RIGHT NOW IF YOU'D LIKE.
OR WE CAN WAIT YEAH, UNTIL YOU YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MS. HOLLOWAY I'M DONE.
AND WE'VE SHE'S GOT 45 SECONDS LEFT.
UM, DEPUTY MAYOR VOIZ, WOULD YOU LIKE MR. VARGA? I WOULD, YEAH.
SO FIRST I WANNA TALK ABOUT THE, WELL, THE H-E-F-S-P FOR EVERYBODY THAT IS THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN.
EVERY MUNICIPALITY IS REQUIRED BY STATE.
I GET YELLED AT FOR DOING THIS FOR SIX YEARS AT THE ZONING BOARD
SO EVERY MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A HOUSING ELEMENT IN FAIR SHARE PLAN.
THERE ARE CERTAIN OPTIONAL ELEMENTS FOR EVERY MASTER PLAN AND THERE'S ABOUT SIX OF THEM THAT ARE REQUIRED.
THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN IS REQUIRED.
IT'S TECHNICALLY BEEN REQUIRED SINCE 1978 WHEN THE FIRST MOUNT LAUREL DECISION CAME OUT.
IT'S FOLLOWED BY 1985 WHEN THE SECOND MOUNT LAUREL DECISION CAME OUT.
AND SINCE THEN, THE STATE HAS EVOLVED INTO A EVER-CHANGING VERSION OF REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE.
UM, THE PARAGRAPH I, I BELIEVE, UM, YOU MENTIONED IT WAS ON PAGE FOUR, BUT IT DEALS WITH THE PERIOD OF REPOSE, WHICH IS THE IMMUNITY FROM LAWSUIT.
NOW WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IF THE TOWNSHIP DOES NOT COMPLY AND IMPLEMENT THIS HOUSING ELEMENT IN FAIR SHARE PLAN AND SHOW TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HOW IT INTENDS TO SATISFY ITS ITS OBLIGATION BOTH PRESENT AND PROPOSED, THEN A BUILDER CAN COME IN AND FILE WHAT'S CALLED A BUILDER'S REMEDY LAWSUIT.
AND IF THEY HAVE A PARCEL OF PROPERTY, SAY IN DOWNTOWN MEDFORD THAT THEY WANT TO PUT ON A FIVE STORY APARTMENT BUILDING AND THEY PREVAIL UNDER A BUILDER'S REMEDY BECAUSE THIS FIVE STORY APARTMENT BUILDING IS GONNA PROVIDE AND SATISFY THE TOWNSHIP'S AFFORDABLE OBLIGATION, THEY GET IT.
IT'S AN ABILITY TO STRIP THE TOWNSHIP AWAY FROM HAVING AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE ITS OWN ZONING REGULATION.
SO IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN YOU ARE ADDRESSING THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN, THAT YOU, YOU DO IT.
AND YOU ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY SHOW AND ESTABLISH HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SATISFY YOUR PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE NEED.
SO THERE WAS A COMMENT ABOUT WHY ARE WE RUSHING INTO THIS? WHY ARE WE DESIGNATING A REDEVELOPER? WELL, THE TOWNSHIPS, THE WAY THE TOWNSHIP HAS NEGOTIATED WITH THE FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER WHO OBJECTED TO YOUR PROPOSED PLAN BACK IN AUGUST WAS TO UTILIZE THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
SO AS A CONDITION OF BEING ALLOWED TO BE ESSENTIALLY CLOAKED IN WHAT WE CALL THIS PERIOD OF REPOSE, WE HAVE TO SHOW HOW WE ARE USING THIS REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND PROVE TO THE COURT BY TECHNICALLY MARCH 15TH, SHOULD WE NOT GET A EX EXTENSION, THAT THESE THREE PROPERTIES WILL SATISFY OUR PERSPECTIVE AND REASONABLE NEED FOR BOTH.
SO IT'S NOT SO MUCH AS A, WE'RE OPTIONALLY RUSHING INTO IT IS YOU HAVE A CHOICE.
YOU DO IT THE WAY REQUIRED BY THE LAW, WHICH IS TO, IN THIS CASE, WE'RE USING THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
OR ALTERNATIVELY, YOU RISK BEING STRIPPED OF YOUR ABILITY TO ENFORCE YOUR ZONING REGULATIONS.
MEANING THIS, ANY TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE IN THIS, ANYWHERE IN THE TOWN.
YOU LOSE YOUR RIGHT, YOUR PLANNING BOARD BECOMES NULL AND VOID.
YOUR ZONING BOARD BECOMES NULL AND VOID.
IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO COMPLY WITH.
AN EXAMPLE IS THE BOROUGH OF ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, WHICH I UNFORTUNATELY KNOW ABOUT BECAUSE I GOT INVOLVED AFTER THE MATTER, AFTER THEIR ZONING BOARD AND PLANNING BOARD WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR AUTHORITY.
'CAUSE THEY REFUSED TO IMPLEMENT THEIR THIRD ROUND OBLIGATION.
THEY STOOD FIRM AND SAID, WE'RE NOT HAVING ANY AFFORDABLES, WE DON'T NEED IT.
UTILIZE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
SO THE JUDGE IN THAT CASE STRIPPED THE TOWN OF ITS PLANNING AUTHORITY, APPOINTED A SPECIAL MASTER, AND EVERY PLANNING APPLICATION GOES TO THAT SPECIAL MASTER FOR APPROVAL.
SO THE WAY THE PLAN IS SET UP NOW, AND THE WAY YOUR PROPOSAL IS SET UP IS TO AVOID THAT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.
UM, THE LAST COMMENT I BELIEVE WAS DE DEED RESTRICTION.
AND IF I MISS ANYTHING, PLEASE ASK ME AND I WILL CERTAINLY HIT THAT AS WELL.
SO WITH RESPECT TO THE DEED RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE CURRENT REVISED REGULATIONS, COULD YOU TECHNICALLY GO OUT AND ACQUIRE NEW PROPERTIES TO DEED RESTRICT AND PAY FOR THEM TO BE DEED RESTRICTED? YES.
AND THERE'S A, OH, I BELIEVE IT'S 40 YEARS NOW.
UNDER THE CURRENT IT WAS EITHER 30 OR 40.
UM, AND YOU COULD GO OUT AND TECHNICALLY FIND 469 UNITS.
WELL, THE WAY THE HOUSING ELEMENT'S BEEN PREPARED AND THE WAY IT'S WE'RE UTILIZING THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS, THAT ABILITY IS LONG GONE AND PASSED.
WE HAVE UNTIL MARCH 15TH TO PROVE AND SATISFY.
YOU ALSO CANDIDLY, DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE.
THERE'S $356,000 AVAILABLE IN THE AFFORDABLE TRUST FUND.
UM, IT WILL TAKE MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DEED RESTRICT EVERYTHING.
NOW, ALSO, ALL THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY DEED RESTRICTED, YOU CANNOT UTILIZE THOSE TO SATISFY YOUR FOURTH ROUND.
NOR COULD YOU NOW, NOR CAN YOU NOW SAY IT'S A DEED RESTRICTION THAT IS EXPIRING DURING THE FOURTH ROUND, THEN REINFORCE THAT AS A NEW DEED
[00:50:01]
RESTRICTION.THIS MAY BE A REMEDY THAT'S AVAILABLE TO YOU IN THE FIFTH ROUND, BUT IT IS NOT TRUE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.
IF, IF I MAY JUST ASK FOR CLARIFICATION.
SO IF A DEED IS EXP DEED RESTRICTION IS EXPIRING WITHIN THE TERM OF THE FOURTH ROUND, WOULD THOSE BE ABLE TO BE DEED RESTRICTED FOR 40 MORE YEARS TO SATISFY A FOURTH ROUND NUMBER? FOURTH ROUND WOULD BE 30.
SO I'M GONNA STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH COUNSEL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S HAPPENED IS UNDER NJSA 52, WAIT, I MEAN, JUST, I'LL GIVE YOU THE EXTRA MINUTE, BUT WE'RE JUST GONNA GO ONE EXTRA.
WHAT? ALL RIGHT, LET ME, LET ME JUST CUT TO THE CHASE.
THE LEGAL AND RE REGULATORY FINDINGS, YOU CAN IMMEDIATELY COUNT THE CREDITS FOR THE DEED, EXTENDED DEED RESTRICTIONS IN THE FOURTH ROUND.
IT IS PART OF THE LEGISLATION.
IT IS CONTAINED IN IT AND IT IS EMPHASIZED.
I'M, I COULD READ IT TO YOU, COUNSEL IS MISSTATING SOMETHING AND I'M GONNA STRONGLY OBJECT TO WHAT HE'S MISS.
I CAN READ AND SO CAN OTHER PEOPLE AND I'LL BE GLAD TO GIVE IT TO YOU SO YOU CAN READ IT ALSO.
AS FAR AS THE BUILDER'S REMEDY, THE METHOD IS RIGHT NOW IN STRICT COMPLIANCE.
BY MARCH 15TH, THE ZONING HAD TO BE DONE, WHICH YOU AND THE PROCESS OF DOING, YOU'VE ALREADY DONE IT.
IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT NAMING A REDEVELOPER.
YOU WILL BE IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WHEN YOU REZONE THAT PROPERTY.
IT DOESN'T, YOU ONLY HAVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED OF 69.
IT'S CONTAINED IN THE LITIGATION.
SO I'M, I'M DISAGREEING WITH THE COUNSEL AGAIN, RESPECTFULLY.
SO I, I WILL PROVIDE THE PAPERWORK, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT LEGALLY IT'S UNDERSTOOD THERE'S NO REASON TO DO THIS.
AND BY DOING IT, YOU'RE HURTING THE TOWN.
SO I THINK EVERYBODY KIND OF KNOWS THAT I DON'T SHOOT FROM THE HIP THAT I RESEARCH, I READ IT THIS, I DON'T PULL THIS STUFF OUT OF THE AIR.
SO, UM, ALTHOUGH I RESPECTFULLY, STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH YOU, I DO HOPE THAT YOU READ IT YOURSELF AND NOT JUST TAKE A STATEMENT AS AS GOSPEL.
MAYOR, CAN I, I HAVE A QUESTION.
AND YOU GO FOR IF I MAY GO AHEAD.
WE HAVE GIVEN YOU YOUR, YOUR FINAL QUESTION.
I, I'M, I'M, SO WE'LL, WE'LL CONTINUE TO CONVENE YEP.
WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT BUILDER'S REMEDY MM-HMM
HOW, HOW IS THE BUILDER INVOLVED? DOES HE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE COURTS? IS THE BUILDER THE ONE WHO ORIGINALLY, UH, MADE AN OFFER? HOW DOES THAT WORK? WHO IS THE BUILDER? SO YOU HAVE NOT MADE, IF IT'S, LET'S SAY JUST, I'M GONNA SAY SOME POLL BROTHERS FOR EXAMPLE.
SO LET'S ASSUME YOU DIDN'T, YOU WERE NOT WHO ARE COMPLIANT, I'M SORRY.
LET'S ASSUME YOU WERE NOT IN COMPLIANCE.
AND TOLL BROTHERS APPLIED FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND THEY GOT DENIED.
THEN THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO TO COURT AND SUE FOR THAT PLANNED DEVELOPMENT UNDER THEIR BUILDER'S REMEDY VERSION OF A LAWSUIT.
AND AT WHICH POINT, IF THE COURT FOUND THAT YOU ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH YOUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING OBLIGATION, THE BUILDER'S REMEDY LAWSUIT WOULD BE GRANTED.
AND AS WOULD THEIR PLAN DEVELOPMENT.
SO THAT COULD BE ANY DEVELOPER, IT COULD BE TOLL BROTHERS, IT COULD BE PAT VARGA CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
IT COULD BE ANYBODY THAT IS A DEVELOPER.
AND IF NOT A DEVELOPER PER SE, IT COULD BE JOE SCHMO DOWN THE STREET COMPANY.
I'M SORRY, MAYOR, CAN I ASK A QUESTION TOO, PAT, WOULD WE BE OBLIGATED TO PAY THE DEVELOPER'S, UH, ATTORNEY'S FEES IF THEY HAD TO GO TO COURT? YES.
UNDER, IF IT WAS A BUILDER'S REMEDY LAWSUIT, YOU WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY ATTORNEY'S FEES.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS? I WILL SAY ONE THING.
JUST I SAID THAT, OH, 'CAUSE SHE'S STILL HERE.
UM, YOU WOULD NOTE THAT TWO WEEKS AGO WE REFUSED.
WE WOULD, RAY AND I TABLED, UM, AND AMENDED, SORRY, I DON'T ALWAYS USE THE RIGHT WORDS.
THE OPTION TO NAME A DEVELOPER.
UM, I WILL SAY I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND SPOKE TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT LAWYERS.
AND I WILL RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH YOU ON THE FOURTH VERSUS FIFTH ROUND.
THE GOOD NEWS IS, I'M NOT THE FINAL ANSWER.
WE DO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.
WE'VE ALREADY PUT THE OFFER OUT TO THREE DIFFERENT FOLKS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO US WHO ARE INTERESTED.
WE, THEY ARE PASSIONATE, THEY ARE SINCERE.
AND WE HAVE OUR FIRST MEETING ALREADY SET UP.
SO WE ARE LOOKING INTO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
IT'S A VERY SINCERE STATEMENT.
WHEN I SAY TO YOU, WE ARE LOOKING AT IT, WE ARE NOT JUST BLINDLY FOLLOWING, JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID TO ME, DEPUTY MAYOR VHE, YOU NEED TO VOTE.
[00:55:01]
YES.I'LL SAY, NO,
THIS GROUP, EVERYONE I'VE TALKED TO ON THIS GROUP IS NOT THE SAME GROUP THAT USED TO SIT UP HERE.
THEY ARE LISTENING, THEY ARE HEARING, THEY'RE RESEARCHING, WE ARE TRYING.
BUT TO SOME DEGREE, OUR HANDS ARE TIED.
AND ON THOSE AREAS WE'RE STUCK.
BUT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, I WANT MY KIDS TO COME BACK HERE.
THEY'RE NOT GONNA COME BACK HERE IF IT'S AN OVERGROWN HIGH DENSITY JUNGLE.
SO IF I GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION ON THE LEGAL ASPECT, I'LL HAPPILY TAKE IT.
READ EVERYTHING YOU GAVE ME LAST TIME.
I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION FROM VARGA SVARGA FOR WE HAVE NOT YET NAMED TO DEVELOP AS A COUNCIL COUNSEL.
ONE OF THE REQUESTS THAT I HAVE IS THAT PRIOR TO A REDEVELOPER BEING NAMED THAT COUNCIL BE PROVIDED THE AGREEMENT OF SALES INDICATING THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS AN AGREEMENT OF SALE WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE, THAT WE ARE INTENDED TO RECEIVE AS, AS THE CONTRACTUAL PURCHASER FOR THE PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT THEY'RE REQUESTING TO BE DESIGNATED AS THE REDEVELOPER? CORRECT? YES.
OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I CAN'T THINK OF A REASON WHY YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO, BUT I'D BE HAPPY JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK IT.
IF I KNEW FOR CERTAIN, I WOULD TELL YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT YES OR NO.
BUT I CAN'T THINK OF A GOOD REASON TO TELL YOU NO RIGHT NOW.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND IF A PROPERTY OWNER HAD AND A DEVELOPER HAVE AN HAVE AN AGREEMENT OF SALE.
BUT IF THERE'S NOT AN AGREEMENT OF SALE, THEN, THEN COUNSEL AND THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO NAME THAT REDEVELOPER, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH AN RFP PROCESS OR SOME OTHER COMPETITIVE PROCESS THAT A REDEVELOPER NAMED.
BUT I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T A, A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REDEVELOPER AND OR THE, THE LANDOWNERS.
ANYONE ELSE? MS. P*****K? OKAY.
KIM P*****K 2 64 CHURCH ROAD, MEDFORD.
SO, BROAD PICTURE WITH REGARD TO THE FOURTH ROUND.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE TRYING TO FIT A SQUARE PEG INTO A ROUND HOLE.
ONCE WE SET THE ARCHITECT'S HOUSING UNIT RENDERINGS ASIDE AND CLOSELY REVIEW FEASIBILITY, IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT THIS IS A BAD PLAN LADEN WITH SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS.
THEREFORE, I'M RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT COUNCIL CONSIDER VACATING THE FOURTH ROUND PLAN.
REFRAIN FROM WASTING ANY MORE PRECIOUS TIME AND RESOURCES AND PIVOT.
FIRST PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD IS THE IMPENDING TRAFFIC.
CLEARLY THE ROADS INTERSECTION, SMALL BRIDGES CAN'T HANDLE THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL VEHICLES DAILY WITH LITTLE NO MODIFICATIONS THAT CAN BE MADE.
THE EXISTING TRAFFIC FLOW AUGMENTED BY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES DAILY WILL RESULT IN GRIDLOCK IN ADDITION TO EVERYONE BEING SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED TO GET WHERE THEY'RE GOING.
HOW WILL CHILDREN GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME? HOW WILL TRAFFIC FLOW WITH SCHOOL BUSES STOPPING PERIODICALLY ALL THE WAY DOWN EACH ROAD? WHAT ABOUT GARBAGE COLLECTION VEHICLES STOPPING AT EVERY HOME MAIL CARRIERS TRAFFIC FLOW WILL BE CRIPPLED.
DOZENS OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CREWS EXIT AND ENTER THE YARD ALL DAY LONG.
BUSY COMPLETING NECESSARY MAINTENANCE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT SERVICES WHEN THE CREWS ARE SITTING IN TRAFFIC FROM THE TIME THEY EXIT THE YARD, AND AGAIN, WHEN THEY RETURN MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY? HOW WILL EMERGENCIES BE AFFECTED IN THESE AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS WHEN POLICE, FIRE AND EMTS CAN'T GET THROUGH THE TRAFFIC WHEN EVERY SECOND COUNTS? WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THERE ARE FUNERAL PROCESSIONS ADDING TO THE ALREADY OVERWHELMING CONCENTRATION OF VEHICLES, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS AS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOURTH ROUND PLAN THAT I WILL GO INTO, DOESN'T THE TRAFFIC IMPASSE IN ITSELF SIGNIFY GAME OVER? MOVING ON.
AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY BE EVALUATING HOW AND AT WHAT COST SOONER THAN RATHER THAN LATER.
THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF WELLS ON THE NORTH SIDE.
THE DEVELOPMENTS WILL NEED WATER AND THERE ARE ONLY TWO HOOKUPS EACH APPROXIMATELY A MILE AND A HALF AWAY.
THE ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO INSTALL THE LINES.
WHO WILL PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION? WATER WILL BE NEEDED FOR DRINKING SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, AND SEWER.
[01:00:01]
BE NEEDED FOR FIRE HYDRANTS REQUIRING PRESSURE OF 500 GALLONS PER MINUTE.WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE THE PRESSURE.
AS ANOTHER QUESTION, IF NOT, WE'LL NEED A WATER TOWER.
WHERE WILL THIS BE CONSTRUCTED? WHO WILL CONSTRUCT IT WHEN AND AT WHAT COST? 24 MILLION.
HOW MUCH WATER WILL WE NEED FROM NEW JERSEY AMERICAN? AND WHAT WILL THAT COST BE? WATER INFRASTRUCTURE WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HOUSES ARE BUILT.
WILL THIS EXCAVATION DISTURB THE SURROUNDING WELLS? WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE ON THE SEWER PLANT? SHOULD WE BE DISCUSSING EXPANSION MODIFICATIONS TO THE PLANT NOW? AND AT WHAT COST? AND WHEN COULD, WHEN WOULD CONSTRUCTION BEGIN? ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DEP ISSUES RELATING TO THESE PARCELS.
AMONG OTHER ISSUES IN QUESTION, THE LAND IS TOO WET AND DUE TO THE TOPOGRAPHY, THE LAND WILL ALWAYS BE TOO WET.
A MOST RECENT EXAMPLE OF THE LAND BEING UNBUILT WELL IS WITH THE FLYING W.
AFTER 10 PLUS YEARS OF LITIGATION AND ENGINEERING PLANS, THE PLANS MUST BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED PER THE DEP.
THE FLYING W IS ACROSS THE STREET.
WHAT MAKES THAT LAND ANY DIFFERENT? ARE WE GONNA GO THROUGH ALL THESE HURDLES AND EXPENSES ONLY TO HAVE THE DEP EVENTUALLY TELL US WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THE LAND IS TOO WET.
KIRBY'S MILL'S LOWEST POINT IN MEDFORD.
EVERYTHING DRAINS DOWN TO THESE PARCELS.
GREAT FOR RAISING CROPS IN LIVESTOCK, BUT NOT FOR BUILDING LOTS OF HOMES, ESPECIALLY STACKED.
DID YOU KNOW THAT HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER FAULTY CONSTRUCTION? ISN'T IT UNCONSCIONABLE TO APPROVE LAYING FOUNDATIONS ON WET SOIL OVERLAID WITH NEW SOIL THAT HASN'T PROPERLY SETTLED? KNOWING THAT THE FOUNDATIONS WILL SETTLE AND COULD FAIL WITHOUT THE EVENTUAL HOMEOWNER BEING AWARE AND THEN NOT HAVING ANY RECOURSE? ANOTHER SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY RISK IS THE FLOODING RISK OF THE SEWER PLANT DUE TO THE PROXIMITY OF THE WATERSHED.
THE SEWER PLANT SITS ON THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH OF THE RAN COCUS AND THE CREEK.
IF THE PLANT ALREADY AT CAPACITY EVER FLOODED, THERE WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES.
IN CONCLUSION, DUE TO THE COMPELLING OVERLYING PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS CITED, I'M REQUESTING COUNSEL FILE A MOTION WITH FAIR SHARE TO VACATE THE FOURTH ROUND PLAN, REQUEST A STAY AND SUBMIT A SAFE FEASIBLE PLAN.
THE PLAN WAS FILED IN HASTE AND IS CRITICALLY FLAWED AND FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED.
IT EXEMPLIFIES BED PLANNING AND PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS, WHICH THE MOUNT LAUREL DOCTRINE DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR.
THE TOWNSHIP IS IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FOUR ROUNDS AND CURRENTLY HAS IMMUNITY FROM BUILDERS REMEDY.
I'M WILLING TO MEET WITH COUNSEL IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REVIEW ALL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ASSEMBLED OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, WHICH WILL ENABLE COUNSEL TO FURTHER DETERMINE NEXT STEPS.
AM I ALLOWED TO ASK A QUESTION? SURE.
UM, I, I'VE WORKED WITH KIM TOO, AND I, I KNOW EVERYTHING SHE SAYS IS COMPLETELY ACCURATE.
AND THIS MUST HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THAT THERE ARE OTHER PLANS AND THE THE INFRASTRUCTURE WON'T SUPPORT IT.
WHAT RESOURCES DO WE HAVE NOW? WHAT KIM HAD SOME IDEAS.
WILL THAT WORK? CAN WE DO THOSE THINGS? SO I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE WAS 22 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE CITY OF NEW JERSEY THAT FILED AN APPLICATION IN FEDERAL COURT FOR THIS EXACT RELIEF.
THE THIRD CIRCUIT DISMISSED IT.
IT'S CURRENTLY ON APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT PENDING C CER SORRY, THAT'S A HARD WORD TO SAY SOMETIMES AND IT'S, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE US SUPREME COURT'S GOING TO DO, BUT TWO COURTS HAVE REVIEWED IT.
THESE ARE CHALLENGES THAT WILL BE THRUST UPON US IN THE FUTURE.
AND AGAIN, THEY'RE ALL VALID CHALLENGES AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY CURRENT MECHANISM TO DEAL WITH THESE CHALLENGES.
THEY'RE, THERE'S LIKE THE TRAIN'S COMING RIGHT AT US AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.
MORRISTOWN, I DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT ANOTHER TOWN, BUT THEY SEEM TO HAVE HANDLED THAT PROBLEM.
DID THEY HIRE A, AN ADVISOR OR NOT CANADA.
I KNOW THEY GOT A BIG GRANT AND THEN THEY BUILT A, NOT A HIGHRISE, BUT YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T BUILD SINGLE HOMES TO MEET THEIR, THERE WAS A HUNDRED PERCENT AFFORDABLE BILL.
I WAS WONDERING IF THEY HIRED A CONSULTANT, HOW DID THEY FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT? WAS IT THE MUNICIPALITY THAT THE MUNICIPAL YEAH, THE MUNICIPALITY USED AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST MONEY.
AND THEY PROVIDED THE LAND AND I FORGET WHAT OTHER MECHANISMS THEY PROVIDED, BUT AS WE HAD DONE IN THE THIRD, SECOND OR THIRD ROUND FOR VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, YEAH, YOU WOULD HAVE TO, YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE LAND AND PAY, YOU'D GO OUT FOR A BID TO BUILD A HUNDRED PERCENT AFFORDABILITY ON YOUR OWN, THEN YOU WOULD GET AN ADDITIONAL
[01:05:01]
CREDIT.SO IF YOU HAD THE FUNDS TO ACQUIRE THE LAND, HAD THE LAND, WHICH WOULD BEING FORTUNE.
AND THEN ALSO THEN YOU'D HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION TO GET THE EXTRA CREDIT.
SO THERE ARE SOME MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE DONE THAT.
I WASN'T FAMILIAR WITH MOORESTOWN DOING IT.
YEAH, I KNEW MANSFIELD, BUT I, I DIDN'T, I DID NOT KNOW.
HOW DO THEY, IT'S AN IGNORANT QUESTION, BUT YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE JUST ORDINARY, ORDINARY PEOPLE.
DO THEY HIRE CONSULTANTS TO FIGURE ALL THIS OUT? YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I KNOW WE HAVE A LAWYER AND THAT'S YOU AND THAT'S WONDERFUL.
BUT THAT THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT KNOW ABOUT BUILDING AND SPECIFIC LAWS.
I'M JUST ASKING EVERY TOWN IS, IT'S A SHIFTING SAND EVERYWHERE.
'CAUSE NO TWO TOWNS ARE LIKE YOU HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, MALKA MALKA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PINELANDS.
WHAT MALKA HOW THEY'RE CONFRONTING THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN THE TOWN SUCH AS MEDFORD OR ACCOUNTS SUCH AS CHERRY HILL OR SHIN.
UH, IT JUST ALL, IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE AT.
AND YOU DO HAVE THE SAME IDEA OF WHICH PROFESSIONALS YOU ARE UTILIZING OR USING AN ATTORNEY.
YOU USING A PLANNER, USING ENGINEER.
THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT FIRMS, BUT THERE'S DIFFERENT, IT'S TOO MUCH OF A SHIFTING SAND TO GIVE YOU AN EXACT, THIS IS THE, AND WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION IN TRENTON.
IS THAT GONNA CHANGE? THAT WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING.
IT COULD, IT COULD, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
I KNOW WITH THE, THE, UM, YOU KNOW, THE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOLS, IT CHANGES WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION SORT OF MAYOR, IF I MAY.
ONE ITEM I DID CHECK WITH GREG, BUT WE HAVE A NEW LAWYER HERE TODAY.
I DID TELL KIM WHEN WE CHATTED ON WEDNESDAY THAT I BELIEVE SHE COULD NOT COME TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO BE PART OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ONLY.
I JUST, 'CAUSE THAT WAS THE THING YOU HAD BROUGHT UP AND I TOLD YOU I WOULD CHECK AND I DID, BUT I THOUGHT, OH, I HAVE A NEW LAWYER.
IT'S ONLY FOR THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL THAT ARE ALLOWED TO BE PRESENT IN MR. TICAL.
IF I MAY, UM, THROUGH THE SUBCOMMITTEE MM-HMM
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR, TO ALLOW THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO DO THE WORK THAT THEY'RE INTENDED TO DO AND HAVE KIND OF MAYBE, I DON'T WANNA CALL IT A FINAL PRESENTATION, BUT KIND OF A NET SUM OF ALL THOSE INTERACTIONS PRESENTED TO COUNCIL.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THAT WOULD BE DONE IN A PUBLIC FORUM.
AND WITH, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL TIME GRANTED FOR THAT SPECIFIC TOPIC, MAYBE ONE OF THE FUTURE TOWN HALLS THAT WE HAVE AT THAT TIME.
BUT, UM, YEAH, I WOULD AGREE WITH MR. VARGA THAT IT'S ACTUALLY BETTER THAT WE HAVE IT IN PUBLIC.
WE, I'M HAPPY HAVE THE SUBCOMMITTEE, I HAVE THE BIND, YOU KNOW, ALL, EVERYTHING THAT I'VE PUT TOGETHER I CAN GIVE TO COUNSEL.
BUT I'D JUST LIKE TO MAKE ONE POINT, IF I HAVE 15 SECONDS LEFT OR 10 SECONDS LEFT.
I THINK THERE WAS AN EXTRA 15 SECONDS.
UM, THE POINT THAT I'M MAKING ISN'T ABOUT THE IMPACTS.
I KNOW THAT THAT HAS FAILED IN COURT, YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE BOARD IT'S THE SAFETY AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS ARE WHAT I'M POINTING OUT.
THE TRAFFIC TO ME IS GAME OVER 2000 CARS A DAY IN ADDITION TO THE CARS THAT ARE ALREADY TRAVELING IS GRIDLOCK.
AND IT CAN'T BE, THERE'S NO WAY AROUND IT.
SO I REALLY THINK THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT VACATING THE PLAN.
IT'S A BAD PLAN AND I WENT INTO THE OTHER REASONS.
UM, IS THAT A POSSIBILITY? NO, WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN ADOPTED BY MARCH 15TH.
BUT CAN IT BE REVISED? CAN WE GO BACK? NO.
UM, AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
THE, WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FILE FOR EXTENSIONS.
I KNOW THE D LAW FIRM IS REACHING OUT TO FAIR SHARE AND WITH THE INTENT TO DO MORE, AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
UM, AND THROUGH THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND THE EFFORTS OF OUR FIRM, UM, WITH THE DITY FIRM, EXCUSE ME.
I BELIEVE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN WHILE STILL MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE.
JESSICA CHESKY FIVE BUTLER COURT.
UM, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE QUICK THINGS TONIGHT.
UM, MR. HORNICK, HAS THE, UM, SITE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS BEEN SUBMITTED TO FAIR SHARE HOUSING YET? OR HAVE WE RECEIVED AN EXTENSION DEADLINE DATE? DO YOU WANNA JUST, WOULD YOU LIKE US TO ANSWER? I, I MEAN IF I CAN SHOOT OFF THE STATE OR YOU HAVE THE QUESTIONS.
UM, DURING THE PLANNING BOARD HEARING, MR. TAYLOR HANDED OUT A PAPER OUTLINING THE PROCEDURES THAT HAD TO GO THROUGH AND PERSPECTIVE DATES.
ONE OF THOSE DATES WAS THE INTRO, INTRODUCTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AT TONIGHT'S MEETING.
[01:10:01]
THE AGENDA, SO I'M ASSUMING THAT IS NOT HAPPENING TONIGHT.SO DOES THAT MEAN IT'S NOT THEN GOING TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE PLANNING BOARD ON THE 28TH? AND ARE WE STILL GONNA MEET ALL OF OUR TIMELINES? UM, DO YOU WANT ME TO KEEP FIRING OFF OR? YEAH, KEEP GOING.
UM, SORRY, I RUINED MY ANSWERS.
AND THEN, UH, THE LAST ONE, I KNOW YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE, UM, DS NOT BEING ABLE TO BE EXTENDED UNTIL ROUND FIVE.
HOW DID TOMS RIVER EXTEND THEM FOR ROUND FOUR? WHAT WAS THEIR MECHANISM THAT ALLOWED THEM TO COUNT? SURE.
SO TOMS RIVER, IF I MAY, ARE, ARE, WOULD YOU, SO THAT, THAT'S IT.
SO TOMS RIVER, TOMS RIVER WAS UNIQUE.
SO THEIR DEED, THESE RESTRICTIONS EXPIRED PRIOR TO THE START OF ROUND FOUR.
SO UNDER THE REVISED REGULATIONS, IF YOU HAVE DEEDS THAT WERE GOING TO EXPIRE AND YOU WANTED TO UTILIZE THEM FOR YOUR FOURTH ROUND, YOU HAD TO BEGIN THE PROCESS A YEAR PRIOR TO THE START OF 20 AND HAVE THE FUNDS.
SO PALM RIVER HAD MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THEY WERE ALLOWED TO ESSENTIALLY UTILIZE ALL OF THESE DEEDS THAT WERE GOING TO EXPIRE PRIOR TO THE START OF 2025, UTILIZE THOSE FUNDS AND THEN ESSENTIALLY RESTART THOSE DEEDS STARTING 2025.
SO THAT'S WHY TOM DURVA WAS UNIQUE BECAUSE RIGHT.
'CAUSE WE HAD THAT 2024 WHEN EVERYTHING WAS ANNOUNCED.
SO THEY HAD THAT, THAT GAP PERIOD TO BE ABLE TO USE THEM.
ON THE SITE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS WE'VE RECEIVED, LAST WEEK WE RECEIVED THREE OF THE LOCATIONS FLYING W INGER KEY AND CAMP EFS, CAMP STALL CAMP EFS.
WE'RE STILL WAITING ON KIRBY'S MILL AND THEN I COUNSEL WILL SUBMIT THEM TO FAIR, FAIR SHARE.
SO IF YOU WANNA SEND ME A REMINDER, I CAN SHARE 'EM WITH YOU.
AND HAVE WE GOTTEN LIKE THE DATE THOUGH, LIKE EXTENDED IN OUR AGREEMENT? BECAUSE THE DATE WAS ORIGINALLY FEBRUARY 1ST.
SO HAS THAT OFFICIALLY BEEN, WE'RE WAITING FOR EXTENDED, WE'RE WAITING FOR THE COURT TO RESPOND ON THAT.
BECAUSE I WOULD ASSUME AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE'RE NOT TECHNICALLY COMPLIANT 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T PROVIDE THAT ELEMENT.
THAT IS A VERY TOUGH QUESTION TO ANSWER DEFINITIVELY.
BECAUSE WE ARE ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND
WELL, AND I KNOW THE SNOW DIDN'T HELP.
SO DOES THE SNOW HELP
WE'RE UTILIZING A REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WHICH IS UNIQUE.
'CAUSE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS, THERE ARE INHERENT TIMELINES, RIGHT.
THAT ARE NOT TRADITIONAL FOR TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT WHERE YOU REQUIRE THE INTERPLAY OF, OF A HEARING TO DECLARE A PROPERTY, YOU NEED A REDEVELOPMENT, THEN YOU NEED A PLANNING BOARD ACTION, THEN YOU NEED A MUNICIPAL ACTION, THEN YOU NEED MUNICIPAL ACTION TO ADOPT THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FILED BACK BY PLANNING BOARD ACTION FOLLOWED BY, YEAH, I FOLLOWED BACK TO THE, SO THERE'S A LOT OF HOT POTATO BACK AND FORTH MM-HMM
SO AS LONG AS WE, AT LEAST MY OPINION, IT'S GONNA BE AS LONG AS WE ARE ADVANCING IN GOOD FAITH, THIS PROCESS, WE ARE ACT, WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE.
AND THAT IS WHAT THAT I BELIEVE THE TOWNSHIP IS DOING.
AND, AND IT'S OUR INTENTION TO NOT INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE PREMATURELY.
SO THAT'S WHY YOU'RE NOT SEEING IT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
UM, WHEN TO MR. VARGAS POINT, UM, HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO STILL HAVE A, EXCUSE ME, MARCH 3RD MEETING TO INTRODUCE, AND THEN IF THE COURT UNDERSTANDS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACT ON THE BEST JUDGMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP AND ALLOWS US TILL THE MARCH 17TH MEETING, WHICH IS CURRENTLY IS FORMATTED AS A TOWN HALL, BUT WE MAY HAVE TO TAKE ACTION AT THAT MEETING TO PASS RIGHT.
UM, BUT IT HAS TO HAVE, DOESN'T IT HAVE TO HAVE PLAN? DOESN'T IT, DOESN'T IT COUNCIL PLANNING COUNCIL THERE WOULD BE A PLANNING BOARD MEETING AND IN BETWEEN YEAH.
I'LL, I'LL, I'LL DEEM THAT A SPECIAL PLANNING BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED IN THE INTERIM IF SOME COUNCIL CHOOSES TO PASS ON FIRST READING ON MARCH 3RD.
JESSICA, CAN I TAKE 10 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME? YEAH.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP.
UM, JESSICA HAS SENT A TON OF QUESTIONS IN BOTH, UM, ORALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY.
CHRIS KNOWLES WILL BE AT OUR FIRST AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEE READY WITH ANSWERS FOR EVERY QUESTION.
YOU, I'VE JUST, I'VE WRITTEN THEM OUT.
YOU'VE WRITTEN THEM OUT AND HE'S GOT THE LIST.
AND HE WILL, WITH DAN DANIEL'S BLESSING, HE WILL BE AT OUR FIRST MEETING AT 7:00 PM I BELIEVE WE CHOSE RAY, UH, COUNCILMAN COX.
AND HE'S READY WITH HE ANSWERS.
I DIDN'T WANNA WASTE ANYONE'S TIME, SO I FIGURED JUST OH YEAH, QUESTIONS.
UM, JESSICA, UM, UM, JUST, JUST, JUST, DO WE HAVE AN EXACT DATE, TIME AND LOCATION? IT'S, I MEAN, WE DO, IT'S, AND THIS IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY, BUT JUST SO THE PUBLIC'S AWARE THAT IT WILL BE DONE MEMBERS ONLY.
IT IS GONNA BE, UH, ON FEBRUARY 26TH AT SIX 30 AND THE SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM OF TOWN HALL.
WHO ARE THE MEMBERS? UH, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE, THE THREE RESIDENTIAL
[01:15:01]
MEMBERS.UH, MRS. P*****K, UM, JESSICA AND MIKE PEG.
SO HE'S AN ARCHITECT, ENGINEER THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THEN, YEAH.
WHO'S THE BOARD? OUR FIRST MEETING WILL NOT BE THERE.
BOARD FIRST MEMBERS ARE JUST GONNA BE THE RE THE RESIDENTIAL MEMBERS.
ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? MARY LUKES, I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOU MORE TIME.
UM, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T HEAR DO SOMETHING NICE DAY.
WE'RE GONNA REPEAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE DATES, THE SUBCOMMITTEE DATE, THE FIRST MEETING, UH, IT'S GONNA BE JUST A, THE PRELIMINARY MEETING WITH JUST THE RESIDENTIAL MEMBERS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
UH, THAT SUBCOMMITTEE IS GONNA MEET ON FEBRUARY 26TH AT SIX 30.
UH, WE'RE GONNA BE MEETING AT THE SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM OF TOWN HALL.
WE WILL HAVE A TOWN HALL, WHICH WE WE'LL BE HAVING A FULLER COMMITTEE MEETING.
THIS MEETING WAS, IS DESIGNED BASICALLY TO ALLOW US TO KIND OF FOCUS OUR ENERGIES AND IDENTIFY THE PATH FORWARD AS A SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WE WANT TO TAKE AT THIS TIME.
AND THERE WILL BE UPDATES, OBVIOUSLY IN EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS THEREAFTER.
JUST PROVIDE THE PUBLIC INFORMATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED AT THOSE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS AS WELL.
I HATE TO ASK, ARE YOU GONNA PUT THIS ON THE, ON THE WEBSITE? MM-HMM
ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE.
[VIII. MANAGER’S REPORT]
MOVE ON TO THE MANAGER'S REPORT.I HAVE TWO UM, ITEMS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT.
THE FIRST IS FOR COMPRESSED WORK WEEK OR SUMMER HOURS FOR UM, STAFF.
WE DID THIS LAST, UH, SUMMER, JULY, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST.
AND, UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES WHO WORK SECOND JOBS.
THIS WAS A BIG BENEFIT FOR A LOT OF THEM THAT DON'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ERRANDS DURING THE WEEK 'CAUSE THEY'RE AT WORK OR THEY, THEY, UM, GO TO WORK AND THEN THEY IMMEDIATELY GO TO A SECOND JOB.
SO, UH, UNDER THE CODE, THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER HAS AUTHORITY TO SET HOURS SUBJECT TO, UM, INPUT AND CONSENT FROM COUNSEL.
SO I WOULD ASK COUNSEL, GIVE THAT CONSIDERATION AND IF IT'S ACCEPTABLE, UM, WE WOULD, UH, CERTAINLY BE SURE TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC IN THE COMING WEEKS.
WE WOULD HAVE OUR HOURS UPDATED ON THE WEBSITE.
WE WOULD HAVE SIGNS ON THE DOORS.
WE WOULD DO SOME SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IN ADVANCE TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW OF THESE CHANGED HOURS.
COULD YOU READ OUT THE HOURS NOW? SURE, CERTAINLY.
SO, UH, WE'RE PROPOSING THE OFFICE HOURS START EARLIER IN THE DAY AT 8:00 AM TO 4:30 PM STAFF WOULD'VE A 45 MINUTE LUNCH PERIOD.
THIS WOULD BE MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY INSTEAD OF AN HOUR LUNCH PERIOD.
AND THEN FRIDAYS WOULD BE, TOWN HALL WOULD BE OPEN FROM 8:00 AM TO NOON.
AND DANIEL, I KNOW THAT IT WAS WELL RECEIVED LAST YEAR FROM THE STAFF.
UM, DID YOU GET ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THOSE HOURS FROM ANY OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE ENTIRE SUMMER? WE FIELDED ONE COMPLAINT FROM A RESIDENT WHO, WHEN WE EXPLAINED WHAT THE SUMMER HOURS WERE, UH, WITHDREW HER COMPLAINT BECAUSE SHE WAS HAPPY THAT SHE COULD COME IN EARLIER TO DO HER BUSINESS.
AND YOUR HONOR, WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THOSE SUMMER HOURS? UH, WE HAD PROPOSED, UM, IN, IN A SLIGHTLY LONGER SCHEDULE THIS YEAR FROM ALL FROM APRIL TO TO SEPTEMBER.
AND THEN IF, IF IT'S, UH, CAN I JUST ASK WHY APRIL WAS SELECTED? UM, IT, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE APRIL, IT WAS JUST A PROPOSAL.
IF, IF COUNSEL SAYS MAY, MAY IS FINE.
IT WAS MAY, JUNE, JULY OF LAST YEAR.
WE DID IT JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST OF LAST YEAR.
IT MAKES SENSE FOR IT TO BE SUMMER, I WOULD THINK.
AND I, YOU KNOW, MY THINKING IS MEMORIAL DAY.
MEMORIAL DAY OF LABOR DAY, MEMORIAL DAY OF LABOR DAY, YEAH.
WE WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THAT MEMORIAL TO LABOR.
AND WERE THERE, UM, YOU HAD MENTIONED A 45 MINUTE BREAK MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.
IS THERE A BREAK ON THE FRIDAY? NO.
THE 45 MINUTE LUNCH, IS THAT THE HALF HOUR LUNCH THEY'RE ENTITLED TO PLUS THEIR 15 MINUTE BREAK COMBINED? OR DO THEY STILL GET TWO ADDITIONAL 15 MINUTE BREAKS? SO THEY, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A ONE HOUR UNPAID LUNCH AND IT'S A 10 MINUTE BREAK.
SO THIS IS BEING REDUCED? YES.
AND YOU HAVE ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF.
[01:20:01]
SHARE WITH YOU.UM, WE, UH, RUN THE PUBLIC WORKS YARD.
WE, OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE CHANGED OUR, UM, MODE OF OPERATION THERE.
AND WE HAVE, UM, BASICALLY IMPLEMENTED, STRICTLY IMPLEMENTED THE TOWNSHIP CODE, WHICH DOES NOT PERMIT COMMERCIAL ENTITIES TO DUMP AT THE, AT THE, UH, PUBLIC WORKS YARD.
UH, WE ARE PROPOSING TO CONTINUE TO REFINE THE HOURS OF OPERATION AND WHAT WE ACCEPT THERE.
UM, RIGHT NOW WE ARE LITERALLY DOING A DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.
WE'RE TAKING THINGS AND THE COUNTY DUMP HAS TAKEN THINGS SUCH AS TIRES, HOME RIMS, WHICH REALLY WE HAVE NO BUSINESS TAKING BECAUSE IT, WE HAVE TO TAKE THE TIRES OFF THE RIMS, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE TO USE MECHANICS TO DO THAT.
WHEREAS THE COUNTY HAS A, AN OPERATION THAT DOES THAT COUNTYWIDE.
UM, WE'RE ACCEPTING PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER.
AGAIN, THE COUNTY IS THE LOCUS FOR DISPOSAL OF HAZARD WASTE.
AND THEN, UM, ADDITIONALLY, UM, CONCRETE, WE'RE TAKING CONCRETE THAT ALL WE'RE DOING IS PICKING IT UP AND TAKING IT OVER TO THE COUNTY LANDFILL.
SO WE'RE PROPOSING TO STOP ACCEPTING THESE THINGS.
AND, AND BY THE WAY, THE CONCRETE, SINCE WE'VE TIGHTENED OUR CONTROLS ON THE, UH, TOWNSHIP DUMP HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY.
UM, SO REALLY IT, IT WOULDN'T BE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE.
UM, WE'RE LOOKING TO TWEAK THE HOURS.
UM, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TOOK A HARD LOOK AT WHEN PEOPLE USE THE, UH, THE YARD AND THE HIGHEST DAYS ARE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY.
SO WE'RE PROPOSING TO CLOSE THE, THE, THE YARD ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, BUT ADD AN EXTRA SATURDAY.
'CAUSE RESIDENTS DO USE IT ON SATURDAY.
SO IT'LL BE AN EXPANSION OF SERVICE AND THAT WILL HAVE TWO SATURDAYS A MONTH INSTEAD OF ONE.
BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO, DURING THE WEEK, CLOSE THE YARD ON TUESDAYS AND AND THURSDAYS AND REALLOCATE TWO STAFF MEMBERS TO DO MORE OF THE STREETS AND ROADS AND MAINTENANCE THAT WE REALLY NEED HELP WITH.
SO THAT'S, I MEAN, AND PLUS IT'LL ALSO HELP US WITH OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE CAN, IF WE IMPLEMENT THIS COME APRIL, WE CAN BUDGET LESS FOR THOSE COSTS.
AND THE TWO SATURDAYS IS GREAT.
WHAT WOULD THE HOURS BE ON SATURDAY? DO YOU, UM, IT WOULD BE THE SAME HOURS THAT THERE ARE NOW.
I THINK IT'S MIGHT BE NINE TO ONE 90.
AND WE WOULD DO THAT AND THEN TWO SATURDAYS AND THEN, UM, AGAIN, IF FOR SOME REASON THE, THE SATURDAY FELL ON A HOLIDAY, WHICH RARELY HAPPENS, BUT IT COULD, WE WOULD JUST MAKE SURE WE DO SOCIAL MEDIA BLAST WELL IN ADVANCE.
SO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT IT'S NOT OPEN.
WOULD YOU PUT THE COUNTY DUMP, UM, ADDRESS? YEAH.
JUST MAKE IT EASIER SO PEOPLE KNOW WHERE TO GO, WHERE TO BRING THEIR EXTRA ITEMS. YEP.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, JUST AS A RESIDENT, YOU KNOW, IT, IT'S CONVENIENT TO HAVE OUR OWN DUMP, BUT THEN OBVIOUSLY WHEN WE LOOK AT THE COST OF THESE THINGS AND WE LOOK AT OUR BUDGET, TIPPING FEES ARE GOING UP AND OTHER THINGS.
OBVIOUSLY GETTING THE CONTRACT OUT OF THERE HAS BEEN PROBABLY A HUGE HELP FOR US.
SO, AND, AND ELIMINATE DUPLICATION OF SERVICE, CORRECT.
[IX. CLERK’S REPORT]
MS. WICKER, THE CLERK'S REPORT.SO THAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR APPROVAL FOR SUPER AND REGULAR 50 50 LICENSES FOR ST.
MARY THE LAKES CHURCH, MARCH 11TH THROUGH 16TH.
[X. BILL LIST]
AND WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO THE BILLS LIST.WE HAVE ONE BILLS LIST DATED FEBRUARY 12TH, 2026.
DO ANY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE BILLS LIST? NO.
SEEING NONE MAY HAVE A MOTION.
[XI. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION]
MOVE ON TO ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION.WE HAVE OUR FIRST ORDINANCE IS ORDINANCE 2020 DASH SIX.
MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE ORDINANCE 2026 DASH TWO.
UH, I KNOW WE'VE, WE'VE REVIEWED THIS MO THIS ORDINANCE A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE PAST RE RECENT MEETINGS.
UH, BUT MY CONCERN IS WITH ESTABLISHING SALARIES, UH, WITHOUT A BUDGET FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR.
SO I WOULD PREFER THAT WE WAIT, UH, IF POSSIBLE IF COUNSEL AGREES THAT MY MOTION TO TABLE PASSES THAT WE WAIT AND INCLUDE THIS AS PART OF OUR BUDGETARY DISCUSSIONS FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR.
I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THAT MOTION, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FIRST.
ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THERE IS THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF FIRE.
[01:25:02]
IS THERE A WAY TO TAKE THAT ONE OUT AND POSS OR IS THERE A WAY TO TAKE ANY OF THEM OUT OF THE ORDINANCE AND VOTE ON THEM? OR IS IT AN ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL? IT'S AN ALL FOR ONE.ONE FOR ALL FOR ONE OR ONE FOR ALL, BUT ALL RIGHT.
I'LL STILL SECOND THAT MOTION.
UM, AND, UH, COUNCILMAN COX? I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN, VERY VALID.
UM, BUT I DO ALSO, UM, UNDERSTAND DEPUTY MAYOR'S CONCERN ABOUT WE'RE BASICALLY DRAFTING A POSITION AT THAT POINT.
SO POTENTIALLY IF, UH, THE STAFF COULD WORK ON AN ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFYING THE DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF.
ARE THERE OTHER POSITIONS YOU'D LIKE TO? THERE IS, THERE'S THE AUTOMATION ENGINEER.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT ONE FOR PUBLIC WORKS.
I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT ONE PULLED OUT AS WELL.
ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT? OKAY.
SO, UM, WE'RE GONNA NEED, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO TABLE ORDINANCE 2020 DASH SIX.
WE'LL NEED A ROLL CALL ON THAT.
ROLL CALL ON THAT MS. UH, SMORE? YES.
UM, SO THAT ORDINANCE IS TABLED AND THEN WE WILL POTENTIALLY AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, HAVE AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF AND AN AUTOMATION ENGINEER.
AND THEN AT WHICH TIME THE BUDGET IS PASSED, WE CAN REINTRODUCE ORDINANCE 2020, I'M SORRY.
UM, SO THAT WOULD BE THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION.
[XII. ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARING(S)]
FOR SECOND READING WITH THEIR PUBLIC HEARING.COUNCILWOMAN MILL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON ORDINANCE 2026 DASH FOUR? YES.
COUNCIL ADOPT ON SECOND READING ORDINANCE 2026 DASH FOUR AMENDING DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS SECTION 900 FEES, GUARANTEES, INSPECTIONS, AND OFF TRACK IMPROVEMENTS.
UH, THIS ORDINANCE REQUIRES PROPERTY OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS TO SATISFY OUTSTANDING ESCROW AMOUNTS BEFORE APPLYING FOR ADDITIONAL LAND USE BOARD APPLICATIONS.
IT ALSO CLEARLY LAYS OUT THE FEE SCHEDULE AND ESCROW AMOUNTS FOR A VARIETY OF LAND USE APPLICATIONS.
UM, NOW WE'RE GONNA OPEN THIS ORDINANCE UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY, RAISE YOUR HAND AND YOU'LL BE CALLED TO THE MICROPHONE.
THE SAME, UH, STANDARDS OF PUBLIC COMMENT WILL APPLY FIVE MINUTES PLUS ONE IF NEEDED.
AND BE NICE TO YOUR NEIGHBORS.
AND MS. WICKER, WE CAN HAVE A ROLL CALL FOR ADOPTION.
I NEEDED A SECOND FOR THE ORDINANCE.
I DID NOT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MAYOR, IF I, I JUST ONE COMMENT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND YOU DIDN'T RAISE A SINGLE FEE WHEN YOU PASSED THIS ORDINANCE.
YOU'RE SIMPLY REQUIRING PROPERTY OWNERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUTSTANDING EX ESCROW BALANCES.
I JUST DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO THINK YOU'RE UP HERE RAISING FEES WHEN THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU DID.
AND, UM, IF THANK YOU, UH, WITH THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE, AS MR. HORWELL MENTIONED, UM, THEY HAVE A VERY CLEAR FEE SCHEDULE NOW THAT THEY CAN REFER TO IF THEY'RE LOOKING TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR LANDING COURT.
[XIII. CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS]
SO NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS, AND I'LL GIVE MR. VARGA AN OPPORTUNITY.IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT DEPUTY MAYOR VOIZ HAS A, UH, CONFLICT WITH RESOLUTION 54 DASH 2026 AUTHORIZING, APPROVING, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A TRANSPORTATION BILLING AGREEMENT WITH VIRTUAL HEALTH INC.
I WOULD ASK THAT THAT RESOLUTION BE MOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTED ON SEPARATELY.
SO WE WOULD JUST NEED A MOTION FIRST, SECOND, AND THEN ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THEY WILL HIT RESOLUTION 54 DASH 2026 AFTERWARDS.
ALRIGHT, SO CONSENT AND AGENDA RESOLUTIONS.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH RESOLUTION 55 20 26 AUTHORIZING CANCELLATION OF 2026, PROPERTY TAXES ON PROPERTIES OWNED BY QUALIFIED TOTALLY DISABLED VETERAN RESOLUTION 56 20 26 AUTHORIZING SOLICITATION OF ROADWAY PERMITS FROM MEDFORD SUNSHINE ROTARY RESOLUTION 57 20 26 REJECTING SOLE BID FOR WELLHOUSE SIX, REHABILITATION RESOLUTION 58 20 26 AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO THE HAZARDOUS DISCHARGE SITE READING REMEDIATION FUND FOR THE CLEANUP OF 1 75 A TAUNTON BOULEVARD, RESOLUTION 59 20 26 AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH DECKER'S HARDSCAPING AND LANDSCAPING INC.
IN THE AMOUNT OF 36, I'M SORRY, $38,250 FOR THE CANOE LAUNCH IMPROVEMENTS.
UM, I'M GONNA NEED HELP WITH THE NAME HERE.
[01:30:01]
AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO COIN.CHEMICAL COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,493 50 CENTS FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF VARIOUS CHEMICALS.
THE METFORD TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER UTILITY RESOLUTION 61 20 26 AUTHORIZING THE AWARD CONTRACT TO U-S-A-L-C-O-L-L-C AND THE AMOUNT UP TO $131,070 FOR THIS SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF LIQUID ALUMINUM SULFATE FOR THE METRO TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER UTILITY RESOLUTION 62 20 26 AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO SHANNON CHEMICAL COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $10,318 FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF CORROSION INHIBITOR FOR THE METRO TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER UTILITY.
AND MY FAVORITE RESOLUTION, 20 UH, 63 20 26 AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MIRACLE CHEMICAL COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $231,723.
THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF LIQUID SODIUM BY SULFATE AND LIQUID SODIUM HYDROCHLORIDE FOR THE METFORD TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER UTILITY.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION, MR. MAYOR? I DO ON, UH, MREL ON RESOLUTIONS 59 THROUGH 63 20 26, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY $500,000 IN EXPENDITURES.
I'M JUST CURIOUS, ARE ARE THEY, ARE THEY ALL UNCOVERED AS PART OF OUR TEMPORARY BUDGET OR ARE SOME OF THESE EXPENDITURES GOING INTO WHAT MAY BE, WHAT MAY BECOME THE PERMANENT BUDGET FOR THE SALARY CALENDAR YEAR? SO, UH, STARTING WITH 59, WE ACTUALLY HAVE ABOUT 32,000 OF GRANT FUNDS REMAINING FOR THAT PROJECT.
AND WE HAVE THE OTHER 6,000 IN CAPITAL.
AND WHAT WAS THAT GRANT FROM? THAT WAS A, UM, A GRANT THAT WE GOT FROM THE, FROM THE LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO CLEAR THE CREEK AND UP UPGRADE THE CANOE LAUNCH.
WE DO ANNUAL BIDS FOR CHEMICAL CONTRACTS.
THESE ARE ALL PAID OUT OF THE UTILITY BUDGET CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS INDICATES THAT THE, UM, THAT THE FUNDS ARE CERTIFIER CERTIFIED AGAINST THE, UM, TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT BUDGET WHEN SUCH HAS PASSED.
SO THE BUT, SO THE, THESE AMOUNTS LISTED ARE FOR A COMBINATION OF, FOR THE ANNUAL BUDGET AS WELL AS THE TEMPORARY BUDGET, JUST THE UTILITY BUDGET? JUST THE UTILITY BUDGET, YES.
THESE ARE SOLELY FROM THE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY.
US ALCO IS PRETTY MUCH THE SOLE SOURCE FOR ALUMINUM LIQUID ALUMINUM, LIQUID ALUMINUM SULFATE.
UM, MIRACLE COMP MIRACLE CHEMICAL COMPANY CAME IN WITH THE BEST PRICES FOR LIQUID SODIUM BIS SULFATE AND LIQUID SODIUM HYPO CHLORATE.
THOSE ARE, ARE FOR, UH, COAGULANTS FOR THE, THE PLANT TO, TO, UH, HELP SEPARATE THE SOLIDS FROM THE WASTE AND PURIFY THE WATER.
UM, ARE THERE, ARE THERE LIMITATIONS ON THE EXPENDITURES UNTIL SUCH SO THAT THEY'RE LIMITED TO SOLELY WHAT'S IN THE TEMPORARY BUDGETS RIGHT NOW? UM, MY, MY MY CONCERN IS GIVING ALLOWANCE FOR THE FULL YEAR UP TO A A DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR THE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT HAVING AN ADOPTED BUDGET.
I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY A, A TIMING ISSUE OF WHEN WE PUT THESE OUT TO BID MM-HMM
SO WE'RE TRYING TO RATCHET THESE BACK A LITTLE BIT.
SO LIKE THREE OF THESE CONTRACTS ARE FOR 14 MONTHS.
OUR GOAL IS TO EVENTUALLY PUSH THEM INTO THE SUMMER.
THAT WAY WE CAN GET A BUDGET DONE BEFORE WE PUT THESE THINGS OUT TO BID IN THE FUTURE.
SO WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MOVE THEM OFF THE, THE OLD CYCLE IS LITERALLY CALENDAR YEAR AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT THAT.
AND WHAT, AND WHAT ARE THESE CHEMICALS FOR? THEY'RE ALL FOR, UH, EITHER, UM, THE WATER SYSTEM, UM, TO, TO KILL ANY BACTERIA IN THE WATER SYSTEM.
VERY SMALL DOSES OF CHLORINE WOULD BE USED THROUGH A, AN AUTOMATED PUMP.
AND THEN FOR THE SEWER PLANT, THEREFORE PURIFYING THE WASTEWATER AND FOR HELPING THE SOLIDS, UM, COAGULATES THE TECHNICAL TERM SO THAT THEY CAN SINK TO THE BOTTOM AND BE REMOVED AND TREAT IT SEPARATELY.
AND I DO WANT TO EXTEND THE INVITATION.
I KNOW ONE, NOT A GOOD TIME A YEAR TO GO, BUT ONCE IT WARMS UP, ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WANTS TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE 18 FOSTER TOWN ROAD, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO WALK YOU THROUGH IT, IF I MAY ON THAT.
UM, I DID TAKE THE TOUR OF THE SEWER PLAN TOUR.
AND I, I'M NOT SAYING THAT AS A JOKE.
I REALLY DO MEAN THAT THE, THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S DONE THERE AND THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THAT GOES INTO RUNNING OUR OWN MUA, UM, ASIDE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE
[01:35:01]
PART OF IT, THE, THE VERY LIMITED STAFF WE HAVE AND THE DEDICATION THEY HAVE TO, THAT PLAN IS UNBELIEVABLE.SO, UM, BUT THESE ARE VERY VALID AND GOOD QUESTIONS.
I, I REACHED OUT TO MR. PLE THIS WEEK FOR SOME BUDGET QUESTIONS.
I WANNA THANK HIM FOR HIS RESPONSE.
AND, AND MY, MY CONCERN IS AUTHORIZING THESE EXPENDITURES, KNOWING WHAT COUNCIL FACED GOING INTO THIS YEAR'S, COUNTERING YOUR BUDGET AND NOT KNOWING WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
UM, YOU KNOW, I I I, IT DOES GIVE ME PAUSE WITH, WITH THESE, WITH THESE, OBVIOUSLY WITH THESE AMOUNTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD ASK MR. HORNER, IF POSSIBLE, I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET, IF THERE'S ANY WAY OF GETTING A, A BUDGET DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR, UH, TO COUNCIL.
SO WE HAVE AN IDEA AS TO WHEN WE CAN HIT, SET VARIOUS BENCHMARKS AS TO WHAT, UM, WE CAN BEGIN REVIEWING IN TERMS OF THE OPERATING BUDGET AS WELL AS THE CAPITAL BUDGET.
BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, I, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHEN THESE CHEMICALS THAT ARE, THAT ARE WELL TO THE OPERATION.
BUT LIKE I SAID, MY, MY CONCERN IS APPROVING THESE EXPENDITURES WITHOUT A, A, A FULL BUDGET.
THESE ARE IN STRICTLY IN THE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY WHERE WE DID HAVE A PRETTY HEALTHY SURPLUS.
SO THIS, THESE EXPENSES ARE PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY BUDGETED AND SPENT.
FORTUNATELY, THE CHEMICAL COST WENT UP VERY MINIMALLY, LIKE UNDER 3%.
SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, A BLESSING TO US.
NO, MY THING WAS JUST ON THE, UH, RESOLUTION 59 20 26.
IT DOESN'T MENTION A LOCATION, BUT JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW, THAT IS ON THE RAN COCUS, CORRECT? YEAH, IT'S COACH STREET.
WE HAVE, I THINK WE HAVE A CO CANOE LUNCH ON COACH STREET.
I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE ENTERTAINING A MOTION AT THIS POINT.
I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THESE.
ALRIGHT, BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO 54, WHICH WE'VE MOVED OUT OF CONSENT, I DID WANT TO ECHO COUNCIL WOMAN'S MILK.
UM, AWARENESS OF RESOLUTION 59.
THIS REPRESENTS MUCH MORE THAN A CONTRACT.
IT, IT REP, IT REFLECTS THE COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND THE NEED, THE NATURE OF ASSETS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE VERY SPECIAL.
A FEW YEARS AGO, AS SOME MAY RECALL, RESIDENTS FROM ME, LEES BROUGHT THIS, BROUGHT THE CONDITION OF DECREE TO OUR ATTENTION.
UM, THEY CAME TO SEVERAL MEETINGS.
THEY SPOKE UP AND, UM, THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT AND INTERACTION, WE WERE ABLE TO PROCURE THE GRANT, WHICH I BELIEVE AT THE TIME WAS UPWARDS OF $75,000 PERCENT.
WE GOT TWO GRANTS, ONE FOR 60,000, THE OTHER 5,000 FROM SUSTAINABLE JERSEY.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THAT EFFORT, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND THEN THE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFORT TO GET SECURE THOSE GRANTS, WE WERE NOT ONLY TO ABLE TO CLEAR THE CREEK, WHICH ALLOWED FOR EASY ACCESS FOR NOT ONLY THE ME MEMBERS OF MEDFORD LEASE, BUT ALL ME RESIDENTS.
BUT NOW WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
OBVIOUSLY SOME ARE GONNA COME OUTTA CAPITAL BUDGET TO MAKE AN IMPROVEMENT TO THE LAUNCH.
BUT, UM, THIS IS A RESOURCE THAT EVERY, EVERY REP, MEFA RESIDENT COULD AND SHOULD BE UTILIZING.
IT IS ON A GREAT DAY TO GO DOWN THE, THE RCO IS, UM, YOU JUST GOT A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
SO I DEFINITELY WANNA THANK THE, THE RESIDENTS OF MEFFORD LEES AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF FOR KIND OF FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH SOME OF THESE EFFORTS HERE.
IT'S REALLY HELPED THE COMMUNITY.
SO WE NOW WILL READ RESOLUTION 54.
SO, UM, RESOLUTION 54 20 26 AUTHORIZING AUTHORIZATION APPROVING A TRANSPORTATION BILLING AGREEMENT WITH VIR HEALTH INCORPORATED.
AND DEPUTY MAIZ WILL ABSTAIN, CORRECT? RIGHT.
SO I'LL ASK FOR A MOTION A SECOND AND THEN WE'LL CALL OKAY.
UM, I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS DURING CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS, BUT RESOLUTION 56, UH, I'D PERSONALLY LIKE, WELL ON BEHALF OF COUNSEL I SHOULD SAY, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE MEDFORD SUNSHINE ROTARY FOR ALL THEY DO.
[01:40:01]
I KNOW SHERRY AND ANDY, UM, ARE HUGE PROPONENTS OF THE, UM, THEY'RE, THEY'RE HUGE ASSETS TO OUR COMMUNITY.UM, AND GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THIS PERMIT TO, UH, SOLICIT FUNDS AND DO THINGS WITH THOSE FUNDS THAT I THINK ARE EXTRAORDINARY FLAGS OF HONOR IN FREEDOM PARK AND ALL THE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS THAT, THAT, THOSE FUNDS SUPPORT.
I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD EFFORT AND I THANK MEMBERS OF COUNCIL FOR PASSING THAT.
[XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
SO WE WILL NOW BE GOING TO OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ES OH 2 1 7 20 26, CONTRACT NEGOTIATION AND I GUESS TWO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.UH, WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.
WE ARE NOW IN OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY IN THE ROOM.
UM, WE SHOULD BE ACTION WON'T BE TAKEN.
HOW LONG DO YOU FEEL? 30 MINUTES.
RECONVENE THE OPEN PORTION OF THE MEETING.
WE DID DISCUSS THE ITEMS ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA.
UM, I'LL NOW REQUEST A MOTION TO ADJOURN.