WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=3lUdZu1xzJQ

Part: 1

1
00:00:02.480 --> 00:00:17.680
Hi Bill. >> Good evening. It is 7:06. Recognize that we have a um full attendance of the township committee attending here in person. Committeeman Hickeyi, committee woman,

2
00:00:17.680 --> 00:00:33.360
committeewoman Fernandez, and attending remote. Still on the disabled list is Committeeman Rosen. Welcome to the June 15, 2026. This is our regularly scheduled township committee meeting.

3
00:00:33.360 --> 00:00:49.360
Ms. Ray, may we please have the open public meetings act statement. >> Yes, mayor. Adequate notice of this meeting of the township committee was sent to the courier newsrville, Bernersville News Whippony, and to all subscribers and post on the township of Bedminister's official website at

4
00:00:49.360 --> 00:01:06.240
www.bedministerj.gov and at the township mal building on January 6, 2026. Great. >> Thank you. Please join me standing for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

5
00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:27.119
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As always, this is the time of the meeting that we open up the microphone, the Zoom session, public comment. Any member of the public wishing to ask a

6
00:01:27.119 --> 00:01:43.200
question, make a statement, and that's your opportunity to do so. As we say every meeting, uh you're welcome to make those comments, ask those questions. You're not guaranteed of an answer. You're not guaranteed of a dialogue with the township committee unless any committee member so engages. And uh

7
00:01:43.200 --> 00:02:03.200
while you're not guaranteed of an answer, you are certainly not getting a guarantee of an answer that you're going to like. TJ, nothing. No public comment. Okay. >> Um moving on,

8
00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:25.319
we have a special presentation and um Chief Bernardo, gonna hand it over to you. But chief, we're going to need you at a microphone. >> Thank you for giving us a few minutes. I appreciate it.

9
00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:45.680
>> So, we're here to honor one of our officers uh safety job weeks ago. One of the most rewarding responsibilities I have as a chief is recognizing the outstanding men and women who serve me. Today we have the privilege of

10
00:02:45.680 --> 00:03:06.480
recognizing those individuals of student is not someone who seeks recognition. Truth be told and proudly rather be on patrol with the guys that stand here. >> Police officers do good work every single day. They respond to calls. They make arrests, solve problems, and they

11
00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:21.680
bring difficult situations to successful outcomes. But what occurred on May 14th was anything but routine. Officer McCann responded to a burglary in progress at a residence in Peek Gladstone. Arriving first on scene, he encountered two suspects. He was alone and he was

12
00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:38.239
outnumbered. In that moment, he had to consider all of all of the unknowns. Would the suspects run? Would they fight? Were there additional suspects nearby? Were they armed? How quickly could the situation escalate? How quickly could it turn bad? Despite all of these

13
00:03:38.239 --> 00:03:53.920
uncertainties and risks, Officer McCann remained calm, decisive, and professional. And because of his actions, two suspects were taken into custody. A [clears throat] crime in progress was stopped. And most importantly, no one was injured. That was not luck. It was a product of

14
00:03:53.920 --> 00:04:10.560
training, courage, and an unwavering commitment to duty. As chief, there are moments that remind you why this profession is uh so rewarding. Moments when an officer rises to the occasion, performs under pressure and represents our department with distinction and

15
00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:28.400
honor. And this is one of those moments. Officer McCann, today I want you to know how much we appreciate you, how much we're proud of you. You may not seek recognition, and you may not be entirely comfortable receiving it, but that humility is one of the very qualities that makes you so deserving of medals.

16
00:04:28.400 --> 00:04:59.520
On behalf of the Ben, Mr. Ditach Police Department and the community we serve, it is my great honor to recognize your outstanding courage, your professionalism, and your performance. Congratulations on receiving the Ben Township Police Department. >> Thank you everyone. Thank you for your

17
00:04:59.520 --> 00:05:37.983
bravery. >> No pictures. >> Yeah, we need pictures. Awesome. >> Good job. Do you guys want to get >> You want me [clears throat] >> You can photo You can Photoshop me in.

18
00:05:37.983 --> 00:06:23.440
[clears throat] >> All right. That's great. There we go. Awesome. >> Boy, he looks just like you. So cute. I love his hair sucker and that's >> great.

19
00:06:23.440 --> 00:07:39.440
>> Thank you so much. >> Awesome. One more time. That looks great. >> Nice. You guys look awesome. That's going in the pink. Terrific. [laughter] you. Congratulations.

20
00:07:39.440 --> 00:08:00.000
>> Jake when you need them. >> So nice. >> All right. And you have to follow that down. Good luck. >> [laughter] >> So, thank you, Chief Bernardo, for um for giving that um recognition to

21
00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:16.720
Officer McCann. Uh it's certainly a great reminder uh that the dedication uh to the Bedminister community. Uh there's another component to it, which is bravery. And uh while I certainly uh was

22
00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:33.120
not aware of any of those details, we described of the situation certainly is um is an indication of what all our officers face every day, every night that they're on duty providing service to our community. So

23
00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:48.640
thank you chief for uh bringing this to our attention and for that certainly. So thank you. We have one set of meeting minutes to review and approve. That's the June 1, 2026 township committee meeting. Any comments, questions regarding the

24
00:08:48.640 --> 00:09:05.080
meeting minutes have not already been provided to Miss Ray. Take a motion to approve the June 1, 2026 minutes. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? I I >> Thank you.

25
00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:21.839
six permits and raffles. Let's see. Let's uh let's do the fireworks permit first. Fireworks permit for a fireworks display scheduled for July 1, 2026 at approximately 9:15 p.m. at

26
00:09:21.839 --> 00:09:38.560
Hamilton Farm Golf Club. Uh let's see. >> So, Mayor, this is the fireworks permit that we actually tabled at the last meeting. on Chief Bernardo didn't have chance. Well, it was never sent to him for review. Um, so I I know the chief

27
00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:54.720
has reviewed it this time as did our fire official who did approve it. I don't know, Chief. >> There you go. Okay. Uh, duration. >> Uh, I think it's 11 or 13 minutes. I I Hold on. I tell you exactly.

28
00:09:54.720 --> 00:10:14.399
Uh, hold on one second. uh 13 minutes. Okay. >> Any questions or comments from township committee regarding a fireworks permit for July one? >> United motion to approve that permit. >> So move. >> So move. >> Nope.

29
00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:30.399
>> Second. >> Okay. I have committeeman Hickeyi as a first and committeewoman Fernandez as a second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Thank you. So then the following five is a social affair permit to benefit

30
00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:47.440
facility concession services LLC. That's for the Liv Golf Tournament August 6 to 9, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Trump Golf Club. Then at on premise 50/50 raffle to benefit

31
00:10:47.440 --> 00:11:04.160
Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation on August 24, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Melbour. An onremise merchandise raffle to benefit Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation on August 24, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

32
00:11:04.160 --> 00:11:19.760
at Fiddler's Elbow and an onremise 50/50 raffle to benefit the Timothy J. Kiaatza Memorial Foundation, Inc. on August 10, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 900 p.m. at Fidler's Elbow

33
00:11:19.760 --> 00:11:35.600
and then an on premise merchandise raffle to benefit from the J Pasa Memorial Foundation, Inc. on August 10, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Fiddler's Elbow. Any questions or comments regarding those permits and

34
00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:52.320
raffles? >> None. Take [clears throat] motion to approve. So >> moved. >> Second. >> Okay. So I have committeewoman Moreski with a first and committeeman Rosen with a second. >> Sure. >> All in favor? >> I >> I.

35
00:11:52.320 --> 00:12:09.600
>> And we will head over to monthly reports discussion by subcommittee chair. We'll start with the DL table list. That's Command Rosen. and probably about another four weeks to go on the DL and then who knows what's

36
00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:25.440
going to happen. Uh thank you, mayor. On the rec side, camp uh Bedminster staff orientation is going to be on the 26th. Camp opens on the 29th, runs through August 7th. Um there's going to be four

37
00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:43.920
or five afternoon camps during that session and we have approximately 115 to 8 125 um campers on the garden front. Um 172 plots are up and running

38
00:12:43.920 --> 00:13:02.000
and um per Neil the reviews have been excellent for the garden so far. The dog park at Burnt Mills is nearing completion. We're just waiting to get some additional equipment in there and an opening dates will be um announced

39
00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:19.600
shortly. On the fire department side, um the department responded to 103 calls in April and May and they hosted the eighth department tri county firematics competition this weekend. Um, our department did not

40
00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:35.600
participate as they were the host, but Bernardville placed first out of the 18s. And that's all I have. >> Thank you, Bill. Committ Fernandez. >> Thank you, Mayor. [clears throat] Well, I just have a DPW update for right now.

41
00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:51.839
So, they've been working on the garden boxes. [laughter] um lots and lots of, you know, maintenance as far as the um mowing. They're doing the mowing the sides of the roads, the lining the soccer fields,

42
00:13:51.839 --> 00:14:07.440
you know, cutting the grass, grooming the ball fields. In addition, they um set up the Field of Honor flags, which look amazing. And u they've been working on the street lights in a ridge. That's great. and um just you know

43
00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:22.720
grading of the dirt roads, applied calcium to the dirt roads and you know working on the equipment and the police cars and that's all. >> Okay, thank you committee woman Moreski. >> Good evening Mayor. Good evening everyone. Um some dates to put in your

44
00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:38.240
calendar. I know everybody had was excited about our styrofoam recycling earlier this year. We're having a followup. It's going to be on June 27th from 9 to 1 back in Miller Lane. and DPW is going to be helping. So, save up your

45
00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:54.399
styrofoam. Later this year, just a little bit of a extra heads up, um we're going to have the um reptile night with uh the environmental commission in case I missed that totally. Um it'll be at back at the uh Hills Village North uh rec

46
00:14:54.399 --> 00:15:10.560
center on October 30th at 700 p.m. Probably a little bit of Halloween stuff going on with that. And since the styrofoam recycling seemed to be going so well, EC has started to look into textile recycling that came up at the last meeting. So, they're going

47
00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:26.720
to do some digging and checking into uh how much space and time and effort they'll need, but uh they're trying to reach out and keep making our environment better and cleaner and neater for everyone. U switching over to

48
00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:43.199
JVH, uh we had an event yesterday at the house. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend. So, I will pass this over to Robin who was there. >> Uh, sure. Marilyn had a um Betsy Ross uh Flag Day celebration. We had a presenter

49
00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:58.000
from American Historical Theater. It did a fantastic job. Was fairly well attended. >> Great. I got there a little late, so I missed Betsy Ross. I was at the far hills um flag day event. Uh was there as

50
00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:16.160
well. Um that's like great. >> Very very educational and informing. It was great. >> Yeah. So by the time that um book call and I showed up at JBH and like the crowd was winding down, but there were still

51
00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:31.920
>> Yeah. >> people there. >> We had open house till 4:00 and people were coming in right up until 4. >> Great. Once again, great to see the activation. And since this will be the last TC meeting, I think before the 4th of July, just want to remind everybody for the event going on at JBH on the

52
00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:49.600
4th, uh from 12 to 3, I believe. Um there's going to be all sorts of things going on and um everybody should come out and celebrate with us. >> All sorts of things. >> There'll be um barbecue, there'll be cookout stuff, there'll be games for the

53
00:16:49.600 --> 00:17:05.760
kids. There'll be >> um craft arts and crafts. There'll be um the um >> I can't remember the name of the orchestra. >> It's a John Luckenville Pops Band. They're about a 22piece um pops band that'll be playing festive music for the

54
00:17:05.760 --> 00:17:21.839
holidays. >> And we may have a special guest arriving on horseback, >> right? >> So, everybody has to come and see. >> So, Robin, just uh curious about the uh the outreach to uh getting the word out about the event. I know we're it's

55
00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:37.039
something that um is part of Bedminster's American 250 celebration that we're doing in conjunction with the borrow of PPAC and Ladstone. Um so just want to make sure that both Bedminster and and PG are doing whatever

56
00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:55.840
we can to uh get the word out so get the proper attendance out there. >> Yes, we are working together. Um, we have a a a logo that was developed and we've got a press kit and we've been sending out sponsor forms and um flyers.

57
00:17:55.840 --> 00:18:11.919
Some of the the flyers have started to go out, but they'll do a big push this Friday with the Friday. >> Great. >> And you were at the farmers market, >> correct? >> Two weeks ago, they were at the farmers market. >> Yes. >> God [snorts] bless you. >> G. Okay. Thank you, Committee.

58
00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:27.280
>> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everybody. uh board of health will not have a meeting this month. Uh I know mayor, you and I have library board on Wednesday and that's all I have right now. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Farmers Mark, I'm just going to go over the attendance. So

59
00:18:27.280 --> 00:18:45.799
we we had this that one rainy start on Memorial Day weekend that Saturday we had 865. Uh in the two weeks that followed uh we had 1708 and then just this Saturday 1718.

60
00:18:46.400 --> 00:19:01.120
>> Unbelievable. >> That's a lot of people. >> Yeah, >> that's a lot of people going through the market. Uh we have a new uh parking layout. Honestly, it worked great. Worked great. We actually had a

61
00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:20.960
lower number of volunteers this um past Saturday, but the the parking was operating. Still upgraded fine. Um just keeps growing and fix. But uh it's just uh fantastic to see the

62
00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:36.640
community out really supporting farmers market and uh I don't know just I'm still just in shock >> shocking it's becoming the new norm and when you called over the radio and said I think we're starting a ninth row of parking.

63
00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:53.600
>> It's crazy. Yeah. Everybody has made it part of their morning routine on Saturday mornings which is terrific. >> Yeah. Just uh great to see. Uh that's great. uh community. There was a a kids birthday party that was that was so they made the farmers market part of

64
00:19:53.600 --> 00:20:10.240
their um birthday celebration for it was a five or six year old but that was just >> that was great. That's where they wanted >> uh land use board. Uh there was a land use board last weekend. Um

65
00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:26.559
uh I'm sorry, last Thursday. Uh it was were no hearings. It was just um going over some prior resolutions and there will be a lens board meeting on 11.

66
00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:44.960
Uh and that's Fiddler's Elbow and um Kerry is coming back with signage, right? Um so they they've got their approval for their development project but they will be coming back regarding signs being placed at the uh at the

67
00:20:44.960 --> 00:21:02.559
project and that's what I have from the land use board and and really that's it for my committees. I will mention that not a committee. Um we will do have a meeting on

68
00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:17.919
Wednesday afternoon with um the property owners and business operators in Pluckman once again to continue the outreach with um commercial sector in our town.

69
00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:35.880
Bring everyone together talk about the K project. We'll also talk about uh the plug in pocket park, the crossroads park uh and some of the other activities that are going down there. Make sure businesses know what's going on

70
00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:51.440
because while we're aware of it and folks that are doing it, some of their neighbors may not have known. So we get everyone at the same table together and walk through what's going on and once again also listen um for comments that they have regarding our ordinances and

71
00:21:51.440 --> 00:22:08.240
our codes, land use, signs, lighting, all that other good stuff. That's all I have. Miss Riley, you please have the administrators report. >> Uh yes, mayor. Just real quickly, um Dererick and I are working with the fire departments and we have reached out to

72
00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:25.440
the first aid squad regarding the um American firefighters grant that's due actually next week working on their narratives with them um for submission. We also have as you mentioned the Pluckman Merchants meeting coming up and um we have the Summers Hills public

73
00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:42.000
safety meeting coming up on Thursday. Um, I would like to report that uh we applied for a grant, emergency grant through Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission for the roof at JBH and we have been awarded $50,000. So >> that project is fully funded.

74
00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:58.159
>> So now fully funded. >> Fully funded. >> By the way, the roof looks great. >> So it looks great. >> Fantastic. >> Yeah. uh the contractor uh Jason just as we talked about in and out um in time and JV will be like that

75
00:22:58.159 --> 00:23:15.440
>> possible will look great for the America 250 event. >> It really will. Um just real quickly, we had that bid opening back on uh June 4th for Autumn Ridge and that we have a resolution on for consideration for tonight to award contract so we can get that rolling which is fantastic. And

76
00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:31.120
just a couple plugs for JBH that I just want to go over. This Saturday, June 20th, um is another it's our regular open house uh for the Jacob Spanbe House. It's it's a special presentation at 1:00. House is open from 12 to 4.

77
00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:48.720
Special presentation 1:00. It's the Declaration of Independence with a gentleman by the name of Joel Farcus. He's an uh historian and he's going to be reviewing America's birth certificate from conception to celebration of Declaration of Independence. Um on uh as

78
00:23:48.720 --> 00:24:04.480
Renee had mentioned July 4th is picnic and pops from 12 to 3. It's a joint um production by both Peepac Gladstone uh Bedminster Township. We have um patriotic sounds of John Lock and Bill Pops band. We have food and adult

79
00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:18.960
beverages that have been donated by Burnt Mill Cider uh Colonial um liquors and delicious heights. So that's fantastic. We're going to be selling uh food, but people are more than welcome to bring their own picnic blanket and

80
00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:36.799
chairs. Um colonial reenactors, colonial crafts and games, house tours, and um and also we'll have the Field of Honor flag adoption available as well that day. and uh the signing of the Declaration of Independence. So, that's

81
00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:54.159
that. And then um I know we talked about the Field of Honor. We have flags available for adoption for $40. People can and that's from June 14th through July 14th. People can purchase flags right up through July 14th. And uh we have them available here at Bminster

82
00:24:54.159 --> 00:25:11.760
Town Hall online. And we'll have um flags are $40. They can either take the flags with them at the end of the event, pick them up on the 15th, or they'll be they can donate them back to the Jacobus Vanderbe house. One other event on Saturday, July 25th is a another event

83
00:25:11.760 --> 00:25:29.200
at JBH, it's John Sidell, who was the archaeologist who did the Pluck Penteman dig up in the hills. And that's on July 23rd, the Month. >> And that concludes my report. >> All right. Thank you, Chief Bernardo. Community policing.

84
00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:50.799
>> Uh, yes, Mayor. On June 11th, officers conducted a summer safety school. And then on June 12th, we had officers deliveration through our local boy sc. And then on June 14th, uh, we had all at

85
00:25:50.799 --> 00:26:06.960
the farmers market popcorn. And then this July we're doing a campaign both Christmas July to benefit veterans that sit at lions and murder veterans facilities. Uh we're looking for the following kind

86
00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:23.120
of donations. Toiletries bedding soaps clothing paper towels toilet paper and paper products items at our police department church or citizens bank.

87
00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:40.400
>> That's great. The um the popcorn seemed to be a big hit at the farmers market on Saturday. Certainly was a big hit with with me. >> This your breakfast. >> It's my breakfast. >> Coffee and popcorn. That's the way to start the morning. Um Colton look like

88
00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:58.799
they were getting constant traffic. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So that was well done by officers pending >> and if um I don't know. I'm sure if we can help with either a drop off uh for the um veterans event can do that at the

89
00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:14.720
response. I'm sure there's way >> just just need to get word out though. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We are not introducing any ordinances for the evening. We do have one public

90
00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:29.360
hearing of an ordinance and that's [clears throat] ordinance number 202612. An ordinance appro $105,000 from the reserve for the sewer transmission advisory board for the

91
00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:46.799
Miller Lane pump station Improvements. Take a motion to open up the public hearing for ordinance 202612. >> So move second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> thank you. >> Okay. Robin Jason

92
00:27:46.799 --> 00:28:01.520
>> um >> walk us through the 105 for the uh additional >> Sure. So this actually identifies the funding source for um some emergency repairs that have to be made for uh the pump station if you recall influence

93
00:28:01.520 --> 00:28:18.720
that. So this is just simply identifying the funding source which is from the sewer utility reserves. >> Okay. The council questions from the township committee on this ordinance and the expenditures for the repairs at the uh

94
00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:34.720
lane pump station. >> No, thankfully we had the money in the reserves. >> Okay. Um let's open up to the public any questions or comments regarding the ordinance? None in person

95
00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:52.720
and there's no one online. So, I'll take a motion to close the public hearing for ordinance 202612. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank. >> And now we'll take a motion to approve

96
00:28:52.720 --> 00:29:08.640
ordinance number 2026 012. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. I have uh committee uh Hickeyi as the first and the second is committeewoman uh Fernandez.

97
00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:24.720
>> Roll call vote, please. Committeeman Hickeyi, >> I. >> Committeewoman Moreski, >> I. >> Committeeman, I'm sorry. Committeewoman Fernandez, >> I. >> Committeeman Rosen, >> I. >> And Mayor Jacobs, >> I. >> Thank you. >> We have one, two, three, four, five,

98
00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:41.320
six, seven resolutions on the consent agenda. These are items of a routine nature. Any member of the township committee may pull one, some or all of them offer equal consideration. Now's your time to do so.

99
00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:56.240
>> Seeing none, I'll take a motion to approve the seven items on the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call vote again, please. Committee Hickeyi. I. >> Committeewoman Moreski. Hi. >> Committeewoman Fernandez. Hi.

100
00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:12.640
>> Committeeman Rosen. I >> and Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. >> Thank you. We do have one resolution for individual consideration which regards the uh review of our 2025 audit which is right here with their

101
00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:29.600
valor auditors the firm of missia and to walk us through the uh review of the audit and the recommendations is our very own auditor from Missia

102
00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:48.720
Kashinski. Andrew, come on up. >> Good evening, everyone. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> I am once again here to present on the financial results from the audit for this past year. Um, so I gave everyone a one-page handout prior to the meeting.

103
00:30:48.720 --> 00:31:04.720
Bill, I'm sorry. I have a copy for you here, but uh I don't I don't know if you got one digitally or not from from >> I I did not. >> Okay. I can get one over and and she can get it over to you. You see you have it. >> Okay. >> I know you're thoroughly interested. It's just I'm I'm going to run through

104
00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:20.720
everything that's on it though. I promise you that. Okay. So, uh to start out for the general operations through the current fund for the year ended December 31st, 2025, we had $42.8 million in overall revenues. We also had $40.5 million of

105
00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:37.840
overall expenditures. Including in that $42.8 8 million of revenues was $2,50,000 of fund balance which we used to build our budget for 2025. Uh I'm happy to report that at the end of 2025 we were able to regenerate both that $2,50,000

106
00:31:37.840 --> 00:31:54.720
that we used in the budget as well as an additional 289,000 to bring you to a total ending fund balance of 11.3 million. Uh we also had a great tax collection rate again this year. We were at 99.04%. That's a wonderful rate. Yeah, I pretty

107
00:31:54.720 --> 00:32:11.600
much say anything over 97% is healthy. Anything over 99% is awesome. Uh so kudos to your tax collector. You're doing a good job. Um I do want to clarify something in this debt information section. What you're going to see there is that I had said that you continue to pay down your debt. I forgot to change the wording on this because

108
00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:27.120
it's the wording that I normally use. So we paid we we budgeted for $94,700. That's what we contributed towards paying off our debt. What we did was we paid off $58,200 in bands and then we had an additional

109
00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:43.200
$36,500 that we put into reserve to pay debt service. So that's the total of that $94,700 just to clarify that for you. Uh we also did pay down another $14,572 of our green acres loans and the Greenacres loans will be finally paid

110
00:32:43.200 --> 00:33:00.240
off at the end of 2028. for our so utility fund uh for the year two 2025 we had $1.1 million in revenues and $695,000 of expenses included in that $1.1 million of revenues. We did use $258,000

111
00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:17.600
fund balance. So again happy to report that we increased by about $160,000 there and had an ending fund balance of a little bit over $2.3 million in the s utility operating fund. Uh there were two uh audit recommendations in this year's report.

112
00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:33.039
Um Committeeman Hickey, he he's going to take the first one, I think. Just [laughter] >> seen it before. >> We were discussing prior to the meeting. You're all used to it at this point. Bill, kind of kind of new for you. Um but the segregation of duties

113
00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:50.559
recommendation, it's in 99.9% of all of our audits. And the reason is because the treasury functions of reporting reporting and who has c custodianship of the funds is all tightly held. Okay. Um, the only place

114
00:33:50.559 --> 00:34:06.720
that we ever have it that we don't have this recommendation is where there's a separate person that's strictly collecting and it's kind of a pain for your residence because you literally you go to the office if you want to get a a license of some sort and they give you the paperwork. Then you go to that

115
00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:23.280
person and you pay that person. Then they give you a receipt and you take the receipt back to the other person and then you take it back and it's it's just Yeah. So just so you're all aware, it's not an uncommon thing. Uh you do have a lot of mitigating controls in place that make it that it's not really uh

116
00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:40.399
necessarily an issue we ever have found. Um so again, it's my same rigomearo that I do every year with this, but got to go through it. Um and the second recommendation was that we had a couple of purchase orders that were being prepared and approved prior to uh not being prepared and approved prior to the

117
00:34:40.399 --> 00:34:56.480
purchase for goods and services. As you'll see there, I just left some notes there for you. I think that a lot of the reason for this was kind of your your changeover that you had within the CFO role this year. I've spoken to Derek about it. He's already worked on this changed uh some things and I I don't imagine this to be a repeat

118
00:34:56.480 --> 00:35:12.240
recommendation next year. Um it's just something that we found in our testing. If we find it, we have to acknowledge it. Um, again, it's that's all got to do with the internal controls, making sure that before we go and we actually purchase something, good or service, uh,

119
00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:28.800
that we have the money available within our budget line to pay for it. Otherwise, we could end up with an overexpendure, and we don't want that. Um, there are also technically four, but I've listed them down to three. Management suggestions within your report. Uh, the first two items, again,

120
00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:45.520
these are things that we've gone through with Derek. He's working on already. Uh the first one is that there are some old outstanding improvement authorization amounts. Um we're just asking that they be reviewed and if necessary cancel back, not large balances that we're talking about necessarily, but if an

121
00:35:45.520 --> 00:36:01.119
improvement authorization is no longer active, you should really cancel the funding back to the original funding source or if there's debt related to it, put it into reserve to pay debt service to pay off that debt. Uh the grants receivable, there's just a couple of older grants receivable out there. Again, it's the same thing. We're just

122
00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:17.119
asking that they be reviewed and make sure that they're still valid. Uh if they're not valid, we cancel them. If they are valid, let's find a way to collect them. Again, spoken to Derek about this. He's on board. He's looking at it, and I'm guessing that I probably will not have this. I I have a lot of

123
00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:32.240
experience with Derek. I'm guessing that I pro probably will not have this again next year. [clears throat] Um the last one, which is actually two, is Gatsby statements 104 and 105. If you look towards the back of the audit report, they're listed separately in detail of specifically what these are

124
00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:48.800
on, but it's really just changing around the the presentation of certain things within the audit. Uh the standards are are causing us to put some information that's normally within the report a certain way and a little bit more detail, a little bit more note disclosure, and it might just be

125
00:36:48.800 --> 00:37:03.920
reflected differently. What's the overall impact to the town? Nothing. Um everything is going to basically stay financially the same. It's not a change in accounting standard necessarily for how the accounting is treated. It's just how it's presented. So, they're really

126
00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:19.470
just presentation purposes only. Um, I know that you all read this cover to cover. So, I'm looking forward next year to some very big questions about why this looks different. And I can say Gazsby 104 and 105. We talked about it last year. [clears throat]

127
00:37:19.470 --> 00:37:36.400
[laughter] >> Um, does anybody have any specific questions for me related to the audit? Oh, and before I do that, uh, I just want to thank your SAT. Um, they do a really great job. Uh, Derek really did come in and do a wonderful job. You

128
00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:51.520
know, Robin is always a major asset with coordinating everything, so I thank her for that. Um, but I really do have to say that, you know, Derek made all of this relatively easy in a transition year this year. Uh, which is it's

129
00:37:51.520 --> 00:38:07.280
refreshing and it's great. So, I know I told all of you that I thought the world of Derek went and you said he was coming on board. So, I hope that he's living up to it because that's my work, too. [laughter] >> Great. Thank you, Andrew. Uh, I just

130
00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:29.240
have a quick question and really just a clarification since >> we already know the answer. Um, in your summary, you identify revenues of 42,847,249 and expenditures of 40,58,82.

131
00:38:30.560 --> 00:38:46.320
To be clear, those revenues and expenditures account for the collection of uh the school taxes and the county and the library taxes. Correct. So, our municipal budget is $40 million, >> right?

132
00:38:46.320 --> 00:39:03.440
>> Or $42 million. Um much lower than that, but that is inclusive of our role as the tax collector for the school and for the county and the library. So, just clarify that. Any questions, comments for Andrew?

133
00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:20.000
>> None. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Andrew. >> Thank you. Thank you. The voice that's so good. >> [laughter] >> So with that presentation um let's look at resolution 2026117

134
00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:34.800
and this resolution states that the governing body of the township of Edminster has reviewed at minimum the general comments and recommendations register municipal accountants on the annual audit for 2025.

135
00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:51.280
There's a motion to approve that resolution. So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. Comm. >> Meeting woman. >> I. Committing woman Fernandez. >> I. >> Mman Rosen.

136
00:39:51.280 --> 00:40:08.240
>> I. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> I. >> Thank you. >> And as a followup of the next resolution is 2026118. This resolution approves the corrective action plan submitted by the chief financial officer board 25.

137
00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:25.040
Take a motion to approve resolution 2026118. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We'll call vote again, please. Committee Hickey. >> Hi. >> Committeewoman Moreski. >> Hi. >> Committeewoman Fernandez. >> Hi. >> Committee Rosen.

138
00:40:25.040 --> 00:40:42.640
>> I. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Andrew. until you also >> and we'll take a motion to approve the bill list pending review of individual

139
00:40:42.640 --> 00:40:58.960
invoices and purchase orders. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. Committeeman Hickeyi, >> I. >> Committeewoman Moreski, >> I. >> Committeewoman Fernandez, >> I. >> Committeeman Rosen, >> I. >> And Mayor Jacobs, >> I. >> Thank you.

140
00:40:58.960 --> 00:41:16.960
>> New business. Any member of the tension committee have any item they'd like to put on for new business? >> Nope. >> Okay. Moving on to old business utilities. >> Thank you, mayor. Just a quick update on New Jersey American Water. We continue

141
00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:33.359
to make progress on the issue where New Jersey American Water sewer customers in Bedminster are being instructed by the New Jersey American Water Call Center to contact Bedminster Water for billing and service issues. Just to reiterate, there is no Bedminister water. Between myself,

142
00:41:33.359 --> 00:41:49.119
Miss Ray's office, and our front desk, I think we finally convinced the folks at New Jersey American Water that we're not clandestinely running a waterworks in the hills. Unless Jason's got a little side business going on that I'm aware of. As New Jersey American Water works on a long-term fix, our government and

143
00:41:49.119 --> 00:42:05.200
regulatory affairs representative has agreed to field customer calls when residents in Bedminister find themselves in that situation. So, we are making headway. God bless her. She's going to get some phone calls. Uh, and that is all I have on that issue. And Jason, I

144
00:42:05.200 --> 00:42:20.880
don't know if you have anything. Nope. >> Mayor, that's all I got. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, at the Hills Public Safety Committee, I believe, uh, we don't have a until >> Thursday. This Thursday. >> This Thursday.

145
00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:38.880
This Thursday. Okay. And with that, we do have an executive session. Uh so we'll go through township committee comments. Then we will go to executive session. We will return

146
00:42:38.880 --> 00:42:56.400
to the public session for adjournment. We are not taking any action of executive sessions. So good retention in the comments. Starting with committeeman Rosen. >> Thank you mayor. Uh the the

147
00:42:56.400 --> 00:43:12.240
convolescence continues very slowly and tediously but one thing that helped uh ease the pain um was watching the Knicks over the past uh two months win for the first time since 1970 and 73. And as a

148
00:43:12.240 --> 00:43:30.079
long-suffering Knicks fan, it was a great great run. And Jaylen Brunson can be talked about in the same breath as Walt Frasier now. >> All right. Thank you. He's We may not have slides speaking uh well

149
00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:47.680
characteristics. >> Nope. >> But uh it was great. Certainly great to see. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Mayor. I've been a Knicks fan for 14 long days. [laughter] I'm also very excited about their win uh

150
00:43:47.680 --> 00:44:04.720
whenever there's a a team local a local team winning. So, that's exciting. Okay. Um, I just wanted to congratulate Officer McCann on his medal and just say how grateful and thankful I am that we have officers and all of their bravery and and um, you know, that their

151
00:44:04.720 --> 00:44:20.880
selflessness and um, just really appreciate all the work that all of our officers do. So, I just wanted to reiterate that and um, I think that's it and we'll see everybody July 4th. >> Thank you, Committee. and the same

152
00:44:20.880 --> 00:44:37.839
feelings about officer man as uh Gina just described. Um but I want to just remind everybody about the 4th of July and we will see everybody there at JBH. >> Thank you man. >> Thank you mayor. I echo my colleagues comments. Um and obviously for

153
00:44:37.839 --> 00:44:53.680
committeeman Rosen he is ablely filled the shoes of committeeman Stevenson and his love [clears throat] of basketball. So well done Bill. Bill, you also mentioned the Firematics competition. Um, in your absence on Saturday because I know you're laid up, I managed to stop by the celebration afterwards at the

154
00:44:53.680 --> 00:45:10.560
firehouse after we had the farmers market. Um, you know, our local first responders always demonstrated an amazing amount of professionalism and camaraderie, even if they didn't or they couldn't compete this year. So, I just want to say in addition to being Bedminster's bravest, they're also among Bedminster's best. That's

155
00:45:10.560 --> 00:45:27.920
>> it. It was it was probably too soon for me to uh return to the scene of the crime. >> You there's actually restriction. You're not allowed within firehouse now. So >> I'm sure Bill was the subject of many discussions and >> discussions. Yeah. More comments maybe.

156
00:45:27.920 --> 00:45:45.359
>> Well, you may not have been there. >> Yes, you were there in spirit. >> Thanks. >> Just letting you know. >> Uh I have no further comments tonight. I'll take a motion to close public session and go into executive.

157
00:45:45.359 --> 00:46:06.079
>> So moved. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> thank you. Once again, we will not be taking any formal action when we return places. >> You're welcome to stay. >> Well done. And on the other hand,

158
00:46:06.079 --> 00:46:23.920
I need to stop this one. My mother called me to chat and she was like, "So, the Knicks won?" I'm like, "Who?" What? >> I'm I like It's been a long couple weeks. >> It is now 8:39. The township committee

159
00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:38.720
has returned from executive session. We are now that public session. As I mentioned earlier, we are not taking any formal action. And I will take the motion to adjurnn. So move.

160
00:46:38.720 --> 00:46:54.160
So moved. Second. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. And good night. >> Good night. >> It wasn't as loud as Bill. It's amplified. >> Boring thing. But >> yeah, Bill is pretty loud. Yeah.