Good evening. It is 7:01. Welcome to the Bedminister Township Committee. This is our regularly scheduled November 3rd, 2025 meeting. Recognize that we have a full compliment at four of town
committee once again with committeeman Hickeyi, committee woman, committee Fernandez, and me. And um we have one empty seat for um formally filled by committeeman Stevenson who resigned and hopefully in
about uh three minutes we have that seat filled. 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 career news Somerville Burnersville News Whippony and to all
subscribers and posted the township municipal building on January 7th, 2025. >> Thank you. Please join me in standing for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So, normally during um our meetings, this is when we would open up uh the microphone and Zoom session for public
comment. Um however, we do have a brief detour. Um hopefully it's brief. uh we will proceed to fill the vacancy
uh that is due to once again former committeeman Doug Stevenson's resignation. So um I'm going to run through what led us here. Committeeman Stevenson resigned a couple meetings ago. Um the John
correct me if I'm wrong. The statute, New Jersey law says that the township committee needs to fill that vacancy. And if the elected position, the the
position that was resigned, uh, was associated with a partisan vote, as Bedminster is, we do run partisan votes here. Then the party that the resigned committee person
uh was from uh that local committee, in this case the Republican municipal committee, is to present uh names to the township committee and the township committee must choose
one of those names within 15 days of being presented with that list of names. >> Correct. >> Former mayor Steve Parker is the Republican Municipal Committee chair. Uh
he did convene a meeting of the uh Fedister Republican Municipal Committee. Uh and they did present Ms. Ray with three names to fill the empty seat.
>> M Ray, >> that's correct. May um they're all in the letters actually in the inside jacket of your binders. And um so on October 22nd, I did receive from um Denver Republican Chair Steve Parker uh
three uh nominees that they had selected from the Republican Municipal Committee. They are Bill Rosen, Barbara Bowman, and Jeffrey Leonard. >> And I know all three of them, and they are all three great uh candidates. So, thank you, Mayor Parker, for giving us those three names. And thank you to the
RMC for uh fulfilling its obligations to provide us with those names. Uh reading from uh Mayor Parker's transmission to Robin. Um he identifies uh Bill Rosen, Barbara Bowman, Jeffrey
Leonard, and there's note here that Miss Bowman and Mr. Leonard are willing to serve, but they endorse Mr. Rosen. So, uh Bill is here tonight. Um, so let me just put it out to the
township committee uh before we proceed with the uh selection obvious uh that Miss Bowman and Mr. Leonard have endorsed Bill Mr. Rosen. Uh Gina, I imagine you support Bill Rosen's uh
>> wholehearted. >> Okay. So uh questions for Bill? None. None. >> No. >> All right. Seeing no comments or questions from the tent committee, take a motion to fill
the unexpired term of committeeman Stevenson with Bill Rosen. >> So, do we have we have a motion? >> I'll make a second. >> You're going to second. Okay, Robin, we have a motion and a
second to uh place Bill Rosen to fill the unexpired term of committeeman Stevenson. >> So that'll be a roll call vote, please. >> Mr. >> I, >> Miss Moreski, >> absolutely. I >> Miss Fernandez >> I.
>> And Mayor Jacobs, >> I Congratulations, Bill. And uh before you come up here, >> you do all for >> Okay. So, where do you want to We need someone
with a camera. >> Anyone with a camera? >> I'll take a picture. >> Don't you want to have someone come up with you? Karen is Karen was off to Mississippi for a game over the weekend
yesterday. So she's in transit. >> I'm going to do this and your right hand holding the Bible for us that would be great. >> Okay. Are you sure? >> Okay. So, I
>> I, William Rosen, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of New Jersey >> and the state of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith
>> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the author authority of the people under the authority of the people. And
that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially and justly impartial impartially and justly perform all the duties all the duties of the office of Bminster Township Committee of the Office of Bedminster Township Committee according to the best of my
ability according to the best of my ability. and that I will not use my office. >> And I will not use my office to grant preferential treatment. To grant preferential treatment, >> nor to seek personal gain, >> nor to seek personal gain. >> Favor or advantage. >> Favor or advantage.
>> Not available to the general public. >> Not available to the general public. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Thank you, Mayor Parker. >> Do the mayor first? >> We're to a short meeting. >> You decide. That's great. Now you find
just perfect. That's great. Do one more. No, >> thank you. >> Now Stevenson has selected that chair for your uh committees. >> Okay. So we're gonna
right there. >> You're already official. >> Well, we had a couple, you know, couple choices. Slide it in. Slide it out. >> There you go. >> Sorry. >> Once again, thank you uh to
>> the RMC chair as >> to RMC Chair, Mayor Parker, to the RMC for providing us with the names >> and to Miss Bowman and to Mr. Leonard for their willingness to serve and for
their endorsement of Bill Rosen. And thank you to Bill for agreeing to fill uh Doug's seat for the next couple of months and hopefully beyond that. We do have public comment. This is the time of the meeting that we open up uh
the microphone right here or the Zoom session or telephone to any member of the public wishing to make a comment, ask a question. Once again, as a reminder, you are not guaranteed of an answer. You are not guaranteed of a dialogue with the
township committee unless any one of us um elects to participate. And um you are certainly not guaranteed of getting an answer that you like. >> I have no one on the line. >> Let's proceed with the meeting.
We have one set of meeting minutes to approve. That's the October 20 township committee meeting. The councilor questions regarding those minutes that have not otherwise already been provided to Miss Ray.
Seeing none, take a motion to approve the October 2020 25 minutes. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? I >> I >> thank you. We have two raffles to review and
approve. First is an on premise 50/50 raffle to benefit Bedminster Township School PTO on April 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM at Trump National Golf Course and an on
premise merchandise raffle to benefit Township School PTO on April 17, 2026 from 700 p.m. to 9:45 at Trump National. Obviously that is Spring Flame. Any questions or comments regarding the
two raffles for spring? None. Take motion to approve. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Monthly report discussion by subcommittee chair. >> He's he's on the
>> committee Fernandez. I I've had a busy um busy October and looking like a busy November, too. Uh so recently, most most recently, we had the trunk or treat. I haven't reported out on that yet, right? No. >> Okay. So, roughly u Bill and I were both
there at the um the wreck department and also the DVDW was there. They did an amazing job decorating the um graveyard site. Basically, they brought in dirt for the graveyard. It was it was pretty amazing. and the tractor and um
we gave out I would guess about 250 candy bars and I was pretty good about making sure nobody came back for I'm like I saw you here already. Um and uh you know our police department was there, our fire department was there,
our first aid squad was there. They actually had a skeleton inside the ambulance so people had to get up in the ambulance to get um candy. So that was pretty cool. and probably about 15 15 vehicles total. Um so it was great turnout. Love to see all the little families, the little kids. I sent lots
of pictures to Neil, so hopefully he'll get those up on the Facebook page. Um in addition, we have um the DPW update from Jason, which I'll just um he was also obviously at a big part of the trunk or treat. So thank you Jason and Michelle
for that. Uh he's been doing some basin work on steeple chase. Um basin work on frontage town hall. They've worked on some heavy equipment, grading of dirt roads, leaf cleanup. Love those leaves. Um tree and limb
cleanup, field lining, and grass cutting. So that's what DPW has been busy busy out there working this fall. So those are all my updates for right now. >> Great. Jason, what's the um So, I said they they did the mill of steeplechase uh paving this week. >> Wednesday.
>> Wednesday. Great. >> Committee woman Moreski. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Um the only thing I have to report on is the um outcome of reptile night. That was October 24th, the night before trick or trunk or treat. And it
was an awesome turnout. About 50 people showed up. um kids in lots of little cute costumes, lots of adults very excited about what they were learning. So that was Erin Molini who re who um owns snakes and scales
business. She does this kind of thing for uh scouts and schools and all sorts of places. Um she brought with her two snakes, a little one and a very large Rocky Balboa constrictor. He's amazing snake. Um she had an alligator turtle
with her, a bearded dragon, and um she would give the kids a little bit of an update on what that animal was, what they like to eat, how they how they live, and then she would let it let the kids ask questions. So that she got some
really good questions and uh it was it was an awesome night. Um EC provided some candies and stuff, so the kids were running around like crazy and that was a lot of fun. Um, and uh that's about it. But it was it was a good night and I'm sure they'll do it again for whoever
missed it and wants to see. And that's all I have tonight. >> Great. Committee Hickey. >> Thank you, mayor. Good evening. All all my subcommittees met before our last meeting, so I have no new updates. >> And Bill, you have not yet been assigned
to any committees or subcommittees, so we will uh hold off on uh compelling you to report just yet. >> Okay. would be a hell of a trick. Um, and similarly, um, as with Committeeman Hickeyi, um,
I've had no committee meetings or subcommittee meetings since our last, um, meeting. However, uh, farmers market, we did have great turnout. Same day as trunk or treat. Um, I think that was what, 1180, 1185, something about
that. Yep. And then this last weekend cooler clouds were coming in. Uh we ended up what? >> 7 796. >> Yeah, >> just shy >> just shy of 800. Um but you know, all in all for November, we'll take it. It was
another great day. Um and later this week, we do have a meeting of the A advisory committee meeting. That's actually on Wednesday. And so our next meeting will be reported on that. There is a there is no land use
board meeting this week but there is >> correct >> that's going to be on that's going to be on 12th no >> 13th >> 13th. So 13th, which I believe committee
man Hickey and I were discussing this earlier, is the application for the EV chargers down by uh Fresh Market. I think that's all we have immediately pending. >> Correct. >> Before the land use board. Uh Miss Ray,
can we please have the administrator's report? >> Yes, Mayor. Um just getting uh busy uh with elections preparing for that. Um, also, um, county administrator put out some information about, um, the SNAP program ending and the county's efforts
or initiatives for the current hunger program to ramp up. So, we put out a public service message to everybody. You might have seen it um to go ahead and please bring with you a non-p perishable food item or personal hygiene item when you come to vote tomorrow. We'll put it
in the big hunch bins outside, but we're just we have a lot of meetings coming up over the next two weeks, so we'll report out at that time. Great. Thank you. Um, Chief Bernardo, any updates on community policing? >> Uh, hey, good evening. Um, just a
reminder, November 12th, we'll be doing a fraud presentation at the library at 11:00 a.m. Um, we're going to be hosting it with the security team from Affinity Credit Union. So, uh, it should be a should have it be informative. If
anybody has, uh, some free time and would like to attend, be great. >> Great. I don't know that I can make it, but I think it would be good if we can get some representatives from the TC to uh to attend that as well. >> I can do that. >> Great.
Introduction of ordinances, we have not public hearing of ordinances, we have not. We have no items on the consent agenda. We have two resolutions for individual consideration. The first is resolution
2025167. This resolution authorizes Somerset County Transportation 2026 agreement for senior van services. Miss Ray, you just want to walk us through uh resolution 167.
>> Yes, Mayor. Um must been back in 2019, Committee Fernandez and myself worked on getting transportation for the seniors to shopping. Um they currently um they love their trips. that go up to Chester uh Springs Mall and they do shopping on both sides of 206 and um we don't want
any service to be interrupted in between their holidays. So that's why we're introducing this agreement to renew for the coming year >> and and Gina and and Robin the the attendance has been steady. We know who's going. There's been as far as I
understand there have not been any complaints about Somerset County's uh transportation system. >> No. and we're happy to provide that service to our residents, our senior residents about six to eight that provide it religiously every Wednesday. >> That's great. Okay, great.
>> Any further questions or comments regarding resolution 167 and retaining the services of Somerset County for senior van transportation? Seeing none, take a motion to approve. >> A move. Second.
Roll call vote, please. Here we go. Mr. Rosen. >> Hi. >> Um, Committeeman Hickeyi. >> Hi. >> Committeewoman Moreski. >> Hi. >> Committeewoman Fernandez. >> Hi. >> Committee Rosen. >> I already did.
>> Mayor, did you already >> just in case? >> Sorry. >> I And I responded. So, >> he gets to vote twice. That's awesome. And early. >> So, sorry.
The next resolution is resolution 2025168. This resolution authorizes the appointment of a full-time heavy equipment operator for the Department of Public Works. Jason, >> uh, yes, thank you. Uh, with the
resignation of Michael Boardman, he was our heavy equipment operator. We had a vacancy. We ended up doing we had internal interviews. We ended up doing actual hands-on uh run the back code a loader and stuff
with the two candidates that applied and we did uh interviews in house for the two candidates and we come up with one of the guys in house Mike Dennis is qualified to do the job. >> Great.
>> Mike uh can I just chime in? He's been with the township since February 2023. um and he has consistently grown in both his role and responsibilities and um we like to promote people from within and watch you know our staff members grow
and his performance and his technical knowledge stood out. So um we're happy to promote him to this position. >> Are there any licenses or certifications that go with the heavy equipment operator that Michael doesn't already have? >> Um he's going for his class A. They're actually going to class Thursday
started. So >> Okay. And there's I just want to add there's no cost to us for that class A certification in the shared service with the county. So it's free to serve. >> Okay, great. Any further questions or comments regarding resolution 2025168?
>> Seeing none, take a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. Mr. Hickey, >> I. Miss Moreski >> I miss Fernandez >> I >> Mr. Rosen >> I >> and Mayor Jacobs >> I
>> yes >> and take a motion to approve the billless pending review of individual invoices. >> So moved >> second roll call vote again please. Committee Hickey >> I.
>> Committee woman Moreski I. >> Committee woman Fernandez >> I. >> Committeeman Rosen >> I. >> And Mayor Javis >> I. >> Thank you. New business. Do any of the township committee members want to put any item
up for discussion under new business? >> Seeing none, let's go to old business. Utilities. Any hickey? >> You know, I could talk about utilities for hours. >> Robin, what time do you have to get up tomorrow? >> Oh, four. >> Four.
>> Mayor, I have no updates on utilities. >> Thank you, Colin. >> Very welcome. Attorney Bolardo, I I presume there's no uh nothing for public discussion under Pluckman Park Senior Housing. >> No, mayor. >> Thank you. Somerset Hills Public Safety
Committee. There's no updates uh since our last uh meeting. So, with that, we will proceed with Township Committee comments. We have no executive session, and we will then adjourn for the evening. Oh, wait a second. Rodney.
>> Rodney is here. >> Rodney. Rodney. Uh, do we put you under? >> Do we put do we put this under ancient business >> because we have new business? >> Old business and then really old
business. >> So, Rody, why don't you give us an update on the um Miller Lane pumping station? So, I will summarize this really quick to keep it brief. Of course, uh we again what I've been reporting on is all the chop drawings
getting approvals. Uh some of those have been there's been a couple of the of the bigger ones have been kicked back due to some battle requirement issues. Um build America by America. Uh that's generators, the odor control, uh the
variable frequency drives for the pumps. Uh so we're in the process of trying to work through that. There's some other options as far as generator. Uh there's another option that we're also looking into as to when we actually the specific date that we approved the project
formally. Uh if that date was before May 14th of 2022, which it feels like it was, uh we may be exempt from some of the back requirements. So that would be a big help for us. uh the controls for the pumps. That was another one that the vendor initially told us that it would
meet the requirements, but uh when they actually put the order in to order those controls, they they can't provide the exemption for build by America. So, not no update on that yet, but uh
we're staying on top of it and I have some good news about that. You all will know for sure. uh the contractor did experience a little setback in that his project manager um unexpectedly left the
company. So he now has a new project manager in place. So there's a little catch up uh to do there with the project manager as far as you know get a grasp and get a grip on the project forward.
That's pretty much zero. >> Sounds like where we're at. >> Yes. >> So, without the uh without the Build America by America um exemption,
has any of the equipment already been ordered or are we now going to see increases due to tariffs on the uh on these materials? Uh no, a lot of the equipment has already been ordered. Uh
some of the equipment is actually has not been delivered to us yet, but it is at the vendor. Uh for instance, the pumps, which that's a that's a big part of it that has been there that's at the vendor's location. I I would expect them to start delivering some of this pretty
soon also. That's uh it's one of the things once this project manager gets a little bit caught up we're uh we're looking into see when the actual >> so if there was a Build America Buy by America requirement were we able to place those
purchase orders through before they received the exemption >> that's so I guess what I'm getting were we able to order the equipment that was subject to the BABA requirements >> we we we did order equipment that was
that did have the uh fab requirements fulfilled that is order we didn't directly order of course contractor orders it we met the contractor upon delivery >> okay so the contract so so therefore our the babber requirement is when we pay
for it was already ordered by the contractor the contractor is out the money >> right it would be >> yes Okay. And there's no really no option. Uh there's no American
manufactured >> equipment that fits uh the criteria that we're looking for. >> Now, of course, with shutdown currently, those reviews have stopped and >> yeah, >> that's slowing it down also. >> Okay. So, what actually is the status of
on-site work for the uh upgrade? >> There there isn't one yet. Uh again, probably two or three times a week. I'm on the phone with the with our engineer who was then turned, you know, on the
phone talking to our contractor and just emphasizing how, you know, desperately we want to get something started. There's there's a chance, which is an odd thing, but they said they might actually start
on the uh tank refurbishment soon, which seems a little odd to me, painting, and it's out the door and all that. But the other project that that they said they would start very soon was the air release valves on fourth main. That's
part of the project. That's a that's a big step that we need to take to get to the point that we can test the force main. Those air releases have to be functioning to do the tests that we've proposed and talked about doing the force main to check its condition.
>> And those air releases um are situated between Miller Lane and the EDC facility. >> Yes, there's five of them. Yes. >> And they have to be they have to be excavated out and then >> hopefully not excavated out. Um, but we
honestly don't know that until we take them apart and see the condition of the pipe internally. Uh, they're mounted. They're a saddle mount it's called. So, basically two big clamps holding this air release on that they drill the hole on and through and stuck this air
release on. U an interesting way to do it, but that's how they're done. So, until you actually shut the force mate down, take those off, you don't know what the condition of the pipe is. If the condition is poor in the pipe, then that's a different
story. That's then you are digging up pipe, taking the pipe back however far you need to. Then you would put valves in on the on the upside of the valve and the downstream side so that you can isolate the valve in the future if you need to take it out to repair it, to
replace it, whatever. But given that's those air releases are there for for a reason and that's because that's where the line would trap air there is a chance that the pipe could be in poor condition in fact they have not functioned I
last function. So looking at the schedule um newest to proceed was issued on May 2nd of 2025. We're still going with the final completion date of May 1, 2027.
>> That's Yep. Absolutely. >> With a 50% completion deadline of December 1, 2026. >> Correct. >> So where it needs to be for sure. >> So it seems like there's a little little U. So backended between December 1, 2026
and May 1, 2027. >> Yes. >> Okay, Rodney. But once it kicks off, it hopefully will go smoothly and quickly >> and you know, >> and putting an emphasis on odor control
for the folks at >> who work and who work and live at Miller Lane. I think that would be >> nice priority. >> Questions or comments for Rodney on the status of the Miller Lane pump
station. >> Okay. So, now we'll go to township committee comments and um Gina, we're not going to start with you. >> I don't like change.
>> Bill, get back out there. Okay. >> Gina doesn't like change. >> Okay. Committeeman Rosen. >> Uh, thanks to uh, Steve and the RMC for their continued support. Thanks to the
committee for your support. It is a pleasure and an honor to be up here. I have worked with all of you for years between wreck and the market. I am looking forward to working with you on the next level now. And it's especially
an honor for me to be sitting in Doug's um Doug seat. Doug back in the day was really an inspiration and influence on me um getting involved in my um early baseball days when Doug was president of Little League. So it is a real honor for me to be sitting uh in his chair.
>> And it actually was Doug who recommended you to me to put you on wreck >> long time ago. >> There you go. That was a you were a Doug Stevenson recommendation and I'm uh you know looking forward uh to the next uh
two months and uh good luck to Gina tomorrow and get out and vote. There's a lot at store for both the state and the county tomorrow. >> Thank you committeewoman Fernandez. >> Thank you mayor. Um I just want to
congratulate Bill. You look good up there long. And um I wanted to congratulate Mike Andis for his promotion and just thank everyone and just remind everybody get out to vote and let's let Robin get home and go to sleep.
>> Committee woman Moreski. >> So to that end, I'll just say welcome Bill. We're so glad to have you. Um best of luck to you and Gina tomorrow and everybody get out and vote. Like they said, uh tomorrow's a big day. Committ Hickey.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Committee Rosen. Sounds strange to say that, but it's good. You know, you've been described as a serial volunteer for Bedminister. I think that's a very apt description. I think what is it the 20 years you've been volunteering in one form or another? >> Uh not quite. But I've been in bed for
21 probably volunteering when the kids start in school. So, probably the last 15 16 years. >> Amazing. >> Yes. >> And you and you've done it all and and like you said, you're stepping it up now to the next level. Thank you for your service beforehand. We look forward to working with you at least for the next several months and hopefully beyond.
Hopefully beyond. I just want to thank you and Gina because you know when you run you put yourself out there, right? You've got >> your signs with your name on it. You're on Facebook, you're on Instagram, you know, you take some punches, but thank you for again agreeing to run and hopefully serve. And uh that goes up the
line for everybody who decides to pursue public office. So thank you and everybody get out and vote tomorrow. Mayor, that's all I have. Thank you. Uh so first off, I'd like to congratulate Bill and once again again thank you to the RMC and to uh the RMC chair, Mayor
Steve Parker uh for providing us the names and especially for providing your name. Um good luck to Gina and Bill tomorrow. Um and um you know I want to I've said this before and I' I've given credit to Mayor Parker for this line. is
line that I heard um Steve mentioned six years every time there was a you know we had a meeting before an election um campaigning is over now in the old days there would always be some activity on election day and and
Steve and I talked about it and it and it really was I think unbecoming to the election process that there's been months and months of campaigning Um, election day should be left to the voters and leave it to the voters. You
know, for everyone who's been running, you've done enough. Let the voters decide and and don't interfere with uh the election process. Uh once again, congratulations, Bill. Uh good luck and and you know, just
everyone who's running, thank you for putting your name out there. as Committee Maniki said, you know, for who's ever running, right? For whatever office, um, you put your name out there into the public. Uh, you put your face out there to the public. And, um, and
the public is not always kind. Um, but you need to be prepared for that. And for anyone who does put themselves out for, uh, election and campaigning, uh, good luck and thank you for your service. That is part of the
process as well. Hoping we get out a little earlier, but uh there's still plenty of time for Robin to get some sleep. It is 7:38. I'll take a motion to adjourn for the evening. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Thank you and good night. >> Thank you.