Thank you very much. Good evening. Welcome to the Bedminister Township Committee meeting. This is our regularly scheduled July 21st meeting. Recognizing we have a quorum of township committee here in person. Committeeman
Stevenson, Committeeman Hickeyi, Committee Moreski, and Committee Fernandez has an excused absence. Miss 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 News Somerville Burnersville News Whippony and to all subscribers and posted at the Township Municipal Building on January 7th, 2025. >> Great. 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. >> Okay, here we are. It is
the latter half of July. Summer is flying by. Uh this is the time of the meeting that we open up uh the microphone here or the Zoom session for public comment. Any member of the public
wishing to make a comment, ask a question. Now is your opportunity to do so. As a reminder, you are not guaranteed of a dialogue or an answer to your specific question. >> Robin, anyone on >> No one online other than two employees.
Okay, we will move on with the rest of the meeting. We have one meeting minutes, one set of meeting minutes uh to approve. That's the July Oh, not July 21st. That's the July 7,
2025 uh meeting minutes. Sex session, right? Sessions. noted of obsession. So, it's the July 7, 2025 meeting minutes. Any comments, questions?
If none, take a motion to approve the July 7 meeting minutes. >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> We have three permits and raffles to approve. First is a social fair permit
to benefit the Brook Healey Foundation, Inc. on September 15th from 7:30 a.m. to 400 pm at Fitler's Elbow Country Club. an on premise merchandise raffle to benefit Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation on July 25, 2025 from 7:00
a.m. to 6 PM at Fiddler Country Club and an on premise 5050 raffle to benefit Society of the Sisters of Christian Charity of New Jersey on September 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fiddler's L Country Club. Any questions
or comments regarding the permit and two raffles? All right. Take a motion to approve all three. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Monthly report discussion by
subcommittee chair. >> Committee woman >> Moreski. You get to lead off. >> Oh no. >> And and will it involve moths? That is the only thing I have to report on today is that the the um moth night event went
swimmingly although I was not able to attend. Um I heard there was about 30 people there. >> She wasn't able to attend. >> I was not I had prior commitment but uh I saw some pictures and they set it up a little differently than they have before. Um they did they used our um
gazebo and strung out the cloth and had a very bright light and it looked like they had a bouquet. Maybe for the moths to be attracted by the smell. It looked very fancy. Um but Laura reported back that everybody had a good time. So that was great. I'm sure
we will do it again next year. >> Great. >> And that's all I have for >> Yeah. I heard there was about 29 attendees uh not including the the EC reps. So that's uh that's that's great. >> That was great. And also >> especially since it been re rem um it had been moved >> that was a rain date so that was uh you
know I think well done for uh EC on that >> man hickey. >> Thank you mayor. Good evening all. Uh board of health just a quick announcement. It might be warm out now but unfortunately flu season is right around the corner. Board of Health will be sponsoring a flu shot clinic with the county health department scheduled for
Wednesday, September 24th at the firehouse right here on Miller Lane. We'll get a flyer out. We'll get it out on social media. We'll put it out on Ben Mr. Alert, but that is coming up next. Uh the mayor, that's all I have. >> Library. >> Yes, we did have a library board meeting and uh for a late July meeting. It was
uneventful. >> Okay. And there will be no library board meeting in >> correct. Yep. Yep. >> Good. >> Min Stevenson W's been a little active. Yes, quite active. I thought I was going to say I thought I saw Renee the other night of that the night of that event. Weren't you picking out a bug zapper the
other day? them. What? >> Uh I'm just playing. Um DPW more the same. We continue to do grading of the dirt roads. Um uh lining the soccer fields, ball fields, uh continue to work on our equipment, and we're doing
obviously the roadside mowing, uh cleaning the basins, the pipes, storms, uh all over the place. Obviously, uh um Jason's obviously doing a great job getting that stuff cleaned up. Um
pavement, the pavement, uh we paved Old Stone House, Whitetail, Brady Cemetery, Hackle Barney, and Mount Prospect roads. Um >> those are all done at this point, >> I believe. So, >> okay. Wow. >> Um up and cominging projects, the turtle
tunnel fence has arrived. Uh, we've got a meeting with New Jersey Fish and Wildlife later on this week. Got to install the split rail fence on River Road Park. We've got a pipe that we're still looking to replace and and install a
basin out on River Road. Uh, as I mentioned last meeting, we're putting calcium chloride down on the dirt roads to control dust. And garden project will be starting first week in August. And we're also beginning to work on our lighting issues over in the autumn
bridge section. Um I don't know whether you'd like to me to address the forced main break but yes okay uh and then very recently within the last few days we got word that yet another section of
the forced main between Miller station and EDC in the same area where it went last time has failed. So we had crews out there um I saw over several days the cones were there now it's all cleaned up. So, I'll defer to Jason on specifics, but um the concern obviously
is that this is a repetitive failure in the same area. So, I know we had sent out the pipe last time to the lab to determine whether there was a defect in the pipe or what, but I think we need to revisit that because this seems to be repetitive. So Jason, I I did have the opportunity I
was in town hall and Rodney was here with um so Robin and I had an impromptu meeting with Rodney about the pipe replacement, the pipe repair and uh just as committ Stevenson said uh the
addition of the pipe. This was essentially the next length of pipe down from uh the break that we had in uh during Fall Fest. Yes, that is correct. >> So, assessments at this point, I I know
both um the police and state police had to get involved for traffic control um and uh repairs were made within uh I assume I guess probably about 12 hours or so upon first getting notice of
the break. Um so, where do we stand, Jason? Um, and maybe this is a question for Rodney. Uh, but in further assessment of that line as we head down from the force main and the pump station
at Miller Lane going down 206, I guess that's on the northbound um up by the uh up by the pond. Yeah, Rodney still wants he wants to do that ball technology where where it goes down with the ball and it it looks at
the pipe inside um that that he proposed earlier last year after the first break. So, he's going to push for that again. So, >> okay. >> Um >> just to add Go ahead. I'm sorry, Jason. >> The uh this went pretty quick because he
had purchased pipe, so we had to spare pipe here. Um the company came out real quick. So, it was a pretty quick fix, not like last time. So, >> all right. Does it make sense to have more of that in stock? I mean, I don't know. That's part of the reason
>> it's an unusual size pipe, >> right? >> So, forward thinking and bought stock of it should we have any issues along that pole area, >> right? Oh, so, okay. So, >> yeah, he bought five lengths. We used a length and a half. And I pretty much
told him, I said, "Get whatever you used back here again. another coupling. So, we have it. >> Perfect. Perfect. >> So, he's actually setting up a like a response trailer now with the pipe on it and everything. So, you just we're good to go. And yes,
Colin if but when >> Yeah. And yes, Colin, the roads are paved. >> Time frame on when that pipe went in >> the last time. >> No, not the new pipe. The one that's failing. When when did that pipe When was that? >> It was 1990s.
It's supposed to be centurial pipe supposed to last for 100 years. >> Yeah, but I think that there's quite some time. >> It looks like it's failing from the outside in, not from the inside out. >> Oh, that's interesting. >> Yeah. So,
>> Jason, any idea what would cause that? Uh there's a new theory out there that Rodney was telling me about today being that it's so close to the gas line. Um he's thinking um electrolysis
from the gas line from the gas moving through so fast. So we're going to look into that. >> Wow. the gas line might be um might have some grounding with it. >> Yeah.
>> And uh you know I I know this from from as far when underground storage tanks leak when it when you know sometimes it it is the electrical factor. >> Got it. >> It can aggravate the degradation of the uh iron. >> Interesting. Wow.
>> Yeah. So that's you know I think the earlier working theory was that it was from the inside out but right >> Jason what you're saying is is very different >> where where Rodney Jared said it was probably from the hydrogen sulfide buildup
>> very costic and um rotting from the inside out but this is this is different. So, >> yeah, we were looking at it today, the pipe that we took out and we were both were like, "Yeah, it's going from the outside in." So,
>> all right. Well, there was something um that Doug mentioned that I think we need to give a little more um air time to, which is everyone up here has an announcement.
Please join us as we celebrate the groundbreaking of the Bedminster Community Garden. Wednesday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. River Road Park, the longawwaited groundbreaking uh
man, we started working on this during COVID, right? >> Correct. >> Right. during COVID Township Committee was like, you know, we got folks who are looking for something to do. Uh we've got communities where there
was this new um emphasis on u growing your food, having fresh fruit and vegetables available to you. Um at the same time we recognize that uh you know
good chunk of our population lives in condominiums and HOAs where they may not have the opportunity to have gardens. Um so we started this process all the way back then. We applied for
grants. Uh we were successful and thank you again to the Somerset County Commissioners for supporting our grant application. And we went through um two versions of the gardening or the garden plan.
And well, as Doug mentioned, we're going to start work um that that first week of August, but uh July 30th will be the groundbreaking. Uh we've reached out to um
Commissioner Melanie Morano who was with us from the very beginning and and helped um cheerlead our application. Melanie, Commissioner Morano cannot make it on July 30th, but we will have other representation from uh Somerset County
uh from commissioners as well as I believe from administration. Um, so I want to thank everyone who's been involved in this entire process. So Jason, that's that's everyone from DPW,
Neil Mash Robono, from Wreck, obviously Robin Ray, um, and and Committeeman Stevenson who really helped shepherd this all the way through. Mayor, >> yes. >> If you see in front of you there's a prop. See that? If you think I would steal your thunder on a day that we have
props here, >> you know, I wouldn't need to. >> Well, if you could model prop, that that would be great. You might take that glasses off. >> Are we going to have better gobles? >> Sure. >> Woohoo. >> Wow. Look at you. >> Hey, that's Bob and Bill.
>> You know, actually on it actually does look pretty. >> And with my hair do, it doesn't even mess it up. >> I'm going. It actually I I want a special shovel with silver. >> There you go. >> They've got them. >> So once again, uh >> and also committee committee woman
Moreski was very instrumental as well. >> And the environmental commission >> and the environmental commission. >> They are the ones that took the first meeting with the young ladies who presented all the information that we started with. It's grown since then. It's a lot different than the first the
first iteration, but uh when is it that where that's where it started? It's been a long process. It's lots of twists and turns and unexpected things, but you know what? Like everything else, if it mean if it's the right thing to do, we get to the right place. >> Grand plans scaled down. Um, state
historic preservation office demanding >> an archaeological dig around the property which found nothing. Robin said it wouldn't find anything because she already dug it all up. Um, and Robin, so just uh maybe between
you and Jason if you can just quick uh the size of the garden, how many plots? >> Jason, we ordered 180 bins. Is that correct? >> Yeah, I think it's 180. >> 180 bins. So 180.
>> Oh, that's 180 180 plots. >> Some handicap uh raised um plots around the outside. Um, in the future there'll be a small gazebo to to for shade, uh, hub water and composting and access from River Park.
>> And New Jersey American Water is bringing the line in from Route 206 to support the operations at the community garden. So, and they're doing it at no charge. >> Doesn't mean they're not for water down the road,
>> but uh, >> that was the big help. You know, I think the thought was that, you know, reaching out to the schools, giving them the opportunity to get plots and be able to expand their offerings, you know, would also be something we'd try to bring the community to that spot as well. >> Exactly. Right. >> All sorts of opportunities there.
>> Yeah. And and I think the one thing that this township committee has been uh promoting um ever really, you know, going back years um has been activating our resources and our assets. And this is another way of activating River Road
Park. Um I think the community garden is it it certainly it's going to be open to all residents of Somerset County. Um but we can do a little prioritization on fees for local residents since we've
um really managed the the entire burden of getting this through. Um but you know really look forward to it and I think it'll be a another great asset to the Bminster community. Um for example we do
have a community garden at the Clarence Dylan Library. There's a waiting list and that library is I'm sorry that garden is not particularly well publicized. We will be pushing this out and the plan
is to have the garden operational by next spring. >> Correct. >> It's all good. Um Doug, anything else? I think that's that's pretty complete. Yeah. Okay. >> Um from my perspective, we did not have
a land use board meeting. Uh I did we didn't have a library meeting. Um committee Hickeyi did. Um, we had another tremendous showing at the farmers market this weekend. Over,300. >> 1313. You got it. >> 1313.
>> 1313. >> Mockingbird. >> Exactly. >> 1313. Uh, great attendance. Um, so just uh well done. And just one little word of warning. Um when one of
the parking attendants says these spots with the handicap signs are reserved for handicap cars and for folks who are in need and
they are dismissed with a hand with a hand. It's a bad idea to do that when Sergeant Yanatelli also happens to be visiting the market
at that time. Oops. So, one $264 ticket later. Um, we believe the uh the uh the person who um said, "I just need this for a few seconds. I'm just running in to pick
something up and get out." We presume that person um learned their lesson. Just leave it at that. So um Lieutenant Pledo, thank you again to Sergeant Hanatelli for being on the job.
Um with that, turn it over to Robin for the administrator's report. >> Okay. Um, Wednesday, July 9th, Ben Mister Fire Department celebrated the delivery of um, their new squad vehicle, Squad 29. And, uh, it was a engine that
was purchased in 2022 by Bedminster Township in Far Hills and I was lucky enough to get a ride engine. >> It was so much fun. >> Hey, come on, Robin. You pull the cable and hit the horn >> to honk the horn. It was fun. >> A little more than hon.
>> That's true. It's true. um tax bill insert. You all have a copy on on uh deis with you. Um that is complete thanks to the input from all of our township departments and uh just a little update the tax bills are expected to be mailed the week of August 1st and
the grace period will be extended through August 25th. That's now posted on our website. So you have to turn off the notice in order to get you know go through it. So, um, POTUS funding, just real quickly, I know Mayor, you have some follow-up meetings with, um, um,
Congressman Keane's office, but, uh, we were going to be funded through the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security as a stop gap measure until the federal funding was in place. Um, that's been put on hold since now the federal funding is available. We're going to learn more how we can tap into those those uh, funds.
>> And did you hear that from um from the state office? >> I did. Okay. I did. So that what so just so everyone knows what that means that the state office of of homeland security >> correct >> they were going to give us
a little sliver um as as Robin said as a stop gap uh primarily the federal funds that were given to the state are prioritized to um the World Cup. >> Correct. So there's a whole there's a
whole lot of resources uh that New Jersey is dedicated uh to there. They they were good going to provide some funds uh to Bedminster and Somerset County, but with the federal program now that they can redirect those
resources back to uh security details for WorldCome. Um, so mayor, I'm sure a report on the Somerset Hills Public Safety Committee meeting, so I'll leave that for you for later. Um, we had a DOT meeting. I'll
leave that to you as well for 287. >> Oh, there really was. >> It was really nothing. So, we're have we um the New Jersey Department of Transportation is planning another bridge deck replacement project. This time it's a double deck bridge uh of
Interstate 78 over uh 287. So, it affects the westbound side and um they're going to be creating a new temporary bridge. This is all expected to happen in 2028. Um however, uh we had emergency services there and uh they
expressed some um pretty significant safety concerns that they had for the detours and what they're dealing with right now. So, they've got their point across. So, we're going to go probably have several more meetings. >> So, just uh just to go over, so this is the 78 West
as it crosses over 287 uh north and then 287 south. So those two spans need to be replaced. >> Just past the work that's being done now. >> Just past the work that isn't finished. >> That isn't finished.
>> And not include by by the way >> I got stuck there one night not getting off the highway. >> The team from DOT that we were speaking with was unaware. Oh, it's just gross
>> of the existing project on 78 and also unaware of the plans to replace the
deck on 287 where it crosses 2026 when we did the res. >> Yes. So everybody's gonna move out of Boner while we can't drive around here and then come back. >> Get there from here. >> Yeah.
>> So, >> oh my god. >> One of the things that um that we mentioned to the DOT team was perhaps you should look at the scheduling and the coordination. And um I do want to um give a special
shout out to um Ron Kennedy from Far Hills Bedminister uh fire department. Um, our fire department has been extremely active with responses to incidents
and accidents on 78 with the existing construction project where 78 splits, comes back together, sort of splits off to the side again. um
extremely apt and um Ron did not hold back uh in his commentary regarding uh the safety concerns uh and the need to
elevate those concerns within DOT that essentially the fire department saying, "Hey, your current system is creating a mess. It's creating a dangerous situation. I look at our
incident rate. Um and you know, we did have our liaison from DOT uh was was on the call and uh she promised to elevate those concerns further up within DOT. So, we'll continue to follow up with um Eileen
Sosa on that. Um but the main point is that as Ron is saying our increased responses there certainly devoting or are taking resources away from within
the town and if this is going to be an example of the safety um program you're going to have in place for the other projects. That's that's no good. >> Yeah. No.
>> So, um it was um very candered comments to uh DOT. I I think they may have been a little taken back um by what they thought may have just been a routine, hey, this is what we're going to do. Great. Right. You guys will sign right
on the dotted line. It's really not what they got from us. >> And I'm going to insert this right here since we're talking about DOS. One of the signs by Kings on 2026 going south is upside down. >> The one the one that's in as you're
heading south on the highway, Kings is on your left. The the sign that's in the middle in the stansion, the you no Uturn, no left sign is upside down. >> That's not a U. That's in. >> Yeah, >> it's a U instead of >> it's a U.
>> It shouldn't be a U, >> but it should be this. >> It's up. >> So, you stole it that way. This isn't just the sign got damaged. >> I looked to see if perhaps one of the bolts had fallen or something and then it slipped. >> But it is upside down. You >> really can't make this >> the one next to it on the other side of
the road that is the same. Correct. >> But see, when you say things like this and then we learn this, it troubles I I'm troubled myself not noticing that. You know what I mean? Like how long has that been up there >> upside down? >> The whole time that intersection had been changed.
And I just noticed this. This is probably a two-month old picture. I keep forgetting to bring it up, but that's when I figured it out. I was sitting at the light and looked up like, "What the heck? >> That's not >> I can't do that.
>> That's for saying you can't do that. >> I can't make those kinds of terms." >> I mean, you're turning it upside down. I don't know. Well, having been on a number of DOT phone calls, DOT meetings,
>> um, great >> if and seriously, >> if there's a Kafka-esque dream, >> it's DOT because what they would say is, "Oh, that's a great comment. Um, but that's the sign division."
And and then the science division would say, "Well, that's obviously the installation." >> I've been to those meetings. >> You're at a table with 20 people and each there's a different responsibility for each one. Yeah. >> This one paints the lines. >> This >> I'm in charge of the gravel.
>> Yeah. >> On the left hand side. Yes. >> That's it. >> Okay, Robin, keep going. Sorry. More things. No, I just wanted to really uh uh do a shout out for Rodney McCathn and and Jason for the job that they did with
that force main break. I mean, they had everything contained and we're ready to and have crews on site within an hour and uh made notification to all the different municipalities so we can all we're planning to have a meeting early next week trying to get everybody together. So, I just want to say thank
you again. Um he Rodney is just a wealth of information when it comes to this. up. Um the other thing was the community garden groundbreaking as we know. Um it's county commissioner Elizabeth Graer from Basking Ridge. She's the new county commissioner that's going to be attending uh for Milling Morano. And uh
the contractor actually begins work on August 4th, which is why we're trying to get this in beforehand. You may have noticed that the trailer is there. That's their little work trailer. Um so we're moving along and the Chipopus Vander House uh commission the inaugural meeting is going to be Wednesday, July
30th at 6 PM. And that concludes >> that's a busy day. >> Yeah, that is a busy day. >> All right. Well, thank you, >> Lieutenant Pledo. Uh, anything to report on community policing? >> Good evening. Yes, we've um we partnered
with Independence for Veterans for their July Christmas and July fund drive. So, we have that going on a drop off at the station. Um, we have another child seat inspection in the works to hold down at the on a Saturday at the community
garden or at the community garden at the um >> farmers market. >> Farmers market. Thank you. >> Hopefully it won't rain that day. >> Well, hopefully we had someone who showed up and want their car seat installed. >> That that was a rainy crappy day. >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. Thank you, Lieutenant
Pledo. Introduction of ordinances. We have one ordinance to introduce. This ordinance is 202516 $97,500 from the 2025 capital improvement fund for engineering design improvements to
Autumn Gate House, Drummers Log, and Kestrel Roads. If introduced tonight, the public hearing will be scheduled for August 4. Miss Ray, any uh comments on this ordinance >> other than this is uh just standard. The
money was appropriated in um or was raised in the capital budget this year uh for the engineering portion so that we're ready to go um with uh design and bid documents for next spring. And um
this just appropriates the 975 which is a do not exceed amount uh to Boswell Engineering for design project. >> Okay. Any comments or questions? Seeing none. Take a motion to introduce
ordinance number 2025 016. So move. >> Second. >> Roll call vote please. Mr. Stevenson. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hickey. >> Hi. >> Miss Morasy. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. Thank you. >> The public hearing for ordinance number
202506 will be scheduled for August 4 at 7 p.m. Here we have one, two, three, four, five items on the consent agenda. These are items of a routine nature. Any member of the township committee may pull one or
any or all of them off for individual consideration. Now is your opportunity to do so. Seeing none, we'll take a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call vote, please. Mr. Stevenson, >> I. >> Mr. Hickeyi, >> I. >> Miss Moreski, >> I. And Mayor Jacobs. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Oh, so I see Merryill is uh I just I just getting the uh she's looking at the rec committee appointee.
>> She's very excited. >> That's great. That's great. Mhm. She >> says, "Great job on the forest parks committee." Phil, that's awesome. >> Good. That's really good. >> Probably do community garden, too.
>> Resolutions for individual consideration. Resolution 2025119 authorizes enrollment in the municipal excess liability joint insurance fund for the flood risk control program for legal and engineering consultation and
assistance at no cost to the township to create and implement a long range plan to address drainage issues. >> Storm water management gift that keeps on giving. So, uh, what is this program that the,
um, that the Mel GIF is is running? >> Yeah. So, they're actually partnering partnering with Boswell Engineering, uh, interestingly enough, who's our municipal engineer, and, um, they're doing an assessment of any risk,
high-risisk areas in your in your municipality. We have Copper Fu and River Road. They're obviously two high-risisk areas. and they'll identify all of them and make suggestions for mitigation in the future that we can use for more storm water grants.
>> So, so what Yeah, I was going to say what's what's the hook for Boswell here? >> The the no cost there's no cost to you today. >> All right. >> Not until we find a problem. >> Not until Well, we know that we know there's a problem.
>> It's strongly suggested that we do it for the chip. it or helps to um you know keep our experience rating costs down over time. So just >> makes sense. >> No, we we certainly know we have drainage and erosion and flooding issues
on those roads that you mentioned. >> Right. >> Um okay. Any further questions or comments regarding resolution 2025119? None. Take a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second.
Roll call vote, please. Mr. Stevenson, hi. >> Mr. Hickeyi, I >> Miss Moreski. Hi. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> Next resolution is something that we just discussed. Resolution 2025123. Uh, this resolution authorizes emergency
award of contract to Montana Construction for repairs to the sewer main located on Route 2026 North in the amount not to exceed $40,000. Now Robin, was this maybe it's a question for both Robin and Jason. Was
this for the emergency repairs or is this on a going forward basis? >> So it's emergency repairs and um restore the road so it's traveled okay >> travel along it without any issues. >> Okay. >> And it was a very hot day so they had to
keep the road closed even longer >> until the temperature was just drivable. >> Oh yeah. Okay. Any further questions, comments regarding resolution 2025 123? >> Nope. Okay. Seeing none, I'll take a
motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call vote again, please. Mr. Stevenson. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hickey. >> I. >> Miss Moreski. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Resolution
2025125 authorizes the hiring of a class 3 special police officer by the Bedminister Township Police Department solely for the purposes of providing school security at the Bedminister Township School. So we um modified our
ordinance to account for this at our last meeting. Um and this is a resolution authorizing the hiring of this special officer identified in the resolution as uh
Joseph Barry. Um and it says uh the chief of police and lieutenant have interviewed the candidates and have recommended the hiring of Joseph Harry. So uh Lieutenant Pledo if you just want to give us um a little more color on this hire.
>> Uh sure. Joe um I think it was in Mendum Burrow or Menum Township. I don't recall which one. He did 25 years there. He was a school resource officer. He was a mounted officer for the sheriff's department or the park police. Uh he was very active in the schools. He's very
excited. He keeps asking about what extra training he can attend and go to to become better at being a school resource officer and a class three special. >> That's great. Okay. What do you get when you ask? Didn't know those things. That's
>> that's great to hear. >> Nice. Um, any further questions or comments either for Robin or for Lieutenant Pledo on resolution 2025125? Seeing none, take a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second, roll call vote, please. Mr.
Stevenson, >> I. >> Mr. Vicki, >> I. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> I. >> Thank you. So, uh, Lieutenant Pluto, with this, um, with the approval of the resolution, uh, I I tell you that means that officer Ferry will be available for
the start of the school year. >> That is the hope. Uh, we run into some issues with the PTC and timing with the licensing and it's it was a tight schedule, but we think we have it down within the time frame that the PTC needs to get them approved before the start of the school year.
>> Okay. And and just to be clear that while he will be performing services at the Bedminster Township School that as far as um his hierarchy um he reports to you and to Chief
Bernardo. >> Uh that's correct. Yes. He does all the normal training that we do and everything else. He just works for the school. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Take a motion to approve the billet
pending review of individual invoices. >> So moved. >> Seconds. >> Roll call vote, please. Mr. Stevenson. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hickey. >> Hi. >> Moreski. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. >> Thank you.
>> Old business utilities. >> Oh, you want to do new business, huh? >> Oh, did I? Yeah, you know, you're right. I did skip new business. Any items for consideration for new business? >> Can we get that sign fixed at Kings? >> Jason, can you just go out there and fix
the sign? Flip it upside down. >> Just be careful. >> Take take an officer with you. >> Take two. >> He's not He's He's being um differential and not uh responding. Good, good, good decision.
>> So, no other new business. Old business. I guess I'm on. Speaking of projects that have taken a long time, JCPNL, they have completed the underground cabling and construction work in the lower hills. There'll be two planned outages tonight.
>> Tonight. >> Tonight, impacting about 500 customers. Each outage should last 10 minutes. >> Oh. Okay. >> All right. For a total of 20. What they're going to do is they're going to take down number of customers in Wooduck
Pond, Four Oaks, and Windwood. They're going to back feed the circuit so they can get those customers back up within 10 minutes, do their work overnight, and then reverse engineer, take everybody down. >> Okay, let let's just let's just use
layman terminology. >> They cut the power. >> You say back feed. >> Yes, they what does that mean? >> They feed from a different circuit basically. So they can deenergize the circuit they need to work on and the equipment they they need to work on. >> So the primary circuit that that's serving that community gets shut off
>> gets shut off >> and 10 minutes later the power is going to come in from another circuit. >> Right. Right. >> But that circuit will >> in the future be a backup circuit. >> Yes. >> For that community. >> Yes. >> So that community will have be served by
primary and a backup secondary. >> Yes. Boy. for you know for a lawyer you can be an engineer. How do you like that? >> Well, it's it's just ex taking something technical and leading it. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, >> yes. So, they're going to basically
tonight they're going to do that do the work that will finalize all the circuit design. >> I think he just said you have a face radio. So if all goes according to plan, this will all be done the overnight and when people are sleeping, the reverse engineering will happen. The power will
be turned back up again. It's total of 20 minutes outage. It all goes according to plan. 500 customers. They've been notified by JCPNL. And in addition, Miss Ray and I made sure to send out a message to the HOAs and the property managers today who will be impacted. So everybody knows it's going out about 10
o'clock tonight. All right. Are there other planned outages? Will or or will this exercise when you talked about um completing the effort for the lower hills? Yes. >> Does that mean that the entire lower
hills will now have redundancy for delivery of electric? >> I was just about to say that, but you've answered the question. No, no, you're right. So, >> I set them up for you. >> That is you. You did you you set it up so that what happens is if the feed is
interrupted in the lower hills, it automatically reroutes to a different circuit or a different direction. Let's have JCPL come in here in about a month. They'll explain what they've done, how it's going to help us, and what they're going to do in the future. But that is basically at the highest level, that's
what's going to happen. >> So the next time a tree falls down along 206 in Pac Yep. >> or Bedminster, >> Yep. takes down the peacock line. >> Yep. In theory, the the the switching technology picks that up and reroutes
power from the opposite direction, say coming off Washington Valley Road. >> And is there adequate transmission and adequate power coming off Washington Valley Road that you're not going to stress that circuit?
>> Yeah. So, that's what the engineering guys figure out in terms of the load, the requirements, the balancing. Yeah. That's what they do. >> Okay. >> So, >> so this should >> should >> hopefully improve >> this situation. >> Don't jinx it.
>> I'm just got to ask. >> No, you're asking the right questions. Look >> that >> this should address the particularly in Wooduck Oaks where you know >> and most of the lower hills >> and most of the lower hills. >> Yes. Correct. Correct. >> Not all.
>> I believe them all the the lower hills. I don't know if there are somebody's off some weird circuit. There's some crazy routing down there, but yes. So, they should see improved uptime, improved reliability. When outages do happen, they may not even notice them because of
this technology. Or if they do, it's very brief. So, for the folks who might live in Cardinal and they look during a blackout and folks on Long Meadows power and they don't and they wonder, >> start running extension cords.
>> Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Right. Right. Okay. >> So, and by the way, just to just to mention, I know we focus a lot on the hills, but there are projects also that are going to help reliability outside the hills as well. And I think JCPL is going to inform us about some of those, including some of the pole hardening
they're going to do along 206 going up to PPAC because that's obviously very vulnerable area. Yeah. I mean, there's a lot of tree trimming that needs to be done, crossarss that need to be reinforced. So that will help not just the hills but obviously also Bedminister village and other areas within
Bedminister. So >> can they use goats? >> You never know. Can we get a twofer on the goats? >> Goats. >> Robin. >> Sure. >> Can we work that in? >> Absolutely. >> Oh, Robin. Yeah. Administrator's report. >> You didn't mention goats. Didn't you
have goat? >> No. We were supposed to meet with the guy from Mars Plains, but he couldn't get to us this past week. He's been super busy. So hopefully next week we'll have him. The guys supplying the goats at Mars Plains that you see. >> Yep. >> So Morris County. I think it's Morris County. >> Mars Plains. >> I'm very interested.
>> Oh, I thought it was a county park in Morris Plains. Or is it is it a >> Mars Plains? I could be wrong, but it was Mars Plains where they had an earthquake today. >> Yes. Yeah. >> 6. >> Yeah. >> Crazy. >> Oh, wait. These goats are very intriguing.
>> They are. They're fine. >> Goats in the community garden. I'm very intrigued. >> It's like that. >> Okay. So, Colin, thank you so much for your persistence in following up with JCPNL and and you know, I think persistence is
not a strong enough word, but um thank you so much for all your efforts on this. >> Hopefully, let's see some good results out of it first and then we'll >> and we have anything further with um whether it's PSNG, Altis or New Jersey American. The only other quick update is
New Jersey American Water is continuing their leadline inspections. Miss Ray and I get updated on that every week. So, those are ongoing. >> Yeah. >> Um, nothing. So, you know, folks may may get a tag or a call at the door, but other than that, >> okay, >> that's about it. >> Okay.
>> Doug and John, anything to report on Pluckman Senior? >> There is nothing new under the sun, mayor. >> Okay. >> All right. >> That was well said, Jim. Uh so next is Somerset Hills Public Safety Committee. Um Miss Ray and I
attended um the meeting at was that two weeks ago? I guess it was two weeks ago. Um and Mayor Kados from Bernardsville uh brought along on our conference call
a um actually a zoom meeting um a representative from HOS HA I forget the whole name of >> mobile alert COS mobile >> HOS mobile alerts. So
what this technology um does is when there's I'm going to focus primarily on emergency vehicles but this also applies to public works
where they are res so if you're a first responder you turn on your emergency lights whether it's police fire, ambulance. Um, same transponders could work for public works
who are doing tree trimming or mowing along the side of a highway. sends out an alert um that vehicles approaching that area or vehicles that
would be crossing an emergency response vehicle would be given notice that there's an incident ahead and to watch for traffic watch um you know slow down
Um the technology has been uh it's relatively new. It's been implemented in other jurisdictions. I think Philadelphia may be the closest. Uh summit we were told was um
participating in this uh program. Um, and we found out actually that the new fire truck that just arrived, um, actually has the transponder built into
it. Um, it may not have activated the service yet, but the transponder is actually built in. So the con so the concept is our guys Fire Hills Bedminster uh whether it's first aid or fire responds to an incident on 78 or
287. We'll just focus right now on those two highways. Um or talking to some of our firefighters. Um, it's scary as hell, uh, because they're
on the side of the road addressing an accident on or off the road and they got cars flying by >> who don't realize that there's flashing lights until they're already on it.
So the concept is that this would give early warning, slow down, move over to, you know, a lane or something along those lines. Um I think our fire department is um is
bullish on the technology. Um similar if you're doing DPW is doing mowing or tree trimming or JCPNL has a crew doing tree trimming along the highways along 2026. Once again, narrow shoulder, fast traffic. Um, you can
alert folks uh that slow down. There's similar probably similar to what you see on waves on, you know, vehicle off on the side of the road. >> Those GPS tells you when there's a police >> Yeah.
>> um traffic stop. >> Yeah. Ways in Google Maps. Um will do that, but that's that's because people are notifying. Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh this would be the >> note or the notice would come out directly from the first responder or or
public works. Um as I mentioned earlier that this is new technology. Um the distribution right now um is limited to um Stalantis
newer Stalantis vehicles. So that's Chrysler um and Volkswagen. So right now those are the only two car two car companies that are actually building um the receivers into their vehicles. Um
there were a couple um wasn't Google Maps, was it um Apple Maps? Do you remember if it was Apple? >> It was Apple CarPlay. Yes, >> Apple CarPlay. So vehicles that have Apple CarPlay will get it. um
questions. Yeah, I think we asked a bunch of questions. A, do you have to have the app on to get the notice? I would think you do. So, right now, I'm not sure how widespread >> the receiving units are.
We'll probably have some questions um for Hos um and and Lieutenant Plato if you've have you heard anything about this technology. Um you know certainly like to hear from Bedminster PD uh the fire company has
has given their thumbs up on it. Um, but it's something that we should consider uh and and make sure that we ask the right questions uh because it's there's a service fee associated with it. Uh we'll probably hear maybe later in the
year from uh Chief Benza and maybe um President Ron Kennedy about the um the service charge. Uh, but Lieutenant PTO, if you've heard anything or Jason, if you guys have heard he heard anything about this, um, please
let us know and we can set up a maybe a subcommittee to, um, explore this a little further. >> It's $400 for the transponder and $400 for the um, recurring annual subscription. >> That's an annual subscription. >> Yes, annual subscription for the cloud.
>> And it does, I did follow up with her. It does um work when the app is off as long as you set up push notifications. So, >> okay. All right. Okay. So, I'm sure we'll um be talking a little bit further about this as um we
go on. I know that um Mayor Kos was um very supportive of the uh technology certainly in Bernardville. That's why she brought them in. Um and really that's all we covered during the um public safety committee meeting.
We do have an executive session. So we will run through township committee comments. We will adjourn to executive session and then we will return. We are not taking any formal action when we return to the public
session. more than welcome to wait us out >> to see us say good evening and good night but you don't have to. Uh so we'll run through township committee comments and then we'll adjourn to executive session. We'll start with township committee
comments with many women. >> I don't have anything tonight. Mayor >> Mhickey. Mayor, no further comments. Thank you. committed students. >> No, no comments. Thank you, ma'am.
>> All right. Um I following on that, you know, I'm not going to break that up. Um so at 7:59, um take a motion to adjourn to executive session. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. You could stay. >> It is 8:39. The township committee has returned from our executive session. As
I mentioned earlier, we are not taking any formal action following our executive session discussions. So at 8:40, take a motion to adjourn for the evening and for our July meetings. So
>> go ahead. Second. >> All in favor? I. Thank you and good night. Good night.