Let's start the evening level. This is our regularly scheduled October 2020 20 25 that we have in full attendance of four township committee members here in
person. Committee woman Fernandez, Committee woman, Committeeman Hickeyi, and I'm here >> and the reason we have four is uh Committeeman Stevenson has resigned in
the township committee. Um, and we'll talk about that a little bit later uh probably right after we do the uh either the pledge of allegiance or after public comments. 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 Whipony and to all subscribers and post at the Township Municipal Building on January 7th, 2025. >> Great. Thank you. Please join me in
standing for the pledge of allegiance. flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Okay. Okay, so before we get to public comments, um going to talk about Committeeman Stevenson. This is after the last meeting. Committ Stevenson did resign from Bedminister Township Committee. Um he sent a letter
of resignation to Robin and then copied the township committee on it. Um and then he sent us an email. Uh we certainly know that he's been extremely extremely busy at work. Uh I was telling
uh both John and I uh before last week's briefing about how many hours he's been working on different matters and um but still was a little bit of a surprise and shock to all of us. Um,
but we will certainly miss Committee Stevenson for his intellect, uh, for his dedication to the town, uh, for his, uh, the emotions he played into this position and, uh, he's just been a great
contribution over the last nine years or almost nine years. >> Uh, we will miss him. Um, we will miss the candy that he brought to uh, well, we will miss most of the candy that he brought to the meetings. I don't know that the Goldberg's chews really
like those. >> I will I'm sorry. Um, we wish Doug certainly uh the best in his endeavors and we know that we will count on him as a friend uh not
just during his time on touch um but moving forward as well. John Bol. >> Yes, Mayor. Very long time since um we've had to deal with a a resignation
um before term. Um, so what is the process? >> Uh, the the process is as follows and it's it's it's governed by state statute 40 uh capital A16-11. Uh, Mr. Stevenson was a member of the
Republican party. So the Republican Municipal Committee has 15 days uh from the date of his resignation. He submitted his resignation letter to uh Miss Ray on October 7th. So, they have until October 22nd
uh if they so choose and elect to do so to submit three names uh to the township committee. Uh the township committee then has within 30 days from Mr. Stevenson's re resignation on um
uh October 7th uh to choose one of the three um if it wishes to do so uh on or before uh November 7th. you have a meeting the night of November 3rd. So, if you received the three names from the
Republican Municipal Committee um and decided to pick one of those three names, you would do so on um November 3rd. Um if they do not submit any names, then you can uh either select someone on
November 3rd or um his uh seat will remain vacant until uh the end of the year. So, we have to uh wait and see if the Republican Municipal Committee submits three names to uh Miss Ray um by
October 22nd. That that's the process. It's not a a complicated process. It's governed by state statute and it's one in my years as municipal attorney. I've I've seen at least a dozen times. So even though November 1st is the date
uh that that you're mentioning, November 4th is the election. Um and there will be uh certainly at least one new one new person um elected although there may not
be official on the fourth. Um, but it doesn't give us the ability to defer any decision until after the election. So, you're saying 15 days for the Republican Municipal Committee to
provide three names or at least at least three names or at most names? >> Three. They have to submit three names. If you do not act, let's assume they submit the three names and you don't act on November 3rd, then the Republican Municipal Committee can pick the person
they wish to serve on the governing body. And of course, that would be the balance of Mr. Stevenson's term. So, it's not a long period of time. It's merely till the end end of the year. >> Okay. M Ray, have you heard anything from
Steve Parker? >> Received no correspondence. >> Okay. So the date for the Republican municipal committee to act is the 22nd. >> Yes. 15 days from uh the 7th
>> which is two days into the >> gas. >> Okay. And so I did uh did ask John um offline, hey, you know, if it was November 4th and lawyer was um someone else is is
elected, is there any way that we could give that person a head start in township committee, whoever that may be. Um and the answer was no. >> No, >> you either act by November 3rd or you
leave the seat vacant until January 1st. Right. Right. Now, you know, if if they do not submit three names, then you can either act on November 3rd or leave the seat vacant until the end of the year.
If they submit three names, then you if you fail to act at that point, then they can pick the person to serve until the end of the year. The Republican Municipal Committee. I have not in my experience ever seen a governing body
fail to act if three names were submitted and default the selection to the in this case the Republican municipal committee. If it was a a Democrat, it would be the Democrat municipal committee. >> Thank you. Any questions for John from
the township committee regarding the process? Uh John, what if the if the Republican Municipal Committee does not provide us three names? Um what's our options at that point on November 3rd? Either pick someone or don't. You could pick someone. If you pick someone,
they're sworn in immediately and are seated that night. Um if you do not pick someone, then the seat just remains vacant until the end of the year. Look, my recollection is that we just can't pick pick anyone. would still have to be from the party of the committee member
who resigned. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> The Republican party. We can't pick a Democrat. We can't pick an unaffiliated um resident. It has to be from the party of the committee member who did resign.
>> That's the statute. >> Okay. All right. I just wanted to put that on the record. Thank you, John. Uh with that uh no further questions for John. >> Pretty straightforward. >> Okay. >> We'll go to public comments. Um so the
microphone up there is available for public comment. Please come up. Give your the street where you reside. You don't have to give the street. House number. >> Is that one? >> No. >> The one on campus.
Hi. Yeah, my name is Jean Johnson. I live at 105 Park Court in Bedminster and I am here to talk about a place that frequently pops up on the agenda, which is the Pluckman Park Senior Community. I am both a current and past resident of
Pluckman Park. I first lived there about 10 years ago. I am now in my third apartment there and have seen the changes over the past decade or should I say the worsening conditions. It is my understanding that Treetop Development has tried and probably continues to try
to sell this complex and I know that you have vetted people who are interested and found them wanting unable or unwilling to bring Pluckman Park up to the standards that the Bedminster community wants and that the residents deserve. Thank you for helping to ensure that we
don't get stuck with an owner who would be no better or than or even worse than the current owners. If you haven't personally walked through Puckland Park lately, let me describe some of the conditions that are observable, even without going to any of the apartments. On my building, there's
a gutter that's hanging halfway off its moorings. Um, in addition to letting a waterfall pour down when we get a storm, there's a possibility the thing could just fall off because it's halfway off now. The driveway and parking area can best be described as looking like
Dresden after World War II. And I'm not kidding. Um, in one place there's a dip. Looks like a small sinkhole that's so bad somebody actually did fall on that. They they purchased a cone to put their the cones and out. >> Is that the same hole? The circle?
>> Yes. Yeah, it had been fixed. >> Unbelievable. >> Yeah, >> that that's >> there are several places where the sidewalk had significant divots. Um, one of our residents that lives right near that is a survivor of Chernobyl and has
a lot of medical issues as you can imagine. I hope that she doesn't trip and get injured there. There's rotting wood near the doorframe of one of the units. In several places, the siding is coming off. The roofs are in def desperate need of replacement. I believe
in one case a roofley caused the ceiling in a bedroom to actually collapse. There are instances, but here's one that involves there are other instances, but here's one that involves all residents since everybody has to get rid of their trash. The dumpsters are surrounded by falling
down picket fences that wooden that have missing pieces where the gates are falling off. There's holes in the side, leaving a splinter top. When people try to throw their garbage over there, it either gets stuck or in a couple of cases, people have fallen. I actually
picked somebody up one time. One woman fell and broke her wrist, and I think she's in a suit lap now with the uh management. Um there was also a problem with rats at one point. And of course, the raccoons like to get in there because it's easy for them to do that.
I know that these may not be building code violations, but as far as I'm concerned, they should be considered health and safety violations, especially in a community that's full of vulnerable residents. At the very least, it would be helpful for the township to put pressure on treetop development to
replace these or something similar with those trash things instead of having that wooden structure, the plastic thing, keep out the raccoons. It would be easier for people to open and close. and also to have something where the dumpsters then get so pushed so far back to the back that people have to try and
get in there to empty their trash. As a critical part of the township's affordable housing commitment, I would like to see how we can start making even small steps to making Pluckman Park a safe and viable place for low and moderate senior incomes housing to live. Um, thank you very much.
>> Thank you, Mr. J. if you could give your your notes over to Robin uh Robin to get that over to both uh construction building and fire safety. >> We'll make a copy before you go. Thank you.
>> So, uh Miss Johnson, as you noted, we've been keeping park on our old business. And we did that uh purposefully purposefully because we never wanted to let the conditions at Pluckman Park
escape our memories. Uh you mentioned the sinkhole. I I don't know how many times we've had discussions with um current management about that sinkhole. I believe the sinkhole had been replaced um once or twice since I've been on
township committee. Um some of it was uh extremely superficial uh with a paving. Um obviously there's an issue underneath and we've heard the excuses that it's drainage coming from
down the hill and and underneath. It doesn't matter to us. Uh that's certainly an unsafe situation. Um and we do recognize that uh it would be an unsafe situation in any community but particularly in that community which
is age restricted. >> Uh Miss Johnson may be one of the younger members of uh that community. >> I know at 70. >> Okay. >> Uh but you know we've we've all of us have knocked on doors and talked to residents there. Um and and they've
expressed to us the frustration. We've sent zoning out there. We've sent construction out there. We've seen fire safety out there. Uh there have been improvements made. Um certainly some of them stick and some of them haven't. And also as you've noted, one of the reasons
that um it's another reason it's been on the agenda is um once in a while there have been discussions from prospective uh purchasers who are interested in taking over and some of the uh the
elements of that involve um the municipality. Uh we are John you can correct me. you know, we we're not at liberty to discuss those since a lot of those are contract negotiations that and some of some of
which involve us and some of which don't. So, we're a little leerary of going out with public. Um but as you did know, one of the things that we look um if anyone is going to get into any arrangement with Bedminster Township on
the continued operation or new change of ownership of that facility. Um we're looking to see improvements, not status quo. And improvements are not a coat of paint.
They're not they're not on a hand but actually real uh improvements. John, if I'm if I'm going off the rails, you can correct. >> You are you're not mayor. I think it's uh quite accurate to say that uh uh your
your honor has insisted on uh significant uh improvements and not merely putting, shall we say, uh you know, lipstick on the on the pig. We're we're looking for significant upgrades and and capital from any perspective purchasers. And you're you're quite
correct. We're not at liberty to go into any uh details as to whether we are at this time more or not um involved with a prospective purchaser. So what we'll do take your list and we're going to hand it over to our inspectors who have um the authority
hopefully over some of these issues. Uh we've worked in the past with DCA about some of the health and safety elements of the facility. Um certainly um if you were building an age restricted community today,
it would not look like what Plugman Park um looks like. And that goes from the stairways, all the second floor units. Um, look, I, you know, personally, I've gone up some of those and and the rickety handrails. >> I live in a second floor.
>> And so, so you you know what it's like. Um, and we've had discussions with um the management including someone who uh you know maintains that on a day-to-day basis. Um and we certainly understand that uh the rental
income coming from that facility is restricted both under New Jersey affordable housing and um I believe it's still under the federal program as well. So there are restrictions. So there's only so much revenue coming in. However, that revenue
needs to be appropriately allocated to improvements. Um, so Robin, please distribute that. Thank you. Okay, microphone is still available for public comment because members of the public
and I imagine that Amanda and Chief Bernardo don't have anything to say during public comment. So we will proceed with the rest of the meeting. And thank you, Miss Johnson, for those uh for those remarks. The rule set to approve that's October
6, 2022 standard committee meeting. Any comments have not otherwise been provided to Miss Ray? Seeing none, take motion to approve. So move >> second. All in favor? >> Thank you. comments are out. Let us move
on and not come up just yet. We'll see if there's any questions. Uh this is a fireworks project for a display scheduled for November 8, 2025. Approximately 8:15 p.m. at TR National
Golf Club. Chief, Jason and Robin. Um, applications gone through um the requisite departments here and >> state deal reviewed and approved. >> Reviewed and approved. Okay.
So, should come on up. Yeah. And for the record, your name and position at Trump. >> My name is Rob Tottton. I'm the director of security at Trump National Golf Globe in Bminister.
>> Thank you, Rob. Um, how long is the uh display? >> About 8 minutes. >> 8 minutes. And kicking off at 8:15. It gets a little dark. Getting dark out earlier. >> Um, that's all I got. Any
further questions, comments of either Rob uh any questions uh in the application itself? >> I I assume the neighbors have been notified in the immediate area. Our law firm is sending out those uh letters to people within 200 ft of our property
line. Perfect. Thank you. >> Jason, anything from uh fire department? No, you're all good. Chief, you're all good. All good. Okay. Let's take a motion to approve the fireworks permit for November 8 resting about 8
minutes and approximately 8:15. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I >> thank you Rob. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Let's go into monthly refer discussion by subcommittee chair
and if you didn't know um I'd already signed DPW to you. >> Okay, good. >> You know how to sign everything number. >> Um thank you mayor. So, um I don't have any updates for DPW as of yet, but uh as
far as RECO, it's been a busy month, busy October. So, we had Fall Fest um despite the state of emergency for Sunday. Saturday was actually rainy and cold, but we had upwards of 3,000 guests uh attend Fall Fest. So, that's amazing.
The band was playing in the rain, people were dancing in the rain, and the adult beverage tent was packed. Um, so that was great. Um, you know, it's just a great day and it was so nice to see the community come out and a lot of people came out early because I think they were
anticipating it starting to rain in the afternoon. So, um, so thank you to everyone involved, DPW, Neil, all the the entire municipal uh, building staff because everyone was there and it was so nice to see everyone and they were just like in good spirits
too, you know, and that was that was great. Um so thank you to everyone involved with that. And then this coming Saturday um is the annual trunk retreat that we started if you remember in uh 2020 when uh Ben Mister school because of the
pandemic wasn't hosting anything and the rec department took it over and it was such a big success that we've continued it every year. So October 25th from 10:30 to 12:30 at the farmers market. Although I would say come 10:30 to 11:30 cuz most of the time um people are you
know done by in an hour and it's so cute to see all the costumes. The adults come dressed up, the kids come dressed up. It's so nice to see all the little kids in town and it's a a huge event with hundreds of people. So uh we do need vehicles. So if anybody wants to, they can contact Neil at Neil Master and
Mastrobono at bedminister. us or call Township Extension 405 or um Yeah. And um I >> think vehicles have registered for a trunk or treat already. >> I think there's like up like about I think 10. So usually I think we've had
like 13 in the past. 15. Yeah, >> it's a good amount. Um it's fun. You decorate the trunk. I've done it before. And I'll actually be there. Bill and I will be uh manning the um township vehicle um because Neil has baptism that
day. So, we'll be handing out um fullsize candy bars. We'll be there. >> TPW fil. >> Yes, they'll be there. DPW, >> that's always great. >> That's great. Once again, uh while we're
on Fall Fest. So, Fall Fest was just terrific. Weather was fine. >> Never really felt like rain. It just felt like a mist. It's like Seattle.
>> Jason can can vouch for me. I don't think anyone got run over on my watch. >> No, the parking >> talk about the other the other the other times. Um and Robin, so how do we do we have an accounting of um whether it was
the >> So I we backed into the numbers because we started adding the credit cards. Yeah, >> you knew the admission when I had originally told you where we were, those were general admissions, just adults only if you have to remember that. Um, but then we got the credit card results.
So, all in all, about um 3,600 people. Um, that's including the vendors. They each had at least two people at each spot. Some had three, four, and five, which we didn't count, but we just figured two for each. So, that's a good number despite the weather. >> That's great. And that's not that's not counting 18 and under or whatever the
age was. >> Children. >> Yeah. which was a lot of children. >> Those are paid adults. >> Yeah, that's great. That's great. You know, look, the prior year um what 5 to 6,000 >> um
>> considering the both the weather and the forecast, which was worse than it actually was, >> suppresses those numbers. So, um great job once again. Uh just to echo um Gina, thank you to all the bed minister staff,
police, fire, DPW, administration, all the volunteers who came out that day. Um terrific. Um watching people, you know, I sort of at the parking area, I got to see people
coming in. I got to see people leaving. Everyone was happy and smiling and uh complimentary of uh the event overall. And um thank you to Neil and Bill Rosen from Wreck who got us an American Ninja
Warrior who I I'm not sure if anyone saw this. Um so >> I saw her >> Abby Clark. >> Yes. Great. >> Abby Clarkster resident. She's been on American Ninja Warrior uh for years now and I think was a finalist or semiinalist too
>> and um they operate a gym that focuses on that. So we reached out to them and um and she came and they did a little kitty American Ninja Warrior. I didn't see it but I heard about it. I heard it was great. constant line all
>> constant lined up. >> That's awesome. >> That's great. So, thank you once again to everyone who made that uh day special and thank you to everyone who's going to make trunk or treat special as well.
>> And Neil did I mean amazing. I think I saw him around like 2:00 and he had 28,000 steps already times. So yeah, that was amazing event. So thank you to everyone. >> Great, Mr. Mayor. Couple other things at DPW. Um leaf pickup is going to probably
start next Monday. >> Excellent. Great. >> All right. Um we have bulky waste this Saturday, 7 to 2 for any residents. Um we might be paving steeple chase and frontage this Thursday. This Thursday a
lot of questions about getting a lot of questions about steeple chase. Um, it's up in the air right now. >> That's terrific. >> That was going to be the third. >> So, that's a new pave. >> Yeah. >> And that would if it starts on Thursday, it would be complete by
>> He wants to do it in a day. Yeah. He only has a day. >> Okay. >> So, >> all right. >> If not, it's going to be on the third. So, >> that's great. Okay. Thank you. >> Committee woman.
>> Good evening, Mayor. Good evening everyone. Um, quick update on uh, the Jacobus Vanderve House Commission. I know a lot of people are really concerned about the house, but I'm telling you, it's in great hands with Robin still pretty much steering this
ship even though she's trying desperately to to not do that anymore and pass it along to everybody else. Um, we've got some great things going on. Um, especially just taking care of the house, getting that squared away. Um, I
don't know whoever has seen the house recently. Some of the steps out in the front, the pudding stone, it's a a easy uh stone to to break and it's they're kind of getting a little rickety. So, we're working on that. Um, the bees have come out cuz it's that time of year over
at the River Road part two. Um, Jason and his crew will be taking care of that. And, uh, the sump pump came up as a question. So, they're they're going to take a look at the sump pump and see how those are working. Um, so the house itself is is really in good is in good
hands. Um, as far as programming goes, um, the journey through the past, there were a lot of people who showed up. Um, some some people were there who had never been to the house before and were excited about seeing it and joining. So, got some names and we'll have some new
people, I think, coming in. Um, >> well, I was uh doing park and someone came up to me and said, um, I believe it was Derek. Um, said someone came up drove two two hours or over two hours to uh see the JBH house. >> Yep. >> It's pretty great.
>> It's It's very great. So, if we can get the word out to other people like that person, we're going to have lines out the door. Um school day went with Bell. That was on October 15th. Paula and her crew did a great job and all the kids had a great time. Teachers always say
thank you very much. I believe it was Benminster School, >> fourth and eighth grades, Benminster School and Willow School. and we haven't had Ben Mister school there in a long time. So, it was really nice for them to be able to come back and uh hopefully um we've got a date set up in April for the
spring and uh get those rocking and roll and maybe another group from Bedminster. Um the two Christmas is coming up, >> huh? >> Plus is it is so I'll get there in a minute. >> Oh, sorry.
So, the 250th subcommittee um being run by our own Wendy Hickey, Steve Parker, and uh Miss Ray, of course, is in the middle of everything. As I said, um they've got lots of good ideas that are coming up and we'll start working on those. Um not the least of which are
some signage that the the county isn't going to be involved in. So, we'll get some signs for uh River Road Park and perhaps some of the other parks. um that I believe that that project just came back to the f to the four. They had stuck with signs. Now they're coming back. So that'll be real nice for even
if you're just walking around River Road Park, you'll be able to see what happened at the house, what happened in the area. Um Colonial Christmas Subcommittee again, Robin and Miss Galbre. Um those those two have put on many uh Colonial Christmases in the past
that have been very successful and we are looking forward to that again. And that will be the weekend. Everybody get their calendars. November 28th through the 30th. Um there's going to be all sorts of different events. Depends on the day. And as we get closer, I'll let
everybody know uh where they're where that's going. And they had a new little program the other day. It was teachers day from Warren Township. A bunch of teachers came to the house and learned about the house and the grounds. And uh that just gets the information out to a
new group of educators and to share the information and uh they were excited and wanted to do it again. So that was that was really good. Um and I think that's it. Robin, did I miss anything? >> Spot on. >> Okay. So we're excited about this. It's
going forward. Everybody's showing up to these meetings. If they can't be in person, they're coming in by Zoom. So uh it's rocking and rolling and it's really good to see. >> That's great. Fantastic. >> Committee him. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening all. If you want, you can steal my thunder on
board of health because we just talked about three septic applications. >> It's all I got without everything else on the board of health. Uh, I attended the school board meeting last Thursday. Uh, the board expressed its
thanks to Rob and to Neil DPW and the entire staff for a very successful fall fest. Also, they gave a nice shout out to Command Stevenson for his many years of dedicated service. And finally, a lot of positive feedback for our new special officer Ferry. Apparently, he is very
visible in and around the school and the board is very appreciative of his presence. Mayor, do you want me to talk about library board? >> Yes, please. >> All right. So, we met last Wednesday. I'm happy to report that the security camera project has now been completed. All the interior and exterior cameras
have been installed and up and running. Bedminster TD, excuse me, Bedminster PD is now tied into that system as well. Not only does this help protect a very valuable asset for the community, but it also helps protect our patrons. And kudos to our IT director, Elliot Perez,
who advised the project from start to finish. His expertise and contributions were invaluable. That's all I got. >> Okay, great. Thank you. A advisory. Uh Robin, we have our meeting scheduled. I've saw there was
exchange with you in June. >> I only heard from three people so far. I'm waiting to hear back from the other. So I'll another reminder. >> So a advisory will be scheduling that very shortly. Um ly's board there was a meeting. Um was it last Thursday or was it the
Thursday before? >> Thursday before. >> Thursday before. Uh it was not a public hearing. It was not an application but it was a conceptual review uh by Carrie. uh they were presenting uh what I guess is essentially the scaledown version of
their previously approved project um seemed to be received well by the land use board and based upon whatever comments they've heard they will be coming back to the land use board for a new approval for the um scale down
project farmers market farmers market was off last week uh not to um coincide with the Far Hills races. Um, but we're back this Saturday all the way
through December 6th. Uh, so farmers market will be back up and running. Uh, there's good weather, I believe, planned planned >> business for this Saturday. So, uh, expecting a good crowd and just, uh, letting folks
know that it's just for the rehearsals, we're back this Saturday. Uh, one of the things I I did want to talk about, uh, both committ Hickey and I attended, this was
a week ago, last Friday. Um, we got an email from Jessica Powini, uh, who's the Somerset County Manager for economic development, um, that she was putting together a roundt on, uh, New Jersey downtown issues,
basically what what towns are doing and what they could do better to bolster their downtown areas. Um, so, uh, Committeeman Hickeyi and I attended on behalf of Bedminster, but also Susanna
Harris, our zoning official, was there because she's also the economic development uh, manager in Hillsboro. So, having Susanna there was also uh, super helpful uh, for us. Um, other
attendees, Mayor Onero from um, Manville, Mayor Mary Jane Canó from Burnersville, Jen Acern Township. Let's see you Somerville. I had a few
people there as well from downtown Somerville and trying to think there's another Somerville rep there and I'm probably forgetting another town. >> Manville >> that was Mer and Derka. >> Oh, that was that's right.
>> Um, but anyway, it was it's something that's that's certainly compared to what we've been doing here in Bedminster talking about Pluckin. Uh, talking about Bminster Village. Uh we talked about we were uh dealing with the property owners and business operators in Pluckman and
in Bedminister village and talked about some of the things that can be um implemented to encourage folks to frequent the businesses there um and and whether it was um pedestrian friendly sidewalks um anything else that would
enhance pedestrian activity as well as parking. um and other amenities. We talked a little bit about uh the Pluckman >> Park, famously known as Encampment V Park,
temporarily known as Crossroads Park until such time either Crossroads becomes a permanent name or we come up with something better. Um, so we talked about that and um, there was this tool
that Somerset County has uh, secured. I need to make sure I get the name of it right. Um, city data. >> City data. So, city data is a program
that allows you to essentially geoence an area and from cell phone data, whether the cell phones are being active or just in your pocket. Um, that information is available and you can geofence an
area for a day or for a time period. And the data you will get is these are where the people who showed up, where they came from, how long they stayed,
and where they went afterwards. >> It's like an app. There you go. >> That's a little frightening part. It doesn't give you doesn't give you identities. It just says um you had 800 people, 30% of them were from
Bedminister, 20% from B something. >> So it lets you know getting your your customers and it's not just available to the municipality, but it's available to the businesses in the municipality. So, one of the things that
um uh we asked them to gather for us uh fall fest. So, uh Colin uh put an email together and asked them for the data for the last I think they can only go back two or three years. >> Yeah. So, I asked for three years. >> So, he asked for three years of data for
Fall Fest. So, Geoffence River Road during FallFest. You can find out how what percentage is Bedminster, what's coming from Bridgewater, Bernards Township or further away >> for the last three years. >> Yeah. Did you for the specific dates for
the last three years? >> All right. >> So you could we can also we've also asked to look at um farmers market, >> right? So we we know from um certainly from social media that obviously the the
uh majority of people who follow the market are or responding to social media posts kind of from Bedminster, Bernard's, Bridgewwater, you know, when you would expect two and three um but also we get some outliers, you know, New
York, Pennsylvania. Um and so you can use this information to augment your your own marketing >> but we can also use this for for businesses. So this information we can
make available to our restaurants to the stores to the supermarkets and actually you can and the county is available. So you could either run through township committee or Robin or just go directly
to Jessica Pini at the um at the county and and ask for information. So you wanted to see >> um you know so we put al we did put some additional request. We want to see essentially just on their own Delicious
Heights. Um the Pac-Man >> Pman Somerset Hill Shopping Center Hill Shopping Center to see okay we're just so that we know. So I mean they're doing these neighborhood downtown meetings that we can make this available and
maybe even have some of the information ready for them. I think we also put in for um >> Burmills Cider. >> Bmill Cider and Grace Fellowship Church. >> Grace Fellowship. Correct. So the concept being okay are people coming to the church which is probably the biggest draw in Bedminister village and are they
then going to the restaurant are they going to delicious sites going to bed. >> So when you say where people are coming from you it it's tracking like where their location is before they arrive at how what is it to my data analysis. No,
I'm just curious that like what what exactly is it showing us because data is only as good as what it's telling you. Right. So, >> right. >> So, from my understanding, I'll tell you from my telecom background. So, you know, obviously when you have that little cell phone in your pocket, your location is known to the carrier within 10 or 15 feet. Right. This is done in
aggregate, not on an individual basis as the mayor asked. So you can track as you go from you hit cell tower to cell tower. It knows where you're coming from, where the handoff was just made, where your current location is, how long are you in that current location, and then where you went, right? And they just aggregate the data and then you can
slice and dice it. >> So how do we know that this cell phone is a bed? >> That's what I'm saying res or somebody who works in or somebody, you know, like >> it's not perfect. So your the first six digits of your phone number are
typically what they should a local exchange carrier to know where it where it's registered to. It may not be perfect. You may have a California number that's registered, but it's actually resident who's here. >> I don't know whether or not they've com data to kind of fix some of that, but in general it's pretty good.
>> Yeah. No, I'm just asking like if it's telling you where they're coming from physically or um where they are from like where are they? Both. >> Well, when you say where they're from, the registration's on is say it's
908719. That's going to be a bad miss registration because you know based on the number plan area, that's where that phone was originally located. >> You might have somebody who has a California cell phone number because they moved from California. So therefore it gets a little >> I understand that but like say my phone
number it's like been my phone number since I discuss planes right changed. So so I mean is it's saying where my phone bill goes to. >> No no no it just knows the original registration basic on the first six digits. >> Okay. >> Um and then it's just watching as as
that cell phone is going from tower to tower from Burners Township to Bedminster to Bridgewwater. >> It can track that. Again it's done on an accurate basis. It's not done on an individual subscriber basis. So, one of the examples that they um that they used
at the round table um was that uh Jessica had already I guess she geof fenced uh the king shopping center >> and she you know she's like um majority Bminster and
vast majority county then second Middle Sex Union county. Surprisingly, the data said very low numbers for 100. So, this is Jessica and she's just throwing out the So, for example, they may want to boost a little
marketing. >> Yep. in Hunter is why aren't we getting more folks coming from Brandon Readington or further down 78 coming in or Tuksbury? Um
>> Kings down there. >> Um so >> there's a whole bunch of questions and and that leads to other questions, >> right? And this this, you know, the the reason the Somerset County um secured this is really to help the Somerset County businesses.
>> And if there's, you know, if they're going to make this all available and if we can use that or businesses or property owners can use this uh to facilitate improvements in those areas, then then let's spread the word that the
tool is there. It's available. contact uh Somerset County Economic Development or ask us and we'll we'll make that request. >> So, anything else you want to talk about from uh from your breakout session?
You know, it's interesting. I think all the mayors are struggling with how do you attract, you know, new feet to the area? Like, you know, Mary Jane Kos is talking about in Burnsville they do a taste of the town where they have, you know, restaurant, you know, tastings, right? you you gather a bunch of restaurant tours in a in a in a room and
invite the community to come out. So, it's all kind of innovative ways to how do you create a draw a magnet to your downtown? And it's it was interesting to hear mayor that I think a lot a lot of them everyone is facing the same issues, right? How do you make it attractive?
How do you make it pedestrian friendly? How do you make it safe? And and how do you make it fresh? Meaning that, you know, it can't be the same old thing time and again. you need to, you know, innovate and have new ideas in terms of how to draw people into your community. >> But we've got it particularly difficult because we have two downtowns kind of
like two little pieces and they're not connected at all except by hiker bike. >> Right. So essentially what there's it's clear that even of the municipalities that were represented. I also want to mention Colleen Moore uh Somerset County uh executive director. Um she was there
and I've known Colleen for years. So, Colleen is not only essentially in charge of uh running the day-to-day business of Sura County, but she's also the mayor of Fanwood. So, she was also able to participate from her perspective. And you can look at the
municipalities that were there. We're all dealing with different issues. Downtown Somerville >> is very different than right. Basking Ridge uh as as Chen
AC said, you know, Basking Techly Burners Township may have like four or five different areas that might be considered downtown. Um those issues that they're dealing with there are different from us. Um uh some of these
towns, even Bernardsville has, you know, more restaurants >> than we do. So they can they can sort of aggregate and do you know Taste of Burnersville or or some other uh programs that you know if we were to get all the restaurants we would have you
know 20 pizzeras and you know >> um >> correct but we have a cery >> but we have people from all over >> and so one of the things that was mentioned is perhaps looking at some of the downtown issues and promoting these businesses perhaps on a regional basis.
So once again, look at the Somerset Hills. Could we work with these other towns to bring in a taste of, you know, the Somerset Hills or something along those lines? Um Robin, also want to mention the other service that the
county has secured is a Co-Star. >> Oh, I know Coar. >> Yeah. So, no, you know, Co-Star. Um, so Co-Star is a real estate database and it can tell you what properties um are for sale. uh what properties are being up
for lease. Um and depending upon what information is plugged in, you might be able to get information regarding owners and tenants of those properties and perhaps some of the details of those leases if those if that information is uploaded. So it can also let you know,
hey, um Gina, someone's looking to open up a salon. >> Mhm. And you could use CoStar to see, hey, are there any leases coming up in the
next year or so that we can start reaching out to um some of these owners also. So, if you're looking for information, you can reach out to Somerset County or you can ask us or ask um Robin and then she can reach out to the county to find some of that
information. This is commercial real estate or or get that information out to say like people that are looking to open a salon or move their salon like that's you know it's great for us to know but like how do how do we then transmit that information to the people who need to
know that? Well, we start by talking >> and then uh then we can really work with uh the county uh to get a list of these programs and then >> you know put them out on whatever whatever media we have, right? Facebook
website. >> Did they talk about communication? Because like the big thing when you have these events downtown is how do you get people to come? So it's communication with residents is like that's the hard part. >> Yes, absolutely. get people to sign up for your >> don't just put it on on Facebook or web
page. You've got to do push things like we do with fitness or Absolutely. Everybody has that same thing, right? >> That's the big >> Well, because that's what I was kind of getting at is that everybody's used to information coming at them in swarms, right? They don't go looking for information. So, >> yeah. And and part of it is not just
being um not being passive, >> but that you actually have to go out. And this is something I think that we've done well over the last several years is that it's not just we're going to put something here and like, okay, well, you
know, it's buried on our website. Oh, didn't find it. Yeah, that that's too bad. No. So, we're using all these uh tools that we have uh to push this information out. People may still not get it, but certainly something I know
that that we do. Yeah. That's all I have. Anything else on that that issue? >> All right. Uh but while we're on that issue, we are still um scheduling um coming back to the meeting with the folks uh property
owners and business operators who luck and doing a followup in Bedminister Village. And the next meeting we do with Benminster Village, uh we're also um reaching out to For Hills to provide some of the uh >> their list today. >> Okay. Good. Good. So, we're going to
have a meeting with you. If we look at the Main Street 202 corridor, there may be a bridge, but essentially it's it's sort of acts as one commercial corridor up on 202. So we're going to do that together with folks in for hills and
then uh same time uh focus on pluckman. So we know to your point I'm looking at these as the issues in Pluckman are not the issues in Bedminister village, >> right?
>> So we may not even within our small town we're going to look at Pluckman village very differently than how we look at Redminister Village. >> Sure, that makes sense. >> Yeah. Is red. Now we have the administrators report.
>> Start right off the top. Um, speaking about communication, we had a couple contests at Ball Fest uh that we uh put out there. One was find your twin. Everybody wears the stickers. So I was going to ask Gina if you would do a favor and pull our find your twin, which
we announced we would say. So each this contest was sponsored by the pluck men in and um >> only $150 gift certificate to each twin. >> So good.
>> So they are um like both of them are on here. >> Both of them are on there. Yeah. >> There you go. Okay. >> So the winner is Gail Paul of Four Oaks and Benkar. This is 21. And twin two is
Jen Lewis on Heatherwood Lane in Bedminster. >> All right, there we go. >> Bedminster res like Bridgewater. >> So those are our lucky wings which is awesome. We have one other contest. Mary, you want to ask Colin to do this
one. So he loves this bed alert. Very big proponent of it. >> Absolutely. So, um, bed and sir Alert was the other contest we had at Pluck in Sponsors, which is a $250 gift certificate. >> Yeah. Winner. So, sign up, give us your email, and you get Bed Mister Alerts.
What's happening? How easy is that? >> How great is that? >> All right. >> $250 gift certificate to the Pokemon in >> for signing up, which is pretty much one.
>> Goodness. The the winner is Mory Murphy. Yes. >> Absolutely. Good for her. Great. Very good also. She doesn't even anymore. She used >> to res. I did see her there actually. I saw her there.
>> Oh, that's a great sheer alert. She misses the old town. What can I say? >> Well, she comes back down to Bas. >> That's right. No, just some without getting too much in the weeds on Fall Fest. It's a fantastic event. Neil does a great job playing it all day, all
year. And um Jason and his team do a phenomenal job with the implementation. We wouldn't have been able to done it without you guys. >> Can I see the cows? Do the chickens have a name? >> Yeah. >> Huh? >> No. >> That far. We can do a wall.
>> You didn't. You saw where I was. stitching pictures that go to a group hanging over that. >> Um, but I just, you know, every year we look at how we can improve the event and, um, we got together with everybody,
uh, our little team here at town hall. We solicited feedback from all the the volunteers and all the employees and everybody had really thoughtful comments, which was great. So, we put everything together. Um just in in general we talked about obviously parking addressing parking issues mayor
and pedestrian crossing safely um farmers market uh vendor setup but um was also perhaps you know flipping the event opposite completely around so that we can use the big field for parking and the smaller field for the activities. Lots to think about but everybody pretty
much thought about the same ideas. So um that's good to know. Uh community garden the construction continues. Jason, you have anything you want to add on Community Garden? >> They're just pushing along. I mean, they are a little bit behind right now, so they're pushing along. >> Any issues with uh weather at this
point? >> Couple days of rain, they couldn't get in. >> Yeah. But the the uh I think the big thing was just the electrical plan. >> I brought that over today, so that got that permit for you. >> Yeah, that was like a two to three week
slowdown, which was a little frustrating. um Chacob's band of your house. Renee already um provided a a great recap on that. Um we are going to have a tree lighting and um you know hickory tree chorus will be there you
know providing colonial uh not music but holiday music Saturday and Sunday that'll be an open house full of reenactors. We have um Clydesdale wagon rides. We have gingerbread house making. Santa will be there all three days and
um just a lot of fun for everybody. Colonial reenactment outside. So, it'll be fun. >> And a a um a wreath making activity for adults. Two different workshops. >> That's great. >> Yeah. And then um Mayor, if you want to talk about the hoarding issues,
>> I'll do that at the public safety. Uh >> and then um elections, they're right around the corner. We are voting machines are going to be delivered next week. So, we're moving forward. Uh that ballot retrieval team is out there every day from the county picking up mail and ballots and um we're still waiting on a
response from Shipo regarding the park. I did reach out to them again today. Um I am going up to um the Pokemon site with one of the members uh one of the shipo folks just to kind of review that
with Jason. um that's being scheduled hopefully for next Wednesday and Thursday and um he's our guy at Shipo. So we're hoping that kind of pushes everything along. Um Tuttle Riverwood still on schedule for the paving. The letters were all sent to all the residents. I know I received my letter
from Boswell Engineering. And last but not least, Amanda's online here if she has anything to add, but now is the time of year when we have to update our model, our GIF, joint insurance fund model personnel policy. So, we've met twice and we're just going page by page
um making sure we have all the correct and necessary updates. Amanda, anything that jumps out at you regarding the personnel manual? >> Um, no, that it's a lot of work and Robin's amazing and we're going to get to get it finished ASAP.
So, nothing crazy, just a lot of tweaking and a few updates. >> And that pretty much concludes my report. >> Great. Thanks, M. Thank you. >> Thank you, Amanda. Chief Bernardo,
update on releasing. >> Uh, hi. Good evening. Uh, we have three trunk or treat events coming up in the next two weeks. Um, and that's all I got. >> And did the PBA do
park barbecue? >> I'm sorry, you cut out. >> Thank you. Did you ever talk about the field with Mr. P? >> Oh yes. Uh we got a good turnout. Um and uh it was a good time and the weather
the weather was nice as well. So we look forward to doing that again next year. >> Great. I saw that there seemed to be a good crowd around Bedminster Police um over at Fall Fest as well. So good turnout there. It's good to see.
And you guys were also doing a coffee with a cop. Was that at the library or was there another one scheduled? >> Uh last month we had a coffee with a cop at the library. The next thing we're doing presentation um in mid November uh
November 12th at 11 o'clock. >> Okay. >> And they'll be at the trunk or treat. >> And they'll be at the trunk or treat. Right. Okay. All right. We have uh says to introduce wave is on for public hearing. We have one,
two, three, four, five, six resolutions on the consent agenda. These are items of a routine nature. The township committee member may pull some or all of them off for individual consideration. So then take a motion to approve the
items on the consent agenda. >> So moved. Second. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Hickey, >> hi. >> Miss Mori, >> hi. >> Miss Fernandez, >> I and Mayor Jacobs, >> hi. >> Thank you. >> We've run resolution for individual
consideration. It's resolution 2025162. This amends the Bon Township Police Department rules and regulations. I understand this is um to keep us in line with the CHIF requirements. Chief, do you want to just walk us
through the um changes? Uh, sure. Um, so with the with the exception of a minor update in 2018 regarding the drug testing process, um, these rules and regs are more than two decades old and they need to be
modernized. Um, we are not asking for updates to address any issues that occurred. It's basically what I'll call like general housekeeping. Um, and in my opinion, it needs to be done. and just some there's like 10 pages uh of extra things that were added, but I'll just
give you some examples so you get a framework of where we're coming from. The current rules and rags don't address digital and social media use policies because that wasn't a thing when they were first drafted. It doesn't address police licensing, which is required for
our officers now. It doesn't address cannabis use, which is now legal. Um, I'll give you another minora minor example. Uh, the current policy requires officers to have a landline at their house. And some of my younger guys probably have no idea what that even is.
So, essentially, it's outdated and we're just uh trying to bring it up to modern standards. >> Okay. Thank you. Any further questions or comments for the chief? And Robin, I understand that um
Sean has looked at this at the ordinance. You've looked at the ordinance. Um our labor attorney Arteimo has looked at the ordinance as well, not the ordinance, the uh changes to the uh rules and regs.
Everyone's blessed and signing off on them. >> Correct. May there. >> So there's no further questions or comments. Take a motion to approve resolution 2025162. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. Mr. Nikki.
>> Hi. >> Mr. Moreski. >> Hi. >> Miss Fernandez. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> I take a motion to approve a bill list pending review of individual invoices. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call. Vote again, please. Mr. Hickeyi. >> I. >> Miss. Moreski. >> I. Miss Fernandez. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Jacobs. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> Any matter for new business? >> Shaking their head. Shaking their head. Shaking their head. Okay. What business?
Utilities. Committee men. Hickeyi. >> Mayor. I have no updates this evening on utilities. >> John, Pluck Park. >> We have already addressed Pluckin Park earlier. We discussed earlier during public comment. I'm not sure if there's any further updates.
>> No, no updates. I think I think you thought you were asking a question. >> No, there's no update. >> Um, >> here. >> I know Hills public safety committee.
So, we did have a uh another of our Zoom sessions with uh the Somerset Hills Public Safety Committee. Um, and this time we were joined by Paul Penna, who's uh I forget actually forget
Paul's title down at the League of Municipalities. Uh, but I believe he is in charge of u legislative uh coordination. Um, and we talked about the hoarding issue. Uh so this is
something that we've dealt with um in Bedminster in various um communities. Um some of them are well most of them are probably HOA related but not all of them are HOA
related. What we've found and and I probably said this before and we certainly heard from board of health and I know John Bolo has dealt with it, Robin, you've dealt with it. uh Chief Bernardo dealt with this is hoarding situations uh and the impact on
neighbors and the impact on the HOAs and what the municipality can do, what the county can do, what DCA can do. And often times that we uh when confronted with these problems um we find that our
hands are tied. And um so I've reached out to league municipalities saying look with the affordable housing initiatives coming out of Trenton we are going to see more and more
folks living in close proximity to each other. The affordable housing is not being addressed by single family homes and tracked homes on quarter acre lots. It's being accomplished through density. And we know people living in close
proximity. Then your neighbors, their garbage, their odors, what they're doing there. often times it become worse. >> Mhm. >> And what you can if there's a situation
um that rises to a a hoarding situation whether you live above, below, to the right, to the left, or behind um a unit that uh where there's a hoarder living. um you may be you're going to be
living with it and it may affect your quality of life. It may affect your home values. Um and you can go to the HOA. Good luck because in in practice and in reality the HOAs don't spend
they're averse to spending those funds. Um and also they don't know what their um rights are, >> right? They're privately held properties. So, it's like somebody coming into your home >> to do something. You can't do that really. So,
>> right. But if it's impacting the other residents, then there's an issue. And and Marines, I'm going to say, are probably meaningless, right? If you have a hoarding situation, the threat of a lean is not going to fix
that situation. you have a mental health scenario and you know alone is not going to overcome that issue that concern. So, um, frankly, you know, we we talked about this with some of the other mayors and Chief Bernardo gave, um, gave some
insight into, uh, what he's dealt with and and frankly, I said to, um, the rest of the committee members and especially to Paul Penna, we know there's an issue. Legislation can help. What that answer
is, I don't know because we are respectful of all the homeowners, including the the whole, right? There's there's rights that that run with that property, with that person's four walls. Um, so there's
this balancing of um respecting private property at the same time uh knowing the impact that that can have on neighbors and the HOA itself. Uh but Paul was great. Paul had already reached out to
essentially it's the lobbying arm for the condominium. I forget uh it was like CI something condominium association of New Jersey or something along those lines. >> Uh that is the lobbying group for condominiums and other HOAs and they
recognize that there's a problem there and that their hands are tied. um but they were ready to um work on putting together some legislation in conjunction with the league municipalities and we will be talking about uh this
down at the league convention in November. Um they're going to pass a resolution um well they're going to put forth a resolution to the municipality membership um encouraging some legislation to deal
with this issue. Uh then some of the other things that we've talked about is we continue to talk about deed fraud as um the chief mentioned he's going to be uh Ben Mr. PD will be running um a program for some of the kind of minimum associations on fraud issues. But this
is also something that I want to push forward with the League of Municipalities. Whether we have adequate legislation to protect residents from deed fraud, title fraud, property theft, whatever, whatever you call it. Um because doesn't
take much for someone to put a lean on property or do a deed transfer that you may not have signed to find out down the road that someone else claims ownership to your property or took out a mortgage.
Based upon that deed, they get the money scoop without bandage. You're sitting there with bank knocking on your door saying we're foreclosing on your house. So, it's an issue. Um, and you know, we haven't seen too much of it in
Bedminister and hopefully we don't, but we want to be ahead of these issues rather than uh be behind. So, that's what I have for public safety committee. Robin, was there anything else that we uh touched upon? >> Those are two primary issues. Okay.
>> Let's go to township committee comments and we will adjourn for the evening. We'll start with committee Hernandez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I wanted to ask I have a a letter that committee man, former committeeman Stevenson wrote to Jake um
regarding, you know, his resignation and how it impacts candidates, but I don't know if I'm allowed to read that or not. I could just say read Burnersville News because it was sent to Jake. Okay. Yeah. I feel like he's got thoughts.
>> I don't think he can hear. >> I don't think he can hear. >> So anyway, I'm just going to refer to um Jake has received an email. So if he put publishes it, it is there in regards to a committee Stevenson's take on his resignation and how it impacts the candidates and that he, you know, fully
supports us. And then um I just hope everybody can make it out to the trunk or treat that wants to come. And if anybody wants to sign up, just a reminder, you know, to contact me and that's all. >> Okay. Thank you, Committee. >> And the night before is reptile night that's being sponsored by um the
environmental commission that is up on Autilary Park Road at the HVNMA gym. It starts at 7:00 and we did this last year, I believe, or the year before. It's a ton of fun. So, if you've got kids or no kids, send them our way on
Friday. Um, hopefully everybody comes out for trunk or treat. And again, keep on your calendar the Colonial Christmas cuz that's going to be 3 days of a lot of fun and meeting some new neighbors and old neighbors in a good time. >> How's the tree doing?
>> Oh, not so good. >> Tree. >> You did? >> Yeah. >> I didn't even see it. >> This is it. It's beautiful. >> I'll take a picture and bring it next time. The last time I saw the tree was gone. >> Tough crap, man. communication. Let me know.
>> It looks great. >> Good, good, good, good. >> Reptiles and fun. >> They are awesome. Here, I'll show you. >> Can come with us. >> I will I will I will stay far away. >> That's That's okay.
>> I will come to trick-or- treat the next day. There's candy there. >> Yeah. >> No, for the comments, mayor. Thank you. >> Okay. Once again, thank you to everyone uh for a great Fall Fest. Um Oh, Chief, while we're at it, um
races. How did Bedmaster do with uh the races and events of concern? >> Uh no, I'm happy to report it was uneventful >> and in my world that's a beautiful thing. >> All right. Can you hear us? Okay. >> Yeah. Can you hear me?
Chief, when did Chief was asked there were no incidents in >> I don't think with that at 8:14 take a motion to adjourn. So move >> second. >> All in favor?
>> Thank you. Good night. >> Good night all >> and thank you for your time. >> Yes. Okay. So,