Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the co-star of the official newspaper of the Burough Balmar and the Aspbury Park Press. And notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building. Take roll call. Councilman Donovan here. Mayor Bethco here.
Councilman Randero here. Councilman Levis here. And Council McKenna is absent. Let's stand for the 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. Please remain standing for a moment of silence for our troops, the families, first responders, and also former mayor Maria Hernandez. Thank you.
Before we start the meeting, uh I'd like to make as part of the record uh the uh obituary. I want to read the obituary of uh our former mayor Maria Deluchio Hernandez because like myself, I'm sure
a lot of people did not know her personally or know, you know, any history about her. So, if you just bear with me for like 2 minutes, uh, I'm going to read it out and make it part of the record, and I'm going to ask April to also append it to the minutes of the meeting so that if anybody looks at the
minutes in the future, they'll see the uh, they'll see the obituary. Okay. Maria Galuchio Hernandez, 91, formerly of Belmar, passed away peacefully on August 23rd, 2025 at Discovery Village in Melbourne, Florida.
Maria was born on July 11th, 1934 on Main Street F Street in Belmmont, New Jersey to Elellanar Froch Galuchio and Italo Galuchio. A lifelong resident of Belmar for most of her years, Maria's
faith was central to her life as a devoted member of St. Rose Church. After graduating from Madison High School, she dedicated herself first and foremost to raising her five children. the role she cherished most. Alongside her devotion
to family, Maria built a successful 26-year career in management with AT&T and New Jersey Bell. After retiring, she continued to share her knowledge in energy as a consultant in communications and corporate education as well as working as an elementary school
substitute teacher. Maria's life was defined by service to her community, her church, and her country. She held leadership roles in local organizations, served on boards and commissions, and was recognized for her tireless dedication with the 1989 woman of
Achievement Award by Ruckers University's Douglas College and the Federation of Women's Clubs. President George HW Bush appointed Maria to the United States Presidential Personnel Advisory Commission during his
term in office and Governor Thomas Kaine appointed her to the New Jersey Advisory Committee on the Status of Woman where she served from 1984 until 1991. She was president of the Mammoth County
Municipal Association, St. Rose PTA, Belmore Volunteer Hook and Ladder Auxiliary, and Belmore Junior Women's Club. She was a former director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, a former board member of the South
Mammoth Regional Sewage Authority, and a former member of the Belmore Women's Club, New Jersey Telephone Pioneers, and an honorary member of Boy Scout Troop number 40. She also made history as the first woman mayor of Belmar, as well as
the first woman to serve on the town's planning board, board of adjustment, and as a burrow commissioner. In each of these roles, Maria was admired for her persistence, her ability to bring people together, and her deep love of her hometown.
Those who knew Maria well admired her energy and endless perseverance. She loved traveling with her husband, but her favorite place was Disney World. She spent countless days in Disney World with her children and grandchildren. Maria was predescased by her parents
Eleanor and Italo Deluchio, her husband William Dwayne Fernandez, her grandchild Bridget Nicole Bogdan. She is survived by her five children, Maria Greco and husband Guy Falcioni of Melbourne,
Florida. Donna Hernandez of Tom's River, William M. Hernandez of Mel Melbourne, Florida. Gina Clark and husband Steven of Melbourne, Florida. Dr. Lorie Bob Dan and husband Dr. Joseph Bob Dan of Spring
Lake. 12 wonderful grandchildren, including one little angel and eight greatg grandandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, September 18th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gross Church 6037th Avenue in
Delmare interament will follow in the family plot at St. Catherine's Cemetery Seagurt and Lowers memorial donations be made to tunnel to Towers Foundation. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the O'Brien Funeral Home Wall Township. And to offer condolences to
the family, please visit www.obriansfuneralhome.com. Okay. Okay, let's uh move on to the workshop at this point. Councilwoman Donovan, any workshop? I
was hoping I could um get um I was interested in hearing more about what was going on on Fifth Avenue. I know there was some infrastructure work being done there. Yes. Um the if you've traveled down Fifth Avenue, you'll notice there's many pipes, green, blue, many other
kinds of huge uh concrete. I don't know what you call them, but they're going in the ground. So, um there will be a letter going out to property owners on Fifth Avenue from Main Street to Sea Street. I have a copy of it here. It
will also be posted on the uh on the website. So, I'm just going to take another minute to uh just read that out so everybody knows exactly what's going on. I'm testing my reading abilities tonight as we as we do this.
Please be advised that the mayor and council have undertaken a muchneeded project to improve the roadway, water manes, sewer mains, and drainage along Fifth Avenue between Main Street and Sea Street. The project will include resurfacing the road and replacing utility infrastructure. This project is partially funded by an
NJ DOT municipal aid road improvement grant applied for and awarded to the burrow in 2022. We are writing to you today to provide you with information about this project. The improvements include roadway pavement, curb and
sidewalk improvements, addressing ADA compliance at handicap ramps, replacing utility infrastructure as needed, and upgrading the storm drainage system. The work is planned to begin on or about September 15, 2025, and be conducted
over the next several months. The roadway will be open for vehicle and pedestrian traffic during most times. However, there may be times when the roadway travel lanes may be decreased to single lane, alternating traffic, or possibly a temporary road closure and
detour. Residents who are planning to complete any utility work or other work in the roadway are encouraged to complete this work as soon as possible. Upon completion of the project, opening of the roads for utility connections, curb, or driveway work may be
restricted. The NJ DOT requires a three-year moratorum of road openings. During this three-year post construction moratorum, no road openings will be permitted unless it is an emergency. Should you have any questions or need
further information, please do not hesitate to contact our chief inspector, George Allen, or the undersigned James M. Morris at the Morgan Morganville office, 7329558000. So that will be um that will be uh sent
out to everyone and it will also be on the website. Okay. Great news. I know um the residents and even myself are really interested in seeing infrastructure um actually being those reforms actually being implemented. I know we had talked about believe 8th and I want to say 14th as
well. Do we know if that's still going forward as planned? Yeah, it's in it's in the process. Great. Wonderful. Thank you. Council President Manderoa, any workshop? I don't have anything. Thank you.
Councilman, nothing. Okay. I have something actually. Um there will be uh actually uh me back up for a second. Mayor Banano and I from uh from Avon have been working together
with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, NJEDA, from about the beginning of the year to uh to try to um come up with ideas to assist businesses on both sides of the bridge, anticipating the the ultimate closure
that will happen in 2027, I assume. uh and and you know, we figured it'd be nice to to start it now, especially since there's going to be a temporary closure uh probably around Columbus Day for the repair of the existing bridge.
So uh after a number of meetings and consultation with some of the people at the state and the NJ EDA uh we they have actually uh decided to come up with a with a uh info session and a workshop for for small businesses
and that will be held on um Tuesday, October 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 at the Taylor Pavilion in Delmare. And and the whole goal of this is really to share with businesses
the the resources that the NJ EDA has. Um they want to also share NJ partner resources for small businesses and they'd like to take the time to assist business owners with the application process for grants and resources.
It's my understanding what they will do is they will reach out to the business ahead of time before the meeting so that if anyone has uh an application or something that they wish to apply for, they will have people there that will be able to assist them in completing their
applications because one of the one of the um hurdles they have in dealing with businesses is businesses don't have the time to fill out the applications and many times it gets pushed to the side and there are some really good um grants
and and other things that are being offered by the state. It's just a matter of the businesses taking the time to gather the information and and put it into the uh put it into the you know in the application. It's like kind of doing your taxes, you know, you got to get all this documentation and then uh and then
fill it out. So, we're looking forward to that. I will make an announcement at every meeting, you know, up to October 7th to um to remind the businesses of that and they should also be getting um a notice directly about the meeting.
Okay. So, that I'm looking forward to that and it's for both Avon and and Belmore businesses. And I think I think that's all I have. Okay, let's move on to petitions.
I did not receive any petitions minutes. I have a motion to approve the minutes of the August 19th meeting. Motion. Second. Council Conman. Yes. Mayor Mesco. Yes. Council Moniro. Yes. Councilman Leis.
Yes. Reports of council. Kind of did the same thing with the workshop. So, if you have anything to report, speak up. Hold your piece. Um, I met last month um with representatives from Neptune, Neptune City, Avon, Bradley Beach, and
Wall to discuss improvements to the Shark River. Um, not just dredging, but including dredging. Um, also including um environmentally friendly uh ways to improve the water quality, improve the resiliency of the border. um whatever we
can do um together to make improvements to the environment and to the usability of Shark River. Um so we hope to continue those conversations going forward and I'm very optimistic about what that group can accomplish. Um I want to say thank you to Goodwill and
Jersey Short Running Runners Club for a wonderful Belmar 5 and Belmar kids race. Uh unfortunately I ran it but mostly everyone was better than me. Um the next environmental commission meeting will be on Thursday at 6:30. We'd love for you to join us. Uh we have
met with uh residents to discuss their concerns about uh the border, the riparian border going around the lake. Um and DPW was kind enough to walk the lake with us and we uh picked out places to both thin and trim back some of that growth. So uh thank you to everyone.
Please continue to reach out with ideas for improvements or what we can do to make your experience of Silver Lake even better as we move forward with the large scale improvements. Um, I want to say thank you to Chris Smith. Representative Chris Smith actually uh has secured $50
million in federal funding in the House Appropriations Bill for um a dredging I don't know what the right word is machine uh for use in Shark River and the Manuan Inlet. Now, this still has to go through the rest of the federal process, but we
all appreciate his advocacy on behalf of our collected towns and behalf of the Shark River. Um, finally, uh, one fun thing coming up, uh, Sunday, September 21st, we have a resident who is a, uh, member of the board of the Yogi Barra
Museum, which is in Montlair, um, in the university there. uh on September 21st they are looking to set the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest simultaneous game of cash. Uh so he had reached out to me and invited me to go along and I would like to extend the invitation to everyone. If anyone's interested, if enough people are
interested, we can get together transportation to go up. Um he reached out because of the work we've been doing on the softball field, but I know this is a town that's enthusiastic about its sports and why not. Uh Mr. McIll, I expect to see you there. You do have to bring men.
Um, so please reach out see donovan belar.com if you're interested. Thank you. Okay. Uh, council president. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, the Belar Housing Authority met last Monday and uh, they
are um, publishing a bid for repair of the facade. So, that is happening. I think went out in the Asbury Press um, yesterday or today and then we'll be in the Co-Star on Thursday. Um, so that's a fantastic that that's we're finally at
that point. Uh, the wait list is still open, uh, but it is closing September 19th. So if you know anyone who wants to be on the waiting list for the Belmar Housing Authority, uh, please, uh, go to their website or you can inquire here or
talk to Director Dantis. Um, also at the Belmar Housing Authority, we will be having our their annual, uh, 9/11 ceremony, um, which should be, it's always very nice. There's a releasing of the doves. EMS director Rob Martin, um,
will be speaking. We'll have other speakers as well. And it's something that initially resident Gene Murray um, and Ellen Remy um, started and that Ellen Remy continues to um, support. And so we're happy to support her as the
burrow. Um and you're all welcome to come. Plea, please come. Um also, uh on 911, we will have the tribute in light again. Um the light up the shore sponsored by Raising Four. That's at 8:30, uh by the Howard Roland Pavilion.
Um so please, if you can make it, that would be great. Um, we have the spaghetti dinner for the San Jinaro Festival uh this Friday 5:00 PM. If you'd like to come, proceeds, it's $10 and proceeds go to the Belmar Elementary
PTO. Um, San Jaro itself is uh this coming Saturday. The mass is at 10:00 at St. Rose and then the procession and festival is at 11:00. Um, the library had their meeting. Is that yesterday? Yes.
Okay. yesterday. Um it's been a busy week. Uh they're looking to seal and seal up and improve the facade around the building. Um it's not in complete disrepair or anything, but they want to make sure that they seal it up so that
it is, you know, will weather um many more years. Um and then September 18th, Pat Rody will be back on the lawn playing from 5 to 7. Please come out. and Hispanic Heritage Month has we have
the field day September 20th. Um and then we also have um a performance and uh dance party coming up as well. So I'll let you know more at the next council meeting. Um and I just want to say thank you for everyone who participated in all of the events uh
this weekend. We had a plethora of very very important events including the surfers healing autism beach bash um the fallen heroes 5kmar pro. Um it's just some fundraisers for hook and ladder. Uh there's just so much
that it goes on in Belmar and we appreciate everyone involved. Oh, sure. the mayor and I um had the pleasure of stopping in at the Center Square uh thrift store uh which was celebrating their 10th anniversary in town in Belmar. Um if you don't know the
uh Center Square, all of their proceeds um goes to help the center in Asbury, which helps all of our community with homelessness, food insecurity, um medical and mental health treatment. Uh so please go over there. They always
have a wonderful selection. You get great buys and wonderful clothing. Um so please come and support uh the center square. Thank you. Councilman Lettuce. Thank you, mayor. Um during Belmar 5, I had the privilege of handing out cups of
water with kids from uh Belmar Elementary. Some of the water was thrown at me. I won't say who did it. Uh but I want to thank Kendra Thompson and uh and uh Billy and your team at DPW for helping set that up and getting all the equipment down there. That was a really
fun fun thing to do. Um the next Belmore car show is going to be this Wednesday the 10th from 5 to 9 and it's going to be between 8th and 10th abs. Um was really I think it rained last time, didn't it? So this will be this will be this one will be a little bit more fun.
I think the weather's looking better. Um and then Friendly Sons of the Chile are having their halfway to St. Patrick's Day this Saturday the 13th um at 2 p.m. in the parking lot if you can make it down there. That's all I have there.
Okay. Thank you. Um let's move on to uh public session for the the resolutions on the agenda. Anyone has a comment or question about a resolution on the agenda, please step forward and state your name and address.
I have a motion to close the public session. I'll make the motion. Second. All in favor? I. Can I have a motion to approve the resolutions as listed on the consent agenda? I'll make a motion. Second.
Councilwoman Donovan. Yes. Mayor Rebecca Puscal. Yes. Council, yes. Councilman Levice, yes. Uh, next we have first reading and introduction of ordinance 202521. This is an ordinance approving the application for a long-term tax
exemption and authorizing the execution of a financial agreement. Would someone like to make a motion to offer for first reading? I'll make a motion. Second, yes. Mayor Busesco, yes. Council, yes. Councilman Levis,
yes. Uh next is ordinance 202510. Uh this was introduced previously but has um had some revisions. So we're reintroducing. It's an ordinance amending and supplementing uh section 40-7.34
entitled affordable housing mandatory set aside requirement. We have a motion to offer for first reading. Make the motion. Second. Councilwoman Donovan. Yes. Mayor Becca Fusco. Yes. Councilman Robinro. Yes. Councilman Levenz.
Yes. Next is ordinance 202511. This is also is an ordinance that was previously in introduced and has been amended. This is an ordinance amending chapter 40 zoning districts uh creating an overlay district. Would someone like to offer
for first reading? Motion second redevelopment council. Um this was an ordinance as you noted that was previously introduced and there were some comments from the planning board. Some of which were concerning the scope
of the area. The burough planner is here with us tonight with the map. She might not be with us in two weeks for obvious reasons. So if possible, can she just come up and go through the map? Sure. You want to hold it so everyone can see?
So, this ordinance uh is just uh an overlay zone that's uh part of the required affordable housing over um requirements. Uh you can see the proposed overlay zone that would be
included will be included with the ordinance is basically every property fronting on Main Street uh for the length of the burrow. So um and that's really all it is. uh we have to show uh
as part of our requirements with Fairshare Housing Center that this proposed overlay zone would has the ability to generate um affordable units that would meet at least 25% of our
unmet need, which is the number of units we cannot provide because we're um a fully built out community and uh we are able to do that. So that's just what's being uh shown here. What can you go a little more into what
the exact changes are compared to what's what there is now? So this is just an overlay zone. So all of the um existing underlying zoning remains. Um, so it encompasses part of the Seapport redevelopment area as well
as the CBD1, CBD2, the block 95 redevelopment area and a little bit of our 705. Um but anyone who owns a property or you know is purchasing a property in this
area uh to develop has the uh ability to choose to use either the underlying zoning that exists there or this overlay zone which um allows for the creation of more affordable units. Thank you.
I'm going to ask a question. Maybe we can answer it the next if you don't have it. What's the difference? Why would I choose the original over the the overlay? Like what's the is there a significant difference in the It depends on what you're looking for in the build, I guess. I mean, there's a use differences or is
it like a height and like bulk differences? Um, so there are some provisions in the overlay zone. The overlay zone permits mixed use, which may or may not be permitted in the zone. There are
um some bulk requirements, you know, uh specific to the overlay. Um there are parking requirements. So ultimately, it's up to the developer um of the site, you know, what they're looking to put there and if they choose to do this. But
the burrow doesn't have is not going to mandate one or the other. Correct. It's up to the person who owns the property with develops the property. Right. Okay. Great. I don't recall it. We um vote on that.
I got a motion in a second. Councilman Donovan. Yes. Mayor Busco, yes. Counciloman Randro, yes. Councilman Levis, yes. Next, we have a second reading and public hearing on ordinance 202519.
This is an ordinance amending uh chapter 39 to add affordable housing general program purposes and procedures addressing the requirements of the fair housing act and the uniform housing affordability controls regarding the compliance with the municipality's
affordable housing obligations. This is open for public comment if anyone would like to speak. Please remember to state your name and address first. Okay, Mr. Kramer. Michael Eugene Kramer 4th Avenue.
Eugene Kramer, 4th Avenue. This uh this ordinance uh was introduced on August 19th. Approximately 22 plus or minus uh days have have gone
since then. Uh but uh please refer to uh the last page, page number 21 if you have the ordinance in front of you and there's a section there with the heading of the planning board.
Um and and there is a statute of reference uh for the municipal land use law uh regarding the referral powers of of the planning board. I guess what I want to mention here is
that the planning board is entitled to uh 35 days to review an ordinance uh for development and it's only been 22 days to someone with more legal expertise in that area than I have.
Was this provided to the planning board at their last meeting for review? No, I I watched the uh the video of the Belmar planning board and it was there was no mention of it. installed.
If it has not been reviewed by the planning board, then it should be tabled and sent to the planning board at the next meeting. Okay. Any other comments unless unless you're not finished. No, actually, mayor, um it's not a time
for comment. on this on this uh on this ordinance. I'm saying well that's what I'm saying. There's no time there's not time for comment here. I I I would like to see what the planning board comments are first. Okay. Okay. Thank you.
Anyone else on this ordinance? Mr. Dillberger, if this is is it tabled? Yes. All right. Well, Jean just sent that.
It shouldn't be commented, but I I I'd like to make a couple of comments on it. Page for in page three at the bottom low income housing means a household with total gross annual household income
equal to 50% or less of the medium re regional house household income. Low income unit means a restricted unit that is affordable to low income households. Now
just right there I remember that that that's what was has been presented to us for a few years. However, there is a change here at the bottom of
of uh page four. It says very lowincome household means a household with a total gross annual household income equal to or to 30% or less of the regional median household
income. Now this very low idea here changes the whole structure of what it was originally meant to be. This this is completely out of order 100%.
Now, let me just finish up here about this. Many many years ago, when I was a boy, I read a book. It was named Animal Farm. And in the book, the animals took over a
farm and drove off the farmer. And they they made a constitution and everything else. And as time went by, things changed. They kept changing and tweaking the constitution and everything else until
the pigs took over and everything. This is a change. This is baloney. Excuse that. It's baloney. It's supposed to be overlooked and everything, but I didn't overlook it. Very low. Now, that changed
the complexion of the town. That's it. That's a statutory requirement that's consistent with the Fair Housing Act. There are three categories of affordable units. There's very low, low, and moderate units. And the statute requires
that all of them be provided. That's consistent with the statute and also consistent with the regulations, the UAB regulations. The bottom line is we don't have the authority to to change them or modify them or eliminate them. We have to go with what is in the state legislation.
Any other comments on the uh ordinance 202519? Okay. Can I have a motion to close the public hearing? I'll make the motion. Second. All in favor? I. And can I have a motion to table the
ordinance? Motion second. I now we're on the public session. Uh please remember to state your name and address when you come up to the microphone. Cler 18B. Um just a reminder that the New Jersey run for the fallen is going
to be Sunday, September 28th at approximately 9:00 am um hit um North Boulevard and Ocean first and then be down to Fifth Avenue. We appreciate if anybody can come out,
support it, all the police help and fire help. We certainly do appreciate it and the families appreciate it even more. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? I have a motion to close the public.
We have a um resolution for the close session or Yes. Whereas it has been determined by the burough council that it is necessary to discuss the following specific matter at its regular meeting in the absence of the public pending litigation and
affordable housing negotiations. Whereas the open public meetings act permits the burough council to exclude the public from that portion of a public meeting during which such matters are discussed. Now therefore be resolved by the council as follows. The council
shall recess into a private executive session from which the public shall be excluded to discuss the above reference matters. That the scope of the enforce executive session shall be limited to the above matters as stated. That those matters discussed in executive session
shall remain confidential until such time as the need for confidentiality no longer exist as determined by the burough attorney. that minutes of the closed session shall be taken and kept free from public review until such time that the need for confidentiality no longer exists and that the regular
meeting of the council shall resume after the private executive session at which time the burough council may take action in reference to the topic discussed. We have a motion to adopt this resolution. I'll make a motion. Second. Second.
Counciloman Donovan. I may be. Yes. Council, yes. Councilman Le. Yes.