ing of the merit council has been provided to the co-star the official newspaper of the burrow of Belmar and the Asbury Park Press and notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board and on the missful website. Take roll call. Councilwoman Donovan >> here. Councilwoman Kenny
>> here. Councilman Delasio >> here. >> Council member Rooney >> here. >> Mayor Bafasco >> here. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the 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. >> Please remain standing for a moment of silence for our troops and families first responders tonight for Captain Al Majeski. Thank you.
>> Okay. Tonight we have a number of uh proclamations and uh we like having proclamations especially when they honor people who have uh have many years of service uh in volunteerism here in Delmare. And of
course, I'm talking about George Kitas, who we're honoring for 50 years of service in the Delmare Fire Department. >> Thank you. >> Going to present you with a proclamation. So, why don't you step up to the uh the
microphone >> George? Congratulations. >> Thank you, sir. >> So, honoring George Katas upon this occasion of his 50 years of distinguished service for the Belmore Volunteer Fire Department. Whereas George Katas had been a proud resident of Belmar, New Jersey and a devoted member of the Belmar Volunteer Fire
Department since December 1st, 1975, giving freely of his time, courage, and dedication to the protection of life and property in our community for 50 years, achieving life membership on December 1st, 1995, and proudly marking his 50-year
milestone on December 1st, 2025. And whereas throughout his remarkable five decades of service, George Komaatas has responded tirelessly to fires, emergencies, and disasters, placing the safety and welfare of his neighbors above his own, embodying the highest
ideals of volunteerism and civic duty, even earning recognition for most alarms answered in 1997, 2007, and 2008. And whereas George Katas has served as a mentor and inspiration to generations of firefighters, generously sharing his
knowledge, experience, and wisdom, having served with distinction as captain in 1984 and as chief from 1994 to 1996, earning the pre prestigious honor of Belmar Hook and Ladder Firefighter of the Year in 2005, and has contributed to the strength,
training, and tradition of excellence within the Belmar Volunteer Fire Department. And whereas the extraordinary commitment demonstrated by George Komaas is a testament to his selfless character, his love of Belmar, and his unwavering loyalty to the men and women who served alongside him. And
whereas the mayor and council of the burrow of Belmar wish to extend express their deepest gratitude and highest admiration for the life of service George Katas has dedicated to Belmar. Now therefore be it proclaimed that the mayor and council of the burough of Belmar on behalf of all residents do
hereby recognize, honor, and celebrate George Komaas for 50 years of outstanding courageous and selfless service to the Bmore Volunteer Fire Department and express the heartfelt appreciation and admiration of this entire burrow for his extraordinary dedication and sacrifice.
Uh, just real quick, uh, I never knew what a volunteer fireman was. We lived on top of 102 Main Street in Belmont, top of the restaurant my parents had. And, uh, I think it was April 20th, 1975. I looked out the window cuz I my room was there. Saw this big glow. It
was midnight. So I went out to uh Mount Jagger Lumber Sterner's lumber caught on fire. It's a huge fire. 75% of the base got destroyed. No fireman got hurt. I ran there and a fireman asked me to help pull down the fence and I ended up being a volunteer. Never
had an idea what a volunteer fireman was. My parents cared how many dishes I could do. But I'm so proud that my son is joined and uh he is a much better fireman than me. And uh I always felt like I was part of all the fire companies, all three fire companies. I have friends in Union,
friends at Goodwill, my brother-in-law is a Goodwill. Um I just love being the fireman, the fireman carnivals, all the other things we did. I just uh the first aid, the water rescue, our police officers who are incredible. You um you can't believe how many calls they
answer, how much good things they do. And my boss Billy, he's awesome. Got Kevin Brown. Anyone else would like to friends? >> Come on. >> Let's get a crowd. Let's get a crowd.
>> Well, let's do one with the family first. Wait, wait, wait. >> Where's your son? >> Get your son. We got a haircut. Good luck. >> All right, guys.
Bear with us. We have uh three other pop po proclamations this month. Uh we're going to start with the public safety telecommunications week. Got it. Okay. Hold this down. Uh national public safety telecommunications week is April 12th to
18th, 2026. Whereas emergencies that require police, fire, and emergency medical services can occur at any time. And whereas when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection
of life and preservation of property. And whereas the safety of our police officers, firefighters, and EMS is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who contact the Belmar Emergency
Communication Center. And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services. Whereas public safety telecommunicators are sing are the single vital link for
our police officers, firefighters and paramedics by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety. And whereas public safety telecommunicators of the of the Bel of the Belmar have contributed
substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients. And whereas each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during their performance of the job in the past year. Now therefore, the mayor
and council of Belmar hereby declare the week of April 12th through 18th, 2026 to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Belmar in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our
city and citizens safe. >> Okay, thank you, Councilman. Uh we have two more left. Uh the next one is for Arbor Day. Okay, thank you so much. Uh, Arbor Day 2026.
Whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for planting of trees. And whereas this holiday is called Arbory Day uh was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in
Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling cost, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, and provide habitats for wild wildlife. And
whereas trees are a renewable source, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our town increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas
trees wherever they are planted are s a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now therefore the mayor and council in the burrow of Belmar do hereby proclaim April 24th 2026 as Arbor Day in the burrow of Belmar. And the mayor and council hereby urge all citizens to
celebrate Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of future generations. >> Well, thank you, Council President. Next up, we have Child Abuse Prevention Month. Councilwoman
Levin is going to read that. >> April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Whereas we all have a responsibility as individuals, neighbors, community members, and citizens of the Burough of Belmar to help create healthy, nurturing, and safe experiences. And
whereas healthy and safe childhoods help produce confident and successful adults. And whereas child abuse and neglect often occur when people find themselves in stressful situations without community resources and don't know how to cope. And whereas incidences of child abuse and neglect can be reduced by
making sure all families have the support they need and deserve to raise their children in a healthy environment. And whereas courtappointed special advocates or CASSA is authorized by state statute and federal law to help the child and child welfare systems make best interest decisions on behalf of
children removed from home because of their abuse or neglect. And whereas CASA volunteer advocates in Belmar help to ensure that abused and neglected children who are placed in foster care and other out ofome placements are safe and receive the services they need to achieve
well-being. And whereas CASSA advocates reduce the number of moves between placements, help shorten the overall time a child remains in placement, and serve as a consistent person in that child's life until that child achieves permanency in a safe home with a loving
family. Now therefore, the mayor and council of the burrow of Belmar do hereby proclaim April 2026 as child abuse prevention month and urge all citizens to support the CASM network across New Jersey as it strengthens families and helps children learn, grow,
and thrive. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh we're now going to take something out of order, but um this is uh an important resolution that we're passing tonight and uh it's number 20 2673,
the resolution appointing Joseph Clay Clayton, Sergeant of the Belmore Police Department. So, April, we need to take a vote on that. >> I have a motion to adopt the resolution. >> Motion. Second. >> Councilman Donovan. Yes.
>> Councilwoman Kenny, >> yes. >> Councilman Delasio, >> yes. >> Councilman Moroni, >> yes. >> Mayor Buckusco, >> yes. >> And now our chief Scott is going to say a few words.
>> Good evening, everybody. Is this on? >> I don't really need this, but um good evening. Uh, I just realized as we were waiting uh to do this promotion, I actually did Joseph's background when he first started here. So, um, it's uh, it's a pleasure to be able to make this
promotion. Joseph Clayton was raised in Tom's River and developed a strong aspiration to pursue a career in law enforcement. Following in his father's footsteps, he retired as a captain from the Lakewood Police Department. In 2007, Joseph began his career as a class one
police officer here in Belmar. And in 2009, he advanced to the position of a class 2 officer. In 2012, Joseph became a state corrections officer while still serving as a class 2 here in Belmar and served cor excuse me, correctional
facilities for four years. During that period, he relocated to Belmar where he was later appointed as a full-time police officer in 2016. Joseph has been married to his wife Kristen for over 10 years and have an amazing 7-year-old
daughter, Harper. >> Thank you. Thank you. And would Sergeant Clayton please come up? Uh, counselor, are you swearing him in at this point? >> Okay. Family photo time and then the council
will join you. >> We don't want to be in the background. >> Please raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I, Joseph Clayton, >> I, Joseph Clayton, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> and that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments
>> and to the governments >> established in the United States >> established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially
>> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all the duties >> as sergeant >> as sergeant >> for the Burrow of Belmar Police Department >> for the Burrow of Belmar Police Department >> to the best of my ability >> to to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. YEP. Thank you. I'll say next. Now, please There are real nice. Sure. Thank you very much.
Okay, we are going to proceed with our workshop discussion and the first item is the environmental commission report. So I invite members of the environmental commission to come up, introduce yourselves and uh give us the report.
How are we going to go? >> Uh you can I will let's introduce everyone first. >> All right. >> So you guys or you can stay there. It is up to you. >> Be good. So, good evening everybody. Um, I'm Diane Valu. I'm the chair of the
environmental commission. Here with us tonight is Ed Lipod, Gary Hendinger, and three great members of our commission. We also have several other members that weren't able to attend, Angie Shivoni, Fred Theearman, and Matt D'Angelus. So, I thank them all for the volunteer hours
that they contribute to the community. Um, the environmental commission is appointed to advise the municipality. So, oh, sorry. Our liaison as well, Caitlyn Donovan. Um, and Peggy.
>> So, these are the three things we've been working on over the past year. Um, restoration and maintenance of all the green spaces. We have an environmental resource inventory that's posted on the Burough website that lists all the different environmental wonderful aspects to Balmar. Um, environmental
education and actions and funding sources. So, we spent a lot of time trying to supplement what's available from the taxpayers in a small community like ours to see if there are other places we could get resources to help us make some of the positive things that we'd like to encourage the burough to make.
Under restoration and vacancies of green spaces, we conduct cleanups. Um, we've that was a picture there from our cleanup at Silver Lake. Our next cleanup is going to be at First Avenue Beach. Um over the past year, we spent a lot of time trying to really assess Silver
Lake, the condition of the lake, um what kind of data is available from the scientific community in our area, looking to see what kind of supports are available. We were able through um our representative, Congressman Smith, to get the US Army Corps to dedicate themselves to coming here to help us
plan for our lake restoration. We also hosted um Senator Kim and some other local town officials from the surrounding communities because we have a lake but so does Silver Lake, so does Bradley, so does Avon. We all have similar so does um Asbury. We all have similar challenges in maintaining our
lakes. >> We have the video here. Um I will say for those of you who hang on my every word, the beginning is muted. Uh what I say is our coastal lakes are in crisis. I should also say, and I want to point out to this because they're being modest, that all of these accomplishments that you see here are
part of a deliberate strategic plan that we started two years ago thinking about not only what we want to accomplish and how much it would cost, but who are the partners we would need to bring in. um Delmar, New Jersey Councilwoman Caitlyn
Donovan says 16 lakes in Mammoth and Ocean counties are overflowing with issues like poor water quality and invasive plant life. >> We have a bowl here. >> Sunday, other local leaders and US Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey joined Donovan on a trolley to tour five of the
damaged lakes. They say one of the biggest problems is flooding. the lakes are becoming too shallow. So, some of the plant life dies and becomes nestled onto that lake bed is a really big problem because those lakes can't hold storm water and it affects all of our residents. They say Wesley Lake just
flooded on July 1st >> and it flooded businesses. Uh the beer hall, if you're familiar with Aspberry Park, that was flooded. >> But supertorm Sandy brought some of the worst of it. Belar resident Christa Spurber says her home was almost submerged >> when the storm surge hit. Um, our town
was under about 5 ft of water. Our house sat in the seaater for 5 days eating the foundation. >> Now, every town has a restoration plan, but it costs millions. That's where Senator Kim comes in. >> It's unbelievably helpful to be able to see this with my own eyes.
>> Reminding constituents this matter goes beyond the Jersey Shore. >> So, this cannot be a situation where we're thinking, "Oh, um, you know, I I don't have that problem. You know, I shouldn't have to pay for it." Disasters are happening everywhere. >> And so his message to the Trump
administration is simple. Do not abolish FEMA. >> Nature doesn't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. We need to make sure we're we're ready for the disasters ahead. >> Senator Kim says he wants to build on today's tour to give residents the support they need and is already having deep conversations with the Trump
administration to find out and figure out what's next for disaster relief. By the way, he heads back to DC tomorrow in Belmar, New Jersey. Britney Miller, News4 New York. So, these are some of the things I wanted to mention tonight or all of us wanted to mention about what we've
managed to accomplish so far. Some people may have heard that there are some people who are not as fond of the number of Canadian geese that are around the lake. So, we have worked with a lot of different people who have more knowledge than we about what kind of conditions make a lake less habitable,
less attractive, what kind of things can we do with it, nesting, with the eggs. So several of our members have volunteered their time to patrol, to check out, to try different things. We have reduced the geese population. There are only on our count about 16 geese who are live at the lake. There are
migratory birds that come in and out. There are only 16 Belar bound geese at the lake. We work with the department of public works who I want to thank over and over again for all of their flexibility and and appreciate all of the things that they do. Uh but they also worked with us on walking the
border of the lake to make sure that we had what was considered to be not attracted to the geese but also attractive to the community and the most ecologically positive kind of environment that we could have over there. So we continue to have conversations about that and we'll continue to do that. We have been um
monitoring the water quality. Several of our members go and sample the water and they share that water the results with clonet which is the coastal lake organization at Mammoth University where they have a database that goes back years on our lake. so they can see changes over time to the water quality. Uh we've been working with the US Army
Corps for a planning a planning grant that will is continuing on for another couple of months and they will be giving the burrow several options to consider for the future of the lake. We've also been working with the D um to for monitoring. We have these harmful algae blooms that have occurred last couple of warm summers that we had and those are
not great things either. So we're working on trying to identify how to minimize that. And finally, we have had several cleanups at Silver Lake and at First Avenue Beach. Public Works is always there to assist and support us in that. And we also have volunteers from the community. And our next cleanup is
going to be on May 2nd at 1 Avenue Beach. We we've been working on some uh kind of um educational programs. So I'll just patchwork for wildlife is started by John Gibbons in Lake Ko which is a neighborhood yard recognition program
which we're neighbor to neighbor. We thank people for the positive things they do with their property that are wildlife friendly that utilize native plants that are sustainable practices for their land. So we've opened up a chapter here in Belmar. There's also a chapter in Red Bale in Point Pleasant
and Point Pleasant Beach. So we're all working together. what are the best ways that we can learn more about native plants and about sustainability. Um, we co-sponsored talks on native plants at the Magical Garden, which is our hometown community garden as well. We sponsored some speakers. We had a program last spring at the Taylor. We're
having another one on April 26 about native plants and sustainable gardening. Uh, we've had several joint meetings with the Shade Tree Commission to kind of work together and align their efforts with our efforts. So, we're all working together. We're trying to work hard on our social media presence, our Facebook,
our Belmar. Thank you Ed Lip and COD for that. Updating information and trying to kind of monitor our users. We've shared information at uh we were at the San Janeiro Festival. We try to get out into the community when we can to share information through the public library.
We um were able to get an energy audit of the public buildings which uh even today I believe that they were walking through all the buildings with someone from public works to try to evaluate how the burrow manages electricity and what kind of practices or things we can do in
future talking about things as small as the light bulbs, things as big as what we do in the law in the yard, but what kind of things can we do? So, the audit is a free service to our community that will give the burrow a costbenefit analysis on different ways to manage their energy use. Uh, we were lucky
enough to get a grant uh for the public works to purchase some electric landscaping equipment. So, we're all looking forward to seeing that um in use in town. And we have been working on supporting the planning commission, which is the Shark River Coalition, which um our council woman is a part of that. I don't know if you want to talk
about that. Oh, the um the what she's talking about is that we put as part of the Shark River Coalition, we are working with Wall, Neptune City, Neptune Township, and Avon to um first we wrote a grant
and we were awarded a grant of which Belmar has a specific amount earmarked. I think the total grant was over $250,000 in coordination with Mammoth County um as a planning grant for Shark River um and restoration and resiliency projects. Obviously, then the next step will be to
try to get money to implement it. Um but this was really notable. This was the group that 20 years ago formed and was able to do that dredging 20 years ago. Um and having all of those partners at the table table is critical for that success.
So, um, as I mentioned before, we realized that our our town is only so much money available for big planning and restoration efforts. So, we have been working really hard to advocate to the government wherever we can, however we can, and using our grant writers
resources as well, but our local representatives, the county commissioner's office, Congressman Smith's office, his staff. um we have really tried to advocate for Belmar on on your behalf because we there's big things that we could do if we just had
the resources. So this year we were a really congressman Smith directly got us the US Army Corps of Engineers planning grant which is a value of $230,000 to the burrow and that we're involved in. We're about eight months through the planning process with the Army Corps and
they are very knowledgeable about coastal engineering. So they really are the the best place for us to get feedback on what our thoughts are and what they feel needs to be done. Secondly, we submitted a $5.5 million uh community project funding request through congressman's office which is a
part of the federal budget process and they were able to to get approved for Belmar a million dollars toward Silver Lake. So, we're like really excited about that. And I have to thank Gary Hener because he really was instrumental in the lobbying effort working with the congressman's office to try to get that
heard because there's a lot of things that could be um advocated for in Mammoth County, but Belmar was able to get something really special. So, we're really excited about that. Uh we were awarded several grants. We have a a green team grant. We have were
awarded the $10,000 $10,000 grant which paid for the electric landscaping equipment. Uh we were able to um get some funding from some other funding sources to try to work with the Army Corps plan because once the plan is is created then there's an implementation
cost that we have to start to work on. Um the burough was also able to get a $280,000 county grant which is going to replace the trail around Silver Lake where we have um you know the kids are running track and we have everybody's walking walking their dogs and try to make it a more sustainable trail with
more pvious kinds of materials. So we would like to thank the burrow for supporting our recommendations because we can only recommend the bureau has the authority to make decisions. So, thank you all of you up there. I want to thank public works. I want to thank the police department. I want to thank uh Kevin
Kaine, everybody who's also Lorraine is here, the CFO, everybody's been very gracious with their time because we sometimes come in with our ideas and they do represent extra time and work from the burough staff and the burough representatives. So, thank you to everyone here for all that.
>> Thank you very much. I would just like to comment that, you know, we as residents of Delmare are so lucky to have such an active environmental commission and and covering all the things that they're doing. Uh, as you saw in the in the
PowerPoint presentation, uh, it's not an easy work. It's it's doesn't show immediate results. It's long-term planning, but I think um you know again we're fortunate to have uh a group of people who are looking well into the
future and you know two of my areas which I would you know saw up there is is one of them is uh you know the sustainable planting the native plantings you know I think many many of us go to um you know Home Depot and all
those places and we buy all the all the plants and none of them are really native plants But um you know it helps when you you plant native plants and you know it's more consistent with the environment. I was actually just watching something yesterday where they
they tied in the the use of native plants and the the health and the growth of caterpillars and they had moths and bees. And you'll be amazed at how many uh bees and moss and butterflies re rely
on certain plants to to to grow. And you know, and it it's very specific. I don't want to go into the whole thing, but you know, there are certain categories of butterflies that feed off of or get their nectar from from certain plants, but they can't get them from another
plant. and and you know there's this professor from Delaware University who has this all all mapped out and what's that >> yes yes and I was just watching this yesterday and the same thing with bees uh and it's it's it's very important
that we if we want to keep those the birds if we want to keep those insects and birds and animal life in our community then we need to plant the right plants to to allow them to grow or else they're not going to be able to grow. Another one of my my things I know
which will not go over well is a lot of the condition of the lake is due to runoff and uh many of us you know have landscapers and many of us throw all kinds of chemicals on our grass and when that rains and you water your grass all
those chemicals go into the into the street and they wind up going into for the most part if you're in the I guess the northern end of town they're going into Silver Lake and that's you Those are fertilizers. So, you know, if there's algae in the lake, algae is a
plant, they love it. Nitrogen, they grow. So, I mean, I I would like I know we're not going to convince people not to have lawns, but, you know, that's another trend that that, you know, we could try to start in that, you know, not everybody needs to have a huge lawn.
Maybe you could convert part of your lawn to to some other to some other use, plant some other things. uh it's not going to look pretty, you know, but um it is again helpful, I think, in the long term to what the environmental commission is trying to do in reducing
pollution that we're we're all, you know, guilty of adding to when we when we fertilize our grass and and plants and all that kind of stuff. So again, keep up the good work. Uh, I think it's an educational process to let everybody know, you know, what not what you're doing, but what we can do. Uh, you know,
in terms of, you know, like I said, the thing with the bees and the moths and the and the butterflies and all that stuff. You know, I didn't know that. I was I'm a biology major and I never really put two and two together, but um, you know, as you said, the professor did
it and you know, it it's really important or else we're going to lose all those populations. So, I talked enough. As you're thinking about lawns, everyone, I will also tell you anecdotally that if any of you are worried about geese on your lawn, I'm told that powdered grape Kool-Aid will
work. Um, so >> yes, >> don't know what that will do to your ant population, but always a thought. Um, I also think so I think it's really important that um the commissions and the committee and the burrow itself um
try to collectively kind of give a year-end report. And so that was what that presentation and the Harbor Commission presentation was intended to be. That being said, the one thing that's not on there is what we're doing looking forward. In addition to carrying all that work over, other things we're
doing, um, Angie Giovani is working on an environmental commission website that will have all this at your fingertips. That's exciting. Um, we are starting to pivot, not pivot, add to the workload of McCclary Park. Um, and already DPW has been wonderful with assisting with that,
getting spray paint, other kind of easily easy fixes for me to say since I'm not the one scraping it um for our neighbors over there. And um we are looking into um noise pollution and how
we can address that for everyone in Belmar. Um so we're looking forward to addressing all these issues and keeping you all informed. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, to Diane, to anyone here at the Environmental Commission. They are all incredible experts in what
they do. Was so engaged and we would be happy to talk anytime. >> Thank you. Any other comments? If not, we'll stay on workshop. Any other issues the council would like to discuss at this point?
I think we have some updates from our engineer from the road paving. I know uh Mr. Orus you had mentioned there everyone's asking. So I want to ask you uh you know if you could update us on that and the 16th bathroom uh some progress there.
>> Okay. For those of you who don't know this is Jim Morris uh our borrow engineer. >> Excuse me. Good evening everyone again Jim Morris with Remington American Engineers. So, with regards to the Fifth Avenue paving, the contractor has completed the uh concrete work and uh
the schedule is for him to start possibly as early as April 20th um but no later than April 27th and they should be done within that within that work week. So, that project is moving forward. Um the uh pilings are going to restart on the equipment showing up
tomorrow. They're going to start driving piles on Thursday. I would I would say there'll be three days of piling pile driving left. I think they have about 65 piles left or so. They're about halfway done. So that's good news. We're going to get that back that project back on track. So
>> can you just do you know generally how what kind of doing to solve that problem? You said they're dry. >> Are they bringing in they're bringing in larger equipment? So the equipment that they had brought on site um they had an augur to drill through the soil before
they would drive the pile um to set the pile. Pilings are designed to be an embedment depth of 32 feet. The pilings that were bid on the project are 45 ft piles because the building's going to be above this the elevation of the sand. Um
so what they ran into um was the the soil layer um and their equipment their equipment couldn't get through the soil layer. Um so there was a there was an additional um consideration given to unforeseen
circumstances. So what that means is he had to order bigger he had to secure larger equipment to deal with the issue with the soil. uh that took some time to um go through the process to identify the unforeseen condition and then uh to
get the equipment. Um it's been more than a week since uh we agreed that they they you know they should bring in the larger equipment. We've been an advocate for that the entire time but again this was considered an unforeseen condition. So that we've had to go through it
process. >> And uh the plan for the bathroom itself since this this project is now getting ready for the summer with a couple place. What is uh the township's plan with that? >> So the 16th Avenue trailer we've been working with very close with public works. Um there was a meeting with the
county because the boardwalk is the boardwalk is actually the limit of the county right away. So, what we're going to apply for is we're going to send in a permit application to the county through the road opening division to place the trailer, the temporary trailer, uh
parallel to the boardwalk for the summer season so that we can have uh restrooms at that location. Um, and we're working with public works on the placement of that trailer. Um, and of course, we'll have to tie it in sanitary sewer and the water supplies for there. So, we have a
plan. We're we're getting um getting moving on that plan for that location. When you told me about that plan, I um immediately thought of the I hate to bring it up, but the the Third Avenue bathroom, which is non-existent at this
point, but um potentially that would be a a solution to that problem next year if uh if we have a trailer to put, you know, people will see what it looks like on 16th this year. And I think there is probably an option to do
that on Third Avenue because it's not involving the D. It's not involving anything on the sand. So, it's just a matter of working through the um through the you know the logistics I guess the county to do that. So, there is there is a there is light at the end of the Third
Avenue bathroom tunnel. So, so to say >> only if you don't keep the door closed. Um how many parking spaces will it take up? Do you know? >> So at um at at 16th Avenue, uh it looks like it would be three parking spaces
because the trailer is larger than the grass island that's there. >> Um so that's something that we're going to look to secure leave is we're trying to not impact the parking spaces, but it looks like it's probably going to have three parking spaces, >> but not any of the handicapped ones. Not
any >> Third Avenue. I had inquired the same idea that the mayor had commented. We met last week. Third Avenue, we kind of came up with a spot uh that actually would be on sidewalk without taking up any parking spaces at all. >> True.
>> Question. Can we continue building during the summer or is D I I don't remember if we had that conversation. Do they are they stopping us from doing anything because of the the beach season any of their regulations? >> So most of your environmental regulations are on the north end of the
beach. Um and Billy's Mr. Musau is well aware of the regulations and usually it has to do with piping clovers and beach ram with the pile driving schedule contractor should be able to start framing first week in May. Um, I don't
anticipate there seeing any impacts on restrictions. Um, >> so the piles will be done at at what point? The first week of May. >> No, they should be done midweek next. Today's the >> Oh, that's good. >> The 15th. The 14th. >> Today's the 14th.
>> Today's the 14th. So, I would tell you by the 21st the piles should be completed. Again, half of the piles are already driven. >> Right. Right. Um, so and then the contractor has permits and he's ready to start framing shortly thereafter. Um, so you know the framing, um, it's stick
frame construction, so it should go pretty quickly. Um, you know, they have to set the fan boards and whatnot. So I would tell you by miday they should be off the beach per se because the framing also includes trusses. So they have to set the trusses. It's not like they're going to be framing the trusses
individually. So it should go quickly. Will the playground be moved? >> So the playground, most of the equipment will be able to like reset it in the same location. I forget. There's one piece of equipment, one of the smaller pieces that has to be moved and then the fencing gets needs to be moved out a
little bit. That's all part of the permit that we got from the D. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anything else, council members? All right.
>> Okay. Let's move on to petitions. >> Mayor, I did not receive any petitions. >> Approval of minutes. >> I have a motion to approve the minutes of the March 24th meeting. >> Motion. Second. >> Councilman Donovan,
>> yes. >> Councilman Kenny, >> yes. >> Councilman Delasio, >> yes. >> Councilman Moroni, >> yes. >> Mayor Pasco, >> yes. Reports of council. Start with Counciloman Donna. >> The tourism commission will meet
tomorrow. We will be discussing um the upcoming World Cup and uh potential grant applications for events around that. Um, don't worry, not matching ones. And um, and um, I'm pleased to report we are bringing back the Belmar
Farmers Market. This will be starting on May 24th. It'll be on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. I have a long list of things that will be offered there. Pull that up. Um, we are trying to keep it food centric, but activities for
children. Also, matcha, bread, shooies, which is a coffee vendor that does like iced latte that they can for you. Um, popcorn, lemonade, fresh eggs and produce, um, even children's clothes and pottery and artwork and jewelry. So, um, please come down. It's going to be
great. Um, we already heard about the environmental commission, but we do have upcoming events. Um the Shark River Cleanup Coalition will have a um cleanup on April 25th in Neptune City. Um on April
26th will be another event which Council President Kenny will share with you. And um on May 2nd, we have that First Avenue beach cleanup. Please come out for that. Um the Delmare Historical Society hosted a wonderful event this weekend in coordination with historical societies
from all over the shore. Mattis Squan Wall, Neptune City, we're at the beach. Um it was a beautiful event and really kind of tied in both our shared culture down here along with all the like beautiful um idiosyncrities.
You know what I'm saying of all of our towns. Um so thank you to the Belmar Historical Society. Um we also had a Belmar Cares event. Now, Belmar Cares was started here in Belmar um by Claire Diki and Kyle Roselli tell
I'm doing well. Um we had they had the Blue Abyss band play. Um Belmar Cares in case you don't know um helps uh breast cancer survivors with financial and social costs and they also donate to other local organizations like Mary's Place by the Sea. Um, I know October is
breast cancer awareness month, but unfortunately, uh, breast cancer is a year-round condition and these type of charities are so critical for the support both patients and caregivers need. I know um, from what I do that breast cancer is unusually expensive
condition and once you have breast cancer, those costs never go back down to pre-diagnosis levels. Um, and that is something that I know only gets augmented by the fact that women are often the primary caregivers for their children, for their parents, and so that
type of social support too is so critical. So, thank you to Belmar Cares. Um, and finally, uh, a Verizon update. Uh, Belmar will be hosting a meeting, uh, with the FCC in coordination with Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Bradley Beach, and Avon. We're going to
learn about how the FCC uh views its current regulations on 5G and telecom and what they are forecasting for the future and any changes they may make. So, we will update you on that um after that meeting on Thursday. >> Thank you, uh Council President Kenny.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Um believe it or not, this is the first meeting we've had since the the since the parade. So, what a great parade we had, right? It wound up being nice weather, a little chilly, a little windy, but all in all, it seemed to be pretty well attended. And again, thank you so much to the police
department, EMS, fire department, of course, DPW, our wonderful parade committee for a really, really outstanding even though postponed great delayed parade, right? That that uh around recreation, summer tennis lesson signups started April 1st and are
happening now, as well as the running club signups. So, please do sign up and get involved. Summer basketball signups are going on for second through eighth graders. It's great summer program for kids. And uh summer camp and junior gardens registrations are closed and full. We are full to capacity in both of
those those um groups this summer. Uh shade tree commission already mentioned, but Arbor Day is coming up on April 24th. Arbor Day is celebrated in Belmar by both our elementary schools. St. Rose Grammar School will be doing their planting of trees at the library at
10:00 a.m. and the Belmore Elementary School will be doing their fourth graders will be planting trees at 1 p.m. on their Belmore Elementary School grounds. Uh, April 26th, as Kate mentioned, is a team effort between the Environmental Commission and the Sha Tree Commission rooted in Belmar, which
is an event that's going to take place at Taylor Pavilion on the 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There's going to be speakers and tables with about information about local uh, native trees, native plantings, honeybee keepers. There's about 10 or 12 tables
of information. So, come out um, and check out Rooted in Belmar. I'm excited to actually go to that. Uh we are also going to be planting eight more trees along this around this area main street and around the police department to help beautify our police grounds. Belmont
Elementary School would like us to know that the Scholastic Bookf Fair is next week, April 20th to the 24th. The PTO is hosting a jewelry sale. So on May 5th, they're going to be asking for donations for women. We all have it co costume jewelry that we don't really use or wear
anymore. they are looking for donations because then they um recycle that jewelry. The kids will give that away too as Mother's Day gifts to their mothers. So, I thought that was a good good idea. You can drop that off at the Belmar Elementary School. So, do that.
And um let's see. PTO fashion show for Belmar Elementary School is May 8th and that's also at Taylor Pavilion. Um >> I believe the theme this year is derby. I had to explain to my daughter that they probably meant Kentucky and not roller. So,
uh, one more little announcement from St. Rose High School. Applications for the 2026 27 school year are now being accepted. And St. Rose would like us to know that they're inviting families to come toward the school or shadow a student firsthand. New academic offerings include a premier business
program with 10 courses featuring forward-looking classes like principles of AI and honors economics and personal finance that equip students for the future. With over 20 varsity sports and dozens of extracurricular opportunities, the students at St. Rose High School are
challenged to grow both in and out of the classrooms. For more information on tours and how to apply, you could go to srhsnj.com. Couple other things. Porchfest March 9th. May 9th, sorry, my bad. May 9th, I believe it's from 12:00 to 6:00. The
event will be posted on Instagram, but once we have a list of what porches and bands and all of that, that will also be out. Um, it's somewhere. We'll be posting on Facebook and around town. And graduation banners are coming soon. So, I'll be working with um councilwoman pre
previous council woman Maria Roninro and our um uh tourism Jenna and tourism to get information about seniors, high school seniors in both Leo and in Belmar so that we could get graduation banners on Main Street. And that's all I have. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh Councilman, >> uh yes. So, on planning board, we have a meeting on the 20th this upcoming Monday. Uh we have no applications in front of us but we will be uh finalizing I think again the review of the signage ordinance. Uh we've been talking about
that quite a bit in planning. Uh Harbor Commission is the next day on the 21st. Uh that'll be at both of them are at 7:00 p.m. And just to add on the events calendar, uh this is autism awareness month. Uh and on Saturday the 18th at uh the Friendly Sons of the Chile are
hosting the plunge for autism. Uh and that's at DJ's. I think it starts at 10:00 a.m. The plunge is at around 12. Um it's on their website. Please, if you can donate. Um I do it every year. It's a great cause. Um all of the groups in Belmar uh that support autism, especially on this month on all year
round. I know the police do a lot. Uh they have uh their their logos on the on their windows. So I want to thank anyone that's uh supported this cause especially during this month. But in the meantime, if you want to have some fun, go to DJs on Saturday and jump in the ocean. It'll be fun. I believe Harbor Commission though is at
6. >> Is that >> six? Not seven. >> Which one? >> Harbor Commission starts at 6. >> Oh, sorry. >> But come at seven. It'll be fun for >> I did have had them reversed. I apologize.
>> Okay. Councilman >> All right. So, um the ADA had their first meeting of the year on the 31st. U for me it was kind of a get to know everybody um scenario. Uh we did decide on a quarterly schedule for ongoing
meetings. Um there was discussion about bringing back a dis disabilities awareness program that has been run in the past. Barry Tro was a big part of that. Uh so I've been in contact with Barry and we're going to be doing that. Um but one thing I want to say about that committee is I was uh
very very impressed by both the passion and the knowledge they brought to it. Um the amount of programs that are out there is stunning to me. I didn't realize it all. um how significant it was and it seems like they know everything about it. So, I think that we're going to be able to get some
things done this year with that. >> Okay. Uh I have nothing to report. So, we should uh move on to the public session. >> This is the public session on the resolutions only. If anyone has a comment or question about a resolution,
please step forward. State your name and address first. Can I have a motion to close the public session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> We don't excuse me. We don't have a resolution, but we came to speak. Is this the time? At >> the end of the meeting, there's a open public session. >> Okay.
>> Okay. The very end of the meeting. >> Thank you. >> Motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Can I have a motion to approve the resolutions as listed on consent agenda number one?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Counciloman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman McKini. >> Yes. >> Councilman Delasio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Moroni. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mafasco. >> Yes. >> And next we have um consent agenda
number two. Believe Councilman Delasio is going to recuse himself. >> I will. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to approve the two resolutions on consent agenda number two? >> Make the motion. >> Second. >> Councilwoman Donovan,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Kenny, >> yes. >> Council member Moroni, >> yes. >> Mayor Becca Fusco, >> yes. >> Uh, next we have ordinance 20267. This is an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 29 water sewer
utility department specifically section 7.1 water sewer rates. Do we have a motion to offer the ordinance for first reading and introduction? >> Councilman Delasio has some comments. >> Motion first. >> Do the motion first.
the motion. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Second. >> Yeah. So, just a discussion on uh 20267. Um and I uh appreciate RCFO being vote since we we did the motion. >> I think we should vote. It's the first reading.
>> First, second discuss that >> Kevin's being the >> Sorry. Sorry. >> That's that's okay. That's okay. Um so it's moved discussed then >> okay that's what we do and this is the
the the vote today will be to move this to a second reading correct it's not approving anything this will be smooth okay um so we received uh 202607 today um it has um you know quite an increase and and quite a detailed explanation of
our water uh utility um you have the calculation that I I just it's a 10 10 or 12% increase in our water bill uh for both uh our our use and also the sprinkler water meter use. And you know, I'll just
say personally, I didn't get a chance to review this. I received it today. I can't confidently say I agree with it or don't agree with it because I I haven't understood it yet. So, I guess I'm looking for more of an explanation on how we got here and why. >> Um I'd like to chime in here as well.
It's actually a 13% increase this year after a 12% increase last year. Uh my concern is that we're telling people what we're going to do and not why we're doing it. I think it would be worthwhile to either put this aside until the auditor or somebody could come and explain why it's necessary and what the
cost increases represent um before we take a a vote on it. What there is a May 6th um implementation. Is that correct? May six. >> Yes. >> Okay. And what happens if we haven't
made uh reached decision at that point? >> The bottom line is that the water sewer utility is not bringing in bringing in enough revenue. The problem that we've had the last two years is that neither one of the neither last year nor this
year will give us a full year of revenue in order to offset the operating expenses. So we have basically used as much surplus as possible.
We don't have a lot of latitude in using additional revenue and we in appropriating additional revenue and we certainly don't have a lot of latitude in uh some of the fixed costs that that are
required for operating the water sewer the water sewer utility. That's the reason why the ordinance is presented and I apologize for the the late notice to you, but it requires us to provide sub certain substantiation to the
division of local government services in conjunction with the introduction of the budget. And um in order to prepare that, we had a consultant do that just to to confirm that the information is correct. And what we're doing is appropriating
uh realistically based on the rate schedule that we have in place that's that's proposed I should say. >> So this increases about just meeting the um expected expenses and it doesn't
there's nothing nothing in here about um infrastructure that's going to improve that at all or >> not currently. We have major infrastructure based on the requirements of the water quality accountability act. We have major infrastructure projects
that have to be that have to be addressed within the next few years that uh will require significant input from the water significant financial support from from the water sewer utility. um
without the without raising the rates at this point, we are setting ourselves up for another year of of problems. >> I guess my concern is that we I don't want to get into another situation where like we did last month where we're
approving something without explaining it to anybody in town. I mean, I still hear from people why is why did it go up so much last year? It's going to go up more this year. So, I agree with Councilman Delasio that I think I need more time to consider this before I I
can lively vote on it. >> Well, procedurally, let me just review. This is an ordinance and tonight what we're doing is the first reading, right? The second reading is the point at which the public has input. Uh, and that's the
reading that actually passes the ordinance. Okay. So, um, that's the first thing. I mean, for us just to introduce it tonight is not we have to vote on it again, in other words, at the next meeting to actually make it law.
So, I would suggest that we we approve it tonight and then questions and what have you can be answered, you know, between now and and the next meeting or at the next meeting. Okay. Now, to to kind of give the public an idea of what
what our chief financial officer was referring to in plain English, the utility is a what we call a um supposed to be a self-liquidated entity. It has its own budget. It takes its own revenue, has its own expenses, okay? And
it's supposed to pay for itself. Well, it's not paying for itself, okay? Okay. And when the utility doesn't pay for itself, the borrow has to pay for it. In other words, the money that is short in the utility budget comes out of the the
burrow's general fund. Okay? So to make that not happen because ideally the users of the utility should be paying for the for the uh the water and sewer. This is not just water. Now remember this is water
and sewer. So what we are trying to do, you know, revenue has pretty much stayed constant because it's it's water and it's, you know, and that's where we're getting our revenue from. All the rate payers, everybody who has a house and pays a water bill, that's the revenue. Doesn't change that much from year to
year to year. What changes are the expenses, okay? What we call the appropriations. So every year expenses are going up. And you might say, well, why are they going up? Well, number one, there are fixed costs that we have. We
have salaries. You know, salaries have budgeted increases in them. So, that's part of an increase. We have um I'm told chemicals that are used in the uh in the treatment of the water that we have to purchase. Apparently, the cost of those
chemicals have gone up dramatically. Um, we have health costs for employees that has gone up. And did I miss anything there? I know there were four things I think that that I think there was one other area
>> also the water that we purchased from the New Jersey American Water Company and probably South >> We purchased water from American Water Company and Manisquan. I don't know the exact name. So those rates have gone up. So we have a situation where our revenue
is constant and our expenses are being raised. So the only way that the utility can meet that and through the budget we have to is by increasing the revenue. Okay. So that's what this
is designed to do. And if if we don't do it, all it means is that next year in the budget or this year in the budget, we will have to take whatever the amount is $300 and some odd thousand that we would have gotten from the increase will
come out of the general fund and will go into the utility. So, and that means that something in the overall budget amounting to that 300 and something will not will have to be cut. Okay. So, that's that's where we're at. That's
that's the council's uh decision. Do we want the the payers, the rateayers who use the utility to pay their fair share for and meet the expenses, or do we want to say no, we want to give the rateayers, you know, a break and we'll
let the taxpayers pay for the utility, whatever the shortage is in the utility. That's not the way it's supposed to work. The way it's supposed to work is a utility is is supposed to be selfi liquidated. It's supposed to pay for itself. So, and and that's it. That's
the bottom line. There's not much to it. Um, you know, everything increases. The water increases, the chemicals increase. Um, salaries are going up a little bit. You know, it all adds up. So, you know, we need additional money to do that. We have some money in surplus, but we we
don't want to use that money based on what our orders say because it's not that much. And if you use up all of your surplus, then if something happens, the taxpayers are going to be on the hook again to to make up the difference. So no matter
which way we turn it, look at it, it's it's a situation where the the rates have to go up. Now, there is a a kind of like a silver lining to this dark cloud, and that is the work we're doing in our infrastructure. for example, the the 8th
Avenue relining project will in the long run hopefully save us uh costs with the smurser, which is the the sewage authority. And that was the fourth thing that was that was uh causing the increase. We, as we explained once
before, when water infiltrates the sewer line, groundwater, that water then goes to the sewage authority and it gets treated. We don't want to treat groundwater. We want to treat water that's coming out of our sinks and you know our our our sanitary water. But
what's been happening is we've been getting huge uh sewage bills because we're treating water that we're not using. It's coming from the ground. So over time once we start the once the 8th Avenue project is done I think we should
see less water going to the sewage authority because we've plugged up all the holes that will you know that's causing that. I there have been some days when we've had a lot of rain and I know Mr. Kane has been on the phone with the people at the surge authority and
they're like telling us like, you know, we're getting to the point where we can't we don't know if we're going to be able to handle all your all your surge. That that's correct, right? you know, >> you know, so you know, cuz they have other towns that they're doing too and
they have a limited capacity and they're telling us basically, you know, you guys have to do something because when we have a lot of rain and whatnot, you know, you're putting a strain on our system because all this water's coming down and it, you know, and we can't treat it all. I mean, ideally in a
perfect world, if we were doing this on a, you know, on a on a calculator, all the water that we we use should be the water that's treated. So, in other words, if we use a billion gallons in a year, we should only be treating a billion gallons. But if we use a billion
gallons and we're treating a billion and a half gallons, that has the problem. We're treating water that's not supposed to be treated. And that's that's the benefit of the project, for example, on 8th Avenue. So that's that's we're doing now. So that's the you know of course every I don't know if you've uh some of
you may not have been for some of the uh the presentations that our burough engineer did but basically and I'm probably oversimplifying but all the all the uh drains and sewer lines and whatever all funnel to 8th Avenue. Am I
correct? Pretty much. Yes. So, all of the the the all of the drain lines in the town are coming into 8th Avenue. And believe it or not, that line goes way up to the beach, right where the 7-Eleven is in that old pump house. And then it
goes around and down 18th all the way to the to the sewage authority. So, that's why 8th Avenue is so important because all of our drainage is going to that that spot. So you can imagine how much, you know, how much uh fluid is going
through there. And as we all know, if you go down 8th Avenue, you can see the bumps like this because those are all places where where the the sewer line is basically collapsing. But um you know, we're actually in a in a good position because we it was deemed
we don't have to replace that. We can line it and it will serve the same purpose as whether or not we would have to replace it. So you know there is light at the end of the tunnel but uh you know we have to have the the sewage
authority I mean the the water authority uh basically become selfquidating and pay for itself. The other long-term aspect to this for future generations let's say is that the state has a wonderful uh program uh where they will
loan us money and uh actually I forget the name of it. What is it called again? the I bank the the I bank will will loan the town money. There's there's forgiveness. It's really a good deal, but there's a catch for the utility to get that loan.
It has to be selfquidating. So, as long as we're not selfquidating, in other words, as long as the utility isn't paying for itself, we can't apply for that loan to do all of the other infrastructure stuff that has to be done. So, it's very important that we
get the utility back on its feet, paying for itself. The rate payers should be paying for for the cost of the utility. And the plan that we have here, I think, will will get us to that to get us to that point. I mean, it's it's it's it
sounds like a lot. It's like $14 a month on the on the base of $100, the minimum of that. >> A quarter, not a month. >> A quarter, I'm sorry, a quarter. So, you know, you're looking at what? $42. Did I do my multiplication right for 56?
>> $56 a year total if you're just using the um you know the the base amount. So, um that's where we're at. Um, there is also, and I'm not going to hide it, there's also an automatic 2.5 incre%
increase every year. And that's to keep up with the anticipated increases in expenses. Because if we don't do that, someone will be sitting up here four years from now saying, "Oh, we're not selfquidating anymore and we're going to
have to go through this again." So, you know, we have to plan for regular increases so that we can keep up with with the expenses. And like I said though, it could it could turn out positively if we save a ton of money on our on our sewage expenses. You know,
that might have to be figured in in the future and maybe we'll lower some of the costs. So, that's that's the plain English variety. You know, we have a business. It's the water utility. It's not it's not making it enough money. And I know I'm talking too much, but
But, you know, hey, I only have seven more months to go, so I I really need to say as much as I can, you know, >> ask three questions, though. >> No. Okay. >> Um, four actually. Um, >> Councilman Delasio mentioned that it was an increase over an increase from last
year as well. Were the rates raised prior to that regularly? >> No. The short answer is no, they weren't, which is part of the problem. And so have the rates been artificially low? >> I would have to say yes because we're
not self liquidating and we're not making enough we're not making enough revenue to pay the expenses. >> And one final question because you and I have talked about this. If we don't make these changes with the rates with our infrastructure is a likely or possible
outcome selling our utility. Well, selling the water portion of the utility becomes a reasonable option for the future. And then my final question, um, mayor,
uh, to address Councilman Moron's, uh, concern, can we get residents, and I'm I'm happy to ask this with this information out to residents about this issue, um, before the next meeting and include in that not only um, a very
simple explanation of the issue at hand um, and a simplified version of the proposed increases, but also utility assistance that may be available to them. Um, I'm sure we can. I mean, I'm not sure what utility assistance is out
there. I think once before we talked about, um, overall utility assistance. Um, >> some information on the website. >> Yeah, I think we have some of that. Um, in terms of what, uh, you know, I don't know what more we could send to the residents than the the, you know, the
details that are in the ordinance. I mean >> I I think something very simple, one page saying this is being proposed. This is generally approximately what your increase might look at. Here are some of
the reasons why. If you have questions, you can come to this meeting. Um and here's possible assistance. You can put that in one page and then include links to the full text of everything because um those can be a little bit inaccessible to the general population.
I I think we can we can do that and send it out with use the uh use the uh the mailing list from the water bills basically. >> That would be great. That's a great idea. >> Oh, sorry. I did just the question because again receiving today and we're
voting on moving it forward to discuss it. How much can we dive into this before our next meeting and maybe there is a change but then we're not going to have the same ordinance. For example, the only reason I say that is I don't know. We have a projected 2026 usage and
it's the same as our 2025 usage. We have 500 units coming to this town. There's going to be a lot of construction and they use a lot more water than the current structures that are there. Uh I mean think they're taking down the motor lodge and the other building today they
started. Um so even during that they're going to be using a lot of water. Is more my the longwaited question was is more usage that is coming to this town going to benefit us and could it possibly help us reduce the rate in the future?
>> That's a possibility. >> But the reality is that none of those projects have come online this year and this year is when we're having a financial problem. So it would it would be in in the bureau's best interest and
recommending something as um unpalatable to some people as this is, it's necessary for the future health of the water utility. And that's the the
um the unen unenviable position that the governing body is in at this point. Unfortunately, by not raising rates on a regular basis, which a lot of governing bodies choose
not to do, you leave yourself open for the the necessity of doing this in one fell swoop as opposed to gradually increasing your rates to cover your costs and to maintain your selfquidating status.
>> I I think that was the purpose of my of my question is that I saw that 2.5%. Thank you for bringing that up to the public. And that's where that's where it struck is we're going to be using a lot more water in four years from now than we are today. And you know, maybe there's an two years ago, whoever that
we can reduce that or or eliminate that if we're making the um proper uh over. >> Yes. Because we evaluate every year what how what the operation is is what's happening within the operation. Um, it's
just been a perfect storm of the the inattention, if you will, >> to to raising rates and and to maintaining the self-equidating status of the utility for um
versus what we're facing right now. >> Other thing you have to remember though too is the the state will not let you anticipate revenue, right? Unless you have like the increase they will let us anticipate. But you know obviously if we have more people using water we will be
getting more revenue in because they'll be paying for it. Okay. But there's going to be a lapse you know between them and that's why we need to in increasing the rates. What we're also doing is we want to increase the the uh surplus because that some year you're
going to have to use that surplus to get you over that hump so that you know next year you can increase the the revenue anticipated because you have collected it the year before. You know what I'm saying? So you know we could say oh there's a 500 unit apartment going up
and we know that they're going to they're going to use x amount of water and you know we're going to get all this additional revenue in. They're not going to let us put that in on the uh on the on the revenue side. I mean, it'll get collected and it'll show and then the next year when they say, "Oh, wow. You
took in $500,000 more." Yeah, we can't anticipate that revenue now. But, you know, we we can't do it in advance. So, that's that's another part of the problem. You know, build up the surplus so that when we have these little, you know, idiosyncrasies that we need to
carry from year to year, we'll have the funds to do that. right now we don't have that. So I mean in terms of people coming I mean I don't think we need to worry about the new you know things that are going up and the additional uh units that are coming on because all those
people will be paying for water sewage and as they as the as they pay more and the income goes up we'll be able to anticipate more revenue in the budget and everything should stay balanced at that point. >> And one more question where are we with the lining of the main? Oh, I don't
know. I >> Has that started or we It started. >> It started right by by Castle King's house, right? >> They should be done this week. >> Oh, it's going to be finished this week. >> Yes. >> Hallelujah. >> I actually have an extra cone that they
left right outside of my house. >> Well, I should say the pipe the pipe lining will be finished this week. They have to go back and do 11 manholes because it's not only the pipes, but it's the manholes that could have water infiltration. So, those are also going to be lined. Okay.
>> Can we be sure to send out an information Nixle or whatever it needs to be before these projects happen? Selfishly, I work from home and they were literally right in front of my house and were so loud that I could not do work in my home. I had to find
another location. Um, and I cannot be the only person who had that problem. And any type of planning I can do in advance is much better. So if if anything the bro can can do to let residents know when this work is happening and what they can plan for would be really helpful. >> We'll do.
>> So in in conclusion, what I I my my my um recommendation is we we vote this and it does it's only an introduction. Next meeting is when the actual vote takes
place to put it into effect. So if we want to get to that point, we need to do that tonight. Woman Donovan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Kenny, >> yes. >> Councilman Delasio, >> yes. >> Councilman >> yes. >> Mayor Michael,
>> yes. >> Okay. Uh, next we have ordinance 2026. This is a ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 3, Department of Administration, specifically section 3-6, tourist development commission. Do we have a motion to offer for first
reading and introduction? >> Second. >> Councilwoman Donovan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Kenny, >> yes. >> Councilman Delasio, >> yes. >> Councilman Moroni, >> yes. >> Mayor Busco, >> yes. >> Okay. Uh, next we have public session.
If anyone would like to make a comment, please step forward. Remember to state your name and address first. Good evening. My name is Edward T. Wall. I reside and own 1715 and a half River Road in our beautiful
Belmar, New Jersey. Tonight, I'm here to uh start with a little trivia. You know, I was reading an article today about Belmar. And in Italian, Belmmore means
beautiful sea. So, I'm here to address some uh issues that are not beautiful. At River Road and 16th Avenue, we have a major entrance to our town. The roadways
are filthy. the garbage, the rocks, the uh automobile debris. I don't understand why this isn't cleaned up. River Road is a municipal roadway taken care of by our
municipality. Also, there's a beautiful island there. I don't understand why that island isn't developed with native plants. Our birthday is coming with some trees and a
beautiful sign, welcome to Belmar, established in 1890, the beautiful city. Instead, we have a welcome to Belmar sign on a on a lawn of a business at 16th Avenue and uh
Route 71. Also a lot of great projects going on which is good for our town but everything is seems to be close to the boardwalk not close to the mccclary park and Shark
River and our surrounding beach communities in the residential areas. The roadways run north and south. two roads in each one in each direction. I
don't understand why a traffic survey cannot be done to make River Road a one lane roadway at 16th going down to 71 and utilize a bike lane.
I'm tired of seeing children riding their bikes in the roadway there. That's dangerous. I'm tired of seeing people walking alone in Shark River, stepping over garbage, stepping over mounds of dirt,
the trees are dead. I don't I don't understand why our council people and our mayor is not working with the state to make sure there there's a maintenance schedule to clean that up and keep it clean just like we do with McCclary
Park. Um, >> speeding. Speeding is an issue there. Nobody's doing 35. >> We had our heroes in blue tonight. Chief, glad to see you. Why can't we
utilize our heroes in blue to do radar, >> reduce this speed? We've had so many accidents involving telephone poles, the curb, um, >> street signs, and even a home. One of our neighbors will be speaking. A car
went through their house. Thank God they weren't home. Um, River Road definitely needs needs this. And you know, also,
you know, we're told you call certain numbers. The street lighting is terrible over there. It needs to be modernized. It needs to be repaired. And we need the the mayor and the council people to stay on the state to make sure they do that.
It's not our job to do that. Um and basically, uh in closing, you know, I'd like to thank you all for giving me the time to vent a little bit. Um we love our area. you know, my wife and I and our two sons, we've been here
almost seven years now. This is the first time I spoke and um you know, it's concerning to us and the neighbors. You know, River Road was considered the forgotten, but we're not the forgotten anymore. We we live here full-time.
We're homeowners and and you know, we deserve to be served just like all our residents of Delmore. Thank you. >> Thank you. Neil Sheek, 410 Fourth Avenue. I uh agree with the previous speaker that we could be doing more to keep our streets
clean. And I would be happy to volunteer for any kind of an effort. I think we should have volunteers going up and down every street in town and clean this town up. Yeah. >> Uh and I also think that more could be
done to uh address speeding particularly on Route 35. >> Uh why I came today though was uh to mention to remind everyone about the
wonderful programs at the Belmar Arts Center right behind us here at 7th Avenue by the railroad tracks. It's been there for over 20 years now, but I'm afraid that many Belmar residents have never been inside the building. And I
think any anything that the the council or anyone here, anyone listening can do to uh bring attention to the Belar Arts Center and to attract more people there uh to become members. Although you don't have to be a member to enjoy all the
wonderful things there. There's constantly changing exhibits of artwork on the walls. There's uh concerts. There's uh special interest groups. There's workshops. There's classes. And if you go to the website bellar arts.org,
you can learn about everything that is offered. And in particular, I want to uh to promote the playwriting workshop that is scheduled to start on June 1st, which will be at Mondays uh for 12 weeks at
700 p.m. Playwriting workshop. They had one a few years ago and I uh participated and it was a wonderful thing. It's a lot of fun to write plays and the uh the
coordinator Lisa Ell is a very talented playwright filmmaker out of New York City. I just went to Manhattan the other day to see her latest play, My Exhusband's Funeral, which was a really terrific work. I think it's going to be
move up to bigger venues and be big a big hit. So, we're really lucky to have Lisa and Alex coming to Belmar and offering this playwriting workshop. So, I suggest if you know anyone who has any writing aspirations
to uh check out the playwriting workshop at belmararts.org. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening, Linda Sharus for a I just want to start by making a few
comments about the the water bill. Um, we've had significant changes in town. The number of vacant houses have increased. That's because people bought them as second homes. Is there any indication that there's a reduction in
usage because these houses that were group rentals are now now down to two or four people as opposed to 10. That's one point. My second just uh question is as I drive around and
walk around town, I was wondering who maintains or oversees the um these uh construction projects that are going on, the capital improvements. I can tell you the if if they're done
through our burough engineer, there's a there's a uh I wouldn't call them a foreman. There's a a construction specialist who's there uh watching what what the workers are doing. >> Okay. Because you talked to you mentioned that paving's going to take
place soon, but on Fifth and C the wastewater grade is well, it's like 12 inches down. I've already talked to Mr. Horus about that like last month. >> That'll be remedied when they uh when
they pave the street. Correct. >> Correct. >> Yeah, >> it's going to be fixed. >> Absolutely. >> It doesn't look like it's a simple fix. >> They haven't done the street yet. >> But they're ready to pay. >> They can increase that by just putting,
you know, making it higher. >> Trust me, it'll be fixed. But to with all the construction going on on in town, Mike mentioned that um demolition requires water. There have been places that have been demolished without water
being turned on. Who's supposed to oversee that? So we remain safe because a lot of these old buildings have um asbestous and just all the dust levels increased dramatically. So I would hope
as permits come for demolition that somebody will check in on them and you know keep the residents safe. >> I think that's that happens. >> Yes. And the part of the demolition permit package is they have to provide how they're going to have water on site
whether it's through the town or bringing in a water truck. I believe most usually bring in their own water. >> Who check who's checking up on them? they have to include a letter with their construction permit um that says how they're doing it and then typically
um you know if we find out they're not using it that would go through the construction department for violation. Okay, my last comment is there any way we could create a website to report concerns or issues
that need to be resolved because calling or sending emails doesn't seem to be effective to getting work done around town. I >> think you can do that through the SDL portal. Isn't there an access through most SDLs? >> There is. We just don't we don't have it
turned on at this time. Okay. I know. I mean, I'm going back like 10 years. How long ago was the community policing program where we had like a Google form? You were part of that with me, right? >> Um, Chief, I know we Yeah, that was maybe 5 years ago. Stopped or 6 years ago. Uh, so the in the website I had uh
searched for something today. I didn't see you can't do like an online submission for a maybe a question or a complaint. use the word complaint uh possibly on a construction project or would it be they have to make a phone call?
>> Um the program has the ability to do it. We just need to turn it on and decide what options we want to provide for people to use. >> But currently we don't have an online submission for complaints. Right. >> Correct. Just email. >> I would suggest we turn that on if we
could to get back because there is a lot going on in town. Is that going to cover all all complaints or just construction related complaints? >> I don't know. We can put whatever options we want >> similar to we used to have it um under the old program that we had. It was
called reported concern and we had options like chry police code enforcement DPW things things like that. So we can we can work on that. >> Is that something to go to SDL4? >> No. Was that part of the package that we
already have? >> It's all included. >> Okay. So then we'll >> you'll see it turned on. >> We'll let you know when that happens. >> My last comment is as construction starts, could you keep us posted on what streets will be closed
>> uh because there'll be a lot of materials coming and going and even like with doing houses sometimes it's difficult to get through or they have heavy equipment blocking the road. So just I think um if we could avoid getting stuck waiting for to get through
it would be a real benefit to the residents. >> I don't know how we would do that. How would we >> through an Excel alert? >> I mean we only would know if they are asking for some kind of a police uh assistance. Correct. I mean and any road closure requires police assistance and
and a form uh uh an application for a road closure. Uh, and that, you know, you have to hire an onduty cop for uh, traffic and all that stuff. >> So, it's every day. >> Was that Yeah. If I I was just about to say if we did that for every road closure and construction project, you would get three a day. I don't know
about every day, Chief. It would be three a day. Um, but you you know, as a contractor, you do have to go through the process to submit for a lane closure or a whole road closure. Um, so that that would be a that would be a tough one for us to send out alerts. Um maybe we can choose it for if it's on your
road or something like that. We also make the contractor do it uh leave letters um in mailboxes and stuff like a requirement of them. >> Pixel does allow for targeting within neighborhoods. So um you know the problem with the leaving the letters and
that's good is that they tend like for instance when the water man was being done outside of my house we had you >> sometimes. Um, we had paper dropped off on day one
as it was going on and nothing for the next four days. And every day I said, "Are you going to be back here tomorrow?" and got a squishy answer. So, um, plus text messaging tends to have a very high open rate. So, there's that. >> All right. >> Good suggestions.
>> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Sylvia Wolf. My husband just spoke I live on River Road uh in Belmar and yes I we came about our road. It is neglected. It is dangerous.
It is dirty and environmentally is not sound because that garbage is constantly flowing. And my husband and I and our neighbors on that road constantly clean up and to no avail because it all comes back. Then we have, you know, once and
twice a year somebody comes and we wax all the garbage and then it flows back into the river and then I have to complain and you know what? But the real reason that I'm here is because of our neighbors home that was destroyed by a
reckless driver who was speeding speeding smashed into their home. And luckily they were not home because if they were it wouldn't be a different conversation right now. So what I want
is accountability from all of you. I want you to tell me that you're going to worry about our side of town. I love all of Belmore. I I you know I patronize everybody's businesses here. I try to go
to build our town. I love our town when I see garbage when I'm walking my dog. And that's another thing. You're walking your dog and it's total garbage everywhere. The streets aren't cleaned. There's dead birds. I I believe I called you once and you helped me with that
with a dead bird with flies all over it for weeks. It was there. Finally, I was like, "What do I do?" And then I I saw you at an environmental meeting. I see graffiti on the wall in the park. That's where our kids go. That's where uh I I
see I see young families walking from school in a um what is that? Um >> a stroller. Thank you. A stroller with three kids and there's all these pebbles and rocks and dirt and it's dangerous to
I really I would love you guys to come visit where we live. Come and see what we have to deal with every day. I called the police department recently because of all those motorcycles that were swarming and I have pictures to show you
around me. It was so scary. I was planting in the front of my house. I saw them going um north. I called I said they're all over and they're young kids that I worry about because they're young and God forbid something happens to them. And then when I went to go see my
friend at the nursing home, all of a sudden they were they were engulfing me, surrounding me. I called the police department. There's nothing we can do. What are we going to do? If we go after them, you know, it's going to be a bigger problem. Well, how about when they went that way, someone follow them
and say, "Okay, you know, we got all your license plates. You're going to you're going to get a ticket in the mail." How's that something? But I'm I'm sorry. I'm just rambling on. I what I really want is this. I want a one lane
like every other state road in anywhere has one lane. We have we have three that merge into one. People cutting each other off, telling each other off. You're walking with your dog and you're feeling like, whoa, I'm gonna I'm gonna
get uh you know, clipped. and especially that our friend is dealing with so much and all we could have had someone uh uh monitoring the speed. We could have had one lane which we deserve. We are a
residential area. Yes, we are on 35, but we're River Road and I is can you tell me if anything can be done about that? Is there anybody going to help me with this? >> We I'm sorry. We we feel your pain
because we're as frustrated as you are because that again and I'm not saying it as an excuse but that is a state road. So >> anything >> we can advocate for you which we will do but you should advocate also. You should write to your
>> you should write to your assemblyman. I have >> your your your uh your state senator uh the department of transportation because all of those are the people who are the decision makers. You know, we we put in
for a a correction on Main Street and 8th Avenue to have the light and that whole crosswalk done. I did that I think the the first six months I was here and you know it took them like a year to get back to me and they said, "Yeah, that'll
be done in 2027. Right. So, you know, they tell me a year, I'm happy, mayor, >> but they're not going to be able to. >> You You guys have to advocate. We're part of your town. >> We will advocate for you stepchild, >> but it's as frustrating. It's as frustrating for us.
>> Okay. But what have you done is the question. What have you done for River Road? That's what I want to know. >> It is not much that we can do because it's a state road. We can't >> I um >> Thank you. Thank you so much for coming. I I think what you do here is
>> sir I think what you do here is amazing and you are one of the reasons that I know the environmental commission put River Road and McCclary Park on the agenda for next year. There was actually a cleanup there just this past weekend that was hosted by the Shark River
Cleanup Coalition. Um I know you have my phone number and we've talked um but let's continue to do that. that let's put getting a sign there directly on the agenda. Uh the mayor's right that it's a state road, but there are things we can do in the immediate. There are there is lowhanging fruit there and we will get
that for you. So, let's keep talking. We'll we'll make a list. Okay. >> Can I just one more question? Did anybody see the email that I sent this week because I detailed everything in the email. I sent it to um to and April actually responded to me and said to me,
I will forward it to everyone. And I think I forwarded it to the DOJ. I'm going to I'm going to do more on my end. And and by the way, the only reason this year I didn't participate uh in the clean numbers because last year I went by River Road picking up the
junk and someone told me, "Sorry, you can't be there. You can't go there." The other good thing that you should know is that um the grant that I was talking about that was done in coordination with wall and entrant and everything. My unabashed hope is that we can use that
for um part of that at least for bulkheads and restoration there because I and that's something you and I have talked about as well. >> Yeah. >> But come on down. It's beautiful. You see the sunset. It's gorgeous. And then you see all the garbage. It's perfect. There's swans in that river. They're
It's absolutely incredible. So really please come and and just let I will email a followup and just let me know what you can do to help us because we are I think a team and you're you're the
head of our team so we need you. Okay. Thank you. And I really thank you both for always helping but everybody really has to help. >> I've been wanting a sign on that entrance welcome to Belar for a long time. That median is that stateowned median? Does anyone know, Chief? Do you
know? >> I've been wanting a sign >> that that meat it's it's state. So, we can't put anything there. >> No, we had we had a sign there um quite a few years back and there was a uh car accident and they hit
>> But if we got like a beautiful plants around >> that I've been wanting a sign there for I talked to Maria Rodin about that. Remember Maria? We were talking about that. Wouldn't it be nice to have maybe the Belmore Art Council get involved with making a sign? >> Where's Mr. Sheff? Did he leave?
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. We We appreciate your concerns and we heard you. Thank you. I I have a quick question about the speeding there. Um I don't know what it would take. I mean, can we get one of the signs that show what the speed coming into town is?
>> I don't know how that works. I don't even know whose responsibility it would be, but it I would have to go it would have to go through the state >> and I can tell you I for the one on 16th Avenue >> that took me almost 6 months to get that
>> um done but I don't I don't I don't know what the the rules and regulations of signs for state roads are >> I I think one of the big problems there is people are coming off 138 and they don't even realize how fast they're going 40 45 and they just keep going that much through town
>> I know when I see those signs Yeah I I do want to correct. I always see patrols in the McCclary Park. I always see someone sitting there picking off speeders. Um, and I as far as the sign on 35, I don't know where you would put it because it sidewalks immediately on someone's yard. There's not a lot of
right away there and it would either interfere with walkers or bikers or someone's property. So, that could I mean, I'd be all for it. I'd love one there. It's a tough uh we'd have to meet and locate the spot for it. >> They did they did do a study in that area. They were supposed to do a study
from 16th Avenue to 71. Um I don't I don't know. This is prior to me being chief. Um probably like two or three years um before that. But they did a traffic study, but then they
only did from I think it was from K uh L Street Beach to 71 light. I'm like no, they need to do the entire >> Yeah. It's um it's very frustrating working with the state. look at 8th Avenue, you know, with the
walkway and everything like that. Um, as far as putting a a speed sign up there like the one we have on 16th or around town, I I would have to it would have to be, you know, submitted to the state. I don't I don't know. I don't know what their regulations are. >> Maybe we can look into that.
>> Back to the house being hit. What address was this? Cuz we I >> Where where and when? 1703 River Road. So if you're driving off 138 towards McCclary Park, we're on the right hand side. My address is spray painted. We
look like we survived Hurricane Katrina. So it's been like this since November. So we've been fighting the um you know, not fighting with our builders, but waiting for our builders to get inspections. Um our inspections just came due
>> um permits just came due. So they'll be starting the construction on our house. We have been living in a house with a hole in it. Thank god we weren't home like our neighbor said. Um but we do also want to address the trash problem. My husband and I walk every morning early when it's still dark. Lights on
that side of the road do not work. And beyond the trash, there's car parts everywhere. It's just absurd how terrible it really looks. You guys really sound like you're great. You're getting a lot done. A lot of you guys live over on ETH. Things are getting
done. We feel like over on 16th, over on River Road, we're being neglected. So, I guess all we're really asking is just for your help. And I appreciate you, Councilman Donovan, saying that you will get River Road and the trash addressed on the agenda from the environment. And
I guess we just want you guys to go back as much as possible to um the DOT to come and look at our scenario and our situation. We appreciate everything that the cops do. We call them, they come. They were great. The day that, you know,
the night, it happened at 8:00 at night. Our neighbors were there to board up our house. The cops were there, the firefighters were there, everybody was great. Your guys do a great job breaking up the speeding, but like summary, it's just again absurd. And people with loud
cars and just the speeding is absurd. So, I don't know if we could get even any more police presence in the summertime just to I know you guys are busy on the boardwalk in the beach. I get it. It's busy there, but you know, we're having issues, too. So, again, I
really do appreciate that you guys are hearing us. And hopefully the board will be done and you'll see a beautiful new resurrected home on >> Honestly, we had no I honestly didn't know that that's what happened to your house. I pass it every day and I I
didn't I thought you were doing construction, honestly. >> No. No. after 4 months in a boarded up house and I went to the court date for the person that hit our house. I was was on the Zoom call and unfortunately he was not even able to pay the entire
fine that he was given. So that tells you like where we had to fight for insurance and home equity and all of this stuff. If the guy who hit my house couldn't even pay part of the fine and this is all on me. >> Thank you.
>> Sorry about that. provide your name. >> Yeah, it's Amy Madneck. >> Excuse me. >> I just want to add that um from from your email that came through the other day, I did uh I did call the state and
ask for a uh a cleanup along 35 and they simply said they'll get to it when they can. >> They said no. >> They say they will get to it when they can. >> Thank you. Good evening every uh my name
is Adam Edn 1703 river. Uh I just want to impress upon you the importance of safety. Uh I think your people our fire department they do an amazing job. Uh
walking down River Road is treacherous. >> So I I realize we're limited in what we can do because of that road, but is there an avenue? some assistance that we can be given how to approach DOT the state who we need to
talk to in Trenton to get something done or at least somebody to come down stand on my sidewalk for 5 minutes and let's figure out something that's all I'm asking >> and I'm sorry I don't mean to interrupt but I did also contact the assemblyman and his person has been in touch with us
two times I mean she she means well I I would like a little bit more interaction with her, but we have addressed the assembly net as well. >> That's the point. Thank you. >> I I have to say I lived over there for a little while and I when I had kids in
strollers and it's it's not fun. It's not safe. It's you feel like you're going to get it's I I fear >> that something will happen to some somebody. >> Yes. >> Over there. >> We all feel the same way. >> Chief, was that was Wasn't that road originally a one lane road?
>> I don't know. I think 30 years and it's been >> No, >> I'm just trying to recall. Okay. Well, thank you so much. I'm so sorry about your home. >> Thank you. >> Can I just ask one more question? >> I'm sorry. We We've already spoke. >> Mayor, I just want if anybody would like
to speak. If no one else wants to speak, then you can come up to the microphone. >> Thanks, Mayor. >> And mayor, you you I just want to clarify something. You're saying River Road is a state road. Mhm. >> Yes. >> Well, according to the state, it's a
municipal road maintained by Belmore. >> That's not my understanding. >> 35 is a state road on the other side. >> The other side of what? >> On the other side of River Road. >> Road.
>> I thought they I thought that they were basically the same road. >> No. >> No. River Road is a municipal road maintained by our town. 35 is a state road maintained by the state. >> Are you saying the the north the northern section is 35 and the southern
section is river road? >> Yes. >> Yeah. I don't think the state is >> the south the southern side is 35. The northern side is river road. >> That's news to me. We'll have to look into that. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Sorry. >> Hi, Maria Rondaro, 1246 Pine Treeway. Um, I just wanted to echo the concerns uh for River Road and uh Route 35 by the Rhode Island Point area. As you know,
I've spoken about this a lot um that it is a dangerous walkway. Um my husband and I did clean up and my daughter cleaned up around L Street and also on River Road this weekend. And I can tell you, we should have sold them. We had
hub caps. We had car parts that were heavy metal um and you know, tires, things that could be really dangerous at the speeds that the cars are going um hitting someone who's walking. So, you know, please if there is anything that can still be done, I I echo those
concerns. I know that it's a challenge because it is a state road. Um and then I just wanted to give a shout out uh for the Belmar Library. Uh they host the living history um this uh Saturday at 12 PM at the Taylor Pavilion for uh our
American jazz poet Langston Hughes. And then the poetry jam night is April 30th at 6:00 p.m. And uh I wanted to um also add to your calendar May 7th at 5:00 p.m. on the library lawn. We'll be
celebrating America's I'm going to say 250 birthday. I don't need to say anymore. Um, we're going to have a great party with the uh Ocean Avenue Stoppers Band, uh, ice cream face painting, balloons. It's going to be wonderful. So, mark that on your calendar. And
lastly, thank you to the Burrow and DPW for fixing the steps on the Clearary Park down to um the other side. I guess that's the the west side um of the marina. Thanks, Claire Hainer 18th and B. I happen to
have a water bill in my hand, but I wanted to say thank you for adding the uh current meter activity. I can't say adding it, putting it back onto the bill because it came off the bill when we went through paper. So, thank you for that question on the just a quick
question on the 2.5 annual that says starting January. Does that mean it's coming in January or is it going to come again in May or June? >> I would assume it's the next >> effective January 2027. >> Yeah. 2027.
>> So we're going to get hit in May and then we're going to get hit in January. >> That's January going to start on the annual increase 2.5% for the year >> in January. >> In January. So we're going to get it in May and then again in January. Sounds
like it. >> Okay. Just want to clarify. And then Councilman Delaza, you mentioned um the sign uh the sign that's uh for the planning board. You're going to finally vote that in or whatever. >> It's a reviewing the sign committee.
Well, it's a uh reviewing the ordinance and comment. >> Um totally with you because we spend a lot of time on it. Where's Maria? There you are. Okay. >> Yeah, Jody was on everybody's lot of fun. Um,
>> one question I was reading through >> and one question that I had where it says political signs, one political sign, unless you're on a corner, you can have two. Is that per person running? Like if a senator is running, can you have a senator and can you have a
council person or a mayor or is it just you got to pick and choose? >> That's a that's a legal question. the the ordinance says >> I think it should be per I I would just I would take that as per person running.
You're asking me on the computer race >> per race. In other words, if >> you could have 20 signs up then per person. >> We never have 20 people. We get 20 people on one sign. >> I think it should be brought up by the planning board.
>> I actually love for you to attend. I would love for you to attend the planning board as someone that was involved in this as and I was on the sign committee uh for a few years and let let's uh hash that out and make sure we clarify that properly with our planning attorney uh at that time.
>> Let's have one person talk at a time so we could capture all these words of wisdom on the table. I I don't have the ordinance in front of me, but I don't think it would be appropriate to require that somebody choose which race they're going to
support a candidate in. So, you probably have to look at that ordinance and and rework it because if that's the way it reads, you can have just one and there are a lot of people running in different things. That that's that's not something
I would want to in the yard. You made that thing. >> I think we can just have it's 45 days I believe that the signs have to be out. You know, it's it's not like a whole year. So, >> it it does read that and I spent a lot
of time sitting in those meetings and I thought we had clarified that that it could be per candidate, >> per race. >> Per race. Yes, per race. >> I would agree. That's how it was agreed. So, I would uh I'll I'll clarify that. I'll be sure to have written that up in the >> agree with that too.
>> Thank you. >> Any other comments? >> Uh Jean Kramer, 4th Avenue. Uh >> I don't think I need >> Jean Kramer, 4th Avenue. Um back on the water. Perhaps somebody in town can check this,
but uh Belmar is the only town that I'm aware of that offers a reduced rate for irrigation purposes. Um does any other municipality do that? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Well, yes. >> Yes.
>> Which town? >> Everywhere I've ever heard. >> Every town. Marorrow did it for the 27 years I lived there. And >> you had two meters. >> I had two meters in my house. Yes. >> Okay. Did you get a separate sewage bill?
>> I don't remember. Separate bill or it was combined. It's separate here, but I think it was on one, but it showed us, usage, and surge. >> Okay. I think you have to take a closer look at this, mayor, as to where the money and where the water is actually
going. Uh I've been here many many years in town and um uh I've seen people irrigating their their lawns while it was raining. Uh and we talk about infiltration of water. that water that you flush down the toilet and goes to
the shoreline has a better chance uh I should say the water that you sprinkle on your lawn has a better chance of infiltrating the sore system and going down to the down to 18th Avenue South Mouth Regional Sewage Authority I don't
see the distinction on it uh some towns have different rates uh for different uses of water uh Newark offers a different rate to annure bush because they're brewing beer. Uh there's only one rate here in town and we've looked
at this before as as a potential increase in revenue stream. >> If I can interrupt you though, we don't have one rate. There's one rate for water that you're that being used in your house and there's another rate for
watering the lawn because the rate for watering the lawn doesn't include the sewer charge. >> That's correct, Mayor. So there's two >> that water when you water your lawn, it's getting into those same leaky pipes. >> That's not That's going to stop though
once we fix the pipes. It's just going to go in the ground. >> Yeah. Likewise, man, you're looking at something far off in the future. >> Not that far. We have we have so much infiltration and cross connection in in this town that over by the L street. The
manhole cover has to be screwed down. >> I've seen that I've seen that manhole cover in midair by water just gushing out of it. Uh, I think you have to take a closer look at what how many gallons we're actually
shipping uh to South Mammoth Regional Sewage Authority and uh what you're charging for water. Unfortunately, we don't have a meter on the sewer lines. Uh otherwise, you know, we're kind of shooting, you know, speculating saying
that, oh, people that watered their lawns with the water should pay less. There's no justification. We'll take a look at it. That's all I can say. >> I I can say one thing for sure. Except for showers. Most of my water use in my house is consumptive. We boil eggs every
morning. We make spaghetti. It goes up in vapor. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Comments. >> I have a motion to close the public session and adjourn the meeting. >> Motion.
>> Make the motion. Second. All in favor? >> I