This meeting was provided and published in the Asbury Park Press in the Ocean Star on January 16th, 2026. Copies of the agenda were provided to the newspaper, posted on public bulletin boards in the township website. >> Thank you. I'm going to ask for a roll call. >> Councilman Albanese
>> here. >> Councilman Makino >> here. >> Councilwoman Reena >> here. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Councilman Cohen >> here. >> Councilwoman Travers >> here. Vice President Amberino >> here,
>> President Feman >> here, and I would like to dedicate the moment of silence in memory of Jackson Mueller. So, if we could please rise for a pledge of allegiance followed by that moment of silence. >> I aliance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. And um do we accept the reports from the
municipal officers to be filed? >> Yep. >> Copy that. Thank you. Can I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes from the May 12th, 2026 public hearing? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Copy that. Thank you. Can I get a roll call? >> Councilman Albanese? >> Yes.
>> Councilman Mikino? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Marina? >> Yes. Councilman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Travers, >> yes. >> Vice President Ambersino, >> yes. >> President Feman, >> yes. >> And can I ask for a motion and a second to approve the minutes from the May
12th, 2026 meeting? Motion. >> Second. >> Copy that. Thank you. Roll call. >> Councilman Albany. >> Yes. >> Councilman Makino. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Reena, >> yes. >> Councilman Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Travers, >> yes. >> Vice President Amberino, >> yes. >> President Feman,
>> yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. And at this point, I'd like to uh invite Mayor Crate to the podium. We have some presentations tonight. >> What? >> Oh, what did I say?
>> Good evening, everyone. If I could please have uh our EMS members come on up. come on down along with director Rickio.
Emergency medical services professionals serve on the front lines of public safety, providing compassionate, life-saving care to residents and visitors during times of illness, injury, crisis, and disaster.
In May 2006, Brick Township hired six emergency service technicians and established the Brick Township EMS Rescue as a municipal emergency medical service dedicated to delivering professional, reliable, and efficient
emergency medical response to the community. For 20 years, the members of Brick Township EMS Rescue have answered many thousands of calls for service, responding at all hours of the day and night to medical emergencies, motor
vehicle accidents, rescues, and other critical incidents, often under challenging and stressful circumstances. Today, the Brick Township EMS Rescue consists of 36 full-time and 31
part-time EMS technicians who under the direct leadership of Director Jim Rickio demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence, professionalism, and public service while continually adapting to advancements in emergency medicine and
emergency response practices. The Township of Brick recognizes the countless sacrifices made by EMS professionals and their families and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of all past and present members who have helped build Brick Township EMS Rescue into the respected
organization that it is today. As mayor, I just want to say how proud I am of all of the individuals standing behind us and all of those that couldn't join us this evening. Uh we have the best of the best here in the state and I'm honored to be able to say that they work here in Brick Township every single day of the
year 24 hours a day and uh I'm just really pleased to have them here. So uh in honor of that I Lisa Crate, mayor of the Township of Brick in the County of Ocean in the state of New Jersey in honor of the 20th anniversary of its founding do hereby proclaim Wednesday,
May 27th, 2026 to be Brick EMS rescue day in the township of Brick. And I call upon all residents to join me in thanking Director Jim Rickio and the staff of the Bricky MS Rescue both past and present for their exemplary service and to our community. And I would like
to invite to say a few words. >> No. >> Good evening everyone. So for 20 years, Brick EMS Rescue, formerly Brick Police EMS, has been serving the residents of Brick Township. It was 20 years ago this
month, Brick EMS Rescue was born and started what would be a tradition of providing Brick Township residents the absolute best medical care possible. Over the past 20 years, Brick EMS has answered nearly 200,000 calls for service with the number of annual calls for service increasing each year. On May
16th, 2006, we hired the first EMS personnel, EMS Chief Mike Bots, EMS Deputy Chief Tim Kramer, and EMT Joe Shy. Later that year, on November 1st of 2006, we hired EMT Andy Cogwell. These dedicated professionals are still with
us today and helped to build brick EMS from its inception to what it is today. Over the past two decades, we have experienced many positive changes. changes that include increasing our number of personnel, full-time, part-time, and seasonal, adding to our number of supervisors, increasing our
fleet and specialized equipment, and adding the number of strategically placed stations from which we respond. I'm proud of the great work that our EMS personnel do each and every day. And brick residents can be assured that in their time of need, the members of Brick EMS will be there ready and willing to
do what is necessary to render aid and save lives. The professionalism, dedication, and expertise of our EMS personnel far exceeds that of most, and our residents are fortunate to have them serving Brook Township. But that is something that would not be possible without the support of our township
administration. Our mayor, our business administrator, and our township council understand the importance of a strong, well equipped, and well staffed emergency services, which is why they continually make certain that we have the best equipment and resources necessary to perform our job. So, I
would also like to thank Mayor Crate, our township of business administrator, Joanne Bergen, and the township council who go out of their way to support our department. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our EMS personnel on reaching this 20-year milestone, and I would like to express my gratitude for having the
privilege of being able to work alongside these extraordinary heroes now and in the future. I wish all of our EMS personnel the very best and would ask that each day you pray for their safety as they selflessly serve our community. Thank you.
Thank you. I welld deserved. I would like to at this time actually call up um patrolman James Albanesey's and the PBA president Scott Smith for another presentation as well. >> I like to be laid back.
>> Good evening. My name is James Albert and I am a member of the Bricktown PBA Local 230. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Mayor Lisa Crate, Business Administrator Joanne Bergen, Council President Steve Fenman, Council Vice President Derek Ambrosio, Councilman Gregory Cohen, Councilman
Perry Albanese, Councilman Vince Menitino, Councilwoman Lena Reena, and Councilwoman Melissa Traverse. Thank you for your continued support of the men and women of the Brick PBA. Our local embodies the idea of brick proud. Our members are proud to serve the Bricktown
community. We are proud of the representation here that puts the needs of brick first and strive every day to make Brick Township the ideal place to want to live and raise a family. Being a police officer is an incredibly difficult job on so many fronts, but no call gives you the sense of purpose and
community such as a first aid call. Many first aid calls are a cry for help, a person's last line of hope to help them get through difficult times. These difficult times come with a degree of humility where the person you are can help lift up the people in the room and bring hope where there was none before.
I have witnessed the occur I've witnessed this occur time and time again by our brick township EMS personnel on scene comforting, encouraging, supporting, and helping those in need. As we celebrate EMS EMS week and the 20 years of service the Brick Township EMS
squad has provided to the residents of Brick, we reflect on their hard work, dedication, and absolute professionalism. I have had the privilege to work some of the most compassionate, caring, truly good people who strive to give their patients everything they have to make them feel
safe. Our ENTs are the gold standard and the PBA wanted to ensure that their professionalism does not go unrecognized. Here at the PBA, we would like to take the opportunity to show our appreciation to the Brick EMS squad by partnering up with a local Brick Township business, Fahrenheit Coffee. Fahrenheit Coffee is located on
Manaloken Road, and they allowed the PBA to pre-purchase coffee cards, which allowed our EMTs to pick a beverage of their choice at no cost to them. The Bricktownship PBA Local 230 applauds the amazing dedicated work of our Bricktownship ES EMS squad. and um and I
provide excuse me at the end. Thank you for your time. I'll go first. >> Ladies first. Always. Maybe I can see her from my eye, but when I look at the Awesome.
Thanks. >> Are you done presentation? All right, moving on to the consent agenda. >> All matters listed under item consent agenda will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. If discussion is desired on any item, this item will be removed from the consent agenda and will
be considered separately. >> Thank you. 51, please. >> Recognize Brick Township's EMS 20th anniversary and National EMS Week. >> Council Vice President Ambersino. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution formally recognizes the 20th
anniversary of the Bricktownship EMS and National EMS Week. Bricktownship EMS rescue squad started in May of 2006 when the township first hired six EMS technicians, representing the first paid EMS squad in our town's history. Today,
the Bricktownship EMS rescue squad includes 36 full-time technicians, 31 part-time employees, all working under the fantastic leadership of Director James Rickio. Thank you. >> Thank you. 52, please. >> Authorize appointment of tax collector.
Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. The resolution authorized the appointment of Trisha Greco as municipal tax collector. Miss Greco is filling the vacancy created with the retirement of tax collector Kelly Napolitano, who has
spent 37 years serving the taxpayers of Brick Township. Thank you. 53, please. >> Authorized insertion of chapter 159, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Brick Senior Center, 2024 funding. >> Councilwoman Travers. Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes
the insertion of a grant in the amount of $200,000 from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. This grant provided for This grant is provided for two mini buses used for diialysis transportation and for the parking lot improvements at the senior center. Thank you. >> Thank you. 54, please.
>> Authorized insertion of chapter 159 Ocean County Office of Senior Services 2026 area plan contract. >> Councilman Mikino. Thank you. This resolution authorizes the insertion of a grant in the amount of $170,500
from the Ocean County's Office of Senior Services. This annual grant is used to offset the cost to operate our senior centers and provide services to Brick Township seniors. Thank you. >> Thank you. 55, please. >> Authorize insertion of chapter 159 Ocean
County Planning Board Pumpout Boat Grant 2026. >> Councilwoman Rea. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes the insertion of a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Ocean County Planning Board for the operation and maintenance of three pumpout boats, the
Bay Saver, Bay Defender, and Wastist Knot, which service the affluent discharge need of Boers in Brick Township's waters. The pumpout boats provide a convenient, inexpensive, and environmentally safe means for Boers to dispose of affluent waste. In this
grant, Brick operates and maintains the pumpout boats, and the county reimbures the township up to $50,000 for costs incurred for the three boats. Thank you. >> Thank you. 56, please. >> Authorization to prepare and mail estimated tax bills for third quarter
2026. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes a bid to prepare and mail estimated tax bills for the township's third quarter installment of 2026 taxes. >> Thank you. 57 >> authorized cancellation of stale data
check municipal court general account. >> Council vice president Amberino. >> Thank you council president. This resolution authorizes the cancellation of stale dated checks from the municipal court general account totaling $47. Thank you. >> Thank you. 58.
>> Authorize award of contract printing services. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes an award of a contract for printing services to Concept Print Nyak New York and Rididgewood Press, Rididgewood, New Jersey. Bid notices were sent to 50
prospective biders from our biders list and four bids were received with concept print and Rididgewood Press being the lowest responsive responsible biders. >> Thank you. 59 >> authorized sale of surplus property public works vehicles and equipment.
>> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes an auction of surplus equipment no longer needed for public use comprising various vehicles and equipment from the Department of Public Works. Thank you. >> Thank you. 510 >> authorized sale of surplus property,
police vehicles and equipment. >> Councilman Mikino. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes an auction of surplus equipment no longer needed for the public's use comprising of various vehicles and equipment from the police department. Thank you. >> Thank you. 511. Authorize award of
contract Trader Cove Safety Surface. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes an award of a contract the amount of $155,680 to Rubber Cycle of Lakewood for the resurfacing of the playground at Trader
Cove Playground. This improvement was approved in the 2026 capital budget. >> Thank you. 512. Authorize award of contract purchase and delivery of one 2026 Chevy Tahoe for traffic safety. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This
resolution authorizes the award of contract in the amount of $55,885.90 for a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe as approved in the 2026 capital budget for the police department's traffic safety division. This vehicle has towing capacity for traffic safety signs and other equipment needed by the division.
Thank you. >> Thank you. 513, please. >> Authorize award of contract purchase and delivery of one 2026 Chevy Tahoe for patrol supervisor. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes award of a
contract in the amount of 54,46955 for a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe as approved in the 2026 capital budget for the police department's patrol division. >> Thank you. 514. Authorize award of contract purchase and delivery of one 2026 Chevy Tahoe for command staff.
>> Councilman Mikino. Thank you. This resolution authorizes the award of a contract in the amount of $54,46955 for a 2026 Chevy Tahoe as approved in the 2026 capital budget for the police department's command staff. Thank you. >> Thank you. 515. Authorize award of
contract purchase and delivery of 155 Glock G47 handguns. >> Council Vice President Ammercino. >> Thank you, Council President. We're going to buy some guns. This resolution authorizes an award of contract in the amount of 79,670.25
for the purchase and delivery of 155 Glock G47 handguns for our police department. This equipment is a replacement of primary duty weapons with a new duty weapon with optics. This purchase is being made through state contract. Thank you.
>> Thank you. 516, please. >> Authorize award of contract purchase and delivery of one jetack. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes an award of contract in the amount of $576,45416 with Grand Turk Equipment of Bridgeport,
Pennsylvania for a jetack truck for the township's road department. This purchase was approved in the 2026 capital budget. >> Thank you. 517, please. >> Authorize final application to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection for the Michael A. Milano Park diversion.
>> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution supports the township's request for approval for an after the-act diversion of Parkland that occurred in 2002. At the time, the Ocean County Engineering Department and the Township of Brick collaborated on the
reconstruction of Brick Boulevard and Drum Point Road. To accommodate storm water management and reduce construction costs, the township granted a drainage easement and right-of-way dedication over a 2.464 acre portion of Michael A. in Milano Park, the police athletic
league field for construction of of a stor storm water detention basin and road widening. At the time, neither party recognized this constituted a diversion of green acres protected parkland. Storm water facilities constructed on parkland to support
recreational use. Examples of park, excuse me, parking lot drainage are not considered diversions. However, this facility was built to serve county roadways. a separate p separate public purpose, thus constituting a diversion. The diversion was discovered during a
2009 stewardship inspection and formally communicated in August 2010. To compensate the public, the township in partnership with Ocean County Natural Lands Trust acquired and preserved the 10.10acre beaten track in 2011. This compensation provides exceptional value,
a 4.1:1 acreage replacement ratio and 2.4:1 value ratio. significantly exceeding green acres required 2 to1 minimum. Thank you. >> Thank Excuse me. Thank you. 518, please. >> Authorized special event permit brick
chair kickoff event. >> Councilwoman Raina. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes a special event permit for brick cheer kickoff event on Saturday, July 18th from 3 to 6:00 p.m. at the Brick Paling. Thank you.
>> Thank you. 519, please. Authorize special event permit battle at the beach lacrosse event. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes the special event permit for the Battle of the Beach Lacrosse event on June 13th, 2026 from
7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Drum Point Sports Complex. >> Thank you. 520 >> 20 A is 100% DAV widow of veteran deduction at block 755, lot 37. 20 B is a 100% DAV widowa veteran deduction at block 1429.02
lot 15 and 20 C is a tax exemption at block 548 lot 20.02. >> Thank you. That brings us to the end of the consent agenda. Can I have a motion and a second on the consent agenda? >> Motion second. >> Second.
>> Copy that. Thank you. Open to councel. Seeing none, close council. Open to the public for questions on the resolutions only. Seeing uh Yes, sir. Yeah, >> that's you. Yeah, Mr. Finelli.
>> Coming up to the lect turn. >> I caught the first one. >> My apologies. My feeas apologies. >> You didn't get past me. >> I'm emar I'm embarrassed. >> I thought I was going to have to retrain you. >> I'm caught up now. >> Two quick questions on item 15. Everybody's getting a new firearm. What
do we do with the old ones? It's a great question. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> So, they're police chief's here. Yes. >> They're against the order. Did they go with the order itself? >> Yeah. So, they'll go back to the supplier.
>> Okay. What you got? >> I was saying you got a real good price on these otherwise. >> Okay. And item 16 um the jetack rather expensive piece of equipment. What do we do with that?
>> So it's a we use it to clean the storm drains >> which is required D requirement that we clean out and plus it also needs to be done especially by the residents that live near them when they get clogged up they're not working efficiently and it creates roadway flooding. Um so two
reasons. One, because we need to do it, but secondly, we have to be compliant with the DEB guidelines for cleaning. >> That doesn't fall under the Bailey Wick or the MUA? >> No. >> Because they're storm. >> We're the drainage system. >> We're the drainage system. We're responsible for the drainage system.
>> Okay. They they are they responsible for sewers or is there a difference between sewers and a storm drain? >> No, >> we're responsible for the storm drains and the sewers. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Anyone else from
the public regarding the resolutions only? Seeing none, close public. Uh, roll call. >> Councilman Albanese? >> Yes. >> Councilman Mino? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Reena? >> Yes. >> Councilman Cohen? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Travers? >> Yes. >> Vice President Ambersino?
>> Yes. >> President Fineman? >> Yes. >> 521. Be it resolved by the township council of the township of brick that the following bills be paid and that the mayor and clerk be and are hereby authorized to draw orders on the treasurer for the amounts of the same computer bill resolution in the amount
of 12,631,63182. Can >> I have a motion and a second on the computer bill resolution? >> Motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Copy that. Thank you. Open to councel. Seeing none. Close counsel. Open to the public for questions on the computer
bill resolution only. Seeing none, close. Public roll call. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Yes. >> Councilman Makino. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Marino? >> Yes. >> Councilman Cohen? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Travers? >> Yes. >> Vice President Ambersino? >> Yes. >> President Feman? >> Yes. >> 522.
>> Be it resolved by the township council of the township of Brick that the following bills be paid and that the mayor and clerk be and are hereby authorized to draw orders on the treasurer for the amounts of the same. manual bill resolution in the amount of 2,100,74744. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion and a second on the manual bill resolution?
>> Motion. >> Second. Copy that. Thank you. Open to councel. Seeing none, close council. Open to the public for questions on the manual bill resolution only. Seeing none, close public. Roll call. >> Councilman Albanese. Yes. >> Councilman Makino. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Reena, >> yes. >> Councilman Cohen, >> yes. Councilwoman Travers, >> yes. >> Vice President Amberino, >> yes. >> President Feman, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to item number six,
>> an ordinance of the township of Brick County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, amending the Township Code of in section 288-50, schedule 20 speed limits to limit the speed limit along the entire length of Lynwood Avenue to 25 miles hour. >> Thank you. I'm going to talk about this
briefly. This ordinance, this ordinance extends the 25 mile per hour speed limit along the full length of Lynwood Avenue. It was introduced in response to concerns raised by residents in the neighborhood, and we appreciate those who took the time to provide the feedback. As part of the process, the
township conducted a formal traffic study using an established point-based system to ensure that any traffic control changes meet legal and safety standards. Based on the results of that study, four-way stop signs at that particular location were not warranted.
However, we were able to implement a speed reduction and will also be installing two flashing LED speed signs. These signs will help alert drivers to their speed while allowing the township to continue monitoring traffic patterns and driving behavior over time. We want
residents to know that their concerns have been heard and the township remains committed to improving safety wherever legally and practically possible. Thank you. >> And can I get a motion and a second on that? >> Make that motion. >> I'll make the second.
>> Copy that. Thank you. Open to council. >> Seeing none. Close. Council. Roll call. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Yes. >> Councilman Makino. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Marino. >> Yes. >> Councilman Cohen. Yes. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Yes. >> Vice President Amberino. >> Yes. >> President Feman. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. >> And before we move into the public comments, I would like to take a brief moment to acknowledge the tragic loss our community suffered on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026.
Jackson Mueller's life was taken far too soon, and there are simply no words that can ease the pain felt by his family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved him. Our entire community is grieving alongside them. Please know
that this council stands with you. We offer our full support to Jackson's loved ones and to everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss. and we will continue working to do everything we can to help prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
Please know that your voices, concerns, and calls for action will be heard. Thank you. Now, I'd like to open it up to public comments. >> Please note that each person addressing the council during any section of the meeting during which public comment is permitted shall limit his or her remarks
to five minutes pursuant to Brick Township Administrative Code section 2-33b. Anyone from pub from public who would like to make any comments? Hi, my name is Brent Swanson. I live on Lanes Mill Road 2296. I think that
you're supposed to say your address. Yes. Okay. Um, in light of what you just said about the tragedy, we're here to speak on behalf of the safety on Lanes Mill Road. uh as a residents of on Lanes Mill Road, we've witnessed and we've also reached out um with concerns to
police officers. I have a special ed kid who who has been riding a bus a special ed bus for years and they constantly read the reds. >> I'm not saying on an a very occasional basis. I'm saying it happened twice this
week, this past within the last seven school days. And the bus is always b be beeping and he's always concerned that they're why are they making me go faster? And he's a middle schooler. I mean, it's not even at this point it's it's been years of this
>> major issue. I don't understand why nothing. It's okay. I mean, when we call and we say they're running the reds, it doesn't matter. It it doesn't it that it's not affected. I mean, if we're going to just continue to have more tragedies if we don't address some of
these issues, being that I live next door to Lane Road, I mean, Lane's uh elementary school, Harbertville Elementary School, the line, I'm sure you all are aware, I'm sure you are aware of the line that I can't even get out of my driveway. They line up an hour
before it's arrival and dismissal. Around the corner, it goes on to Herbert'sville Road. So, if you are anyone driving down Herbertsville Road and you want to make a right at whether they're lined up for arrival or dismissal, you cannot make a right. You
get caught in just a a non-moving lane that never goes anywhere. We understand that Lanesville Road is is a county road. We've already reached out to our assembly men who are Kenetra and McGluckian. They're they're
willing to sit down and and talk and discuss these issues. That's just one issue. There's plenty of issues, though. There's the issues of the crosswalks. There's the issues of the blinking light in front of my house for Herbertsville Road. The 25 mph speed limit. That does not work. There's one down by Lanesville
Road. I mean, Lanesville school. One works going going northbound. The one going southbound does not work. They they don't they don't light up. And the sign says when the lights are flashing it's 25 miles an hour. It's a 40 mph speed limit, but most people are doing
50. I would be happily to put a speed limit like slow down in front of my house on my on my front lawn. Please come put it there because it's crazy. I don't want to see another tragedy and neither does anybody else. We're asking for I'm asking for a study just like the
other people go for 25 miles an hour with three schools on that road that you have walkers. I have a high schooler now. He's supposed to walk. We don't live on a side of the road that has the sidewalks that go all the way down it.
We live on the side of the road that Jackson was crossing. So that means that he has to walk across the road with no guards. If you wanted to put sidewalks all the way down then and you only wanted to have one crossing
guard, well then they could they could walk all the way safely down on a sidewalk still having to cross the cross streets but not Lanes Mill Road where they're flying. It it broke my heart before this tragedy to watch the the cars fly by and now it really is because
within less than 24 hours they were just still flying by. Nobody slowed down and nothing happened. So, something needs to change. Sidewalks, a study. We need to come together. Why aren't there enough flashing lights? The flashing lights of
the people with the 25 mile an hour and why are the ones that we do have, why don't they work? But we don't have one on our road that says how fast you're going. That exists on Maple Avenue, which is nobody's walking to school on Maple Avenue, just a couple streets down.
There's one there and the speed limit's 35, but on our street it's 40, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND because I don't think we're going to get it changed and I know that we can't have speed bumps. I've been doing a lot of research on this because it's it leads right to the hospital. I understand that there's a
lot of legalities and it's a it's a major road and a hub, but during these school hours, there's no reason. Why does the school zone just start at the driveway and end at the driveway of the school? Why doesn't it go when you Who needs to speed up, slow down, speed up,
slow down? The schools, if you want kids to walk two miles, and that's what it says on the website. If you live within two and a half miles, you're a walker and you're having them all walk at that time. There's plenty of bus stops at that time on that road and
they're they're walking. Why can't it be a school zone the whole time the between Lanesville and Herbertsville? >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I hope you heard me. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else from public who'd
like to come up? Yes. >> Hi. Uh Lori Cotman, 332 Jerome Street. Um I want to thank you for your words. Um I trust that you you will follow through. I believe that you will. Um and I'm confident in that. Uh,
but I'm a resident of Brick for nearly 40 years. I raised two children in this community and I've taught in the Brick School District for over 20 years. I made a promise to a grieving mother on Friday night that I would come tonight and I would speak and I am here. I had
the privilege of being Jackson's third grade teacher. I was Olivia's third grade teacher and I am currently Grayson's third grade teacher. This family means a lot to me and they mean a lot to our community. I want to repeat what the former uh
speaker said. Just a few months ago, one of our Lanes Mill crossing guards was hit by a car in front of the school at dismissal in front of students, parents, and staff members. It was all over social media when this occurred that that blinking light was not working in the direction that the
crossing guard was hit. It was an accident. The woman said she thought she could stop in time or the I don't know who it was actually. She said she could stop in time. She misjudged it. She hit the crossing guard. Fortunately, he was not injured um very badly.
But following that incident, people were commenting left and right about people going through this these speed zones by the schools and the speeding and the and the and the problem that we have with people going by the blinking red lights. We tal we just discussed the lines of
the parents that are in drop off and pickup. I know I have students in my class whose parents will not allow their children to ride the bus because they are nervous about that very thing that someone is going to run the red blinking light and they're going to get hit by a car and they would rather line up a half
an hour before school starts and drop their child off and pick them up. And that's adding to our environ our pollution. It's adding to our traffic and we're paying a lot of money for these school buses that we have to provide to them by law and they're sometimes in some cases are being
underutilized. So, it's not really uh benefiting any of us. I had a lot of word a lot of other things prepared but I you know we did discuss that it is a county road and I understand that and um that is a that is something that we all have to um recognize. But I teach my
children that we have to learn from history. And we didn't learn from history. We had a crossing guard get hit a few months ago and nothing really changed. Those that blinking light is still out. Um and now we've had an even greater tragedy. I think maybe in the
interim while we're we're going through the processes that we have to go through in order to get the county to take a look at things, I I'm I'm begging that we maybe consider increasing our police presence along the road. Start handing out tickets. It's inconvenient to our
citizens. Too bad. A ticket is not a 15year-old boy's life. Um, you know, you you drive down Bridge Avenue, you see all the things that Point Pleasant did to try to make it safer for children on bicycles. You come over the bridge and you hit Bayhead, you go 25. Why do you
go 25? Because, you know, Bayhead is not playing games. If you're speeding down Bridge Avenue in Bayhead, you're going to get a ticket. And everyone who lives around here knows that. I think we need to maybe start doing that, unfortunately. Start giving out tickets. start not just on Lanes Mill Road, but
wherever we need to do that to make it safer for our our parents. They need to know that they can safely send their children walking and biking to school every day. Please make this Jackson's legacy. Do whatever is in your power to
get this rolling and to change the mindset of our community about how we drive in school zones. Do it to honor Jackson. do it for the future of all the children that go to school in Brick Township. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Is there anyone else from public who'd like to come up with with a comment? Okay. >> All right. Hi, my name is Kristen Certz, 701 Tall Oaks Drive. Um, I am the PTA president at Vets Middle School as well
as I'm the county president for Ocean County and I do have a board on the state uh PTA board as well. I've already reached out to our advocacy team to see what we could do. Um, we've already Bren and myself have reached out to our local legislators to see that we're going to be having a meeting with them to see
what we can do. I know not everything's going to be solved here tonight, but something has to happen. We have to all come together to fix this. I have before this tragedy happened, my son who's in seventh grades, when I get to high school, I'm going to walk to school. I've been driving him every year. He
doesn't want to take the bus. I don't blame him. The kids on the bus are nuts at times. And then after, you know, Tuesday, I said, "No, Helm ever letting you walk to school after that because he would have to cross over Herbertsville where there was no crossing guard or police."
>> I think that's >> That was a fast five minutes. Yeah, >> that's okay. Go ahead. >> That's okay. Thanks. >> That was incorrect. >> But I have endless videos on my phone. I sit at that traffic light when I take my son to school at Herbert'sville and Theel. And the amount of people that run the light that stop in the road that you
turn in the road while we have parents because there's no parking. I don't know what the solution to that is. And I usually don't like complaining about things unless I have a probable, you know, solution to it. But they park at that food pantry church and they cross that street with strollers with sometimes three kids, a dog. It's just a
tr I honestly I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner. I don't wish that, but something's got to give. There's too many people walking. I know the state law is this two and a half mile nonsense. We got to at least give people the option to take the bus if the safety is the concern. We have to hear our
parents. Um, and like you said earlier, I said when I saw, you know, Kim at the funeral the other night, I gave her a hug and she and I said, "Anything you need, I will do." And she said, "Be at that meeting Tuesday night." So, here I am. That's all.
>> Okay. Thank you so much. Anyone else from public? Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. There's already a person coming up, but you could be next. >> I'm a very terrible public speaker, so I promise I'll be quick. Um, Maggie Morgan, 1134 Concord Drive. Um, I also
have a freshman who graduated with Jackson and I promise his mom the same thing. Um, my son was supposed to ride his bike and he goes the same way Jackson goes every day and he woke up late that morning. Thank God. Um, that being said, I really think it's on top
of police presence during all school hours. I really think it's important for our young kids when they first start driving to see the police pulling people over that are speeding, especially in school zones. And they need to be seeing them getting
tickets and holding them accountable for speeding in school zones. They don't see that. And I hate to say that. I know there's a lot of police officers here, but I drive there very frequently and I very infrequently during school time see people getting pulled over. Drive down
at noon and there's, you know, police officers all over the place enforcing the speed limit, but in the morning it needs to be morning and afternoon. It really needs to be enforced more. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. I think you wanted to come up.
Hi, my name is Michelle Tracy. Um, I don't live on Lanes Mill, but I live right off of Lanes Mill, uh, 536 Heather Lane. Um, my kids also will be going into to um, Brook Memorial. I'm a Brook
Memorial person. Grew up, went to school, came through it, came back here to Burick. uh love the town. Um but I have I watched them make all the sidewalks and the bumps going down, you know, fixing it all up to make it to
when they were when they didn't have uh the availability for busing for all the kids for for the high school. Um but it is not on our side as with Bren. Um my kids don't have a choice when they go to school. They're going to have to cross
over on Lanes Mill as well. Um, there's only I've only seen one on Lane's Mill of the Crosswalks that actually has the blinking light that you can press a button when you want to cross over. >> Why are they not on every crosswalk
that's in a school on a school zone? You know, like like we said, there's three schools from point A to point B, plus an entire sports complex with all the baseball kids that are constantly going back and forth and across the road. That should totally not be like that it that
should have been done a long time ago. I'm scared to death for my kids that will have to go to school and walk to school, not have an option. Um I I I don't understand why even like we were talking about Bridge Avenue. Bridge
Avenue is a 35 m an hour zone. We're a 40 mph zone with three schools. You know, there's grocery stores over there. We don't have a grocery store over here. This is all residential. The whole road of Lean Mill is a residential, you know, a residential area, which I don't
understand why it's, you know, and and where the 25 mile an hour zone, you know, school district or school zones are, you have from here to here, there's a 40 m an hour zone. It says 40 miles an hour and
then right here is where it says 25 miles an hour and and not blanket. So there there's got to be a There's got to be It's It is sad that we're here. I've never been to a town council meeting before. I've been to a lot of board of
education meetings, but not a town council meeting. And I'm shocked that there's not more people here as I rate as I feel inside. Um, and we got to do better. We got to do better. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Yes. Chelsea Heptig. I live 716 Allwood Road. Um I'm also on the other side of Lane Road where my children are considered walkers. We live just under two miles from Brick Memorial. Um I do drive my
son. Um he's a sophomore. I drive him every morning. Um, so I witness the chaos every morning. Um, we have teen drivers drive very fast, not paying attention. Uh, we have so many children walking on
Lanesville Road on the sidewalk on the other side. We have children riding their bikes and we have cars going very fast. And like everyone said, uh, with the speed limit, it goes 40, 25, 40, 25.
We have three schools on that road. Um, not only in the morning, uh, like tonight, we have softball going on, baseball, we had uh band concerts going on at Brook Memorial at night. Friday nights they have football. Kids are walking to the football games. It's it's
all morning. It's all night. It's during the the weekends during the week. Um, why can't that road be 25 all the way down? Why can't maybe in the mornings especially like a police officer sit at
different streets like more towards Herbert'sville to monitor the speed that cars are going. Um, my my son, he knew Jackson um and my daughter knew Jackson from NJHS
and um And I I drive my child, like I said, but there have been times that he's biked. There has been there have been times I couldn't drive and he's walked and that could have been that could have been me and that could have happened to me. U my
daughter is going to be a freshman uh next year and again I will drive but in the case I I get to not every parent can and we need to send our children safely to school. Um, we need to buckle
down on the speed limit, get it down to 25 all the way so people aren't going fast, slow, fast, slow. Um, we need to have more cops and crossing uh guard signs. I just something because I I I don't even know. I can't imagine what
this this family is going through right now. Um, so I'm here and I'm speaking on behalf of Jackson and his family in hopes that something can change. >> Thank you. Anyone else from public? Um,
>> yes. >> My name is Leslie Lopez. I'm a teacher. I'm a mom of two, also a special ed child. He's um in veterans now. He's going to be walking to uh the high school next year. He before this
unfortunate incident happened, he also told me, "Mom, I want to bite with my friend." And after unfortunate events, I'm not going to let him. And I hate to do that, you know, as a mom, I have to restrict him from doing what he loves, you know. Um
I have to unfortunately drive by the street every single morning going to work. Um, and then my kids also have to and remember seeing the flowers, the the candles. I saw the mom crying one one day. It was just destroying my whole
day. Um, but I'm begging you please. Uh, I think I also live by I live in Oregon Avenue. So, the park there, Hervisville, also needs uh street bumps or something because people really think it's a highway. They go 45 not realizing
there's a curve around. I think somebody already bump into the fence or something. And there's there's football uh going on just beyond that fence that you see there as you curve. Uh there's cameras, but I think they're not
functioning right now. Uh so something has to be done. They already destroyed one of the fences uh behind the basketball field. They knocked it down. So I don't know if anyone is looking at that. The the cameras are functioning or not. So that will be a concern as well.
A lot of people walking their dogs, moms, you know, with their toddlers. So it's it's very scary. I'm constantly going out. I cannot even be cooking or anything. I'm just calling my kids out. They want to go out. They're kids, you know. How can you just say?
So we just all all of us here, we just begging you, please. It's it's very very important. Okay. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. You had your hand raised before. Yeah. Come on up. I'm Scarlett Collie. I live on 557
Oregon Avenue. And I just wanted to say I feel like everyone we need to lower the speed limit like down on the beginning of Lane Mill because that's really where all the kids walk. So if it's just at the school, that's not where they're going to be walking. And I
also live on the side where you have to cross to go to the school. And one of my best friends is going to be a freshman next year. And I really don't want anything to happen to her or any of the kids. So I just really really think we need to lower the speed limit and start
the school a like speed limit a little bit more ahead where the kids actually walk because that's what's like most important. The kids have to walk there. And my friend said, she said, "I'm so excited to walk to school." And I said, "I don't want you to walk to school. I don't want anyone to get hurt." So
that's really, really, really important to me. And I don't want any kid, anything to happen to anyone. And my dad walks my dog right where the boy got hit every single day. And I just don't want anything to happen to anyone who lives
there. And a bunch of other schools. This like the speed limit is so much lower on those streets. and we have three schools and I just I just think it needs to be lowered by at least a little bit and that will do a lot like just
even a tiny bit. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much for having the courage to come up and say those things. Thank you. Uh anyone else? Um,
>> yeah, you guys can come next. >> So, I was nervous, but I didn't tell my daughter I was nervous because if a 13 and a halfyear-old can get up and do that and she said I told her I was coming. She said, "Mom, I want to come with you." And she said, "I want to speak." And so, I have to do this for
her as nervous as I am. Um, I grew up in brick. My parents bought the house right before I was born. I'm 45 years old. I've been in brick pretty much the entire time. I bought a house two blocks from where I grew up. I love brick. Um, we live on Oregon Avenue. We're the second house in on Lane Smoke. So, we're
on the opposite side of the high school. So, um, we see cars fly by all the time. Every time we I drive her to dance, every time I drive her anywhere, we're passing the memorial site. I've seen the mom out there crying three times. Uh, in the rain, I went out there. I introduced
myself. I brought her an umbrella. I said, "Anything I can do to help her." I told her where I live. I said I would help her. And she said, "I want this to speed limit lowered." So, that's why I'm here. That's why my family is here. Um, as my daughter said, my husband walks the dog every single day in that same
very spot. He was about to go that day and something delayed him. U, this is not about me. This is not about my family, but I do want at least the school zone extended longer, so they're going slower as you're approaching the school. Um, my daughter is in seventh
grade. If I send her to Brick Memorial, she would be considered a walker. We're on the opposite side of Herbertsville Park. Um, so when she wants to walk to the park with her friends, I don't let her. I will drive her and we live on Oregon where the park is. I don't feel
comfortable. I don't feel comfortable. My husband has a motorcycle he hasn't rode in two years because I don't feel comfortable leaving Lanes Mill. My family to walk the dog, to ride the bike, to My daughter just made a friend and she found out she lived on New Jersey Avenue, two streets away. I don't even want her walking there. And this is
not how I grew up. I grew up on Milber Road riding my bike every single day everywhere into Mayo States. That was the fun thing to do. I don't feel it's safe. I think that the the crosswalks should be have blinking lights. I think that there should be maybe two more crossing guards, you know, a little bit
spread out, have officers throughout the state streets. Uh anything would help and it would just make a huge difference. So this never has to happen again. It's gut-wrenching to drive down the street and see Kim outside at the
site pretty much every time I leave my house and every time my daughter sees me cry every time. She says, "Mom, you really got to drive a different way." Like, >> we don't want this to happen again. And we don't want this to be in vain. Please. That's all I got.
>> One quick question. I'm sorry you didn't state your name for the record. >> Maryanne Collie. >> Thank you, Mary. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Okay. So, hi, I'm Kaylee Serantino and I live on 1615 Patriot AB Avenue.
>> I'm Dar Samador. I live6007 Patriot Avenue. And similar to what's being requested for Lanes Mill, myself and many others are requesting a traffic and speed study for Bersville Road near Patriot Avenue, which is what the road turns into after Lanes Mill. This is due to the same concerns as everybody else,
ongoing speeding, and serious safety concerns within within our residential neighborhood. The speed limit is currently 40 miles per hour per hour. This area has a large number of families, children with many residents walking, biking, and playing outside. In addition, school buses and children
waiting at bus stops are regularly present along this stretch of road. Despite this, vehicles frequently travel at speeds that appear unsafe for a residential area. Residents are increasingly concerned about the risk posed to children, pedestrians, bus riders, and vehicles entering or exiting
homes along Bersville. Traffic volume and speed seem especially noticeable during the commuting, school, and evening hours. We respectfully ask Brook Township to review this section of Bersville as well as Lane's Mill and consider measures such as traffic and speed studies,
increased enforcement, traffic calming solutions, speed monitoring, signage or evaluation of some sort. Thank you for your time and attention and concern for this matter. >> I just really echo everything that she's saying. I mean, we
many of us came to brick because it was deemed one of the safest neighborhoods communities for years in a row. And we just want our kids to be safe. I mean, I usually go walking across on the other side, even as as a as an adult trying to
cross Bersville, getting over to the other side to to do a 20 30 minute walk, it takes me 10 minutes. I have to wait for the courtesy of somebody to stop to let me go. We don't have any crosswalks there. I echo what everyone else is saying in Jackson's name, too. I mean,
this is other towns are doing it. Our pediatrician is in Howell Ramtown. Ramtown, Greenville Road is 25 miles per hour. You know, you can't go any faster than that. There's signage all over the floor, all over the street. 25 miles per hour. School zone. There's flashing
lights. There's decoy police cars. There's all kinds of things. As a community, we really need to come together and just bring back what brick was back in the day. Bring it back to today. I mean, we all we are all here for the safety of our kids, for the safety of the community, and we stand
behind the Mueller family. I mean, in his name, we really need to make changes and I don't know if that comes from this council or we have to go higher. We just need to know as a community where to go from here. >> Thank you for your time.
Thank you. >> Anyone else from public? Uh, yes. I'm Mary Rupenthal. I live at 540 Rhode Island Avenue. Um, I'm new to brick. Um, I remarried uh after my husband passed away and moved into my husband's house on Rhode Island Avenue. My children grew
up on the barrier island. Like you only saw a car every couple days and you knew who was driving it. Um I sit at the corner. I try to avoid going out before and after school just for safety concerns. I was sitting at the stop sign at Rhode
Island in Lansill the other day and there was a group of kids and they and they walk in groups. They're friends and they were doing everything right. They were on the sidewalk. They were walking. They had the right of way and a truck that had been waiting and I sat at that stop sign for a good 10 minutes because
there were so many kids at school had just let out. I timed my leaving very badly and this guy sitting in a pickup truck waiting to make the turn decided he waited long enough and turned right in front of a whole group of children. So it's not just about the speed limit.
It's about respecting that the kids are the pedestrians. So, I reiterate that I think maybe extend the school zone so we have crossing guards or put a police car there during the times of, you know,
dismissal um to keep these kids safe because they're doing it right. They're crossing at the crosswalks. They're doing everything they need to do. And I just think we need um to make people aware because I people are just so disrespectful and they just don't want
to wait. And this all these things could be avoided if we just educate people and hold people accountable. Like I said, if we gave out more tickets, you know, it' be worthwhile. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else from public? Um, I'm sorry,
the lady in the back behind you, she had her hand up before, but you could be next. Thank you. >> I'm Jennifer Massie. I live on Greenwood Loop Road. Um, my son is a walker. Um, he has barely ever walked to school because I'm definitely afraid of what
happens on that road. Um, my friend Brent has actually picked him up for me if I couldn't be there. Um, however, last week when I was driving him to school on my way home, I had to stop behind the police car. Thank god it was there because I can't even imagine. I
saw bicycle parts. I saw I did not see anything else, but that was enough for me to see. And I you have to I understand that you guys are here and you're brick township, but you have to be able to help. Surely you have to be able to be able to reach out
to somebody at the higher level to help us. This is not just the people who live near Lanesville. This is not just the people who have to walk. This is a townwide thing. This is brick. We have two high schools here. We have a school. The entire road should actually be a school zone. There's not enough space in
between them for the speed limit to go up and down, up and down. That's ridiculous. That's insane. And this winter was a ridiculous winter. There was so much snow. And I understand that it's the person who lives on the sidewalk's responsibility to to shovel that. However, it wasn't done. And these
kids had to not only now they don't have the sidewalk on that side of the road where the sidewalk is because it was completely covered in snow. And my son did have to walk home with a bunch of other kids on that day. The the snow like so much snow and they should be
ticketed then if they're not shoveling their sidewalk. That's what the sidewalk is for. It's for people to walk in so that they are not having to walk in the street. However, they were and then the buses go down the street while they're walking and there's other cars coming down the street. And I mean, just this morning, I literally like I can't stop
traffic for everyone, but I surely went 25 miles an hour down that road to stop the people behind me. And you know what? They were honking at me. And you know what? We came right up to that memorial and I rolled down my window and I pointed at what I what happened there. How I mean, that has to be changed. The
speed limit. You guys have to be able to help us. You You just really have to be able to help us do something to fix that road. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. My name is Mala Blasco. I am a massive shock survivor and uh Jennifer is for
support for me. My daughter goes to a marching uh to Brick Memorial High School and one year anniversary of my master show when I was actually very excited that I survived and uh we had very bad car accident car hit us I got
additional brain injury I lost my car I become homeless and I have no family in this country and I'm basically advocate for myself and I'm helping my daughter and now my daughter is moving with her father to very close. So she going to
have walking distance to school and I'm terrified of her life and also I have no one else in this country besides her. So please do something and English is my second language. >> So many people ask me here. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else from public? >> Yes. Okay, thank you. >> Hi. >> Okay. Um, I'm Maddie Tracy. Um, I'm from Heather Lane and I just want to say it
was terrifying the whole incident when Jackson um, he did everything right and an innocent person was killed because of somebody else's problems and their mistake and they were going way too fast. There needed to be something
different. It was not fair at all. And like I went to school with Jackson and I rode the bus with him and his sister sat near me on the bus and just seeing their whole family like in pieces because it's somebody else's mistake is just so like
like insane to me. And I just think that we really have to do something to change it because we don't want anything like that to happen again. And I just think that there just needs to be a change. Um that's that's it. >> Thank you so much. Thank you for having
the courage to come up. Anyone else? Yes. My name is Gina Petrano and I live on Colorado Avenue. I think a lot has been said tonight and I'm happy to be here on behalf of Jackson and his family. Um, we
certainly are not paying our crossing guards nearly enough. I don't know what they get paid. I do not know them at all. But to see what they have to do every day for three schools, they they work really hard. They do. Um,
and I just on behalf of Jackson, I want to say it's a school issue. I realize it. Um, but we have high school kids on the high school level that are walking to school every day. They're trying to get to school. that should be celebrated by the community.
They're they're showing up. They could skip school, right? It's beautiful out. It's two miles to go to school, two miles to walk home, but they're showing up. Our community, we have single parents. We have two working parents here. They need the support to get to school
safely, to get home safely, whatever that means. I just on behalf of Jackson, I just need to say that we we can do better. We really can. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from public? Seeing none, close public. Uh like to
invite Chief uh Drew to come up and say a few words. First of all, I want to say uh sorry to the family of Jackson. Terrible tragedy. I was there that morning. Um I don't have any words that can actually describe what his family and his friends
and anybody else who had to pass through there uh had to deal with that morning. Um, I listened to some of your concerns here tonight and some of the stuff surprised me in reference to uh the lights in the uh school zones. Uh, while
I was sitting here listening to the rest of your concerns, I emailed the entire department and I directed all officers who are going to do our school checks tomorrow to ensure that every single light is working in all the school zones. I want to make sure that we don't
get through tomorrow without having them fixed. As far as the question with the speed, I get it. I understand. Uh I see it every day. I do a school check myself every single morning. I'm acting chief of police. I don't think uh any of us
are exempt from being out there and being there to protect your children. Um, I've uh instructed our traffic safety unit to uh focus on the school zones with our grant details that go out every
day. I basically want them I want you guys to know when you bring your children to school in the morning that we're there. We also do cover every single school for opening and closing. We'll try to make that more enforcementoriented. We're usually doing a security check.
We're also handling calls that are coming in for service during those hours. Um, we'll find a balance. We'll find a way to help you guys and we'll find a way to make it better. Our traffic safety unit is also uh already in contact with the county road
department providing them the information that they requested and that we requested for them to take a look at the road itself. And uh we want to help, we want to make it better. Um, we want to listen, I'd love to say to you
tonight, hey, tomorrow, start tomorrow, it's 25 mile hour speed limit. I can't do that. I'm not going to lie to you. But what I can do is promise you that you'll see more officers out there and we're going to try to make a difference. Thank you.
Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you. Uh move on to council administration comments starting with uh Mr. Starky. >> No comments. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh Mayor Crate. Thank you. I'd like to thank everyone
for coming out tonight and representing Jackson's family. We do appreciate that. We appreciate all of your input and we do take this very seriously and all of the suggestions that were given, all the ideas that came from you, all the concerns that were
heard this evening uh are are noted and as chief said, we are already in contact with the county to see what we can do on our end to help um make sure they have all the information they need to make positive changes in that area. Uh, I do
want to say that I, you know, I have I had children that went to Brick Memorial as well. They're recent graduates. Um, I know what that line looks like. I know what that traffic is every single morning. And my heart is broken and I do
not know how uh, you know, a mother recovers from what Jackson's mom has to deal with. So, my prayers go out to her and her entire family and to all the people who were there and to his classmates and friends. Uh, again, we do
take this very seriously and we appreciate you all coming out tonight and voicing your concerns and sharing your thoughts. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Bergen. >> I have no further comments. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh, Madame Clerk, thank you. Madame Secretary, Councilman Albanesey's, I just want to thank everybody for coming out. Um, and my thoughts and prayers with everybody suffering from this awful tragedy and we need to do
better. >> Thank you, Councilman Mikino. >> Thank you. Just like we hear you and we're going to make we're going to take some actions. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Rea. >> Yes. I want to thank each of you for
being here, especially our the young students who spoke, for sharing your thoughts, for sharing your compassion and support of Jackson, his parents, his siblings, and all his loved ones and this community. Over the course of this
week, I was reading something that I thought was very fitting for this moment that I wanted to share. Goodbyes hurt the most when the story was not finished. I I I appreciate again all the words that were said here, but they're
not just words. Action needs clearly action needs to be taken and I fully support um you all and this community in doing so. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Cohen. Um, I really didn't write anything
because I want to do this from the heart if I can get through it. When I read about this tragedy and what happened to Jackson and to this poor family and to our first responders, um, I actually cried. I broke down and cried. Scared the living heck out of me
that one of our children died going to school at 7:30 in the morning. It should not have happened. The I raised seven children in this town. I'm a graduate of Brook Memorial High School, first graduating class, as were both of my brothers after me and
all seven of my children. I'm well familiar with Lans Mill Road. And I have watched the escalation of the traffic on that road for the last 40 years. And it is just incredible. the amount of cars,
the amount of traffic, the amount of disregard for the speed limit, disregard for stop signs, disregard even for our crossing guards that are out there risking their lives. And let me tell you, they definitely have nerves to steal because I don't know that I would stand in front of these cars in this
town. Um, with that said, you know, this council, I know I'm going to speak for the entire council that we're 110% behind you. We are going to do everything we possibly can talking to the county uh talking to
our assemblymen about doing something about not just Lansville Road but every other road in town where we're running into these issues. Um as we continue to build in this town, we continue to build highdensity housing, we're going to continue to see an increase of traffic,
massive amounts of traffic just going by Lanes Mill Road. Um if the one the high density housing that we just passed at the anchor concrete site does go through, there's a good chance those children are going to be going to Lanes Middle School
and that's going to increase the traffic substantially. Um my background is in school transportation. I'm a I am a transportation coordinator for a public school. Um I teach the New Jersey school transportation um coordinator's class for Ruckers University. Um, and I want
the parents to know that, um, a child is 70 times 70% more likely to get to school safely riding in in a school bus across the country. School bus accidents account for less than 1% of all
fatalities in motor vehicle accidents across the entire country. School bus transportation is the safest. Our issue in the state of New Jersey is that the state does not require sidewalks in order for a child to walk to school. Two and a half miles for a high schooler,
two miles for elementary school, that would be preschool through preschool three-year-olds through 8th grade. A sidewalk is not required in the state of New Jersey. And that's something else that we need to absolutely push on our state legislators that that law needs to
be changed. Brick is an extremely cognant town when it comes to um what we call hazardous busing and children crossing roads. This town does everything it can to make sure that our students are safe and
transported safely and they're not walking down major roads. Unfortunately, Lanes Mill is not one of them. So again, my heart goes out to um to Jackson, to the whole Mueller family, to everyone.
our first responders all the way down that had to deal with this tragedy, one that we shouldn't have dealt with, dealt with. And my heart goes out to every single one of you and I will do everything in my power to try to change what we have going on. Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> Councilwoman Travers. >> I also want to make sure that I express my heartfelt condolences to Jackson's family, friends, and peers. As a mom of three, it's impossible not to feel the weight of a tragedy like this. This loss
has deeply affected our entire community, and I know my heart and the hearts of everyone up here are 100% with Jackson's family during this unimaginable time. You can really tell what a wonderful kid Jackson was by the
outpouring of love and support from this community. I also want to make sure that I echo all so many of the concerns that you all brought here tonight. I have three young children. My middle son went to Herbertsville and I remember that line, the traffic, the crossing guards
and having the same feelings everyone else you were all having and I have a 2-year-old who I'm hoping goes to that school and I hope by then, you know, there's some changes as well. So again, I thank you so much to all of you for coming out here and just know that we
all we all hear you. So thank you. >> Thank you, Council Vice President Amberino. >> Thank you, Council President. I don't know how well I'm going to speak today. An unspeakable tragedy tragedy has been inflicted on our community.
And I can see that in different ways it's being very deeply felt by a lot of our residents. I am absolutely confident that every single council member up here can relate to those feelings. I know that
Councilman Cohen and Councilwoman Raina have raised children in our town. I know that Councilman Mikino has done the same. Please know that Councilwoman Travers, Council President Feim, and myself, we live in this neighborhood. Amongst us,
we've got eight children that are of school age that attend these schools every day. We are on that road every day. I can commit to you as chair of the public safety committee that we will
make changes. We will ensure that those changes are made so that our children, our collective children are protected and can continue to go to school safely and we can all breathe easier. I also understand that a part of our
healing process includes expressing ourselves and our feelings. So, I sincerely thank each of you that has come out here tonight was brave enough to get up and speak and express those feelings. Of course, we can't change what happened. We can't lessen the pain
felt by the family and friends of Jackson. But I know that we can examine what can be changed moving forward. I think it came out here tonight several times that Lanesville is a county road. It's controlled by Ocean County, but know that our police department and our
township has already opened that dialogue with the county in order to analyze, collect data so that we could substantiate for substantive changes on that road. We will work with the county and effective immediately, I think acting chief true has communicated this,
there is already an increased presence during school drop off and school pickup at all of those schools. This is a tough moment for our town. It just is. But I am heartened to see that as a community, we've come together in
solidarity and in support of Jackson's family and also in one another. God bless Brick Township. Thank you. Thank you. I also did I also did not prepare
anything for what I wanted to share. I wanted to hear from the residents first. I want to thank you all for coming out, especially the young residents. It takes tremendous courage to do what you did, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming up and saying what you
said. Thank you for that. Um, uh, Council Vice President Aertino, you're right about expressing emotion. Where I'm at right now is anger. What happened was unacceptable. It should not have happened. Um and and I assure you
that that change will be on the way. Um thank you all for coming and expressing everything. Uh I really do appreciate it. Thank you. The uh the next scheduled meeting will be held here Tuesday, June 9th uh 2026 at 7 p.m. Please note this meeting was
recently added to the schedule. Can I have a motion and second to adjurnn? >> Motion second. >> All in favor? I meeting adjourned.