Call to order. >> Adequate notice of this meeting was provided and published in the Asbury Park Press and the Ocean Star on January 16, 2026. Copies of the agenda were provided to the newspaper posted on public bulletin boards in the township website. >> Thank you. Can I get a roll call,
please? >> Councilman Albanese here. >> Councilman Makino, >> here. >> Councilwoman Reena >> here. >> Councilman Cohen >> here. >> Councilwoman Travers >> here. >> Vice President Amberino >> here. >> President Feman >> here. >> Thank you. Now I'm going to ask for everyone to please rise for a pledge of allegiance
followed by a moment of silence. >> I aliance 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.
>> Thank you. Please be seated. Can I get a motion and a second to approve the minutes from the April 28th, 2026 meeting? Make a motion. >> Second. >> Copy that. Thank you. Roll call. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Councilman Makino. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Reena?
>> Yes. >> Councilman Cohen? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Travers? >> Yes. >> Vice President Amberino? >> Yes. >> President Feman? >> Yes. >> Thank you. And now I'd like to invite Mayor Crate to the front to recognize the Brick Wrestling Club.
Hi guys. I would like to have the coaches come on up. the presentation for you guys. All right. Brick Township has a storied history of success in the sport of wrestling at both the youth and high
school level. The journey for many of our community's wrestlers start with the Brick Recreation Department's Brick Wrestling Club, a competitive program that is part of the highly regarded Jersey Shore Junior Wrestling League. This season, the Brick Wrestling Club's
Brick 1 team, added to Brick's tradition of excellence by finishing the season with a 15-0 record, captured the A Division Championship, and won the league's A division individual tournament, marking the first time in
the program's history that all three of these feats have been accomplished in a single season. Give a clap for that. We are going to call each of these wrestlers up individually to honor them. Uh the brick wrestling uh the brick
wrestling club brick one team was skillfully led by our coaches here. And I'm only have two of the names here. I have I have head coach Casey Stalin and Chuck Leello. And also there's coach Turner here as well. So round of applause for our fabulous coaches.
So, it's it's especially an honor and keep this write this on your calendar that I, Lisa Crate, mayor of the Township of Brick in the County of Ocean here in the state of New Jersey in recognition of their outstanding season do hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 13,
2026 to be Brick Wrestling Club uh Brick One Team Day here in Brick Township. And everyone in the township will be celebrating with you tomorrow. So, congratulations. And I'd like to say, you know, take the day off or whatever, but I don't really have that authority.
I'm going to give the coaches an opportunity to talk about this season. >> I'm the wrong person. Uh, no. Thank you very much, mayor. Uh, thank you, Councilman. Um it's quite fitting that a former uh standout Brook Memorial wrestler Councilman Abanese is here
tonight to present these uh wrestlers with this honor. Um we had a great season. I started with uh brick wrestling at four years old when um John Bumgartner was literally nickeling diamond and program together. um later
on to be led by coach Nash who really stepped up the program and now we're at a point where we have full backing of the township and a great brick wreck program to support us and get us what we need and get done every time. Um without that help from the township and the
wreck program and people like you, our boys wouldn't have succeeded the way they did this year. Um thank you very much and congratulations guys. You deserve it. So, I think uh Coach Casey pretty much touched on everything, but again, um we
just like to thank, you know, the mayor, all the councilmen for uh this, you know, outstanding support, our um brick wreck department. You know, we'd be nowhere without them. Um but yeah, and also the kids, we we just stand there
and they go out there and wrestle. So if it wasn't for them working as hard as they do, but if it wasn't for them working as hard as they do, then you know the success wouldn't be possible uh either. But like I said, I just want to thank everybody for having us and uh
it's a great day to be a part of the club. I I know we're celebrating all the uh all the wrestlers here. Um it's also the parents uh who make it happen as well. There's a lot that goes into it. Um, got Mr. Carbone in the back and uh and uh
Mr. Napoli as well. You know, this can't be done without you guys. Um, also uh you know, these kids going into the room, you know, your parents drop them off and you have no idea what goes on in the room and uh these kids just go grind and they battle and they bleed
and they cry and and they sweat. But you know what? they they get up, they move forward, and uh at the end of the day, that's what we're trying to teach them is just go out there, battle, because that's what life is. And uh they all get the message, and uh I'm proud of them.
So, thank you. >> Certificates for'll Stay up here and we'll do a big picture. Okay. >> Yeah. You want to? >> Yeah. >> Veto Deio. >> Dom Warren,
>> Trey Coance. Ryan McGuinness, Kyle Elliott, Anthony Warren, Colton Stalin, Charlie Leello, Matt Turner, Patrick McGordy, Jay Oliver,
Chase Tucker, Thomas O'Keefe. Just in time, bud. Just in time. >> Trey Dalton. >> Johnny Irvin. Chris Se, Chris Carbone, Connor Mcamera,
last and certainly not least, Gio Deio. Uh these awards go out to our wrestlers who won uh their weight class championship, Anthony Warren, right behind Colton Stalin, Patrick McGordy,
and Gio Dematio. >> Excellent. Let's get you guys back here. We're gonna arrange so that we can get everybody's pictures. So, tall guys in the back. We got a cruise ship director. Matt, why don't you go for the picture?
>> Can't see. Try. Chuck's gonna be lost. >> Let her get it. And then I guess All right. Thank you guys. Nice job. So for those who do not wish to stay for the rest of the meeting, today would be
a or right now would be a good time to hit the mats. Thank you. I just thought of it on the spot. Good job. Yeah, >> we can't >> as long as people just keep talking.
We can't do anything about that beeping. >> Well, you have to continually talk. So, as long as you keep talking, it won't beep. >> Okay. All right. I'll do my best. Uh, moving on to the consent agenda. >> All matters listed under item consent agenda will be enacted by one for 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 older American month May 2026. >> Councilman Mikino. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes
May 2026 as older Americans month which recognizes the contribution of older adults. This month's theme is champion your health focusing on prevent prevention wellness and profess personal responsibility for health health aging
healthy aging. Thank you. >> Well done. Thank you. 52. Please >> recognize ALS Awareness Month May 2026. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution recognizes May 2026 as ALS
Awareness Month, which honors individuals living with ALS, their families, caregivers, and advocates while promoting education and research about this progressive neurodeenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually impairing movement, speech, swallowing,
and breathing. ALS is known as Lugeric's disease and while treatment exists to slow progression, there is currently no cure. Thank you. >> Thank you. 53, please. >> Authorize insertion of chapter 159 2026 community development block grant. >> Council Vice President Ambersino.
>> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes the insertion of a grant in the amount of $282,455. We're receiving this from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, their office of community planning and development for the 2026
Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds are earmarked by the federal government to assist income eligible seniors in need of household repairs and for social service agencies that help address the unmet needs of our
community. Thank you. >> Thank you. 54, please. Authorize insertion of chapter 159 2026 local recreation improvement grant. >> Councilman Mikino. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes the insertion of a grant in the amount of $43,500
for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the 2026 local recreation improvement grant. The funds were awarded to install permanent softball batting uh pitching and catching cages in the Drum Point sports complex. Thank you.
Thank you. 55, please. >> Authorize insertion of chapter 159, New Jersey Law and Public Safety Safe and Secure Communities Program Grant 2026. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes the insertion of a grant in the amount of $45,150
from the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety for the Safe and Secure Communities Program Grant. The safe and secure communities program enacted into law in 1993 is designed to provide municipalities with funding to add law enforcement law enforcement personnel
vital to effective police operations and other crime related strategies as warranted by the needs of the community. The program allows for the funding of additional officers or funding of law enforcement support personnel which would free up officers for direct law enforcement activities. In Brick
Township, these funds are used to offset police department salaries. Thank you. >> Thank you. 56, please. >> Authorize insertion of chapter 159, New Jersey Law and Public Safety Body Armor Grant 2026. >> Council Vice President Amberino.
>> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes the insertion of another grant. This is in the amount of $12,5942. It is from the state of New Jersey law and public safety body armor grant for 2026 which we use to offset the cost of
body armor for our police officers. Thank you. >> Thank you. 57 >> authorized insertion of chapter 159 national opioid settlements. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes the insertion of a grant in the amount of $18,956.12
for national opioid resolutions which is now available from nation from nationwide settlements that have been reached to resolve all OP oh my gosh excuse me all opioid litigation brought by states and local municipalities against various pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers. Thank
you. >> Thank you. 5A please. >> Authorized rebid purchase and delivery of playground parts and supplies. Councilman Albanese. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes the rebid for purchases and delivery of playground parts and supplies. Bids were previously
accepted, but no bids were received. >> Thank you. 59, please. >> Authorize award of contract purchase and delivery of various commercial dumpsters. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes an award of contract to reduc products of vinand in
specified amounts per cubic guard of each container for the purpose and delivery of four dumpsters as needed for solid waste collection. Bid notices were provided to 52 prospective biders from our biders list and nine picked up bid packages. Three bids were received with reduc products being the lowest
responsive responsible bidder. >> Thank you. 510 please >> authorize award of contract upfit of eight police vehicles. >> Council Vice President Ambersino. >> Thank you Council President. This resolution authorizes the award of a contract. It's in the amount of
162,8108. It's for the purchase and installation of various equipment for eight new police vehicles. This equipment is being purchased through the New Jersey state contract vendors. Thank you. >> Thank you. 511 >> authorize award of contract purchase and
delivery of various Labry arm parts for rebuilds. >> Councilwoman Rea. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes an award of contract in the amount of 82,1946 with Grand Turk Equipment Bridgeport PA for the purchase of various labor arm
parts for rebuilds on sanitation vehicles. The contract is being awarded through the Stafford Township Cooperative Contract. >> Thank you. 512, please. >> Authorize award of contract Preservation Architectural Services. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. This
resolution authorizes an award of contract to the following vendors. Barton Ross and Partners Livingston and Paul Sagowski and Satar Warren for the preservation architectural services. These services are needed to assist with
design repair and and porch replacement needed at the host house. >> Thank you. 513. >> Authorize award of contract purchase of large town enterprise license SDL software. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes an award of contract one-year renewal for
the license of SHI International Corporation Somerset. SHI International provides township's spatial data logic software used for all building department permits as well as engineering, zoning, and code enforcement. >> Thank you. 514, please.
>> Authorized donation acceptance K9 Heat Alarm Pro for EMS and rescue. >> Councilman Mikino. >> Thank you. This resolution authorized the acceptance of a donation for the K9 Heat Alarm Pro for the EMS. The township's EMS squad participates in the
statewide urban search for search and rescue team uh that the unit provides a with a dog and assist with these calls. This donation is helpful to have in transporting and using these canines in the rescue. Thank you. >> Thank you. 515 please.
>> Authorized placement of tax lane for property cleanup block 1245 lot 140. >> Council vice president Amino. >> Thank you council president. Uh, this resolution simply authorizes the placement of a lean for a dumpster and its removal at property and brick with
excessive refues and debris. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. 516. >> Authorized fees for services at Trader Cove Marina. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes modification of fees at Trader Cove Marina. The
recreation committee has recommended these changes so we can remain current and competitive with our pricing. Fees at the marina have not been updated since 2023. In this resolution, fees are being updated for summer slip fees, summer jet ski docks, and the use of
boat ramps, which has different fees for residential versus non-resident. Summer land storage fees for trailers, boats on trailers, land storage, and kayak and standup paddle boat storage are also being updated. Winter storage
fees, boat lifting and hauling fees are being updated as well. Thank you. 517 >> authorized shared services beach rake agreement with Bair Beach Homeowners Association. >> Councilwoman Rea. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes
the execution of a shared service agreement with the Bair Beach Homeowners Association for beach sweeping maintenance for the 2026 summer season. All costs for manpower and equipment will be paid for by the association, including diesel fuel for the beach.
Thank you. Thank you. 518 >> authorized shared services beach rake agreement Ocean Club condominium association. >> Councilman Albanese. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes the execution of a shared service agreement with Ocean Club condominium association for beach sweeping
maintenance for 2026 summer season. All costs for manpower and equipment will be paid for by the association including diesel fuel for the beach rake. >> Thank you. 519 >> authorized shared services beach rake agreement Senica Dunes homeowners association
>> Councilman Mikino. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes the execution of a shared service agreement with the Senica Dunes Homeowners Associations for beach sweeping maintenance for 2026 summer season. All costs for manpower and equipment will be paid by the
association including diesel fuel for the beach rake. Thank you. >> Thank you. 520 >> authorized special event permit brick unico botchi fundraiser. >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, council president. This resolution authorizes a botchi fundraiser event sponsored by Brick
Unico on October the 4th at Winward Beach Park. >> Thank you. 521, please. >> Authorized special event permit Secret Gardens of Brick Tour and Tea. >> Councilwoman Travers. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution authorizes a special event permit for the annual Secret Gardens of
Brick Tour and Tea event from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 23rd at the Cultural Arts Center. Thank you. >> Thank you. 522, please. >> Authorized special event permit Warren Wolf PTO summer kickoff. >> Councilwoman Rea. >> Thank you. This resolution authorizes a
special event permit for the Warh Wolf PTO summer kickoff event from 4:43 to 700 p.m. on June 10th at Hank Waltonowski Park. Thank you. >> Thank you. 523. >> Authorized special event permit River
Rock and Run 5K. >> Council Vice President Ambersino. >> Thank you, Council President. This resolution recognizes a special event permit for the River Rock and Run event from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday,
November 22nd at River Rock. Thanks. Thank you. 524 >> 524A is an inspection fund release for block 277, lots 43 and 45. >> Thank you. 525. Uh 25A is 100% DAV widow of veteran
deduction at block 1108 lot 3. 25B is 100% DAV widow of veteran deduction at block 1288.62 lot 24. 25 C is 100% DAV widow of veteran deduction at block 1313.13
lot 2. 25D, senior citizen disabled deduction at block 902.16 lot 18, block 500 lot 1801 and 25e are tax overp payments for 2026 at block 1192.31 lot 6.
>> Thank you. That brings us to the end of the consent agenda. Can I get a motion and a second? >> Second. >> Copy that. Thank you. Open to councel. Seeing none, close counsel. Open to the public for questions on the
resolutions 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. >> Item number 526. 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 26,249,2459. >> Copy that. Thank you. Have a motion and a second on the computer bill resolution. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Copy that. Thank you both. 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 Reena? >> Yes. >> Councilman Cohen? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Travers? >> Yes. >> Vice President Amberino? >> Yes.
>> President Feman? >> Yes. 527, please. >> 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
2,115,8462. >> Thank you. And 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 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, 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 Bricktownship Administrative Code section 2-33B.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone from the public? Yes, sir. Sam Foster, JC Lark Street, Manchester. Just wanted to come here with uh three three uh comments, but what first I wanted to uh compliment the brick police department because I was uh involved in
an incident at the uh Maple Leaf Gardens when I was working for Door Dash. And uh I'm not going to get into it details, but I called up I don't I don't unfortunately I forgot the officer's names, but there my is this is on May 5th and it was about I made the call at about 19 1000 hours. I don't know I
don't remember the officer's names but you can probably track track down that way but they're very very helpful very polite and I really did appreciate the help that they gave me gave me some good advice on how to handle the proper problem there. Now on that same subject subject subject uh I know that uh I've
been coming to you know when I lived here like for 10 years ago they had a lot of comp complaints about Maple Leaf Gardens and that's the one off of Drum Drum Point Road and I wanted to know uh in fact my uncle lived there and he had problems with the people there as well and uh he was a
landlord there so he I I know what he went through. Uh, can Burke consider uh I don't know if you have it over there or not, but can Burke consider putting surveillance cameras over there because it is bad. It really is. I mean, I've delivered over there and one of the police officers told me you may not want to uh deliver over here anymore because
it's pretty bad over here because I was seeing fist fights, a few people pulling knives on each other. It's really bad. Really is. And you know, fortunately I was able to get in my car and drive away, but uh uh you know, just in case maybe uh I know the the police
themselves, you know, they the brick is really spread out, so it's not you know, the patrols in the area, they they are around there. I see their the police patrolling that area a lot. So it's uh something along the line of surveillance cameras would be good. Uh because like I said that uh I know that the police, we
always need more police anyway, but the police did a great job and I think the surveillance cameras with the live feature the police station here would go a long way towards uh having a a safer area. That area is really bad. I know. Like I said, I couldn't believe I've seen people with knives and guns on each other. And I I'm I'm just saying, man,
I'm glad my delivery is not on that court, you know. But anyway, the police did a great job and I want to thank them both. And like I said, I apologize. guys, I don't know their names, but it was on May 5th at uh my call went in at 1910 hours. So, whoever they were, you'll have a record if uh give them a compliment. You know, I just want to
compliment them and give them a give an extra buck in your salary. You know what I mean? As Warren Wolf would say. Second thing was that uh was about actually there's only two things. Second thing was about the council meetings. I do I told you people already I live in Manchester now, but I intend to move back to brick once I get my finances in
better shape. And I so I do pay attention what goes on by watching the council meetings on YouTube. And uh the sound quality on the council meetings is at times not very good. Sometimes the it cuts in and out and people don't speak clearly into the microphone. So I was wondering if you could join council
meetings. I I use the closed captions on YouTube because it's where we use it. I guess you can I see it also through the feed on the township website. Am I correct or do you still have that is still available there? Okay, good. because the count the the captions I I have hard I'm hard of hearing anyway so
I lost the hearing in one of my ears it's like uh half of what it used to be but um the the captioning what's frustrating is the captioning is it's not up to date it's like uh it's true with all my captioning I don't know why whether I had Verizon or I have Cam Comcast but they're not very good it
doesn't sync perfectly you know what I mean about when someone's speaking and you'll and you and the per the caption will still be going on then someone else will be speaking but it it's like a lag, you know what I mean? So, if you could have people when they stand at the microphone, maybe speak more clearly
into the uh microphone and because like I said, it's very frustrating. But again, I want to say that Burke, please do a great job. So, thank you. >> You got it. Thank you. >> Anyone else from public? Yes, sir. Joe Lamb, 386 for Stereo Drive. Um, I
want to call something to your attention because, uh, you know, I'm concerned that we're going to watch a head-on accident, but when you're driving Route 70 east, and people are making that turn into Aldi, they're going on the green light when it's that the uh, traffic
that's supposed to go straight and they still have a red light. I must have seen at least six instances in the last six or eight months where people went on that and then they're jammed in there and the the traffic heading westbound on
70 and you have those two lanes there on 70 looking to turn on the brick boulevard. It kind of covers for it. And it's like I said, I put a call in about two weeks ago to the police department. I never got a call back about it. they they're gonna have to put some kind of
signage up there to to drum it into their heads. People aren't paying attention like they should be. Um, on a different subject, the last time I was here at the council meeting, you know, they brought up the fact that uh the uh with the municipal budget that the taxes
for home says that 300,000 would be taxed at approximately u increased rather that taxes will be increased by about $98 and I had mentioned about the county raising the tax uh rate by uh 9.3 well
they didn't raise the tax rate. They raise the taxes 9.3%. And um the thing about it is is that equates to about $120 in additional to the current county taxes that they pay. So it's a it's an
exorbitant amount of money. And then you know and and the town obviously when the people get the tax bill are going to be hit with you know between the two of them. you know, it's going to be about $220. And the thing about it is is that
so that they would keep the county tax rate the same, you know, because they have that option. They drew down $40 million of surplus in order to keep it at that level because otherwise just on the county taxes alone, the increase
would have been $222 just by themselves. >> And they only have $40 million left. So if if they have to draw down that next year, they have no surplus left. >> So that's just a thought. You know, it's too bad that they don't put their
meetings on YouTube like you do. >> You know, there's no transparency there. You know, it's it's uh it's terrible, but that's the way they run it. All right. Thanks. >> Thank you. Anyone else from public?
Yes, Mr. Bacon. Okay, thank you. >> Raymond Lashen, 135 Shindler Drive. Hello everybody. Um, as most of you know, I'm also a proud member of the Brook Town National Environmental Commission. I'm finally here to read our 2025 annual report. I know it's May, but
we want to be considerate of your long meetings the past few months. So without further ado, dear mayor and council, this letter serves as the 2025 annual report for the Bricktown Environmental Commission here in referred to as the commission as required by chapter 2 part
9 article 25 subsection 2-159-d the township code. The commission's nine members use their experience in water quality, environmental and real estate law, municipal operations, hazardous site remediation, and green infrastructure, among other things, to fulfill the duties outlined in his
establishing ordinance that can be broadly grouped together into two categories: application review and project coordination. Its monthly meetings are generally held on the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at town hall in the conference room across the hall. At them, members review
applications and issues concerning the township's natural resources and as an advisory group writes letters to be included in the application package. In 2025, it reviewed over 60 applications using member expertise to further advise and educate the board of adjustment and
the planning board. The commission also uses its meetings to give guidance to guest speakers that come to discuss community projects. Many speakers learned of the commission through its outreach efforts, namely tableabling events and its successful pickup brick litter cleanup program. In 2025, the
program held 14 cleanup events at sites across town that attracted an average of 25 volunteers each, the last one of the year drawing over 65 volunteers. It also won two separate awards from both ANJ, which is the statewide organization for environmental commissions, and New Jersey Clean Communities, further
proving the program's positive social impact to the township. For 2026, the commission's goals include further growing its public outreach efforts and fostering more collaboration between the various township environmental groups like sustainable brick or the green team, the brick open space savers and
the shade tree commission. Overall, the commission has fulfilled the duties outlined in establishing ordinance, looks forward to further collaboration with the mayor and council and fulfilling them in 2026. And we also came today because we have our annual event this Saturday at the cultural arts center which is our green fair. Uh the
theme this year is wildlife, wellness, and well-being where we aim to show the connection between all three. You should come. The forecast looks fantastic. We have about over 40 vendors, food trucks. Did I mention food trucks? It's a great time. This is, I believe, our 13th annual. It's just getting more and more
successful every year. So, if you can come, I'd highly recommend it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ray. Thank you for uh for that and congrats on the success thus far. Anyone else from public? Mr. Bacon.
>> Good evening. Good evening everyone. Um 1249 Herkimer Road. My name is Vin Daniels. I'm here because um you know, we've noticed a little change. I have some neighbors with me here. We noticed some change in our in our community. Um, specifically in our development, Mayo
Estates, um, over the last year or so, we've had three homes that have been turned into uh, sober living homes. One are right across the street from each other and the other one's less than half a mile away on my block. Um, and although we understand there's a need
for these types of homes, we feel that three in our relatively small development is just a saturation of that development. um amongst other things, there seem to be other um reasons why it's not not in in line with the law. Um
it is a business that's running out of it. It's the same company that's in all three of these homes. Um there are vans coming in and out dropping off people. Um and there's somebody there 24 hours a day, so they're getting paid uh to be there. Um so and and the the they're so
close together. I know from from my research it looks like They're not even supposed to be a thousand feet apart and one's right across the street from each other. So clearly that's in violation and the other one is very close. And the fact that it could potentially bring values of those homes down is another
reason why these are, you know, alarming to us. You know, there's some safety concerns as well. Of course, we have children in in the development. Um, you know, we do understand it's a strict uh program that they're in. Uh they're not they're only allowed in their home. They're not allowed they're only allowed in their backyard. this one particular
home doesn't have a fence at all. So, they can potentially get out, you know, and again, nobody is saying anything bad about these programs. They're obviously needed and they're great for these people and I hope they help get help and they get back on their feet and they're doing what they need to do, but having
three around the corner from each other doesn't seem right. Um, you know, there's plenty of places. There's plenty of other towns. This town's very large as well. I don't know how many are in, you know, throughout the town. Um but again, three in that small area. I
believe there's even one like across um Sally Ike, which is still very very close. I did speak to Miss Bergen uh last week. She was going to provide me with some emails I have yet to receive of the communication with mayor council or herself to uh the DCA.
>> My apologies. I thought you were going to send me the statute and I was going to look into that in response. So I I Okay, no problem. That's what I thought we were doing. I'm sorry. >> Um >> but you know, I just >> I hadn't seen that statute that you were referencing and that's what I was kind of focusing on. >> Yeah, there's there's several like, you
know, things that stick out about why these are not supposed to be where they are. >> Yes. Because I don't have an email address without you emailing me. We didn't >> No, I emailed you. >> I didn't see. >> Oh, okay. I'll send I can send it. >> Okay. >> Um but I understand from our conversation that mayor and council are
aware of this. Um I know other towns this happened in and and um Miss Bergen did explain that you know there were there was some discussion with with the mayor and and um you know it didn't really gain any traction is what I was told and they want to also g you know get the right stuff get the right facts
so we can put something together and get something you know an ordinance or something that could help mitigate this whether it's completely you know shut them down or at least make them move or have one and and you know move them around or however whatever that looks,
you know, we and and and you know, the citizens of that development specifically would like some kind of information back tonight, preferably of what the you know, mayor and council look to do to to help this situation. >> Council President, >> yeah, mayor.
>> So, I have had I have had email exchanges with other people in your community. Okay. >> I don't think we've exchanged emails at this point, but one of the things that I convey to them is and you're talking about a possible ordinance. These are state uh operated uh you know they're
operated through the state. We don't really have jurisdiction as far as I my understanding is to write an ordinance >> to have them not in certain areas. However, I do have a full understanding of what is happening uh within your neighborhood. I've have talked to many
residents that live in that neighborhood and I have had contact with Assemblyman Kenetra. his office right now is working with me to look up all the statutes, see where where the issues are and possibly put together a bill that would mitigate
some of the issues that you are seeing within your neighborhood. So, uh, right now, nothing like that seems to exist. Uh we had a conversation about this with Assemblyman Kenetra maybe two or three months ago uh at the beginning of the year and then uh it was quiet for a bit
and now I see that there's a third home that's open and I know there's concerns of a possible fourth home. So we have been in contact with his office. I've reached up to the governor's office to have a conversation with them as well. >> Um I feel like I'll probably get more traction at the assembly level honestly.
So that's kind of the route that we're taking right now. Now, do does the state like provide you with the homes and say these are the homes that are now going to be used. So, you have we have no idea who's going to be >> No. All we do is the rental inspection once the home is uh approved for >> and that's what that's considered a
rental even though it's an LLC that's in there. >> So, LLC's run rentals throughout town. Uh that's a typical you want to have you want to be insured if you're renting a house out. But um yeah, we do the rental inspections, but the state is supposed to go in to do further inspections to
make sure that they're in compliance and that people are that are supposed to be living there are living there. How often they do those checks, uh I don't we're not also made, you know, privy to that as well. So again, we do have a contact at the state level. I did share that
contact with the people who I had email back and forth with. >> I'd be happy to share that with you as well if I get your email later. uh so that you can reach out as well. But I just did want you to know and everybody that's here, we are trying to work uh at least in my case at the assembly level
because that's where the law is going to change. Sure. >> And that's where we I feel like we'd be best focusing our efforts. >> So it wouldn't be directly for a a brick change. It'd be more of a state change. Yeah. >> And how I mean I know this is probably something you don't know. How long or something can that can that take?
>> You know, so I feel pretty passionate about it. I know Assembly Canra feels really passionate about it after I explained essentially the plight of this specific neighborhood. Uh and so his office is working right now. We've been uh contacting each other back and forth
about what the statutes are and once we get some more information about that, we're really going to try to dive in and get this done. How long do things bills get take, you know, to get passed? I have no problem reaching out to any person on the assembly. I also um even though I haven't reached out to him yet,
I know Alex Sawiki who's not in our area, but still if I can get some more people on board with that, I'm happy to do that. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And just one last thing, I know this might be premature, but is is there something that you would put into this a bill or an ordinance that would like go
backwards like you know that say, okay, if it's they can't be within a mile of each other, well, these three exist, they're going to stay. I think that's a conversation we have to have and I think that's more of a legal conversation that isn't really my area of expertise. But certainly that is something, you know,
to consider. But and I correct me if I'm wrong. If you if there is something that is worrisome in the neighborhood or you see something that's out of place or you see something that uh concerns you for your safety or the safety of your property or the safety of your family,
number one, it doesn't matter who owns those homes. we want you to call the police department >> and have them come out. >> Okay. Yeah, they were actually >> they do have the right to do that. Yeah. You know, you know, the police don't have don't have to be hands off. They can go out of course and and obviously, you know, and one of the things that I
think is uh part of >> uh one of the requirements and I don't know what vans come in and out of your home, but one of the requirements is that they have the opportunity to to be placed at a work, you know, to work, >> which your neighborhood does not have. You know, there's not a bus stop near there. There's not a,
>> you know, there's not like places for people to walk to to get uh employment opportunities. So, I mean, I think that's part of the conversation we're having with the assemblymen is what are the proper placements of these facilities? We do want people to get help. I agree with you, >> of course. >> But how do they do that in a way that
actually helps them, right, and gets them to a place where they can get employment and and >> Exactly. Yeah. >> get a hand up, right? Yeah. So, uh just know I'll get your email. I'll I'll forward that information to you. Um and then >> as soon as I have more about how we're going to move forward and and statutes.
Uh I I'll be happy to reach out to you. >> Okay. Yeah, we're pretty passionate. So, I'm sure we'll be out and following up, you know. >> I know. Absolutely. And you should be. This is your neighborhood. So, I agree. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from public? Yes, sir.
>> Neil Min 1237 Herkimer. I live next door to the newest one. Mine is just a simple question. You're sort of putting it on the state, but I think we're an R20 or whatever. No businesses be to be conducted in my neighborhood. Yet, this
house is a business owned by a corporation out of Miami and they're paying the house sitters. So, my question is stupid but simple. Can I open up an auto shop in my thing and say the state needs it? And why not? Got it. Got it.
>> In other words, why can't the town say there's no business allowed in this neighborhood? >> So, the state the problem is that the state does not consider these boarding houses a business. They define them as residential. They're defined in the state statute as residential. And that's part of what the problem may create to
fix, >> right? So, they're not considered a business by the state of New Jersey. Who issues them a license? >> Okay. So, now here's a another one. How do I go about uh getting my um home reassessed? Because now with three in
with one right next to me, no fence. Um what what do I do? What is my recourse? Do what can I be informed or do you know? Does anyone know? Are uh Megan's laws people coming in? Are violent
criminals coming in? A animal abusers coming in? I mean, does anybody know anyone who's coming? There's basically a a transient type situation. And no matter what the state says, I'm living
there. My kids, my grandkids come to visit often. I have dogs that are in the yard. How do I know, you know, who's in there? I mean, if it was a nor the other day, they've been there a week and it was already an ambulance and police there in a week. So, how do I know
they're not going to, and this is silly, you know, poison my dogs or whatever because, you know, they're barking and they annoy him. I just put up another camera just because. I mean, it's uh I mean, everybody's like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." But it's not a
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, so that's all. Thank you. Anyone else from public? Mr. Bacon. I think it's time. >> Yeah.
My name is Charles Bacon, 366 Rancokus Drive. Uh, good evening, Mayor, Council, and Administration. Unfortunately, I couldn't make the last meeting where the budget was discussed and approved. So I have a few comments about it.
U as I looked these are comments I would have made two weeks ago. I looked at the actually ironically the draw down of the surplus right and I spoke in front of this this body several times when I thought it was
actually too high to be very honest with you and it should have been given back to residents. But what concerned me with this budget was the reserve and where it landed. Okay. And I think if my memory is correct and without looking at the
budgets officially up online, I think it ended up uh the surplus was at 2.34, which is roughly a little bit over $2.9 million. Now, we can debate and discuss what a chief financial officer might say is a
good baseline of a reserve. Some might say 5%. Some might say it's okay to be less. But the bottom line here is I believe it's too low. Especially with uh some of the things that have been disgusted over
the last few years, escalation of salaries, medical cost, retirement, and all sorts of things going up. Right now, we're in a fuel issue. So that's my first comment. A comment I
made back in April of uh 2023 was about that budget and it came on the heels of the contract unions being up. They were approved in December of 22 and as everyone has been discussing, they're going to be approved
again this December in 26. And as I said then, and I'm going to make it clear in public, the percentage increases I understood and I had no question about it because inflation was pretty high. But let's just run through
the four unions, the four-year contracts. 18% increase on one, another 22%, 18% on another, and 22% increases. Let's make the point. They're deserved. Here's the point. This is what I said
back in 23 and I would have said it last week or two weeks ago. You cannot, as much as everybody behind me and in front of me complains about taxes. We know what's going on at the school district here, the struggles as well as
the county. You cannot take a zero tax increase. Cannot do it. You can talk to every chief financial officer. They're going to say you can't do it with those kind of increases. And yet in 23 we took a zero. Now when you take a zero against that
particular budget and you have to make that money up because you have all those increases that are going to be complete cascading. So I'm not quite sure why we took a a zero on that and it would have certainly had a difference between what's left in
the surplus. So I just wanted to make note of that. All right. The other thing uh I wanted to also mention and I've talked about this before and I'm going to bring it up again. I think everyone as you noted in
here is allowed to talk. We have an ordinance that restricts it to five minutes. I'll be very honest with you, current council president, many others have allowed me to go beyond that time and thank you. However, I believe if somebody wants to come back here, if I'm
the last person tonight, they should be allowed. And through the council president, I like I'd like to ask some legal guidance. Is there some kind of ordinance that restricts these gentlemen coming back here if I'm done? I want to talk about something else
that's going on in the town through the council president. The last time I brought it up, he didn't answer me. So, I'm bringing it up again. >> So, legally, Mr. Connealy, where does that where does that fall?
I would have to actually check the ordinance on whether somebody can get up twice, but it hasn't been an issue. So, >> well, it has been an issue. It was an issue with me because I requested to come up after everybody was done. >> I mean, I think everybody has five
minutes. The the beginning of the agenda says each person has five minutes to speak. So, I want to I could potentially talk about five things tonight, right? How many times have been up here to talk about uh people going through
red lights? Numerous times. I could talk about that again tonight. Or issues about safety, people jaywalking or whatever. So, there might be other things I want to talk about other than the budget. And I think when people come up here, if it's
important, they should be allowed to come up more than once. And if not, that should be stated on the agenda. >> That's a question for the chair. And if the chair wants to let you go longer, he can. But the beginning of the meeting says each person has five minutes to speak. >> I understand that. >> And it's clear that the governing body
can restrict how long somebody speaks at a public meeting. That's well established. >> Yeah. I'm not talking about the restriction of five minutes. That's an ordinance. I'm talking about coming up again after everybody's done tonight if I want to speak again. When I come up here, I'm talking about a lot of things
that are going on in the town and I believe they're important. Many of them are safety issues or crime or going through moving violations or whatever it is. These are important topics that should be heard in the public. So, I just like to get some kind of clearance
through the attorney. And if there is a restriction that I'm only allowed to speak once or any of these other people here tonight that might want to come up again, then it should be documented on the agenda that you're not allowed to speak more than once. If you have different subjects to talk about,
thank you. >> Thank you. >> Have a nice evening. >> And we could research where that all began and get back to you, Mr. Bacon. >> Thank you. Anyone else from public? Yes, sir.
Bob Matiano. Um, on the gentleman over there when he was talking about the sober house and stuff like that, there is a law that has for Megan's law that everything has to be disclosed on who's living in the house. if there is somebody in that house that's,
you know, committed a crime on Megan's law. That is a law. Has to be noted. So, I just want to bring that point up. Um, as far as people changing the houses and stuff, I mean, if I live next to it, I'd kind of be a little bit upset knowing
not knowing who's in the house, especially, you know, I got all these grandkids. It would be a nervous thing. It definitely would bother me. So I think what maybe the town can do is maybe just try to find out who the people are. Keep a list just so we know
if there is a problem that where we can go. You know there's got to be something they can do for that. That's that's my uh point. Uh second thing is in two weeks we got Memorial Weekend. We know what the traffic's going to be like out here. It's going to be atrocious.
um laws um passing running the red lights. So, I'm trying to make a little suggestion. Maybe we could put a little more police. We hired a bunch of new guys. Put them on the force a little bit. Um as far as the red lights and
stuff like that because Manaloken Road is a is a racetrack nowadays. It's if that road is open, they're going coming on the shoulder of the road. when somebody's making a left, they are on the shoulder on the lawns almost on some of the spots there. So maybe we can try
to avoid a situation. You know, these kids are all on their bicycles now, especially with those ebikes that are probably one of the most dangerous things out there. They really are, especially going the wrong way. I think we got to start putting a little
pressure on on that. I mean, I know I'm going to use the T uh wall township. They are tough on everything and they are they don't care what it is. I mean, you're doing half a red light and and you're pulled over. So, our guys are out
there, they're doing their job, which is great, but maybe we could get a couple extra give them a little bit more help, especially now that it's going to be summer when we're really jammed up here. You know, it's I mean, I know we got a couple new guys. Maybe we could put a little bit more in the morning, you
know, in the afternoons to try to keep things a little calmer and we know at night time everybody's partying up because it's, you know, Memorial weekend, of course, they need help. So, it's it's kind of tough, but we got to do something just to keep everything everybody safe. So, that's my uh my
thing, right? Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from public? Seeing none, close public, Mr. Connealy.
No comment. Okay. Thank you, >> Madame Mayor. >> Uh, just a few announcements. Uh, first of all, congratulations to the Brick Wrestling Club and their awards this evening. Super proud of them and happy
and proud of our recreation department for all the hard work that they do each and every day to bring great uh programs here for our brick brick township residents. Uh they are in fact running the green fair this year. So shout out to the wreck program for planning with
the environmental commission. As noted earlier, the green fair is taking place this Saturday the 16th at Havens Farm from 10:00 to 2. So we hope to see you out there. We have an upcoming pickup brick on Saturday the 23rd that is taking place at the PAL trails. So, you
can park in the PAL parking lot and that is from 10 to 12. We'll be out picking up some uh debris in that area. On the 23rd, uh Community Canvas, which is the art coalition that was put together through
the mayor's office, has been working hard on our very first mural project. And I just want to invite the community out. If you are interested in participating, this is a community mural. We want people from the community to come out and paint with us. We will be painting every Tuesday from 5:00 pm
to 7 pm at Civic Plaza in the gym. And if you are interested in coming out to paint with us, you can go on to the recreation website and sign up to do that. It is a free program and we are hoping to get uh new participants in each week so you can claim a little spot
of our first community mural. So we hope to see you there. And then finally, I want to send a shout out to uh Matt Fagan, who head who heads up our recreation department. He had our very first uh the inaugural brick recreation
challenger program kickball game this past Friday. There was a great turnout. I heard he was a fabulous pitcher. So, kudos to Matt for that. And I did want to announce some future Challenger events. Uh the first one is taking place
Friday, May 29th at 5:45 p.m. at the Drum Point Sports Complex and that is a T-ball baseball session. So, uh families and their children are invited to come out to that. Participants uh are eligible beginning in first grade. So,
you can sign up uh for the Challenger program through our recreation department. And also because the first session was so popular, there will be a second session of kickball on Friday, June 5th. Also at 5:45 p.m. and also at the Drum Point Sports Complex. So I ask
you to please go to the recreation department online. You can register at community pass. And we look forward to seeing families at those events. And that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Bergen. >> Nothing further. Thank you.
>> Okay. Madame clerk, >> I don't have anything. Thank you. >> Madame assistant clerk. >> No, thank you. >> Okay, Councilman Albanese. >> Yeah, the brick wrestling program's future so bright you're going to have to purchase shades to watch them. Happy
Memorial Day. >> Thank you, Councilman Mikino. >> Yeah, I just want to congratulate the wrestlers. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Raina. Also, congratulations to the brick wrestling club. I also wanted to share that I
responded to um one of the residents of Herkimer about so sober living concerns raised here this evening, Miss Aken. Um and I will excuse me um plan to stay close to this issue and support in any way possible as councilwoman. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councilman Cohen again. Um, amazing job done by the Brook Wrestling Club and our parks and recreations department in supporting these great programs that keep our children involved
um and teach them life lessons and they're going to learn those life lessons through sports. And sports is something that this township is very well known for and we hope to continue to be known for. With that said, I'd like to congratulate the Brook Memorial High School baseball team who won the 20
26 Ocean County tournament baseball championship, defeating Tom's River South 15 to1 on May the 7th, making their their first county title in 30 years. So, a big shout out to our Brook
Memorial baseball team, um, which I'm an alumni father of, and I couldn't be prouder of those boys. I know most of the boys on that team. Um and to our coaches, what an amazing job. It says a lot for our great township.
Um also very quickly um I want to touch on um something said by Mr. Bacon. Um, as far as being able to speak for more than five minutes at council meeting, being able to come up multiple times, um, as a Republican, as a conservative
Republican, um, as somebody who believes in transparency in government, um, I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Bacon that the public should be able to speak to this council and to bring up every single issue that they feel is important for us to hear and come up as many times
as they see fit. It's not in our ordinance and it's something that if it does come up for an ordinance, I will be voting yes on. That's We are here for the public. We are here for the taxpayers and the residents of Brick Township and I'm very proud of that. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councilwoman Travers. >> I also just want to gradulate congratulate the um Brook Memorial baseball team, I guess, as well as the Brick Wrestling Club that was here tonight. Thanks so much. Thank you, Council Vice President Amberino. >> Thank you, Council President. I too
would like to congratulate uh all of our brick athletes, Brick Memorial's baseball team, our Wreck wrestling team. That's an outstanding achievement. It's not been said yet, but before we meet again, it will be Memorial Day. Mr.
Mataliano mentioned it. Uh it is going to be the unofficial start of the summer even though the summer doesn't really start for about another four weeks after that. But I hope that everybody in brick comes out and continues growing the support that we see for our townshipwide
Memorial Day parade. Uh the truth is that Memorial Day is a somber day of reflection, but I sincerely believe that there can be celebration in the appreciation that we show on Memorial Day for all of those that have given the
ultimate sacrifice for our country and it's a great community event that shows that we are all Americans and we are all Britonians. So, hope to see you all there. Have a good evening. >> Well done. Thank you. Um, speaking of
summer, as a reminder, beach badges and parking passes are still available. Season badges are $30. However, on May 15th, it's going to go up to $45. And season parking passes are the same
price. You can order them online through community pass or go to the rec center at 270 Chambers Bridge Road between Monday and Friday 7:30 a.m. and 400 p.m. If you're 65 or older, you can get a free wristband.
Okay, Perry. So, make it a summer make the summer of 2026 a summer to remember. Stay safe and have fun. Uh, next scheduled meeting will be held here Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. Can I get
a motion and a second to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Copy. All in favor?