Merry Christmas. >> Merry Christmas. >> Done shopping. >> Not really. Apparently, you're a legend. Great. >> And we hit record. >> Recording in progress.
>> Welcome members uh of the township. Um the committee is returning back from executive session. Uh this is the workshop and committee meeting for the township of Chadam December 5th uh 16 2025. Uh, I now ask everyone to rise for the pledge of >> allegiance
to the flag of America and to the stands one nationy and justice for all. >> Mr. Lante, could you kindly provide guidance for the first hearing of citizens? Members of the public are now welcome to
come up to the microphone to address the township committee. This is an opportunity for any member of the public to be heard about issues which are not topics scheduled for public hearings tonight. Those present may step up to the microphone to be heard. If you're watching via Zoom, you may speak during
any of the public comment sessions by following the Zoom instructions to raise your hand. Whether in person or online, you are when you are recognized to speak, please mind the following procedures. Please say your name, spell your last name, and give the name of your street. You do not need to give
your street number. All public comments will be limited to three minutes. Rather than use any of your time answering questions, the township committee will wait until you finish speaking before responding. Uh there are two public comment sessions on tonight's agenda. Each member of the public will be limited to one comment of
up to three minutes during each public comment period. Written comments submitted to the township clerk before 3 p.m. today will be read during the public comment sessions. Written comments are subject to the same guidelines as oral comments. Duplicative written comments may be summarized
rather than read in full according to the guidelines issued by New Jersey Division of Local Government Services. >> Thank you, Miss Kanti. Are there any written statements this evening? one person who had submitted written statements, but they're in our waiting room to speak for themselves since I'm
have trouble talking. >> Understood. Thank you. Do um we have someone online then. Wonderful. >> Yes, please. >> Mrs. Warren, you're ready to go. >> Great. Can everybody hear me?
>> Yes, we can hear you just fine. >> Great. Thank you. So, my la my name is Katie Warren. My last name is W AR RN and I live on Susan Drive. My comment relates to management of the
Colony Pool for the upcoming 2026 summer season. First, as noted at the November 10th, 2025 meeting, complaints about the food vendor for the 2025 season were numerous. Among them, my family and guests experienced at least three incidents of raw chicken served at the
concession stand, which is unacceptable. The vendor showed a clear pattern of irresponsibility under its obligation to serve food safely. The township should exercise its rights under the Colony Pool Concession Agreement, section 3J, and terminate the agreement before the
2026 season. Second, I was disappointed with the management team chosen for 2025. I personally witnessed and heard from others who witnessed the manager berating teenage employees. This was not in situations where urgency might justify it, such as a swimmer in danger.
I also saw unsanitary conditions, including toilet brushes left on the bathroom floors instead of being stored in proper receptacles. My impression was that the manager did not care or was not equipped for the role. This contrasted sharply with the excellent management team of 2024 when Colony felt like a
treasured peaceful haven every day. My goal is not to assign Blaine, but to express hope that efforts will ensure that, in Miss Ewalt's words at the November 10th meeting, the pool opens in tip-top shape in 2026 after the time and
money expended on necessary reconstruction of the walls. Thank you to the committee members, township employees, and volunteers for the efforts devoted to this cherished community resource. Not all residents of Chapman Township own beach houses or vacation homes. On any beautiful weekend, Colony is filled with community
members of all ages enjoying the shade trees, sandy beach, lawn, picnic areas, and each other. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Warren. I appreciate uh your sharing your uh observations and comments. Um I do know that u the
committee uh and uh our staff at Myersall are fully aware of the feedback uh that we've uh all received uh through the survey and through other channels. Um and I can share with you that um you know we're exploring all all options to
certainly ensure that 2026 season uh does start off on the right foot. Um so rest assured that um we are um investing uh uh material time on on that matter. But Mrs. Horn, I do want to thank you
again for sharing that. Is there anyone else? Mr. Lanti. Great. Thank you. Uh I now invite uh anyone in the audience uh to come before the microphone should they desire to do so.
Uh, good evening. My name is Stuart Carr, CRR from three Crestwood Drive in Chattam Township. Number one, happy holidays to every everyone. Number two, um, congratulations to Committee Ewald and Mayor Choy on the re-election. And thanks again to uh, Mr. Ravino and his
colleague on the Republican side for uh their efforts in the election because then if you don't have a competitive election, you don't really get a good result. So I think everybody wins by having that. So good for everybody uh in that process. But again, congrats to you folks. Um six items. What do we have?
Three minutes times two. Okay. Okay. We'll start two and a half minutes. Um number one, uh periodic request on the um Oak School. That's I think Mr. Shahadi question. Um, are we getting uh use with our recreation folks? Um, with respect to
Oatnol, are we getting any push back from Oatnol? Are they letting you use the fields? That's uh kind of question number one. Um, question number two, with respect to the planning board, um, have we had any further discussions about getting planning board into this
YouTube activity and getting their minutes transcribed, etc., etc. I know we've had some push back on that over time. I think as I said in a planning board meeting several months ago, we should be having those meetings just like Chattam Burough and other towns. Not that we follow Chattam Burough, but in this place we we should is we should
be having planning board meetings uh recorded and I think that would be a good thing. We now are in this room. We don't have the excuse of the small room. So if we can consider working with the planning board to get that done, that would be appreciated. Uh number three, the uh green village trail init uh initiative. What's the status on that?
Was curious about that. My again I think lonely view is don't have a trail just stay on Green Village Road even if you have to pay for a sidewalk because again that's right next literally to the wilderness area and that piece of gr piece of uh property intact makes sense
if again as most people want to have a trail I would argue strongly if possible to have a dirt trail cinder trail like we do at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center to at least have that to have minimal uh imprint on the on the land there. So if we can give that some uh some thought again no asphalt even
pvious asphalt if that's possible. Um next question with respect to incremental revenue from the uh Dixieale uh activity I think it's somewhere around a million million and a half a year somewhere on there fully loaded roughly 50 units times a mill uh what uh
25 or 30,000 per uh unit so somewhere around a million and a quarter million and a half dollars incremental revenue over the last couple years. Kind of where is that in the budget? How does that show up? because most of that flows down to the municipal budget. So, if we could speak to that a little bit. Uh bigger issue is the um kind of bite the
bullet on the um sorry I'm not thinking clearly on the uh recreation not recreation on the open space trust fund account. Uh we have basically moved operations for the recreation activity over to that. We've essentially hijacked
the open space $600700,000 a year primarily for operations. that used to be in operations, those recreation activities. Now we have those kind of activities largely in the open space fund and therefore that $700,000 plus or minus two cents is largely
funding operations. So if we can consider moving that back into the operating uh budget where it belongs and then again biting the bullet and having the two cents to be used for uh acquisition of property and preservation of property. Okay, I got two more
things. There's a second term, right? A second. Okay. All right. Thank you. >> If there's anyone else that would like to come before the microphone in the interest of expediency, Mr. Carr, if you if there are one or two more additional items, uh I certainly would
like to invite you back up to the microphone. U be able to share your concerns. >> I might three minutes here. >> Second round. Okay, good. I appreciate that. Um in any case uh with respect to the um open space issue in general this
whole idea about basically using and hijacking in my cynical view hijacking most of the two cents into operations uh years ago uh before many of you were here except for Mr. McHugh I believe um there was a referendum back in calendar
2002 2001 somewhere around there to basically get up to two cents not a problem. The problem with that vote was for everybody who voted yes was part of that then expanded the use of those monies from acquisition and preservation to acquisition preservation and some
kinds of routine capex and operations for maintenance of facilities and that was the door that opened the uh activities that occurred a couple years ago again completely legal to enable the two cents to be used primarily for operations. So I would argue um again
the public may want to do that is to have a referendum or consider a referendum be it non-binding to say going forward we want to have the two cents assuming that the board decides to um you know do the two cents each year but have the vast majority if not all of it to be used for acquisition
preservation or have some kind of a carve out 10% 20% or whatever for this operation stuff as opposed to effectively 100% or close to what we're doing now. We've had a couple of exceptions over the last couple years thanks to Mr. Shahadi with the negotiation of the um property here on
Southern Boulevard. So, we use some of the money for that type of thing, but the vast majority of the money has effectively been in operations. I think we have a couple thunders now in reserve, but since we've done about 2.8 million or so over the last four years, uh there's not a whole lot shown for
open space uh acquisition preservation purposes going forward. So perhaps memorializing or formalizing that idea of most of the money goes for preservation uh would be a good thing and I think that's um where I am uh at
the moment. Uh yes. So thank you all for your time once again. Happy holidays. Congratulations to Committee Ewald and Mayor Choy on re-election. Thank you again. >> Thank you Mr. Clark. Uh there was quite
a bit there. So what I might uh suggest if permitting um we'll certainly put our heads together uh and um respond to each each of the seven or eight items that you shared with us uh in an organized thoughtful manner uh make sure our uh
facts are accurate and uh we'll get you some responses. Thank you Mr. Carr. Uh if there's no one else who would like to uh come before the microphone um I then will close the first hearing of citizens. Uh we then will move on to uh
the workshop uh session portion of this evening. Uh first up is monthly reports. Um or or Mr. Shotty, how would you like to do this? Monthly reports as stated or >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So mayor, we could start off if uh I didn't receive any questions on the monthly reports. I don't believe uh that
have been unanswered. Uh any go through >> question on which one? on what matter? >> I apolog I I would have responded to you. I apologize. I I didn't see it >> frustrated with myself if it's sitting
in your box >> because this sometimes happens to me. So, I apologize. I just I would not intentionally not respond to you. I apologize. >> Well, okay. So, one of the questions when I looked at the resolutions
two fire trucks were >> Yeah. So, I was going to go over the resolution items uh after the report like we're going to do reports the discussion then since it's a combined workshop meeting before we get to it. I was going to go over uh any of the items in the resolutions, but up to you if you
want to do that now or or later. >> Anything on the report? >> I do have a question on the resolution. So, do you want >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think we should do those separately. >> Great. >> All good on the reports then? >> Um one question regarding a police memo um from Chief Miller
>> um on the intersection. Okay. Um are we at liberty to discuss that now or do you want to >> up to say that? Okay. >> Um >> because there's no action on it right now. I was just it was a supplemental that was the one of the questions I got from you by text but uh so I sent that
memo from the chief. >> Yeah. I wasn't sure if we were going to have a formal discussion. >> Up to you. >> Well, I think it's important for the residents. >> Yes. Yeah. So as as matter of context uh for for the residents and uh anyone else uh listening um what we'd like to spend
a few minutes on with regard to a particular intersection within township. This is river in Fairmont A. Um as a result of uh a year-long or so uh reconstruction uh project of a bridge nearby uh down further on River Road. um that there was vehicular traffic that
was um redirected through that particular intersection uh causing a uh temporary increase in in vehicular traffic volume. Uh in anticipatory response to that, our police department and others had installed temporary lights uh in order to uh manage the
anticipated uh elevated traffic volume um by just just to clarify, we did not we didn't install that. >> Right. So so at the direction of the chief, right? So, >> it was more it was through the county. It was really it was part of their their project uh and they wanted a detour
through that. So, they installed the light. >> Yeah. And certainly involvement with with the township police and Chief Miller in orchestrating that. Um uh since the conclusion of the uh construction of the bridge, uh the temporary uh lights have since been removed. Um a a a a
concerted um uh growing concern uh was that uh uh with the recent uh removal of the temporary lights that traffic patterns may be um uh may be altered and drivers may um have a misunderstanding how to negotiate that intersection. Um
so what we had um commissioned our chief to do was to present to the committee um just a a overarching um summary view of uh the activity there with regard to veicular accidents. Um so uh the
committees re review this uh and what I can share I think most if not all statistitians would would submit to you that there's no appreciable delineation uh from what historically has been um uh reported accident uh at that particular intersection. Um there is um some
movement here and there but as I said I think statistically insignificant. Um notwithstanding I think all of us here would uh would love to see those numbers go to zero as a matter of being compassionate human beings. Uh unfortunately I think the metrics and standards that are used by the DOT and
uh other jurisdictional bodies as far as making decisions uh on on um traffic management systems um they you know uh uh uh make decisions on different metrics and standards ultimately. So, um, with that said, uh, know that we're
aware, uh, of of what, um, the happenings there at that particular inter intersection. We're working with, uh, Chief Miller, uh, and others. And, um, uh, we'll we'll we'll certainly look at, um, putting in appropriate consider putting in appropriate measures there
that would be, um, uh, reasonable and, and effective. Um, if there's anyone else on the committee would like to share anything else, >> would you can I offer a little more? Uh I don't know if you want to keep it a little more over of an overview or >> please I I think it's for the benefit of the public. >> Yeah, that's why I want to so um to
recap because some folks uh from the public who were following our meetings might not recall the governing body did ask that prior to the light we reviewed the issue. So we did over the summer actually from the spring into the summer start looking into this issue to get ahead of it and that's when we had our
engineer with our uh police department look at the statistics at that intersection. Um, we have to follow on on roads in New Jersey the manual on uniform reform traffic control devices and that stipulates when traffic lights can be installed, when speed bumps can be installed, where stop signs are
appropriate. Everything that you see on roads in New Jersey really uh are compliant or should be compliant with the manual on uniform traffic control. So, our engineer and our police department looked at that intersection with an eye towards compliance and anticipating that the light was eventually coming off and people had
concerns. So we looked at the data and the data really did not support a traffic light based on the reported accidents over the last number of years. So in 21 22 23 24 we have not had more than two accidents per year at that intersection. Uh and then they look at
the nature of those accidents. What kind of accidents are they rear end accidents? Are they t-bone accidents? All those things get looked into. And so Mr. Rushki had reported at one previous meeting where he looked at all the criteria uh for traffic control devices there. What qualifies? and we didn't
feel that it it qualified met the criteria for a traffic light, but we did identify that there are improvements that could be made and that that the data could change and support that in the future. Uh so we committed to continuing to analyze and and study and look at that intersection. So when the
light uh was there, coincidentally, there were two traffic accidents with the light as well. Uh and then when the light came off, there were four accidents. So, a lot of that could be attributed or an argument could be made that that's just because of the change in traffic patterns. You know, people
had a light that were not used to a light and now the light's gone and then some people were used to a light and are not there. But really, it comes down to driver and attention. And almost uh in all of those cases, it was people not stopping when they should, rolling through the stop sign or not paying attention and and uh stopping in the
middle of the intersection not realizing. So, um, you know, the the circumstances really still do not lend themselves to a traffic light. But understanding that, uh, towards the end of the summer, early fall, we also, uh, received a proposal from, uh, our
engineer to look at that to survey that intersection and look at other improvements that can be made to improve visibility at that intersection. And as you may recall, I want to say in October or just before in September, October, we authorized that uh, contract to commission that study. So the survey has
been conducted. Our engineer did put together a um a concept plan of what improvements would look like to realign the turning rate to realign the uh the center lines to realign and and improve the visibility down each side. So, our
engineer is working on those and we are speaking or looking to speak with property owners in that area and then we'll be coming back to the governing body with recommendations on how to proceed with those recommendations. So, that's kind of where we are right now. >> Sorry, I hope I didn't take too much
time at all. Again, I think u it merited some discussion, some dialogue for the members of the public. Z, is there is there a um a mechanism for um residents who go through that intersection, residents that are familiar with that
intersection, um residents that live around that area? um what's the resident um access or willing or or ability to provide input should they desire because we want the residents to have that input
and and ma matched obviously in balance with the engineers report you know removing the white line that causes people to slow down and stop because of the light. Um what's what if if we could just uh establish um you know who who
would the residents contact if they want to provide input >> uh on anything unless you want a different point of contact. They can always contact me. Um I will collect and and relay that information. Uh I can be emailed at administrator cadamtownship.org. Uh my contact information is on the
website. I make sure that you know what whoever needs to get that whether it's the engineer, whether it's the police chief, both of them, or if any of it needs to go to you, uh, they can contact me at any time. So, if there's feedback on that because we did over the course of the last year or two with the light get a lot of and I I did get some of
those emails, some of them went directly to you and you copied them to me. But, uh, we got a lot of a lot of comments on people who want a light and people who do not want a light. So, uh, we are taking all of that into consideration. We welcome that feedback.
Thanks for that um overview. I think the other um it was really helpful. I think the report that's we received was really helpful as well too. So, thanks for uh communicating all that. Um and just to underline the point that you made is that there were accidents with a light
and there were accidents without the light. Uh and it's really easy for everybody to jump to conclusion. Um social media happens to be the forum for which everybody likes to talk and provide their opinion but the correct method is to contact us and to contact
the administrator in order to you know and know that we are aware of it and know that we are working on it. >> Um so I would just ask a couple things um and and just want to clarify something. So I guess in the uh what the
chief had provided us a thing that um was more important to me it wasn't so much the volume because the volume was consistent but it's for a short time so it's it's uh you know when you extrapolate which hopefully we don't have any more accidents but I think you know that's more so the concern and of
course it's right after everybody got accustomed to the light now the light's not there so there's some of that it was more so that there was no real uh cons there was no indicator there was no trend to indicate you know any particular other than uh driver inattentiveness. So completely
understood that. I really want to make sure that our engineer we accelerate, you know, that process because it's a problem there. Uh they he did indicate that the traffic officer is working with Union County to get those stripes removed. So that'll be helpful. But I can't help but wonder, you know, if
there's um something we can do, you know, on the Fairmount Central. I know we have the flashing signs, but you know, and I hate the idea of striping, but I I hate worse the idea of these horrible accidents, and they just seem to be getting even worse. So whether or not it's some striping on the, you know,
on fair mail and on central to make sure people stop at that late, but I I want to kind of think of some other creative options. And I didn't have a chance yet after the chief had sent us this um to to get back to him, but um I really want to, you know, think about other ways and certainly to ask our engineer to
accelerate, you know, his the recommendations of the whole process so we can put some measures in place. Thank you. Wonderful. Great. So, uh, the next item on the, um, workshop, uh, portion, uh, for this
evening is, um, is New Jersey, uh, Senate Bill 2347 having to do with accessory dwelling units. Um, and I thought this was, um, a particular bill, uh, worthy of, um, providing some notification to members of the committee as well as, uh, the um, the township
citizens at large um, for a couple of reasons. one, we've been tackling with some of these types of issues um tangentially and directly uh at the planning board when it comes to accessory dwelling units um accessory units, pardon. Uh and part of the spirit
of this is uh in in advocacy of affordable housing as well. So essentially 2347 is is is a bill that's um uh providing some uh on pathways for encouraging and regulating uh the
development of accessory dwelling units. And they're defined to be uh upwards of up to 800 square ft um on attached or unattached uh on um and they would be uh exempt from uh pre-existing uh zoning uh
provisions. Um there are a number of towns that have embraced it. Uh others have not. Um they as I mentioned earlier I think the provision provides for up to 800 square feet. Building height uh is as comparable to that of the primary uh
structure. Um and um they would be uh subject to same setback uh guidelines uh for front, rear and side. Um and the side for uh a number of our zones in the township uh are 5 ft. Um
so uh ultimately you know it's it's a bill that's trying to provide um pathways for expanding housing uh housing options uh throughout the state that provides some flexibility. Um there is some contextual dialogue where this is a situation for um you know a primary
homeowner who is um uh bringing in an elderly parent uh to live with them. Uh there's some dialogue and on um having that as a distinct and separate uh uh renter uh again in the context of of affordable housing. So um this was
something that had come across my desk. uh I thought it had uh enough merit um to uh profer it up to the committee and and and share it with the uh public at large. Um so I now offer you know I sort of open up to members of committee if
there's any um uh if they want to uh engage in any further dialogue on it. Um there is no formal action that's intending to be taken on this particular matter other than just uh sharing it during the workshop session. um unless
unless it's a direction that um another direction committee would like to go but uh again profering up for potential discussion. >> Has the planning board discussed this yet? >> Uh no not not accessory dwelling units. Um there have been prior uh an off on
again off again extensive dialogue on um garages accessory units um and uh that has uh there's quite a bit history there just alone on the planning board. So um yeah there there's
um there's a lot of opinions on it >> but short answer is no. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But the discussion, the planning board uh specifically when they talked about um supplemental >> units on a property were very specific about not allowing yes,
>> you know, sewer hookup or uh plumbing or anything of that nature. So, uh they were not looking to do that. My understanding is that that when I kind of read through and I don't know if I had a recent version or not, but uh was that it would require the town within 60 days to come up with uh ordinances
around accessory dwelling units and we would be prohibited from doing certain things. So when you talk about, you know, grandparent or something, you couldn't you couldn't limit who had access to it or yeah, there were certain things it would prohibit us from doing, but I think from a zoning perspective, maybe I I misunderstood it, but like,
you know, it seemed like if you said it had to be a half an acre property or an acre, I don't know, it it seemed uh to have some some ability to tailor it for the community. But again, um
it seems like this might something that gets pushed through in a lane duck session. >> Any committee? >> Wonderful. Um, so I think that was the last item for the workshop session. >> Uh, yes, mayor. before going over uh any
of the regular meeting agenda items. If you'd like me to start with that. >> Great. So, um mayor's message u no mayor. Did you want me to go through as part of our workshop? Did you want me to go through the regular agenda items uh for any questions or discussions? >> Yes. Um sorry, I I miss her. Yeah, I
would love that. Um, so I'm just gonna we'll just go down. Uh, is if you could just let me know if you've got questions on on any of these, I'll flag them and then we'll go back to them. Anything on the ordinance? No. Resolutions uh 2019 um 219 220 are
pretty routine. Any questions on 221 cancelling balances and receivables? 222 the team's collective bargaining agreement. Uh 223 the DPW employee. 224 the telecon order.
225 the Green Village Fire Department change order for apparatus. >> Actually, I have a question on that if you don't mind. >> 225. >> Uh, actually, I I'll group them. 225, 226, 227 change orders on trucks. >> Um, the um Chattam Township Fire
Department on their change order apparatus um you know, it's very clear it's all about safety, etc. >> Yes. Um u do we have um other than the list of what those items are, was this the expected order of magnitude of the
addition um that that we expected for the change order >> for Chattam Township? >> Uh no, for Green Village. >> For Green Village, sorry. So no, for Green Village. Yes, that is uh so if you recall um based off of when the capital for 2024 the funding and then the
estimates and the prices changes, this is that >> within this is within that correct? >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Any other questions on that one? >> The Green Village Fire Department. Uh >> yeah. Well, and now I'm looking at it. Maybe it was updated the version I had because I checked it because they both
said Chhatt Township Fire Department. >> Oh, did they? When I first reviewed them, that's why I was confused because I thought, wait, we I thought it was one fire truck for each. >> Let me double check. >> Yeah. So, >> it is one for each. Yes. Uh so, uh >> there is a typo actually in the in the recital.
>> Uh in the recital, it says Chattam Township Fire Department, but that is for Green Village. So, that is uh for >> the Sutin. That's the change order for the Sutin. And that's for Green Village. So, 225 is for Green Village.
But the rest of it is correct. >> Yes. >> Is that a friendly amendment? We'll just correct that. Okay. Is that the only question on that one? Uh, yes. >> Yes.
>> And I'm good. >> 225. Okay. >> Uh 226. Any questions on that one? That's the Chattam Township Fire Department change order for the apparatus. That's based off of the uh recent changes from the federal
government on safety standards. Okay. Uh 227. Any questions on that one? All right. 228. That's an annual item we do. >> Actually, I do have a question on 228.
And it's more just semantics. Uh, we're a township committee, not a town council. >> It's just the verbiage. >> Yes. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I'm going back to 227. Sorry. >> No problem. >> Because So 227, that was the extension
of the fiber loop over to the um historical society. So that was my other question. Did they were they aware of the um is this going to be in fitting with all the changes that were made the exterior because they have that whole uh refurbishment of the exterior because it sound like there's a box that's got to be put on the second.
>> They were consult I know I I believe they were consulted. I did ask our DPW director to let them know and consult with them. I haven't heard any objection. So it's done. It's already done. >> Oh, it's >> Yeah, it was it was a one day thing. It was done once once I got the uh the
pretty much okay. It was done. But, uh, I know I told our DPW director to just coordinate with at least the wellses and, um, make them aware of what what was going to be done, what the work was. And Okay. I didn't hear any objections to >> Yeah. And there's already a lot of stuff that's funneled into that building. So,
I'm sure they use an existing pathway or >> I mean, it's it's a utility, so whether you're going to do that, I mean, they there's really very few options at times with where that goes. So, it's been done. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. Uh 228. Yeah. So, we'll change it
that that's a template that they get from the state uh that our line. So, I think they just sent that over, but the clerk will change those. >> Um 229 um if you're comfortable with it. We did
not get the actual agreement yet. >> That was my question. >> That's a matter of timing with the board of health over in Union Township. They just approved it last week. Um, so we didn't get the final form of the agreement, but it's largely unchanged other than the rates. Uh, so we can wait
until the January reorg meeting uh when we have the agreement or we the resolutions written where it does still allow us to uh pull that back if there's anything objectionable to it. But it's largely the same exact contract as the
year before uh just with the change of the fee. >> Okay. So so clearly We've received affirmation from from you that >> Yeah, they responded today to let us know that their uh attorney should be sending it soon. Uh but they just approved at their board of health because this not only requires your
approval and their governing body approval, but also the respective boards of health approval to to ratify it. So, it's four parties voting on this. Do you want to move ahead with it or uh pull push that off?
>> No, no, that was my question. So, I wanted to get an update. I knew that um we had reached out a considerable time ago and and did not hear back. So I wanted to understand the full context on under which we're passing this resolution. We've got an affirmation of we got the agreement. >> Okay.
>> Excellent. Thank you, Z. >> Sure. Uh 230. Any questions on 230? That is a uh previously budgeted capital expense. Uh 231 fairly routine item.
232. Uh that one though the the there's a change in the price. It's actually uh 3,900 instead of 4,900. There was an I believe an updated agreement that was sent out uh that uh yeah so um I don't know if >> Yeah. No, I think with the passage of
this that's very exciting. I think the the expectation is that um not to set deadlines or anything but uh they move pretty quickly. If we move quickly, ballpark eight weeks or less, then we'll be seeing a a prototype of the mobile
app, which is what this resolution is about. >> Yep. >> With regard to the terms of the agreement, um uh committeeman, was did you is any of it negotiable or is it just a boiler plate? A particular term was the annual 7%. We did negotiate some
of it um compelled initially and we actually locked them into a a rate for more than a one-year term because anytime you're on a proprietary platform is my biggest concern that they hook you in and then they're going to double the price. So we actually locked in the rate uh for at least two years possibly.
Actually they gave us a three-year term. >> So that that uh kind of helps dramatically. >> Yeah. The company was actually very uh flexible on making revisions to the agreement pretty quickly and around. >> Great. Well, thank thank you, Z. And uh >> yeah,
>> comm. >> Um so just to be clear, so the 49er is now >> we revised that. Yeah, Greg, I believe, uh sent out an updated version this afternoon. >> There was there was an additional charge for me for basically cellular service alert notification, which we're not
needing. It's just through inapp notifications, which is part of the package. So we can eliminate that extra cost. The other thing um I had a question about was they had a December 1st um start in the draft of the agreement and it's
>> they fixed it. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Uh 233 uh that is the mobile video recorder essentially the the camera system the body warn camera system uh for the police department. Uh that was a
capital also capital budget expense. This is the uh actual execution of that. Any questions there? And then finally 234 SEO agreement. Uh as you know we are in an agreement with the school district
to provide uh the special law enforcement officers to them. They reimburse us for that expense. Uh because the CEO are our employees as members of the police department. So every time we want to update that their pay rate uh we have to enter into we
have to revise that agreement with them. So that's what this resolution does. It revises that agreement for the new rate of pay for the SEO. Any questions there? Um that covers anything else on the
agenda items. Okay. Mayor uh that I think should conclude our workshop session. Thank you, Mr. Shotti. So, on to uh the regular uh meeting uh portion for this evening. Uh this year has been a year of genuine progress for Chadam Township, and I'm
proud of uh what we've accomplished. Um we've updated core ordinances for salary ranges and regulating unsolicited printed material, modernized our departmental fee schedule, amended our flood hazard ordinance, and enhanced personnel across departments. We deepened our shared services
partnerships, approving agreements with Harding Township, the joint municipal court, Union Health Department, and the Morris County MCMUA. All of this, of course, enables the township to leverage fixed costs to deliver efficient services through multi-party cooperation. We also took on
major capital improvements, newly paved roads on Delwood, Overlook, Old Farm, and Britain Road. Improvements to Pine Street, improved drainage at Hillside Trail and Fairmount A, the start of safe routes to school, improvements, and major investments to our recreation
spaces like upgrades to our colony tennis courts, reconstruction of Colony Pool, and the installation of a new playground at Nashville, ADA improvements at Astronet, design finalization of the Green Village connector trail, as well as investments
in turbine pumps and other system critical equipment behind the scenes work at our uh water pollution control plant that keeps our town running smoothly every day. An underpinning to a strong community is public safety. The promise of safe streets, pleasant and
safe living can only come from it can only come about through vigilant, friendly police, swift fire protection, and caring emergency service. As such, we took action time and time again this year to properly equip our service professionals with automated license
plate reading technology, police radios and vehicles, our volunteer firefighters with key apparatus upgrades and other critical equipment. We made vital commitments to ensure their stuff is compliant, safe, and effective so in turn they can keep all of us safe. The
fourth round of affordable housing is the next installation every municipality must negotiate. I am proud of the work of the affordable housing subcommittee and this committee in effecting a plan which smartly challenged the state's preliminary figures notched a win for
the township in appeal and passed a fair share housing element plan which complies with the state keeps our green space largely untouched and allows for reasonable development in keeping with our community. Financially, we stayed disciplined, adopting a responsible budget, completing the annual audit,
securing grants for recreation, recycling, and environmental initiatives, and updating our capital and bond ordinances to keep long-term projects moving forward. Our township financials are comfortably leveraged, revenue stable, overall a clean bill of
health. And through it all, we continue to invest in what I believe is a precious resource, our people. There are new appointments in our WPC plant, administration, police, DPW, as well as many of our volunteer boards. So, thank you. Thank you to our staff,
professionals, volunteers, and township citizens. Everything we achieved this year, every ordinance, every improvement, every investment was driven by shared commitment to keeping Chattam Township moving forward. And the best part is we're just getting started. As I
look up on the day as I'm pleased to see caring, seasoned committee members and I see stability and leadership for the next couple of years, I'd like to think we can accomplish even more for our residents in 2026 and beyond. Thank you. And now on to uh township committee
reports. If I may start with committee mchugh. >> You may, mayor. Thank you. Uh we'll start with the library. A couple notes. um dust off those that you have read and get ready to part with them come January. The friends will be collecting
materials uh for their annual book sale starting uh Saturday, January 10th uh through February 8th. So that month of January uh is when to bring the uh books for the book sale. Um, there's also a new residence reception and that'll be
held Friday, January 16, uh, from 3:30 to 4:30, uh, for families at the library. And finally, there will be a, uh, a blood drive at the library, uh, for those who can put out their arms uh, on December 22nd. So, please register
for that. Uh, as far as other commissions, um, not a lot of report other than to say we are getting to the end of the year and that means there'll be a reorg come January and anybody out there that wants to get involved, uh, please do be in touch. Uh, what uh, your
interest may be, whether it be the environmental commission or other um, boards and commissions. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you, Committee McHugh. Committee woman. >> Thank you. Um, I wanted to thank the events committee for a wonderful winter wonderland event. It was well attended
uh with hot cocoa and cookies were be being given out, horsedrawn carriage rides, uh, cool gingerbread house uh, themed obstacle course and more. Uh, I also wanted to thank the Chattam Township and Green Village Fire Departments, the administrator and his staff and the DPW for all their work
making the event special for our community. Um we had a joint municipal court uh meeting today and it's a reminder of uh how successful that arrangement has been. Um aside from the fact that the uh municipal court gets
kind of rave reviews across the board. Um it just from a financial perspective they've been running very efficiently and uh the revenue that's generated is helping uh to offset the cost of that um that uh you know service that we have to
provide. Uh, so really is um worked out very well. Um, and then I just want to make residents aware that the senior center is closed starting this Saturday and they for the holidays and they will reopen on January 5th. Uh, when you're thinking about your year-end donations,
please consider our not forprofits that support our communities every day, including our senior center, our Green Village, and our Chadam Township fire departments. Um, and otherwise, tonight is the third night of Hanukkah. So, I'd like to wish everybody a happy Hanukkah.
>> Thank you, committee woman, Deputy Mayor Roland. >> Um, I don't really have any committee updates or any um any updates, but I did want to say a thank you to Mayor Mike Choy. Um, I just want to say a few words of
thanks for all that Mayor Choy has done for the township over the past year and his role as mayor. Because of the nature of our government structure, the committee structure, many residents may not typically know who our mayor is at any given time, much less have an appreciation for the myriad of actions that go on behind the scenes in order to
make our community better. But Mayor Mike is always calm, always smiling, always asking thoughtful and intentional questions in order to get to a solution, and friendly to all. He takes the time to listen to residents, really hear them when they have something to discuss with
him. I have witnessed it firsthand everywhere from bagging groceries at the shop right to library events and everything in between. He goes out of his way to say hello. Uh his invaluable professional experience has served us well in planning affordable housing,
open space among other areas, and we are really lucky to have him for another three years on the committee. One thing I really appreciate as I look back over Mike's term as mayor is his weekly mayor's message. always giving you something to think about, providing valuable insight into what is happening around town and in support of the
community. He highlights things that our young people have accomplished and important initiatives around town. So, thank you, mayor, for your civil service and not your self-service. >> Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Deputy May. Appreciate those words. Very kind.
>> I have to follow that. Is that correct? >> Hold on. I've got my thank yous. Uh yeah, so just a few things. Um the local emergency management council met on December 2nd and approved the emergency operations plan which went to
the Morris County Office of Emergency Management and was approved. So nice to know that the police uh Green Village Fire Department, Chattam Emergency Squad, Green uh Chattam Township Fire Department uh and all subsidies were together aligned with the emergency
operation plan uh and that was approved which is great. Uh on the police side, I know they made announcements on their social media, but I wanted to shout out to uh Sergeant Scott Herek and Sergeant Anthony Leaporto, who uh both uh trained
diligently and received uh excellence in leadership uh uh leadership training uh throughout three different uh intensive programs. and they passed uh with flying colors. Uh and also um in case you
missed it, um three officers in particular deescalated a very severe situation uh earlier this year and were awarded the department Medal of Honor. Uh so special shout out to Sergeant Michael Bloom, uh Officer Phil Massie, and Officer Brian McGrath uh for their
heroism. Um, I wanted to shout out to the DPW for clearing the road so quickly, which um, I was completely caught off guard with the snowstorm. Uh, the good thing that they were not. Um, and also the Chattam Township Fire Department is still, I believe, selling
their Christmas trees, but they also put out a plea that if anybody local in town uh, is a needy family that is in want or need of a tree, they're happy to donate uh, whatever they have left. So, uh, please get in touch with them if, uh, you know, a family in need that may be
too afraid to ask for themselves. Uh, something to give to, uh, to those in need. Uh, and the joint wreck committee met on December 3rd as well, too, uh, with all of the sports updates and the reports and the plans for the spring
ahead. Uh they did say that the women's volleyball team, the pickup team is uh not much of a team these days and they're always looking for new members. So please get in touch with the recck department if uh anybody is interested in uh a uh playing women's volleyball.
You should be a female in order to do that. Uh that's all I've got. >> Thank you, Committee Alwitz. Um uh committee woman did mention the the township uh winter wonderland festival
which just occurred and um I would like to just personally thank the events committee Melissa Kalpana and Shirley. You know who you are. Uh your dedication, your tireless volunteerism is uh does not go unnoticed. Uh and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts
for making it um a spectacular event. Uh I need only look around and look at the children's faces. I see a lot of them hopping around skipping. Um skipping is always a good sign. They're having fun. They're smiling uh and and braving the cold. So, thank you to the events committee. Uh and the Key Club high
schoolers who were uh bold enough to come out um log in some hours and and help out and make the uh event um a success. And I must say, I think we've got probably the world's best Santa Claus. He's he's uh pretty top-notch.
Um, and sometimes I really do love this job for for moments like this. Um, celebrate uh Chattam Youth. Um, I I'd like to recognize uh James Cassiliac. Um, James is 12 years old. He's a sixth grader at Chattam Middle School. Uh, and
he runs, but he doesn't just run. He runs, competes, and he wins. Um, he was top 15 in in the States uh to advance to the regionals uh some time ago, and he was top 15 in the regionals to make it to the nationals. Uh, young James uh competed in
um the USATF, USA track and field national junior Olympic uh competition for cross country in Shelby, Indiana. Um it occurred just this last Saturday and I looked him up and I believe he fixed uh
finished 67th in the entire country for his age group. So young James, hats off to you. Um we commend you for your work uh hard work and dedication to the sport. Uh we know you've um uh got um uh
even brighter and and more uh impressive successes and accomplishments ahead of you. So, uh, special recognition to James Cassini, uh, Chattam Middle Schooler, um, one of our very own. And, uh, Melissa, if I mispronounce the name, a thousand apologies. I didn't get a
chance to chat directly. But, um, but yeah, nevertheless, I wanted to provide some special recognition for for an outstanding young man. And with that, that's a conclusion of, uh, committee reports. Um, Uh so now on to the public hearing and
uh final adoption uh of ordinances. Uh we have a single ordinance uh uh on the docket this evening. Ordinance 2025-17 amending flood hazard uh in amending flood hazard ordinance.
Um given that we've had a workshop uh session earlier this evening um I I'd like to um uh unless there's an objection I'd like to uh see if there's a motion um to adopt ordinance 2025-17 amending flood hazard ordinance I'm
sorry >> public hearing >> oh yeah my apologies. Um yeah so we'll do the public hearing for it. Um uh so with that uh uh go on to uh public hearing for ordinance 2025-7 amending
flood hazard uh ordinance. >> Great. I so I now will close the public hearing for uh ordinance 20205 uh 2025-17. Um, I now will seek a motion to adopt uh set ordinance 202517 amending flood
hazard ordinance. >> I move we adopt ordinance 2025-17 amending the flood hazard. >> And I'll second that for a vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Aluritz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ewald. >> Yes.
>> Mr. McHugh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Roland. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Troy. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Lanti. Uh, now on to approval of consent agenda. Uh, do I have a motion to adopt uh the
consent agenda? Resolutions 2025-219 through resolution 2025-234. >> Uh, I make a motion to adopt resolution 2025 219 through 234. >> Thank you. Do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Mr. Lanti. Mr. Aluroitz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ewald, >> yes. >> Mr. McHugh, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Roland, >> yes. >> And Mayor Troy, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you, Mr. Lanti. We now move on to
our second hearing of citizens. Um, Mr. Lanti, do we have anyone online? >> No hands raised. >> Thank you. Um, I now invite anyone in the audience to come before the microphone. Wonderful. >> Hi. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Um,
two hats tonight. Uh, Dan Miller. It's coming. It's coming, Greg. I got it. I I I haven't forgotten. >> Not one bit. Um, Dan Miller, Green Village Road, also uh vice president of
uh Green Village Fire Department. Uh, we fire department hat. We appreciate your support and supporting us with our apparatus. It's all necessary and well used. And you know, just for the public at large that's listening, we can always
use the volunteers. You know, you see I'm a little bald. I'm a little gray. So, we need replacements. Um, so all that's good. Uh, we also had our uh tree lighting which was the first Sunday month. I believe that was the 7th
and that was a successful event for us as well. And uh we we have our uh chief's dinner coming up. I think it's the 29th January. I'm sure uh invitations have gone out for you guys and you're all we look forward to
seeing you you there. Uh so um and tonight we're having our in-house Christmas party. So when I get done here, I'm going to leave and go. Hopefully there's some food left. Ah uh the other thing is you know um mayor you
you mentioned um the 800 square foot with that is that is that the promotion of tiny houses is that what they were talking about there you know if you could answer me on that it kind of sounded like that's what it was. So that's that's the resident's hat. U but
anyways thank you and appreciate appreciate your time. >> Thank you Mr. Miller. Um, >> Mr. Car. >> Hi, Steuart. Carr, 3 Crestwood Drive in Chattam Township. Once again, um, forgot to mention before on the issue of
the use of two cents and operating expenses for recreation in the um, open space account. I've got absolutely no issue whatsoever with the uses of funds. Whatever you want to do with the money, have at it. In other words, the administrator and chief financial
officer, whomever, figuring out what to do with the money. That's the use of funds. No problem. My gripe is the source of funds. The funds from two cents should be going to again uh preservation and acquisition of open space. Raise our taxes to get Mr.
Shahadi and Miss King enough money to do all the operating expense items. The uses are fine. It's strictly a source. So let's not do the backdoor tax raise by raising the open space tax and now we don't really have anything to do with trillion operating items. So that's my
concern just to be clear uses are absolutely fine. Number two, the reason I got on to the um issue with the planning board a minute ago and I forgot about the thing with the ognol school. I went back and asked Mr. Lanti um can I or I looked in the in the website to find where the planning board minutes
were so I could remember back in 2021 or 2020 whenever it was when Mr. Troy was in a planning board meeting and we had it out with the Oaknull attorneys. Okay. And I look on the website and all I see is basically three years for Chattam Township Committee meeting minutes now
and I think two years for environmental and a couple of others, zoning board of adjustment and whatever else. And back in the prehistoric days, we used to have like 10 years or 15 years or whatever it was of library of prior minutes and notes on the website. Now we have three
years. Okay. And I had to call Mr. Lanti and say and he asked me, you know, what what do you want? I don't know what the heck I want. I got to go back and look at it. Okay. So, I think the whole idea of having this new platform and everything else is to increase visibility, increase transparency, keep
Mr. Lacante from having to get phone calls from knuckleheads like me saying, "Where's this document? Oh, by the way, you have to fill out a form." He's got better things to do at this time. And I think and this may be go going back to the IT stuff presumably there is a way cost-effectively to basically make this
into a library so we have this information and basically backfill all the notes in the shoe boxes in the basement or whatever from 1932 or whenever and get as much as we can I'm not being facicious get as much as we can into digital form so we have a library for somebody who may want to use
it or see it or access it instead of having to basically do the pulling teeth if it's an open record you got to do an open public records act, etc., etc. So, again, we got nailed with this uh new open public records act reform, and this sounds like just another way to
basically say we want to very subtly cut out the public from ready access to information. I don't know who ever cares or ever wants that information, whatever else. But again, it should be made available to the public readily where we can access it. And now we have this
terrific platform. Let's put stuff on it and let's get the IT dimension covered. It cost 80 gazillion dollars maybe. So, but we want to make sure we understand what the cost and cost effectiveness of is of getting more information to the public in ready fashion so the public
can use it and keep stuff off the desk of the administrator and CFO and clerk in a time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Carr. I see no one else come before the mic. So I will close uh the second hearing of citizens.
Um we will have a continuation of our executive session. Uh so at this time um I seek a motion to uh is there a motion to >> we need to announce what we're that
we're going in to talk about contract negotiations? I believe >> you want to provide some guidelines. Uh just uh >> no action will be >> no action will be taken uh and it is uh discussion on contract negotiation which is a continuation of the item from our earlier executive session.
>> Wonderful. Thank you Mr. Shotty. >> And no action will be taken. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> I move we go back into executive session. >> I second that. >> Thank you. Um let's see. Mr. Al Perurwitz. >> Mrs. Ewald. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Mchugh. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Roland. >> Yes. >> Mayor Chroy, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you, Miss Volcante.