on our end. >> Yes, we are on YouTube. >> We're good. >> Y >> recording in progress. >> Uh welcome everyone to the um workshop meeting of January 13, 2026.
We have returned from executive session and um indeed we are now in public session. Uh the first order of business uh will be to the first hearing of citizens. Oh, excuse me. First order of business
is the flag. So please rise. 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. Now Mr. Lanti can you give us
the direction on the first hearing of citizens? >> Yes. 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, when you're 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, township committee will wait until you finish speaking before responding. 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 300 pm today, which we did not receive any, but if we
had, they would be read uh 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 guidelines issued by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services.
>> Mr. Lanti, is anyone online? We do not have any hands raised online at this time. >> Thank you. Then I will call anyone in the public in the room that wishes to come up and speak to come up now.
Well, seeing the mad rush is over and no one coming up, I will now close uh the first hearing of citizens um and then we will move on to the reports. Mr. Shahadi, you start us off.
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh it is the first meeting of the year. Uh so we are just ramping some items up. So it's a relatively late agenda. Uh under administration uh the next meeting hopefully um we're looking to appoint
raatify the appointment of a part-time administrative assistant. That is the position that we have discussed uh for the fire prevention and engineering uh and uh tree permit and uh that that portion of the nonC
land use office uh elements. Uh we have found a potential candidate uh letter going out tomorrow or the day after with an offer and so as well we will have that resolution
the rates. At the last meeting, I believe in December, we did a resolution to either one in December or November, we did a resolution to amend the agreement with the board of education. Uh we have an agreement with the board of education for the SEO and that
agreement has a rate that's set in there for reimbursement. Uh the rate will be going up. We amended the agreement, but the next step is for us to actually effectuate that by way of a salary resolution. So that's going to be on the agenda. That rate would be $41 an hour
for the agreement agreement. Any questions on that? And the other item could either fall under admin or uh under police really more so under adm that's not listed on here but one that we just did at the reorg did it reflect
the ordinance change and there was another personel change. So just uh you know reflecting the slots on the correcting uh Any questions under either of those?
>> Well, hold on. Remind me. How manyos do we have? >> And this would be applicable for all CEOs. >> I'm sorry. >> It would be for all because we have classes and classes. Off the top of my head, three. I can get you a firm answer on that.
>> High school. So we may have four of them back. I want to say three but four. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh under the clerk, uh we've got an ordinance uh that we like to consider. Uh we talked about this a little bit
last year. Uh but because it was towards the end of the year, we didn't have a draft or rather we wanted to have some time to review that draft. Um and then carry that ordinance from introduction late in the year. We decided we just
revisit that January. So we do have a draft for you. It's the same draft. The same draft that we looked at last time. This is to ensure that we are complying
with the state law that requires lead based paint inspections for certain individuals and creates a mechanism for which those inspections are done and the fees associated with that. Uh the next step after we adopt the ordinance would be to either hire someone to do the
inspections uh as an employee or as a contractor firm. I have been in touch with entities that do that and we'll have a proposal for you after we have the ordinance adopted to then consider contract with that firm to do
in a chance to review the ordinance you want discussion on that or is it ready for introduction next >> there were a number of ordinances that supplied Was that just for background of
>> Yeah. So the others were just background uh for examples see how different towns do them but we also had our draft based off of those uh you know our >> So you put that together to based on all those >> correct although I can't take the credit
for Nick worked on this one. >> Unless it's not good then he doesn't >> you generic. Yes. >> And if you don't like If you think it's a great one >> and we can go through it if you want
by line but go through it again just you don't really need to move on. This is also one of those items on the best practices checklist that comes up from the state and they want to make sure that we are doing this. So this is something both for health and safety reasons just from best practice.
So thank you. >> Uh the clerk did provide his report. Any questions on the report? moving on construction and building. Uh we have provided you with a draft of the uh ordinance two or two draft ordinances
I should say. One is clarifies uh previously the zoning fee uh zoning fee portion of the ordinance was grouped into our codified ordinances along with the construction fees which is not correct. They should be under land use because zoning fees are not a
construction fee. So uh council two ordinances. One that puts the zoning fee in the land use section and then uh the construction fee ordinance has been revamped based on the spreadsheet discussions that we've had. There were a few minor changes based on feedback from
the state. There were actually some things that they suggested we included here as well. Um to clarify and make it very specific to what they are seeing other municipalities that you know there are questions about. Uh again council
did a great job updating it especially because there were some areas where the language was not as clear to the residents and contractors or even our office. There were new areas you know, technology evolved since the last time
this has been updated and it makes clear for readability, you know, references to different sections as well. >> It was quite a list. I mean, >> yes, there a lot. >> How many were added on if any were they
all? >> Yeah, Jack and Nick worked hard on that. >> Yes. But the fees are still discussed previous. >> Yeah, based on Jack, he had previously provided I want to say it was an Excel
spreadsheet. >> Any questions on those or we get to introduce next meeting? If there are any questions that do come up between now and then though, please let me know and adjust. Uh any questions on his report?
I do want to point your attention to a portion of his report uh because it was the last report of the year. He did provide very good summary year to date which is not included on the monthly reports but this was a full year u I'm sorry not a year yeah there's a year to
date number for 2025 um because uh the revenue numbers and the current numbers and inspection numbers but he did explain why that is uh why that past year was a unusual year uh as opposed to
2024 what we projecting because you know we can't estimate everything happen in the town but we did have Fairmont was a large uh large contributor to that >> yeah but the end of the year was much higher than we expected >> that's it was bad
you know >> when you compare it to the year with uh bringing online >> yeah we've kind of been doing a lot of these there's been a number of spikes so you know we we thought we were going to be leveling off >> and then there was another spike as the
And then next year we probably level back out unless some some crazy thing happens. Who knows? But we do expect it to level back out. >> Okay. Next we got uh engineering.
>> Um there the annual local recreation infrastructure grant uh announcement came out. Uh we are hoping to apply for that grant again. We've been very successful the last couple rounds since I've been here. We've been applying for all of our playgrounds. This one we
would apply for the pool playgrounds to update those largely in kind uh because of again the restrictions on the footprint the footprint the structures the fact they're on sand as opposed to mulches in other areas. Uh but we got quotes
included in your agenda packet for uh what a replacement would cost or look like and what it would cost. Uh we would request your authorization to submit that grant by way of this resolution. If we were to get that grant, we would revisit it again, you know, a couple
months later as we did with Nash and Mountain View because at that point you would have to actually the contract to the vendor. sort of conceptual for the sake of estimating for the grant and then later on we would uh if we're successful award
that my resolution as well >> the attachments that were in our package um there there's a rending for for the playground that is that more >> for two playgrounds. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's actually my question. So there's one there's one uh drawing
that's got three apparatuses on it. But I think only one was specified with like the slide they called a booster set for two to five year olds. >> So yeah, I guess my question is it are we contemplating um replacing one
structure or or more than one structure? >> I'm trying to pull up which uh are you referring to? one two. >> Yeah, I didn't write the file name down there like five different attachments on it, but there is one drawing where there's three different
>> I can pull them all up or I mean this point I'll look at them and I can back to you later if you want. >> Yeah. No, that's fine before the resolution. But anyways, it's really just we're not committing to these like we just wanted to get an idea of what the cost would be and would it fit
within the scope of the max they typically award is $100,000. So, um, you know, there's there's time to refine those, but for the sake of the grant, I just want to give you an idea of what we're what we're looking at for where
>> Yeah. As long as we could switch out, that's where I was also because something showing up. I was just worried, you know, kids coming out of the pool hanging off something. As long as we can switch those out.
>> Yeah, we can switch those out. This is just for estimating at this point. Um, but we can switch that out later on when we contract. >> See, would we have to go up a bit? Are these things that are um >> these would be under So depending on
depending on who we want to go with. So the vendor that we're using here is the same vendor we use at Mountain View one that we use for Nash. We don't have to go out to state contract. So, uh, they don't need the bidding, but you do still have to do the resolution because they would be above the threshin
threshold. >> Okay, great. >> A shot of dark question. See, um, we generously tap into LI the local recreation improvement grant. Um, >> we have been recently. We have
contribute a portion of 20% match. Um, and forgive me if I haven't a chance to pull up the language on it, but is it possible to consider this grant for the yesterday improvements or is that out of scope? >> Um, they typically wouldn't really
approve that type of thing. It's possible. Um, but it all say ends up being a wash. It's if we don't if we do that out of the LI, then we're paying for these out of open space. If we pay for this with, you know, the playgrounds out of LI that the other ones, it's, you
know, one way or the other, there's going to be a cost. >> You tap into the well once a year is what you're saying. >> Uh, for this one, yeah, once a year. Okay. >> Yeah. It's once a year and they'll typically only about at most. You see about $100,000
max. So, if we >> Well, do we have playgrounds next year? We need to >> these really would be the last ones. I was going to say I think we we're in good shape after >> exactly. >> Can we >> punt one?
>> Uh I'll talk to John, but again I don't think that this would the I think we've talked about this before with him and the estate or the improvements. I don't think they would qualify. >> I see. Okay.
>> Yeah, I think we did already look into this. I think we look at >> Yeah, that was more than >> we looked at both. Yeah, we did look at both. I'm pretty sure I talked about this in our
oneonone meetings. >> Can I dove tail off that on yesterday or do did we're in engineering, right? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. Um so the construction for Estra is slated for spring. Um and that's also a busy time for that field.
So I just wanted to be mindful of of >> managing the interruption to any scheduled activities during >> Yeah. It would be after >> it will we talked that's just award uh and then there's mobilization
and all we time it so it would not be impacting the sports to discuss that. >> Okay. So, so realistically then the work will be ongoing. Well, actual construction trucks rolling will be uh like summer then. Is that that
>> it's all up in the air right now. We haven't even gone to bid. So, you know, we can we can adjust all of that as as we want. >> Understood. >> Set date. We can set opening. We can set the award later. We kick off. We're not
we're not bound to anything. We in our minds we were not planning on doing it. Dubtailing on that dovetail um John's report on specifically to the safe routes to school piece >> and timing. Um and >> for which one?
>> The first one >> 2014. Okay. We are still having a lot of issues with the contractor getting the documentation that we need to for >> Well, that's the reason for the hold up. It's not a different type of plan when it's going to happen. We are still
waiting on that contractor. Uh you know what he noted is contractor working on getting a JT approval approval is a lot of paperwork and then other things. So they keep saying, "Where's the paper? We'reounding them. They'reing
and we're still >> That's a unanticipated thing because when we we talked about this in the fall, we were just waiting to schedule like everything >> because that we had awarded it. We had our kickoff uh with the state with the contractor. The contractor said, "Oh,
all of this is no problem. I'll have that no issues and I'll be able to have this done this quickly and all these things." And then Great. Stay. Great. We'll send you the checklist of all the things that you need to send us and it's just been delay after delay after delay.
Some things get sent and then they're incorrect. They need to be corrected. A lot of back and forth uh between the state and the contractor because we also help resurfacing sidewalks. It's pretty bad shape. So, I guess we'll ask that question.
>> I celebrated too soon. I so regret doing that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions on >> Pensky? >> Yes. >> It it mentioned that there were field
field work was done. Are there any notable findings? >> Um So the field work is just surveying and flagging delineation and then you send that in data to the state and then the state comes back and just says okay these are the new you know this is the newation.
>> So we're not at the point it's uh application the data is being finalized. So there's you know that we can report >> and we're delineating sensitive areas. >> That's what it is. Yeah. flood, you know, flooding flooded areas, the water sensitive
areas. Typically, what happens is you just looking at maps, right, in the D, but those are just sort of topographical the topographical um maybe based on other things and then whenever you actually want to do work in that sensitive area, you have to do the
physical surveying and the flagging and then uh I think that you know as far as notable findings just conversation with John about it that yeah there were more wet areas or areas where you would not see that would be
met wet on the map that are wet in person things like that but can't tell you you know where and what they look like until that is all prepared and sent to the application the state comes back to us with their >> so the state issu of the information
>> they're either confirming yes you're right or there's an issue or whatever we get say this is the >> So again, TBD as far as when that information >> Yeah, I don't think it'll take too long once it's sent to them. Okay. Um so I'm
not last I talked to him the application is being finalized yet or I think last I heard just preparing a check to the application last >> is that work product could a copy of
that be provided to the committee. >> Okay. You know, barring being a gear head, you know, layman could kind of look at it and >> no, what do we want to do there? For us to talk about what we want to do there, you guys are going to get the
report. >> Thank you. uh finance. Uh not much to report there other than I just want to make sure well you got the report uh for the for December for the end of the year. Uh but what I wanted to just bring to your attention the budget schedule. Um so the
finance committee will be hearing for me. You will be hearing for me or budget meetings uh to come. The state uh issues finance notice every year towards the end of each year setting the schedule for the following. There are statutory
deadlines and then the state almost always extends those deadlines. Uh and so as expected there was uh extensions this year and so we are hoping to have an introduction of the budget by the end of March.
So finance committee will be busy in February. hoping to have an beginning of April. >> The adoption is end of >> end of April or the next regularly scheduled so we can introduce it
if it doesn't work I don't know exactly March is the regular meeting if not at the April one but it does say the next regular March regular meeting would be the 24th. >> Well, we do the intro. >> The actual introduction would be at the
regular meeting, but the public presentation would be at the workshop >> because that introduction requires a resolution. So, you know, we take that action regular meeting but have the preview and presentation discussion on
questions about finance police public works. Uh only item would be for consideration the appointment of W employee. Uh today the I believe it was today personal committee was copied on the offer of employment. We did finally
find a candidate uh for hire. So if the individual accepts and meets all shout out to the team worked through the holidays that I think we all loved and enjoyed but
they did not so much and they still worked very hard. So >> yeah especially kind of a surprise snowtorm. You know, I do think it's worth mentioning every once in a while that, you know, for the sake of the public, oh, I pay taxes. I pay taxes. What do I get? Um, you know, take care
of the roads. You know, what DPW does besides just being out there, you put numbers to what they do, maybe helps the public. And so, you know, in just the dusting of an inch, it takes 43 tons of salt. So, you know, where are your tax dollars going? Pre-wedding whenever
there's really cold with the potential of icy roadways, wet roadways, hazardous conditions at December 12th to,400 gallons of solution. And then, you know, the 13th, we did have some salt, some
salting needed for uh snow. That's another 90 tons. Another,400 gallons were used for pre-wedding later that kind of Christmas week. Another 45 tons of snow salt. and then another 90 tons of salt that I guess it was Sunday or
Saturday, Sunday after Christmas when we got those three in. So that's and cost going up. That's what your tax dollars pay for. >> And New Year's Day there was something >> um any questions report.
>> You're good. People keep asking when >> are coming around. >> Yep. Um so uh the the goal was to start at least the condos because they wanted colder weather. They want to do the
things that are bunch up closer together. The units not all over the covered in snow. Uh it was hoping to be done earlier uh or late last year. Uh but that was delayed. His last report
says expected to commence in January 26. >> So hopefully this month we'll cond >> and when that happens we will on our website question just tell them check the website.
>> Yeah, because I want to I want to push out that information. >> Yeah, we will too once once it's available and we can tell the public presentation when that information is there. We'll put it out. So, just refer them to our website. Uh we'll have a referral from our website to theirs with
the schedules of where they'll be. >> Great. Thank you. >> And they will be notified. They will get us. >> That moves us on to the emergency questions, comments. Okay. Moves us on
to the second hearing of citizens. Mr. Lacante, do we have anybody online? >> No hands raised at this time. >> Okay. I will ask those who have been patiently waiting in the public session here to come up. Anybody desire to
seeing that we are finished with that drive of people that in fact we can close the second hearing of citizens >> ask microphone >> are things that we need to discuss in
exe but there is >> microphone >> okay so so we have other things that we did not complete >> the want to continue that conversation yes >> you guys want to go back in >> I think so for a couple
>> yeah okay can I have a motion to move back into executive session >> we should just uh We will not be taking any action. >> Okay. Uh just to add to because the
earlier resolution was just for attorney client privilege. Yes. >> Um we should amend this one to also include contract negotiation. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Nice. And that motion should be reference to both. >> Okay. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second
motion? >> And I'll second it. Miss >> Mr. Aluritz. Yes, >> Mr. Troy. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Ewald. >> Yes, >> Deputy Deputy May. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Recording stopped.