Recording in progress. >> Welcome members of the public. The committee is returning from executive session. I now ask everyone to rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of America and to the republic it stands
one nationy andice for all. We now shall move on to the first hearing of citizens. Mr. Lanti, if you could kindly provide uh guidance. >> 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 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 are 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 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 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, which we did not receive any, but if we had, they would 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 guidelines issued by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services. >> Thank you, Mr. Lanti. So, we have no written statements. Do we have anyone uh online? >> Thank you. At this time, I now invite any member of the public to come before
the microphone should they desire to do so. I see no no one coming before the microphone. I shall now close the first hearing of citizens. We shall now move on to the workshop portion of our agenda. Mr. uh Mr. Shahadi.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um uh we've got a couple things on the agenda, but because we have our engineer here, I ask that we skip to his portion and start with him so we can get him out of here. John, you come on out, please. Uh, so under engineering, uh, well, first off, we'll start off. You received his report. Uh,
are there any questions on any items in his report? >> Yeah. Do we have a date yet on uh the first project on Lafayette? No problem. >> Yeah, we we were hope all the delays were behind us, but we we still seem to
be, you know, in a in a pattern of of just one delay after another. Currently, we're waiting for the contractor to fill out, you know, various federal forms um so that get his subs in place and and that that these these forms were the
problem of why we had to rebid the project multiple times. So, I don't see I don't foresee any issue with with the project not moving forward. It's just a matter of again getting all the paperwork, federal paperwork in place uh before he can start uh utilizing some of
his subs. So, um, don't have a firm start date yet. >> Well, school starts in two weeks. >> Yep. And I'm sure the work is going to start is probably going to be, you know, during the school year. >> It's any other comments on that from
anyone? >> Think at this point it is what it is. >> It is less than far from ideal. we waited this long. >> I mean, it's been 10 years. It's uh, you know, happy that we were able to award a contract and didn't have to bid it for what, a fifth time or sixth time. It's
um, yeah, it is unfortunate, but uh, they're just going to have to work uh, you know, I think we're unfortunately I don't believe it was in the contract for them to like start at nine or and stop at three, but I think it's something that we're going to have to work out with the contractor and see what that involves.
I mean, I think the reality is we're putting in sidewalks where they didn't exist. So, it's not like we're disrupting anybody's walk to school. They're going to go >> just traffic. It's just traffic is really what the impact is going to be. >> Yeah. Which if we could just avoid we should be able to avoid uh
>> avoid the early morning rush and the afternoon rush and uh you know, it should be okay. But it's just that the contract provisions and I talk to the state and and if the contractor does have a claim because we asked them to do that per if the DOT is willing to pay
for that then fine it's not costing us anything to amend the contract. So you know we'll explore that with them also. >> Yeah. John, what's the duration of? >> Um, I believe the contract has um I
think it's 120 days. Is that he has to do it? I have to look at that, but it's not going to take 120 days. I I can this this contractor will move rather quickly. I I'm I've worked with him before and um it'll probably be a month and a half. I can see him getting a
majority of work done if they maybe even sooner. Okay. Thank you. >> The work entails improvements on the sidewalk and curving, not catch basins. >> Correct. Only catch basins if it's there's a couple locations where um the
catch basin needs to be reconstructed because the um the the ramp um for the sidewalk when you're doing on a crosswalk, the the catch basin was right out of the location where the ramp was going, so you had to move it. So there there is some minor drainage work you know nothing significant as just moving
a basin or adjusting a b basin ca casting. >> Are we aware of any legacy catch basins where uh part of the scope of work? So in theory do we have the potential for the addition of sidewalks and we don't
have bike compliant catch basins? We're inviting kids to, you know, use these sidewalks and invariably some of them are going to be riding bikes and we're going to have legacy. >> We've paved Lafayette there. They all should be bicycle safe at this time and and the echo heads. So, we we should
they're all compliant. Um it's more that their location is not ideal to get a ramp in. So, they had to be adjusted for the ramps. >> Okay. John, how many trees have to be removed? a lot less because we had the you know a few years back there was quite a few damage from a storm and so
they um you know all these uh the trees that were um identified we there there's been a a long history of of having public input um we've given uh you know it's been several years now but we we've g um you know pre presentations on the
number of trees a lot most of them we met with the residents on those society surprises on trees. >> Actually, that's not my concern. My concern is you have kids walking across the street and you taking down some big oaks or others and and realizing that
it's been all going to be done safely. Uh it's still in an area where kids are passing by. And that's really my concern. >> Well, the this the main sidewalk is on the opposite side of the road. So people are going to be traveling on the opposite side of the road and and and
any any any contractor taking down a tree, you know, they're going to be sensitive of of the public and and and and what's going around them. So I I wouldn't feel that that would be a concern that that there's going to be enough safety measures in place to prevent that from happening
that type of accident. >> Oh, it's a concern based upon the timing. That's what I'm expressing. Yeah, understood. I have a question on yesterday. We there's no other questions on >> No, go ahead.
>> Oh, sure. Okay. First one, National Playground. The playground over at Nash is for 5 to 12. 5 to 12. >> Um, and so we uh reviewed uh maybe a month or two ago uh a proposal from a
playground company that would provide a playground within our budget, within the scope of the grant for an inind placement. Um however after the improvements at Mountain View uh here in the municipal building that playground in which we did the same thing uh we
replaced a 5 to12 playground with another 5 to2 playground. Uh there were members of the public that had expressed some concern that it did not offer elements for younger children. Uh they were under the assumption that we upgraded the playground and made it for children older than what was there
before. We looked at the records and that wasn't the case. It was still 5 to 12 then. and it was 5 to 12. Now, um so when we put up the concepts drawings for Nash on the uh website for feedback as well, that spurred some people to make
commentary about Mountain View, not specific to Nash. And so I went back to John and Rich, our public works director, to ask them, hey, can we revisit this and make sure that we're incorporating enough elements uh and that this is in fact in kind and it's 5
to 12. We're not upgrading and eliminating and they did confirm that it is it is that uh but we did look at can we incorporate a younger uh element into the same footprint uh and unfortunately we can't uh the constraints of the space
are too small uh financially would not even work within the budget of the grant what we approved for however it is open space property and so if we want to allocate more money to it we could but there are space constraints and so that's why John is here but uh you could talk about that.
>> Yeah. Well, first first we we the concern that we have or or another um complication that we may have is that if we do want to increase the size of the existing playground area um we are we do fall within the wetlands buffer. So if
we do want to expand that we have to apply for a D permit. So we we we looked at doing the uh 5 to9 in the existing area which fits well. There isn't a lot of room. We could certainly look at scaling down and having it would when
you look at two separate pieces separating them. You really ends up being that you're you're really not providing a lot of information a lot of equipment within the existing space. So really really it makes sense to go with a a piece of equipment that's similar to the size that's out there replacing the
5 to 12 but then creating a second piece um for um three to three to five that that's smaller children that that can play on. We have a lot of room to expand at Nash, even though, you know, taking the D out of it. You have the you have the basketball, you have the driveway
there. There just really isn't a lot of space that you can put a lot of equipment there, but we can squeeze in um a small additional piece for younger children. Um it does add some cost, but it's it wasn't a substantial amount of cost that we above above the grant. Um
but the really complication is that it does it will trigger a DP permit. So, we have to apply for a DP permit. It takes time to get that. It's an added cost. It's just something that uh we want to discuss. You know, if we want to expand beyond just the one,
>> we we do have other younger elements around town. I think Castle Park has has that. And so, um I don't think there's an overwhelming need for it, but it just that was you had asked to put that on the website. That's some of the feedback that came in specifically about Mountain
View, but I feel it Nash presents an opportunity to address that same thing. We're so close and to offer make an additional offering. Uh but I do think um you know there wasn't a huge overwhelming
call for that. Uh and there are other places in town where residents can get that. I believe even top of a playground there too. >> So do you want to go ahead with the plan as is?
um you know because that next thing would be to get a resolution on the agenda for the that conceptual drawing that you reviewed about a month or two ago or do you want to pursue this expansion? >> How many comments did you like how many people did
>> it was maybe two people talking about the need for younger elements and that was again mostly directed in fact I believe it was all directed at Mountain View but the Nash posting and the timing of the two the installation and the talk
about that grant that Nash uh brought some folks out about that. You know, some people were asking, "Oh, well, can we get a bucket seat there?" So, we did put in a bucket seat that wasn't included in there. So, we did put that, but it's always been 5 to 12 and it's still 5 to 12. It just looks like newer
technology in a more modern playground. And so, um their feeling is it doesn't lend to that younger child, uh atmosphere. Yeah, I'm trying to understand if there's some hybrid version. I mean, my kids grew up on the Mountain View
playground that 5 to 12 play and they were on there probably from age two. I mean, it was just more supervision. But if there were lower sometimes they have integrated systems where it's like lower level things to spin around or I do remember and maybe it's ads here where we have more room so we do what we're
going to do in Nash and the only thing different I remember over here was it was those little springy things that the kids would sit on and go back. That was about it. in the bucket seat. So, um I I would say Nash if we don't have the space or it's going to be cost costly and we have to get DUV clearance, maybe
we look at here to what elements we could add, you know, that would be relatively cost effective. >> Yeah. Yeah. It it just requires a little more grading, a little more work, and that's something we can certainly look at here. >> But now, in terms of like the playground
options, do they integrate some little things? What we got was this. >> Yeah, we did ask if they if they can incorporate it and and they you know the the options that they came up they were smaller units because you still have to separate it in you know they're
not supposed to integrate the the five the 3 to five and the five to 12 that they're you know there has to be some separation on on the equipment. >> So that's they really you need and then when you start doing those separating the two pieces it just all of a sudden
now when you're working this area and two pieces are getting smaller and smaller and it just it didn't look like it looked like we would be cheaping out what it would look like. >> Okay. Well, a question I had is so the motor skills of a 5-year-old are vastly
different from a 12-y old. It's a pretty wide age gap. Um, did we ask the question to the vendor and manufacturer if there are sets that perhaps lean more towards the five than the 12 or are they all more or less the same in terms of
design? >> We can ask. We didn't ask that specific question. >> To the extent there is one that perhaps leans more to the younger side, we can certainly consider that and we leave that to you. The other thing I might suggest is um I should know the website
by the back of my hand, but uh so for our recreational elements, specifically playgrounds, we might want to make a notation on what the age range is for for the for the you know, um the playgrounds that we have, what the
designated age ranges are. That's something that we could put on our website could aid >> I believe some of the res >> uh I could double check that >> if it's not it it doesn't ring a bell for me but uh if it's not already there and it very well may very well maybe but
if it's not could be something we could consider. Yeah, I mean we could do that. I think uh I mean I'll look at if someone get that on Google because honestly people don't they're not going to the website to look at you know what is the playground. Most people are just like you know Castle Park they put in
their navigation or Google maps. So if we could somehow incorporate it into those listings too that would be probably I think maybe a bit more more helpful. But we could do both. >> Yeah. >> Well whatever you feel uh is is appropriate and easy you know relatively
easy to do. Yeah, we could we can control it on our website. We can try to make the claim on our on the Google listings for I think uh doing it on both would probably be more >> Yeah, I'm in our recreation section right the listing of fields and parks
and just um added notation I think >> y >> so uh we will look at if there's a different categorization of playgrounds that's more towards the five otherwise I'm here is we can move ahead with that
proposal. Is that correct? >> I'm good. >> Y >> Okay, >> Marty. Proceed as planned. >> Okay. Uh next item, Estra parking. Uh so in at our last meeting uh when Dan was
here, your uh colleague, we reviewed the proposal for parking at Estra. Uh there were some minor revisions based off that feedback. This is the updated one. Uh before we move ahead with putting this on the website is the next step. Uh
wanted to run that. >> Um yeah, I'm pretty I'm good with it. Um I did actually go over there. Ventured to get a car up there scarily came back down. So, I'm all in favor. >> VW may have fixed them already.
>> Might drive might have broken a law. Um, but uh I guess just um I know uh handicap spot um there'll be enough space. I mean, as it stands right now, if there's an act if there's an incident up there, I mean, there's no there's no
way for an ambulance to get up to that. So, a paved ability would enable that. Correct. But is there enough space? >> That that is one of the advantages. Is there enough space? >> Emergency vehicles can go up there to turn around or how's that work? >> It's it's difficult for them, but they
can do it. You know, it's going to be more than a regular 6. That's >> Yeah, 6.3 is more like it, but they'll get they'll go get it down. And um it just there's constantly the DPW has to fix the erosion because there's a lot of water that comes down there and they're repairing it constantly. So, you know,
getting it paved the intent is control that erosion. So, Yeah, I think the only other thing is just the notification somehow to know that the handicap spot is occupied in some capacity so that
>> yeah, it's not ideal, but I think it's a reasonable solution for what we're trying to accomplish. >> Yeah, build a highway there. We can certainly build a parking lot up there, spend a lot of money on retaining walls and things, but you know, the goal is is just limited to trying to address,
trying to address the erosion, you know, have better access for emergency vehicles. It's just >> And we had talked to um can't think of his first name. Um the engineer that was here last time who I know Yeah. Dan because he told my swimming. But anyway,
he was one of our swim coaches. Um, uh, yesterday, what was I gonna say? Lost my train of thought. Um, I'm sure it'll come back to me. It's been one of those days. >> So, uh, next steps, as I understand correctly, you wanted this posted on the
website >> for the public. >> Oh, yes. So, the current, uh, rendering, yes, >> the latest rendering posted on the website. Let people know what planning on doing over there and then after that uh we would go out to bid on it. >> Um we would need an authorization to we
didn't do the authorization to so yeah next meeting we'll have a resolution to authorize the bidding on this one. >> Okay. >> Okay. And then last uh but not least for John is hillside trail drainage improvements. Um that's our conversation
with the county. Correct. Correct. Uh so that. >> Yep. So, we we have um frankly we've had an ongoing erosion problem at the Hillside Trail um property. Um we
the Morris County has a catch basin that discharges has a pipe that discharges onto our property and um they do not have an easement. It's it's it's a natural low point in the road. you know, it's it's you know, the basin is it probably water always probably flowed in
that area and they just um put um but they they likely concentrated it when they put curbing and they put this basin in and they concentrated and and the extent of erosion wasn't extensive. Um it only happened for some reason after um the park was constructed and then we
had a major storm event and and then it it it created some significant gullies on on the side slopes and And ever since the erosion started, it's been escalating and we constantly are getting, if you look at the walk the
path now, you you will be amazed how deep uh this this these ruts are that are creating. And and what it does is ultimately it pushes sediment down and it just starts to create it directs the water um away from the drainage channels
because the drainage channels get filled up with sediment. They overflow and then they they start going in areas where not supposed to and then it's become a maintenance issue for for for us to constantly fix the uh um the path to that. So, uh we have been talking to the
county regarding this. Um we've uh you know wanted them to um address it and pay for it and they've been a little bit reluctant to do that in the beginning. Um as part of the grant application that we got for the phase two of the hillside
trail, um we did no drainage improvements in this area. So, it was designed to what the solution would be. Um, and so we recently approached the county again uh regarding you know the need for this and uh they did agree that they will pay for the drainage
improvements on the property. So, uh basically it is uh substantially complete because we have the design done. we just need to pull it away from the the trail portion and just separate the two projects and you know with AutoCAD and drafting and things it's
easy to separate projects. Um so they they are willing if if we're willing to bid the project they are willing to go into an interlocal agreement and pay for the construction of it. >> Great. >> Yeah, >> I think that's great news. >> Yeah,
>> because it is definitely a bad storm or two. >> Yeah. and those ruts are plenty deep. Y so it, you know, that maintenance on top of the other cutting maintenance is a whole separate issue. Um I think is very necessary and if you could pull the money out from that other uh uh you know
trail number two program that that's a that's a home run. It needs to be done. >> Now now this would not this this is going to be money from the um engineering public works department. This is not going to be funds from the
um the parks department. So, we would still apply if we want to proceed with the the phase two trail project. We would apply for that grant separately because that's a different pot of money. So, this this is coming out of the the public works funding. So, this is two separate grant programs and it's really
not a grant program. The county has done this in other municipalities that are in if they they are causing a problem. You know, it takes a little while, but it took a while to get to this point, but we warm down. >> Terrific. Thank you. So,
this will take John Thank you. >> So before you leave, you reminded me while you were speaking what? >> Okay. >> Um, so the yesterday parking I had asked Dan if we could look for grant money to
because it's a we're putting in ad parking. >> I seem to think that that that would be Yeah, I there there's not a specific grant that's available for that. We could look at Morris County that's doing that instead of a trail grant. We could
look and see if they're willing to I can inquire with them and see if they're willing to that would fall under their criteria. >> Yeah. I mean, it covers a lot of bases between erosion, ADA, and emergency access. >> It does. It's it's it's not necessarily
one of their ideal projects that they typically encourage. They're looking at enhancement, but is an enhancement for an ADA stall. So, I can certainly ask the county if that's something that they would be willing to >> Okay, great.
And then, you know, we could approach Green Acres to see for for loans, but you know, that that gets all the administration effort that could go for that only for a small project. If this was a $2 million project, maybe it' be worth it, but going through Green Acres for a loan
spend more. >> Thank you, Mr. Okay, mayor. Um, that concludes the engineering portion. Um, we go back to the beginning with monthly reports. Um, aside since we've completed engineering, uh, I didn't receive any questions on any of the reports, but are there any,
uh, questions or comments on any of those you like me to follow up on? >> I think I had one remaining question, but I don't know if you You might have checked my questions. Usually I copy it into my notes and I did not do that.
>> No problem. I know uh you did email just a little bit ago about the and I can touch on that under DPW with the vehicle purchases. That is within the budget. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. So the the that purchase just as the PD1, those are part of their capital plan. >> Great. And then I saw the other resolution was pulled.
>> Correct. And so just for clarification, uh the resolution on the original Friday agenda 161 has been pulled uh and maybe revisit at a later date and then uh there were some adjustments to and to
the agenda which is what you have today. >> And if I may, >> it's already adjusted. Yeah, >> that's why he was saying we got the new one. And so the colony pool resolution uh to be clear 169 that will be the resolution
to reject the bids and authorize a rebid. >> And if we're touching on the agenda, uh the consent agenda resolutions 167, which is the liquor license transfer, uh that will have to come off because um we
had anticipated that they were going to get us um some of their paperwork on Friday, which didn't happen. They thought they would get it to me yesterday, which again didn't happen. So since as of 4 p.m. we don't have that uh consent to transfer form, we'll have to take that off and we expect to be able
to do that resolution at our regular meeting in September. >> Okay. So, so Mr. Lanti then, so with regard to consent agenda, we have resolutions uh ending in 158 through 168 or 169 then. Uh so we'll uh when we get
to the consent agenda, we'll do items 1 through nine, 11 and 12. We'll just yeah strike uh number 10 >> from the agenda that you have in front of you. >> Strike 162 joint uh I'm sorry uh 167 liquor license transfer. Okay.
>> Because uh the the original 161 was the um the one that Mr. Shahadi referenced, but um the outside lean redemption used to be 170. I just moved that up on Monday when um yeah when we had the uh
the other resolution pulled. >> Thank you. >> Uh so no questions on any other uh any other questions on reports? >> Marty. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh next item uh
November meeting schedule. Um I'll turn over to the clerk. you touch on that but that's related to the municipalities and our holidays. >> Yeah. So with the meeting schedule when we originally set the meeting schedule for this year when we looked at November
November 4th is the general election. So we won't be able to meet that day. The next Tuesday which would be normally a regular meeting date is Veterans Day. So I'm not sure how you would feel about meeting on a federal holiday. So, we set the the one meeting for November on the
18th, which um we now know is uh the opening day of the League of Municipalities Conference, which uh at least two of our committee members have expressed interest in attending that, and I'm interested in attending it as well to get some uh
reertification credits. Uh so, if we want to give ourselves the option of attending the conference, we would need to move our November meeting date. Uh my recommendation would be possibly the Thursday the week before, which would be
the 13th. Um we theoretically could keep it on Tuesday the 11th if we wanted to meet on the federal holiday. Um I would generally advise against the 25th because that's the same week as Thanksgiving and um potentially
committee members and members of the public would likely be traveling or you know worrying about holiday plans at that point. But uh we just wanted to get uh the committee's input if there was thoughts on what would be a better date for for
all of you to have a meeting. >> Did you consider Monday the 10th also because there's no planning board meeting that day? >> Uh we we we could do Monday the 10th. Yeah, because the planning board would be the 3rd and the 17th. So we could aim for Monday the 10th if
the committee were so inclined. >> That works for me. >> We're only doing Is that correct? >> Um, yeah. If we if we stick with one meeting in November, which >> that's usually what we wind up doing. >> The 10th time, >> Marty, that work for you?
>> Actually, I have to check. I know I have I don't have my uh business book in front of me. Um, but I have to go to Austria sometime around that night. Can I just text it in or >> Yeah, you can let me know. And um, >> thanks, Greg. since she's back in the booth. Alex, would that Monday the 10th
work for you? >> Okay. And then that that way this would give us uh plenty of time to get the uh public notice out and update the website and um let our press know. >> Great. So, tenatively November 10th,
Monday, subject to confirmation from >> Yeah. Yeah, once once once I hear back from Marty, then I'll get that uh notice out. >> Great. Thank you. >> And uh final item under workshop, uh the township app. Um there's been some I
think there were some updates provide on that to address some questions and comments from the last meeting. >> Yeah. Um I can kind of just recap what progress has been made. I guess that's appropriate. Um there were a couple
questions about who else is using uh the technology that we proposed which was Gilgv. Um there are plenty of case samples uh throughout the US not a whole lot in the state of New Jersey but we
did talk to uh two uh new adopters of the technology uh last week. One was Raritan Valley and the other was Warren Township. Um If you go on to the Google store or the app store and download the
app, you can have access to the apps yourselves and kind of see the functionality of how it works. Uh I've been very impressed with uh Raritan Valley and how they're using it. Uh Warren Township was actually pretty quiet. Uh but in having conversations
with them, it made perfect sense as to why that was. Uh which is that they had just launched uh like the day before and nobody really knew about it. Uh so they're kind of in early adopting phase right now. Uh but the general consensus from both of the representatives who
manage it uh have said nothing but immensely positive things about the customer service, the customization. Uh the tools that they have available at their disposal. Um all the positive reasons for why they actually did it in the first place. Uh, one person uh at
Warren Township uh was candid and told me that they were not a believer of this to begin with uh and has since become one as the result of kind of seeing it to fruition, which uh was really terrific. Um, and I think that you'll
see if you actually pay download the apps and see they're they're using it mostly as a non-emergency notification system for everything uh that's needed and it's pretty terrific. You see how the fire department sprayed down a bunch of kids
the other day and they showed pictures, you know, on the app. And I mean, it's just all those kinds of things they're doing. You're talking about the parks and wrecks. You can actually have a geolocation of all the parks in with the age appropriateness on the app. Uh we can talk about the yesterday thing. We
can actually put it on the app. Like all of those things can actually happen. So, the difference with what Warren Township is doing versus Raritin is that they went a little extra further in that they're using it as a two-way device. So, they're actually request they they
have an a feature at the top of the app that uh invites residents to directly communicate with department people within the township. Uh so if they have a specific request, it'll get routed to
DPW or the Environmental Commission or whatever else that they kind of talk about. And so there is sort of a start request feature on the app right there, which I think is terrific. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to do it in version 10, but uh it is something
that they utilize and with the expectation that somebody will get back to them, let's say, within a day or two days. It's not urgent notification system. They're not expecting to text, you know, our DPW head. Um, but Raritan Valley
also said that the police uh were actually able to update uh traffic advisories on the scene uh directly at the location. They didn't have to actually go back to their dashboard and they could do it through the app and all of those things too. Um, so it's just
again uh additional positive notification systems. And then the last thing I'd add is that uh both have said that their marketing team uh for gov has been really terrific. They give you uh everything you kind of need in order to
help drive adoption rate and guide you. You know whether we need that or not it doesn't matter because they offer it to you and it's free. Uh so it's a terrific ancillary service as well too. Um so I heard nothing negative. I fully endorse
this. Uh I endorsed it before I further endorse it. Um I think that there were questions as well about uh uh directing people to from the app to our website and making sure that that's mobile responsiveness appropriately. Uh I think
we can make sure that all of that happens prior to any launch. Uh so that anything that people are going to from the app to the website uh is a pretty seamless experience. And I remember you mentioned it's one one one
entry point. So you whoever populates it'll feed to all those other social media >> through the dashboard. Um so whoever I'm not even sure who does our social media and our like I know who does our website but I'm not sure who pushes content out
there but whatever's on the website like our news announcements will get get uh be added to the feed. Uh, but a single dashboard. If you push a notification to Facebook, it'll go through the app as well, too. So, it's just a one-click
push notification to all of your channels, including the app. And again, I think we just have to be careful about how we're using it. Nobody wants 50 notifications a day. We just have to be careful. But I think we do that already with our >> I'm sorry.
>> You can opt in and out of >> Yeah, we can set We can set permissions. Um they do have a login feature for Ritton Valley and the reason for the optin for the login where people give their email addresses and their their uh
name and all that stuff for for personal login is because you can customize the kinds of notifications you receive. But you can also receive all notifications by just being a guest. You don't have to give your information. Uh, and the
information was assured to me that it was the administrator was basically had the information. It wasn't sent around to anybody else. It was on their server to protect the privacy of residents that did opt into the app.
>> Um, presumably this would be available in both iOS and Android and all the different platforms. >> Correct. One of the questions that was asked earlier was sorry, one of the questions that was asked earlier was um how many folks have uh downloaded the app and
what they thought would be sort of a a successful launch in terms of downloads. >> Yeah, it's hard to tell. I don't think anybody has set the full what does success look like other than uh what Ritan Valley said is
they've had about a thousand downloads. I their audience base is probably double ours. Um, but he had no answer for what success looked like. He already said it was successful because he's reaching a
thousand people in a way that he hadn't before. Uh, so I don't know what that is for us. Um, you know, obviously there has to be a return on the investment that it's valuable, but uh, you know, Our town,
our town is 3,000 households. What? 10,000 people ballpark, right? >> You would know more. Um, I I don't know. I I think we can set a soft target of, you know, what the first six months would look like, how
we're actually getting the word out there, what events do we actually have that will invite downloads, all of those things, you know. Uh, but I don't want to set an arbitrary number of success looks like until we kind of talk it over. >> Yeah, maybe the vendor knows that, you
know, to the extent they've launched all these things, they might have some >> I think it's different for every town. It's different for every town. I mean, we can we can ask, but I I think that every town is going to have a different set of their own objectives and metrics for that matter.
>> How many years or how much time when did they launch? Yeah. >> Uh Ritton Valley launched in like July 15th. It was pretty much the day like literally the day I called >> um uh Raritin I think was they began in
October and they launched the beginning of the year as a soft launch. So we're only six months in and they've got about a thousand downloads for where they are. >> So there's an annual fee. Is there an upfront investment to build it?
>> Nope. It's just a onetime cost on on a recurring basis. And as I said, uh the rate that they offered me, I negotiated down off of $1,000 off of their annual cost, uh which was what, almost a
>> 20%. Aren't you impressed? Uh and uh I did ask if they would lock that into a multi-year, which they said they'd be open to. So if that's something we want to consider, >> may it's seems a small cost. I think it
was like 4,000 a year. >> Yeah. >> Uh to reach residents and I think we're all supportive of making sure we engage residents in the process as much as possible and as easil easily as possible because everybody's busy >> and they want to know what's going on,
but they don't have time, you know, to go search for it. So as much as we can provide the tool or support the tools to increase engagement and if it doesn't work, it's not like we had to pay X amount of dollars to start. We just, you know. >> Yeah, I I agree with that. Um the one
other thing I would say is that they uh I think Ritton told me that majority of their notifications that they were pushing out to residents were used through Nixl, which was their emergency broadcast system. Um and they said since
this they've been able to decrease that like 100% which took all the strain off of the cost factor for Nixl. I don't think we do that or use that for non-emergency notifications. I don't know if we do. Um
but uh I think in time this could actually save some money with other services that we actually have. Um >> potentially. >> So our emergency not act now. Um, our police chief for the
most part manages that and you know there's real concern with overuse. So to have another vehicle >> that's correct. This would offload pretty much all of that and if there's a cost associated with that it would actually there is no cost for notifications. There are costs for
cellular notifications. That makes sense. So through the app you can send a notification alert notification will show up on your phone. If it's a text notification through gov, there's a carrier cost for the cellular
service which you don't have to add into that would be above and beyond the annual fee if you did have that. You'd have to bank a certain amount of credits for your cellular service notifications, but there are unlimited notifications in
a non-ellular way. That make sense? We'd have to pay to do. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm sure you I'm sure you do if right now if we do notifications through
act now as a I I don't know this but I I can only assume if you do a text notification unless you you've had to have negotiated something and there's a cost associated with that. >> Okay. >> Does it cost us to do right now? No.
Right now act now that's our name for it but it's uh the system is called rave uh which is through the county so they set it up uh it's part of a shared kind of interlocal uh from the OEM so uh we unlimited use of it so long as it's for
emergency use so emergency notification similar to in other towns we used drone blank on the name of it but uh there's a couple other I'm sorry >> not Nixl uh there's another system uh like that counties would do to save the towns from
having to enter into their own agreements and cost. So they just give it to the county and then each town would get a license. Um and they generally say just e as long as you're just using it for emergencies then they're not going to charge you for it. because there is a provision I think
through the federal government that you can do these things uh and an agreement with Verizon and the different carriers but once they start seeing you use it for like everyday notifications that aren't then they'll be like wait a minute now you're not using it for just emergencies and they'll say you can't
send it for those those are a separate charge but as long as we're using it conservatively and for emergency purposes forunately for >> so I'm not sure what what we consider or what we or they consider to be an I mean obviously they know what an emergency is
but uh but is a road closure a tree down or something >> yeah things like those are public safety if it's like saying hey we're having a fair come out to the fair but what I've seen other towns do is they're like hey we're having a fair so there may be road closures and you know disturbance and
then that's how they kind of couch it under public safety but we we don't have you know fortunately we're not like towns where that hasn't been an issue. >> Yeah. So, I'm pretty sure for Ritton Valley, uh any kind of traffic advisory, anything like that was considered an
emergency notification and there was an inherent cost for them to do that. And now they use the Gov app in order to do that as well. So, or so it's less of a cost for them.
>> I'm not sure it would affect us. Uh but >> there are certain events like uh the rabies clinic that would be good to >> do something like this. >> Absolutely. >> Licenses I mean everything that you're talking about. Um and then of course uh
accessing the quick links on our website to get information. I mean there like uh if we do payment portals through the website. So quick links to the payment portal. So, it's not like you're doing the transaction on you can do it through your phone, but it's it's taking you to
the place where you're making the payment. >> And from a uh staff support perspective, I mean, it sounds like it's basically leveraging what you're already doing. Any concerns from that perspective? >> No, I mean, for for the use that's, you
know, being proposed for this where it's integrating into like social media, it's right now it's Greg, Peter, and myself already doing it. it ties into those. So, uh, that's fine. It's tying into the website, so as long as it's doing kind of the same integration. Um, but, you
know, we'll see how, uh, how it works out. I mean, just like we added the newsletter function, tried to tie that into the same thing, the website. So, when we put something on the website, it's just a check box that sends out the blast. So, so long as we can kind of integrate it with our existing systems,
>> um, we should be fully able to do it. But again, I would us prior to do a live demo as well too. >> Yep. >> And the website we moved away from was proprietary. Now we're using a system that is much more open source and
compatible with other things. So I'm sure they've got ways to integrate it with what we use which is WordPress. There's there's systems for that. It's easier to do now that it's not proprietary. >> Okay, great.
>> Yeah. So, as far as I'm concerned, I mean, aside from any other questions, it always just comes down to cost and implementation. The implementation is fairly standard. Uh, you know, with the right oversight and management and everything,
but it's a four to six week process ballpark. Um, it's just a cost factor then. >> So, is he ask what's the ask whether or not to put authorization to proceed or because it's a low amount? >> Yeah. I mean, because it's a low amount,
doesn't need I'll I'll confirm it. Uh, but it doesn't need anything. It's something I just do through requisition and purchase order. Uh, the one thing is it would have to probably wait until end of October to November because um it is a small amount, but it wasn't in the budget. Everything we do is literally to
the dollar and cent uh with our budget. So, come October when we're starting to look at where, you know, where we can move money to because right now we don't have any really We hold room in the IT budget for it, but then we would be able to transfer some money once we look at
what other issues are because we've had some legal expenses due to some OPRAS and other things. So, at the really come October, that's when Debbie and I, as you know, will start looking at where accounts are uh sufficient and where they're insufficient and where we need
to move funds. And then we'll do a transfer uh in November. And if we can do it, then then do the requisition shortly thereafter. So, u setting aside Z's um effort on uh firming up funds for it, is there
anything that would preclude us from taking it to the next step as you might prescribe? What would be >> um I think our only other question my only other question aside from just telling the vendor we'll we'll do I mean I already did a demo. I would do a more
thorough one with you. um just to answer and Greg as well too who's very involved in the updates and the management of that. Um the only other question after that is for us to consider um a multi-year if that's
something we want to consider. Um but that also doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay up front for it. I didn't get that far with them. Um an option to renew at the same rate perhaps. um we can negotiate that but uh to answer your
question nothing on my end that I can think of. >> So next step would be uh the more bonafideed >> I think we would do a demo. We would kind of hash out exactly the real functionality of what we're looking to do. We'd make sure that everybody's
aligned with it. I think we can do some of those details prior to November. Yeah. So that we're aligned and then we can press go and it might of the development process. >> Yeah, I can be supportive. Uh certainly and uh if we if we find wiggle room,
etc. in the in November, then I say we take the next step. >> Thank you, Craig. >> Yeah, thank you for doing all that all the leg work. >> Marty, is it the middle of the night there? I was just saying >> camp it out under the stars or
something. >> He's hiding out >> like are you afraid of the dark? >> Sorry. It started with the sunbeam. Thought it was going to blind you and that. Yes, it has gotten dark here in New Hampshire. >> It's a witness protection program over there. >> You said we're going to have a program.
Where in the world is Marty? >> Um just a quick note. We discussed the meeting dates for November and um Mr. McHugh sent me a note that he's available Monday, uh, November 10th. So, we'll plan on moving forward with that.
>> All right, mayor. So, that concludes the workshop. Uh, unless there are questions for items on the consent agenda uh, from now that we haven't addressed so that way we can >> vote them all as part of consent. >> So, any members of the committee who
would like to initiate disc or have discussion on any resolution item on the consent agenda. >> If there's a tiny typo, do I need to pull it out or can I just >> Yeah, I think I saw that. >> Yeah.
>> Uh resolution uh number two, 2022-159. >> Oh, no, actually it's -160 because it's an executive session minutes. Uh, number one, uh, Vernon Grove. It's G R O E. >> Um, so yeah, if you're talking about the
minutes themselves rather than the resolution, email me the correction. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Got it. Thank you. >> Great. If there's nothing else, then we can uh end the workshop portion of of of the evening. Uh we'll move on to the
regular meeting. Um and with that uh the mayor's message. Uh good evening. Uh thank you for joining us or tuning in remotely uh as we work together uh through our agenda. This evening's meeting will be the last of
our combined workshop regular meetings, which is a solemn reminder that summer's end is fast approaching. I hope that you have found ways to enjoy the long summer days. I'd like to put in some context select agenda items for members of of
our community. I am a believer of shared services at the local level, county level, and beyond. We understand the potential when it's done correctly, better services, overall lower costs, and better utilization of assets. And I think we also understand the concerns,
possible loss of control, and service inequity to name two. The township has enjoyed a shared municipal court for some time now. And tonight, we are considering the renewal of this agreement, a four-year deal. I'd say the joint court agreement has quietly gone
about notching wins year after year. I say this because it appears that assets are well leveraged, staffing levels are optimized, and service levels, which I understand are admirable, have been maintained year-over-year. The township's participation in the
joint court is a shared su a shared service success story. This evening, we are voting to recognize a planned purchase of multiple vehicles for our police and public safety in order to support their year-round services. Funds have already been allocated in this 2025
capital budget and costs are within our expectations. I commend our administrator and CFO as well as Chief Miller and Rich Young for collaborating and planning well and maximizing the use of township assets. This committee
thanks you. our taxpayers. Thank you. As a result of prudent planning and thank you, Mr. Shahadi and Mr. Rushki, our annual budget allocates for the continual improvement of our roads. I'm told the road servicing should be concluding in coming days. To the residents whose streets are affected, I
thank you for your patience during this short burst of work. I know you will please be pleased with the smooth black alabaster-like roads in the coming days. We pursue grant monies whenever possible to improve our township. For Nashville, we already secured a $60,000 grant for a
new playground a and taking public input and we are currently in process of identifying a vendor to complete the work. If it isn't already, proposed renderings will be made available on the website for your review. I am pleased to report that our sevenmile fiber network project is substantially complete and
under budget. I extend much gratitude to Congresswoman Mikey Cheryl, who's the congressional sponsor. approximately $800,000 in grant funding for the township. This took several years and it's a big infrastructure win for the township. The
small bonus is that we're considering an expansion of work scope with the remaining grant monies that we have. We're also moving hillside trail phase 2 plan revisions through county parks and developing an ADA improvement concept for Eststerate Field. For both projects,
we are intentional about getting information available to the public for consideration. Check our website for concept plans and renderings so you may see how the township assets are being improved. Summer days may end, but civic spirit is always in season. So, I thank
our staff, volunteers, and neighbors uh for your partnership and for keeping Chadam Township moving forward. Thank you. And we move on to Township Committee reports. Mr. McHugh, may I start with you?
>> Yep, you're on mute. >> Comedian, I I think you're on mute. >> I was on mute. Sorry about that. Um uh both the uh Environmental Commission and the Open Space have no August meeting. And if you'll bear with me, I'm pulling
up the uh library notes I have here. I will get that to you. Okay. August 13 and 14. Uh very quickly, uh the library is hosting a workshop on understanding social security and
Medicare benefits. On August 26th, the library is sponsoring two financial seminars focusing on finance and and estate planning. Uh, and the library now offers library chef junior with one live cooking class for children and
teens and that is monthly. And on September 4th, the library is offering a college application workshop for high school seniors. And that is the report from the library. Thank you, Mayor. >> Committee meeting Q. Thank you,
committee woman. >> Thank you. Uh overall the summer's pretty quiet, but I will uh let everybody know that uh the senior center is planning uh for its second we a big deal pickle ball tournament. It was
hugely successful last year. Uh it is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th. Registration is open. It will be at Madison High School from 9 to 3 on the 27th. Uh and registration will run till September 22nd. Um it was hugely popular
and the spots did fill up quickly. So if you're a big pickle ball fan and want to participate and support uh the senior center at the same time, please reach out to them at cadamceniorcenter.org. Um you can get more information and uh that's all for the reports for me.
>> Thank you. Committee woman may >> um it's been quiet so I don't really have anything to report today. >> Thank you Al Perowitz. Um, unfortunately I can't attend the pickle ball tournament, which might actually bode well since I won
last year. So I can't defend my title. Uh, which means that somebody else can take the, uh, the crown. >> Uh, so I'd encourage everyone to attend. Um, the only thing I have to add is that the Chattam Township Volunteer Fire Department has a a birthday party for
their young 100th birthday, which is on uh, October 11th. They're asking everyone to save the date. They are offering food, beer, wine, and soda, live music, and lots of tours, and come on out and support the fire department
at their headquarters on River Road. I believe there is a shuttle that is running from this building to the fire department. So, parking is actually here, not at the uh fire department. Uh so, save the date for October 11th on Saturday from 2 to 6:00 p.m. That's all
I've got. >> Commandment, thank you. And it it's it's an affair. So both a family-friendly event, uh lots of food, live band, uh so come out and support the uh fire department. Um I have only one uh note and I just want to me mention of
National Night Out with which did occur on August 5th. Um I did want to give praise to our police and emergency squad, our first responders who were out in full force uh for the special evening. Um it's the fourth anniversary of the event. Uh it's a family-friendly
event. Uh we had a number of residents come out. Uh it was a nice summer evening. So uh happy that our um uh township fire, Green Village Fire, um and Chattam Police and Emergency Squad um were all out there to make the event,
the occasion a special one. So thank you to all. Hats off to you for making it a special uh evening for the residents. Um and just by way of calendaring, it is always held on the first Tuesday of August. So mark your calendars for next
uh next year. Um that's all for me and at this time that's uh the conclusion of the committee reports. If I may now move on to the consent agenda. Um with regard to consent agenda, it uh it
encompasses uh resolution 2025-158 through resolution 20025-169 with the following provision. Resolution 2025-167 liquor license transfer stricken from the consent agenda.
Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Alperowitz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ewald. >> Yes. >> Mr. McHugh.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Roland. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Troy. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you, Mr. Okanti. We now move on to the second hearing of citizens. I invite uh members of the audience um to to come
before the microphone in the event they choose to do so. Okay. I see no one come before the mic. Mr. Lacanti, do we have anyone online? >> We do not have any hands raised at this time. >> Thank you, Miss Lanti. I now close a second hearing of citizens.
Uh do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second that. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good night, everybody. >> Thank you. >> Marty. >> Good night, Marty. >> Good night.