All right, we're ready. >> Recording in progress. >> Microphone's on. >> Okay. Welcome to the Township of Chadam committee meeting for this Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. You're calling the meeting to order at 7:34.
Mr. Lacante, has adequate notice been given? >> Yes. Adequate notice of this meeting of the township committee was given as required by the open public meetings act as follows. Notice was given to the Chad Mccurer and the Mars County Daily Record on January 7th, 2026. Notice was posted on the bulletin board in the main
hallway in the municipal building on January 7th, 2026. and notice was filed with the township clerk on January 7th, 2026. >> Okay, thank you. Can we get a roll call, please? >> Mr. Al Perowitz >> here. >> Mr. Troy >> here. >> Mrs. Ewald,
>> Deputy Mayor McHugh >> here. >> And Mayor Roland >> here. >> We have quum. >> Thank you. >> Now, may we all please rise for the flag salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the for it stands one
nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all good evening. Thank you everyone for joining tonight. Well, round two of the winter blizzard, which again dropped more than 20 inches of snow on us with possibly, I don't
want to say it or jinx it, but another one to two inches tomorrow. Um, as stated before, it is up to the homeowner to clear sidewalks at your property. So, please do so if you can. If you're unable to, um, we have students and others who are willing to help. I know that it's a heavy lift right now.
There's a lot of snow. Um, and I would just ask for everybody to be be patient. And I know it's it's hard to navigate the roads. It's hard to see around the piles. Um this is, you know, we have not had this much snow accumulation since January 2016, also known as Snowzilla. So this
these are unusual circumstances for us. Um again, a huge thank you to our DPW, our first responders, the administrators, and the entire team that managed this this natural event in the best way possible. um you know, everybody shows up in the best way and
um we got through it with with minimal um power outages or or emergency calls. So, I really am grateful for everyone. February is a packed month. Uh Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate and wishing
everyone a blessed Ramadan. Um also happy Lunar New Year. Uh, in the year of the horse, I attended the school district's Lunar New Year celebration on Friday night. Um, Mayor Dempsey and I got to pull the raffle tickets, which was great. Um, we saw amazing performances from the students from
grades 6 to 12 as well as some other performers. Uh, there was a delicious meal prior to the show and the auditorium was packed with people of all ages. Um, the littles were so excited and running around the auditorium having a great time. Uh, and it was really fun.
February is also Black History Month. Uh we have a deep and rich history here in New Jersey, including around Chadam, uh including men who fought in the revolutionary and civil wars for certain freedoms that they were not given or able to benefit from. So if you have an opportunity to look up some of the
history um and look at some of the deep roots that we have here in New Jersey in terms of innovation, entertainment, and history, um now is the time to do it. We are introducing ordinances uh tonight for the fourth round of affordable housing and we are grateful for our
committee members, council, planners, and administrator for all the work to get us to be in this great position. It's a complex and complicated process. So, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Um but please know that we've met all the deadlines and in full comp compliance with all of our
obligations. I'd like to quickly say a few things regarding Colony Pool. There continues to be questions regarding the decision to work with Madison YMCA to manage our facilities. Managing our facilities, they're still township owned. Um, and on all the, you know, community forum posts
and emails, letters to the editor, the thing that I find surprisingly absent from the conversation is safety. So, I can speak to you as a member of the pool, as a mother, and as the mayor. And I will tell you, um, as a mother, I have five children. They're five and a half
years apart. So, right now, they're 16 to 21. But if we want to go back 10 to 12 years, I had kids at the pool at the Colony Pool like aged three to eight. Um, Colony Pool is not clear water. It's got a sandy bottom. So, what do you
think my priority was? It was safety. It's an interesting experience to have five ch children near any body of water and my first priority is and always will be safety. As a member, um the pool does safety drills. So, anytime there was a
safety drill, we would participate, but there was always a little pit in my stomach because it was a the unsettling feeling to think about the reality of anything occurring. Um, thousands of drownings occur in our country every year with parents
right near their children. Um, and now as the mayor, our first duty is to keep the pool safe and to keep our kids and residents safe. We have had several years of pool management that left a lot to be desired and I feel put us at risk. U, one of my children worked there, so I had kind of a front row seat to all the
things that were kind of gone going on at the pool. And I will say that I think the Madison YMCA was an excellent choice to manage the pool and the best option to keep our members safe at the pool because we can talk about the chairs and the food and the band, but at the end of the day, I think priority is our safety
and I think the Madison YMCA was the best choice and the best selection. On a fun note, um I want to shout out to the Chhattam High School swim teams. The Cougar girls have won 24, it's insane, 24 straight dual meets and 16 Mars
County titles in a row. The boys team have won 55 straight dual meets, four Mars County TR championships, and four public B trophies. It's really wild. Um CHS basketball, the girls basketball team is facing Randolph on Friday in the
North Jersey tournament at 5:00 pm. and our CHS bowling team went to the state sectionals as a number two seed. I would like to end my message uh by wishing a birthday wish to Bailey Buell
of the not forprofit Bailey's Warriors. Um tomorrow would have been her 12th birthday. Uh but she passed away from a rare form of cancer in January 2024. I'm honored to share her birthday with her and with Mike Choy. It's a big day
tomorrow. Uh, and I I think about her and I draw from her strength and inspiration. You came in person tonight. We have cupcakes to celebrate. Um, if you're not here, there's plenty of time to come down. We have two hearing of citizens. Um, but if not, please make a wish in
honor of Bailey. Uh, now on to the township committee reports. Um, Craig, will you please lead us off? Uh, >> thank you, mayor. I have nothing new to report this month. Okay. >> Thank you. Man Choy. >> Sure. Thank you, Mayor Roland. Uh the I
have a brief uh brief updates in connection to the mayor's wellness campaign advisory committee uh met a couple days ago uh and some uh interesting things uh cooking that I'd like to share. Um at the senior center uh they will uh they are planning uh
blood pressure screenings and one-stop screenings uh in the month of May. So please do keep a eye out for uh further information notifications with regard to that uh on our township uh website as well as the senior center website. The health and wellness book club uh will be
meeting quarterly Thursday evenings at the library. Uh information will be available in May. Uh the first book uh will be anxious generation by David uh Hay. um a well- read and well discussed book uh and rather gerine to um modern
day childhood experiences. Uh finally, a health and wellness fair uh is scheduled to occur on Sunday, March 22nd from 12 to 4 uh at the Stanley Center. Uh multiple vendors have signed up. Uh we would uh be enthused to have additional vendors uh partake in this event. Again,
look for uh additional information uh forthcoming on the township website uh as the date approaches. Uh that's it. Mayor, >> thank you. Comedian, committeeman, deputy mayor. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh couple things. Open space. We're still looking for um people
who wish to uh volunteer and contribute. Uh that's number one. Um and then on the library, our library director, Karen Brodzky, is always great about filling me in on programs and what's available. Too much to mention in any particular evening or report. Um but what I will
say is they typically come with a uh categories uh based on ages which is terrific. So in other words the library is for everybody. Um there are craft and hobby there's a craft and hobby database that is referenced uh successfully na
navigating a college admission process is a program um for those of that age. uh those who are uh interested in the Civil War. There's programs and adult programs for that. There's children's craft fairs. I uh I strongly recommend
uh visiting the library website and checking out what's happening because there is a ton always happening and there's uh something you can find. Um but my major item tonight is it's that time of year and it is the Friends of
the Library book sale. Uh that is on uh March 7th. Um you can check uh it's an easy website. Uh it's friendsofthechad.org for all instructions on coming down on uh on that Saturday and March 7th uh or to get the sneak peek ahead of time uh
and what the requirements are for that or being a friend. So, um, that's the emphasis of today's report is that let's not miss uh, uh, the great contribution for the library that it ends up being, but also great reading materials that are really available every year around this time. Thank you, mayor.
>> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh, I only have an update for the historical society. We um, they held their annual trustees dinner. Um, the highlight being a trivia game which included so many amazing facts about historical events and people that have, you know, been in and around
and are from Chadam Township. Um, so if you want to get over to the Red Brick Schoolhouse on the first Sunday of each month to learn more, you can do that. They also have started working Wednesdays from 9 to 12 as they're getting ready to move into some new
cabinets with all the artifacts. So, they're documenting, they're moving things. So if anybody wants to to pitch in, uh they're always looking for extra extra hands and that's Wednesdays from 9 to 12. That's it for the reports.
Now we will move on to the first hearing of citizens. Mr. Lacante, would you please provide 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 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 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. 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 guidelines issued by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services. And Mayor, we did not receive any
written comments for tonight's meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And um these rules will also apply to the actual public hearings that we have on the ordinances for adoption tonight. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. Is there anyone online? We have some members of the public
online. However, there are not any hands raised at this time. >> Okay, great. Are there any members of the audience who would like to come forward? Okay, then we can close this first hearing of citizens. Thank you. And now we will move on to the public
hearing. Uh the final adoption of ordinances. We have three ordinances. Ordinance 2026-01 amending the fees for building and housing. Ordinance 2026-02 amending the fee for the zoning permit and ordinance 2026-03
for leadbased paint inspections. I believe we provided oversight and some information about these previously during the workshop session. Um but we can open it for public comment. We can open ordinance 2026-01
amending the fees for building and housing. Okay. Is okay. Then we can close the public comment or is there any discussion from the committee? Okay, good. Then we can close that
discussion. Is there a motion? I move for passage of 20 26-01. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Aleritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Choy, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McHugh,
>> yes. >> And Mayor Roland, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. Now we'll move on to ordinance 2026-02, amending the fees for zoning permits. Is there anyone
to make public comment? >> Uh, we do not have any hands raised. >> Okay. Thank you. So, we can close the public comment section. Is there any discussion from the committee? All good. Okay. Is there a motion to adopt ordinance 2026-02?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Mr. Aleritz. Yes, >> Mr. Troy. >> Yes, >> deputy Mayor McHugh. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Roland. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you.
>> Now on to ordinance 2026-03 leadbased paint inspections. Are there any public members of the public? >> No hands raised. >> No hands raised. We can close the public's comment section. Uh is there
any discussion from the committee? So we can That is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance 2026-03 lead based paint inspections. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Al Perowitz,
>> yes. >> Mr. Troy, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McHugh, >> yes. >> And Mayor Roland, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. Okay. Now, we will tonight we're introducing four ordinances. Ordinance
2026-04, the cap bank, Ordinance 2026-05, affordable housing ordinance. Ordinance 2026-06 adding the AH1 zone. And ordinance 2026-07
adding affordable housing overlay district. Mr. Shahadi, is there any overview that you'd like to give for these or any Uh sure, mayor. Uh just for the benefit of the public, uh the cap bank ordinance is an ordinance that we do uh consider every year and uh it is a tool that uh
is a permissive tool. It's not a required or mandatory tool. Uh does not imply or necessarily uh mean that taxes are going up. This is separate and apart from the uh levy. This has to deal with appropriations. Um so we are in the
process, as you know, mayor, of uh going through the budget. We've got a budget committee meeting this this week. Uh but in order to uh for this year and for future years um ensure that this tool is something that the governing body can uh rely on should there be a need whether
it's an emergency or uh any other sort of unexpected uh appropriation matter. Uh this cap bank ordinance gives us that flexibility. And uh on the other ordinances uh just for the benefit of the public as well, I
would like to start off by saying I think you alluded to uh you know all the great work that our professionals have been putting in to uh complying with the fourth round of affordable housing. That's this mandate from the state. Um I think it's important to emphasize for the public that because of the great
work of our professionals, we ended up prevailing against the challenge uh that we faced. So we uh put forth our plan. We did what we needed to do and yet there were still some challengers. Challengers not just unique to Chadam but folks that challenged municipalities
around the state um to try and demand more more stringent respon more more stringent efforts more uh more density uh just a lot more than we needed to do in accordance with the state. uh we did that, we did what we had to do and
actually went above and beyond in in some ways. And so we were challenged on that and the uh program, the affordable housing program ruled in our favor and dismissed that challenge and said that we had a a sound plan and that we complied with the regulations. So as part of the uh requirements under the
fourth round uh legislative action, the Fair Housing Act, uh we have to adopt a number of ordinances and resolutions. Those are what implement the plan. So we put together the plan and then we have to implement the plan. So the following three ordinances are the ordinances that implement the plan. Uh and I believe two
if not all three but at least two uh will have to go to the planning board as well for their uh master plan review and uh I believe they are scheduled to hear those at the March 2nd meeting if I'm not mistaken. Yes. So March 2nd meeting. So that'll be another opportunity for
the for members of this community who sit on the planning board to also further vet these and then it will come back before the governing body for final hearing and adoption. So >> there's any questions on them, happy to answer those. >> All right. Great. Thank you very much.
Is there a motion to introduce ordinance 2026-04 of the cap bank? >> I move for introduction of ordinance 2026-04 for the cap bank. I'll second. >> Okay. Any discussion?
>> Mayor, if I may, uh, Mr. Shotti, so uh this would be um one of multiple instances where we've uh put forth an ordinance for the cap bank uh for consideration uh at the committee level. Um have we en energized that uh
opportunity uh to take advantage of the increased I think it's three to three three and a half >> to the Yes, correct. uh off the top of my head I I don't want to give you bad information. I don't recall. Um all the budgets start to blend together. Um and also you have two years to use them
before they expire as well. So it's not really accumulate this this bank in perpetuity. >> Yeah. Yes. So I I would say you know notwithstanding the fact that our budget is constantly in the headwinds of escalating costs uh largely some expenses which are in our perview our control and others which are not um I
think it is a clear reflection of of financial uh prudence that um our CFO Deb King and Mr. Shotti and other members of our staff uh in terms of curating a budget that works for the township and um cost conscious. Um so uh
thank you Mr. Shotti. Uh and I think members of the public this is um I think of it as sort of a free option right in the in the extent that um you're sort of governed by uh state laws. You're restricted as to what you can how much you can increase as appropriations. Uh
this affords this recognizes by the state an ability for municipalities to go beyond what is statutoily uh permissible. Um I don't we've ever had to tap into that uh option value. But um it's nice to know it's there and to the
extent that I think we ever do you know I would profess that Mr. Shotti and and other members of staff would obviously uh bring that to attention to the committee um and obviously make that available to members of the public but uh our fiscal prudence I think remains um sound um and again hats off to our
CFO and our administrator and other members of staff. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? >> Uh, yes. >> Mr. Troy, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McHugh, >> yes. >> And Mayor Roland, >> yes.
>> Motion passes and public hearing will be on March 24th. >> Okay. Is there a motion to introduce ordinance 2026-05, the affordable housing ordinance? I make such a motion to introduce ordinance 2026-05,
affordable housing ordinance. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Any discussion? Any further comments? >> Yes, Miss uh Greg, I just want to make sure this one does get referred to the planning board. >> Yes. Uh all three are going to the planning board.
>> Yes, I just want I was going to say that. Yeah, all three. Correct. >> We're going to discuss it whether it's referred or not. That's true. And and rightfully so. Um uh Jessica told me that so far you guys are the only successful uh challenge in
the state. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Mayor, if I may, I think um I I think it bears noting uh again, hats off to Mr. Shotti um to the subcommittee
subcommittee on affordable housing. Committee woman Ewald is not here, but I'd like to congratulate her. She's put in um numerous hours um along with our our professionals here um and not here uh who have intelligently and
methodically pursued uh the affordable housing um roadmap um prescribed by the state. Uh we've um uh been very intentional about taking advantage of of the process and any
avenues by which uh we can um better scrutinize better u have the figures better reflect uh the opportunities that are before the township uh what's undeveloped land what is developable land um and I think it um I think that declar declaratory judgment in favor of
the township is a shining example of of the hard work um and um you know, a committee and and bodies who are taking on the challenge as opposed to um ignoring it or kicking the can down the road. Um so we're getting in front of
it. We've been getting in front of it uh with clarity and being aggressive on on uh defining our obligations for affordable housing. So I I think it's a huge win for the township. So again, hats off to Mr. Shotti, other professionals. Um
I'm very happy you know, not to uh prolong this, but it's a also gratitude to all of you guys because we go into executive session. We discuss pending litigation and you mull and and uh ponder and really reflect
hard on what strategy to to pursue and you know the guard rails to give our team and and uh really balance the interests of the community while also you know understanding that with every type of litigation there's risks associated with uh you know whether you
roll certain dice or not. And so thank you to all for that support and and giving our professional team the flexibility to defend the plans that that you adopt. >> Great. Great news. Okay. Any other discussion?
>> Okay. >> Mr. Aluroitz, >> uh, yes. >> Mr. Troy, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McHugh, >> yes. >> And Mayor, >> yes. >> Motion passes and the public hearing for this one will be on March 10th. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to
introduce ordinance 2026-06 adding the AH1 zone? >> Uh, I move to introduce ordinance 202606. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Is there any discussion?
>> Um, this is specific to the one block, correct? Like the that one area or is this if I'm reading this correctly or is this All this for the >> Yes, this is the one on Southern Boulevard, >> right? It's the It's the one area, correct? Yeah.
>> Right. >> Um I know there was a lot of uh concern in the last couple of years about height restrictions and all of that stuff. And I very nice to see spelled out specifically
uh the height restriction that is in place for affordable housing units and the worries of perhaps years past are not valid. I'll say that. >> Okay.
>> Mr. Aleritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Troy. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mchugh. >> Yes. and Mayor Roland. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Public hearing on March 10th. >> Thank you. >> Is there a motion to introduce ordinance 2026-07 adding affordable housing overlay
district? >> I move that we introduce 2026-07 for the adding the affordable housing overlay district. I'll second. >> Is there any discussion? Nothing more
discussed in the past. I think it's a wise >> very wise. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Uh Mr. Troy. >> Yes. >> Um Deputy Mayor McHugh. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Owen. >> Yes.
>> Public hearing on March 10th as the motion has passed. >> Okay. Thank you. If I may, mayor, just one other thing, Greg, I don't know if um Well, I do know the tax assessor. I know Jessica just mentioned that she needs the 200 foot lists.
>> If you could just help facilitate that in any way. >> Yes. Um I asked her to give me a list of the block and lot that she needs it for. So, as soon as I get that, I can do the 200 foot. >> Okay. I'll talk to her about it because I know she's just wants to make sure and get that. >> Okay. >> Those notices done. That's
>> asking still waiting on a response from Jessica on that. >> Okay. I'll tell her. Thanks. Okay, now we can move on to the uh the consent agenda. I just if I can give a little bit of context to a couple of these items.
Um so resolution 2026-074 uh awarding the contract for the Fairmount Avenue drainage that is there is runoff that's coming from Fairmont Avenue that runs down onto the hillside trail which erodess the trail and makes it harder to find and harder to see.
This uh project is fully paid for by Morris County. So that will not be impacting our budget. Uh and also the sale of property at 482 490 River Road. This is for um uh past affordable housing project which is group homes and
there is a a selling um the township property for that development. >> Is there anything that anyone else would like to pull out of the consent agenda? >> Mayor, if I may, um just some quick comments in connection to resolution
2026 070 and 071 accepting leaf composting grant and authorizing PSG grant application. um two grants that are on the docket this evening. Um one, you know, I think one of the things that um this committee uh along with our
staff is um uh uh focused on is is pursuing grants uh monies whenever possible to help uh uh support the budget. Um so um I think both these things are uh materially positive and again uh thanks
to Mr. Shotti for um staying on top of it, pursuing it. Thank you to the staff um >> and the environmental commission. >> And the environmental commission. Yes. Sorry. >> Okay. Thank you.
Okay. Is there a motion to approve the cons consent agenda? >> I make a motion to approve the consent agenda resolutions 2026-060 through 2026-074. I'll second.
>> Mr. Mr. Operitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Troy, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McHugh, >> yes. >> And Mayor Roland, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll now move on to the second hearing of citizens. The same rules apply as before.
>> Anyone online? >> I do not see any hands raised. >> Okay. Anyone in the room that would like to come? Great. Okay. We will Close the second hearing of citizens. And is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> I move that we adjourn. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I All right. Thank you everyone. >> Recording stopped.