recording in progress. Microphone. Microphone. Welcome members of the public to this committee meeting of the township of Chadam this Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025. The committee has returned from
executive session and I'd like to remind everyone that Mr. Lanti did affirm that adequate notice has been given. I kindly like to ask everyone to rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of
the it stands nationy and justice for all this evening. We have two proclamations uh on our agenda. The first of which is for our beloved Chattam Township Fire Department. If I may read, uh, the Chattton Township Fire Department
centennial, whereas the Longill Volunteer Fire Company was established on September 8th, 1925, and whereas a River Road Firehouse was built in 1926. And whereas a substation was built in 1952 on Southern Boulevard, made
possible by generous donation of land by the Colony Association. And whereas in 1975, the name of the department was changed to be the Cadam Township Volunteer Fire Department, Longill Company number one. And whereas the Cadam Township Volunteer Fire Department and its hundreds of well-trained
volunteers, past and present, have served Chattam Township and the surrounding area, responding to calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 100 years. And whereas the Chattam Township Volunteer Fire Department remains a
volunteer organization funded primarily through donations and has served the residents of Chadam Township for the past 100 years. Now therefore, I Michael Troy and the T township Chattam Township Committee do hereby proclaim that September 8th, 2025 is designated as
Chattam Township Volunteer Fire Department Centennial Day in the TA Township of Cadam. The township committee honors and congratulates the Chattam Township Volunteer Fire Department for 100 years of service. The tireless efforts and sacrifice of all
the volunteers have kept our community safe and their contributions have made our community a better place to live. Our second uh proclamation advoc advocacy for women's health. Whereas the township of Chattam
recognizes the importance of health and hygiene for the well-being and dignity of all girls and young women. And whereas a lack of access to affordable and readily available menstrual products known as period poverty can negatively impact a person's dignity, education,
employment, and overall health and sense of well-being. And whereas the township of Chadam is committed to ensuring that members of our community have access to necessary resources to manage their menstrual health. And whereas various organizations are working diligently to
address period poverty and provide essential resources to those in need. And whereas New Jersey law requires public schools to provide menstrual products free of charge recognizing the importance of this access to support student success. And now therefore be it
proclaimed that the township of Chadam and the township committee acknowledges the vital role of period products access and the efforts of many organizations in addressing period poverty. We further recognize and support the ongoing efforts to ensure that members of our
community particularly students have access to the necessary resources to manage their menstrual health and with dignity and without further burden. He had further proclaimed that the township committee of the township of Chadam commits to working with local organizations and groups such as Chadam
Girl Scouts to increase availability of resources and to educate members of the community. I now would like to invite Asher Robson up if I may. Thank you. And here's Thank you very much.
Just a few more words on on Asher. Um who's a delightful young woman uh in the township. Uh I've gotten to know her over the last several years. Um she is daughter of Jessica Romeo who's uh been such a avid volunteer on environmental commission and elsewhere throughout the
township. Um and this is in part and parcel with a girl scout gold award which uh is is a distinguished achievement uh in the world of civic uh engagement and and leadership. I think less than 9% or 6% is it uh depending on the source certainly less than 9% of all
girl scouts in the country achieve this distinguished uh accomplishment. So hats off to you Asher. I appreciate um all the hard work. Um if you may say a few things because I think you covered quite a bit and uh mustered up um some critical mass here.
Yeah, I just want to say thank you so much for being so supportive. Throughout my whole project, the main piece of my project was getting free period products put into the library of the Chadams, which I successfully did. And also throughout the summer I've been working with an assembly woman of in New Jersey because we want to try to get
legislation in so period products are available in all public libraries. And this project has just been so important to me because it's a big issue that not a lot of people talk about. So I'm very grateful for the support of the township.
[Applause] I now would like to invite a distinguished member of uh our Chattam Township Police Department, uh, Sergeant Michael Bloom. Um, wait.
Let me first um Sergeant Michael Bloom began his service to our nation in 1999, enlisting in the United States Army. He proudly served four years with the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, deploying overseas twice, first in Kosovo in 2001
and later in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. Following his military service, Sergeant Bloom continued his commitment to public service by joining the Middle Sex County Sheriff's Department in 2005. There he worked as a sheriff's officer in the courts and prisoner transportation until
2008. He then transferred to the Euing Township Police Department where he served as a patrolman until 2010. In March 2011, Sergeant Bloom joined the Chattam Township Police Department. Over the course of his career here, he has served with distinction in a variety of
roles including patrolman, detective, community policing leaison, and range instructor. His dedication, leadership, and professionalism have been evident throughout his service in the community. Joining him tonight is his wife Jen and their two children Mason and Amelia.
Yes, I was going to say a few people. Welcome family. You please like to raise your uh right hand. I state your name. I do solemnly swear
domly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. and that I will bear true faith I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same allegiance to the same
and to the governments established in the United States the government established in the United States and in this state until the authority of the people this state authority of the people I doly swear I swear I do swear that I will faithfully I will faithfully impartially
and justly perform all the duties of the office of police sergeant all the duties of the office of police sergeant according to the best of my ability. To the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations, Sergeant.
[Applause] And then Just don't trip on the Congratulations. Sure. I was going to say, do you want me up there? No. want to get one.
I was going to say me and you. Yeah, it'd be too awkward. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Great. If I may. Yeah. If I may now move on to the first hearing of citizens. Mr.
Lanti, could you kindly provide guidance? Yes. Um, 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 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, uh 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 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 the guidelines issued by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services. And we do not have any attendees online.
Thank you, Mr. Lante. Do we have any written statements? Uh, no, we do not. Great. I now invite those in the audience to come before the microphone should they desire to do so. I see no one coming before the mic. So,
I shall now close the first hearing of citizens. I'd like to thank those of you who have joined us here uh this evening. We lift up our public safety to recognize their service and achievements. Uh just in the earlier proclamation, we recognize the long-standing service of our Chattam
Township Fire Department and celebrate those individuals who have kept and continue to keep Chattam Township safe. Thank you again for 100 years of serving the community with the courage to act and the dedication to serve sacrificially. I am also proud that we
administered the oath of office to Sergeant Michael Bloom. Congratulations to you, Sergeant, and I thank you for your continued leadership in our police department. You are not only one of our protectors, you are also a valued member of our community. A few quick updates on
the work before us. We're introducing an ordinance to update fire prevention fees with a goal of helping to pre uh protect property and lives as well as to keep our program sustainable. neighboring municipalities codes were considered to ensure that our codes are are consistent
with today's best practices and reflect actual cost of inspections and safety services. In this agenda, you'll see actions we are taking to keep our streets, parks and facilities in good working order. Road striping, roof work on township assets, colony pool repairs
and improvements to Hillside Trail and Estate Park. You will also see a shared service agreement with Harding Township and an agreement with MCMUA to continue regional cooperation on essential services. I avidly embrace
opportunities for sheriff services as you know and I believe the staff in this committee have performed an admirable job this year of weaving shared services threads throughout the township's tapestry of menus of services and amenities. The MCMUA agreement is a
200,000 plus regionalized recycling service. While the shared service with Harding is a smaller scaled shared agreement, a bit of an old-fashioned borrowing trading, if you will. Grand or small, they are both compelling because of the potential to save some taxpayer dollars while maintaining quality of
service. Thank you, Rich Young, for being opportunistic in keeping neighborly relations with Harding Township to identify this shared agreement. We along with our staff want to remain ever vigilant to save money where we can. It bears noting that this
evening that our administrator, staff and this committee all strive to deliver a high standard of care and service. When service falls short of that mark, please know that all key part personnel are call are called to action. We are taking calls, meeting with residents and professionals, advising and
communicating with staff in order to change protocol, train staff, and explore other ways to make improvements. improvements which we demand oursel ourselves to be made for the community. Many of these improvements yield immediate results while others which have complexity and nuances require time
for discernable changes to take place. So I do commend residents who write, call and show up to these very meetings. I also thank residents who reach out to our administrator and this committee. We welcome you to be an active part of the process. The boat moves the farthest when we freely and constructively
communicate, thoughtfully deliberate, and when we act, then to all row in the same direction. Thank you. And now on to business. On to committee reports. If I may start to my right, committeeman McHugh, you
may. Uh, starting with the environmental commission. Um unfortunately obligations elsewhere uh we lost a member and so the um reach out to the community that if you're interested in serving on the
environmental commission we're seeking your input and possibilities and you can actually reach out to uh the chair uh Jessica Romeo. She's you can contact her through the website. Uh this past weekend was the sustainability fair. Um it was uh this
past Saturday at the train station. Um and it was from 9 to 2:00. Uh the township uh environmental commission worked handinhand with the Burough Environmental Commission and the event was a huge success really. It was a beautiful day. A lot of things to learn
about um and it was really uh enjoyable to those who could take advantage of that. Uh additional opportunities coming up. The fall Tritown yard sale is scheduled for October 18. Um, and sign
up is at the there is a rain date of the 19th if it's too nasty out, but the signup is actually at the great great swamp.org uh for the uh great shrump watershed association. Uh the environmental commission is wrapping up uh a review.
This is actually moreformational than anything else on uh updates to the tree ordinance. So it could be a little bit more clear and direct and easily understood and uh pay attention that's coming. Um and of course it is beautiful
out now and has been for the past week or so. Um and it's a great time to plant uh you know the native trees and the native bushes and native things uh all around town. So think about it. It is the fall and also because it's the fall
the leaves are not far behind from falling. That reminds us that we do have a program uh for an adopt a drain program running in the township. Um and so look outside and maybe you can join up. It'll remind you to uh help clean
those uh drains nice and clear. It's a great uh simple thing to do uh right in your own backyard or front yard depending on where you are. Uh that's it for the EC. the library. Uh residents may borrow a laptop for use in the library for up to five hours in any
24-hour period. Uh the adults must present a library card or ID to borrow a laptop. Teens may also borrow a laptop, but for use in the teen center or elsewhere in the library after reviewing
and signing teen agreement. And unfortunately, we can't give it to children under 10 at this point, even though they probably better than some of us up here. So, uh it's to come. But they can do have PCs available in the children's room for those who uh kids
who do operate computers. Um do make a note that if your plans on Friday the 26th, uh the library will open late because there is some required training. So, put that uh in your in your notes. Uh if you're planning to make a visit to
library, it would be after 2 o'clock. And then finally, um the open space committee uh is yet to meet again since our last meeting. It's actually we're scheduled to meet on September 30th, chasing uh several things and suggestions that will be coming before
the committee. Uh that's my report. Mayor Committeeman, thank you. Committee woman Ewald. I just have one update and that is the senior center this uh Saturday September 27th is their
we a big deal pickle ball tournament. That's a fundraiser to benefit the senior center of the Cadams. Uh that'll be at Madison High School. There is a rain date of Sunday, September 28th. Um I I know they were looking they still had some spots last week. If people are
interested, definitely reach out um because they may have openings. Um, but it was very popular last year. Uh, people had a lot of fun. Um, and I would definitely encourage certainly for residents if they can't make it to support our senior center. Um, and I
think that's everything for now. I guess I would just tell people if you're interested, follow up with Anna at cadamcenior center.org. Thank you. Committee woman. Um, Sha Tova to everyone who is celebrating Russia Shana. Um I will
start with the board of ed. They held their meeting on September 15th. Um that's been very successful back to school. Um they've also been transitioning with the reconfiguration at Lafayette and CMS and that's been a very successful transition so far. Um
one of the things they presented at the board of ed the other night which was very interesting was a student well-being survey results. Students took the survey in February and they were um presenting the results that have been compiled. So, if you're interested in in learning more about that, you can um go
to the YouTube video from the meeting on the 15th. Um the board of health, you can continue to register your pets online. Um it's very easy. So, please continue to do that. Um in terms of public safety, uh our
police force continues to communicate and educate uh the community regarding ebikes. Um, I know there's a lot of questions and a lot of municipalities around us are focusing on this issue as well. Um, I also read that the Payic Bridge in New Providence, the Paic
Street Bridge in New Providence is expected to be open within the next month. So, that's good news for a lot of people. I hope it happens. Um, and then the last one, um, the historical society, uh, the Red Brick Schoolhouse will be
open on Sunday, the first Sunday of every month. um October 5th from 2:00 to 4. Um we've received the plaque to acknowledge that the Red Brick Schoolhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. So that is going to be um displayed prominently on
the front of the building after um all of the um wonderful upgrades that we've had done over the past year, all um fully funded by grants. Um the historical society is also participating in the hometown heroes project where
we're honoring um Chattam Township veterans uh for this first round. It's focusing on um veterans that served in World War II or prior and we'll be creating banners for each of those um hometown
heroes. That's all I have. Thank you. woman. Um the joint rec committee has a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday. Um we've been told that uh the uh joint rec uh
department has actually made a hire for the replacement of Carol Natada. Uh Daniel believe it's Hess maybe or Hess sorry haven't met him yet. Uh we'll be meeting him next week. uh comes over from Scotch Plains where he's been the assistant rec director for the last four
years. So, this is a really great uh addition to the team. Uh so stay tuned on that. And in uh just keeping also with the Chattam Fire Department as the mayor mentioned about the proclamation of the 100 years, great old party will
be happening on October 11th at the firehouse with I believe transportation from this building. Uh don't expect to park over at River Road. come to this building and they'll transport you. Uh fun for the whole family, beer and wine if you even need more incentive to go.
Uh and lots of celebration with the uh our own hometown heroes who are uh currently serving on the department. That's it. Thank you, committeemen. Um I have uh just one item
housekeeping. Uh the second installation of our information session in connection with uh the township re-evaluation uh education um is uh scheduled for this Thursday, 25th of September at 6 p.m. will be held at the municipal building
in Myersville Road. Uh as I mentioned, this is the second of two. So if you missed the first one, uh we certainly invite you to come and listen and ask questions uh to the professionals who will be uh performing that work. Uh again, it is Thursday the 25th of September, 6 p.m. uh at the Myersville
uh municipal building. And with that, that's the the end of committee reports. Um we have a single ordinance uh to be introduced this evening, ordinance 2025-16, fire prevention fees. Uh do I have a
motion to uh introduce said ordinance? So move second. Second. Any discussion? Yep. And now would like to open up discussion for the committee. Yeah, we've talked about it. It's a good
use of resources. Yeah, as I mentioned in my mayor's report, I I think it's um housekeeping uh exercise in order to stay lock step lock step with uh other municipalities uh schedule fees. um they are
comparable. It's an apples to apples comparison. Um and uh you know ultimately one way to look at is is um the the beneficiary of those services are the is the individual or household that's paying for it. So um there's some
just natural equity to it. Um this alsoes yes. So there is an accelerated scheduling uh involved on the schedule. use your microphone. So I think that is addressing um one of one of the things that we've received in
terms of feedback from residents and we've expressed a a if there's a um manner in which expedited services could be provided. So um I think is a good example of responding to that. Anything else?
Were you ready to vote? Yes to vote. Mr. Mr. Al Perowitz, yes. Mrs. Ewald, yes. Mr. McHugh, yes. Deputy Mayor Roland, yes. Mayor Troy, yes. Motion passes and the public hearing will be scheduled for October 28th.
Thank you, Mr. Lanti. On to the consent agenda. Is there any item that a member of the committee would like to carve out? Great. Hi. Um, so I now uh seek a motion uh to approve the consent agenda resolutions 2025-167
through resolution 2025-187. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda resolution 2025167 through resolution 2025187. Do I have a second? Second.
Mr. Mr. El Perowitz, yes. Mrs. Ewald, yes. Mr. McHugh, yes. Deputy Mayor Roland, yes. And Mayor Choy, yes. Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Lacanti. Onto our second hearing of citizens. Mr. Lanti.
Yes. Uh, same rules apply as before. Um, if anyone online wants to speak, they may raise their hand or or we can invite people up from the audience. Do we have anyone online? Uh we do not have any hands raised at this time. Great. Uh I invite anyone in the
audience to come before the mic. I see no one come to the mic. So I shall now close the second hearing of citizens. I now seek a motion to adjourn. So move. I'll second. All in favor.
I meeting adjourn. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, I got it. I I I