WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=BLLX4nJ_YsU

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: BLLX4nJ_YsU):
- 00:00:37: Meeting Commences: Roll Call, Pledge, and Open Public Meetings
- 00:03:05: Mayor's Communications: DPW Cleanup, Veterans, Memorial Day Parade
- 00:05:32: Mayor Outlines Agenda: Ordinances, Budget, and Robinson House
- 00:09:14: Motion Picture Ordinance Adoption and Public Comment
- 00:10:34: Parking Ordinance Introduction and Resident Input
- 00:12:45: Capital Ordinance Introduced: Equipment and Safety Gear
- 00:14:07: Citizen's Hearing On The Agenda And Resolutions
- 00:17:20: Budget Amendment Public Hearing: LOAP Funding Explanation
- 00:19:51: Adoption of 2026 Municipal Budget As Amended
- 00:21:09: Robinson Plantation House Roof Restoration Hearing
- 00:25:13: Public Comments: Debate, Community Temperature, and Communication
- 00:25:54: Public Comment: Michael Schulman Asks About Debate Timing
- 00:29:05: Public Comment: John Greaves Expresses Concern Over Community Fear
- 00:33:04: Public Comment: Nancy Toscus Thanks Council, Asks About School Buses
- 00:35:38: Council and Mayor Respond: Buses, Debates and Gratitude


Part: 1

1
00:00:37.760 --> 00:01:31.439
Just a reminder to mute or silence your phone or turn it off. We're going to begin in a minute. >> Thank you. Good evening and welcome to the Township of Clark Council meeting. It's Monday, May 4th, 7:30 p.m. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff,

2
00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:46.640
>> here. >> Council member Hund is absent. Council member Maserella >> here. >> Council member Maniti >> here. >> Council member Okconor is absent. Council member Tol >> here. >> Council President Smith >> here. You please rise for the pledge of

3
00:01:46.640 --> 00:02:16.000
allegiance and a moment of silence. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This meeting is in compliance with the

4
00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:33.599
open public meetings act chapter 231 pl 1975 as adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by mailing the annual schedule of meetings to the star ledger the leader and the union county local source by posting such annual meeting schedule on the bulletin board and town

5
00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:49.920
hall reserved for such announcements. The official website of the township ourclark.com in compliance with PL 2025, chapter 72 effective March 1st, 2026 and the proper filing of said notice. Formal

6
00:02:49.920 --> 00:03:05.280
action may be taken at this meeting. >> Great. Thank you. We're going to move on to communications from the mayor. And just a note for the public, reports of all council committees are given the third Monday of the month. So, Mayor Albanesey's Thank you, Mr. President. Um, you know,

7
00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:20.159
this year we had an extraordinary number of snowstorms, uh, wind, and recently another storm that brought down a lot of branches. And, uh, you know, everyone's been anxious about the street cleanup and our

8
00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:36.640
spring cleanup. And uh I know I know it's hard to be patient, but I I really have to thank our DPW staff for the tremendous effort in getting the spring cleanup done. So, um I appreciate everyone's patience. Uh nonetheless, you

9
00:03:36.640 --> 00:03:52.400
know, I have to say bravo to our DPW team. And uh tomorrow we'll be starting our grass pickup uh Tuesday, May 5th. Um, reminder to our citizens that

10
00:03:52.400 --> 00:04:07.840
ShopRight will be honoring our veterans of the American Legion this Thursday at 10 a.m. If you can make it, I hope you can stop by there to join us. Uh, they're being awarded a check um, out of all the shops. Uh Clark was one that was

11
00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:24.880
selected because of all the work that the American Legion does the citizen programs, veteran programs, and the management at Shopright was very impressed with everything that is being done by them. And they'll be awarded a check for $5,000. So, congratulations to

12
00:04:24.880 --> 00:04:42.800
Commander Dave Broadwell and all the members of Post 328. Um if you can't make it, please remember to congratulate them on that. And um the Memorial Day parade will be starting at 9:00 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 25th, which is just 21

13
00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:58.080
days away. So this is a time for us to honor members of the military who died in service for our country. To honor our fallen heroes, we're having a Memorial Day parade in front of ALJ High School. It'll wind up there. uh where we'll have

14
00:04:58.080 --> 00:05:15.360
a ceremony to commemorate um our fallen heroes um to decorate the monuments that are there uh with flags and wreaths and then we'll have a time for reflection on um for those family, friends, and citizens

15
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:32.240
of Clark and the United States that gave their life for our freedom. So, I hope to see you all there and uh hopefully you'll be walking in the parade as well or watching it and I'll see you at the ceremony afterward. Um to summarize for the council, I'd

16
00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:47.280
just like to go through the the agenda. Uh tonight, we're going to have ordinance 26-16 is up for adoption, which is the motion picture ordinance, which we've worked so hard on these recent years. the state of New Jersey had made some additional changes and to

17
00:05:47.280 --> 00:06:02.960
be film ready uh we need to comply with that. Um tonight we have also a capital ordinance 26-17. This is different than a bond ordinance. We're funding it with cash that we have on hand and uh we're going to be

18
00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:18.560
refurbishing refurbishing the bulletproof vest of the police officers uh which is definitely needed and um we're going to buy a piece of equipment for our DPW loader. It's called a Tinkclaw um to assist in the work that

19
00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:35.840
they're doing. And for our fire department, we'll be p purchasing personal personal protective gear. Moving on to the consent agenda, resolution 26-127. Really excited about the fact that we'll be appointing three new volunteer

20
00:06:35.840 --> 00:06:53.280
firemen joining the ranks. Um Joshua Fiddleman, Noah Venuova, and Tyler Flechman. Thank you for joining our squad and uh thank you for your service. We wish you the best. Um resolution

21
00:06:53.280 --> 00:07:10.160
26128. Um, want to say thank you to Paul Longi who's volunteered to serve on the planning board as an alternate. Um, so hopefully the council will approve that as well. Uh, next we have uh, resolution 26129 which relates to one sewer fee

22
00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:29.440
adjustment for $49,516. refunds of taxes is covered in resolution 26130 and that's for an overpayment of $2,16056 cents which was requested by our tax collector. The remaining items relate to

23
00:07:29.440 --> 00:07:45.599
the hearing on the budget amendment which was introduced um at our last meeting and a vote by the council to adopt the final 2026 municipal budget. And then we're going to have a public hearing on the Robinson Plantation House

24
00:07:45.599 --> 00:08:01.680
roof restoration, including a supplemental restoration. And also the council will authorize to adopt the pre-qualification regulations for the contractors to bid on the roof res restoration and the supplemental restoration in the pre-qualification at

25
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:18.800
the Robinson House. And that hearing was announced at our last council meeting for that. Thank you. That concludes my remarks. >> Uh, mayor, I think you skipped over in introduction proposed ordinances number 22616, the parking for ALJ across the

26
00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:40.719
street. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, here we're introducing an ordinance um related to parking at the um Brewer facility for the high school students. So, we're limiting parking to

27
00:08:40.719 --> 00:08:58.800
three hours because um we can't have students parking in those spaces. Those need to be available for people who are attending events at the um at the Brewer building during the day. So, uh please take note of that. This will be this is

28
00:08:58.800 --> 00:09:14.800
up for introduction. Thank you for pointing that out. I did see I did see our attorney mention something. So, thank you. Don't don't hesitate to interrupt me. Thank you. >> Okay, madame clerk, uh when you're ready, ordinances, appropriations, and claims.

29
00:09:14.800 --> 00:09:30.720
>> Um there have no objections have been received in conject connection with the proposed ordinances. Ordinance 26:15, an ordinance to amend various sections of chapter 358 entitled motion pictures of the code of the township of Clark.

30
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:48.160
>> Okay. At this time, I'll open the meeting to the public on this ordinance and this ordinance only. If anyone would like to come forward, please state your name and town you reside in. You have five minutes or duration. All right. Seeing no one, I'd like a motion to close the public hearing. Thank Councilman Maserella first and

31
00:09:48.160 --> 00:10:03.839
second. Council member Tol. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> At this time, I need a motion to adopt the ordinance. >> Yes, I'll move it. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserella. Can I get a second? >> I'll second it. >> Thank you, Council Member Hoff. Uh, any discussion or questions? Do you have anything to add, Jim? It's pretty

32
00:10:03.839 --> 00:10:20.399
self-explanatory. >> Yeah. I mean, uh, the mayor I think mayor went over it, um, in detail enough. >> Great. Thank you. >> Okay. Introduction of proposed I'm sorry, Roal. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella,

33
00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:34.320
>> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> Ordinance adopted. >> Okay. When you're ready, we can move to introduction of the two proposed ordinances. Ordinance 2616, an ordinance

34
00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:54.399
to amend chapter 347, section 347-60 of the code of the township of Clark, regulating parking entitled municipal property and board of education property to add a new section 347-6A5 to permit three-hour parking on a

35
00:10:54.399 --> 00:11:11.120
portion of the parking lot at the municipal building building. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion? Thank you, Council Member Tolk. Can I get a second? >> Thank you, Council Member Huff. Um, any discussion? Or Jim, do you want to add anything to that?

36
00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:27.920
>> Yeah. Um, you know, just to repeat what the mayor said, uh, this is just those parking spots right by the pickle ball courts. Um, so it could be used by people who are going to be using the recreation department as opposed to the students. students still have plenty of places to park in front of the pickle board courts in front of the building

37
00:11:27.920 --> 00:11:42.800
further down to the um softball fields. It's just to reserve those for the three-hour parking. >> Great. Thank you. Anyone else have any questions? >> Uh just a comment. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I went to a Russian an event in the third ward

38
00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:58.800
back for Russian Orthodox Easter. And at that event, the resident who I was attending her house laid into my ear the problems of the parking at Brewer for the senior citizens who were attending during the day. And she brought it to my attention and I said to her, "You're

39
00:11:58.800 --> 00:12:14.079
telling me now. I'm going to bring it to the attention of the administration and the mayor." And you see action. Less than 30 days later, you're seeing a results of the police looking into it and now taking care of an issue that you felt was important. We're here to

40
00:12:14.079 --> 00:12:30.800
resolve and answer questions and make a better Clark. You have a problem. I got laid out on a Easter celebration for the Russian Orthodox. I've been going to that family for years. And Mrs. Dear, anytime you want to yell at me, you can yell at me all you want. Thank you, mayor, and the BA and this town council

41
00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:45.200
for acting swiftly to an issue. Thank you. Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes.

42
00:12:45.200 --> 00:13:02.160
>> Public hearing will be on May 18th. Ordinance 2617, capital ordinance of the township of Clark in the county of Union, New Jersey, authorizing the making of various acquisitions in, by, and for the township, appropriating

43
00:13:02.160 --> 00:13:19.120
therefore the sum of $125,000, and providing that such sum so appropriated shall be raised from capital surplus of the township. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserilla. I get a second. >> Second. Thank you, Council Member Tol.

44
00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:35.680
Uh, any discussion or questions? Pretty self-explanatory. >> I mean, the um, you know, the three items again are the cloth that we use to pick up branches and leaves at the DPW that takes a beating. Uh, we do have three of them. One of them is out of service now, so we're we're just

45
00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:52.160
replacing that one. Um, and then we have the bulletproof vest and the safety equipment for the fire department. >> Right. Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff. Yes. >> Council member Maserella. >> Yes. >> Council member Maniti. >> Yes. >> Council member Tol. >> Yes.

46
00:13:52.160 --> 00:14:07.519
>> Council President Smith. >> Yes. >> Public hearing will be on May 18th. >> All right. Payment of claims. U. Council member Menetti. You'll take that. >> Thank you, Council President. I have reviewed the current and capital expenditures received and encumbered

47
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:25.839
through April 27, 2026 in the amount of 126,244. Thank you. Thank you. At this time, we're going to move on to the citizens hearing on the agenda. I'll open the meeting to the public. The public comment portion of the meeting is to allow the public to

48
00:14:25.839 --> 00:14:41.120
bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments in accordance with NJSA 10:4-12A and the code of the township of clerk. Oop, sorry, I lost my spot there. There we go. Each person addressing the council shall give their name and the

49
00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:56.160
town in which they reside to the clerk. All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and shall not exceed five minutes in duration. At the conclusion of the statements or questions from a member of the public, the council president at his discretion may choose to respond or not respond. So, if anyone would like to come forward

50
00:14:56.160 --> 00:16:13.839
on agenda items, please do so. Thank you. Right. Seeing no one else like a motion to close this portion of the meeting. Thank you, Council Member Tol and second. Was that Council Member Hoff? Thank you. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?

51
00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:30.240
>> Okay, we'll move on to consent agenda resolutions. >> The following items are considered routine and non-controversial items by the township council and will be enacted upon one motion. There will be no separate vote on these items unless a council member so requests in which the

52
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:44.560
item will be removed from the consent agenda to be discussed and voted on following the approval of the remaining items listed on the consent agenda. >> Would you like me to read them or was the mayor's >> We can do them as a summary. The mayor

53
00:16:44.560 --> 00:17:04.079
summarized them all. >> So a motion to adopt the consent agenda. Thank you, Council Member Tol and a second. Thank you, Council Member Hoff. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Miniti, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes.

54
00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:20.400
>> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> Ordinances, resolutions adopted. >> Uh, the following resolutions are separate. The public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget amendment introduced on April 20th, 2026.

55
00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:41.039
>> Right. At this time, I'll open a meeting to this resolution. in the 2026 municipal budget. If anyone would like to come forward, please state your name and town you reside in. And you'll have five minutes or duration. >> Good evening, John Grayson Clark. Um I

56
00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:55.280
just had a question about the amendment. there was an addition to the LOAP for $70,000 um to fund it versus the 1,000 that was originally in the budget. Uh the previous three years or so it had been

57
00:17:55.280 --> 00:18:14.080
at uh funded at $1,000 about 20 years all the 20 years prior to that it was about $60,000. Um what um what changed with that? Uh I saw that the the balance at the beginning of year was over 200,000. um what happened

58
00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:29.840
between the beginning of the year and now that we needed to amend it >> address the yeah when you're done we'll answer the question if you have any other ones >> that's essentially it yeah I just wanted to I basically wanted some more information about what happened this year that we're now refunding the LOAP at that rate >> okay we'll answer when we're done if

59
00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:51.039
anyone else come up made a note of it thank you >> all right see no one else like a motion to close this portion of the hearing. >> Thank you, Council Member Hoff. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserella. All in favor? >> I.

60
00:18:51.039 --> 00:19:17.280
>> Any opposed? >> Mayor Albanese or the BA? You get a second. >> You want to address that question? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. So regarding the LOAP, well for many years we were not increasing the amount of LOAP, but the

61
00:19:17.280 --> 00:19:34.400
what you see in the budget now is simply what was always taken out of the trust that we have set aside for LOAP. So the revenues had to match the costs and that's basically it. But we are giving our firefighters the maximum amount that

62
00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:51.919
we can give permitted by law because they deserve that. Thank you. Great. >> Thank you. Okay. Number 10. >> Adoption of the 2026 mun municipal budget as amended.

63
00:19:51.919 --> 00:20:07.520
>> Okay. At this time, I need a motion to adopt the budget. >> Motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Hoff. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Council Member Maniti. Uh, any discussion or questions for the BA or mayor? Okay. If not, we go ahead, Jim. Nothing.

64
00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:22.720
I mean, we've gone over the budget. You know, it's less than $100 per household. Uh, you know, for the average citizen. Uh, it's an aggressive budget and we did did a really good job between the finance committee of, um, Pat, Jim, and

65
00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:38.880
and Jess, and I think they, you know, had a lot of input and it worked out really well for the municipality. >> And just to reiterate for the citizens, that's just a municipal portion of the >> correct >> tax bill. We still don't know what the county or the school is.

66
00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:54.400
>> Only thing we can control. >> Correct. All right. Thank you. All right. Number 11. >> Roll call. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Roll call. Thank you. >> Council member Hoff. >> Yes. >> Council member Mazerella. >> Yes. >> Council member Maniti. >> Yes.

67
00:20:54.400 --> 00:21:09.280
>> Council member Tol. >> Yes. >> Council President Smith. >> Yes. >> Number 11. Public hearing on the Robinson Plantation House roof restoration including supplemental restoration. >> Great. Thank you. I have to read the following statement into the record. The

68
00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:24.559
township of Clark received a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust Fund for roof restoration at the historic Robinson Plantation House. The grant includes roof restoration, replacement of wood shingle roofing, installation of new gutters, leaders, and flashing.

69
00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:40.320
Repointing of the brick chimney, repairs to the heavy timber framing, finished carpentry, repairs at eaves and rakes, surface preparation and painting of historic material fabric. The cost of this work exceeds the bid threshold under the local public contracts law

70
00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:57.200
which generally requires the contracts to be subject to public bidding and awarded to the lowest bidder. However, to ensure that this restoration is performed by an experienced and historic qualified restoration contractor, the local public contracts law allows and

71
00:21:57.200 --> 00:22:13.760
the New Jersey historic trust fund requires that prospective biders be pre-qualified prior to submitting a bid to ensure the quality of the work. The township restoration architect prepared pre-qualification regulations describing the pre-qualification process and the

72
00:22:13.760 --> 00:22:29.919
scope of the work. Before the township may adopt the pre-qualification regulations, the township council must hold the public hearing on the regulations. Notice of the pre-qualification regulations and public hearing have continuously appeared on the township website under the legal

73
00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:47.280
notices tab since April 10th, 2026. Tonight is the public hearing on the pre-qualification regulations. So at this time, I'll open the meeting to the public on this resolution. If anyone would like to come forward, please do so. State your name and town

74
00:22:47.280 --> 00:23:04.400
you reside in. You have five minutes of duration. Okay. Seeing no one, I'd like a motion to close the public hearing. >> Thank you, Council Member Tol. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserella. All in favor? >> Any opposed?

75
00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:20.159
Okay. When you're ready, Madam Clerk. Number 12. >> Number 12. Authorizing the township of Clark to adopt the pre-qualification regulations for the contractors to bid on the roof restoration, including supplemental restoration as described in the pre-qualification regulations at the

76
00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:36.720
historic Robinson Plantation House. >> I get a motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Tolk. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Uh, thank you, Council Member Maniti. And any discussion? Do you have anything, Jim? >> So, I mean, you know, I'm not sure if Nancy is going to like this, but uh we

77
00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:53.919
got about $160,000 in grants between the um state and the um county to support the roof restoration. Uh historical restoration is uh a significant process. Everything from the architect through the um period

78
00:23:53.919 --> 00:24:11.039
construction and contractors need to be certified, you know, from a historical perspective to make sure that we bring it back to period um similar per period uh replacement. So, it's an expensive proposition and that whole 160,000 is

79
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:26.799
not even going to pay for the whole thing. We're probably still going to we we already bonded for it, but we're probably still going to be somewhere around $100,000 in. So, you know, this is one of those instances where all the state money assists us in, you know, keeping something for the community, for

80
00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:42.159
the state. Historical, it goes back to the 17 what, Brian? >> 1690. Okay. Goes back to 1690. So, um, >> yeah. So, I mean, it's historical and it benefits everybody in the state and we

81
00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:58.720
we're using $160,000 of, you know, uh, grant funds to pay for it. >> Great. Thanks for the explanation. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith,

82
00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:13.840
>> yes. >> Resolution adopted. >> Okay. Is there any new business on the calendar? >> There is no new business. >> Thank you. Okay. Now, we'll move on to public comments. I'll open a meeting to the public. The public comments portion of this meeting is to allow for the public to bring to the council's

83
00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:31.039
attention their concerns or comments in accordance with NJSA104-12A and the code of the township of Clark. Each person addressing the council shall give their name and a town in which they reside to the clerk. All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and shall not exceed five minutes of

84
00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:54.960
duration. At the conclusion of the statements or questions from a member of the public, the council president at his discretion may choose to respond or not respond. So, if anyone would like to come forward, please do so and just state your name in town and you'll have five minutes of duration. Thank you. Good evening, Michael Schulman, Clark,

85
00:25:54.960 --> 00:26:13.120
New Jersey. I somehow missed last I guess last month's meeting or the last meeting before this and seemed to be the most I guess unfortunate is the word exciting one in a while. And I guess that means as always, elections are

86
00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:30.400
around the corner. And what I wanted to maybe say today is that we're going to have more meetings and more opportunities for people in the town to speak and for folks in council,

87
00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:45.760
I guess, to address them. And I'm hoping that maybe the temperature doesn't need to be so high. Maybe the rhetoric from people who

88
00:26:45.760 --> 00:27:03.200
sit on deis, sit at the table to my left um don't seem to take so much pride in throwing people out of their office and things of that nature. I get there's disagreements between the two sides, but there's always going to be

89
00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:18.559
opposition to whatever side is in power and it takes a thick skin to, I think, conduct the business of any town. But with that said, Councilwoman Hoff remarked last meeting that this is, I

90
00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:36.000
guess, not the place to engage in this or ask about a debate. So I guess the question I have and that people have is when it's silly for us to come up, ask a question, get an answer,

91
00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:51.520
then we leave, there's unlimited time to rebut it, then we say we don't think that answer is sufficient, then we come back here. And I agree, maybe there's some gotcha going on back and forth. So the question is, this is our opportunity

92
00:27:51.520 --> 00:28:08.240
to ask questions. When when do the people who are running from both sides now that the paperwork has been filed we all know who's running including myself in second ward when is the time that current people in power

93
00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:25.039
want to have a discussion that's open that's honest that's moderated fairly and where everyone has equal time to address questions from the public. People want it. This town used to have it and stopped. And I think for as long

94
00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:42.000
as folks up there have been in power now election after election without having to respond directly to questions posed to them in a real fashion. I think it's about time that people step up and say, "If I'm going to run, I'm not going to hide behind time limits from people in

95
00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:59.080
town, but I'm actually going to stand up and answer tough questions." So my question in essence is name a time, name a place, you know we will be there. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Schulman.

96
00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:22.720
>> Hello John Gre from Clark. Um I guess I sort of have something in the similar vein to say which is I I do think that maybe we can turn the temperature down. Um, I I really come here because I I care about my community. You guys might feel

97
00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:37.919
negatively about me being up here and coming to every meeting and and having something to say, but really I'm here because I I I worry about my community. Um, and part of that is having uncomfortable conversations. Um it's

98
00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:55.120
it's not comfortable for me either. But you know, some of the responses I've gotten up here um from the former mayor, I was called things that I can't repeat here or else you guys would say I was very out of line. Um I've been told to move out of town more times than I can

99
00:29:55.120 --> 00:30:11.039
count. Um you know, I've I you know, the the BA was very happy to talk about how he kicked me out of his office. Um, and you know what? I can handle it. But I

100
00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:26.720
think one of the things that I really worry about on top of that is is that I think some other people that see it, it makes them not want to come here. I know you guys think that there's not that many people here because people aren't that concerned, but I I know people are concerned. I know that there's timing things. That's why I brought up the Zoom

101
00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:43.840
thing. Um, but there's also an aspect of fear. People are afraid. They they've literally said to me when I've asked people to come to the meetings, they say, "Oh, I can't. I'm worried. I I'm not necessarily accusing. I'm just telling you what people have told me.

102
00:30:43.840 --> 00:31:01.279
Um, they go, "I have a permit that I'm trying to get done to the town and I don't want them to get upset with me. This is stuff that I've heard. I have my kids in the school. I don't want to make a scene and have people upset with me. Um, this is, you know, and and when I

103
00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:19.200
come up here and, um, you know, people get mad because I made an Oprah request. And then, you know, even last meeting, you know, the the BA said that he was going to be a detective and he figured out that I had made an Oprah request, which he was incorrect about. And maybe that was just joking. It didn't really

104
00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:35.679
bother me, but thinking about it, it makes other people think, oh, if I make an Oprah request, they're going to target me. they're gonna say, "Oh, who made it? And I'm gonna figure out who it is." That's not that's not the way you should treat people that are just trying to verify things. And yes, we've had

105
00:31:35.679 --> 00:31:51.279
some uncomfortable conversations, and I don't just accept every answer you give me. That's part of being an American. I'm I'm sitting here trying to make my town better in the way that I know how. You guys are doing the same in the way that you know how.

106
00:31:51.279 --> 00:32:08.480
I don't think the answer is 100% in either camp. But um just to end that, I just wanted to say, you know, one final thing. I have to go because I I've come here to so many meetings and I'm basically tired of telling my kids that I can't put them to bed and that's why I

107
00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:25.279
leave. Um I'm you I'm going to watch this afterwards. I'm going to digest what your your response to this is. I'm not just coming up here and abandoning things and I don't think that it's fair to sort of penalize me for that. So I I please if you can understand that um I

108
00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:42.240
understand that you might take that as an offense. Some people would see that as an offense and I understand that but please understand that that's that's the reason I'm leaving. I've come you've seen me come here to many meetings um and I've stayed the whole meeting sometimes till 10:00. Um I'm I'm choosing my kids this year. So um let's

109
00:32:42.240 --> 00:33:04.480
let's have uncomfortable conversations in a more positive way and I think we can move the town forward in our own ways hopefully. I know I went a little over time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Greavves. >> Uh Nancy Toscus Clark. Um I want to

110
00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:21.679
thank the uh council and the mayor and the business administrator. I don't know what goes into the effort of putting an application in for a grant, but this particular grant I'm very positive about. Um the Robinson House wound up in Clark, New Jersey. It could have wound

111
00:33:21.679 --> 00:33:39.120
up anywhere. It came in 1690. It wasn't really Clark, New Jersey at the time. It was Rawway. It wound up here. It's a burden the town has really very graciously maintained beautifully has has that piece of property that is a large piece of property and a town that

112
00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:55.039
has a lot of property restrictions and property needs. So, being a lifetime member of the Clark Historical Society, I'm very pleased to see that the house is going to be maintained. A bad roof could be a disaster to a house of that

113
00:33:55.039 --> 00:34:11.839
age. So, thank you very much for putting the effort in. I have to say this type of thing, I think, is what states and counties should support when it's there because it's not us choosing it to be there and we're trying to save something that is precious for probably for the

114
00:34:11.839 --> 00:34:28.560
whole country. really you drive through Clark, you could stop in and see this. Um, the second thing I have is a question about school buses. Um, I downloaded the ordinances and I couldn't really find it. So, that's why

115
00:34:28.560 --> 00:34:45.359
I'm I'm asking about it now. Is there restriction on roads that school buses can pick up and drop off children? They seem to be all over the place nowadays. I mean, when I went to school, I walked up to St. John's to get on the bus to go

116
00:34:45.359 --> 00:35:01.520
to Mother Seat. I know the Clark kids have a bus stop in my neighborhood, but I see other buses driving all around. They come at 7:30 in the morning. They can't make it around culde-sacs. They beep beep beep beep beep because they're backing up to turn around. So, I don't

117
00:35:01.520 --> 00:35:22.079
know. If there's no ordinance about school buses, maybe it's an ordinance that we should think about. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. All right. Seeing no one else, a motion to close this portion of the meeting.

118
00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:38.400
>> Thank you, Council Member Manitic. I get a second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Huff. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> All right, we'll move on to Mayor Council professional comments. >> Um, Mr. President, I think Captain Lot can answer some of the questions that uh

119
00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:59.200
Nancy had. >> Great. Thank you. >> Good evening. So, to address the uh questions about the school buses, the light traffic ordinance does limit vehicles above certain weights on certain streets. The school buses are

120
00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:16.800
exempt and I do not think I will leave this to our attorney to give the definitive answer Rob but I do not think that legally we'll be able we will be able to restrict school buses which are picking children up from going down the streets that the kids live on to pick them up. So no they are not restricted

121
00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:33.040
currently and I do not believe that we could do so nor would it be a good idea to do so. Right. >> Thank you Captain Lot. Okay, mayor. >> Um, to address some of the other comments, you know, um,

122
00:36:33.040 --> 00:36:50.079
I can relate to what John Gre said. You know, it's tough when you can't be home with your kids. I know I did it my the entire childhood for my kids and even as adults. Um, so that's difficult and that's a sacrifice you make with civil service. Um,

123
00:36:50.079 --> 00:37:07.760
don't want to be disrespectful to him and I I hope I never have been. Um, Mr. Schulman, um, once again I agree with you. Yes, there are disagreements. There is opposition. You need thick skin.

124
00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:25.359
But I have found in the debates that go on in this state and maybe in the country as well, very few people watch them. very pe few people watched the political party debates that were held this year for the governor and

125
00:37:25.359 --> 00:37:42.880
then they didn't even when the candidates were selected very few people watched them. Yes, we did have debates years ago. You had 45 seconds to answer not five minutes to talk about any topic you want to and the only people many

126
00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:59.760
people didn't watch it. A few people came out. It was kind of like a room like this with our families. our families and maybe friends came out and that was about it. I don't think people were really interested in that. They were interested when there's a problem. To me, when I go to the door and meet

127
00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:15.839
the people or they reach out to me, I'm able to answer their questions and I think that's satisfactory enough instead of having a debate. Um, plus I'm a little bit concerned because in the videos that you make, they're all

128
00:38:15.839 --> 00:38:32.560
taken out of context. There's no comments back and forth that were made. It's all one-sided and uh you know, we have to watch, you know, I get calls from people telling me about this so I can rebut it. But uh so I don't

129
00:38:32.560 --> 00:38:49.359
appreciate that. If you want to be fair about it, you know, include the whole video. That's what I would say. Um it's, you know, I think as an attorney, you would have some respect for, you know, both sides of the opinion. It's no debate when you're taking a an excerpt

130
00:38:49.359 --> 00:39:07.760
of a a clip and playing what you said, not showing the other side. So, those are my comments um in response. >> Right. Thank you. Do you have anything else in closing before we move on to the council

131
00:39:07.760 --> 00:39:23.200
members? >> No. >> All right. Thank you, Council Member Hoff. I wanted to echo the mayor's comments earlier um crediting the DPW. I know that they were picking up spring cleanup debris this week on top of the grass

132
00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:40.800
pickup um starting so it's a full plate for them and I thank them. Um I want to say thank you and stay safe to the three new members of our fire department. Um I want to also thank everyone for their efforts in putting our budget together. It was a huge undertaking obviously and with so many rising and fixed costs out

133
00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:58.160
of our control um to still have all the services and programs under $100 for the average house in town um I think is something to be really proud of. So thank you for that. Uh the mayor's presentation on the budget is available as are all of our meetings on our YouTube channel as well as the clip

134
00:39:58.160 --> 00:40:14.720
video and slide deck on uh all the various pages that the council and the township has uh on social media. Speaking of social media, um just like echoes real life here. Uh to me, this is a business meeting, not a political arena. It's not a political

135
00:40:14.720 --> 00:40:31.760
open mic. Um why anyone thinks a business meeting is the appropriate time for political posturing underscores the lack of knowledge that I think has to exist for understanding exactly what we do. And Mr. Graves worries about the community. Well, then maybe be more careful with the intentional falsehoods

136
00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:48.240
that get put up post meetings, the misinformation traded for social media clicks, and stop whipping the people of this community up with all of the things that get answered in meetings and then are presented to you on social media in

137
00:40:48.240 --> 00:41:04.800
clipped segments of what actually goes on just like the mayor said. So, post unedited full clips of what goes on here and I am sure I'll have nothing to say. I am looking forward to this Thursday and I'm

138
00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:19.599
looking forward to the parade. Thank you, >> Council Member Maserella. >> Yes, thank you, Council President. Yes, I too want to uh uh acknowledge our uh DPW personnel and their forces. They're

139
00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:36.079
doing, I believe, an outstanding job in our community trying to keep up with all the services that we provide to each and every um household and resident in the town. And um in two weeks, I'll give an

140
00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:54.480
more in-depth report. Uh secondly, as I've said at each meeting, um to the residents, please, if you see or hear something, the weather's getting nicer out there. There's more people out there walking, driving around in our community. If you do see something that

141
00:41:54.480 --> 00:42:11.280
you're not quite comfortable with, call our police department. They're going to come. They're going to respond quickly and to ensure your safety. Until two weeks, be safe and well. Good night. >> Thank you, Council Member Mani.

142
00:42:11.280 --> 00:42:27.119
>> Uh, thank you, Council President. Um before I get to my um written remarks, I just want to address uh Mr. Greavves and his uh comment about the community. Um first and foremost, I don't think we live amongst a community that's scared,

143
00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:42.640
afraid, or worried about what will happen if they voice their opinion. And I'm kind of taken back by that. And I wish he was here to hear my response, but respect the fact that he wants to spend time with his children because that's time he can't get back. But our

144
00:42:42.640 --> 00:43:00.160
town is resilient. They're made up of inspiring, successful people. And when they have a concern, they do address it. They come out, they uh email, they text, they call, whatever it is. And I believe in my 53 years of being in Clark that

145
00:43:00.160 --> 00:43:17.119
most of the people in Clark are very happy with our community. They love this community. And it shows in November. And I think that, you know, to say we're going to debate who's right, who's wrong, or versus who, in my opinion, I think that the community decides if they

146
00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:32.079
love this town enough, they're going to vote for the people that made this town what it is. If they don't, they're going to vote another way. And that's the way it's always been. And uh just taken back by that, you know, they're worried about if their permit's going to get pulled. I

147
00:43:32.079 --> 00:43:47.280
mean, that's just a a political statement to get somebody to disagree with the people that are behind these microphones and agree with someone else. And I'm kind of taken back by that, but that's neither here nor there. Um, now to my prepared remarks. May 13th, uh,

148
00:43:47.280 --> 00:44:02.720
the ALJ Hall of Fame dinner at the Grand Centurans to honor this year's 2026 inductees. I know the mayor, uh, myself and some other council members will be there um, congratulating them, and I look forward to that on May 13th. Um,

149
00:44:02.720 --> 00:44:18.000
last Friday was commitment day at the uh, high school and uh, uh, being a part of it, having a son that was a part of commitment day, I just want to congratulate all our seniors. I mean, if you look at the list of the colleges they will be attending, uh, this fall,

150
00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:35.359
it's pretty impressive. um not only the colleges but the you know the seniors that will be going out and working in uh you know in our communities and uh you know that will you know just be assisting us in our futures. I mean it's just a true honor to be a part of it and

151
00:44:35.359 --> 00:44:50.480
I just want to congratulate each and every one of them. Uh with that I want to thank all the teachers that been a part of that. Um, again, uh, maybe I'm being, you know, very selfish here, but, um, I want to thank all the teachers that made my son, uh, the the man he is

152
00:44:50.480 --> 00:45:07.920
and the man he aspires to be and the board of education. And, uh, with that, uh, this week is teacher appreciation week. So, uh, uh, let's get out there and just thank our teachers. A little small token of appreciation will go along great. And, uh, just want to thank

153
00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:25.599
them. Um and then finally, um this week is uh ALJ sports at the high schools. A lot of county sports going on, starting with softball. Uh the girls softball won their division and look forward to a a county championship and possibly even going on to the states, but boys

154
00:45:25.599 --> 00:45:41.599
baseball, lacrosse, and everything else. So get out there and support the Crusaders and look forward in two weeks to speaking again. And thank you, Council President, for the time. >> Thank you, Council Member Tol. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, Roroway River Cleanup was held on April

155
00:45:41.599 --> 00:45:56.960
the 25th under the direction of Joe Zebo DP Clark, longtime Clark resident and active in the environmental commission uh with his support of his lovely wife who's a great lady. You had over 100 people attend and over 50 100gallon bags

156
00:45:56.960 --> 00:46:12.560
of debris, stuff like this came out of the Rawway River from the Winfield Park Dam all the way down to the Jackson's Falls. Out of that hundred group of people, we had our mayor and we had councilwoman Huff and myself basically climbing into the Rowey River and

157
00:46:12.560 --> 00:46:29.839
picking out stuff like this. Again, it's just that dedication. You don't just come to meetings and sit up on a dis and pontificate your power. You turn around and you go out and pick up debris from our waterways that are mother's nature and needs extra help. So, I'm just trying to say we all give

158
00:46:29.839 --> 00:46:46.000
that time and extra time, especially the mayor. I can't know how she keeps up with her schedule, but again, Councilwoman Huff, uh, Joe Zebo wanted to say thank you for your time on a busy, horrible weather. The weather was cold, re dreary, it had been drizzling, then it started raining later. The weather was not cooperative to go out

159
00:46:46.000 --> 00:47:01.359
and pick up debris from the waterways, but we did it. And seeing Councilman Huff, uh, Councilwoman Huff outside and walking into the deep, uh, we appreciate it and the mayor just a great job. Again to all the volunteers, the ones who sponsored it, the Rowway Riverhed, uh

160
00:47:01.359 --> 00:47:17.040
the Union County Commissioners, all supportive of these ventures and it helps mother nature. Uh other two points is those we've lost in the last month. I've been kind of jumping away from this because the meetings are we have extra meetings but less time. Tom Ringwood,

161
00:47:17.040 --> 00:47:32.960
Mr. Ringwood lived on Girt Street. He was a longtime Clark resident before he retired down to the retirement villages in Brick. Mr. Mr. Ringwood was a long time 34year Clark special. The specials are underdog of the Clark Police Department. Mr. Ringwood was a longtime

162
00:47:32.960 --> 00:47:49.520
Clark Police Department special. Him, he passed away on back in February. And a week later, his wife passed away. So, it's a double loss. And to Tom III, and Heather, his wife, who did live in Clark, and they just moved out and followed mom and dad down to their

163
00:47:49.520 --> 00:48:05.200
retirements. God, it's amazing when the kids start following mom and dad to retirement. Uh, but again, to our condolences to Tom and to his wife and their family for the loss of dad. Dad, you maybe you don't know the name, but he was at Burger King. He was at Bradley's, Target. He was on the

164
00:48:05.200 --> 00:48:21.440
department for years and you always knew the face. You can look up Tom Ringwoodjobit.com, nj.com, and you'll give you a nice profile of who he was and what he did for the Township of Clark. And we will always remember Mr. Ringwood. Uh, that's all I've got tonight, Mr. President. Again,

165
00:48:21.440 --> 00:48:36.400
we're going to continue doing good things for the township of Clark because that's what we're here. Final note number three. 1690 farmhouse on Mass Road was almost torn down because it was not cooperative with the needs of housing in the mid70s prior to the

166
00:48:36.400 --> 00:48:53.359
bicesentennial. The man who found it at the library, Edward Ays, found the Dr. Robinson. He did all the research and put it together and found out that that house dated back to 1690. It's a historical house, the only one in the state of New Jersey. The nearest one

167
00:48:53.359 --> 00:49:09.599
that's similar to structure and architectural design is outside of Boston, Massachusetts. So, we have a gem in New Jersey and now celebrating the 250th anniversary of the con the US United States. What else would we do to but reinforce

168
00:49:09.599 --> 00:49:26.160
the preservation of an historical landmark which is on national registry? But unfortunately, national registry doesn't mean spit. weather, fire, other things can destroy a house. The only ones who preserve it is the ownership. So, with that said, we

169
00:49:26.160 --> 00:49:41.599
wish everyone a healthy and happy. We'll see you in a couple weeks. Bye. >> Great. Thank you. Madame Clerk, do you have anything? >> I do not. Thank you. >> All right. Councelor, do you have anything to add tonight? >> Uh, no. Jim, do you have anything else to add? >> I just want to add one thing to um what

170
00:49:41.599 --> 00:49:57.119
Councilman Metti said. You know, the statutory requirement is 20 days to approve permits. So, number one, we don't do it right and hold up people's permits for no apparent reason, but there is a statutory requirement to to approve them within 20 days.

171
00:49:57.119 --> 00:50:14.240
>> Great. Thank you. Um, the only thing uh Captain Akaboo, do you have anything to add? I know Captain Lot was up earlier. You're good. The ebike thing is under control. All right. Great. Good to hear. Um, I just want to uh congratulate and thank the three new members of the Clark

172
00:50:14.240 --> 00:50:30.880
Volunteer Fire Department, uh Joshua Fiddleman, Noah Villanova, and Tyler Fleshman uh for volunteering. Uh it's a great uh volunteer organization in town and uh they do a great job. Um so we appreciate um them volunteering and

173
00:50:30.880 --> 00:50:45.160
that's all I have this evening. So a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Thank you, Council Member Tol. Get us Thank you, Council Member Maniti. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. See you in two weeks.