closest to me. >> This one, wait 10 seconds. >> Yeah. >> Okay, Mr. Electric. That's it. Good evening and welcome to the Township of Clark Council meeting. It's Monday,
June 15th, 7:30 p.m. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> here. >> Council member Hunt, >> here. >> Council member Maserella, >> here. >> Council member Maniti, >> here. >> Council member Okconor, >> here. Council member Tol here. >> Council President Smith >> here. >> You please stand for the pledge of
allegiance and a moment of silence. >> 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
open public meetings act chapter 231 PL1975 as adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the mailing of 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 hall reserved for such announcements the official website of the townshipclark.com in compliance with PL 2025 chapter 72 effective March March 1st 2026 and the proper filing of said notice formal
action may be taken at this meeting. >> I get a motion to suspend a regular order of business. >> Thank you Councilman Tol and second Councilman Okconor. All in favor. All right. Mayor Albanesey's go to the DS please. Good evening everyone. It's great to see
everyone here this evening. Um the first thing we're going to do is talk about a little bit about our wellness campaign. So uh wellness can be physical, mental, all different ways, right? And we're part of the mayor's wellness campaign in
New Jersey and there aren't many towns actually that qualify for the high level that we have. We're about I think there's about 46 or 49 towns out of all the 564 towns in New Jersey that qualify um at the level that we're at and uh we
we went through the ranks over the years, right? And um one of the programs that we had uh started um in March and um actually I probably should have you talk talk a little bit about it was for
ages three to one uh 123 to take part in a communitywide initiative designed to promote health healthier lifestyles community engagements and it was called on your mark Clark a health and wellness challenge. I'm going to ask Dave from
our health our health officer talk a little bit about can you explain what the campaign was about? >> Sure, mayor. Thank you. Um yeah, so this was the first year that we um took on this uh program on your Mark Clark. The the idea was to promote healthier
lifestyles for our residents, try to get participation in the community. Um, and considering it was the first year that we did this, it was very positive feedback. A lot of people liked the idea. We definitely hope for 2027 we're
going to make it bigger and better. >> Well, we had a lot of participation. Tell what was involved in in the in the program. >> So, actually, I should thank the library with their uh platform of registering people. So, um, everyone registered through the library. uh we had 107
participants and then uh the idea was to take the the top three point getters and uh give uh prizes which we will do today and um it was anything from um you know going to one of our screening sessions,
donating blood, uh reading books uh so we try to encompass from the very young to the very old to participate and and um try to earn these points. >> Excellent. So tonight we're going to award the prizes as you said and we're going to start with the third place
winner and I'd like to ask them to come up. Florence Lombardi, would you please come up? I don't know if you did you do it all alone. You can tell us a little bit about it. Congratulations. >> Well, a lot of fun things in here. Yes. >> Lawrence, do you want to say a few words
about um >> Okay. >> How you got involved and how much fun it was? >> Um well, I'd just like to say mostly um I'm proud to be a part of the program, the health program here in Clark. Uh there's many opportunities between the
library and um the recreation center. And I just want to say thank you. >> Excellent. Okay. So, I'm going to read the certificate and then we'll take a picture together. How's that? It's with great pleasure to recognize you for your outstanding
achievement as a winner of the mayor's wellness campaign on your mark contest. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to health and wellness, exemplify the spirit of this contest, and serve as an inspiration to others in our community. Congratulations.
>> Thank you so much. When you come up here, Okay. >> Okay. At this time, I'd like to ask Lisa Littleford to come up. >> She's our second place winner. >> Congratulations.
>> Thank you. >> Uh if you want to say a few words about uh just something sentences. Good. >> Um it was fun and I think everyone should do it next year. And um I think one of the things we got out of it is my fiance, this is my dad, not fiance, but
my fiance and I got after dinner walks and that was something new that we've never done. So >> excellent. >> That was like really good and trying new recipes and and fruits and vegetables and reading and it was just it was really good. So >> So now Lisa, you can be walking to the
pool with your season pass to the pool >> with your fiance or your dad. Either one. >> So we're going to take a picture up here. Congratulations. >> Okay. And our first place winners are the Koval family. So, I'd like to ask them to please come up.
So, we have a whole team here. A team effort. When we talk about from three and up, we mean it. >> All right. So, why don't you tell us a little bit about um >> what we did, >> what you guys did. So, this was just a
good way to bribe them, to get them to try new fruits and vegetables and to go play outside, which they would have done anyway, but gave us a little motivation to go to the library and to try some new things. So, it was good.
All right. Okay. And guess what, kids? Everyone's going to camp this summer. How's that? Awesome, right? That's yours. Take that to camp.
Okay. Um, I'd like to at this point we're going to move on to some special um, certificates of achievement that we'd like to give out this evening. I'd like to ask Councilman Jim Mani to come and join me here at the podium. >> And Mayor Albanesey's I see our athletic director Gus Galikas is here. If he
would come up also, please. >> Yes. Absolutely. Our athletic director, please come up. Okay, everybody's nice and tan. Okay, so what it Let me tell you what it's all
about, right? What a pleasure it is to celebrate the accomplishments of our very own Crusader baseball team. So there was really a pivotal moment in this event in this journey and that was the game with Governor Livingston and we
heard a lot about that. Um Governor Livingston had won the previous two county championships and had a 40game winning streak. However, that all ended on April 11th during the semi-final
upset over the top-seated Governor Livingston Highlanders when the Crusaders won the game three to two in the ninth inning. I know you guys know all this, but we want to make everyone at home know who you are, what stars you are. Um, the Crusaders went on to win
the Union County Tournament Championship on May 18th with an 11-0 championship game victory over Union Catholic. The Crusaders finished the season with a 23-5 overall win loss record. One of the best records in the program's recent
history and a mark that reflects really sustained e excellence throughout the season. Should be so proud of yourselves. Team went six to six and two in the conference competition and finished in first place. Around the time of the county title, the
team won nine straight games, including notable victories over Union Catholic, Oratory Prep, Cranford, New Providence, and Woodbridge. I think that deserves a round of applause right there.
So, they did reach the state tournament and they advanced to the NJSIA Central Jersey Group 2 state tournament before their season ended against Robinsville. So, the Crusaders are number three in Central Jersey group two and number 39
in the state of New Jersey. Congratulations. So, what we'd like to do first is um I'm going to have you help me give out the certificates. >> Is the coach here? Is coach Kennedy here? >> Yeah, we're gonna come on up. Coach first one I'm calling up. Dave Kennedy,
head coach. Going to have the coaches come up first and then >> you want to read one or >> Yes. Let me read what the certificates say. Thank you, Jim. Okay. is a mayor's certificate of achievement. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, Dave. It's with great
pleasure to recognize that I, the mayor of Township of Clark, recognize you and your outstanding achievement on the 2026 ALJ Crusaders boys baseball team. Champions of the 2026 Union County Baseball Tournament. That sounds so
great. Okay, before I'm going to have you, you can say a few words. Let's call everyone up first. How's that? Uh Raphael D. Rosha. Nicholas Donafrio. I'm sorry. Wait a second. Um I went out
of order. Greg Baker, coaching staff. First, Nick Agolia, coaching staff. Tom Urban, coaching staff. Okay, now we're going to start with the seniors. Ben Brand, Raphael, I called you already, right? D.
Rosha, uh, Nicholas Donafhrio, Brody Goldman. Uh, if you could stay up here, we're going to take a picture. And I should really everyone's hand. Well, McBride, Anthony Maniti, Tyler Thorne,
Justin Zedb, Junior's Vincent Sento, Connor Ivory, Noah Gibson, Jack Pelino, Don Sullivan, Kyle Thompson, Andre Yubites,
sophomores Louisa Martinez, Allesandro Del Virginia, Xavier Barnes, freshman Vincent Donafrio, Cruz Valente,
and then the managers, Briana Dreer. She here, Brooke Dreer, and Ella Rishko. All right. So, why don't we You're gonna You're not going to make you take a knee, are they? Trying to lay across.
>> You're gonna have to feed back here. the advantage. >> Ro, you can come back here. You're good. >> Squeeze it in. I'll do But if you want to speak, by all means. >> No, you're better at speaking.
>> If you want me to do it, >> you want me. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Uh, appreciate it. A little new at this. Where's the cameras? All right. Uh, thank you to the town council for
recognizing our team. It's been a a wonderful year. These guys have worked so hard. They've come from from basically, you know, two years ago we weren't very good. And every year that was the truth of it. And and and
the next year, we always knew we had talent. We went through a a lot of, you know, a lot of pains, but but getting knocked down is not necessarily the worst thing that can happen to you. And the only thing they they we asked them
to do was get up and they got up every day and they they worked at it and they were coachable. And then the following year we had 14 wins. And the coaches and I knew what we had in front of us and the potential of what we had. And it was
just a matter of getting them to believe it and finally they believed they were the best team in Union County and that was the result and that was awesome. But thank you so much for having us here >> because I don't want the last words you hear tonight to be from Coach Kennedy.
I'm just going to say a word or two. Um so obviously thank you to the town council, our board of education. um you know, a community that relishes athletics and what it can do for young men and women. It's a special place to live and we are certainly lucky that we live in a town like Clark that loves to
do stuff like this to honor our students. So, thank you very, very much. Um, you know, you could go a whole year playing a sport and not get any memorable wins. You could go four years playing the sport you love and not get any memorable wins. Um, so when you have
a year like our baseball team just had, um, you know, it is extremely memorable. Let's go back to opening day where we announced who we were to the entire county. No, to the entire state when we went to Westfield in 10 Random. Um, you
know, that put us on the map and we could have ended the season there and had that as our great accomplishment. But on April 11th, GL, riding a 40-game winning streak, undefeated last year, drove down the hill to Clark and in extra innings left
with their first loss in over two years. So, a fabulous, fabulous accomplishment. Some may say it was a fluke. not us because at Kane University in the UCIC semi-finals once again in extra
innings, you know, we came out on top again. So, Lightning can and did strike twice. Um, two wins against one number one team in New Jersey. The second time they were a top team in New Jersey. Just fabulous. So, three memorable wins that
can't be topped, right? Oh, wait a minute. We had the UCIC championship and the special thing about that game was we left no doubt 11 runs, five innings against a team that has kids from
everywhere in the county in the state. That one was real special. So congratulations you guys. You made memories that you will have for the rest of your lives. So great job. All right. At this time, we're going to
conduct our business meeting. You're all welcome to stay. Otherwise, I think the president's going to say you're you're welcome to leave if you like or join us for our meeting. Thank you. >> We'll take about a minute for everyone to leave.
I knew when he was >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Think I got A motion to resume the regular order of business. So move.
>> Thank you, Council Member Maserella. And second, Council Member Steve Hun. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> All right, we'll move on to communications from the mayor and reports of township officers. Mayor Albanese. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, just a couple of uh items coming up near
future. One is, you know, we're approaching Fourth of July and there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 9:00 am at the Abraham Clark um cemetery plot over behind Merchant
Drovers. Think I think I mentioned that the count members of council went there to place a wreath for his 300th birthday uh on February 15th. Um, also that same day we pay homage and have a ceremony for patrolman William Wat who um lost
his life in the line of duty as a police officer at the age of 24 on July 4th, 1971. He was shot and killed after he was his he and his partner were interrupted at a robbery in progress at a motel on Central Avenue next to the Garden State Parkway, actually over near
where Shopright is. That event is usually held at 10:00 a.m., but we'll post more information about that as we get closer to the day. Don't forget on 4th of July, we'll have our annual fireworks. Uh we'll be raising flags, doing some have music.
So, uh stay tuned for the time of day on July 4th. I have to check if there's a rain date on that or maybe Liz can fill us in on that. Um graduations are coming up. Congratulations to all of our graduates and students moving up from one class to
another. Uh and finally, Union County is going to be hosting an official free um FIFA World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19th at Oakidge Park in Clark. And I know in the past when we've had major events like this there, we'll
we'll make sure we address any parking issues for local residents whether they have permits and things like that so they're not disturbed during that time. Um the event will feature the match broadcast on a massive outdoor screen, live music, food stands, and
familyfriendly entertainment. So if you're interested in that, you can note that on your calendar. Um at this time I'll talk about what's on tonight's agenda for the public. um which the council is already familiar with. Uh the first item is an ordinance
hearing on ordinance 2619 and this is for uh regarding motorized bicycles, scooters and to regulate ebikes to regulate all of those. And as I mentioned at our last meeting when this ordinance was introduced last year, we
introduced it. We were one of the few um towns that did introduce an ordinance um because of the concerns we had over motorized bicycles, ebikes, and scooters. We're now amending that ordinance um to conform to the state laws put in place in early January
uh by um Governor Murphy before he left office. Uh at this point, New Jersey probably has the strictest laws in the country regarding such regulations. And based on what we've seen in town and around the state, it I believe it is
warranted. So, I encourage anyone who owns or has children uh who have motorized bicycles, ebikes, and scooters, please get a copy of this ordinance and make sure you understand all the new regulations that are in place.
Ordinance 2620 is a bond ordinance which is being introduced and it's for $2,675,000 for the acquisition of various equipment, machinery, um communications and signal signaling system equipment. First item is for $88,000 and it'll be
used for um that portion of the bond will be used for road construction and resurfacing. A list of the roads is on on file with the engineer and can be obtained at the clerk's office. Uh item uh the next item is for $450,000. We're going to be repaving and resurfacing
Westfield Avenue from Brandt Avenue to Raridan Road. And we also have a grant which will be applied to the amount of um money that applies to this um road repavement. And that's 322,825,000. It's a Department of Transportation
grant. $1,146 is for new communication and signal systems equipment for the use uh by the fire department consisting of radio equipment upgrades, fire hoses, and rescue equipment. $65,000 for new communication and signal systems
equipment consisting of radio upgrades equipment for use by the police department. $36,000 for the renovation of the former pistol range building behind the police department where we are this evening for use as municipal storage and offices and
uh also part of the funds will be used for renovation of the little league uh field restrooms. And last but not least, $170,000 will be allocated for roof repairs at the municipal building. So that uh ordinance will be introduced tonight. We encourage council to approve
that and um the hearing will be uh in the future announced by the clerk. For consent agenda items uh for your consideration, we have resolution 26157 and this is appointment of the members of the municipal alliance committee for
a one-year term from July 1st 26 to June 30th, 2027. Uh most of the me members are the same and that can be found in the resolution. Resolution 26158 um directs the township planner to prepare a redevelopment plan for block
34 lot 25501 um which is located at 737 Raridan Road. And just to give you a perspective, that's um well, the work that has to be done will be consistent with the 2025 housing and fair share plan agreement
the town has. The actual um property is uh was formerly a gas station and it's around 40 or 50 feet southeast of Madison Hill Road. Okay. So going towards Edison. It's um the first empty lot that's there. Resolution 26159
authorizing the township to execute an agreement with Union County to modify the cooperative agreement dated June 15, 2014 as amended on June July 17th, 2017. So we want to execute this agreement. It
relates to our participation in um the federal block grants which the county um organizes committees and distributes. We have representatives on those committees. And in recent years, we've been receiving block grants to assist in assist in construction of curb cuts when
performing road construction. And there's we also receive subsidies for wages paid for our senior citizen fitness staff. Resolution 26160 awarding a contract for the road paving and resurfacing of Westfield Avenue to the lowest bidder,
which was DLS Contracting um of Fairfield, New Jersey. Resolution 26161 requesting permission from the state to establish a trust um for donations received to commemorate
the annivers the 25th anniversary of 911. Uh this September 11th, um there will be a number of activities once we get this trust set up, fundraising done. We're going to sell t-shirts, have a special event which is tentatively set
for October 15th to commemorate 911 and donate funds to Tunnel to Towers and there'll be more information and representatives of Tunnel to Towers at the event. So more will be discussed on that in the near future. Resolution 26162 permits the CFO to
write off overpayments of $10 or less with the written approval of one or two authorized officials. Resolution 26163 authorizes the tax collector to refund an overpayment of a sewer fee for a
resident for $613.17. Resolution 26164 authorizing the tax collector to refund an overpayment of taxes for $1,283.61 uh for a totally exempt veteran refund which was approved uh for an exemption.
Resolution 26165 authorizes the payment of bills from the bill list totaling $424,82318. And last but not least, resolution 26166. The council will be acting as the ABC board and will be asked to approve the
annual license renewal of plenary retail consumption licenses in the sum of $2,500 each, retail distribution licenses in the sum of $2,73 and club licenses in the sum of $188.
and this will cover the year 2026 through 2027 and will be effective July 1st, 2026. A complete list of all the um license holders and pocket licenses is listed in the resolution. And that
concludes my summary of the agenda. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. Council member Huff. >> Thank you. Um, in regards to the public library in um, sorry, for the month of May, they welcomed one thou um, 8,164
visitors and had 16,990 online visitors. The library is asking for anyone who's interested in registering for any programs to please do so. And you can look and see the calendar at clark library.org in person or you can call the library at 3885 732
388-5999. There are a ton of event of events occurring for the month of July. There's the summer reading challenge that's kicking off. There's prizes and all sorts of opportunities and incentives for the kids. You can register at clark library.beanstack.org.
Um they are doing in celebration of the FIFA World Cup. The soccer trivia night is taking place July 9th. They are doing um an evening with Eliza Hamilton uh on Monday, June 13th. Mad Science, hands-on science program for kids on the 23rd and
a fossil dig on the 30th. So, a ton of events are taking place. And um I do just want to add on the back of the mayor's comments regarding um ordinance 2619 with family in uh Middletown. Um for those who are not aware, uh a a
young person just succumb to injuries after hitting a car on their ebike. and the town um from Middletown South High School and I know the township is devastated about it. So, I'm glad that we're continuing to follow through on all of these things. So, thank you for that. That concludes my Oh, and uh as a
board of education leaison, I certainly want to say congratulations and best of luck to all of um the graduates and moving up students that we have in the town. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Hund. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I have the May
2026 Police Department report. We saw a total of 247 calls, 716 which came in via 911 for services included but not limited to 117 ambulance requests, 63
alarm calls, 47 fire department responses, 84 motor vehicle accidents, 33 shoplifting and thefts, and four for fraud and identity thefts. There was a total of 10 adult arrests, including but not limited to two for warrants, seven
for shoplifting, one for domestic violence. The Youth Aid Bureau handled a total of 16 cases, including but not limited to one simple assault, and one shot shoplifting. And that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserella.
>> Yes. Thank you, Council President. This is my DPW report for this evening. Electronic drop off will be June 27th at 900 a.m. to 1 pm in the DPW yard behind this building. ID will be
required. Please follow the grass policy. Grass pickup is on Tuesday. Grass clippings only and must be in biodegradable bags. Uh no branches or plastic will be permitted in the bags.
They will not pick up the grass bags if they detect anything in there. Uh branch pickup um um yes, branch pickup begins June 22nd. Branches should be uh only placed on the
roadway between June 14th to June 21st. Branches should be no longer than four feet long. Uh this runs through from May to September. Our branches are only picked up once a month. Once we go through a neighborhood, we will not be
back until the following month. Brand and branches should not be bagged as well. No plastic bags and leaf and grass bags. They are not permitted. we where we recycle the grass clippings and uh
this will clog the grinder such um as empty mulch bags, fertilizer bags, they go in the garbage. Please remember that. U bulky, please place your items curbside the weekend before
your scheduled ward. This is separate from household garbage. Please check DPW uh www.ourclarklark.com um for acceptable items. Electronics, metal and appliances will not be picked
up as bulky. Metal um and appliance pickups appointments are required the week before your scheduled pickup. We pick up every Monday. You can schedule an appointment online and refrigerators and freezers
must have the doors removed by law before putting them out. Mulches no longer available. Um, so you could email dpwrclock.com for more information or dpw@rc
clock.com for the schedule of any pickups that we may have. Please keep our streets clean and follow the schedules for pickup. Thank you. That's the extent of my report. >> Thank you, Council Member Maniti. >> Uh, thank you, Council President. In the
month of May, the Clark Fire Department responded to 65 calls, bringing a total to 4 242 for the year. Instance, incidents included, but are not limited to, four for fire related, two for rescue and EMS, five for service and
good intent calls, 23 related to alarm or o or odors calls, four for motor vehicle incidents, seven for mulch and brush fires. Additionally, the Clark Fire Department respond responded to 20 weather related incidents resulting from
the May 20th storm. The Clark Fire Department reminds residents that in hot, dry weather can increase the risk of mulch fires. Please keep an eye on your mulch areas and take appropriate precautions by keeping the mulch damp during very hot days. I would like to thank all the members of the Clark Fire
Department for their dedication, for their countless hours they devote in keeping our residents safe. Their commitment professionalist for professionalism and willingness to serve our community are greatly appreciated. The complete fire department report is available in the clerk's office and this
concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Okconor. >> Thank you from the finance committee. The township continues to be able to meet its current obligation. Thank you to Jim and his team. from the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad with regard to recent squad activities. The squad worked with its members on continuing
education opportunities that are online as well as many that are offered free to EMTs. Uh the squad congratulates Aninsley, excuse me, Bar on her successful completion of her EMT program and passing of her national exam. We
welcomed one additional cadet member in May. With regard to call volume, March had 129 calls with 11 mutual aid calls. This does not include any calls that were dispatched to and canceled on. Total hours responding to calls is approximately 847 man hours. This does not include any hours that the members
are on duty when not on calls. Year-to- date call volume is 630 calls as of May 31st. Regarding membership, the squad is squeak speak uh seeking individuals with unique skills to serve on various committees as associate members. Areas we seek support in include finance,
fundraising, building and grounds, and social media. Anyone interested can call uh can email the squad at www.ourclark.com. Squad is actively seeking community members with a strong mechanical background to help manage the servicing
of the ambulances with our vendors. In addition, the squad is also accepting individuals over the age of 18 that are interested in joining us as drivers. Free CPR and driver training will provided. Uh please uh find an application at www.rclark.com. Services to the community. The squad
hosted two blood drives in May. EM EMS week was celebrated the week of May 17th through the 23rd. Members uh were thanked for their service and received some small tokens of appreciation. The squad appreciated and thanks the mayor BA and all the council members for their continued support of their organization
and looking to host an open house that will include CPR demonstrations and basic first aid skills during the last week of June. Please check Facebook and the township website www.ourclark.com for specific dates and times. Respectfully submitted Lorie Sheldon
Trustee. That concludes my reports. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Tol. >> Thank you, Mr. President. from the Environmental Commission. The Environmental Commission will be holding a meeting this Wednesday, the 17th of June, in room 30 or the history room. All are welcome to join for a discussion
on any subject matter, but please come out and join us. We'd like to talk about keeping Clark green, safe, and historic. I'm going to go into if I can indulge on the council for a moment. We do this every June. I have a photo in front of me of Billy Wat. Cap Patrolman office
waters was born September the 13th 1946 in Clark. He was raised in the township at 7 Jenny Lane. That's right off of Raritton Road. He was the son of Edna and John Wat. John Watson was a police captain in Clark. Billy join went and
graduated. He went through the public schools of Clark went to Charles H. Brewer Middle School and graduated ALJ class of 1965. Billy went out upon graduation went off to the military and joined the Marines was trained in basic training down in
Camp Llejun in the Carolinas and went from there to Vietnam where he served for a two-year stint of duty. Upon returning from Vietnam, which he survived but dramatic experience, he landed in Clark and he ended up becoming
a Clark police officer in 1969. He drove through the streets of Clark in what was known as the Plymouth Fury days of Clark. If you knew Clark and the Clark police of that time, they were these green Plymouth Furies that had the red lights on them. You can see them in the
old TV shows, but this is what Clark police officers drove in the township at that time. So on Jul July the 3rd 2000 July the 3rd 1971 Billy Wat was partner partnered up with Richie Reer. Richie Ryder was a police
officer from 1966 and Richie Ryder and Billy Waterson were driving the streets of Clark. That evening around 11 something they pulled up in front of the old Shacks Tavern which is now CBS on Brandt Avenue and at Westfield Avenue and they met Billy's
parents coming home from a social engagement. Billy pulled up, Richie Reader pulled up and they talked to them and said Mrs. Mrs. Wat turned and said, "Billy, please come home early tonight. We had to things to do, family obligations. The next morning, their shift went from evening to the morning
hours of the next day. That's July 4th. They left. They gave their good wishes and Billy and Richie Reader drove down Grant Avenue. They went into the old parkway circle. When they cleared the Parkway Circle, if you remember it, they went on to Central Avenue. When they
appeared on Central Avenue heading west, they heard screaming coming from the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge, which is now present day Shopright. They pulled into the back around the office, which was to the right near the parkway exit today. The ice cream place was a little
bit further up, which was a part of Howard Johnson's ice cream. It was the biggest attraction of that location. They drove to the back where they're hearing something of screaming and something going on. They didn't know what it was. It's now July 3rd. They go pulled to the back of this site when
they saw somebody performing a mugging, a robbery in progress. If you knew the building at the time, the building extended out towards the Garden State Parkway with balconies with doors and the doors were the motel rooms. It was two stories. Reader and Wat drove up to
a point. If you go to shopreight today where the freestanding sign is next to the Garden State Parkway, if you go near that sign, there's an island that comes out of where the landscaping is. That's where this event occurred. Reader and Wat get out of their cars. They saw the
guy and they yelled at him, "Stop. Stop what you're doing." He jumps off the balcony into a shrub and runs into the wooded area which was next to the Garden State Parkway. They followed him in. They surrounded the guy near a clump of woods next to the parkway and they ordered him to unhand stop what you're
doing and to the ground. Stop sees and and sees and desists. Wat turns and says to the to the perpetrator stop. He opens fire before they can do anything else. Billy Wat is struck in the chest and on
the side and goes down. Richie Reer runs back to the car and calls officer down. All points bulletin. The township of Clark for whatever was changed after this night. July 3rd became July 4th. The township of Clark's never been the same. If you knew Clark prior to that,
people left their doors open. It was a quiet, safe community. But after July 4th, when one of our own was taken in such a violent act. So Billy Wat was rushed from Howard Johnson's site to Rowley Hospital where
he died on the operating table. His body was then waked out and the funeral was held July the 7th, 1971 at the Oolo Church on Routen Road. His body was then taken from there and
interred in Fair View Cemetery where it's been there since for the last 55 years. Billy Wat has been gone for 55 years, but the legacy will always last because he's the only officer in the line of duty to be taken from Clark. And if you knew him, which I had the
privilege I was a I was a nine-year-old kid at the time, but I met him, I knew him, I knew his parents, they were just wonderful people. And we today, and the reason I tell this story on June the 15th, 2026, 55 years later, after Billy
was taken, is that we never allow it to be repeated. We always must have the strongest, trained, and efficient police department in this town because it protects us 24/7. And to our police department, our chief and our directors,
thank you for everything you do every day. Billy Wat will should never ever leave our thought process or our lips. We should always remember his memory. Thank you, Mr. President, for putting up for me for a few minutes and we will continue with the meeting.
>> Thank you as always, Brian, for um bringing a remembrance of Clark who attended. Uh the summer recck camp begins on Monday, June 29th. So if you're still interested in registering your kids, please do so ASAP. And if you have any questions, you
could stop by the recreation office and speak to Emily or Ralph. The Clark Community Pool is still accepting registrations for this summer. Uh the weather's been cooperating lately and it looks uh good in the near future. So if you're interested, please either stop by the pool or you could stop by the
recreation office to register. Any questions, you can contact Ralph Bernardo. His phone number is 732-4288400 and his email is rardo@arclark.com. And that's the end of my pool and recreation report.
Okay. Now we're going to move on to ordinances, appropriations, and claims. >> No objections have been received in connection with the proposed ordinance. Ordinance 2619, an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 347 entitled
vehicles and traffic section 347-65 entitled motorized bicycles and scooters of the code of the township of Clark to regulate ebikes. >> Okay. Thank you. At this time, we're going to open a meeting for a public hearing on this ordinance. This ordinance only. If you'd like to come up and speak about this ordinance, you'll
have five minutes of duration. Please state your name and the town you reside in. All right, seeing nobody coming up on this ordinance, I'd like a motion to close. >> Moved. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserella, and second, Council Member Hun. All in favor? >> I All right. At this time, I need a
motion to adopt the ordinance. >> I'd like to move that, please. >> Thank you, Council Member Okconor. Can I get a second? Thank you, Council Member Hun. Uh, any discussion on this? Jim, do you have anything to add? We've been talking about it for a few uh months. >> Yeah. Um, again, this just the changes
that we made. Uh we originally had the ordinance and these are changes that comply with the state requirements right now that went through the police department and the attorneys. >> Great. Thank you. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes.
>> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Matl, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> Ordinance adopted. >> Okay. When you're ready, we can move to introduction of proposed ordinance. Ordinance 2620, bond ordinance to
authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery and new communication and signal systems equipment in, by, and for the township of Clark in the county of Union, state of New Jersey to
appropriate the sum of $2,675,000 to pay the cost thereof to appropriate a state grant to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond
anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Thank you, Council Member Hoff. Can I get a second? >> I'll second it. >> Thank you, Council Member Maserella. Any discussion or questions for the BA? And
Jim, do you have anything you want to add? I know the mayor summarized it very well. Okay, roll call, please. Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes.
>> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> The public hearing will be in a special meeting on June 25th. >> Okay, we'll move to uh payment of claims. Council Mino Conor. >> Thank you. I have reviewed the bills totaling $424,823.18
encumbered through June 10th and recommend the council approve them in the consent agenda. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. Now, 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 bring to the council's 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 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 or
duration. At the conclusion of the statements or questions from a member of the public, the council president at his or her discretion may choose to respond or not respond. So, if anyone would like to come up on agenda items, please do so. >> Good evening, John Grace from Clark. I just had a quick question about the um
redevelopment plan at 737 Ritton. Um I just remember seeing the uh planning board meeting when they were talking about that and it seemed that the owner didn't want that. I think they they sent an attorney saying that they did not want to see that happening um and that
they did plan on developing it but not now or in the the near future. Um, I guess the question I have is is um why are we going ahead if the owner is unhappy with that? And they're also saying that they they do plan on developing it and is it because of the
is it we have the um affordable housing requirement and is it just because we kind of have to do that to meet that obligation or you know it just seemed a little weird that the owner doesn't want it. They sent a lawyer and then we're still going forward with it. So I was just curious about that.
>> We'll explain and answer you soon. So if there's anyone else wants to come up. Thank you, Mr. Greavves. Anyone else want to come up on agenda items? Okay. See no one else like a motion to close this portion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. Who's that? Councilman
Okconor. And is that you? >> Okay. Thank you. And second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Council Member Maniti. Any All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Mayor Albanese, do you want to uh address the uh redevelopment at 7:37? >> Sure.
It's true. The um an attorney who was a friend of the owner came and asked a lot of questions about why that um area of land was included in the redevelopment and it was in the third round and had to be put back in. Uh well, I guess the
owner had a change of heart uh because they sent a letter to the township asking for the redevelopment analysis to be completed. So, it's based on their request. >> Great. Thank you. Okay, we're going to move on to consent agenda resolutions.
>> The following resolutions 26157 through 26-166 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 council member so
requests in which event the 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. >> Thank you. I think uh we're going to approve them all as one motion. So can I
get a motion to adopt the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Thank you. Council member Tol. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Council member Maniti. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti,
>> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Matl, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> All right. Is there any new business on the calendar? >> There's no new business. >> All right. Now, we're going to move on to uh public comments. Uh open the meeting to the public. The public
comment portion of the meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments in accordance with NJSA 10 col4-12A and the code of the township of clerk. Each person addressing the council shall give their name in the town in which they reside to the clerk.
All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and shall not exceed 5 minutes in duration. At the conclusion of statements or questions for a member of the public, the council president his or her discretion may choose to respond or not respond. So this is the time for anyone who wants to come up and you have five minutes of duration. Just state
your name and your address. >> Dan Dan Fuches, clerk, New Jersey. Um, I just want to know I know last meeting you had the executive thing with the officers. I want to know where we are with that if you can provide me with an update. Um, I know you probably want me to sit down after I
ask my question, but in case I have a follow-up. So, I don't know if you guys have any uh brief updates on that. >> Uh, I don't think we can address any of it because it's a private se private session. It's an ongoing investigation. So, until the judge and the lawyers make >> no action was taken.
>> No action. Okay. That's as far as Has anything substantial happened since the judge in I think in >> we Mr. Fuches we cannot discuss it. >> Nothing at all. >> No. >> I know you want it. I know we want to discuss it but we cannot discuss it. Our hands are tied and uh I'm sure the
attorney will uh tell us the same thing not to discuss. >> Sometimes I've asked and I've gotten somewhat of an update over Newj.com said it's 40 grand a month that it's costing us. So >> what do you want us to do about it? It's it's an ongoing investigation that the state attorney general filed against us
and it is what it is. You're one of your running mates or a running mate in your party is a lawyer. He should know the rules and the laws. >> You guys are the counsel. I don't What is What does Mike have to do with this? >> Well, he's a lawyer and you're good friends with him. So, he should be able to tell you that. Or >> he's a lawyer. Maybe he could tell me. >> He can't.
>> All right. So, what does that have to do with Mike? I mean, I there's got to be something you can tell us. I mean, it's been $3 million we spent. It's >> It's crazy. And you used to say the president fire >> them. Go ahead. >> Make a comment. >> Well, what I could tell you is if you
were following what happened in Roselp recently that racial comments are not subject to firing and they had the chief reinstated after they fired the chief having two chiefs. So, well, I can't say
definitively at the end of the day this is where it's going to be, but just follow what happened in Roselle and you'll understand why over the last 5 years we've been paying these officers because it is we've been saying all along, we don't believe this is a fireable offense, which was proven by
the civil service in Roselle town couple of couple of miles down the road. So, I know you you want this to come to an end. We all want this to come to an end, but you're not going to be able to get any answers from us until there is some
type of determination. That >> was a little bit of an answer. So, that wasn't bad. All right. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Fuches. >> Hi, Nancy Toasquez Clark. I have a question about school buses. Are school buses supposed to have
designated drop off and pickup locations so that they travel on roads that don't require them to make Uturns and K turns? And so that's my question. >> All right, we'll answer it uh when we're
done. Is there anyone else like to come up? Thank you, Nancy. Good evening, John Greavves from Clark. Um, so I I wanted to see if we could follow up on some of the questions I had last time. I didn't really get an answer on pilots as to whether or not there's a
situation where the town would actually give money to the schools because like I was saying, the tax levy for the schools has gone up over $5 million in the last three years. $1.2 million a couple years ago, 1.4 four and then now 2.7. Um,
you know, and it's not just about this particular situation with the Walnut Hill and and the the current pilots. It's that, you know, it's been made clear that there's going to be more pilots. And it seems that that seems like a big part of how you're going to um fulfill the affordable housing
obligations. So my question is is as you know this pilot but also as additional pilots occur how are we what is the circumstances in which the school can get additional funding where they're not getting funding from it currently? Um, and then,
um, another question that I, I don't think I ever really got an answer, um, a while back during the the budget hearing was, um, you know, the legal services for the town of Clark has gone up a lot over the last few years. It used to be about $200,000. Now it's about $450,000.
Do we have any way that we're going to get back towards the $200,000 number? it seems like um it it just keeps going up and up and it's very significant and I feel like we should be able to pull that back. And then I was kind of curious about the
um the PR company that you guys hired. Um what have they done? Has there anything that they've done that that's been valuable? I I mean I know it was like $30,000. I wanted to see where that money is being spent. And then um you know just to respond to Mr. Olrich's
comments about the Roselle um situation um from what I understand that's slightly different because it was about sexual orientation that the comments were made and sexual orientation is not a protected class and they don't have the same civil rights obligations. So
just to clarify on that. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Greavves. Good evening, Jillia Collins Clark. I have a question regarding AI. Um, at one of the last meetings, Mr. Olrich mentioned that there was no land
or property available in Clark for any type of building of an AI facility. Um, and I'm not that familiar with the affordable housing round three, but I am pretty famili familiar with round four.
But some of these AI sites uh that I've seen on different social medias are buildings that have been taken down and AI uh facilities are being built. Uh what I wanted to find
out there are bu areas in the town that could be if the owner wants to sell to an AI company. Does the town have we don't have any restrictions on what can be
built but we do have property that I feel and I'm not sure if I'm correct that was not brought out about affordable housing. It would be the uh Central Avenue property where Bartell's is and the two buildings next to it
along Terminal Avenue. I know L'Oreal has gotten uh rid of some of their buildings. I don't know if Shefferstein's Farm Market has been on any of the affordable housing rounds. Um the hotel I had heard that it was for
sale at one time and Hyatt Hills has been on the market off the market and um mother seat is a very large property and since the arch dasis of sold off some of
St. Agnes maybe they won't mind selling some of Mother Satan off. I just have a question, you know, because it seems like other towns in New Jersey have adopted AI
um resolutions and I'm kind of unknown about like in Kennallorth that property was sharing or and now it's going to be an AI facility and it was a building so it
wasn't open land at the time. Thank you. Thank you, dear. >> Excuse me. And please, no comments from the audience or we're going to ask you to leave. >> Okay. Second. >> Hi there. Glenn Fogerty, Clark, New
Jersey. Uh live near Lake Avenue. Been here for 25 years. went to grade school here, too. Uh, tonight I I I just want to pause about the sacrifice of uh, Officer Watston, and it shows how important it is to back our police officers. >> Mr. Fogerty, can you just pull a
microphone a little bit? >> Thank you for that. Okay, >> thank you. >> Shows how important it is to to back our police department. Uh, they face a lot of dangers every day, uh, more today than ever. Um, you know, and you have this group, this
far-left wing group called Stronger Clark that gets up here council after council meeting attacking our police department. Mr. Schulman says he likes Clark because he can take his kid for a walk safely here. Well, Mike Schman, you can do that because of our police department. And as for Mr. Fuches here,
to make a pun, I am all out of fuchs given regarding this gentleman. He gets up and complains about the cost of this lawsuit against our police department. How much is this going to cost? Can you give me any more information? Yet, it's his people, Stronger Clark, Mattie
Platkin, his friends in Trenton, have driven this absurd lawsuit from the very beginning. So, don't you dare Mr. Fuchs uh complain about the cost of things when you're the ones causing that cost. That is all on you.
So, I'm going to talk tonight um about the subject of posers. What is a poser? Poser is someone who pretends to be something they're not. Usually affecting something that'll make them popular or seem more diverse or whatnot. When I was
a heavy metal, long-haired kid growing up here, you know, we would call call kids that, you know, weren't really into the music, but they asked their mom to get them an Iron Maiden t-shirt at Bradley's, and they didn't really like the music. Well, they're opposer.
They're a fake. So, what we have is stronger Clark. They are the ultimate fakes. They claim to be Democrats. JFK, FDR, Harry Truman would not recognize them at Democrats. You have this hyphenated character Rob Curry Patel who
on his post is always promoting Zoron Mandami the communist. He is a communist. There is no such thing as a democratic socialist because once socialism comes in there is no more democracy. There's
no tolerance. So, as for stronger Clark and their claims to be diverse with all this diversity, equity, and inclusion uh stuff, I'm going to call them out for cultural appropriation, which is something the left is very, you know, it
was their thing. You can't claim to be an ethnicity you're not, and get credit for it. Well, you have these people, I don't know, Curry, Furry, Smithson, Asthma, Pastel. I've lost track of the number of hyphens in the name. It's all
to seem more diverse. Uh the laughable thing about it is I saw them on social media and neither of them are Hispanic, but they claim they're hyphenating their names. Please say more. My husband and I did decided to combine our last names to
show both of our families were uniting. It is a common Hispanic naming custom. While we are not Hispanic, my father-in-law learned about the tradition when he was working for the Peace Corps in Chile and thought it was beautiful and decided to adopt the tradition when he got married. My
husband wanted to continue the tradition from his parents. Well, you know what? You're not Latino. And furthermore, you talk about this no king stuff. Well, this tradition from came from royal Spain and from the aristocracy. You
would take the one aristocratic name and put E which is in Spanish and put the next name and then the next name. Later on that changed from E or a Y to a hyphen. So they are engaging in cultural appropriation which is a sin in the
leftist ideology but they're pretending to be Hispanic and they're not. I mean this is the joke of Stronger Clark. Yep. 40. Thank you. Anyone else like to come forward? All right, seeing no one, a motion to close this portion.
>> Thank you, Council Member Tol. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Council Member Maniti. All in favor? Any opposed? >> Uh, Jim, you want to do the AI one? I think that's the easiest one. >> I think I'll take that one. Okay. No,
no, you can add on to it. Um, I guess, you know, we've had various discussions about AI and Jim can elaborate on the pros and cons and the different things we've considered, but the um acreage in Kennallorth is 36 acres.
So, I guess we when we sit back and look at this, unless we're going to fill up the reservoir and take part of that 100 acres, it really doesn't seem realistic to think that someone would want to put an AI center in Bartell or
some of the other locations identified. Uh, the Schifferstein property was identified for redevelopment in round three. Um, so that's really what I wanted to say about that because that 36 acres is also in an area that's 108 acres. So
it's a huge property over there where where uh shearing plow is. And if you look at the other developments in New Jersey, most of those AI centers are in in fields or out in remote areas where there's lots of space or where there are
a lot of warehouses and things like that. So, I don't know, Jim, maybe you can add on to that to consider. >> Yeah, the only other thing I wanted to add is that Hyatt Hills being 84 acres, but it's deed restricted and the we went
through this during the affordable housing process. They wanted to zone that as an overlay zone. They did the investigation or we did the late work. We gave it to them and they agreed that it is deed restricted because of the pollution and it cannot be used for anything other than recreation.
Otherwise, we would have lost that battle in a second for affordable housing. Um, and as we discussed, uh, we are looking into it. We, you know, may have something in July, probably in August on, you know, how we want to handle it. The governor has addressed
it. Uh, she has a four-step plan. I was actually at a MEL meeting this morning and one of the recommendations of the attorney was to hold off and figure out there's there's no wrong or right answer at this point, but the recommendation was to hold off. Um, sometimes being the
the first mover. If we had a high-risk property as a merc in Rawway or something along those lines, then we obviously have to take action or we would, you know, look into taking action, you know, and then um deal with
it later. But right now we're looking to do it you know you know the you know the best approach and you know from an AI data center perspective I mean we're we will have something um but it will be
you know another month or two >> um regarding the question regarding the um school buses do you want to take that Captain Lot? Good evening. Just to uh excuse me to answer the question on the buses. Generally, from my understanding of this, school buses fall into two kind of
distinct groups. One are the buses that serve the public schools. Those routes are set by in Union County by the uni uh Union County Educational Services Commission. They are not impossible to change, but it's not the easiest thing to change. And the other types of buses
that we deal with are the ones that are contracted by private schools. They enter into private contracts with a busing company. The busing company sets the routes and they make sure that the pickups are where they need to be and that they're not infringing on any local
ordinances when it comes to light traffic or anything like that. And that is how the two types of busing work within the township here. If anybody has any questions, I'll try and answer them. >> I just have one question. >> Sure. >> For these private busing companies that
contract out, um how difficult is it to change a route if if it's deemed so and and what would constitute um having them change it? >> So, we've never had to do it. It would require their cooperation. So nothing stops us from reaching out to
them and saying, "Hey, we've had a complaint about this or complaint about that. Can you change the route?" But as long as they're not violating any local ordinances, there's not going to be too much that we can do on it. And the thing to keep in mind is that sometimes these buses go down certain streets because they're serving uh populations of special education students who need to
be picked up from directly in front of their houses. So that's an important consideration to have out there before we ask someone to change a busing route that it's not affecting any students who have special needs who need to be picked up directly at their house. And that's the reason a lot of these buses go down side streets and whatnot is because they need to pick the children up from
directly in front of the house. >> Can I ask you a question, please? >> Yeah, sure. >> I believe the main portion of the question was if they can make U-turns on on culdeacs and >> dead ends, I'm sorry. And then also
um the speed. I know one comes down the service comes down my street and I feel that they're going a little over the speed limit. Um it's a private bus picks children up top of the hill. >> Um so those two things, what can we do about controlling their speed other than
the normal stuff that we do for a speeding vehicle? And then are they able to make U-turns or K turns on cold sacks or deadend streets? So, just like any other vehicle, if they are allowed to be on your street, they can make a U-turn or a K turn, right? Same thing if a vehicle, it's no different than if
someone has a a vehicle coming down your street to make a delivery, whether it be um Amazon, UPS, a commercial delivery, when they drop off uh goods at your house when you're when you're doing a renovation, those vehicles are of the same size. If
they're able to safely make a a U-turn or a Kturn, they can do it unless it is a a weight restricted street. But the issue with weight restrictions is that there's always an exception carved out for picking up and delivering goods. So even if it was weight restricted, if you need to get a delivery down to that street, the vehicle is allowed to go
down there for the purposes of delivery. You know, moving trucks, dump trucks, things like that. People have to get worked on their houses. So, it's it's difficult to limit them going on to people's streets because of the fact that they are providing a service where while it's not a delivery, it's kind of
in the same vein that they're picking up and delivering children. It's not a good, but they're providing a service to the to the residents on that street. In terms of the speeding, you have to let us know if there's a bus that comes at a certain time. You know, our traffic units are in from about 6:30 in the morning to 4 4:00. So if you send either
myself or Captain Akaboon an email, you know, we can always put someone out there if it's a certain time. Those buses are going to generally come at at the same time. So if they are speeding, they are easy to catch. They just let us know. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for the explanation. >> Thank you, Captain Lot.
>> Do you want to address any of the other >> Mr. Greavves left? We can I guess handle it next time he comes. >> Okay. Um All right. Anyone else have anything? If not, we will move on to uh professional comments. Mayor Albanesey's closing comments.
>> Yes. Uh thank you, Councilman Tol for the uh information about William Wat. Um actually the street right outside here is named after him. It is Wat Drive. So just wanted to make people aware of it.
We don't really our our police station and courthouse has a central uh I'm sorry, Westfield Avenue address and so does the library, but that is Wat Drive when you come in and make a make a turn into the library.
And um that concludes my remarks. >> Thank you, Council Member Huff. >> Just want to reiterate congratulations to the graduates and everyone who has some great weeks coming up um going through the Clark school system. I know. We can't wait to see what you all do. So, thank you very much.
>> Council member Hund, >> I just want to congratulate the winners of the mayor's wellness campaign. That was very interesting to see the diverse diversity there with the age limit ages and the the little children. That was cute. Also to coach Kennedy and the
baseball team on an awesome season. It's one going to be one that will most likely never be forgotten in ALJ sports. So, that concludes my report. I mean, >> thank you, Council Member Maserella. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President. I just would like to take a moment to
congratulate the ALJ boys uh baseball team. Um there are champions and job well done. Um long time coming. That's the extent of my report. Thank you, >> Council Member Maniti. >> Uh thank you, Council President. Um
also, uh congratulations to the boys baseball team. um I've been there from the beginning with my son as he um finished his career at uh ALJ and just uh proud of those boys. Um also congratulations to the girls softball team. Um they won the state uh
championship last week and congratulate uh them and look forward to honoring them. Uh next Tuesday night, ALJ. We uh congratulate all our graduating seniors here at ALJ. That's uh next Tuesday. And
um last week I attended the um scholarship ceremony at ALJ and just want to congratulate all the uh seniors uh that won scholarships. Uh just a great night, great time and congratulations to everybody. Um that concludes my comments for tonight. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Council Member Okconor. >> Thank you very much. Uh congratulations to all the graduates. Uh good luck in your next phase of life, whatever that may be. Um happy Father's Day. That's coming up this Sunday, right? So, a lot of dads out there uh getting it done.
So, uh again, congratulations to the dads. Happy 4th of July, 250th anniversary. I remember the bsentennial, right? 1776. So, uh didn't even think about 250 back then, but you know, it's here and uh it's the
greatest country in the world in my opinion and uh it will continue to be. So, uh that concludes my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Tol. >> Thank you, Mr. President, Mayor, you said it best. How else do you start off the 4th of July, the 250th anniversary
of our birth? How else do you start it and how do you what do you start the day with? The reading of the Declaration of Independence in an historical cemetery before the graves of the people who created it. just to honor them for a few
minutes of your time with a wreath leg ceremony and to listen to the documents and the words from the document that created us in front of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Clark, a man who signed the damn thing. Isn't that a way to start off the day?
then to leave there and come down and join PBA 125, Clark police to honor an a fellow officer of the past who laid his life out and sacrificed himself for our freedom. It doesn't say it any better.
That's at 9 10. And then what do you do? You go out and celebrate with your family. You barbecues. You have the freedom because of these people. Not because of yourself, but because of their sacrifices before us. and to listen to it during a day and age when there was no computers, there was no
electric, there was nothing. But they going to read the document which started us and listening it before the people who are laid there who didn't have any of that either. They had nothing but the book and the verbal speech from the word of mouth. How else do you celebrate and
start the 250th anniversary? Then you go to your barbecues. You do your safe safe 4th of July. And then come back to town for the fireworks celebration later in the evening. Westfield Avenue will be shut down. And I work the crowd and say hello to everybody because that's how it's done. And we want to say to each
and every one of you ebikes or seven brew which is turning the township upside down. It'll all work. It all goes away. People once they stop giving away free coffee and it turns into how much you going to pay how much do I have to pay for that? It'll change the traffic patterns quickly. But our police
department, our traffic department is on top of it and they're making adjustments to what needs to be adjusted. Again, I thank you for your time. It is the 250th anniversary of our nation. Each and every one of you should just turn and
say, "God bless. We have the best family and the best country in this world, the best military people protecting us, and the best police department to make sure we are safe. Safe, clean, green, and historic. That's all it's about. Nothing else. God bless you. God bless this country. God bless the township of
Clark. We love you. Thank you. >> Thank you, madam clerk. You have anything? >> Nothing. Thank you, >> counselor. You have anything? >> Uh, nothing. Mr. Council President, >> business administrator, Mr. Orick, >> I do want to bring up one thing. Um, we had a discussion today, myself,
um, the police traffic and the engineers and the owners and engineer of Seven Brew. Um, in addition to the county, uh, there's going to be a couple of changes made and now I know everybody's, you know, concerned about the amount of
traffic. Couple of things to, uh, everybody needs to first realize is that they've been giving away free drinks and they're still giving away free drinks between 8 and 9, noon and 1 and 5 to 6. So, that's going to definitely be
driving the traffic. In addition, the entrance on Raridan Road is a county entrance. It wasn't one that we approved. Uh, and we had a discussion with the county today. They're going to be revising that entrance. So, anybody
who's tried to go in there, it's a 90° turn in. So, if you're in that inside lane and there's a car there, you have to make a wider. They're going to actually put in a proposal to cut part of that um curb out and have a wider
driveway and I guess what they call a pork chop island similar to what they have over in um Starbucks. So this way the cars are are driven in across and it gives they don't have to make that sharp right. Again, we
had a discussion with the county. They are okay with it conceptually. We just got to get or they have to get the plans to the county and as a um to get them approved by the county. So, we are working on that. Um one of the other things is because they're giving away so
many free um drinks, the Westfield Avenue entrance is not open yet. This way they could use the bypass lane to get about another 20 cars on the property and um come around. So that's also something that's going to be changed. And then we were talking to
them and as we discussed at the planning board, you know, the the first month from the first month through the third month, there's a decrease of about 40% of people going in, right? It's it's the new hot place to be. So we just, you
know, we're going to work through all of these items. And then the the final item is the um turn off of Raridan Road into there uh into there from left. So if you're going southish whatever you know
on Raridan to make a left into there. Um we have the approval and that was part of the approval that we were going to revisit it 90 days 90 days after the CO has been issued. So the police department has 90 days to evaluate that. However, we also can make a decision at
any time to close it. So, we left cones there. They can close it off and notify us like they did today or and we also have them having police officers there during those busy times. So, they're going to have police officers there for the rest of the week and over the weekend. So, we are working with Seven
Brew and I can tell you they they've been great to work with. You know, picked up a phone, they were in the office in, you know, an hour. Um, so we're working through some of the hiccups. uh the major one coming off of Rarin Road in that turn. We completely
understand that's an issue, but we are working with the county to get that rectified as soon as possible. >> Also, if I could add, um they in the course of giving out the free drinks, they raised money. They asked people for donations for our first responders and
also for the um the facility in Newark where they have the animal shelter. They raised several thousand for that and $1,700 to be uh split between our EMT group, fire, and the police. So, it was very nice. And I'm sure if they're still
giving out free drinks, they'll be asking for donations as well. >> Great. Thank you. And Jim, um the free drinks are only lasting until the end of this week, I think. >> Yeah, they only last to the end of the week. They do have giveaways for Saturday and Sunday. All of this has
been advertised. Um so what how they explained it to us 7 Brew has this you know first week you know marketing plan they have the pre-opening marketing plans when they have the um training you know so to say then they have their
ribbon cutting and then they have their first week of marketing all of the marketing's out because I asked them can you pull it right and it's it's almost impossible you know the cat's out of the bag at this point but you know they So, we have this week to deal with and then
we have this weekend with the giveaways and after that it's BAU. It's business as usual going forward. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Uh the only thing I have to add, uh on the July 4th, uh the night of the fireworks, I believe
at 8:30 p.m. there is going to be a special flag raising commemorating 250 years. So, that'll precede the fireworks. Uh congratulations to the ALJ baseball team. And that's all I have this evening. So a motion to adjurnn. >> Thank you, Councilman Tol and Councilman Hun. Second. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? All right. >> Thank you.