Um hello. As you can see, um Lisa Canerum is not here stepping in for the the night. Um she's on a on a business trip. Um so I get to step in. Um this is a call to order.
>> We need to do the pledge of allegiance. >> Uh yes. All those that can stand, please stand for the pledge of >> 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. >> Okay, we're going to move on to the open public meetings act notice. Uh, pursuant to the open public meetings act, notice of this meeting was sent to the Cranberry Press, the Trenton Times, and Home News Tribune on January 9th, 2026,
posted on the township's website and sent to those who request a copy of this notice. I'll move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher >> here. >> Mrs. Eladawi >> here. >> Dr. Rogers >> here. >> Mr. Scott is absent. Mayor Caner is absent. Thank you.
Any agenda additions or changes? No. >> Okay. Seeing none, we're going to move on to the um approval of township committee ma meeting um committee minutes. Uh we have four here because uh we did not have a January 26th meeting
due to weather. Um I think Can we do them all together? >> No. >> I I was absent for a couple. >> So, do you want to pull? Oh, okay. Which one do you want to pull? >> Okay, we'll do it one at a time. Okay. Um, regular uh do we motion to
>> Do we have a motion for the regular meeting meeting minutes December 8th, 2025 >> for the 8th? I can move. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we'll move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Zodawi, >> yes. >> Dr. Rogers, >> yes.
>> Mr. Scott, Mayor, can you absent? Thank you. >> Okay. Uh the next uh township committee m minutes that we need to move are special meeting minutes December 23rd, 2025. >> I'll move December 23rd. >> Second.
>> Thank you. We'll move on to roll call. Um Mr. Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Eladawi, >> yes. >> Dr. Rogers, >> yes. >> Mayor Scott, Mayor can absent. Thank you. >> The next one will be questionable because two of us were not here. >> You can approve minutes. um whether you
were here or not. Uh that's always been something you're >> trusting that the capture of the meeting so we are able the attorney in the past has advised that we don't have to table it for those >> things but that would be up to you guys. >> I'll move the meeting for for the January second. >> Okay. Yeah. So this is the
reorganization meeting January 2nd 2026. Do I have a motion? >> Moved. >> So I can second it even though I wasn't here. >> You're moving to to pass it. >> All right. Second. >> Okay. We're moving on to roll call. Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Abadabi,
>> you can vote. >> I can vote. >> You're saying that what's captured in the minutes are representative of it. >> Yeah. It's not. >> Okay. Yes. >> Okay. And uh Dr. Rogers.
>> Uh I actually wasn't there. >> Yes. >> Okay. And uh Mr. Scott and Mayor Caner are absent. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, I have Can we have a motion for the regular meeting January 12th, 2026? >> So moved.
>> Why don't you second because I wasn't here. >> I'll second it. >> Move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Eldari. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rogers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott Mayor. Can you absent? Thank you. >> Okay. That was a lot of meetings. Okay.
Uh, next we're on to reports and communications. Um, uh, is the chief supposed to be here or not? Okay. >> Okay. Not tonight. Okay. Um, >> can we can we comment on the report on the on the police report?
>> Maybe we should wait till he's in. >> No, I just I want to I want to I want to thank them because looking at that report today, I was really really really impressed at how much was done and how much work they've done. and this weather has not been great. But um you know they
have an insane amount of motor vehicle stops and calls to service and the blotter is full of amazing amazing work and I just really really really want to thank them because it's not easy to do this level of work with such an oppressive weather pattern that they've
have to do it under. So thank you to our police department and our police officers. >> Yeah. Just um just to backtrack a little bit so the public will know, we we get a report from the chief and and um he lets us look at the police blotter and and
man, you're commenting on >> on all that information. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. 100% agree. >> Yeah. >> They're out there even in this frigid weather. So, okay. Um okay, members of the committee, who would like to go first?
Okay, I'll go first. Um, we had a municipal alliance meeting on the 13th. Um, there's also a municipal alliance meeting tomorrow for anybody who wants to join. Um, Joan Sharwin was elected again as the head of that committee.
They went through sort of I I'll say standard kind of first meeting. Uh, old business, new business. Um, lots of interesting things going on at the school that's related to the municipal lines. Um, teen mental health first aid jamfests for this year or this uh I
guess the second half of the school year went over accomplishments and goals um for last year and this year. Um, lots of interesting conversation around potential support for seniors as well as obviously all the
good work they do in the school. Um, so it's a it's an interesting fun meeting with some great people who are there um on a monthly basis. So, so that was good. Um, I missed the last school board meeting. Um, but we did have a meeting
with some folks from the school board as well as uh the chief last week. um wanted to be clear that there are ongoing conversations for both the public's knowledge and for those of you who were in at the meeting ongoing conversations about school safety um the
potential for a role that would be a partnership with the police and the school and therefore the township. Um that conversation again is ongoing and uh we'll keep you updated as we have those more of those conversations.
>> Thank you. Um, I think that's it for Oh, and the last zoning meeting was cancelled for lack of business. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can I ask you a question? Um, regarding the teen mental health program, like is that switching to Cranberry School potentially?
>> It sounds like it is. Okay. Um, the high school doesn't quite have the appetite for it at this point any longer. >> Um, scheduling conflicts, etc. So, it looks like it's going to move to the middle school >> for this year or or are they going to
talk about it for the following year? >> I'll have to check my notes that I left at home. Um, I don't remember if it's that like this half of the year or next year. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, man. >> Thank you. And I'm sorry, but if you
could humor me, I have a little bit of a longer report today. >> Okay. I wanted to just start um a little bit more from a community perspective and I've um it it was it's been a very difficult year. The January, no December and January I want to say have been a
little bit difficult for uh some of our community members um losing loved ones and I really um I'd like to try to share some of that with um with the TC and with the community. So to start with I wanted to offer condolences to the Kapor family. um a beautiful blurb that was
written I wanted to read. Um next time you pass through Cranberry Green, you're seeing Venote Kapoor's quiet legacy. A neighborhood who loved, a neighbor who loved people and nature, helped beautifully the community and reorganized the HOAs in ways that saved residents tens of thousands of dollars.
Arriving from India in 1981 to Cranberry, he was deeply spiritual, had a steel spine and built a life of service and family and is remembered by his wife Roomie, his children Vicl and Anika and five grandchildren. All proud Cranberry residents carrying forward his
exemp his example of dignity, generosity and care for others. So my deepest condolences to the family and Anika is here with us today. So, my condolences. Um, the Wise family. I wanted to offer condolences to the Wise family. A very good friend, Peter Weise, passed away on
January 2nd, uh, 2026 at the age of 85. He lived in Cranberry for 35 years. He was an engineer, worked for RCA, and after retiring, Peter became the director of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, also known as TASK. He bettered the lives of many, and he will be missed
by all those who knew him. And um I wanted to offer condolences to the Borg family. Wendy Weiseborg passed away on January 31st, just a few days after her father, Peter Wise. She lived in Cranberry for 37 years and taught
elementary school in the West Windsor Plainsboro school system. In town, Wendy also taught many of our children the art of baton twirling, and she worked in the township for many years. Wendy will be missed by all who knew her. So my condolences to all of these families who
are going through a very hard time. Um, on a more official level, uh, the library board meeting will be February 11th. So, it hasn't occurred yet. The DRC was cancelled due to lack of applications. The planning board met on February 5th. Uh, there is an ongoing
application by Kursner that keeps getting deferred. So, it was deferred for the third time. And uh we did proceed with voting to have our township planner proceed with efforts in our affordable housing plan along with our affording affordable housing planner. Um the affordable
housing subcommittee met via Zoom um on the 20th of January and I believe we have another meeting coming up tomorrow. And I did want to reflect a little bit on our budget meeting February 1st and it was um was a healthy meeting. I
apologize that we had a little bit of a glitch in our video, but some of the items that were not captured by video were captured by audio, which I believe was posted on the website. So, that was excellent catch. Um, it seems like there's just a lot of misinformation regarding this school juvenile enforcement officer and I really am
encouraging people to get the right information and if parents are looking for additional security at the school, please direct your questions towards the school. Um, at our personal subcommittee meeting, it was mentioned in in September that there was funding in the budget for a security officer. Please
direct your questions to the school and get your facts from the source, not from social media. Um, that's it. Any questions for me? >> Uh, thank you for remembering all those
who passed. Um, Wendy Boore was uh the environmental commission secretary for years. So, uh, you know, >> before me she gave me >> Oh, wow. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that also ages me, too. So, um Yeah. But thank you for for that. Thank you for
your report. >> For sure. >> Okay. I'll try and speak up above the heat. The heater seems to have kicked on just as we need to uh speak. So, um, it's been a a little while since we've
had reports. So, I I've had the Shade Tree has been very busy. Um, they've had two meeting, they've had a reorg meeting, a regular meeting on February 5th, and two work sessions. Um, there's a lot that's going to be going on. They're creating a planting plan. Uh,
over the last year, oh, thank you. over the last year um uh they didn't plant due to the drought and um there is believe it or not a drought warning now. So um you know conserve water as as much
as possible too. Um they discuss the role of an on call arborist and what that would entail um because in the budget there is some money towards an arborist. Um uh there the good news is the number of
tree removal and replacement permits um has gone up um uh which is good which will help us keep track of the number of trees that are uh coming down and professionals are looking into it too. Um believe it or not we're talking about
April and planting a tree for Arbor Day. Uh Denise, have you missed any? Okay, Denise is a great fan of Arbor Day and the children that come out and say why trees are important. It's so cute.
Um anyway, uh they discuss tree maintenance um along the right of way that uh the township's responsible for um and work with uh the deep the tremendous DPW that does an amazing amount of work which we saw with snow
removal as well as trees and whatever they tend to do. Um and they'll be having library education events and blocks. So um you know and they also do work on renewing memberships for Sha Tree
Federation etc etc. So look on make sure you look on the calendars to see when the walks are and when the library events are because there's a lot to learn about trees and the benefits. Um you mentioned the budget meeting um that
occurred on um January. >> Yeah. What is that? What is this one? What am I talking about here? Um, yeah. Um, February 1st. Um, I just wanted to read a little, um, blurb of what's going to be coming out in the mayor's update. I'm not going to read the whole thing.
Um, so, um, okay, just an update. At that meeting, we carefully reviewed our financial outlook and conducted a straw poll that indicated a support for a 7 cent tax increase. This was not a decision made
lightly. It was grounded in a shared commitment to protecting Cranberry's long-term fiscal health, preserving our financial reserves, and responsibly meeting growing obligations, including statemanded affordable housing requirements. Um so to see how we came
up with whether it was seven cents, three and a half cents or no increase, you can read more and you can also see uh where certain increases came that we had we had uh we had that were out of our control that were impacting the
budget. So um uh that mayor update will go out tomorrow. Um and some key budget dates. Uh we had the working session February 1st. The budget introduction will be happening today um where it's formally introduced. Um once introduced,
the full budget becomes part of the public record and is available for resident review. Um and the public hearing and budget adoption is March 9th. And um a public hearing will be held no sooner than 20 days 28 days
after introduction. Um, and this gives residents time to review the budget before offering comments, questions, or concerns, and that will be held here. Again, um, okay. We welcome questions and appreciate
engagement as we work together to keep Cranberry financially strong and thoughtfully managed. Okay. Um and there will be an update affordable housing update too on in the mayor's uh update and kindergarten
registration um opened February 1st and there's an upcoming meeting of the board of ed that you already mentioned and and then the other regular meetings. Um so January 20th the environmental
commission met and I'm the leazison to that. So, um, they, uh, it's been an ongoing thing almost, I don't know, at least six months to choose and hire a consultant for the community energy plan. Um, they'll be they'll be picking
action items and then there'll be a public um, a public meeting to see whether the community has any other ways that we might want to conserve and uh, energy for the entire community. um a watershed institute um representative came to discuss a
regional approach which you've heard many times that I've mentioned to the watershed assessment report which is the phase two of the MS4 permit um on storm water management which helps um with flooding and water quality um
mentioning April again there will be the stream cleanup there will be spring um adopt and then there's the uh adopt a catchphase and it's almost ready for roll out. Um they're working on the map for people to name and maintain inlets in your neighborhood that you get to
sign up. Um then the other um yes, mine's getting a little long too. Um okay. Um so if you're a member of CHIPS, you should have gotten your newsletter. Okay. And
if you're not, you are missing out. So become a member of CHIPS. Okay? Okay. It's the Cranberry Historical and Preservation Society. Um, uh, there's lots going on because this is the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Um, there's a cool flag that was created
by Louise Pagi. It's over here. We can't see that. Um, there is a uh you can there's a t-shirt that's available at the history center. A new uh book published by John Chambers. Um, and you can learn all about the revolutionary
surgeon, the legacy of Dr. Charles Mcnite, who was born in uh, 1750 right here in Cranberry. So, um, just wanted to let you know um, become a member and the colonial fair. Yes, we are talking May 15th and then there'll be the
dedication of the 1713 house which is in um, the Milstone Park. Um so um that's the Cranberry Historical and Preservation Society. Uh the other thing um on Sunday uh Cranberry Housing
Author um association met and I was was going to I tried to get there but um something came up and I was unable to make it but I requested the presentation um from CHA. So, and when I get that, I will forward it um to the other TC
members so we you know so that we have some communication back and forth with CHA. Any questions? It's a little long. Sorry. >> No questions, but I'm looking to confirm that board of ed appointment or that board of ed meeting date for you. >> Okay.
>> Give me one second. Thank you. >> The next meeting is the 25th at 7 o'clock. >> 2:25. >> That's right. Okay. Uh oops. Where' it go? Here it is. Okay. That was the mayor update. Uh
subcommittees and department heads. Nothing. Okay. Okay. We're moving on to resolutions, non-consent items. Uh do we have a mo? Uh, do you want to read it or read this one? >> Okay. Um, Cranberry Township resolution
number R02-26-030. Proposed budget for the township of Cranberry will be formally introduced. A public hearing on the budget will be held on Monday, March 9th, 2026. Do we have a motion to move? >> I'll move.
>> I'll second. Okay, we're going to move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Elbadawi, >> yes. >> Dr. Rogers, >> yes. >> And Mr. Scott, Mayor Canmer, absent. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, okay. Moving right along. Um, do we have
any follow-up items? >> I'm on an answer on when the teen mental health program is going to run for this year. >> Okay. Anyone capture anything else or we're good? Okay. Um, boards and
commission vacancies. You put that in front of me and hopefully Okay. The vacancy is environmental commission. Uh, second alternate. Do I have to say the date? 12. >> Yeah. Okay. Um, another vacancy is historic preservation commission, class
C member. Um and then uh the class uh two of them class C member and class C second alternate and then uh the third vacancy is zoning board second alternate.
Okay. Okay. Uh ordinances uh we have how many ordinances we have? Oh four ordinances um on the first reading. So you want to read them? >> Thank you. So, our first ordinance this
evening that is on for first reading is Cranberry Township ordinance number 02-26-03 authorizing the acquisition of Certain Row property located at 1260 South River Road 5 lot 18 for affordable housing purposes. This ordinance will be on
second reading February 23rd 2026. If we can have a motion to introduce. >> So moved. >> Second. I guess I can second. >> Need to. Okay, I'm going to move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Eladawi, >> yes.
>> Dr. Rogers, >> yes. >> And Mr. Scott and Mr. Caner, Mayor Cam are absent. And now we'll move on to our second ordinance that is on for first reading. Cranberry Township Ordinance number 02-26-04 amending an ordinance fixing the salary,
wages, and benefits for various officials and employees at the Township of Cranberry providing for the manner of payment thereof and ratifying salaries and payments to employees and officials previously paid. This also will be on second reading February 23rd, 2026. If I could have a motion to introduce,
please. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> And move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Elvadawi. Yeah, Dr. Rogers. >> Yes, >> Mr. Scott. Mayor Caner are absent. Um, we'll be moving on to the third ordinance, Cranberry Township, Ordinance
number 02-26-05, accepting a conservation easement over sections of property designated as block 8, lots 1.02 and 1.03 on the Cranberry Township tax map. Again, this will be second reading, February 23rd, 2026. If
I have a motion to introduce. >> So moved. and second. >> Can I second? >> M shenan >> second. >> And we'll move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Uh Mrs. Elvadawi. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rogers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott. American absent. Now we'll
move on to our fourth for introduction. Cranberry Township. Ordinance number 02-26-06 accepting a conservation easement over sections of property designated as block 13, lots, 15, 16, and 21 on the
Cranberry Township tax map. Again, second reading will be February 23rd, 2026. If I can have a motion to introduce. >> This will stick with the pattern. Moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> And we'll move on to roll call. Uh Mr. Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Obadawi, >> yes.
>> Dr. Rogers, >> yes. >> And Mr. Scott, Mayor Caner are absent. Now, we're going to be moving on to the second reading of two ordinances. Um, and this is where the public would be able to >> uh the public and so I I'll read the
title now. Um, so the first will be Cranberry Township Ordinance number 01-26-01 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank NGSA48 col 4-45 uh.14.
And this is where >> yes, since this is since this is a second reading, we can have uh I'm opening the floor to public comment on just this particular uh ordinance 0126-01. Okay, seeing no public comment.
>> Uh, do we have any TC comment? >> None here. >> Okay. So, do I close it? >> So, now we need a motion to adopt. >> Okay. Uh, could we have a motion to adopt? >> I'll move. >> I'll second and we'll move on to roll
call. Um, I'm sorry, Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Elvadawi? >> Yes. Dr. Rogers? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Scott Marumer absent. >> Okay. So, our second ordinance that is on for second reading is Cranberry Township Ordinance number 01-26-02. This is authorizing soft cost for
Cranberry Housing Associates, CHA, to purchase and develop affordable housing family units at Cranberry Commons in the Township of Cranberry in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey, appropriating $125,000 from Cranberry Townships affordable housing trust fund to cover the cost
thereof. Okay, I'm opening uh I'm opening this to public comment. Um it's just uh for the ordinance number 01-26-02. Any public comment? up to comments from the township committee.
>> No, >> I just wanted to explain a little bit. I forgot. Um so the soft costs, what that means is um it's part for down payment for the purchase of the property and for um planning board escrow and professional charges and permit fees.
Just uh clarify what soft costes costs are. >> Okay, to adopt. We're closing the TC comment part and um I'll have a motion to adopt. >> So moved. >> Second it.
>> Okay, we're going to move on to roll call. Mr. Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Elbidawi, >> yes. >> Dr. Rogers, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, American are absent. Thank you. Okay, now we have all these consents, right? >> Just do one motion. >> Okay. Um so now we're on to um consent
resolutions. Um, can I have a motion to move A through F, unless someone would like to pull out one of the resolutions? Okay, go ahead. You can go. >> I'll I'll move A through F. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we'll move on to roll call. Mr.
Christopher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Elidawi, >> yes. >> Dr. Rogers, >> yes. >> We have Mr. Scott and American absent. Thank you. >> Okay. Wow. Okay. So, we are now on to public comment. Um, just a reminder, um,
please state if you come up, please state your name and address, right? And and then and make sure you write your name down on >> I don't know why it's Oh, there. Why is it pink? >> I don't know. That's the first time you've ever seen that. >> Okay. My microphone was pink for
everyone out there if you'd like to know. It's pretty color. >> Um, but it should be red. Um anyway, so yes, three minutes and please um um state your name, address and um and sign in and you have three minutes.
Any public comment? >> Okay. >> Okay. Seeing none, I'm going to close the public comment. Um and can we capture any action items? >> It was just that action item get me. >> Yep. For sure.
>> Okay. We have this is amazing. >> It's a record >> 27. >> Okay. Um can we have a motion to adjurnn so we can get under the wire? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Okay. All >> in favor? I I Okay.