[Music] I'd like to call this meeting to order. Clerk, >> adequate notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with chapter 231 public law 1975. >> Take a moment of silence. Thank our creator for this beautiful day and all
that he's given us. The flag salute. Commissioner Douglas Albrece 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. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Austin here. >> Commissioner Alrech here. Commissioner Romero. >> Commissioner Lodes >> present. >> Commissioner Taylor >> present.
>> Deputy Director Marawn >> here. >> Director Sorrow >> here. >> Do I have a motion and second to accept and dispense with the reading of the minutes from the last public meeting? >> Motion to accept. >> Second. >> All in favor? I [Applause]
communications >> correspondence dated August 14th, 2025 from Atlantic City Electric notifying the board of county commissioners notice of filings and public hearings in the matter of the 2025 through 2026 annual compliance filings for the universal service fund program factor when the
societal benefits charge rate BPU docket number ER25063071 and the matter of the provision of basic general service for the period beginning June June 1st, 2026, BPU docket number ER25004190. Correspondent stated September 5th, 2025
from Atlantic City Electric notifying the board of county commissioners notice of filings and public hearings in the matter of petition Atlantic City Electric Company for implementation of the adjustment to its conservation incentive incentive program rate mechanism and associated customer class
rates. BPU docket number ER25070461. [Music] >> Do I have a motion and second to open public comment on resolutions only? >> Motion to open public comment on resolutions only. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I.
>> Does anyone from the public like to stand and talk about resolutions only? Please. Uh we have another session at the end of the meeting, but this is resolutions only. State your name and location, please. >> Sandy Aso, Upper Deerfield Township. My
comments are in reference to resolution 2025566 the uh the first number one on the resolution. Um, I guess my question is who determines the value of the property?
In section two, the words as may be advisable. Advisable by whom is my question. In section number three, sold to a third party.
That That's I guess I have a problem with that. Um in section three also it it says if negotiations fail developed pursuant to an agreement of the parties. What parties are you
referring to? Also in section three, it seems that the county has no control over how much the property is sold for and to whom it's sold to. That's of concern.
In section three, it refers to inoccupancy. Define occupancy. Is it a physical occupancy or just ownership? What determines occupancy of the properties?
Number five, is there a property already um involved given such a specific time frame of 10 years? Um, this shared service agreement is very convoluted and vague all at the
same time. Imagine that. Um, this shared service agreement feels uh a lot like a CYA for a situation that appears to have happened in one of our major cities in
Cumberland County. You have a city selling property to their industrial commission for a dollar. Then you have the industrial commission selling the property to four limited liability corporations for $1.1
million. And then those four LLC's turn around and sell the property for $8.4 million. Someone made a huge profit off of that deal, which I believe is could be
currently under investigation, and I can see why. The taxpayers were the losers in that transaction. And our concern is that the county taxpayers will be the losers on any deals this selling of county
property will involve. Given the short window that the public has had to digest this resolution and the serious nature of such an agreement, I suggest you table it until further examination and explanations are
given. There's information and deals taking place behind the scenes that the public is not privy to and that probably includes members of this board may not be privy to.
And we know all too well that interest special interest plays the long game. So I'm sure there's more to this deal than meets the eye. Thank you. >> Thank you. Just out of Dean Hawk. Sorry. I have a a
comment about the scene. uh subject is is this the property that >> excuse me that he did not identify >> he did hear you say your name that's okay I
heard I forgot it no that's okay >> u I I have the same the same thoughts there just so many things that that could wrong for some people and very right for other people and I think it should be
done as openly as possible. Um this particular list of properties that will be uh made should be available and should be
uh reported on on a regular basis so that we know what kind of negotiation go on. we can't do anything about it. We sort of really realize that but we can sort of surely put our two cents in and I think you should give us a chance. I
think uh she had a very very very good comment on the whole thing. So I'd appreciate if you would not pass it and look it over again and come back with some more information. Thanks. Thank you.
>> Thank you. I'm not going there. Good evening. I'm Nancy Vidway from Upper Deerfield and Fairfield Townships. I have resolution 2025 539. This is a resolution certifying
compliance with regulations of the local finance board of the state of New Jersey [Applause] certifying the 2024 audit. I haven't seen the audit report
and somebody ought to be giving it to the public and I'd really like to know if there was any findings or not. There probably wasn't because our auditor always does a great job and never finds anything wrong financially in the county which is
amazing. But anyway, I'm just interested in the audit. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Good evening. My name is Tom Tedesco. from Hopewell Township. I also had the pleasure of serving on the township of
Hopewell uh um for the last four years. I'm here to offer support Hopewell Township Appreciates Resolution 2025-538, which is your resolution to reframe its affordable housing legislation. If you don't mind, let let me indulge a couple
things that hope struggle has struggled with over the past year. Since this legislation has passed last year, it came out with several several requirements. Uh first off, Hopewell Township um um as as your resolution also states, we support affordable
housing. We think it's very important for the residents of Cumberland County to find an affordable um house to to purchase and live. Uh but the but the new formula, the new formula they came up with last year uh is based on a whole myriad of of of calculations. One of
which is is projected population growth. And what might work in North Jersey or Egg Harbor Township or Mammoth County uh in our opinion doesn't work down here in Cumberland County. It's a typical um one-sizefits-all legislation that comes
from Trenton. And for instance, in the last 10 years, Hopewell has built 21 new houses in the last 10 years. That's that's an average of 2.1. this new requirements, a new formula has has us
over the next 10 years 10 times that amount. So take the 2.1, take the decimal to the right, and that's 21 new affordable houses in addition to to regular single family homes. That's, as your uh resolution stated, that's unrealistic. We have no infrastructure
in Hope. We have very minimal infrastructure in Hope Township. We have no municipal water. We have limited sewer. We're primarily an agricultural community. Uh I see Matt's here uh tonight from from the planning division. Uh he can confirm we've preserved almost
6,000 acres in Hope Township. That's what our that's what our master plan um states. That's what we're doing. Again, it's not that we don't want affordable housing, but to have that that number of affordable houses in Hopeell Township over the next 10 years is just it's just just unrealistic.
Um, second, the cost that that that this legislation has cost the taxpayers of Hope Township. Uh, to date this year, we have spent nearly $45,000 in attorney, engineers, and planners to not only come up with a plan, but to
fight the current challenges that are coming from from from various organizations throughout the throughout the state. So, again, uh, we support affordable housing, but we urge our legislation to reframe this this the the the current law from from from 2024 and
I I ask you humbly to um adopt your resolution 538. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. >> Before we go any further, I just wanted to say that our deputy director spearheaded this one and uh I have to
give a lot of credit on it. Would you like to make a comment? >> I would. And I I I think Deputy Mayor Tedesco really hit the nail on the head with his comments. This is what I would call as a classic unfunded mandate from Trenton. And this is the effects that is
having when a small town such as Hopewell, such as Upper Deerfield. These are going to be dramatic costs for these communities that don't have the capabilities of paying for it. So ultimately, it's going to fall on the backs of the taxpayers,
which once again affects Cland County residents. We want to make Cumberland County an affordable place to live and this makes it just harder when we have unfunded mandates from Trenton, a one-sizefits-all legislation having us do similar things to what's going on with North Jersey. So, that's the reason
that I spearheaded this. As I said, I think Deputy Mayor uh Tedesco hit the nail on the head, so I won't repeat his commentary, but that's the reason I support this agenda item. Thank you. Okay. Is there anybody else that wish to
address the board on resolutions only? >> If not, >> seeing none, motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Do we have any department head comments? >> No, no, wait. I'm sorry. >> Can I interject if we're going to the
shared service agreement? >> Please do. >> Yeah, that might be a utility. So, this was an agreement that was brought about in cooperation with the CCIA triggered by uh the forfeiture house that was sold
within the last 6 months. It's anticipated that there will be a couple other foreure houses coming through. Money's raised go right back to the prosecutor um for law enforcement efforts, right? And it's for fun. um we serve as the arm in order to move the
properties and uh under uh New Jersey law counties are required to do different things in order to sell properties than authorities and it's NJSA4A12-13.5 and it calls for um studies it calls for
uh hearings it calls for steps that were uh impracticable able that can be incorporable in the instance of single family homes. So who determines value? The homes have to be appraised, right? They're uh their assets on government.
um who determines if advisable uh if there's an instance and we can't predict every potential instance but there if there's an instance where you as a board determine that it would be best to maintain control of a piece of property then you're not going to do a
resolution turning it over to the authority to sell you're going to maintain it. Um, so for instance, a good example might be a forfeited own where there's occupants, right? A tenant in good faith of that property where we don't we're not looking to dispossess
them. We're looking to get appropriate value back to the prosecutor's office in order to fight crime in Cumberland County. Um, as to sold to a third party, there's two parties to this agreement, right? There's the county and there's the CCIA. A third party would be any
other party that's involved. So for instance, a purchaser as to um the control uh of the authority once you do your resolution that would remind this board that you have the right to veto the minutes of the authority and thus
veto the actions of the board with which you and the audience in large part are all too familiar. uh you have the ability to stop the authority if you don't agree with what's going on. Um as to occupancy, that example uh really
covers uh the chance that something is forfeited, right? meaning there's a court order that it comes to the prosecutor's office or the county and uh the uh property comes occupied and if that person is paying rent while we're
deciding what to do with the property that's a fair that's a fair shot. Um the 10 years was actually something that the county asked for in an agreement that they got from the authority and the purpose there is uh the example would be
the old um vote school that satow for many years and we wanted to have an end date when we could say okay give it back to the county and we'll figure a new plan. It doesn't have to be 10 years. It could be a year, but I don't think that that's appropriate for
a property that this board necessarily takes action on. I think that a larger time frame might be smarter and you could certainly do a resolution sending a piece of property to the authority and re that time frame in if you wished to.
But in essence um it would be uh availing yourselves of a tool so that you um have the ability to move properties sooner rather than later. the last instance that I've cited had a tenant in good faith and um we wanted to
try to be able to not dispossess them as it happened. and they were um respectable people in the community that were trying to they had no idea that they rented a house that had been forfeited as a result of a drug deal. Um it happened long before their occupancy and we were trying to make sure that
next time that comes about and I understand there's a couple more houses possibly in the pipeline that you were in a position to move as efficiently as possible um to not dispossess people and to try to keep houses as houses in Cumberland County. Um, that one I think had been used as a grow house or
something, but had been refitted. So, that's in essence how we got where we are or whatever. >> Correct me if I'm wrong. Did they end up buying it themselves? They did. I'm happy to report and thanks the county and county commissioners profusely. And that was after, as you all are aware,
because you paid for it and appraising, right? Which is of course how you establish fair market value in order to know what to do with it because you're certainly not going to take a piece of property and just >> and again reiterate that the money is going back
>> that went back to the office and the I think there was some money that came back to the county for the title work that we did to be able to handle the civil part of that year. that in essence you think should answer unless there's questions >> and and as we and I'm sorry as we did
with with the property that you just mentioned and referred to moving forward with this agreement this board will approve >> sure >> all of those sales >> right and right now I can't point to a single property that's in line for this it's just a tool that would have been better for that situation so we're
trying to be ready but I understand in talking to the prosecutor that there may be other properties that could potentially >> In other words we're being proactive instead of yes But there is no county property I am aware of >> as of right now >> that needs to be excess and unneeded and therefore
>> and when one should become available >> you would hear about it and then be a resolution acting but you have a tool in place if >> to be able to do >> it was appropriate one of the questions was is there a list and where will that list be kept so it's just sort of a as they come as they come along
>> and we'll come to this meeting in the form of a resolution right to deal with a coming to by virtue of a court. >> All right. So, Dr. D could come up to this board at least twice. Uh that whatever deal it is the initial part to
send it over the deal coming back to us that uh we're going to agree to. So, at least twice it's going to be publicly known what's happening even even to bring the money to the prosecutors to the prosecutor. We we'll have to approve that also. Right. accept the deal,
right? By way by virtue of not detailing the minutes, but presumably you of course would want to move on and approve, >> but the resolutions will bring everything out to the public. >> There's not provide for a handling of property without
>> exactly at these meetings. >> And why would we do it with the CCIA? Because they move property all the time. because authorities have the ability to move property differently than the authority than the legislation that I was a lot of things that we >> right uh we would have been 90 day we
had two public hearings 90 days apart and we had people that were literally being thrown out of their house and unfortunately in that case another another anomaly of the law worked it came to this board you approved it there was a resolution and we kept them in their home but we don't want to be in
that position and dispossess just because the law um >> and the things you mentioned some of them were way back we've done this in the past whatever way we did it come that we wanted to sell a house like you're explaining one example but there were other examples of that >> role
in general so >> but it had taken so long that it bothered me and I there was a lot of questions about the rot and how because it sat there for so >> we were right to discuss this right and it and it may not be the perfect way to handle it but it's a way to handle It's really up to the viewer, but those are
your >> So, it's kind of it's kind of different much different than the example was that was shed that the example of the industrial park and how that works. It's different than that. >> That's correct. And and don't forget that the audit that I think we're about
to talk about, right, where there were no findings that the auditor would also be looking at this action that you're taking, right? So, it is not without supervision and accountability. >> Okay. All right. Did you want to talk about the audit? >> I just want to say that um it's going to
be available on the website tomorrow. It's brought forth to the board within 45 days. Once the approval takes place, we'll put it on the website for everybody. >> There you go. >> All right. >> So, the audit is going to I'm sorry, just I'm not sure if everybody heard. So, the audit is going to be on the website tomorrow. >> Tomorrow. >> By tomorrow.
>> And to answer the question, there are no findings, right? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> There you go. Okay. I think is not on the website now because it has to be approved by us, right? >> So, it's just official that it has to get approved at the meeting before it gets posted >> because otherwise it wouldn't be
approved. >> Okay, madam clerk, let's continue. >> Do you have any department head comments? >> Anyone? Okay. I never bring a sheet up with me, but if you'll bear with me, I wanted to make
sure I didn't miss anything. Uh, first of all, Chuck Albino, the uh, Department of Corrections. Um, >> excuse me. Could you pick the mic up? Yeah. >> Is that better? >> That's better. Thank you. >> You can hear me. Okay. Um the first
thing I want to um make announce to the public um because I think there obviously the commissioners are well aware of it but I have uh submitted my resignation from the department of corrections. Um, I really don't want to get into a
discussion of of why I'm stepping away other than to say pretty simply that when I took on the position initially in 2023, I was asked to stay for 3 to 5 years. So, uh, I made that commitment
and I was fully prepared to stay through January of 28, um, for, uh, reasons, um, that are the commissioners, they have elected to go in a different leadership direction and started to make
some changes at the jail and the leadership. And I just feel I respect that. So, I I want people to understand I'm not angry and I truly respect that this board has every right to have the leadership that they want in the jail. And I believe that they've treated me
fairly all along through my tenure. And I feel like if this is a point where they want to make a change, then they they're should be that should be respected. Um, and from me, I wanted to
be clear to the board that um, I appreciate the support that I got over the the time that I was here and I respect the decision that you're making and what I'm doing. Even though I said I was prepared to stay, I'm stepping aside
out of respect for what I feel is what the direction they want to go. So, if you'll indulge me for a few minutes, I'd like to say some thank yous, >> if that's okay. So, I want to begin first by thanking um former directors uh
Cecilio and Alrech and the former county administrator Al Johnson because obviously they were the the people that made the decision to bring me on board and I appreciate through their tenure the faith, trust and support that they gave me was without measure appreciated.
Um I took this position and for those of you who've been around me know this um both on the board and in the community with a sense of purpose and dedication and um
I had hoped to come in to I came into a corrections department and um that was really in somewhat turmoil uh due to some uh maybe ill-advised decisions that had made you know years ago. We were facing two federal consent
decrees. We had numerous rounds of litigation that the board constantly lamented, rightfully so, how much money was being invested in supporting the legal side of the jail. So, I hope to just come in and try to stem that tide. Um, and
I'm proud of the progress that we made on that end. I think we're successfully managing both of those consent decrees now. Um, there were also some labor issues that I think we were able to put to rest and I feel like, um, I was given some pretty clear direction when I came
on board and I feel like that my staff really supported me in helping to make some really positive changes in the in the task that I was given. Um, I want to p pro start my thank my
absolute thanks by thanking my staff. Um, as you can imagine, corrections is a soulcrushing experience for the people that are in jail and for the people that work there. It's a depressing environment. People, you're dealing with
people who are at their worst. They come in addicted, sick, at the at the probably the lowest for many of them at the lowest point of their life. On a good day, they're difficult. on a bad day. It can be anything
from assault to just constant abuse. Um, we all know, it's no secret, we're short staffed in the jail. And I can tell you that over time, my staff has gotten criticized because they don't always do things exactly the way you would do if you were
in a in a a really wellorganized and well-run jail in large measure because we have to make do with the staffing we have. And I can tell you without without question and I bring a considerable amount of experience to this um that
it's it is to their credit and I'm aed by what they do a every day day in and day out both unformed and non-uniform staff adult and juvenile to make this work. Um the county is fortunate to have them and I was blessed to have them.
Anything that we accomplished is through them. Um, I also want to express my appreciation to who I will term as uh stakeholders in this. Um, uh, Sheriff
Mike Donado was a tremendous partner, prosecutor Jennifer Webb McCrae, uh, the public defender's office, Alex Rogies, and, uh, Judge Telsey. um police chiefs, we all interact on this
law enforcement and um and Sheriff Frostino, I would be remiss if I didn't thank you because you you you were a help as well during your tenure as sheriff. It's a community and to be honest with you, for a long time the jail was isolated and I worked very hard to rebuild the relationships with those
stakeholders and I kind of feel like we're leaving this in a pretty good place. Um, I think I covered most everyone. I want to thank my closest administrative partners, Jeff Dazzro, John Carr, and Paige. Thank
you. Um, many days you allowed me to vent in your ear when I couldn't take it anymore. And I appreciate that and all the support you gave me and advice you gave me through the time. And last, I want to thank my family because for any of you who had to interact with me, you
know, you got emails from me at 2 o'clock in the morning, 3:00 in the morning, getting home at 10:00 at night late. And um my family supported me. I have a wife, three children, four grandchildren,
uh and a boxer. Um and they all u were nothing but supportive. I love them. They're my purpose and they're my every reason. And without them, I couldn't have done this. And I just want to say thank you last and foremost to the
people of Cumberland County for your support, for your trust, and same thing from the board. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to thank you for your leadership, your professionalism, and what you've given to the county. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. I'd like to thank you, too, director. I got to work with you
for a number of years. you took over the deal at a time when things were really bad over there and you did an outstanding job and I want to thank you. Appreciate >> also like to make a comment that when we brought when Chuck decided to take the
job at uh come in there it it was very bad. We there was it was against the lowest we had every complaint understood what staff morale uh it was it was very bad very poor even to the idea of maybe call asking the
federal government to look at our jail that's how bad it was down and uh he he did everything that I that and I'll speak for Joe Silio that because Joe was the one that actually brought him to the to our sites commissioner Silio
He did everything we asked him to do to as best he could do it for what he had to do it with the people we did. And uh all I can say is that I and I've said this numerous times that you know uh the the unions for the first time I I
consider it union peace that they that uh that they understand they asked for one thing to be communicated to and you did exactly that. You told them you always kept them in the loop and they appreciated it. I appreciate it because I heard from them that you that you were
open, the door was open. That corrects a lot of problems just by having them be part of it because there's a lot of knowledge there. So, I thank you for doing that. I I it's kind of sad to hear this. Uh but I I appreciate it. Thank you.
>> And I'd like to echo those comments as well. I don't want to save it to the end that you might leave and not hear it, but thank you, Mr. Albino, for your service to Cumberland County. We very much appreciate it. As someone who's worked in education and schools, uh sometimes the structure can be very similar to where you were. And when
morale is down and uh people are not working together and we don't have that synergy, things can be really difficult. And I know that you came into an environment that was couldn't be more challenging. I think we can describe it as that. And you took the bull by the horns and and gave Cumberland County
your all and all of your energy. And we really appreciate that. Thank you. Director, I want to thank >> Okay, one just give me one. I just I want to thank you also, director, for what you've done and I'm sure that uh any new event that you're
going to go into, you're going to do it well and we appreciate your kind words. Now, madam prosec Good evening. My name is Jennifer Le McCrae. I'm speaking as the Cumberland County Prosecutor. I want to let the public know that we are doing our I
believe it's our 15th, let's see, I started in 2010. That was our first year. So, this is our 16th uh back to school initiative. Um when we started this project 15 years ago, uh we might have done 10 schools. This year we are doing 50 schools. We have um employees
from our administrative staff, our assistant prosecutor staff, and our detective staff that are going back out to back to school nights. Um they're tableabling. They're letting the community know that we can come out and talk about issues that keep kids safe
and healthy in our community. So, um look for us at your back to schools. We had a record on Thursday night. We were at eight back to schools all at one time. Um, and we want to encourage parents as well as our church organizations and our other child
serving uh organizations to know that we can come out and talk about issues that keep kids safe such as gang safety uh safety with with drugs and alcohol, internet safety, um issues such as that.
So, please call on the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office and please follow us on our Facebook page because we're posting information about our back to schools. I also want to mention and thank uh Director Albino for all of his hard work and service to Cumberland
County. Um over the course of your tenure, director, I have come to know you as a friend. I think I told you when you got there that you had a very very hard job, but very quickly I learned that your many years of experience as an
in uh administrator in the New Jersey Department of Corrections would serve us well and you did not disappoint. When you got there, we were battling suicides. We were battling serious use of forces that sometimes equated to
dollars for the county in lawsuits. uh your experience and expertise quelled much of that. Um you were brave in facing all of the chiefs with their many concerns. Um never never, you know,
trying to skirt that always at our chief's meeting and always a partner. We didn't always agree, but it was never disagreeable. So I want you to know I appreciate the service. I appreciate your knowledge base. I appreciate what
you gave to Cumberland County and you will be personally missed by me. So, thank you for your service. Finally, I did not realize there was a resolution on the agenda about the CCIA, but I can tell you that um several months ago, we
seized $600,000 and 13 properties. And we're in the process of uh going through the court process to seize those properties. There's a civil process that happens when we want to seize properties and I
do believe John's recommendation will serve us well when we ultimately seize those properties. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Pro. >> Any other department head wish to step up, please?
Hello. Uh, my name is Nicole Gardner and I am the new director of the Cumberland County Library appointed by the commissioners here. So, I just wanted to introduce myself and thank you all and just say that I'm looking forward to serving the community in Cumberland County along with you and continuing all
the great services that the county library has to offer. I don't have anything to report as a department head. It's only two weeks in, so I'm still getting used to everything and I look forward to working with you. We appreciate you coming up and introducing yourself. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. We're happy to be here. >> Uh, seeing no one stepping forward. Do
we have a motion? Well, we don't have to have closing. Okay, we just move on. >> Um, consent agenda resolution. Do I have a motion and second to vote by consent agenda on resolutions 2025-532 through 2025-
562? Um, can I just ask one question before we do that? Is that all right? >> Yeah. >> I just would like a little clarification. I know what it's for, but I would like the public to have some clarification because I think the optics can be a little misleading. The one resolution that's on here for the gas
gift cards. Um, I want people to of the public to understand that we're not these aren't stocking stuffers um and sort of what their purpose is. So, if you could maybe explain that, that would be great. >> Absolutely. They're they're for office of employment training. I'm not sure if um if the director of employment
training JB Gomez is on, but I can I can um I can speak to that, Commissioner. Uh these these gas cards are used to um help facilitate those unavailable or unable to get back and forth that may
not be able to afford the expensive gas. um >> who are in the job training program specifically >> who are job train our office of employment training um participants >> who are showing some sort of hardship and unable to complete that job training
and so we at Cumberland County we want to make sure everyone gets back to work and has the opportunity to do so and that's what this is exactly that's that's the best description for it allows them and this is this goes for all ages it's not age restrictive it
just requires you to have a license at a vehicle that accept the gas or to borrow vehicle programs for people after high school and and adult training and adult, you know, I think headering back into the workforce in maybe a more elevated way than where they are and this is
something that can help them do so. >> Description of it. >> Thank you. That's all. >> All right, M. >> Oh, I have a motion. >> I make a motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Commissioner Alstino? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Alrech? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Lo,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Marshan, >> yes. >> Director Sar, >> yes. >> Do I have a motion and second to adopt resolutions 2025-532 through 2025-562 by consent? >> Make a motion. >> Second.
>> Second. Commissioner Alino. >> Yes. I'd like to make one comment on 561, Department of Veteran Affairs. Mr. Cini, I've known him for quite a while and I'm sure he will continue a great job over
there and give our veterans the service they need. I know he's energetic and uh he will serve the county well. And I vote yes. >> Commissioner Albright. >> Yes. And I just want to say out of that
blue river that uh congratulate Diana Pitman who's retiring and that's why we're replacing so and she announced it at our battle ceremony the other day. So uh so I welcome aboard and uh wish you the best at our vet fair is very important. So thank you.
>> Absolutely. I wish Diana Pitman the best. She's done an amazing job since you're bringing her up. Um and I I'm sure that Steve Cerveny will um he's got big shoes to fill. I'm sure he's up for it. And I'd like to welcome back our returning uh committee members, Joe Sporicio and Jody Trevolini as well as
well as Sherid. So my vote is yes. Commissioner >> Excuse me. I don't think you said yes though. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Director Deputy Director Marshan. >> Yes. >> Director Sar. >> Yes.
>> If I may, Mr. S. Please stand. This is Steve Shenni. He'll be our new veterans affairs department. We we we are excited and we we expect lots of things as almost as much as he expects of himself. >> Absolutely.
>> We're looking forward to it. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Resolution [Applause] 2025-563, resolution rejecting all proposals for providing various Youth Services for the Cumberland County Youth Services Advisory Council, RFT number 24-10,
resubmission three. Do I have a motion and second? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Commissioner Ostino, >> yes. >> Commissioner Alrech, >> yes. >> Commissioner Lodes, >> yes. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon, yes. Director Sar. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2025-564.
Resolution awarding contracts for providing and delivering various traffic signal equipment and signed materials for the Cumberland County Engineers Office and the Cumberland County Cooperative Contract Purchasing System identifier number 181-C CCCPS bid number 25-34 and authorizing
the readvertising for request for bids bid number 25-34 as section one. Do I have a motion and second? >> Second. >> Commissioner Alino. Yes. Commissioner Alrech, >> yes. >> Commissioner Lodes, >> yes. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon, >> yes. >> Director Sorrow,
>> yes. >> Resolution 2025-565, resolution affirming emergency to exist at the Kerland County Sheriff's Department regarding failure of a heat pump and affirming the repair thereof. Do I have a motion and second? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Commissioner Ostino, >> yes. >> Commissioner Alrech, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Less, yes. >> Commissioner Taylor, yes. >> Deputy Director Marsh, yes. >> Director Sara, yes. Resolution 2025-566 resolution authorizing a shared service agreement between Cumberland County and the improvement authority for transfer and disposition of properties obtained by means of forfeite. Do I have a motion
and second? >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> Commissioner Alino, yes. Commissioner Albreight, >> yes. >> Commissioner Lo, >> my vote is yes. In the interest of doing things more efficiently in government and knowing that everything goes before this board that has been elected by the public before it goes forward, my vote
is yes. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. Deputy Director Marshon, >> I'd like to thank Mr. Clar for an excellent recitation as to exactly what this is about. My vote is yes. >> From one attorney to another. >> Exactly.
>> Yes. >> Resolution 2025-567, resolution authorizing application and participation with the state of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety for the FFY24 Victims of Crime Act Grant Program, County Sexual Assault Response Team, Forensic Nurse Examiner Program. Do I have a motion in second?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Commissioner Alino. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Alrech. >> I just have a question. The the we went right now we had there was an open house in the row in the medical center. They have a pretty good department. The prosecutor I get you deal with. Is there
anything in the future that this is that get them incorporated into that? Do you already use them to do some of this? This is a separate >> So I'm apologize. I'm trying to match the grants up or the resolutions up. >> This is this is the the we don't we have
a nurse that we uh we hire to forensic nurse. >> Yes, we have a sane start forensic nurse. >> Okay. >> Already we have a program we get a grant from the um state and then we have a shared services agreement with Salem County. >> Okay. I just that uh it seems like
speaking with them that some of their services and you would know better than I that may match up to some of this the forensic uh they uh some of the sexual assaults the may be they just moved down here for uh can that be used in other words take that grant and actually use
it with them >> I will look into >> okay that's what I'm asking you >> yes >> commissioner loads yes commissioner Taylor >> yes >> deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Sar, >> yes. >> Resolution 2025-568,
resolution authorizing the award of a non-farant open professional services contract for providing occupational health services for the county of Cumberland. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move. >> Second. >> Commissioner Ostino, >> yes. >> Commissioner Alrech, >> yes. >> Commissioner Lodess, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon, >> yes. >> Director Sara, >> yes. Resolution 2025-569 resolution appointing division head adult detention to the department corrections. Do I have a motion and second? >> Motion. >> Second.
>> Commissioner Dino. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Alre. >> I would abstain with this. >> Commissioner LS. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Deputy Director Maran. >> Yes. >> Director Sorrow. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2025-570.
resolution amending resolution 2024-545 in order to accept a grant extension of one additional year for the BJA at fiscal year 21 connect and protect law enforcement behavioral health responses program. Do I have a motion and second? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Commissioner Alino.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Albreight? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Lo. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshan. >> Yes. >> Director Sorrow. >> Yes. >> Do I have one second? Um Kevin, if you want to introduce >> Mr. Kas, please stand please. Just want
to introduce Mr. Floyd Kas. He'll be the new division head uh adult detention at the jail. We look forward to uh to some great workfor. [Applause] >> Do I have a motion and second to accept the treasures report as provided? I'll
make the motion. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Do I have a motion and second for authorizing payment of all salary and wages? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Do I have a motion and second to open
public comment on new business only? >> A motion to open public comment on new business. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Anyone from the public would wish to address the board on new business only? Uh, please step forward, state your name
and your location. >> Uh, Victor Bernz, president of local PBA 231, C County Department of Corrections out of Hope Township. Uh, I just wanted to also thank uh, Director Albino uh, for our tenure. I would say he's one
of the better, if not the best warden or director that I dealt with this whole time. The communication was excellent. Uh we were proactive in in eliminating a lot of things that come about with liability issues and lawsuits. He dealt
with the decrees uh with the different departments such as um with the PRIA training getting us getting us uh on board with that the licensing. He he came in, took care of a lot of things in a little bit of time
that the last uh administrations couldn't. And I'm sad to hear that he's going to be gone. Uh that's a line of communications that I've never had in my 15 years on the board of the union. Uh
I'm just uh I lost words with it. It just is this will be my sixth or seventh word in a matter of the same amount of years. Now our local we uh we learn to adapt and and just we go through so many
changes and with this uh regionalization or joint services or consolidation whatever which is going to be which I have a meeting coming up uh couple days to be uh made a best of what's going to be happening probably promagation meeting
uh I'm just uh optimistic that we're going to keep doing the right things cuz we haven't had that many lawsuits since Albino came. I think that's the goal because lawsuits puts liability and strain on my officers and that has gone down tremendously. The hiring, we've
done more hiring in his tenure than we've done in the last six, seven years. There was an administration that didn't do any hiring. Actually, that one administration lost 80 officers.
So, we were we were definitely I'm not going to say heading down a wrong path, but steered towards a wrong path. And uh I'm like I said, I'm optimistic this board will make the right choices and decisions. I just hope that we remain to be in the loop and have communications
open uh with our people because in turn we have to provide a service for the county cumberland. And uh thank you. >> Thank you. Shashana Osavski, Fairfield Township.
Um, I just found out that the county library is being cut or has been cut by 25% or well 24% which is almost a quarter and um I'm really disturbed
about that. Um, I want to know how the cuts are going to affect the services at the library. I want to know why such a drastic cut, not 5%, not 10%, a quarter. Um why now?
Why not last year? Why now? Are these and are these cuts due to state funding uh shortfalls? Are they due to federal funding shortfalls? Um what other county services were cut
that you know people in this room are unaware of yet? Um and lastly is the library budget um does it meet the state requirement whatever I understand that the state requires all county libraries
to be funded at a certain level and is that level being met. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Sandy Aso, Upper Deerfield Township. John, thank you for your explanation of the shared service agreement. Um, so is
it limited to just the prosecutor's office forfeitures? >> It says forfeite properties. Yes. Well, I think it says what is it? By and other means >> properties is the contention. >> What what does the phrase by or by other
means? I'm not I don't follow read the resolution. It says for forfeiture properties, right? That's the focus. When it comes to by resolution, I don't have a a ability to plan for the future.
>> Okay. So, it's not in any way uh county property other than other than for county property. >> Okay. We're going to hold you to that, John. >> We're all holding him to >> Well, I guess they're going to hold it
to us, too. So, there you go. Mark Shapini, Fairfield Township. Hi, John. How you doing? Commissioners, back in February, I spoke about the importance of the library here.
And I said then that the most important job for you to do is to build the library, staff it well, make sure that every single thing we can get our hands on is in it so that everyone has the
access to the information they need so that they can maybe write a doctor's dissertation and because they needed one book that only our library had. It would be nice. And the second thing I said then was the other most important thing
you can do is to build a road and maintain the road to the library. Cuts to the library wherever they're coming from and whatever is forcing them. If Shishana is
correct at 24% is a pretty steep cut to an institution that one is chartermandated. There is a dedicated tax. We know that. So
would like to have some explanations along with uh Shashana and other friends of the library in here as to why the cuts are so steep and what brought them on. Now it's just not the library. So I wish
to mention a couple other things. Every year I go to the county fair. I love the county fair. My wife and I happen to go to about four or five county fairs all around South Jersey because we like to support the county
fairs in the forge. And one of the reasons I always go, particularly in a political year, is because of all the tents put up by the politicians so I can talk to them. This year, something unusual happened to
me at the county fair with one of the political tents. I was just as animated and as loud because I have a powerful speaking voice and I used to speak in front of thousands in lecture halls all over the
place. So, I don't need this microphone. The other thing is I occasionally use my hands and point because I'm Italian. Oh, well, at one particular booth,
I was escorted away for a disturbance when I was speaking just like this. And it wasn't a Democratic tent. I was escorted away by two of our sheriff officers because the party at
that tent did not like the fact that I was explaining to them why I could not vote for them. They didn't want to hear it. So they said I was creating a disturbance.
So I'm also here asking you to do something else. some training sessions with our wonderful sheriff's department and its officers so that they should ascertain whether a deaf person who speaks louder
because he doesn't know how loud he's speaking and a person who is used to speaking loud because he always addressed classes of thousands without a microphone is not a disturbance.
they need some training on that point and I would hope that you would address it. Okay. Uh I have never had that experience before and it happened here
in our county. So I'm bringing it to your attention. a little training to ascertain what is a disturbance and what is an animated person trying to stress their point to
the party they're talking to would be of great assistance in the future. I certainly hope never to happen have happen that again. And one last little thing, Jennifer Web
McCra, if I may address you, you instigated a program for deaf people and other people with special needs to put a sticker in their car that says special needs driver.
I appreciate that because as a going death person, I have been checked on parked on the side of the road by state police who are part of the program in our county. Okay?
Just to see why I was parked on the side of the road to see if I was okay. And it was because of that sticker. and you need to be applauded for that program. Thank you very much.
[Applause] Anyone else wish to step forward? >> Hello, my name is Shammer Shapini and I'm from Fairfield Township. I'm here in support of the library. I also find it uh distressing that there was a 24% cut
in the budget for the library. I'm also vice president of the friends group. We're going into our second year. We just had a very successful book sale this past Saturday. Also run the book sale committee. Um so we're we're trying we're really trying because our our
library means so much to us in so many ways. you should visit the library. Come see us. I just enjoy it so much to watch the children coming through. I go there to work on um our books that we're going to
sell out sell and you know there's elderly people there sitting there using laptops in the chairs. I mean the different doors that are open for people, they can't get this any place else. So to cut the funding and start
cutting services and whatever that looks like, I would hope that you want to do it that this money comes back. Um, like I said, the friends group, we're trying to do fundraising and help, but you know, it's a drop in the bucket compared to that
big of a budget cut. So I really hope that there's going to be some positive news come out of this. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Before anybody Okay. Yes. Who wants to take >> I just like that everybody was out here supporting the library. So I let them talk.
>> But go ahead and and the issue address your request or the two leazones if you if you want to chime in as well and I'll be glad to speak for just a few county administrator. Um I I I hope I hope there might be constru maybe some
misinformation. Um the discussion's already been made and and a reappropriation back to full funding is already in process. Uh so I don't know if if you haven't been given that information as friends of the library, but we've discussed it with Nicole um and I've
discussed it with the uh the chairman of the of the library board uh and as well the vice chair, Miss Levik. So, so they're already aware of that and it's we we we overfund by state statute we overfund the library
by 23 to 24%. The ma the state mandate roughly calls for rough uh I think it's around $840,000 and we're over 1.1 million if I'm not mistaken at this point. Is that correct uh Mr. CFO? >> Yes, you're correct. >> Okay. So, and and there's there's no
question for that. We we are fully committed to the library, the county, and the commissioners are all fully committed. Um, but they're in good shape. The funding is there. So, if if you thought there was that they were losing it, they're not losing it. Uh,
it's it's it's in in the reappropriation process and it will be in their pockets to to do as they need. Um, and they also know at this point that if there's anything they need that's not available in their budget, it will be taken care of for them. Um, and u, Miss Gardner
already knows that as well as Mrs. Levik does. Um, and so you should have great confidence. Please have great confidence in knowing that they're aware and and and and we're aware and it's it's already in process. Um, I hope that sheds enough light on the project. All
right. Thank you, Business Administrator Kevin Mñata. Um, was there anybody else who wished to come forward? And if not, can we have a motion? >> Seeing none, a motion to close.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I commission reports. >> Commissioner reports. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Thank you, director. So, I'd like to start off with um being a part of the
recreation commission. I take it very seriously. Um, you know, everybody should get out, get out and move and do a little exercise. A couple weeks ago, Fairfield Township at the U municipal building, they had uh
an event. It was Fairfield Township Day and they also had a 5K run. It was a lovely day and um if you want to put it on your calendar for next year, I highly suggest that. Seville last weekend, they also had a half marathon and a 5K run. They went to
Bay Point. It was a great event and which lead is leading me up to the Bridton Zoo and Bur 5K is this weekend and I have ran that in the past and um they usually have a fun walk as well. So hopefully you can go out support the
Bton Zoo, make a donation. The animals really need our help. I um was lucky enough to attend the military honors event. That was a great event and um I really appreciate Diane and wish her all the best.
Uh I also had the opportunity to attend a Rowan um medicine open house that they're building over at College Drive. They offer um comprehensive care for mental health, substance abuse um
disorders and they also have uh osteopathic medicine. I believe I'm saying that correctly. So, if you have an opportunity to stop in and just see what they're about, um, I think you'll be highly impressed. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Deputy Director.
>> All right. So, this past Saturday, the Cedarville Fire Department had their crab dinner, which was once again, they knocked it out of the park. It was fantastic. My understanding is they fed over a thousand people. It was a great fundraiser. They raised a lot of money. But I got to thank everyone that was
involved in that. So many people, men and women, spend a lot of time getting that prepared for all of us. It was a fantastic event. I've been to it uh many times now and I enjoy it every year. So, if you haven't been there, that's definitely something you got to put in your schedule for next year. But I will say this, you got to buy those tickets
early because they sell out quick. Um this weekend, uh Green Witch is having a craft fair. I believe it's Saturday, Sunday from I want to say 9 to 5 on Saturday, 9 to 4 on Sunday. not 100% on that, but I plan on being out there.
It's always a good time. So, hope hopefully we see some people out there. And one last thing I want to talk about was another, I guess, fundraiser for uh Lawrence Township EMS. They're doing a subsale pickups October 18th. Tickets are being sold now. Um I encourage
everyone to buy some tickets and support the uh Lawrence Township EMS. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Commissioner L. >> Thank you, Director Sorrow. Um well, first I do want to address uh what deputy director Marshawn spearheaded,
which was um urging the state to reframe this affordable housing legislation. Uh we have a lot of rural areas here in Cumberland County, and a lot of times we we know all too well, especially with my experience with the state, that sometimes our state Trenton policies don't always kind of parlay down here to
our unique landscape in Cumberland County. uh and this is specifically one of them. It is not one-sizefits-all. Cumberland County is a very unique area in the state of New Jersey and that we are no stranger to that fact. So, we will always advocate for making sure that Trenton sees what we're doing down
here in Cumberland County and meets the needs that we have down here. So, thank you for spearheading this and we're going to continue to advocate to make sure that this happens. Um also, I I want to um address a few things that were brought up here. Um, number one
with the issues at the fairgrounds and during the county fair. Um, and that's an unfortunate situation on where the gentleman there is. Unfortunate situation that that you went through and I I apologize if that was the situation and I I know that sometimes the motions get heated and there's misunderstandings
in in this world that we live in today. Um, everybody's always ready to be angry and always looking for why we're different instead of why what we have in common. And so I hope that we can all find look for what we have more in common rather than what we have in differences. Um but the issue that you
expressed was um being hearing impaired and and I have mentioned this before at this on these board meetings. Um but I have a my family we have um several hard hearing members uh cousin who is deaf went deaf as a little baby and the one thing that we all did as a family was we
all learned sign and we all really made sure that that was part of our communication. we spoke not only um with our voices but with our hands because it's important to incorporate everybody and meet them where they are. So I just want you to know I apologize for your experience and um the issue that you
bring up and as well as you complimenting the prosecutor on that program that you have. It's one that's very important. Um also prosecutor you're you're my star of my list here tonight because uh the back to school program that you are running I think is
fantastic. Um, I know being on the the Weissac committee, we talk about this a lot. There are a lot of programs in Cumberland County and a lot of times our families don't know it. Our parents don't know it. As an educator, I say this all the time. Every year as educators, we we have groups come in and
and educate the teachers on um, you know, what what drugs look like today. You know, it could be um anything, a hairbrush, anything. Could be um a vape now or you know, edibles and things like this. But, you know, my argument always is, well, you know, that's great that
you're educating our educators, but we really need to educate our parents and where are we doing that? And so, bringing that information to our parents at back to school nights is so, so critical. Um, the amount of drug use that is out there, we already know that that's so concerning and we know it
starts younger and younger and younger. My son who attends middle school in Violin, um, you know, he's already talking about sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and he knows that these kids are vaping in the bathrooms. So it it's not out of reach. It is everywhere around us. Um and it is of the most concern. So
I'm really glad that you are meeting parents where they are at these back to school nights. So now we just I have to urge parents go to your back to school nights. They're still happening. Um some have already passed, but we still have more coming up. So thank you for bringing that information to them. And lastly, our library. Um, I knew that
that funding was going back into your budget, but I'm so grateful that you all feel so passionately about the library that you came out here tonight and wanted to speak on her behalf. Uh, I had the pleasure of joining you, Sharon, and and the friends of the library group this weekend for the book sale, and it
was just great. And the energy there is just it's so high, and people were coming in and and I love that. I I'm an English teacher for the last 15 years. Uh, and so not only having a place to to find books and and to find communication, but our libraries are
also our community centers. And so, as long as I'm on this board, we're going to fight to make sure that the our county library has the full funding that she needs. And thank you all for your volunteer hours to support our library. the
lays on the behavior the uh the uh cultural um the uh I'm losing a name here but I got a chance to go to Morris Yeah, I got to Morristown and was able to walk around Morristown and actually what a unique community we have in this uh in this
county which a lot of uh artists were out painting which will hopefully be coupled on canvas they'll be participating in it because there was We have a lot of talented people in this area and I'm not here they came here to do that. Um with that I also by walking
around I got a chance to see a lot of nooks and crannies in that town. I've never seen just because you walk around you get chance to stop and see. I found out the board historic society. What a treasure that is. I' I've seen most of the all his history centers are
historical centers are actually kind of neat. I try to like go into anything anywhere I go. And we have one right here. some unique things they have there was kind of neat to see, but I also found out we have still boat building happening in Morristown. I didn't know
that and it was right across the street. Had no clue. So, it was kind of interesting to find that out. And now with the with the uh cultural heritage commission in river that one thing I do like is that the we're the a while back
the idea of the cleanse greenway idea. I heard it was going to be actually going into a study and of it. The idea is that we would make for it to be a kind of like the end point, kind of a focal point of shops or whatever, whatever we
decide, but a walkway bicycle route up uh through the the old uh golf course u all the way to South Bridget because I've told them we're not going to go north. They're part of it. It's Fairfield's business district because there a lot of businesses on that all
the way up the center of Burch Hooking around Elmer's uh Mary Elmer Lake down to Hotwell. So uh to the Amish market and uh Baritz branch is that the neighbor the parks. So I'm kind of excited that that's being uh taken up
and looked at. We have a lot of things that uh directors looked at the the Clancy country club uh but we have the DP we always have to deal with that makes their own rules more rules that they uh that is actually on the books. U so actually I'm excited that that can be
dusted off and made happen. Uh the uh that also well that that riverfront of Morstown was actually for three days in a row they had different things and I got a chance to participate in a lot of that stuff. Um
sorry what am I doing? I can't read my handwriting. So um the coming up uh there the director is going to talk about the idea of you're going to want to deal with the county. Please come here. We're going to show you how to do it. The director will talk
more about that. Uh there's uh there we the uh Newly Club is going to have their chicken fundraiser I think October 4th. So if you chicken dinner, please uh look into it. Be part of that. And there's
Well, I I also want to take talk uh about the library. uh nothing in the last uh and I've always believed that the library board was a a special board that they their own um what they their passion of what they bring to the table made it easy was
it easy our lison on what these people that the members of this board always took it up and rolled with it uh to the point that we did a major redevelopment of the library itself all the way to proposing a addex down in Boris River
Township. It did not happen. Um uh I blame the state because uh we were going to get it done and the state pulled it back and uh and the person uh oh I think I'll just say they pulled it back more uh before we we got a chance to finish
it. One thing I know about this county it might take us a little bit to get going once we get roll and get it done. As far as the budget side and I say this I I was and I say these words a lot. I apologize that I was disappointed. I uh there were some standards that this
county demands uh from our boards uh our director who will learn that we there's some things we we this is the way we do do things now. Maybe it's not the way it's been done for 49 years before us or 47 years before us, but we but we've done it because we're trying to make it
more efficient, better run, uh be able to make sure people are held accountable and and I maybe this uh and I say this to you that you know the county contributes more as it's been said. we're we're responsible for a certain percentage and and I'll say this and
I'll be upfront with this that the board was explained to them over and over again that yes, you have a right to do a lot of things and there's a there's a library I guess the library all said to me many times but the bottom line is that the organization that controls the
financing is the one you listen to and I had a was made a point that we were required to we are required to do a certain amount and that requirement is what we're held to, but uh we always give more and and and me I want to give more because I think we could do a lot
more libraries. We have literacy providence county and and the library over and over again and now a new director to say to her said that's your mission and the last director said she had a 5year plan. Well, she had a 10-year plan. I said make it five years because we need to get this done. So,
the library there's a setup point to that. Uh, so it seemed that we got a little skewed from where we were supposed to be, but hopefully we get back on track because we have a mission in this county to help to educate people, not only with the educators we
have, but to complement that. And I think you you'll do a great job at that. And I'm looking forward to the board uh rolling with the getting back on track and see what the next mission we can. Mo River Township still looking forward. So, we'll figure out a way. And hopefully we can find a way uh because
we need they are centers and they're not just the library book. It's not that anymore. A library is a place a center point for the community and that's what they look forward to and it would have helped a lot down there. So So thanks for listening.
[Applause] [Music] [Applause] You're welcome commissioner. >> Yes. I had the honor also of attending the veterans honor ceremony. It was a great event. Having lost a couple uncles to war, understand the sacrifices all
veterans make and their families and it was great to see the uh veterans being honored there that day. Also, I attended the Milville 911 ceremony which was put on. It was really great and it's another date that we should never forget. and
just the other day attended the Padre Peio event which is always crowded, always uh good food there and it's great event to attend. I want to also commend the library. Many years ago when I was in college, I found that the county library was the most
extensive and best place to go for research and I'm sure it's continued that way. And even after that, I've taken computer classes there which have been helpful and good. Director Kasagon, I want to welcome you
to the family. I'm sure you're going to keep that line of communications open. As a former president of the unions, I know that's important. And as an administrator who had to deal with unions, I know how important that is. So keep that open. It makes life a lot easier.
And that's about all I have. Okay. Being the director, a lot of stuff's always been said, so it's it's it makes it a lot easier on me. First, I want to welcome and congratulate all the people that were appointed that were hired tonight. Uh we we we have a great
uh county family. We really do. and we welcome you to that. We really expect a lot from you and uh we want open communications. You need something, please come to us and talk to us and and make sure that we know exactly what you
need so we can help you out. I want to say thank you to our sheriff. Uh we had a situation the last meeting uh when somebody came up and was talking about a problem that they had on their road and people going up and down and I I called
our sheriff and he came up with a very very good idea. He implemented it. We're working on it. We're actually trying to continue something to see if we can do something more permanent, but that's not something that's going to be easy because we really don't have uh control of the speed that is on that those
roads. that's that's not our prog. We don't have that decision. So, we have to go to the state for those kind of things. So, we're still going to work on it. He's got more ideas and I really appreciate uh sheriff for everything that you you've done so far. Um
I did not get to go to Cedarville the crabfest because I was at Beayshore Crab Fest. All right. Uh I am a very big proponent of the Britain beheld. [Music]
It's fabulous. They have an oyster fest coming up and I apologize. I don't remember the date. I actually detected my wife and said, "Could you give me the date for it?" Uh she's not responded. Where you at? So I'm pointing at the
camera. Um but anyway, uh I really believe in them. They have a lot of great events down there. Everything down there is is fundraisers for that area. Uh please think about going down there at the Oyster Fest. It's a it's a great time. It really is. And help support
that that the Bayore community. Uh Commissioner Alre um may mention we we've talked about this before. We want, this commission wants to work with local people and have those local individuals
make money off the county. That's very important to us. Many times we've passed resolutions and I have no problems with uh entities outside the county or trades people outside the county, you know, working with us. But a statement was made, well, one's in Mount Laurel. Why
are we always all always going up to to Mount Laurel? Why why can't we do business here? Well, that's what we're trying to do. And in October 7th at 3:00 in this room, all right, we're going to have a seminar for all people who want
to work with the county and make money. That's what it's about, for you to make money. If we go and and give our u proposals out to other individuals in other counties, they hire in their county, they buy supplies in their county, they pay taxes there, they go to
their restaurants, they buy clothes, they don't buy anything here. I'm not against them, but I'm more for us, okay? And so is this whole commission. So, please, when you get out there and you have friends that are in business, okay, please go out there and
tell them about this October 7th, 3:00 in this room, we're going to put on a seminar. Now, a lot of times you hear people say, "Oh, I I don't know how to do the paperwork. We'll take care. We'll do it for you." All right. We want you part of the
group. Once you get into the system, we'll be able to contact you and let you know what's going on. But we want to deal with people from Cumberland County. Okay. Little prejudice here. I want our people to make the mark. All right. So, please tell everybody you know in
business to contact us or be here and we will help them do the paperwork. You will have them learn how to do business with K County. And by the way, it's not going to end there. Later on, we're going to have is it a Zoom team? What do you want to call it? >> It'll be it'll be like a silo cast.
>> Okay. We we'll get it on to the the the internet. Okay. So people if they can't make it due to their schedule and I understand that. I was in business. Okay. If they can't make it, what we're going to do is have it so they can go right onto the computer and see. All right. We are very adamant. This board
is very strong on getting the people coming to deal with with the county government. All right. We want businesses in this county to deal with us. Also, I want to make a statement. Um, Matt, I want to thank Matt. He he wrote something up for me. Uh, this has
to do with the master plan and and and commissioner Alrech and I were talking about it just the other day. Uh, the statement of agreement and disagreement uh was released on September 15th. There are 21 mapping change items and 23
policy and procedure change items from Cland County. the state agreed with the county on all items. Okay? And the what you understand here will make these changes on the map in 2026. But I want everybody to realize
this this committee that uh was will put this all together and and Matt was in charge of it and his his department and he did a fabulous job. There was only two counties that got 100% uh uh particip participation.
>> Yeah, something like that. >> That's it. Two. We were one of them. And it was because of his department, him and and all the people that work in his department. They literally went to the cities and twisted their arm, drug them out, and we got all the master plans and
we worked on it. And I give them a lot of credit. They did a great job. But you have Matt, of course, Matt Parski is the planning director. Elani Gable, uh, assistant planning director, Jerry Lewis, county, uh, planning board chair, Ben Stoman, uh, Beayshore County Chair,
and I was also on the committee. They did a great job. Really, really did a great job. And it's going to make a difference because, what you have to understand, the last time this was done was 23 years ago. 23 years ago. So the
plan that we're putting forth uh it's a development plan for the whole county. What we're putting forth could last another 10, 15, 20 years. So we had to make sure that the cities were able to look ahead. So in the future, what's it going to be
like in your area? And they did that. They really did. They did a great job. The the whole community in Car County came together and and and they made it work. So Matt, thank you so much. tell everybody in the committee that I thanked them. Everybody did a great job.
Um, I'm going to just end there because I think you're getting >> Oyster Fest. Oyster Fest is October 18th, noon to 5. >> Okay. October 18th from noon to 5. It's that that's the the Oyster Fest. Thank you so much, ma'am.
Ken, we appreciate you. >> Oh, yeah. Maple Avenue in downtown. We got the cranes there. Okay. We got the cranes there. They're started. Now, I'm going to tell you what, and you know, not for nothing, this was just a little
over a year. I mean, seriously, public works, the our engineer, Doug Whitaker, did a fabulous job pounding the state of New Jersey because that's what they had to do. They really did. I don't How many was there 10 or 12 different redesigns
on the engineering for this project? >> Consistently. >> It was back and forth. We'd send it. it came back. We'd send it, it came back. So, and this was constant and and our team in public works was on top of that and they did a fabulous job. Also, all
right, we are actually going to start I mean, we got the okay for South Avenue, but we're actually going to start. Correct. >> Bidding should be in less than 30 days. >> There you go. Bidding in less than 30 days. We have other roads in the county that are being worked on. We'll get into
that a little bit later as I said, but I know you people are getting a little antsy want to, you know, get home. Um, but I appreciate everybody coming in. We thank you for your comments. We really do. Uh, I know some might think, "Ah, these guys really looking like we're
bothering them, but no, you're not. You really are. Okay, we do appreciate you coming and we do appreciate your comments. I just want you to know that this commission, all the commissioners here and and I mean this sincerely, okay? They work very hard. They put a lot of
time in. They they truly do. And the only thing they care about is what happens in this county. Whether you believe that or not, they whatever happens, that is their priority to make it work in this county. All right.
Is it smooth all the time? No. Okay, we go back into close sessions. Boxing gloves go on. Head gear goes on. You know, we dip it out a little bit, but we always figure something out. What I'm getting at is this is a family and
this is a great team that we have up here. I just want you to know that. And it the county is what comes first. I just want you to know that. Also, I want to thank you for coming out. We don't have any reason for close session, right? >> So, I guess all we need is a >> Do I have a motion to adjurnn? There you
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