2026. Can I have a roll call, please? >> Mr. Bartlett, >> here. >> Mr. McFaden >> here. >> Mr. >> Here, Miss S >> here. >> Mpatrick >> here. Also present, Mrs. Simono, our township administrator, Mr. Fox, our
township engineer, Mr. Heinhold, our township solicitor, Mrs. Russell, our municipal clerk, Mrs. Hart, our deputy municipal clerk, Mr. Fenomore, Superintendent of Public Works, and Mr. Warren, our police chief. Please join me
in a flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Um I think Scott wants to have a moment of silence. Yeah, I'd like to have a moment of silence for uh Steve Kangelo. Steve passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday. Although Steve lived in Edgewater Park, he had a huge connection
here in Delano. Uh Steve owned Unlimited Comfort, Heating, and Air, he had an incredibly large customer base here in Deleno, and you could see him at 7-Eleven getting coffee four, five, six times a day. Um he was also a huge supporter of our Delanco Youth Sports Association and Del Riv as a gold
sponsor for many many years as well as a donor to the fire department during our donation drive. So we can have a moment of silence for Steve. >> Thank you. And I did go to his services on Friday, Thursday last week and
>> it was just a huge huge line. Just so many people there who love Steve and you know knew Steve through his work with the organizations or just contractors, customers. The line was out the door and
they came out in that eight degree cold weather. So that says something. >> Thank you, Kate. >> Certainly does. You're welcome. Um, >> Eva, would you read the sunshine statement? >> Of course, mayor. Please be advised, the proper notice of this meeting has been given in compliance with the Open Public
Meetings Act in the following matter. Written notice has been mailed to the Burlington County Times and Carrier Post and published in the December 28th, 2025 edition. Written notice has been posted on the official bulletin board of the Township of Deleno at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Live stream
statement. This meeting of the Deleno Township Committee may be transmitted via live stream on YouTube video. The streaming of the meeting is not intended to be relied upon as formal public access under open public meetings act. And if the technology is disrupted for any reason, the township meeting will proceed in person as an official meeting
in accord with the official business. Please silence your cell phones and refer to the rules governing public comment attached to this agenda. >> Thank you, Ben. Uh this time I'd like to read a proclamation observing Black History Month.
Whereas each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black History is American history. Black culture is American culture and black stories are essential to the ongoing
story of America. our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. And whereas across the generations, countless black Americans have demonstrated profound moral courage and
resolence to shape our nation for the better. And in the face of wounds and obstacles, including ensla enslavement and segregation perpetrated by the nation itself, black Americans led in every part of society today,
strengthening and uplifting all of the United States of America. And whereas America is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, all part of the land of the free, Black History Month fosters cultural awareness
and understanding while encouraging education above contributions made by Americans of color. And whereas the celebration of Black History Month is a positive way of recognizing the culture and history of African-Americans
as vital to the core beliefs and values of our society. And whereas on behalf of the township committee and myself, we ask all township residents to join in carrying forward the work to build a beloved community as described by Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives. Now therefore, I, Kate Fitzpatrick, mayor of the township of
Delano, do hereby proclaim and observe February 2026 as Black History Month and encourage the local citizenry to actively raise their own awareness of Black History to recognize the struggles, achievements,
and contributions of black Americans through local Black History Month events. In witness whereof, the mayor, deputy mayor, and committee persons have caused this these presents to be executed and sealed of the township of Deleno a fixed
the second day of February 2026. And now I understand that um Delran EMS has a presentation. >> Chief Chuck Mcweeny right there. Come on up, Chuck. Good evening. Glad to be here with you guys. Chuck Mini from Delray Emergency
Squad. Like to just give you guys an update about what we were doing in 2025 as we're going to 2026. So you guys are aware of how we're servicing Deleno. Um for 2025 we've had a total of um 3,511 calls totally for Delran uh EMS. Total
um 349 of those patients were treated from Deleno. um 83% of our call. 83 calls were cancelled and then we had 93 refusals which mean we came, we reassessed and they stayed behind. We did um go to mutual aid 82 times while we were already on a call in town. We
did go to mutual aid 15 times because we were out of town providing mutual aid to another municipality. Um we all seem to uh we call it riverfront EMS. We all have a few ambulances across a very large mass property. So we try to take care of each other. Um we go our goal is to get out the door within 2 minutes.
Our scope average right now for Deleno is 90 seconds. Our response time is 10, but we're actually doing it about 8 minutes. 8 minutes and 10 seconds. Bedside time is about 10 minutes to 12 minutes. We want to be off scene pretty quick in route to the hospital. And that's about 12 minutes, and our our goal is about 20 minutes. So, we're
doing very good with that. Uh, total times for calls for patients that are in Deleno are 46 minutes. But one of the unique things I'll tell you is the wall time, which is when we get to virtual Willingboro or one of the other facilities, we wait 23 minutes to transfer the patient. Obviously when you know wintertime flu season stuff like that really backs us up and that's when
we rely on each other for covering our calls. Right now we're averaging about 9.5 calls per day for EMS services and uh Deleno and also Delran. All right. Um in 2024 we uh put Zo AD3 plus in place.
There were the newer high technology AEDs. 2025 we complement those with Lucas devices. Those Lucas devices are about $45,000. their mechanical CPR. Um, it's become the standard uh for CPR practice in the field. So, we had went ahead and put those in place. We also uh
instructed uh 10 CPR instructors for our staff. So, 10 of the staff for our CPR. We're going to be doing community CPR reach outreach programs every month over Delan. If you guys are welcome to host some, we can have them over here with you guys. Also, we also continue to partner with Virtual and Cooper for all of our education, making sure all of our
staff is trained with the most uh recent cardiology and trauma uh staff education stuff. And for 2025, our percentage of call volume that we budgeted or projected was 91%. We a little bit low, which is good mean people are taking care of themselves and being safe,
right? Um and then our billable call volume was at 94%. So, while we did not hit 100%, we're doing very good. We're operating very lean. So, we just want to provide that information to you guys and make sure you guys know that we're here servicing you guys and if you need anything, please reach out to us and we're here for you. >> Thank you.
>> How are we with getting um AML to staff? As I remember last time when we were in here 20 four, I think when you gave the yearly update, it was uh a little issue with getting people to actually want to work. >> Still there. Still there. >> You want to work? Come on. Um actually,
you know, we were actually doing very well for about a year right after that. we did up our rates and uh we are back down to having two full-time benefit eligible positions open and there's just nobody applying and this goes to Pelmyraus and Mintson willing you know
Beverly who are all struggling endeavor uh to find staff we are working with the department of health to get our EMT basic program back up and running in 2027 in Delran and if that's the case hopefully we can get 20 candidates that come through the class and they stay within this area and you know provide service to us but still tight with
staffing >> I think the biggest issue was you're all robbing each other to kind of backfill. >> We are absolutely we somebody pays 25 cents more an hour they leave there. Um that's why we really invested in the full-time positions with benefit eligible and a very lucrative PTO program so they can have a lot of time off for mental health issues. Um but
again we are competing for the same small group of staff. There's very few people in EMS that work two jobs if not three >> four. So yeah right. So >> but yeah so just wanted to provide that update to you guys. Thank you for the time tonight and uh if you guys need anything, please let me know. All right.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Chad. >> Thank you. >> Okay. The meeting is now open to the public for comments and questions regarding agenda items session one. >> Hi guys. >> Hi John. >> How are you?
>> Hello. >> Just a quick question. >> Say your name and address. >> John 313 Peach Tree here as the shade tree uh commissioner again this year. Uh quick point of order. You have a discussion item later on the agenda. >> Yes. >> Will I be able to speak or shall I speak
on the second open session? >> Will you call me for an opinion? >> Yeah. I mean, yeah, we're thinking of amending the appeal process, but yes, I would certainly let you speak. >> All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay. I'll close this portion of the
meeting to the public and go on to our comments and reports. uh township administrator. >> Thank you, Mayor. I do have a few things this evening. Uh starting with the unprecedented storm we just had. Uh I just want to thank everybody for their
patience. Um especially thanks to public works, John and his crew. Um it was a very tough storm. I'm sure he's going to go into a little more detail. And I did want to remind everybody that um we do have an ordinance on the books to clear your sidewalks within 12 hours of
daylight after the storm. We are well past that and we've pretty much given a grace period because we do know personally and here how hard it was to get the sidewalks clear. So, I just wanted to pretty much put everyone on alert that they're uh going around writing citations now starting today. We
did post it, but um you know, please get your sidewalks cleared, especially for the uh walking district that we live in and kids trying to get to school and and get through the uh the ice. Um, second, I just wanted to one of the
uh items on the agenda is we have a shared service agreement with the board of ed. So, we've um worked out where we can share an employee to save money and both benefit from um this great guy that we just met today and he's already off
to a great start. So, um, just wanted to bring up they're doing good things with the school that we're sharing and we're trying to come up with ways that we can maybe share more things and save money. U, the budget process is underway. So, I
received the budget requests. I'm starting to uh process everything. So, within the next month, I'll be meeting with the different departments and then we'll have our meetings with township committee and and the departments and uh work that through. So, as part of that,
there is an ordinance on the agenda this evening, and it is um a bookkeeping entry. Every year, the uh statutes allow for us to increase our um cap and it's not the budget, it's just a spending cap by a certain amount. This ordinance
allows us go up to the maximum amount. Again, it has no implication on the tax rate. It just is um authorizes us for items that are within the cap that aren't debt related. um to increase them so that we can match the services that
we want to continue to provide if need be. Um let's see. >> Can we do an ordinance every year? >> Every year. Yes. It's standard every single year. >> There are also resolutions on here for the uh playground at Babe Ruth. We did
receive $175,000 county grant that we are using towards playground equipment. So, this will authorize us to use state contract to purchase the equipment. And finally, I will not steal the chief's thunder, but we do have a couple
of transfers on here, resolutions for an officer leaving and an officer coming. Um, but I will let you chief get into more detail about >> Thank you. >> our uh staffing and that is it. Thank you. Um, it looks like the professionals
I skipped them. and they weren't written here. So, we'll go to Harry first. Sorry. >> No problem. I'll be very brief. There's not a lot going on right now um with the weather. Um but the um
>> I can't hear you, Harry. >> Thanks. >> Thanks. the crossings at Deleno. Um the developer has requested what he's calling a final punch list. Um it may or may not be a final punch list depending
on how they perform. Um but what they want to do is they want to give a list and they're assuring us once again that they're just going to to do everything on that list to get off of the bond. Um we'll see how that how that happens. Right.
>> Again, the weather is holding up. I I was trying to have it the punch list done last week actually. Um but it's impossible to do in this >> Oh yeah, definitely >> situation. So um that that will be uh coming out. Um the 2025
um local aid grant that's Newton's Landing and School parking lot. Our design is complete on that. We'll be sending it. Uh we need one more signature I think from Bevon will coordinate that. Um and then we'll be submitting that to the state for their approval.
They're usually two to three weeks turnaround time. Once it gives our approval for that, then we can I'll talk to to administrator Deborah and and see when we want to advertise it and collect it on that. But again, that just so the school knows if anybody's
here from school board, the school parking lot in our specifications requires us to start after June. So, that'll be done. It won't be done during the school year. Um, and with any inconvenience
and that's really all I have, the mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Anybody have any questions for No. Okay. Uh, Doug, >> just want to give a brief update. Um, we have an ordinance on for first reading tonight, so we really won't be discussing it as part of the consent
agenda, but I just wanted to make the public aware and just have a brief discussion about it. We we have a memo from Clark and Hints, our affordable housing planners, uh, outlining sort of the timeline that we have to act under. There's a deadline of March 15th. Um, by
introducing this ordinance tonight and adopting on March 2nd, we'll be well within that timeline. It does require referral to the planning board which will happen tomorrow night. And essentially we are completely updating our chapter 58.
It's not exactly like the way the storm water ordinances work where the state says here's your ordinance go ahead and adopt it. But it's not that far from it either. Um the new regulations have come out and Mary Beth from Clarkton Hints was actually part of the group of planners who helped develop this
ordinance for adoption. Um there are some things that are not changing. A lot is not changing. Some uh updates are being made. Um the ordinance covers things like um phasing of uh
inclusionary development. Uh more detail on unit types and bedroom mixes. Um an element that's uh important for what we're doing is extension of controls. I think because more towns are because affordable housing is over 40
years old now, we're seeing extension of controls come up a lot more in towns. So, there's more regulation and detail about how that is to be done. Um, and uh development fees if somebody's doing a development commercial or residential that has no affordable housing component
built into it, how all of that works. Um, again, we are in a great position in fourth round affordable housing. Um, in a lot of other towns around this time, you would see a lot of other ordinances in place that have to do with actually
changing zoning or, you know, reszoning a parcel to 100% affordable if that's what you were doing, those sorts of things. because we have um units that we're just going to extend controls on and we have some bank units from round three. We're not really
creating any new affordable units. We're just extending what we have and making sure that that remains available. Um by again by introducing this tonight, we'll adopt on March 2nd, assuming everything goes according to plan. Um and that's really the main action that the
governing body has to do. uh as opposed to some some other towns you might see around us that have a lot of other ordinances on to amend their zoning and do uh more aggressive I would say or more affirmative things to create more affordable housing. Um so we're in a
great spot and because of the work that was done in the third round and because of the ability to extend controls and partners that are willing to work with us in that regard uh we we are in a positive position. And so I just wanted to note that for tonight's meeting and
that's really all I have to report. >> Thank you, Doug. Um, Chief, >> Captain, good evening everyone. Uh, for January, uh, we had a total of 14 police cases.
Uh, there were 37 motor vehicle uh, summones issued with 108 motor vehicle stops. And there were 720 calls for service. It's funny between yesterday being the first and today around one o'clock we've already had 48
calls for this month. So these guys are they're running so total for 768. Um so they're off and running especially with the storm they were just busy and a lot of the calls that uh Delan advises about our officers respond to all those first. So we're literally the first there
waiting to arrive above our squad. So yeah they're been very busy. Yeah, I guess so. >> Yeah, but um we actually were fortunate to be hiring our first female officer. >> I know, >> Jasmine Picaro. She's coming from
Riverside. Um and Patrolman Jackson, who we picked up last year, uh he felt that Beverly was a better place than fit for him. So, we were able to make and facilitate that without being a detriment to our process right now with
obtaining 16 officers. Um, we're waiting for the certification of the current civil service list. Once that's complete, uh, we have an officer that we're going to be picking up off of that. So, we'll be able to reach our level of 16. So, we're not going beneath that and causing undue stress on the officers again. So,
we're definitely moving in the right direction. But excited about Jasmine coming over. She's a seven-year vet and solid officer. So, >> she's going to fit in nicely here. >> That's good. >> And what about Officer Hfield? Isn't he coming back soon? >> He's back. >> Oh, he's back. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Oh, good. >> Yeah, he came back the 1 of January. So, he's finally back. Yeah, he was gone for >> two and a half years. >> So, yeah, he's finally back. He was on employment. >> So, >> I guess he's probably glad to be home. >> Yeah, he is. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, he is. That's good. >> Definitely. So, but uh that's it for now.
>> Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you, >> John. How about >> It's been really quiet at public work. >> Yeah. Yeah. I've been here a long, long time. And I'm telling you what, >> I know. >> I've never seen snow like this in the
last. You always got some kind of a break where it warmed up and melted so you can move it. It's not going anywhere. And I've been out with the loader. some clearing spots in. Uh I've wore the blade down as far as I can wear it down without getting into the metal.
So tomorrow that will be getting fixed. But the first storm we plowed two times and we put saw out two times. Um we plowed the county the second storm seven times and saw it four times. Now, the
most important road for us to keep clear is the county roads and the second is the fire because the fire can't the police can't get nowhere without the county roads to get to somewhere. So, that's what we usually try to do first.
Um, we did the schools a couple of times. We did the firehouse. We did here. I did everywhere and just going back and forth. Uh then we started having trouble with the windshield wipers. We went through over a dozen
windshield wipers because the snow was powdery and as soon as it hit the windshield, it froze because of the warm windshield. So everybody's windshield wipers getting ice on it and flying off and it was just a fiasco. We had one of
our dump trucks go down, but we got that fixed. That was the snow plow and also the old pickup truck that was mine. Uh like I say, we've been using the loader to try to get around and keep the the thing getting things back and and we'll
be working to get everything back. Um the next big problem we're going to have is getting the storm drains open if we can find the storm drains. But that's going to be our biggest challenge to try
to keep working to get them open and hopefully that the snow will melt in a longer period of time instead of melting all at once because if it does, we're going to get flooded out like you're not going to believe. But anyway, over the past storm, we
travel with our trucks or our vehicles over 1,500 miles. >> Okay, that's 1500 miles. That's that's a lot of covering ground and and you know going over streets and it was just a
very very difficult storm to try to get ahead and you just had to stay with it. Uh we got to get back out. I know we didn't do a good job on some of the streets but the problem the biggest problem is where do you put the snow? >> Yeah.
>> You know that's the biggest problem. Where do you put it? you know, and you don't want to make anybody mad because we made a lot of people mad and they showed us with their hand signal. So, you know, but uh anyway, uh like I say, we're
staying with it and uh I'm you know, it was just a long draw out thing and uh I'm still tired and it's just, you know, you just got to keep going and try to get the streets clear and somebody has a problem. I've
helped out a lot of people getting their cars out and uh I got into um River's Edge and if you would like to take a ride up there and think that you got a problem, see all the parking that isn't
there and where do you push the snow? It's just unbelievable. >> Yeah. >> Where do you push the snow? So, um, like I say, I like to apologize if I didn't get around, but we're still trying to get around. And if somebody has any problems, just give us a call.
We'll I'll get out there as soon as I can. >> You did you did the best you could, John. You >> You did a great job. >> Tough circumstances. >> Consider Yeah. >> Thanks to all you. >> We all We all did. Yep. >> Yeah. >> And John, one thing you mentioned, uh, you know, where do you put the snow? And
I've heard from numerous people, just dump it in the creek or the river. M makes common sense. We we actually talked about that on the county OEM coordinators call and we had specific guidance from the New Jersey D that basically said don't >> um >> you got to have a designated spot to put
snow. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You can't just put it because years ago ours used to go to and you avenue, you know, when we didn't have that fence there. >> Yeah. >> No, no, no. You can't do that. >> But we can put out a million tons of
salt, >> which nobody has any salt now, >> right? >> Because if the state gets the number one draw from the salt. So unless the state >> doesn't get their then the rest of us get the scraps. But
>> So are we out of salt now? >> No, we're not out. >> Okay. Because the governor did call me and wanted actually we put out over 48 tons this time. the two past storms. So, and we've got one truckload. We were we ordered two. One was supposed to go because I
keep sold at Edgewater and I keep solded our building over in Delran. And uh just for one truckload, it's $1,500. >> Wow. >> Well, thank you, John. >> Thank you. >> Anybody have any questions for John?
>> How about the compost? Did you do anything with that? >> Little frozen. I guess that's frozen. >> I was thinking of getting up there because it would be an ideal time to to >> drench the leaves
>> because you know you have to get them wet and that would be good. But I I I'm not going to get there for another two weeks probably. >> That when that snow eventually melts, that'll wet those leaves, John. >> And ice. Yeah.
>> I just We've had one other storm where it was big and it took a long time to get away. You know, every day gets over 32, a little bit goes because uh it it it's just, you know, it's going to take
a while for it to melt. And if we get that real >> hot, you know, warm day, I know hot, but you know, that that'll melt real quick and then we're going to have a problem. >> I don't think we're going to have any real real warm days in the next week or
two. Maybe 33 tomorrow. >> One one of the one of the the weirdest things was my wife said to me, she says, "I think you need to get home because I don't know if you're going to be able to get in the front door." I'm thinking, "You got to be kidding me."
>> Yeah. >> And when I pulled up, I had 4 foot of snow. Four foot of snow at my front door. My roof pitches so much. And I guess it got And it just And I I'm like, "Are you kidding me?" It took me almost
20 minutes to get in the front door >> after working all time. >> Oh, wow. >> I think your wife put it there just to not let you in >> to keep me out. Exactly. >> Thank you, John. >> Uh
Ben, do you have anything to report? >> I do. >> January of course is a busy month in the court department with pet licensing and this year we switched to a new system. So any residents that came in in the first couple of days probably had four or five of us um working on you at the
window. But we did uh managed to learn the process and I think it's uh it's been it's been well gone well for residents as being able to take credit card payments now I think has been a big help. Um it is a state law that all dogs have to be registered by January 31st
and it is our local law that cats as well. So if you have a pet that um you haven't come in and renewed their license, you probably will be getting a late notice. Um we do ask that you come in and get that taken care of as soon as possible. Um the other big news in the
township is our trash day changing for half of us. Um we were as as you've all been briefed, we were uh approached uh late this fall by Interstate Way Services with a request to split the route into two days um per week um with one half of the town, excuse me, being
one Wednesday and the other on Thursday. And the reason for doing this was staffing and equipment resources and for greater efficiency. So they ran all through the month of December. They were running uh test runs keeping uh running two trucks but keeping them separate in the way they wanted to cut the town in
half and found out that it was working very very well. So basically we're splitting the town in two halves with Burlington Avenue as the center point. um one half of the town will be uh Thursday collection and it's going to be the even numbered side of Bington Avenue and homes on the Delaware River side as
well as the crossings um just to kind of even out the numbers and then the homes and businesses on the oddnumbered side of Remington Avenue toward Coopertown and Creek will move to Wednesdays and that includes Landing and the point at Newton's Landing. Appliance and metal
pickup will be the first and third week uh on the same day as your trash day collection and recycling which is we have no control over that's the county will remain on Thursdays for everyone. So we're doing a big push now to advertise uh social media through
various um outlets that that we have available to us um email blasts and our website and flyers and we're working on a mailer to go out to all the residents. So um one thing Interstate Waste Services did say is they will work with us. Um it's this is all going to start
March 1st by the way the first week in March. Um So if somebody is a Wednesday now and they forget to put their trash out, they are going to have a truck available that will come around and pick up. So um you know it's there'll be a little bit of growing pains, but I think it's going to it's going to work out
well. I think we'll have less vehicle breakdown and better efficiency going forward. So >> good. >> That's about it out of the department. >> Thank you. Township committee >> Carolyn. Thank you. Uh January was a busy month.
I attended the car show subcommittee meeting in the middle of the month to go over uh plans for our Centennial car show which is on Saturday May 16th. Uh registration's now open on delosentennial.com for vendors uh cars and also for
sponsorships. So if you have a local business and you want to sponsor, the registration is now open. They attended the recreation reorg meeting and um Al Greyb is reappointed as chair and Tony Bartlett is the uh co-chair. They went
over their meet their events for the year and appointed subcommittees and also um also talked about the centennial events and how that's going to uh go moving forward with the subcommittee. I attended the Del Riv meeting. They're
doing quarterly meetings now at the VFW and Delan, but I think they're actually thinking about coming back to Deleno for their meetings. Um, everything is pretty much on schedule. Same board. They're opening their registration is open now for softball and baseball. They talked
about soccer needing a new commissioner, but they are um moving forward with basketball. Their numbers are down about a hundred kids year-over-year. um for basketball, they blame that on the kindergarten and preschool group. Uh a lot of times um kids will come here
from other towns because they don't have that age group. So that's kind of where the drop off comes. But the uh program's operating well. I attended my first J tree meeting. Uh had their reorg. Uh John Brown is the chair and Amber
Pearl Mutter is the uh co-chair for the first time. Um they voted to take down two trees and they also went over their list for the year which is pretty small for removals and trimmings. John did a great job last year uh cleaning up that list and Jessica does a nice job as our
secretary to keep everybody organized and on track. So that's working out really well. I also attended the 250th subcommittee meeting with Delran and Riverside on the 22nd to go over the uh 250th events that are going to be
throughout the three towns. The weekend of 626, 27, and 28th. Uh Deleno's event is on 628. Uh right now we have a band booked, a legacy band, uh ninepiece band that's going to have a stage. We have uh food trucks, games, lots of fun things.
We are going to be booking a free Kona ice truck. lots of family events and more to come on that to tie in a little bit of Deleno's history. So that is on Sunday, June 28th. And I think that's all I have. >> Good. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Um Bern or No, Scott. Sorry. >> Sure. As Carolyn said, it was a very busy month. Uh you may have heard we had a winter storm the weekend before last. I spent the prior week and the many days after handling the OEM aspects of the event, the office of emergency
management of which there were many. Uh we had numerous calls with the county coordinators during that time and countless emails which I'm sure you all have received from me uh with the various updates. Uh it was a very tough storm to deal with as John mentioned with all the ice and all the freezing
temperatures, but we lucked out there wasn't more icing on the power lines and the trees and that would have uh been a big mess out there. Um and as you may know, the groundhog saw his shadow this morning, so we may get to do it again.
Uh currently I'm working on the FEMA reimbursements. Thank you to Debbie for sending me all of that which I'll route to the county. And you know I I saw the numbers for our town. They're high for a small town like us. I can only imagine a larger town like Cinnamonson, Mount
Laurel, Marlton, Eam um for their cost for this sort of storm. So it's kind of eye opening. I attended the board of ed reorg meeting on January 6th as well as their monthly meeting on January 21st. Eric Masip is the president again this
year. Uh the district hired a few bus drivers and eliminated the shared services agreement with Morstown for transportation which I believe was stated would save about $100,000 a year in costs. Uh the student of the month
awards were given out at the January 21st meeting and the teacher of the month was Miss Rebecca Charmer, the prek teacher extraordinaire. And I'm not sure if I mentioned at last month's meeting uh but the number was given again at the last board of ed
meeting they raised 18 the PTO raised $18,660 from the uh basket auction that was held the first week of December. So nice job to them as always. And speaking of fundraising events and the school, I attended the Russell Russell Palooa by
the river fundraising event that was held at Walnut Street on January 9th. There was a great turnout and everyone had a terrific time. And the school is also hosting another fundraiser fundraiser entitled Stuck on You, a Valentine's Elvis show on Valentine's
Day, of course, featuring an award-winning tribute artist performing as Elvis. And information on that should be on the district's website and Facebook pages. Uh the next board of ed meeting is February 18th at 7 pm. And
just want to mention the incredible job of just all the uh coordination and open communication between Dr. T and Debbie. Uh finally getting everything worked out between the town and the district and
just good communication which we haven't had that well in the past. Um, on the fire department side, I attended the fire company meeting uh last Monday and the fire commission meeting the next night. Uh, Bruce Herpst is now the president of the fire company for this
year and the fire commission appointed Nick Hubler uh to the seat vacated by the passing of John Zuber last year. Uh, normal business occurred at the meetings. We're still asking for volunteers to join. And I don't want to say we're hurting for volunteers, but
we're hurting for volunteers. So if anyone is interested, go to delankoff fire.com, fill out an application. And it's not just a Delanco thing, that's a New Jersey and countywide thing where, you know, people just don't want to volunteer anymore. And you heard, you know, Chief Mweeny talk about EMS with
and they're paid. They're a paid squad and he's having trouble getting people to work. So, you know, you can imagine from the volunteer side. Um, one last thing that's semifire department uh related. One of our fire police officers, George Lynn, had a birthday over the weekend. I attended his 30th
birthday party at Dunies. Um, George was diagnosed with autism at age three. And in addition to his full-time job at Wegman's and volunteering with various organizations, including the fire department, he travels speaking about his disability and early intervention
and the impact of supported employment. Uh there was a feature on him that 6ABC had. I think it was back in November. And he's just one hell of a nice guy. So happy birthday, George. And each and every one of us could learn a lot from George. Uh finally, uh I'll give a
little self-promotion here. February 26th, I was invited by the library to do a presentation there. Uh I had wrote a book on genealogy last year that was put out there. So I'll be doing a presentation on genealogy and DNA. So,
uh, if anyone is interested, go to delankenol library.org. Is that it, Katrina? Yep. Delco library.org and you could register and get information on that event. That's all I have. Thank you, Mayor. >> Oh, thank you, Scott. Um, Fern,
>> I'll stay with the library. Uh, a lot of things are happening over at the library this month. Uh, let's see. On Saturday, February 7th, 10 a.m. they have a sewing at the library. Tuesday, February 17th, 700 pm, they have their book discussion group. Uh, Saturday the
21st from 11 to 1, family building day. I think it has something to do with Lego blocks. Uh, and then Scott already uh gave a plug for him, but I had it in my notes also. >> You could give it again.
>> Okay. Th Thursday, February 26 to 6:45 to meet the author. Uh M. Scotlet Scott >> Scotland. Good try, Fern. >> Scott Bartlett. Um Search Angels, Strangers.
>> Search Angels and Strangers. Yes. >> Uh see, oh, the library also has uh take and make. Uh they have a variety of small crafts that are available each month. Uh again, with the weather the way it is, uh if you got little ones
that are looking for something to do, stop by the library and get uh one of the crafts. Uh let's see. Then I'll go to the history board. Uh we had the uh CHP grants uh from Burlington County and uh the 2025
project uh has to do with uh our MAP and uh Peter will give a presentation on that a little bit later in the meeting. Uh and then the 2026 CHP grant, uh the history board was awarded $6,861,
uh towards the stabilization, uh to conserve our sneakbox boat. Uh it's a little bit shy. Peter may talk touch on that a little bit later also. Uh let's see. And history board is still working on the veterans banners program
for this year. Uh let's see uh with GIF our joint insurance fund uh Aaron Pravisano uh who's one of our clerks here uh she was appointed to the executive committee and also under the safety committee uh
cyber she's a cyber representative for the uh the GIF group. Uh let's see a reminder for elected officials training uh to do the course uh we get to save uh
or we get a credit of $250 per uh committee person and I believe the administrators uh included in that also. So, if you haven't gotten that done, if you could do that, that'll help save us some money. And put on your calendars uh
the GIF safety breakfast uh I think that's public works and police department and uh the committee uh March Sat or Tuesday, March 31st. It's just a heads up on that one. Uh let's see,
>> county commissioners meeting. Uh they uh commissioners approved lowering the speed limit on Coopertown Road between the tracks and Burlington Avenue. They were dropping that five miles per uh I think from 35 to 30, I
>> believe. So yes, that's what they said. >> Uh so that's coming. But they were doing that through their public works department. Uh >> that's what they said. Yeah. >> Yeah. I've gotten up on it. That'll be coming. That'll be from Pennsylvania to I believe to Burlington. >> Yeah, Pennsylvania Avenue to Burlington
Avenue. Yeah, that was requested by the um the crossing guards. So, I'm glad they did that. >> Uh let's see. And then we attended court and I'll let uh or I'll ask Mr. McFaden
to share that because I had to cut out uh before the court session was over. >> And that's all I have. Mayor, >> thank you. Yeah. >> All right. I'll make mine short because most of mine combines with Carolyn's. Uh
January 6, I attended the joint land use reorg meeting. Uh Tom Lord was voted as chair and of course Beverly Russell was voted as the board secretary. Uh the applications were put on hold until the February 3rd meeting.
Uh and they'll be addressed then. January 8th. They attended the recreation reorg meeting and like Carolyn had mentioned congratulations to Al Greyb and Tony Bartlett uh for chair and co-chair
and we do have a lot of events coming up. Please keep your eye out for different things. If you want to volunteer to help, it's always appreciated. Um 13th and the 14th I
We met with the for the car show discussion. Uh 15th was the centennial. We discussed the parking bands and the rides. And then the 21st we attended the court
session as Mr. had said. Um the two groups that were supposed to attend the joint land use board uh postpone till
this month coming up the February meeting uh court date and uh and like Fern did at towards the end I had to run out to run to Walnut Street School to attend the school board meeting and uh that's it for me right now.
>> Thank you. Um, I attended recreation and the board of ed meeting, so I won't go over those again, except I will mention that at the board of ed meeting, uh, student awards were highlighted and Phil's grandson, Erin's son, Maverick,
was presented with a student of the month award. So, that was nice. Um, so the seniors met on January 13th. Uh the guest speaker was Helen Weinstein from Riverview Estates and she spoke about the Riverview and many of the activities
and events held there uh for not only residents but for the general public. Uh and their next meeting is February 10th at the firehouse. Uh sewer authority met on January 13th as well at uh town hall. Officers for
the new year were discussed. Uh they'll be decided at our meeting um this month. Uh contractor finally received the county permits for the TV in inspections and the operator's report is on file.
Our next meeting February 10th. I did attend the trash collection meetings uh along with Phil and uh our staff and public works. and the backyard hens had their meeting on January 23rd and we're
updating records and um waiting for some information from the clerk's office to see if everybody's on board this year. And that's all I have. Oh, we did do I did a a wedding um one wedding so far
this year and that's always a pleasure. So, uh now I'd like to move on to the consent agenda items. Uh consent agenda items are considered to be routine and will be enacted with a single motion. Any item requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda. All
consent agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes. Does anyone have any item to be removed or I think they're pretty basic actually now that one and two were clarified.
May I ask one question on 2026-47 on the resolution for Babe Ruth uh park design? Uh was that for the entire park or is that just for the uh I guess playground area? >> It's just for the playground. That's
actually I think that's Oh, this is 48. >> It's for ordering the equipment through state contract, >> right? And that's Debbie mentioned that in her report. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Ordinance 20261, an ordinance of the
township of Delanka to repeal and replace chapter 58 fair housing and chapter 60 section 3 development fees. First reading by title only and set public hearing date for March 2, 2026 at
7 PM. Ordinance 20262, calendar year 2026, ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank uh according to NJSA4A
4-45.14. First reading by title only and set public hearing for March 2, 2026 at 7 pm. Resolution 38 to amend employment contract with superintendent of public works. Resolution 39 appointing Julia
Edmonson, chief financial officer as qualified purchasing agent. Resolution uh 40, transferring Jiren Jackson to the city of B Beverly. Resolution 41, hiring Jasmine Vicero, transfer from Riverside
as police officer. Resolution 42, approving shared service agreement with Delanco public schools for building maintenance. Resolution 43, authorizing Burlington County Division of Mosquito Control to conduct aerial larvae adult
mosquito control activities and authorizing execution of municipal agreement form. Resolution 44 authorizing the township of Delano through the township of Delanco Police Department to participate in the Defense
Logistics Agency law enforcement support office uh 1033 program to enable the township of Delano Police Department to request and acquire access um excess Department of Defense equipment.
Resolution 45, dispose of out of service police equipment. Resolution 46, authorizing professional services of engineering design, bidding, material, testing, DOT reporting, inspection, and contract administration
for 2026 New Jersey DOT municipal um aid road program. I believe that's Hickory Street. Harry, >> that's correct, ma'am. >> Yeah. Uh resolution 47 authorizing professional services for Babe Ruth Park
Design uh specifications and submittal services. Resolution 48 authorizing professional services for Babe Ruth Park design specifications and submitt services. >> Title for that one.
>> That's the same thing, right? >> Yeah, it's the same thing. >> That's the wrong title. It's actually that extra one that I put in your >> Okay. It's authorizing the purchase of playground equipment under ESCG cooperative purchase purchasing contract
in accordance with NJSA4A colon 11-1 EDS seek uh approve payment of bills in the amount of 1,924,861.34 cents as per the bill list runs dated January 26 and February 3, 2026. Six.
Approval of the consent agenda. Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Got Bartlett and Phil McFaden. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bartlett. >> Yes. >> Mr. McFaden. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Miss.
>> Yes. Um, correspondence. Beth, >> I did receive uh one letter um which is also part of your discussion for later this evening. Um, on January 8th, we received a letter from Ryan Walter, the resident who is interested in
volunteering uh for the recreation commission. >> Okay. Um, while we're there right now, I mean, um, I was at the recreation commission meeting. Caroline, uh, several of us were there and they discussed that and they, uh, recommended
that he be appointed, uh, this alternate position. So, uh, if any does anyone have any questions or concerns, I think we could just do a motion to approve his appointment. >> I'll make a motion. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Um, do we do a roll call for that?
>> We can. >> Okay. >> And all in favor? >> All in favor is good. Then, all in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Okay. All right. Um, so before I open the meeting to the public, I'd like to ask Peter and John to come forward and talk
about the uh the map and anything else you want to add from the history board. >> Thank you. I'm John John Nardone, 625 Second Street and chairman of the history board.
About a year or so ago, Peter acquired this map which was by Richard Wilmerton. The original layout of the town with the lots and everything, the streets all laid out uh was done in 1856. The uh Newton's Landing Historical
Society had it and they're disbanding. So, they offered it to us. With the support of the committee, we went to uh the county and requested a grant to have it restored. It was in pretty good shape, but it was rolled up.
And if you ever seen any of those old uh TV shows where they're they can't unwrap something because it's so old, they're afraid of breaking it. That's what the problem is with this. We took it to the uh conservation center in Philadelphia. They had it almost a year, but they
unwrapped it, they mounted it under glass in that case, and they put they preserved the paper so that it's really in good shape. And it was it's been a real success for us. I think they did a really good job. And I when Peter gets
up to tell you more, I'll uh show it to you. >> Okay. >> Do we have a spot for it where we're going to hang it? >> We're thinking we're thinking either here or the library, but we're open to suggestions. >> I'd like to see it here.
>> Yeah, it would be nice to have it here if we can find a nice place for it. Let's >> see. I I think that's a good spot for it, though. >> Yeah. Good. >> Okay. Peter Fritz, 303 Union Avenue. And uh John did a pretty good job there.
Uh want you to get a chance to take a look at it. We um you understand that Delanco was a planned community. >> This was uh farmland. and Richard Wilmerton uh inherited the land from his
family and determined that it had more value as a town than it did in raising corn and peaches. So he laid out the the um in about 1856 he laid everything out that everything
was surveyed and um what we have found is the town was built out almost exactly the way that they had laid it out in 1856. Uh, one of the nice features of this map is that uh that it the detail level.
I've seen similar maps before, but the detail of this is really wonderful because it identifies certain areas of town that were designated for certain things. For instance, the civic center, which we sometimes call the village green, which is that large lot behind
the Walnut Street School, was designated on that map as being public space, and it has been public space since that time. Um, and all of the lot numbers both for Delano that were laid out by
Richard Wilmer and also the area along the Delaware River had a different numbering system. They their numbering system was in Roman numerals. The other one was in Arabic numerals. And so we know what the the exact lot numbers are
um for the the whole town. And that's helpful because some of our old deeds still refer to the Wilmerton lot numbers. Sometimes they'll give two different numbers, but they'll often give the the Wilmerton lot number and it and it's uh nice that we can connect
that to what what these areas were in in those times. Anyway, we were pleased that we were able to get a grant. Last time I was um up here, I mentioned that we part of the grant was these books, which are uh self-guided
tour books of our historic riverfront uh area that was recommended back in uh 1976. And we've had these out now and people have been taking them. I wanted to to thank public works for putting a loose
site box, a plastic box out at the new uh historic park uh where we have these where you can pick them up so people can pick them up anytime of the day. We also have them here and we also put them out
when we have tables out for the public. Um I don't know that there's anything else I can uh I can tell you about the map. Yes, I'm I'm glad to hear that that you'd like to have it here. We would like to have it here, too. One of the problems with this building is wall
space because everything seems to be either a door or a window. But, uh, if we can >> UV protected glass, >> it's uh, it is. And I believe that it's there's some treatment that's between the glass and and the map that helps to
preserve it from any further damage. I should mention that the project was not just unrolling the map, but it was also digitizing the map and having a good copy made that if we're going to go out
someplace like to know about the Field of Dreams or something like that and we want to put it on display that we're not taking this and and exposing it to the weather. Uh, and because we have it digitized, we can also make copies of it. So there's a possibility that we
might be able to make those available to the the public for a a fee. Um >> that's nice. >> So that's helpful. Uh we we put in our um we put in our final report for last year. So far I haven't heard anything
negative um from the county um about the uh the grant and how we handled everything. And um as as Fern uh talked about for this year, we put in a grant to to get that uh sneak box stabilized,
not made seaorthy, not floatable, but so that it doesn't fall apart when we move it on a trailer from, you know, one place to another. So um we put in a grant for that. We got the estimate from the Independent
Seapport Museum in Philadelphia that has a a wonderful boat shop and they gave us a they gave us a uh uh estimate and based on the estimate we asked for a $10,000 grant. What happened was that we
got the the grant but it came in for 68. You have the number for 6,700. >> Yeah. 68 something. Yes. and uh which is more money than we've ever gotten through the county, but it wasn't enough
to to complete the grant. So, since then, we put in for uh some ancillary money um matching money from the one one time basis from the township so that we can do the whole boat because you can't really do twothirds of a vote. You have
to kind of do all of it or none of it. So, that's where we are with that. uh any questions that you have. Uh I do I I also wanted to um mention that from the uh joint land use board that uh
Stephen Lure is going to be our uh our liaison person. We're very pleased to have Stephen back with us. Uh as we're pleased having Fern is our our liazison of the township committee. So, any questions that you folks might have of
what trouble we're getting into these days? >> No, I think you're doing a great job and I want to thank you for those pictures you sent me because we did identify that house boat that was >> So, it was your grandfather's house that >> it wasn't complete. It didn't have the roof yet. >> Oh, if you look at it, you can see it
doesn't have the roof on it, but So, he did build it there and then he moved it around to the Delaware with his skiff. >> Yeah. as as we used to tell the story that he built it on the Delaware Riverfront uh on the on cinder blocks
basically. But what we found was a historical photo of the Rancokus Creek that shows the boat under construction at the shipyard >> at the shipyard >> on uh on the Rancokus Creek and then evidently they floated it around and then brought it uh hauled it up
>> on the Stockton's property. Yeah, that was my grandfather's housebo. That's where they lived for uh >> so when I took a look at the picture I said this hospital looks awfully familiar and I sent it to Kate and she identified >> yeah that thank you that was we really appreciated that I shared that with my brother we had a nice conversation about
that thank you >> very good okay well no questions I'm done thanks >> thank you Peter thank you John >> so I'll open the meeting to the public for comments and questions this is general session Um,
session two. >> Okay. I have a a few I have Harold Klinger, 509 Buttonwood Street. I have a few questions about the snow and the storm and stuff like that. So, I
seen some stuff online, whether it's official, unofficial. It was like $250 fine for not clearing your sidewalk. And uh I was wondering if that's correct. It is $250 or
does anybody know? >> No. What they would do is they would issue a citation and then you would have to appear before municipal court and the judge would make a determination. >> Oh, so it could be a million dollars. >> I don't think so.
>> Okay. So, uh, so this storm was, uh, pretty unique. Uh, now I have a fairly large property. I mean, not like Donald Trump, but a large property.
And I'm on the corner and I have, you know, over aund feet over 100 feet one way and over 100 feet the other way. And that thing, I was lucky to have a uh a snowb blower at the time and did it
the first time with a snowb blower, but then it just came right back down again and then the freezing rain right on top of it. And the thing was the ice skating ring and the snow blower was not going to work on it. So I had to get out there with a steel
shovel and break the ice and shovel it away. And that took me two days and it almost killed me. Uh I'm 74 years old. I'm in pretty good shape
for 74, but I'm not in that kind of shape. So I don't think I'm ever going to do that again. I don't care how much STO comes down or what ordinance. I don't think I'm going to do that again.
So, it it would be nice if the township uh could maybe put out some information on where to get contractors to come and remove snow and ones that are actually going to show
up and do it because, you know, they're saying they're going to come and do it and then get in a storm like that and then they might not show up and then I don't want to end up in court. Um, the other thing I saw was that
there was put out by the emergency uh messages on on on the phones. It said, "Don't be uh shoveling your sidewalk and putting
it out into the street," which I understand, but uh in some cases, especially right where I live on my street, uh across the street from me is is a
dental office, which used to be the township uh building. So there's all that parking there next to that building and it's mostly used by renters from on Burlington Avenue
and uh maybe a few few renters on on Buttonwood Street. And so they went out and shoveled their cars out uh after the storm. And all they did was they didn't put it in the street. They threw it right up on the
guy's sidewalk that the uh the dentist sidewalk that he already had his sidewalks done and now they're throwing it back on top of his sidewalk because they really don't have any, you know, uh
I don't know what would you say, you know, anything that holds them to the town. They're just renters. So, I don't know what happens in that case. If uh if you done your sidewalks and
then you next next thing you know, your sidewalks are filled again by people that don't even live there. Uh I don't I don't know what happens with that, but uh >> I don't know if they can file a complaint. I don't know, Chief.
>> Well, they they would have to. I mean, you your property, >> the individual uh the person whose property was this the snow was uh put back on, they would have to file a complaint. >> Yeah, it gets pretty crazy after a while. >> It is. And this was a very unusual, as
you said, unusual storm. And uh there's just no place to put the snow. You heard John, >> right? >> He's clear in the streets and he has nowhere to put the snow. So, >> I understand that. I I guess what I'm really saying is the
ordinance has no empathy for what's going on on the sidewalks, >> but the township does the township hasn't enforced it for a week. So, >> yeah, they did extend. >> I I I heard that. I understand that. But I was just >> You didn't leave it that
>> trying to give you my personal experience from the snowstorm. And and I I think how that the the whole motivation of having an ordinance and having fines is for people to do the right thing because you have some houses on Burlington Avenue uh right between Magnolia and Peach Tree. It's a week now
and kids are slipping on the ice and the snow there because two and two or three homeowners have decided they're too good not to clear the snow. If everyone if 90% of the town is able to do it, you should be able to do it. Not you specifically, but you know. Uh, I'm just
saying that I did see people reaching out uh from the town uh the usual way on Facebook saying that they're too old. They can't go out and remove that ice. They were asking for
help from anybody that could help them. So, I don't know if those people there on Magnolia or that case or or wherever they're from, but I know there were people out there that that could not move that stuff and uh
you know and and whether they could get help and and and in my understanding uh uh people that have people under contract all the time, they were having a hard time getting anybody to come and do anything because it was so that.
>> Well, I think that's really why the township extended the time period uh to give people more time and it is a difficult it it's difficult it would be difficult for anyone to remove that. The ice was almost 3 in thick if it was
still on top of the snow. Uh and it was heavy. Um, and I don't know what the township can do other than um try to enforce the ordinance but give some extensions in some cases. But we need to
provide safety for the people that have to walk, right? >> And especially the school children. Um, but if we can compile a list of contractors, uh, people have contractors that they hired and some of them didn't show up. I mean, I know some people that
had contractors to do their driveways. They didn't show up. They were too busy. They were overwhelmed. Right. >> So, it was a let let's hope we don't have to have something like this happen again in town. But, um, believe me, your message is heard because we've heard it
from more than one person. >> Yeah. >> You know, I had a neighbor, >> we haven't had this in 20 years. >> Exactly. Exactly. So um >> well not not only the amount of snow but the the ice factor on the end compounding it. >> Um the other thing I will say is that
you know these ordinances are in place but they're also >> we have the ability as happened here to apply rational extensions >> judges judges have compassion if you have reasons as to you know what what you tried to do and what what worked and
didn't work to resolve it. I will say, you know, we have an experience where, John, I don't know if you remember this, but we actually added provisions to the ordinance to specifically say you can't basically plow your snow back out and put it in the m middle of the street on the theory that the plow is going to come back around and do it. We might be
done as happened one time. So, you know, you legislate sometimes for the 1% that don't think about the rest of the community and everybody gets impacted by that. Um but uh I don't want I wouldn't recommend any changes based upon what we just experienced because it's it was
such a unique storm. >> Yeah. >> And every town was in the same situation on every Facebook page. Everybody was complaining and there's only so much that the they could do with the way the snow came down with the ice and the ineffectiveness of salt under 15 degrees. So I think everybody did the
best they could. Um right we certainly are. I think everybody did the best they could >> and uh but I just wanted to, you know, bring the point that, you know, some people just can't do it.
>> Understood. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? I'll close this portion of the meeting to the public and we'll go on to our discussion items and uh the first item
is amending the township code chapter 238-7. It's the shade tree appeal process. Um John, do you have a copy of it >> for the Yeah. What um what we're
proposing is to cuz that process is after two or more visits to the sha tree commission is if I recall this properly properly that um they can appeal to the township. They appeal it to the
documentation to the administrator. um they have 30 days to give any additional information if the administrator needs something more and then the administrator uh presents it to the township committee. So what we are proposing
is um and maybe I should have Doug actually do it because I asked him to >> I'll just I'll just add that in in the interim step two I look back at the statute. There's nothing in the statute that speaks about what the mandatory
appeal process is. And I looked at other municipal codes. Um, some have very limited appeal or don't speak the appeal process at all, which basically means if you're not happy with shade tree, I assume I assume you go right to to court, which is not very
uh efficient. Um but uh based upon that review and the discussion and concerns, it just isn't a very efficient process that we have on the books right now. And so the the proposed amendment would to basically be an appeal subcommittee that
would consist of the township administrator, the uh uh public works supervisor and the shade tree commission liaison from the governing body. So those three people would receive the
information and um have the ability to meet whether in person or virtually and make a determination and then that would be put down in writing and circulated back uh to both the Sha Commission and to the uh
resident. You know, we sat through I think those hearings took probably an hour and then they came back a second time. So, it's just I I I couldn't find any other town who's doing it that way. I don't think generally governing bodies should be in
a quasi judicial appeal type process. So, this seemed to be um a mechanism where we could still have an appeal process in place, have people who have some sense of both, you know, tree issues and public works issues, safety issues, those sorts of things. And uh
poor Deborah stuck in the middle of that. and then you know try and come to some fair resolution if appeals and it would be a faster process less cumbersome for everybody involved >> right John you want to come up and address it
>> I can give you a copy of it if you want but >> I have >> okay >> yeah John Brown 313 Peach Street hello again first while I have the pulpit good job on getting a female officer that was one of my goals and uh never was able to do it so We need it.
>> Definitely. >> Good job. >> Okay. Uh the appeals process, Doug, we we did this Fern Kate. Uh we were on the board and we batted this around for a year and a half, I think, uh to what are we going to do with the shade tree
ordinance. And it was at the very end of writing this that we made some uh consignments, I think that's the word, that we had to give back. Okay? you guys can simply pull it out. If you don't want to deal with the appeal, pull
it out. We never had it before. Okay? So, trust your shade tree uh folks who were educated uh who continually get educated and uh the shade tree professional uh Kevin Sibilia. Uh we don't just throw decisions out there. The other night, two trees were slated
to come down. I didn't agree with it, but they did. And I was overruled. Uh I know the appeal process was in its early stages last year. It was kind of stressful. Um, take it out. Okay. Um, that's one idea.
The other idea I have, I I wish that maybe we could sit subcommittee to subcommittee, two people from the shade tree, two people from the township committee. Let's sit down and talk about what we can do. Okay. To make it better for everybody. Uh maybe maybe Deborah
could be there uh before we go back into uh you know first reading of any ordinance change. Okay. Uh because right now is the way I see it, you don't uh the way that I read it, you're you're not going to welcome back the
homeowner. And I would think that if they're the ones to appeal the decision that they should have that right to speak to you so they can uh tell you their side of of the story, what their problem is. Okay? and vice
versa where the shade tree commissioners they can also tell you what they have found. So I was a little bit surprised uh you know when this was on the agenda for tonight hence that's why I'm here. Um Doug my question since I mean if we do get a subcommittee going you won't be
there but appeal >> I've already been uninvited. >> You're too pricey. Uh >> we always try to cut you out if we can bargain. >> He is a bargain compared to >> he's a bar. Oh I'm sure. >> Yeah. But in in an appeal in a court of law, doesn't the appellant and the
defendant all have a right to go back to an appeals court? >> So this so the statute doesn't provide for any appeal process, >> right? >> Due process can be whatever we rationally define it to be. >> Okay. So I think again like some towns don't talk about it at all and I think
you were referencing I think our code originally probably took that approach and to me that's you're basically telling a resident if you're not happy with the shade tree commission there's no internal appeal process you have to go right to superior court on a formal complaint that's
that's very expensive proposition right so >> yeah but they they can do that with a land use board decision too >> right but but usually what's at issue with a land use board decision. And this is why people make economic decisions all the time. But depending on how much is at stake financially, they may find
it worthwhile to go to court versus it'd be difficult in my mind to imagine that there's going to be a lot of instances where yeah, >> someone's going to spend the money to go to court on a tree issue. >> And so then the issue just becomes like, okay, we've allowed for some sort of appeal process. How do we do this more efficiently? And that's kind of the
discussion that's been had. >> But we do, you know, excuse me one second. I want to get my Uh I do I have worried about that meal process because it really does give the homeowner that you know they can go to bet twice strike out and then they can come before the board and the board has
more important things to do than elicit bat a tree. So I do understand that you >> and I think that's why the homeowner would still be a part of the appeal process. I think you had originally said that we cut them out. We didn't cut them out. But but the other three people
would be the township administrator, the superintendent of public works, and the liaison to your board, >> right? >> The township liaison to your board, >> but then we're all out of it. >> Well, the township liaison, whoever that may be, whether it be me, Carolyn, Matt,
>> right? We had Fern and uh he did a great job a couple years ago, Mike Templeton and uh we didn't really have the appeals until last year. I don't think we had one and uh >> you guys are actually winning. You got a winning record, so why are you trying to get rid of it? >> So I I think Debbie, do you want to
interject of kind of how the additional information will be presented? >> Yeah. >> Um it does the change does allow for reasonable requests for additional information. So I read that as contacting the homeowner and and talking to them >> or even shade tree if we needed
>> absolutely either liaison should represent what your majority feels uh is the decision. So liaison shouldn't have their own opinion in that in that um >> at least be able to articulate and convey what the reasons were shri made the decision they made. Yeah, I mean
back in the day we didn't have liaison to all these boards. We had director of this, director of that, you know, I mean you even though you're sitting in on the meetings now, uh back liaison weren't always there. So you have to lean listen I I as chair lean on our professionals.
I lean on Bill Matt Levage. You know, he's a lot smarter than I am and uh you know, we make our decisions based on that. And then if it gets thrown to you guys, wouldn't wouldn't you want that information all maybe have the appeals at a different time like in uh in the
conference room during the week or something? That's why I say maybe maybe we should have a subcommittee meeting and try to lay out all the parameters. I got to go back to my board and say, "Hey, we got this in front of us." >> Well, I didn't even hear about it until >> I think it's a better I think it's a better process than what's on the books
right now. And it would um it would I think it would be just a better process for >> I just want to make everybody happy including the residents. >> Exactly. And that gives the resident an opportunity to supply the information
and any additional information. If if the if the the subcommittee for the appeal process wants to reach out to Sharee for any additional information, but they have your minutes, which would be a part of it. They would have the application
uh from the resident. I mean, all that information is provided. It's part of the appeal process. So, they would have all of that. They would have Kevin's report. All of that is is part of the package. I understand what John's saying though because I feel like we did ask
them questions when they were here that weren't addressed um like initially. So I understand what he's saying as far as maybe we have a specific question while we have the meeting. Do we have to pick up the phone and call at that point or do we just make it to where the subcommittee can bring in a rep from the
shade tree commission and then the homeowner to that meeting if they so chose to? We would still have that option. >> I think we could still work on this. Okay. Okay. Right now we don't have any being debated. We don't have growth yet. Uh but we will. You know, spring is
around the corner. Yes, I said it's spring. >> And uh God bless you with the snow removal because I remember sitting up there hearing Ralph McCulla. Boy, he would >> chair. We mentioned him. His chair was this where we're house sitting right now. That was
>> every snowtorm. >> That was Ralph McCulla's chair. I actually had a label made for his chair if you recall, John. Yeah. >> Yeah. It it's it's really tough. >> And John and his crew. >> Yeah. >> When's your next shade tree?
>> Would be the fourth Wednesday of February. >> Oh, February. >> So, is there any other comments, John, before I ask the the committee what they want to do? >> Yeah. Uh, you know, the other the other option, and I only bring this up because
Doug is here, but it has been discussed before. Everyone's unhappy with the Sha Tree Commission. Okay. I uh had talked to Carolyn. I said, "You guys could always disband us, you know, go to a Sha Tree committee, but then we're losing a lot, aren't we?"
>> Well, I think we ought to talk about what we would lose and what whether there's enough there that is of concern. You could still have a shade tree advisory board, which to me gets to do all the good stuff without having to
deal with the the tree process. The issue then becomes we'd have to have somebody inhouse at the at the township level who deals with tree removal requests. So, >> and you don't want that. >> Well,
>> well, John, do they want that? one what one >> another snowstorm >> John's taking the fifth >> I mean I will say like are going to push it on me and then I'll >> Yeah well see I have always felt the shade tree commission is a buffer to John okay we can't just let the
homeowners contact him directly or or fill out a form >> it wouldn't necessarily be John >> it would have to be somebody who's got some training in >> tree issues but there's towns who have people who deal with the tree permits >> did it What you're looking for is common
sense. >> Sense. Exactly. >> What you're looking >> If everything was common sense, we wouldn't have any ordinances on the books at all. >> I would just ask maybe consider a subcommittee meeting so that my board members, we know that we're going to work on it together and we can come
together on this and make your decision and not uh >> Yeah, I think >> I remember that appeal process, man. We we kind of put that together in the end. You know, it's like we had to give something back to the homeowner. So, >> yeah. And I think it's I think it's important. I I don't think you should just drop it. >> Okay.
>> I really think it's important. And if you feel I mean I also feel that Sha Tree Commission has some value to Deleno uh because the Tree City USA and >> we've been doing a lot of good work >> and there are some other um
>> ground last year. We got the we got the list caught up. >> Uh just a couple little things I got to talk to John about, but other than that, we're moving right along. So, >> so u >> thanks for your time folks and >> you're welcome John. So, do you uh you want to set up a subcommittee u to
discuss it and we would take two members maybe from your board and two members from >> I'm sure we could do it during the day >> from our township out now >> and Amber I know she works but I think she works out of home so >> I think Fridays are good for her maybe. >> Okay. Yeah, we we should sit down and
talk. All right, guys. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, John, for your comments. Um, the next item is the Centennial Celebration Seal. I guess everybody got a copy of this. Um, I did send it to Susan to take a look at
because I think it's a little busy and a little dark, but she was in a car accident. Um, and she hasn't really been able to do too much. So, >> Well, it's much darker when you print it like that than the actual >> I just think it's a little too busy. Um,
if you can lighten it up somehow. Um, >> that's my comments. Um, um, I like the sailboat because I'm a sailor. >> See how See what it looks like on my screen. It's much lighter. >> Yeah. I can even lighten it up a little
more. Like, um, I just think it's too dark. >> This has black. Yeah. >> Your eyes. >> It's pretty dark. >> That one. That's better than this. Yeah, this is pretty darker. >> Yeah, it's much lighter. It's actually
really light. Um there's my resolution turned up. So, >> yeah, that's better. Yeah. Yeah, that's very dark. Um >> it is pretty light. And it's the actual red, white, and blue of the flag, >> right? >> It's the authentic colors. So, you don't want to lighten it up anymore. Then it
wouldn't actually look right. And we're we're also picturing a sunset. So, >> yeah. Susan Susan's comment was it because I just sent it to her. I said we're looking at this cuz Susan did this. Susan Matira did our seal. Um so I wanted her comments. Um and she thought
it was um too busy and too dark too. So um >> I I don't I don't really I mean I respect Susan, but I don't really >> in such a graphic artist. >> Yeah, but she should be the only one in it. >> Yeah. I don't know how anybody There were my comments. Anybody else have any
comments? >> Well, I like the idea of the bridge being there. Uh because we have a bridge that goes >> bridge >> the Lango to Riverside, right? >> Uh you got the sailboat. Uh >> do we break off? >> There's no tree.
>> There's no tree, John. >> Yeah, that one has trees. Um are are we trying to represent 20 26 or we looking at >> No, we're representing the Leno. >> Okay.
>> The time frame. Well, a hundred years. So, that bridge has been there for how long, right? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Much longer than the railroad bridge. That's not ours. >> Yeah, that's the railroad bridge and the sailboat and the creek. >> And that's not ours either. >> We don't we can't put the mansion on there. That's not ours. >> No. >> So, like what what's our landmark, so to
speak, at the bridge? >> So, the bridge it Yeah. And um >> maybe >> maybe take the >> maybe lighten it up like having the flag just on the border and not on the inside. Does anybody else have any
comments? Am I the only one? >> I sent it to Phil and Matt. They both like >> I looked at it. >> Okay. >> I don't have anything. >> What do you think? U I didn't really notice the the flags on the outside versus the
inside. I just thought it sort of carried over, but >> I think the printer just definitely makes it look darker than it actually is. >> Yeah, that's probably what it is. So, if you can definitely make sure that it's a lighter view, Caroline, >> because I just you look on the screen,
it's much lighter than when they printed. You look at the sky, you look at the water. >> Yeah, it's very light. >> It looks like >> And it looks 10 times better than this to me cuz when I printed this, I thought, "Oh my god, that's >> Yeah. No, that looks terrible." >> Yeah. Okay. All right. So, is everybody in agreement with it then? Because I
know that Caroline wants to get going with that. >> I'm good. >> Um and and why we mentioned the bridge, I received a telephone call today from George Nicot from the uh bridge commission. He's a consultant with them
now. and uh they finally uh went out to contract for the repairs that are necessary for the Riverside Delanco Bridge uh which they hope those um repairs will start in two weeks. I said, "Well, George, the creek is solid." I
said, "The it's tidal water, but I live right here. It's not moving. It's not going up and down. It's it's got to be I don't know how deep it's frozen, but anyway, uh they are going to start repairing it. It needs those pilings need to be done. They have trees in
between them and hopefully it will be painted but not until maybe the end of summer they'll start the painting. Um but that was a nice phone call. I've been working on that for 20 years getting that bridge repainted and uh fixed up. So hope things take a long
time in government. It's un it's unbelievable. But uh so we're okay with the S. We don't need a do we need a resolution or vote or anything? Good. Okay, Carolyn, thank you. Um, and we certainly don't need a resolution
for executive session. Does anybody else have any comments? >> Mayor, I'm sorry. Um, yeah, >> I saw something during the meeting. Um, I'm not sure if everyone's aware or not, but the D um approved the new stormwater
management rules. Oh yeah, >> it's called the real rules. >> Oh yes, definitely. >> It's a resilient environments and landscapes is what real stands for. Real call it real. Um and the reason why I'm bringing it up it is regard to 401
Creek. Um what the new rules it's they're very technical. There's a lot involved with it. Um but being on there's two different areas, the title area and non-title. um in in the title areas, it's actually a little bit more lax than the non-title
as far as what's required for storm water design. Um but essentially what it does is it creates a a what what they're calling a flood hazard zone. Um they added four feet to FEMA's 100-year flood
zone. Um so essentially it's it's the 100-year flood zone in um on Rancokus is 10 so it will be an elevation of 14 and what that means it doesn't mean you can't build in there just if you build in there it has to be flood resistant
um actually flood proof resistant and and engineering reports would have to be done showing that that it is um so it really wouldn't affect our our local ordinance right now requires the same thing our public ordinance requires the 4T above the FEMA elevation for any
finished earth first floor and um so it wouldn't affect the height of the building. There are some infrastructure issues but there's nothing overly substantial that that would prevent any development on on that property. >> Good.
>> Um and for the public this it does not affect if anybody has flood insurance. It does not in affect your your flood insurance at all. um you have flood the flood zone is governed by FEMA. Um so that would stay exactly the same. It's not it's not affected by that. It's it's essentially new
development um has to be built to withstand a flood. And again, it doesn't mean you can't build in that zone. It just has to be built and an engineer report would have to be done. >> So basically kind of like you told us last year. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Pretty much what? Yep.
>> Yep. There there was a lot of comments and they revised. Originally it was five feet and they lowered the comments down to four feet. >> Um >> and that's just living space, right? Like you could have a garage under that. >> Habitable space. Correct. >> Habitable space. Yeah. >> So, okay,
>> that's good. Thanks, Harry. >> Any anything else? >> Yes. uh with our uh meeting agendas and we post them on the official uh bullet
board here inside the building. And I would like us to consider using uh for the township committee meetings to post it on the bulen board outside the door because our agendas get posted uh normally on Friday afternoons and no one
can get in the building till Monday. So uh if we put it outside the building and the bulletin board is out there at least people can drive up and read the agenda. uh not the you know I guess the uh >> just the the three or four pages
>> right the three or four pages there >> isn't posted online >> not everybody goes online you know >> yeah okay >> and again we tell people to go to the official bulletin board in town at >> well that's because that's what the statue says we have to say
>> well okay we say it but let's uh you know let's be upfront and just put it out there >> be you have a comment >> I mean that's we certainly could do that but our our agenda are not posted on the >> Yeah, they don't they're not required to be posted ahead of time. We do put them on the um on the website, but I mean we
can certainly make them available. Um we did have someone came in today before I had a chance to print them and ask for it, so we printed it for them. >> Yeah. >> So, anyone can can always request it ahead of time, but we're not required by statute to have them >> The only thing on the bulletin board is just the the annual schedule.
>> The meeting schedule. >> The meeting schedule whe adopted. We post those um minutes um between the time that they're post they're adopted approved by all of you and they go on the website. They're we put them out there >> with the agenda's on the website.
>> The agenda is on the website. Yes. But it's not required to be on the website. >> Okay. So, how many people here by raise of hands how many people are get our email blasts? every everybody should have their hand
raised that that just about everybody does because uh Deleno Township sends out emails for everything that's happening in town, everything that if there's an issue and then you can go on the website to get the agenda. But if
you if you think helping to put this out front, I wouldn't I don't know if you want to put put it in every one because it's going to be three or four pages. So, it's going to take up a lot, but maybe we could just put it on the bulletin board out front. >> Yeah, just right out front >> and let the do an email blast that
anybody's interested in what's happening, they can visit the agenda at the bulletin board on town hall. Yes. >> If they're getting an email blast, they could just look at that one, >> right? They could. >> Are you talking about the stuff that comes over the emergency? >> No, I'm talking about Delanco. go on to
lankottownship.com and if you look on that screen on the right hand side down the bottom, you can sign up for our emails, you can put your email address in there and you will get everything that's happening in this town, everything that's happening in the
library, every event, everything about trash and recycling. I mean, people that go on Facebook to say, "Is the trash collection today or tomorrow?" I mean, we send emails out for all of that. And if you got that
email address, you would be up to date on everything that's happening in this with regard to the town, the library, and any other entity that tells us that they would like to be included in our what's happening. >> That answers my question because I'm
getting information from all kinds of places and I'm saying, is this officially from the township or what? Now, I know Yes. And I'm sure Jackie can help you sign up for that. And if you aren't signed up for our emails, you should be.
Definitely. >> Yeah. And the uh emergency alerts you're talking about, how that's the ones that I send out from OEM. Those are completely independent from the township ones. We send them out through a program called Kexus that the county runs. It sends it out via text, um, email. We
have it connected to the social media. And we tried doing the call you by phone, but for some reason it didn't work this past error. Some people had decided to hang up and say error. Uh but it had a nice recording in English and espanol. Uh so um that's a completely
separate system from the township uh mailers. >> Okay, Peter. >> Yeah, just a quick question. Which one announces when we have breach closings because of >> none I thought it was Nixl.
>> The county promised that they were going to be sending that out last year and they didn't. >> I have one I have one that tells me when the bridges are going to be closed. >> Yeah. Not the Deleno Bridge, though. >> Not they haven't had a closing since. >> Well, they also that's not part of Nex though.
>> I think it is. >> They haven't had the closing for the flooding. They've had plenty of closings for boats and they were supposed to >> Oh, yeah. the the Burlington County Bridge Commission said that they were going to send the notifications out. They told Riverside PD that and Riverside blasted to their residents,
but then they just dropped the ball. >> Well, I guess I'll I'll talk to the bridge commission about that again. And the chief uh I wanted to let you know that uh George did say that the county the bridge commission will be in touch with you because they may have closings. >> I spoke to him already. >> Yeah, he's going to be in touch with
you. >> I spoke to him. >> Oh, did you? Oh, good. Okay. Okay. >> They call me actually at the end of the year. They buy them. >> Yeah. >> Early. And then I talk to them in the month. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It's coming >> for the work. Okay. Good. >> No, this is on the bridge. >> So, do >> usually
>> Exactly, Peter. >> They're supposed to anyway. >> Yeah. I thought they were supposed to be on Nixl, but I forgot about the bridge openings. The bridge openings like that. I can't imagine how they can do that because that bridge opens from 11 to 11
in the morning now to only 8 at night. It used to be 24 hours at one time. So that is not something that they can notify us on for a boat. >> Yeah. And for the for a regular like a boat opening that's only what? >> Five minutes. >> Five minutes. The closings for flooding
and storms they were supposed to send out and they dropped the ball on that. >> Yeah. >> Well, they don't close it half the time. the police do and they problem. >> It didn't get closed this past year for that to I mean I live right there. I see it. Yes, John. >> I don't know if I sent a letter to them
or just if we could have their camera facing Pavilion Avenue. I know there's a marina in Florida with fish that jump out. You can go on their camera at any time. But running a business when my customers call from over the bridge and they want to know if they can get over
here. I don't know what to tell them. If I could go online and take a look at that camera and say, "Yeah, you don't want to go that way today. You want to go up to Edward Park." I don't know how far that is, but it's not cameras. >> You can call M Scott. He always knows. >> Yeah, we we actually asked them if we
could actually get access to the bridge cameras to have online and we were our hand was smacked and said, "No, they're for official police business only." >> We can't trust them with barriers anymore because you know they're up and it's been open. cars coming from other
places. >> Yeah, I was actually thinking last year of a way that we could do that and was going to talk to a couple property owners who are around there whether Shirley for her business that's uh right there or any of them that butt up to uh
the creek, even Kate's house. If we could put a camera out there on our porch >> or put one on Gateway Park >> online. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We'd want internet that we could siphon >> one on his back or >> you could put one on my We need to see the flood if it's
>> int. >> It doesn't flood in the len floods in Riverside. >> The camera from Kate's house is not getting the flood. >> No, you're not going to see the bridge closed. >> You'll just see the bridge. >> Not necessarily cars are coming or not. Yeah. >> No, you'll still see cars coming over the bridge cuz people are idiots and
they will drive through the water and get stuck. But somebody might make it. So someone else thinks I can make it too. >> So you'll see a car come across the bridge when that sign is up cuz it is closed. >> Yeah. >> But it's flooded over in Riverside at dammer Scott Street. You're not seeing
that from K. You have a lifted. You have a lifted F350 going through the water and then the little guy with his little Honda >> thinks he can make it. Yeah. >> Yeah. And then he's get stuck in the water. Yeah. It's it's not happening. >> Can't fix. >> I'll look into that, John. >> Okay. And uh and Scott, he's going to
look into it, too. Yeah. No, no, Scott. >> Well, uh, it's M. Scott. >> John. That's all right. >> Yeah, it's okay. >> M. Scott. >> All right. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Please. >> I'll make a motion. Second. >> Okay. Second. All in favor? >> I. Thank you, everyone.
>> Check that light. >> Oh, brick won't do it. >> Jesus Christ. his wife.