DelenCo Township Committee meeting of December 1st, 2025, beginning at 7 PM at the Delo Township Municipal Building, 770 Coopertown Road, Deleno, New Jersey. >> We are recording there whenever you're ready.
>> Are we live? There's a hair on my microphone. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to December 1st Township Committee meeting located here at 770 Coopertown Road at the municipal building. Can I have a roll call please? >> Mr. Bartlett >> here. >> Mrs. Patrick
>> here. >> Mr. McFaden >> here. >> Mr. O >> here. >> Miss >> here. Thank you. Also present Mrs. Mr. Sman, our township administrator, Mr. Fox, our engineer, Mr. Heinhold, our solicitor, Mrs. Lure, our municipal clerk, Mrs. Russell, our deputy, and Mr.
Warren, our police chief. Please rise for the flag salute. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for
all. [clears throat] >> Janice, could you please read Sunshine and live stream statements? >> Please be advised that proper notice of this meeting has been given in compliance with the public meetings act in the following matter. Written notice has been mailed to the Bronson County Times and Courier Post and was published in the December 30th, 2024 edition.
Written notice has been posted on the official bulletin board of the township of Delango with 48 hours prior to the meeting. This meeting of the Delta Township Committee may be transmitted via live stream on YouTube video. Streaming of the meeting is not intended to be relied upon as formal public access under the open public meetings
act and the technology is disrupted for any reason. The township meeting will proceed in person as an official meeting in accord with notice. Thank you. If you could please take a moment to silence your cell phones or put them on vibrate, I would appreciate
it. Uh before we get into the agenda items, um Mr. Mr. Heinhold, did you have a statement you wanted to make? >> Yeah, just for the benefit of I'm sure some people are out uh because the um library agreement was listed on the agenda again. We did today receive a
letter from an attorney, Brandon Croker of the Kameo Law Group um who I've worked with on other matters in the past. He has requested that we again uh carry the um action on this matter.
uh and we had some discussion in executive session and based upon that I will be reaching out to Mr. Kroker with the subcommittee to uh arrange a meeting with him so that we can discuss uh the issues and um recommending that the
governing body carry this to the uh December 22nd agenda. >> Thank you. [snorts] Okay, moving on to our special presentation. Um, I think we are going to table that resolution, right everyone? >> Yeah.
>> Do we have to formally vote on that now or can we do that when we get to the agenda? >> Why don't we just move it up now in case anybody wants to go home early? >> Oh, we could leave. Thanks. >> Not not anybody here, but >> Okay. Okay. So, resolution 2025-160
um which has been tabled from the 17th meeting um authorizing the execution of the library space agreement with the board of ed town of Deleno governing space at MJ Pearson. Would someone like to make a motion to table this until our meeting on 1222? >> So move to tape.
>> Second. >> Uh Mr. Bartlett and Mr. McFaden. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bartlett. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Patrick. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fton. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Jesus. >> Yes. So, we would like to make a formal
request for the library association to meet with um our attorney and the liaison. So, um that can happen sooner than later because we would like to definitely uh take action on this on the 22nd and have this wrapped up by the end of the year. So, that's that.
Moving on to fun things. Now, we have a special present special presentation uh honoring Janice for her 33 years of service to Delanco Township as she retires at the end of the year. She's been our municipal clerk for over three
decades. So, we would like to um issue our proclamation to her. Janice, do you want me to do that over by you? >> Yes, please. >> Okay, you got it. Good. >> Thank you. >> This is awkward, but we'll make it work.
>> Yes, we will make it work. You're good. >> It's okay. You're good. >> Mrs. Lure, honoring you on your retirement from the township of Delano. Whereas Janice Lur has served this community for 32 years, beginning her employment with the township of Deleno on April 1st, 1993. And whereas Janice
Lur has been an integral part of the administration of the township and has served as a secretary to the governing body, custodian of municipal records, administrator of elections, township registar, and many other important roles. And whereas Janisur has played a key role in the day-to-day operations in
hiring and onboarding of new employees and negotiating contracts with individual employees and collective bargaining units. And whereas Janisur has brought the utmost expertise and professionalism to the Delano Township Organization and will surely be missed. Now therefore be pro proclaimed that the
township committee of the township of Deleno, county of Burlington and state of New Jersey on behalf of its citizens does hereby express its gratitude and sincere appreciation to Janice Lur for her outstanding contributions to the service of the township for the years of service to the over the years serving
the community. The further proclaimed that the township committee on behalf of the citizens of the township of Deleno does this hereby extend its congratulations and best wishes for a happy healthy and muchdeserved retirement to Janice in witness of from the mayor deputy mayor and committee
persons have caused this present to be executed and the seal of the township the Deleno affix this first day of December 2025. Congratulations. >> Thank you. [applause] Yes, sir. And of course, you're not getting off that easy.
>> Oh, we all have some prepared remarks. [snorts] Today, we gather to honor someone who has been at the very heart of Deleno for more than three decades. It's not often that you meet someone whose dedication,
professionalism, and kindness shaped the very fabric of a community. But for 33 years, Janice Lur has done exactly that. For most people, a municipal clerk is the person behind the scenes making sure government runs smoothly. But for those of us here in Deleno, Janice has been so much more. She has been the steady hand
guiding multiple administrations, the institutional memory of our township, and the person we all turn to when we need answers or quite honestly when we just need a bit of grounding. On a personal note, I want to say Janice has been a mentor and a true friend to me. When I stepped into this role, she was the one who helped me understand not
just the process of government, but the heart of it, the why behind what we do. Her patience, her wisdom, and her willingness to share decades of knowledge have shaped me as a leader, and I will always be grateful for that. Ask anyone who has worked with her and they'll tell you. She remembers every detail, every code, every deadline, and
every person's name. And she treats everyone who walks through town hall doors with dignity, respect, and kindness. Deleno has been incredibly fortunate to have someone who cares so deeply about our community. Janice's legacy will be felt for years to come, long after this moment and long after her well-deserved retirement officially
begins at the end of the year. To Janice, thank you for 33 years of unwavering service. Thank you for your professionalism, your integrity, your guidance, and your friendship. Thank you for loving this town the way you do. You have made Delano into a better place, and you have made all of us better at what we do. On behalf of the township
committee, our staff and residents of Delanco, we wish you a joyful, healthy, and relaxing retirement. You have earned every minute of it. Congratulations, Janice, and thank you for everything. [applause] Okay. Uh I don't have anything written uh prepared for that but uh the only
thing that I would really like to say ditto to what Carolyn said but for anyone who has ever sat on this township committee we wouldn't be who we are today or be able to do what we do if Janice wasn't here to guide us. She
knows everything about this town. every code, every law helps us stay on track. And it has been indeed a pleasure for me for 24 years to have the opportunity to work with her, not only as an official
in the township, but also as a friend. I think of Janice as a very dear person who's close to my heart, and I wish her well in her retirement. And um we have someone who will be sitting in your shoes, but I can tell you you will be
missed. You will definitely be missed. >> Thank you, Janice. [applause] >> Great stuff. >> Uh Janice, when I first joined this committee about 5 years ago, I had no idea how much I would rely on you. uh you were the person I could walk into with a simple question and somehow walk
out three hours later with not [laughter] just the answer but the history behind it, the ordinance that shaped it and usually a story or two that made it all make sense. It became a running joke for everyone in this building how long conversations could be. But the truth is we always walked
out smarter and better prepared because of you. You've given your 33 years here and that's something most people will never fully understand or appreciate. But those of us who worked beside you saw it every day. Uh your patience, your honesty, and your ability to keep
everything steady even when the rest of us were um spinning made a real different. The rest of us were spinning and you made a real difference. I want to personally thank you for your guidance, support, and the plenty of times you've talked me off a ledge without making me feel like that's what you're doing. And you certainly helped
me grow as a committee person, and I won't forget that. I hope your retirement brings you every bit of peace, freedom, and happiness that you deserve. And you've earned it. And even though I know you won't miss the agendas, the late night phone calls, and the endless piles of papers in your
office, I hope you know we're really going to miss you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thanks, JEN. [applause] >> Way down there, >> Mr. McFaden. >> Well, Mrs. L, when I first came on recreation
commission, you were my go-to lady. You were like the anytime there was a question that I had, I came to you and you guided us through it. Um,
it's it's a saddening day for me because Janice was more like a mother figure. when I come in, she'd give me the answers, get me set up, and I'm just, it is a sad day, but I look forward to
seeing you at home, enjoying yourself, not having to deal with the pressure of the township. You well deserve it. Thank you. >> Thank you, [applause] >> Mr. Olette, >> Janice. Going back to the municipal
building over on Burlington A is where I first met you. And over the years needing answers or seeking uh information, you were the person to go to. And again
reflecting back over the years, it doesn't matter who the person uh was that Janice or I saw Janice encounter, she always treated them with respect. And [clears throat] uh
you didn't look at the person whether they were male or female, black or white. You looked at them as an individual and you treated them with respect and I
don't think anyone can ask that of people if they don't have it in their heart and I truly feel our town is better for you being with us and we will
miss you uh as an employee here but again within our community, you're still uh a very very important person. So again, thank you for everything that you've done for us. [applause]
>> Doug, did you want to say anything down there? >> I do. I was going to give this in my solicitor report not knowing that you guys were going to do this up up front. Um, I think the term municipal clerk is a pretty poor description of the gravity
of what a municipal clerk handles. And, uh, if you just come to the meetings and see Janice sitting down at the end, you might think she does the minutes and gets the correspondence, but she has put in countless hours uh, for this town and
has done it um, from the depths of her heart. And uh it's been um I don't know, I've been here 25 years or so. Uh from the very beginning, Janice was always uh
a helpful colleague to me and somebody who, you know, we could turn to. She was here uh late on December 23rd one year when a fax came in, caught me in my office after 5:00 on that same night that allowed me to stay up all night and go into court the next morning and get
an injunction to stop um plans on the mansion, the Zerbrook mansion. Um it's a unique and special relationship between the clerk's office and the attorney's office. And um Janice has been uh you know sort of uh
this was the first town I was the primary attorney in. So I' I've had that longest relationship with Janice and she really is so uh essential to the character of the nature of this town and how it conducts itself on a day-to-day basis. After all these years working
together, you really do become like friends and family. And um you know, we've gone through a lot of life changes together. But I will say that if anybody deserves retirement and happiness in retirement, it's you. You've given this town your heart and soul and we wish you
nothing but the best. >> Thank you. [applause] >> No pressure. Um, I have to say something because Janice is very important to me. Um, as the clerk and and as a friend, um, throughout the years, almost 20
years, I guess, I've been working with with Janice. Um, she's been nothing but professional and everything that everyone set up here is absolutely true. Um, and you're also, like I said, a friend. >> So, wishing you the best and and [clears throat] it's it's all it's all
going to be good, man, except for all the time you have to spend with your husband, but Poor [laughter] Doug. >> So, congratulations. Love you. >> And I'm sure Beverly and our chief and and Debbie all feel the same way.
They'll continue to work with Janice through the end middle of the month, right? When is your last day officially? Uh, probably the um 12th. >> Probably the 12th. Yes. Will be my last day in officially in the office >> and then I'll be on actually medical
leave and then um retire. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Well, I'm on medical leave. So, >> so a couple more weeks. >> Couple more weeks. >> Gotcha. But this was officially your last meeting. >> When I last return to you, Doug. >> Yeah.
So, thank you again for everything and thank you to everyone for their well wishes. >> Thank you everyone. >> So kind of you. >> Thank you. >> Um moving on to even more fun things. We have our announcement in introduction of Deleno's school student election
winners. Um, we have Lucas Varga as our mayor. Our deputy mayor is Felicia Loftess. Our committee members Noel Fontaine, Melania Manzano, and Sess Seth Stony. There we go. Our off our oath of office um will be administered
to our students and election winners by our deputy clerk, soon to be clerk, um, Beverly Russell. If you all Yeah. Columbia's missing. >> So, we're going to do this all together. So, at some point I'm going to say state
your name. Put your name and your position. So your position would be mayor, deputy mayor or committee person. Okay. So if everyone could raise your right hand and you can read you can read from this if you want to repeat after me. I state your name.
>> [laughter] >> Do you swear >> do you swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey. I do further
swear >> I do further swear >> that I will impartially and justly >> I will impartially and justly >> perform all the duties of the office of >> perform all the duties of the office of >> and state your state your office that
you're going to be assuming >> uh on this first day of December 2025 according to the best of my ability >> on this first day of December 2025 according to the best of my ability Congratulations to all of you. [applause]
>> Yeah. Come sit next to us. >> Come up here. >> Are you okay? >> You could do it more. So for um for the benefit of the public um the Deleno Women's Civic Club started
this program in 2006. Uh Joan Hankle actually started this program and we've been doing it ever since except for a few years during COVID and when the police uh department was under construction. So, in order for
you to know a little bit about our um our new committee members, I'd like to read a little bit from the speeches that I listened to right before they were elected. So, the mayor um Lucas Varga,
as a board of education representative, I will go to all the meetings that I can and support the different opinions of the students. As a municipal government representative, I would work with the mayors of the other towns and ask what
is working and not working in their town. This way, we could see if what is working for them could work in Delano. >> Finally, as Mayor M. Joan Pearson Elementary Middle School, I would help support any activities the school has
planned for the students of this amazing school. Um, this is the deputy mayor, Felicia Loftess. I will guarantee that the history of Delano is alive and ensure that Deleno is safe and clean for all all citizens,
keeping danger on the low and happiness on the rise. Deleno may be a small town, but we could be one big community when we work together. I would like to make sure every historical place is honored and taken
care of. We learn off the history and past of our town. This is how we grow and become better. uh committee member uh Noel Fontaine. As a representative for the environmental advisory board, I would
make sure that any company that uses plastic bags switches to reusable bags to help our environment. I would help by getting orders to do a cleanup at the Field of Dreams and Pennington Park every Sunday to keep our community clean
and keep away from pollution. This helps our environment. While being a shade tree representative, I will make sure that even though trees are getting chopped down, there will be new trees getting planted
and committee member Melania Manzano. Um, the first thing I would like to improve is animal control. I will do that by helping animals get put in a safe home. Along with animal control, we can help the animals in the community
that are being abused by people. We will accept volunteers to know donate blankets, food, toys, and necessities for the animals in need. The people that donate will also use the donations to help animals get the medicine they
require um and for surgery. As community relations, I would make our town interesting. Not just kids events, fun events for all. Do you just want to sit in your room or do you want to get outside and have a blast? Our community
is small, but our hearts are big. So, I hope this gives you a little information on what these students profess to do in their new positions. So, now um one one of the members was unable to attend tonight. Uh, so I'm
sorry that Seth was not with us, but now we will conduct our meeting and hope you enjoy being a part of it. Thank you, Kate. So, we're going to move on to our agenda items. Our next uh agenda item is our comments from our
professionals, and that would be Mr. Fox, who's going to move that microphone right up to his mouth. [clears throat] >> Thanks, Eric. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Um uh I only have a couple items tonight um to bring you up to date on the um the
crossings in Delo. Uh we did have a meeting with um the mayor uh and and M Spitz Patrick uh and HOA representatives. Um what we discussed is is is the punch list items that are left
to be completed. Um the developers request to have a bond reduction as I mentioned at our last meeting. Um and also possibly bifrocating the bonds to have them post a separate bond just for the basin. Um that would stay in place
regardless if the other work gets done or not until the basins are completed. Um we we pretty much uh were in agreement with everything with the HOA and and it went very well. Um I would recommend that
we we basically have to reduce the bond by by by law. um we we we're only required to reduce it down to 30% of the original bond. So, we can hold that money. Um, it's about $800,000.
Um, is the 30% of the original amount of the bond and we can also at our past meeting we did decide not to bifocate the bond, but I think it's probably a good idea at this point to do that because we have to reduce the bond anyway. So, we can do the bond reduction
and I will talk to the developer and and see if he'll post a separate bond just for the basins. Um it it gives the developer a little bit more incentive to complete the the roadway work and and all that. Um because then he can get off of his bond on that. Um if he if we keep
it all together, he's going to drag his feet longer and longer um to complete project. So So that that's that's my recommendation at this point. If um if anyone has any questions or concerns about it, I'd be glad to answer those. So the next step would be
to meet with representatives from Dr. Horton and figure out exactly what's left or does your office have to figure that out as far as the financial terms first? >> Well, what we would do is we would we would notify them that we're we're reducing it down to the maximum amount of 30%.
>> Um, and we would entertain bifrocating the bond if that's okay with it with the committee. >> Um, and see what the reaction is there. They don't have to do that. It's completely up to them. It's a negotiating tool between us and them
basically the bifurcation. Um, so if they want to do that, I recommend we do it. If they don't, fine. It is what it is and the bond will stay just at that 30% until the project is fully completed. >> Okay. >> Well, what about the um the separate
bond for the basins? Will uh you set a separate amount for that? that would actually be cost replacement since they've never really been established properly. >> Yeah. Yeah, good point. Um, yes, we will come up with a an estimate of what it
would cost detach it to redo the basins or whatever work has to be done on the basins. The developer can do it much cheaper than we can because we have pre and whatnot, but we use for our estimate what it would cost us to do because that's essentially what a bond is. if it if we pull that bond, we have
to go out to bid and hire someone to do it. So, yes, we will be coming up with an estimate >> just for the basins um as if the township had to actually do the work. >> And the length uh is there a specific length of time for that 5 10 years or
what have you since it may take at least five or 10 years for it to establish? >> Yeah, performance bonds don't have a time limit on that. Um maintenance bonds do uh as you know after we do accept it and release for performance bond performance bond we'll get it to you
maintenance bond but performance bond is there until it's formed. >> Okay. >> Just want to state that for the record >> and I did ask Debbie to check on the escrow balances. Make sure we're in good shape there too since there's going to be more work that has to be done from your office.
>> Yeah, exactly. Thank you. Mhm. >> Um the other item I have is the uh TIC road program, Delaware Avenue. Uh that is substantially complete. [clears throat] Um I don't know if anybody had a chance to to get down there and look at it, but it came out pretty pretty nice. >> Yeah.
>> Um there's some other striping and and things like that that need to be done. We are performing a punch list that the contractor will have to perform before we release his retainage. Um but but it is substantially complete and and financially we came up pretty pretty good on it. Um we don't have the final
numbers yet, but we're going to be right around the contract amount. Uh even though we did additional work for the boat ramp and some other additional work on there. So So it it came out on budget pretty pretty well. >> Yeah. >> And we did fix that uh handicap ramp at Hickory and Walnut, right?
>> That's correct. That was something we did add on there as well. Yeah, that was the one that was sinking that a resident brought it to our attention online and we had them completely redo it. It doesn't have the red um mat on it, but it is fixed until we can do it next year
when we redo all of that road program over there. >> That's correct. We did receive the state grant to to do that next year. So, that'll be >> Yep. The handicap ramps are done when we do that drainage and repaving. >> That's correct. Did they um did the contractor clean up Matt Biana's
property where they were depositing? >> Yeah, they had a a concrete wash out a there is what they had. Um and and they they did remove that. Yes. >> Oh, good. Thank you. And you said they'll be out Wednesday, right? To do some punch list stuff. >> They'll be out Wednesday to do stripe.
Um and we're waiting to hear back on when they're going to do the punch list stuff. We we haven't submit our official punch list to them yet. Our inspector did do it and and after we view it and then we'll send it out. But >> okay, >> good. >> But it looks great. >> Yeah, >> yeah, it did. I'm happy with the
results. >> That's it. >> That's it. Any questions from our junior members? >> Yeah. So, Harry does like all the all the infrastructure stuff for towns and roads [clears throat] and, you know, anything
that has to do with the actual town. That's what he's in charge of. >> That's all I have. Mayor, >> thank you. Uh Mr. Heinald, >> just a brief report on our affordable housing status. I'm meeting with the planners on uh Thursday just to map out
uh some of the technical requirements to get us to completion for uh certified conformance before the court. Uh again, we sit in a very good position for the fourth round. We are not um building any new units. There will be extensions on
existing units uh and uh I'll report back to the subcommittee and then sometime in the uh beginning of the coming year we'll start acting on the items that are necessary at the governing body level to to finalize uh our plans and submissions to the court.
And that's it. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And Doug is our attorney. He keeps us out of trouble. [laughter] Uh, what do we have next? Miss Vanera. I do not have anything to report on, but I would be remiss if I didn't thank
Janice for everything she has done in my four quick months, but thanks to Janice, I feel like I've been here forever. Um, and congratulations. You've You deserve it. >> Thank you very much. >> Hi, Chief.
love the report as well. Short turn around from two weeks ago. Thank you as well, Janice. You've always been helpful to me. So, going to miss you. Appreciate you. >> Thank you, too. >> I'm sure Mr. Fenmore echoes those same
sentiments. He's not with us tonight, but [laughter] along with some compost uh updates. But um they've done four passes through the town of leaves. Uh they continue to do
leaf collection. Know the compost site is filling up. Um couple trees are taken down and uh they've been out with the street sweeper a lot too cleaning up behind the leaf truck. So and they are doing um brush pickup as necessary. They'll come out with the truck and pick
up the sticks and branches and whatnot. I know we have in the past said we cut that off, but we are actually picking them up now so that no one has to put them in their car and drive them to public works. So, if you have branches, feel free to put them out on the curb and they'll get them to eventually.
And then, um, our last department head, Mrs. Laura, your final report as township clerk. >> Uh, I don't have anything to report. There are some events coming up um that I I uh recreation is having a
tree lighting in Christmas village on Saturday, December 6, 400 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Uh tree lighting is at 5:00 p.m. Um best decorated house contest. Um and there's flyers out in the lobby for all this. Carriage rides Saturday, December
13th. And um again, more information on the flyer out in the lobby. The um Broton County Sheriff's Office is having a holiday toy drive. Please donate new unwrapped toys. And I is the box out in the lobby for this? So, we do have a box here at the
municipal building for the Broton County Sheriff's holiday toy drive >> and Delanco Holiday Lights Recycling Drive um >> through the Delo Environmental Advisory Board, November 29th through January 11th um to uh recycle your holiday
lights rather than trashing them. And uh there's a flyer for that. And um I will just take this opportunity to thank everyone for your very very kind comment. Um this is my last meeting as
Delanco's municipal clerk and I just want to thank everyone for um the opportunity to uh serve the residents of this town to work with the governing body as your secretary and um
I am going to miss what has become not just a job it has become part of who I am and um I'm going to miss um working with my co-workers. Deleno is in great hands um with the municipal staff and u
my co-workers. Uh thank the governing body for um the opportunity to to serve the residents and serve the township and uh the professionals. Um Harry, Doug, uh thank you for years of um guidance and
help and [clears throat] support as we uh you know work for the town and um and I will miss one of the things I'm going to miss the miss is uh interacting with everyone and the residents and um
being able to try to help them, you know, um and sometimes the answer isn't exactly what they want, but um trying to you know deliver good services to our community, to our residents and help.
I'm going to miss um everyone. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve. >> Thank you, Janice. >> Thank you. >> Okay, so now we're going to move on to our student committee members. Um I know you all probably have prepared a whole
speech for us, right? This isn't a surprise. You're all ready. Surprise. Your >> speech in a while. >> [laughter] >> Who wants to start? >> Lucas. >> No. Lucas the mayor. >> Rock, paper, scissors. What do you think? [laughter]
>> This is the mayor. >> No, the mayor goes last. >> We'll start down here on the left. [laughter] >> Here you go. >> So, do you just want to tell us uh you know what's going on in school? What kind of fun events have you had the
past couple weeks? >> Pay attention. Mr. Shields is going to uh make sure it's correct. >> What have you been learning in class? You know, just talk to me like, um, >> well, um, the mock trial was fun in social
studies. >> The mock trial? >> Mhm. >> What did you do there? >> I got picked for person. >> You did? >> Okay. So you have like an actual trial like tell us about it. >> She election. >> Oh, you mean for the election? I thought you Yeah. Yeah. The mock election. Yes.
>> So how did that work exactly? >> So you would run in front of the class for what you wanted to be. So then they would the people that would want to run, they would turn around and then Mr.
Shields would ask um for like you to raise your hand to vote who you want and then he would say who got voted and then that would happen for like the committee person and the mayor and deputy mayor and then once the
election was going on, people would vote by putting the names on a piece of paper and then putting it into an envelope and then he would see who got the most votes. That's awesome. And >> I saw the great um election posters
lining the hallway in the middle school wing when I was up there last week for meet the teacher nights. And they they were very great, very creative. I noticed uh Mr. Varga had about 30 different ones lining the hallway, all different [laughter] styles, as well as
the other ones up here. So, [clears throat] nice job everyone. >> You could help the township committee members when they're running for election design their signs. There you show. So, what are you learning in social studies now? >> Well, uh, we haven't really been doing
anything recent because Well, we're doing well, nothing. >> You hear that, Dr. T? Right. >> Cuz we're still kind of like going down from the election. >> So, we're working on the executive branches
>> of government, >> all the different branches like of government. >> So, you are learning something. >> Yeah. There you go. We're like going down from re-election and we're like, yeah. >> So, just how the governments form, the different branches, what everybody does. Great. Thank you. Good report, Melania.
>> Hi. >> Hi. Can you >> So, um, what's your favorite subject in school? >> Probably social studies. >> Yeah. What do you like about it? >> Cuz that's the class that I'm good at. >> Do you like learning about history and government? Yeah, I think I understand
social studies probably the most. >> What's your least favorite subject? >> ELA. >> You don't like English? >> I do. >> It's just hard to write and >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> What about math? Math's pretty hard, too, right? >> No, I'm actually quite decent, I think.
>> Oh, good for you. >> Yeah. >> Are you in any extracurricular activities? >> Uh, well, this um what's it called? Fall season I played soccer and then for the spring season I'll play softball. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Great. And you're in what? You're in
eighth grade. >> Yeah, I'm in eighth grade. >> And do you know where you're going to high school yet? >> Uh probably Holy Cross or BCIT. >> Awesome. And do you have any idea what you want to be when you grow up? >> Um
not really. Undetermined. It's like maybe a therapist, a lawyer, or softball player. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> it's a broad range. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> I don't want to take that.
[laughter] >> Uh, thank you to our new principal cuz he really helped out our school. >> Oh, that's nice. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> we have a lot more extra activities now and we have dances. >> We do. >> Yeah.
>> He's making school fun again, right? >> Yeah, >> exactly. >> He's adding a lot >> for sure. >> Yeah. >> And he's offering us um a high school. >> Yep. >> I did hear that rumor. >> So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Good job, Dr. T. Thank you, Melania. >> Y >> our deputy mayor, Felicia. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> So, tell us about your journey in social
studies. What do you like? Which aspect do you like? Or what's your favorite subject? >> My favorite subject is math. >> Okay. >> Um and I like social studies cuz I like the little like web quest. >> Okay.
What made you want to run for committee? >> I thought it would be fun. [laughter] >> I just wanted to run because I thought that it'd be like something I was good at. >> Okay. >> Like helping out the community in our town.
>> Yeah. I mean, that's what we're good at, right? We we try to make the the the correct laws and make things fun, but make sure at the same time that everybody's safe and that we have nice roads and infrastructure. So, and uh at the same time, we get to plan fun events, too. So, it's always good and
bad. And what do you want to do for high school? Do you have a plan yet? >> I want to be a culinary person with my own like bakery and business. And I want to go to um BCIT because they offer a
like good culinary class and like I was told that it's very good from like and that people really enjoy it there. >> For sure. That's great. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> Same thing as Melania, thank you to Dr.
T for like helping us have more like things in our eighth grade year to explore and to enjoy with and just to like help us expand as a community and as a school. >> That's awesome. Thank you. >> That's awesome.
>> All right, the mayor's up. >> You have a prepared speech. Your dad didn't help you write a speech. I mean, slacker. [laughter] >> What do you do? >> So, why did you did they elect you as mayor or did you run for mayor?
>> Uh, I ran for the mayor. >> Okay. So, why did you want to be the mayor? >> Cuz my sister is at Riverside. I want to compete with her. >> Okay. [laughter] It's >> blatantly honest. >> Yeah. So, what do you think the mayor does up here? Like, what do you think my
job is? a lot of things >> like I make all the rules. >> Uh you have uh a vote and all the rules. >> Exactly. >> Yep. So we're all we all have the same amount of power up here. We have all the same voting privileges. I just kind of
run the meetings and oversee everything as the mayor and make sure everybody's doing what they're supposed to do and that things are getting done on time. So you kind of just kind of like the boss, but you're kind of not, you know? So you just kind of oversee everything and make sure all the professionals are doing their jobs. So tell us about what your
favorite subject is in school. >> Math. >> Math is your favorite? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And what do you like about social studies? How did you get up here? Like what did you want to run for other than your sister? Like do you like history part? Do you like the government part? >> I like every part about it. It seemed
fun and I wanted to help the community out by a lot of things. >> Okay, great. So you want to be a principal when you grow up? No. >> Nope. >> Leave it to dad. >> So, what do you want to be when you grow up? >> A naval welder. >> Dad's very specific. >> That's awesome. So, you're going to join
the Navy? That's the plan. >> Oh, >> is that like underwater? >> It's just welding all the ships. It can be underwater and on top. >> That's great. >> Wow. I'm impressed. Good job, Japan. >> All right. Thank you. Round of applause
for all of our STUDENT COMMITTEE [applause] MEMBERS. AND I FORGOT TO ASK YOU, do you have a plan for high school? >> You going to Riverside? >> No. >> No. >> CCIT. Awesome. >> Okay. Um, Mayor, I'd just like to shout
out a thank you to Mr. Shields. He's been working with Joan and then myself on this program for all these years. >> And um, it's something I think the students really enjoy. This was the first year they had a tie uh for the
township committee. They had to do a revote. So, uh that was an interesting thing. We we never had that in the past, but um but we had some great candidates and we had some great winners here and I'd like to thank them and their parents
for coming out tonight to see how the township committee works for the residents of Delano. So, thank you, Mr. Shields. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Shield. [applause] >> Uh, did any of my other fellow committee members have anything they want to add or say or comment on?
>> It's I just like to say it's great seeing all these kids up here. I've known them all since, you know, they're in kindergarten. Some of them even more since they lived next to me when since they were like 3 years old. And um, you know, it's great seeing them up here. My son's in the same grade with all them, so I've known them all forever. And uh,
nice job, guys. >> Yeah. And I believe you have a handwritten note here. >> Yeah, the women club also gave you a gift card. >> So, uh, congratulations. So, make sure you take that. Okay. >> Yes, >> it's a gift card. >> So, you're going to hang out with us
until the end of the meeting, right? >> Yeah. We usually excuse them at 9:00, but we'll probably be done at 9, maybe. Yeah, >> God willing. >> Yeah, I'm hoping. [laughter] >> Okay. Thanks, guys. So, we'll move on to the meeting open to the public on agenda items. This is session one. If you have
anything you'd like to comment on on the agenda only, please come up to the podium and state your name and address for the record. And uh we do have the 5m minute uh time limit. >> Again, folks, David Sudter, um 725 Delaware Avenue. Janice, congratulations. Enjoy retirement. Glad
you've been here. I do want to comment on uh the agreement you guys are still trying to hash out with school district. The original agreement that was put together 50 years was put together for a 50-year timeline. This township um took out a bond to pay for half of the
library. That means we own half of the building. And the agreement could be extended by either party, not canceled, but extended by either party until somehow along the way it got changed. The township also did something unusual.
they applied for um a state library construction grant for public libraries. So, we got extra money to come in to help pay for this whole project. The school was not eligible to be a party to that because it was not a school library. Um the thing that I'm sort of wondering
about all of this is um why did the township committee feel that we didn't have any leverage when you were negotiating this particular thing? We got the impression that gosh, we can't afford to offend the school district because, you know, at the end of seven-year term or whatever is left over, they could take the whole library
from us. We don't have the building. You folks have forgotten that, I think. Um, the problems that are having right now with space is because school got closed. People didn't understand what would happen once they did that before they
could reopen it again. And these are all self-inflicted wounds that none of you caused. The administration of the school board and um the professionals that work there and the people who are on the school board have been doing this for a grand amount of time. So if you need to find
some space, let's find a different way to get this done. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else on agenda items? Seeing none, I will close session one to the public and move on to the consent
agenda items. Consent agenda items are considered to be routine 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. Anybody have anything they'd like to remove? >> No, I'm good.
>> Resolution 2025-162 reviewing and approving the 2026 salary for the fire commissioners of the fire district number one in Deleno Township. Approve payment in the bills in the amount of $936,21169 as per the bill list run date 112625. Approval of consent agenda
move >> second. >> Kate confer call please. >> Mr. Bartlett >> yes >> Mrs. Patrick >> yes >> Mr. McFaden. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> M >> yes.
Uh any correspondence? Mrs. Lur. Uh yes. Um Doug covered the letter from the attorney. Um we have received various cases of correspondence um in regards to the library issue um
uh from Rosemary Serena um Judy Seymour Peter Silverberg and Moren Barrett. So, for the record, um, and they're all regarding the issues with the, um, the library contract, and
that's all the correspondence that I have. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Uh, meeting is now open to the public for comments and questions. This is general session two. Um, if you'd like to speak about anything, come up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, please. Open.
Closed. Discussion items. 2026 reorganization and township committee meeting date calendar uh review for any updates and changes and executive sessions. Who wants to take the lead on that? Deb
just the packet that had gone out uh the calendar that had gone out in your packets last meeting just verifying that everyone had a chance to review it and make sure there were no objections to any of the dates or conflicts. Otherwise, we'll move forward and advertise this agenda. The reorg meeting
will be on January 5th. >> Okay. >> 6 PM. Correct. >> Right. >> Yep. >> Correct. >> And was there any change for advertising purposes for the meet 2026 meeting schedule? Was there any change in um how executive sessions?
>> No. >> So still that 5:30 start. >> Yes. >> And this is just the December meeting. >> Yes. So the December 15th meeting is getting moved to December 22nd. this month, not next year, this year.
December 15th is moved to December 22nd. That'll be our final meeting of the year. Um, also the Christmas village on Saturday, there's a rain date for Sunday, right, Phil? >> I think we're going to be good. >> I have faith.
>> Yeah. >> Well, I'm glad you're optimistic. >> Yes, I am, too. >> Um, it looks like uh 20% chance now, so that's good. And then the carriage rides, their rain date is the 15th. >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Um, next year we have the rain dates for the carriage rides does not have a committee meeting on it. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So, we'll do the 2026 December is going to be the 7th and
21st, right? Good. It happens to fall that third anyway. So, okay. Anybody have any comments, questions? We can solidify this. >> I'm good.
>> Okay. >> We um would like to thank everybody before I forget for their canned food donations to the police department. We had, I think, like a record number of donations this year that the police department collected and was able to deliver to Abundant Life uh for local
families to get uh canned food for the holidays. And um we also were able to feed by families through the school district as well. Um through the turkey trot run, we were able to have full full Thanksgiving meals um thanks to First
Bank and their donation. And we actually have some funds left over to feed probably another six or seven for Christmas. >> Nice. >> Yes. >> I just want to say thank you for that. >> You're welcome.
>> And um December 22nd is our uh holiday pajama dance. We hope you all come out after your meeting, of course. And uh bring hot chocolate. >> You got it. >> All right. >> That'll be a quick meeting. So, we'll be wearing our pajamas to the township
committee meeting. >> Yeah, we're going to wear our pajamas and then meet us there. >> You got it. >> Okay. I'd just like to add that um the Deleno Women's Civic Club um also um through the donations of the members
were able to um have uh dinner Thanksgiving dinner including turkey and some extra items for two families in town as well as two those two families were also taking care of for Christmas with their Christmas list for their children and the families. So, uh thank
you to the club, the president's here, Linda. Um, we do a lot of good things in Delo, including the small collection for the for the eighth graders. So, they learn a lot of things. So, thank you, Linda, for everything that the club does. >> For sure. Have anyone else have anything
they want to add? >> Um, >> pray no rain Saturday. >> Well, yeah. >> Did I see an email that the school was doing a holiday canned food drive? >> Take their new cards. >> Mhm. Okay, so
the holiday canned food drive kicked off. We started last week just before Thanksgiving. In two days, we've collected well over 200 cans. That's great. And then the top two classes get a pizza party. But are you accepting donations from the public,
too, or is that just for >> I believe so, but I think that we're going to donate to where you guys donate. So to the states and the local areas. >> Okay, great. And the PTA is doing breakfast with Santa, it looks like. Cool. I just happened to come across
that email a little while ago. So awesome. And then we're doing our obviously our toy collection and >> and the PTO holiday auction this Friday night. >> Yes, it's sold out. >> Sure is. >> But we'll be there. >> Okay. Anybody have anything else?
>> Um Mrs. Lure said you uh committee folks up here take their name uh plates with them. >> They can. They put them on their desk at school. >> There you go. >> You can have them. Anybody else?
>> Nope. Great. Okay. Thank you everyone. Can I get a motion for adjournment, please? >> Some move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I Thank you. Good night. Good night.