Uh June 2nd, Deleno Township Committee meeting located here at 770 Coopertown Road. Road call. Roll call, please. Mr. Bartlett here. Mrs. Patrick here. Mr. McFaden here. Mr. Owlette is absent.
And Miss Seuss here. Thank you. Also present, Mr. Fox, our township engineer. Mr. Heinhold, our solicitor. Mrs. Lur, municipal clerk. Mrs. Russell, deputy municipal clerk. Mr. Fenomore and Mr. Warren, our police chief. Please rise for the flag salute.
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. Sunshine and live stream statements,
please. Please be advised that proper notice of this meeting has been given in compliance with the open public meetings act in the following manner. Written notice has been mailed to the county times in the BCT and career post and published in the broad county times on the February 23rd 2025 edition and in
the career post on February 25th 2020 2025 edition. Written notice has been posted on the official bullets and board of the town of Delanka with 48 hours prior to the meeting. This meeting of the Lanka Township Committee may be transmitted via live stream on YouTube video. The streaming of this meeting is
not intended to be relied upon as formal public access under the 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 accordance with the official notice. Okay. Um township
committee will uh have an executive session after the meeting tonight. So, we will be moving pretty quickly through our agenda. Just a heads up there. So, please take a minute to silence all your cell phones and I will read the rules governing public comment period in accord with and subject to the provisions of the open public meetings
act. During general public comment periods, the Delo Township Committee is permitted to institute reasonable rules and regulations to allow for a smooth process and ensure a reasonable opportunity to be heard. calling out from the audience outside of one's time at the microphone is disruptive to the person speaking at the microphone or to
the committee member speaking from the deis and will not be permitted. Each speaker will have five minutes to speak and should limit comments to the matter at hand. The speaker will be directed to conclude their remarks once the speaker's time has expired. No time may be yielded to a speaker by another speaker. Groups are asked to select a spokesperson to speak on their behalf.
Speakers will address the township committee from the podium and are asked to begin their remarks with their name and address for the record. Township committee members are not obligated to answer impromptu questions or address remarks from members of the public during the public comment period. Speakers should expect the township committee to refrain from engaging in a
dialogue except to the extent necessary to clarify the speaker's comment. The allotted time for speaking from the podium is the method to address the township committee during the public comment period. The township committee will not entertain questions or comments called out from the audience during public comment or at any time. Speakers and members of the public should at all
times maintain proper decorum and shall make their comments in a civil manner. Personal attacks, obscenity, derogatory or slanderous remarks will not be tolerated. Okay. We have ordinance 2025-7 uh authorizing grant of easement to New Jersey American water for township
property between intersection of Buttonwood Street and Rancokus Road and Rancokus Creek. This is the second reading by title only and public hearing. Uh hearing is now open to the public for ordinance 2025-7 only. Meeting is now closed to the public. Can
I have a motion to approve ordinance 2025-7? So, uh, second, just one correction. Uh, can we change Rancokus Road to Rancokus Avenue? Yeah. Yes. Okay. Motion by Kate, second by Matt. Roll call, please.
Mr. Bartlett. Yes. Mrs. Patrick? Yes. Mr. McFaden? Yes. M. See? Yes. Thank you. Uh meeting is now open to the public for comments and questions on agenda items only. This is session one. Please come to the podium and state your name and address please. I know I'm going to put myself
in the eye with this thing. Good evening again. Mike Temple in 621 Delaware. I just wanted to make some comments on a resolution 2025-88 uh township
resolution against the New Jersey uh packed program. The uh NJ pack was started back in 2020 and that incorporates both the inland
flood protection rules that went into effect back in 17 and the pending um NJ reals resilient environment landscapes. Um just as a spectator on this I attend
a lot of the meetings over the last u decade or 15 years been involved in that uh various things post Sandy after tropical storm IDA and so forth and all the name storms and so these regulations really came out
of the last 20 years of experience that this state has had and so a lot of groups have been invol involved in that. Um I think some 200 meetings were held with various stakeholders, public meetings, municipal officials, uh
builders, uh environmental groups of every stripe to develop these these rules and uh uh a lot of worldwide experience has gone into this and it's all pretty much validated.
Uh the curves are going up. We're experiencing climate change every day, every year with usual oscillations that that do occur naturally, but it's something that we're seeing. I mean, this
uh this state, this county has experienced major flooding events in Mount Holly, in Lumberton, Medford Lakes, up the river, Lambertville, New Hope have gotten wiped out several times. And we're seeing these dramatic increases. And it's a
whole combination of factors that go into this um much more than the five minutes allows for and I'm certainly not an expert and not uh uh but I I've been in the room and been on Zoom and attend a lot of these things um both for the
township and and other things I'm involved in. And uh it's uh yeah, it's a big jump. Uh it's a big change. These are dramatic dramatic and very forwardthinking
uh regulations that the D is is proposing and it's a big change and uh we got to stop replacing things that get destroyed by storms. It's better to build something that can handle uh bad
weather. It can handle a storm surge. can handle recurring flooding rather than pay for uh the insurance the higher insurance costs that we're all dealing with. Uh my homeowners insurance has gone up 40% in the last 5 years. We're
all paying for it whether it's fires in California and tornadoes in Oklahoma or hurricanes in Florida or the storms we experience here. So, it's it's it's incumbent for our society to really understand
that this is real and it will affect us. It is affecting us and the sooner we acknowledge that and get ahead of it and build for the future um we will be saving money, we will be saving lives and we will be build smart.
So, um, I had a lot more, but, uh, rather than get myself twisted up, I'll leave it at that. So, thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Todd Burke, 1506 Second Street. I just
wanted to comment on that resolution as well as 2025 93. um if it's the appropriate time which first of all I note that for the record that I have copies of both draft first
reading of the resolutions not sure if anyone else does even in YouTube land but my question about 93 is that in part several where's down the road here it
says mutually agreed to amend the agree payment is sale to adjust the closing date etc etc but it doesn't give a closing date and my question is since that seemed to be handled very smoothly
uh I'm wondering why it is that the date can't be adjusted or has been considered to be adjusted to December the 1st so that therefore we can have the referendum on the November ballot as opposed to a special referendum and uh I think It is really a
good idea uh maybe not required but nonetheless a very good idea that when these important resolutions are presented uh either as the first draft on a first reading or thereafter that they be published in
full and distributed in full in every way imaginable. And that's my comment uh tonight for 2520 2025-93. Thank you. Anyone else? Did you want to make any comments, Mr. Heinhold? Do you want to do it now or
not? Sure, we can do it now. Sure. Um [Music] the what we've addressed this previously, I know I talked about at the last meeting. Um we are under an obligation under that agreement to pursue closing
and the uh current closing date was targeted as June 10th with the possibility to extend to July 1st. uh the seller has not asked for an additional compensation to move the for
this amendment but they have development approvals in place and they are ready to proceed with their development if they cannot um if this transaction is not going to go through. So um the township you know there is no
agreement or consensus between the parties to simply extend December 1st. Uh, and I think that that is um pretty obvious and reasonable of the seller under the circumstances. Um, do any other questions or issues you want me to
address? Mayor, uh, we've already ordered the special election, so that's kind of moving forward already. That's not really up for debate or discussion. That's how the township is proceeding. Um, and, uh, yeah, I don't think there's any question, but there was a mandate for a
special election under the circumstances, right? Right. I agree. Um I believe their tenant is pretty much out of that building. So um moving forward from June 1st on, they're not collecting any rent on that property. Um they will continue to have to maintain it and that is an additional cost and
loss of revenue for them. So um I think they are being professional in how they're handling this and if I was them, I wouldn't wait until December either. So um that's all I have to say on that. Anyone else want to comment on anything? Anyone else for public comment
on agenda items? I'll close session one and move on to um comments and question comments and reports from our professionals. Um Mr. Fox, did you want to start? Sure.
Um I have a few items to to go over. Uh first off on the private developments uh the Mid-Atlantic Logistics Center um that were by where De Watson used to be. Uh they did start on their final phases two and five. Um the the building is up
and they're working on site work. Uh they did uh install a BM that wasn't on the approved grading plan. So I asked them to send me revised plans so I can review that to make sure it's not going to be a drainage problem. It's a They had extra soil and they tried to lose it
in in a BM along the street. Um, which was not an approved plan. So, I'm asking for for new plans and I'll review those and we we could approve that administratively if if it's not going to cause a problem. um the
crossings. The developer has he sent me an email today um indicating that he's going to ask to have his basins put on a separate bond um and release the rest of the development. Um we've done that in
the past in other developments and I did he send that to you, Janice? I did not receive that. Okay. He the process he has to submit that to the clerk that request to the clerk. Uh, and he said he did in his email to me. But so, so that's that's coming up and that's something we'll have to think about
whether we want to we don't have to do that. No. But how about the punch list items other than the basins? Have they all been satisfied? No. Oh, okay. No. So, this what this would do is this would start basically that process of getting everything else finished to our
satisfaction and then we would release that part that bond and they place a new bond just for the bas. Right. Okay. All right. One question. There's seems to be a gigantic spool of wire at the crossings as you go in there. It's been
sitting there since they were built. I don't know whose it is, but I mean it's a gigantic thing of wire. So, it's got to be either the development in the back or the crossing. Which entrance is north? Where's it at?
It's right out front. It's right at Ron Street. Harry, it's Ron Street. Ron Street. Okay. Yeah. Can't miss it. It's been there for as long as I must just drive right past it because I haven't Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I'll take a look at that. Um the 2024 local aid um that as you
know was awarded to um Paving Plus. We have worked with Paving Plus in town several times and in other towns. Um they're the ones actually I believe Second Street and So, it it's um that we're right in the process of getting
contracts together for that. They have to get their bonds together. We'll have a pre-construction meeting probably next week. Um I'll send out an email or Alex will send one out seeing what dates everyone is available for the pre-construction meeting on that. Um and then construction should start within
the next few weeks after that. Um the Zubrog waterfront park um gazebo is going to get started this week. Um it is in uh they had they were going to do it last week but the rain shut everything down. So they're anticipating
coming in this week to to install that. Um first off they put the footings in and and then this pad goes in and they'll build the gazebo. Uh they also uh the the the railing that's coming going to go on top of the seaw wall um that's being delivered on
Friday. Um Cle the manufacturer is going to stay with them all day Friday and they're going to install a portion of it. They don't want to install the whole thing till the project is almost done because they don't want any damage to happen to it during construction. but they want to
make sure that they're on the same page and they're doing things correctly and Clems will supervise them all day Friday uh installing a portion of that. So, so that'll be up and you'll at least be able to see what it looks like and uh the rest of it will go up when as I say when the project is mostly complete and
they're going to store that in a box truck and keep it at public works, right? Yes. Okay, great. John, you're aware of that, correct? Mhm. Okay. Um, can we can we ask them to cut the grass down a little bit just in the meantime? It's getting pretty high out there.
Yeah, because they're they're getting to the point where they need degraded anyway. So, yeah, I I'll get them to bring that up. Are they pouring tomorrow? They are supposed to. Yes. Good. We have a good week of weather. So, um, yeah, they'll they're they're
moving along pretty pretty well, actually. Um they have their foundations dug for the the lights. Um unfortunately they all filled up with water at the last storm. So that's got to dry out a little bit, but um in a couple days that should be ready to go
as well. Do we have a date when PSNG is going to do their install? I don't I did leave a message with my contact. Um Okay. But u I will follow up on that. Okay, great. So, we're progressing.
Uh, the CDBG 2024 grant, um, contractor was supposed to start today. Um, he brought some equipment out and then I think he dropped some off at at public works. Um, and there was an issue with the markouts. The markouts weren't
completed. He's blaming the the markout company. Um, he said he called it in and it it didn't get done. Um his story is that somebody from the Markout company had a death in the family and things got lost and it didn't
get marked out. So he called a new one uh and trying to expedite that. As soon as that mark out is done, he's going to start um over on uh Goucher and Memorial um that that area first on the side.
I'll keep everyone by email of what's happening with that. um the Union Avenue boat ramp. Uh I left I put on your on your desk um conceptual plan and a photograph. What we're proposing to do
is extend the the paving portion out 30 feet with concrete. And after that, that's what this picture is. It's it's called a geoc cell or a geo web. Uh it's a material you you you can put down. Um and it's it's mainly used for for
emergency access because you can fill it with anything you want. Um and the reason for that is we we're going to excavate the existing material, put the geo web down, and then use that institute material, the virgin
material back in place. Um and that's the most um environmentally friendly way to do it. If need be, we can we may have to some planning in there to call it a living shoreline.
Um they're not going to last, but at least for approval purposes. Uh and that will be it's it's actually H20 loaded, so it's it's it can it can hold um regular highway vehicles for the strength of it. And we're going to go all the way out. What
we're proposing is to go out to the low water line. We can't go past the low water line because then they're really going to get out there. It's about the freshwater muscles. Um so we're showing it going to low water line which is about well it's 97 ft plus 30. So it's
120 ft um out and it'll be 30 foot wide. So this geo fencing is going to go 120 ft out from from the existing where the asphalt ends now. Okay. So it be 30 feet
of wide um concrete and then 97 feet dirt and that just gets back filled with dirt. Yeah, that'll get back filled with the dirt we take out that we take out. We'll put it right back in. Um and again the state may want us to put plants in
there or um we dig up any freshwater muscles and they would go back in just go right back in place. Essentially, what it's doing is just it's giving you stability that you'll be able to drive any vehicles out to you won't fall in the mud. Won't fall in the mud unless you drive off of it.
So, I don't know how good the guys are at backing up boats, but Okay, good. So, it's But it's 30 ft wide. It's as wide as the street. So, yeah, I'd like to share this with the fire chief since he's the one who would have the boats out there. I'll run this by Scott and Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And any any
comments or suggestions, feel free. Um, but we will be I'll wait to hear from you on on that, Matt. And then I'm going to send it to D and Army Corps for preliminary informal review just to make sure they say there's no way we're going to let you do this or yeah, it looks
good or com. Um, on the discussion list, mayor, is the DOT 26 2026. Do you want me to talk about that now? Sure. Um, we we looked at the roads in town and and it's getting more and more
difficult to get a a road that really meets a good criteria to get the maximum amount of money um for the grant, but we did look at and I think it's a good option is Hickory Street. You know, we have that drainage problem. Yep. Um the
pipes are are bad and we just did well going to be starting um but we got the last year's grant to do Walnut Street up to Hickory. So So this is next to a school next to a playing field. Um it's connecting
previous project and we're going to consider we're going to call it a safety issue. um that that the pipe could collapse and so that gives you more points on the safety issue involved and I think it's a pretty good okay chance we'll get the maximum amount of money
for that great yeah and we did a rough estimate and it's it would come in about to what we would normally buy for two to 300,000 range yeah it's going to be probably somewhere around exactly two 300 so if everyone is okay with that we can
we can move on and we'll prepare resolution. We have another month for the resolution. It does have to be done before the application is done, but it's nice to get it done as part of the application. Um, I'm good with that. Everybody else? Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. So, we could have the Yeah, we
could have the resolution on for the July 23rd meeting. Yeah, the June. Yeah, June, I'm sorry. June. Yep. And then we'll have the application ready for the July 1 deadline. Sounds good. What what what do we do
about the tree roots in hickory? Well, that's we address this. We cut them out once, but it's going to come back because that's got to be addressed before it gets really bad in there. We're going to replace that whole pipe. Yeah, that the pipe needs to be replaced. Every joint is is and we would
get the funding through that DOT grant for that. Great. Good plan. Um I one last thing. Um mayor, the we did meet as you know. um yourself and and Mr. Bartlett. Um we
met with um and the police department and we met with PSAG for their guest line replacement program. They're scheduled to start next Monday. Um and they're going to start over by Orchard and Walter Vine
Cedar. Cedar at that that section over there first. Um they're figuring that's going to take them about a week to get just the main in. And how it works for in case anybody needs to know, they install the the main first and then they come back and replace all the services.
Um including if you have a meter that's inside your house by law, they have to locate it outside of your house. So if you know anybody in in town because it's it's going to be townwide this program. Um, so if your meter is in the house, you're going to have to have it
relocated to the outside. The public service bounce it, but but they have to do that. And they actually I talked to Deon. He's a supervisor over the project was doing Kazoo Street and I went out and talked to him because the mark outs on Rocus and I'm having a driveway put
in and he's going to stop to see me Monday because I'm not that's the vicinity of where they're starting. But he didn't list they didn't list copus. Yeah, they're they're not doing copus. They're not going to do it this year. They're not going to do it at all. They already have high pressure. This high
pressure my but my meter is in my house. Oh, the meter that's another story that they at some point in time they're going to come to you and say you have to replace your meter. That's not part of this project. Okay, good. But they have to dig outside to do that. Yeah. They
have to dig a hole in your yard to So I'm just to make sure when I put my driveway in that it's beyond that. It'll be beyond that. I guess it's in the streets. Yeah, I'm sure you called for mark out so you know. Yeah, the mark's there. So, yeah. Okay. Yeah, you that'll
be done. That's just under a separate program. Okay. And then homeowners will get notified uh via email, phone call, door hangers letting them know um when the construction's going to start and they have to move their vehicles. And we're going to get a map out to all the residents as well once we get that
from PS. Yes. Township will post as well. All right. Thank you, Harry. Uh Mr. Heinhold, anything to report? Um I just want to briefly mention the affordable housing process that we're in. The uh planning board is meeting
tomorrow night. They are having the public hearing on the fourth round housing element and fair share plan that addresses our uh statemandated need of 50 units. As I've discussed at previous meetings,
because of prior planning and actions by the township, um we are going to be able to address that without the need for new construction, either inclusionary or 100% affordable. and um Mary Beth Longhan has issued a
draft plan. The board is anticipated to act on that tomorrow night. Once they act on that, at our uh I guess it's June 23rd meeting, we will have a resolution to endorse that affordable housing element. And um because again of a
surplus of units and affordable housing trust fund money, we are in a position to um negotiate with current properties who may need some um long-term, you know, HVAC or other
substantial uh investments in their property. we can supply money that is of no cost to the taxpayer through the trust fund and um and gain extensions on existing controls to further benefit the municipality in terms of its affordable housing
compliance. So if anybody has any interest in that issue um I believe Mary Beth Ling is going to be there tomorrow night at the meeting or somebody from her office to go over uh the elements of that. But uh the township again is in a very good position relative to affordable housing.
And that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. Uh, Mr. um, we're not going to do towns administrator because Mr. Schwab's on vacation. Lucky him. All right, department heads, Mr. Fenomore. Yes.
Good evening. Um, we picked up 60 cubic yards of brush. We picked up um, we cut all township properties four times. How we did that? With all the rain we had, we did we dodged a lot of it. um put a half a ton of asphalt and that
was mostly on Burlington Avenue, the parade route. Uh we moved three trees out of West Avenue that fell over from the wind. We had a real big one fall over today out at the island that blocked the
road, but we took care of it. Um we got all the flags up. We got a lot of flags now. Um that's good. So, we uh we lined the ball field 11
times. We uh lined the soccer field one time. Uh we delivered eight yards of cubic mulch people that bought it and that's it. Thank you. Thanks for cleaning up that mess. Uh
that I don't know what happened, but when I saw that, that was one heck of a mess. Yeah. So, the recreation cleaned out their shed, uh 20 years worth of stuff piled up and public works had their dump truck out there for us so we could put everything in the dump truck
and we spent four hours neatly piling everything in the dump truck and somebody came by and threw it all out last night on the ground. So they they threw that glitter glue or whatever that was all over. Yeah. It was quite the
mess. It filled just about a half of a dumpster. Yeah. Now we have half of a shed open. I got rid of everything. Three quarters of a shade. Yeah. And uh thanks for the guys coming out that uh Sunday a couple Sundays ago to get rid of that tree that came down on uh Second
Street. Oh yeah. Yep. That was a great job getting the town ready for the also. Uh when I talk about trees, um I waited till to make sure any other trees needed to come down, I turned them into the shade tree. So I will definitely be going out with the list. Okay. This
week. Okay. Great. To get the bids. I was I was going to wait and see instead of doing it a month ago, but I was waiting to make sure that there weren't any more dead trees. And so yeah. Okay. We're looking for an updated list. Good.
Okay. Okay. Thanks. Uh Chief Warren, good evening everyone. For the month of May for our police uh statistical data, we had uh total 25 police cases. We had 57 motor
vehicle violations issued with a total for the year of 320. Uh total police cases for 101. We had 193 motor vehicle stops for a total for the year of 801 and for the month calls for service had
1,12 total for the year 4,891. So the officers have been very busy. Um we able to participate in the parade last week obviously with leading and providing uh security for the side streets. Um the additional staff helped
immensely. Last year I had to have four sheriff's officers come to help out with uh staffing and we didn't need that this year. We were able to staff it ourselves and everything went well. Some hiccups, but they're the normal ones. Um also, I'm in the pre-planning stages for
having our first ever National Night Out. That'll be on August 4th. So, there's more information be coming in the weeks ahead, but uh looking pretty good. So, that's that's it for now. Great. Thank you. And uh on that note, just uh a bit of
housekeeping. The June the J the August 4th meeting um that township committee usually has on the first Monday is going to be moved to August 11th so that we can attend the national night out community event on the 4th. So mark your calendars for that
change. Okay. U moving on to Oh, I'm sorry. Janice, anything to report down there in your department? Um, just to let everyone know, um, if you are registered Republican or Democrat, we have the
primary on June 10th, 2025. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. And early voting starts tomorrow, Tuesday, June 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. And then Sunday, June 8th from
10:00 a.m. to 6 pm. They've added a new location. We've added the Willingboro Public Library at 220 Willenboro Way, but they've also added added the Cinnamonson Community Center at 902 Manor Road. There are several other places uh throughout the county, but the
closest ones are the Willing Public Library and the Cinnamon Community Center on Me Road. So, that's for early voting, which starts tomorrow through Sunday. That's it. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Janice. Okay, moving on to the consent agenda. 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. We are going to um remove resolution 2025-88 from the consent agenda. Anybody
have anything else they would like to remove? Okay. Ordinance 2025-8, an ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township of Delanco providing for and determining the rate of compensation of officers employees. This is the first reading by title only and set public
hearing date for June 23rd, 2025 at 7 p.m. Resolution 2025-87, resolution calling for the restoration of energy taxes to municipalities. Resolution 89 authorizing the purchase of a stand-on commercial mower under a source
cooperative purchasing contract in accordance with NJSA4A col 11-1 at seek resolution 90 authorizing the purchase of a police vehicle under state cooperative purchasing contracts resolution 91 authorizing the purchase of security cameras and related equipment and
software for historic waterfront park under cooperative pricing agreement resolution 92 authorizing assignment of contract from Fitzroen company to IT Wise LLC for IT service resolution 93 authorizing the execution of a first amendment to the agreement of sale for
the purchase of improved real property at 401 Creek Road block 2100 lot 11 payment of bills current fund $732,71128 payroll $145,561.75 escrow trust $1,745.50 50 housing trust
$45.75 grants fund $2,643.37 approval of minutes from March 17th and April 7th. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Motion by Matt, second by Phil. Roll call, please. Mr. Bartlett, yes.
Mrs. Patrick, yes. Mr. McFaden, yes. And Miss Seuss? Yes. Okay. So, we are going to um table resolution 2025-88 and we're going to move the discussion of it to uh
the discussion items um momentarily after public comment. Any correspondence to remove uh to report? I have none. Okay. Meeting is going to be open to the public for comments and questions. This is session two. If you'd like to come up to speak on any general matters, please
state your name and address for the record. Meeting is open to the public. Zire Carter 19 Fawn Court. Uh good afternoon uh Deleno Township Committee. Uh first and foremost, I just wanted to thank you for
your steadfast commitment to Delanco and to your ongoing dedication to public service. Uh while I may not be an elected official, I also do work in public service and I do appreciate all that you've done and all that you continue to do for the residents of this
community. Uh as we all know, the proposed purchase of 401 Creek Road is poised to be a central topic of discussion in our community over the coming months. And that's where I'd like to begin. I'd first like to start by by saying that I understand I fully
understand and respect the perspectives of those who support the purchase. The appeal of acquiring land as a long-term asset for the township vision of opportunity and growth. These are not inconsequential arguments. However, I I
also do not believe that there is a single person in this room or in Delano who does not want to see our town succeed or to thrive or to prosper. Our visions may differ, but our hopes for this community are shared. All right. Our divergence lies not in our desire
for progress, but rather in our beliefs about the best path to achieve it. It's important to acknowledge the genuine concerns residents have raised. Chief among them the impact on taxes. Now, we already know that there's going to be a $104 increase in the municipal
tax, which is completely separate and unrelated to the purchase of 401 Creek Road. Additionally, that 401 figure does not include any bond related costs such as the rate. And I understand why we don't have that figure. While also the current school bond does not increase
taxes, I'm not sure if that may hold true in future years. And according to the presentation that was given here a few weeks ago, the per the 401 purchase will also result in a property act uh increase tax increase described as minimal. Now, I
believe it's worth acknowledging that what is minimal for one person may be significant for another. And when these tax increases are considered not in isolation, but rather in conversation and relation with each other, I think they begin to accumulate, and understandably that accumulation gives
residents cause for concern. I have to admit, I'm also a bit surprised about some of the responses that I've heard to some of these concerns, especially the idea of, well, I guess, you know, your taxes are going to go up anyway, so might as well. You know, that seems like a pretty bold take. You know, to me, if
people are already worried about higher taxes, the answer isn't to simply pile on another one and speed things up. There are both short-term and long-term effects to this purchase. It might not directly impact us tomorrow or next week or even this year, but what about the
next year or the year after that? One thing that we do know for sure is that costs only go up. And these concerns are not theoretical. They are real and they are felt deeply by residents across Deleno. At Thursday night's town hall, I had the
privilege of speaking with a woman who shared with me her reason for signing the petition to bring about the people's referendum on July 29th. I've spoken with many residents across Delanco about the potential purchase of 401, but her reason struck a different chord with me.
She said that she signed the petition not for herself, but because she didn't want her friends or her neighbors, people who she knows, people who she cares about to be priced out of Deleno. And I thought, what a remarkable
expression of empathy. I mean, at a time when it's easy to focus on how a decision might affect me, here was someone that was thinking of others. And it reminded me why my mom chose to move us here nearly 20 years ago. It's because of this community, right?
Because Delenko is a place where we look out for one another. This town has never been defined merely by the parcels of land that it owns or the value of its assets, but rather the strength and the integrity and the kindness of its people. The people are the heartbeat of
this town. You know, when I was um when I was young and and and stubborn, or should I still pretty stubborn. So, when I was just young, uh and my mom was bugging me to do something, she would always I would always tell her I would say, "Mom, I hear you. I hear you. I hear you." And my mom would reply, "I
know you hear me, but are you listening?" And uh lately, I've been challenging myself to do more than just to hear people in order to respond, but I've been working on at least trying to listen in order to understand. And I do understand why many are inspired by the
possibilities that this land could offer, what it might become for Delanco's future. But but I I have to ask, if pursuing that vision comes at the expense of some of our most vulnerable, if the very people that this project is meant to serve end up being
potentially priced out and unable to remain in town, can we truly call that progress? Thank you for your comments. It's over five minutes. Just want to let you know. Thank you for that. Thank you. Can I have the courtesy of being able to conclude my remarks? How much longer do you have? 45 seconds. Go ahead. Thank
you. Can we in good conscience call that progress? Can we in good faith say that that's the right path for Delano? And that's a question that each of us is meant to answer for ourselves and it's one that I've been reflecting on deeply in recent weeks. I'd like to close with
a quote from a national treasure and a personal hero of mine, uh, Dr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said that everybody can be great because anybody can serve. I believe Dr. King understood as we all do that true leadership is not
measured by the titles that we hold or the offices that we occupy but rather the service that we give, the voices that we uplift and the people that we stand up to protect. And you don't have to agree with me. All I ask is that you listen with respect. listen with respect
and seek to understand just as I have sought to understand you. Thank you to the committee for your time, for your efforts, and I do look forward to the people's referendum on July 29th. Thank you. Thank you.
Anyone else? Going once, going twice. Meeting is closed to the public. Okay. So we have already covered the discussion item for the municipal aid
grant for DOT. Um okay so we are moving on to the proposed ordinance an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 295 vehicles and traffic of the township of Blanco um amending the municipal code for the prohibition of engine braking or jailbreaking as it may
be known to some. Let's pull that up here. Okay. So, I was um contacted by a resident a while ago that lives on Coopertown Road and then he contacted me again recently. Um having some issues with some
jailbreaking, obviously, some noise near the lumber factory area, but just in general. So, he had asked if we could put up some signs to ask the tractor trailer drivers to not use their their engine braking, which I learned really should only be used in like a an incline
situation. Is that correct, Chief? Is that how you know it? I'm not a truck driver, so Okay, I want to ask. So, um when I looked into it, we actually need an ordinance on our books to to prevent that and to enforce that. So, um I asked Mr. Heinhold to do that. Um and he has
done so. So it's typically used for safety on long steep grades which are not characteristic of our relatively flat flat topography in township and its general use is not necessary for our typical uh road safety in town. So um proposing this ordinance to establish
unifying prohibition of engine braking within our jurisdiction and then to authorize enforcement and signs that are consistent with New Jersey law. Anybody have anything they want to talk about? I've seen a number of our uh neighboring communities and communities along the
waterfront have I don't know about their ordinances. They at least have signs up for uh no Jake breaking engine uh breaking. Yeah, I think it would help the resident I know exactly who it is because he has concerns every year and it Yeah, it would show him that we're moving
forward. Actually, it's a different resident. It's another one. Yeah. Um that's good. I think it's a good thing. Yeah, especially because of all the, you know, the increased traffic we truck traffic we've had and it does affect everybody's quality of life. I'm sure the crossings here is it landing here is it. So, I think it's the the least we
can do to um find a balance. So, violations proposed first offense is $100, $200 for second and subsequent offenses. And if they did have to use their their um engine break, they'd have to prove why and why it was necessary.
Um, I don't know how that makes your job easier or not, but it honestly doesn't make it hard because we're going to have another problem that we always do. We're not there to hear that, right? So, when they call and say that a truck did so, they're going to have to come to the
station and sign a complaint. Yeah. Which they refuse to do, right? Or we'll get calls a day later or a week later. that one resident that Kate was referring to historically would call or send an email prior to leaving the
country, you know, about something that happened weeks prior. So again, the enforcement of it, unless we actually witness it, yeah, of course, then we're going to we can site right on scene, but more often than not, it'll be a call that we receive and for the enforcement of it, they're going to have to come
sign a complaint because they witnessed it. Yeah. So my hope is that the signs might be a deterrent to the if it's happening. Yeah. Well, apparently it is because he's brought it up to me a couple times. So Oh, sure. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I don't know if it's just they never but they never call us. I think
they have signs. They don't call They don't call the police cuz what is it what is the purpose of calling you? That's one of the problems. People call they're calling the people at a sign more than anything. So, but if it's enforcement of traffic, they should be contacting the police. They call everyone but who they should be calling. Oh, don't we? We deal with this all the
time. You got to refer them to call the police. Non-emergency number. They don't have to call 911. 461 011 511. I mean, they can call and we can respond, but they, you know, that number is not um given to Facebook on a daily basis. Some
people go to Facebook to complain. It's all over. It's free. At the same time though, chief, if they did call right now, you wouldn't be able to enforce anything. No, but I'm saying but they don't call at all. Right. So calling you does nothing, Matt. Right. But at least you can give them the process by telling
them exactly file. Exactly. We can walk them through it or calling you doesn't do that. It's not that difficult. Then we're playing emails and whatnot. And again, now it's a week later. So that they call us, we can run you through it and it's a lot eas.
Yeah. There's a lot of stuff we can do when we're told. Sure. Well, at least this gives us the the teeth to enforce it and install signs on the county roads. Once we have this done, we're good to go, right? What you got to do as soon as we put the signs up, we got to send it to the county where they're at
when they were put up and then they'll sign off on them. Okay. Okay. So, can we consider this as first reading? Um, Doug, yes. And set the public hearing date for now. Where we where we going to put them at? Wherever your heart desires. That's not my work that way
there because it's a county road. Oh, you got to curve. I don't know. It's not my department. You guys can figure that out. Put them put them at the entrance to town on each county road. That's a well near definitely on Coopertown Road
along here on Burlington Avenue. Boise Cascade is where uh Kennedy is. I would put them right where all the traffic, all the truck traffic is. Definitely put one at Boise. That's a big problem. Yeah. And they
should they should be put at the entrance to town, right? On the on each of the county roads because otherwise on Coopertown, Coopertown, Burlington A and Creek Road, Burlington A and Burlington A. Yeah. So, we can talk about that in our public works subcommittee so we don't have to get hung up on that. But
um so, okay. So, we can introduce ordinance 2025- Which one is it, Janice? Nine. Thank you. Nine. So, we do have to read the title again. Yes, I'm going to an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 295 vehicles and traffic of the
township of Delo Municipal Code for the prohibition of engine breaking. This is first reading by Kyle only set public hearing date for June 23rd, 2025 7:00 p.m. Thank you. Can I get a motion?
Second. Motion by Kate, second by Matt. Roll call, please. Mr. Bartlett. Yes. Mrs. Patrick. Yes. Mr. McFazzen. Yes. Mus. Yes. Thank you. All right. So, we are going to go into
executive session for um an interview. We don't anticipate that we will come back with any um business after that. Um you are more than welcome to stay, but once we come back, we'll probably more than likely just uh adjourn the meeting. So
um thank you all for coming. And can I get a resolution for executive session, please? Yes, that'll be resolution 2025-94. Yes. Yeah. 2025-94 to go into executive session for personnel matters. Yes. Uh, can I get a motion, please? So
move. Second. A roll call. Mr. Bartlett. Yes. Mrs. Patrick. Yes. Mr. McFaden. Yes. Miss Seuss. Yes. Thank you. So I believe the township committee is going to adjourn to the conference
room, but we'll come back here to adjourn the meeting, the public meeting. Yes. Yes. Mayor, would you like me to end the live stream? Yes, please. [Applause] Thank you everyone. We're going into
executive