Delco Township Committee meeting of June 2nd, 2025, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Delo Township Municipal Building, 770 Coopertown Road, Delanco, New Jersey. [Music] Oh, we are recording.
Good evening. Welcome to uh June 2nd Steno Township Committee meeting located here at 770 Coopertown Road. Road call. Roll call, please. Mr. Bartlett here, Mrs. Fer 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. Fenmore, 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. 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 Ron County Times in uh BCT and Courier Post and
published in the Ron County Times on the February 23rd, 2025 edition and in the Courier Post on February 25th, 2020, 20 2025 edition. Written notice has been posted on the official bulletin board of the town of Deleno is 48 hours prior to the meeting. This meeting of the Delo
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 Deleno 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 a second reading by title only 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? Some 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. McB. Yes. M. 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 poke myself in the eye with this thing. Good evening again, Mike Temple at 621 Delaware. Uh just wanted to make some comments on
a resolution 2025-88 uh township resolution against the New Jersey uh 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 uh NJ rail rules rules 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 uh been involved in that uh various things
um 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 involved in that. Um I
think some 200 meetings were held with various stakeholders, uh public meetings, municipal officials, uh builders, uh environmental groups, 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, um 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 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 uh dramatic dramatic and very forwardthinking uh regulations that the DP is is proposing. And that's a big change and uh we got to stop u
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 wherees down the road here it says mutually agreed to amend the agreement a 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
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, there's 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. It'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. 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 up on the private developments uh the middleing logistics center um that were by where Petson 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 only approved grading plan. So I asked them to send me a revised plan so I can agree with 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 and in a firm along the street uh which is 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 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 separate
bond um and release the rest of the development um we've done that in the past in other developments and I don't did he send that to you Janice I did not receive that okay he good the process he asked to submit that to the clerk that request to clerk 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 release that part that bond place a new bond just for the basing work. 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 it on? Where's it at? It's right out front. It's right at Wrong Street. Harry, it's R Street. Wrong Street. Okay. Yeah. Can't miss it. It's been there for long. I must strawberry right there. Excited. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I'll take a look at that.
Um the 2024 local aid um that as you know was was awarded to um Dave Plus. We had worked with Dave Plus in town several times in and out of town. Um those ones actually made his second street.
So, it it's um that we're ready possibly getting in contact 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 around send one out seeing what dates everyone's available for the pre-construction meeting on that. Um and
then construction should start within the next few weeks after that. Um the Zubro Waterfront Park, um the 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 there coming in this week to to install that. Um first off, they put the footings in and then just package in and build up. Uh they
also uh the the railing that's going to go on top of the seaw wall. Um that's being delivered on Friday. Um cleans 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 practice is almost done because they don't want any damage to happen to construction. But they want to make sure that they're in St. B and they're doing it correctly and cleansing will supplies them all day Friday uh installing a portion of that. Good. So, so that'll be
up and at least be able to see what it looks like and uh the rest of it will go up when as I said when the project is complete and they're going to store that in a box truck and keep it at public works, right? Yes. Yeah. 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 to graded anyway. Yeah. So, yeah, I I'm going to clean that up. Are they pouring tomorrow? They are supposed to. Yes.
Good. We have a good week of weather. So, um yeah, they they're they're moving along pretty pretty well, actually. Um they have their foundations done for the the lunch. Um unfortunately they all filled up with
that storm. So that's got to dry out a little bit but 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 the message with my contact. Um okay
I will follow up from 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 I think he got off as hard works. Um, and there
was an issue with the markouts. Uh, the markouts weren't completed. He's blaming the the Markout company. Um, he said he called it in, it didn't get done. Um his story is that some people weren't going out
and death family and things got lost and didn't mark out. So he called me uh and trying to escalate that as soon as that mark is done starting and
that that area on the side. So I'll keep everyone by email prior to what's happening with that. uh 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 to extend the the paving portion out 30 ft of concrete. Then after that, that's what this picture is. It's called geocat cell or geo web. Uh it's a material you you
put down. Um and it's it's mainly used for emergency access one. And the reason for that is we we're going to excavate the existing materials
down and use that institute material material back in place. Um and that's the most environmentally friendly way to do it. If need be, we can we can put some planning in there, call it a living
shoreline. Um, I will last, but at least for approval purposes. Uh, and that will be it's it's actually 20 loaded. So, it's it can hold um regular highway vehicles
to the strength. And we're going to go all the way out. What we're proposing is go out to the low water line. We can't go past low water line because then they're really going to get after about the pressure of the muscles. Um so showing going to low water line which is
about well it's 97 ft plus 30 so 120 ft um and it'll be 30. So this geo fencing is going to go 120 ft out from from the existing where the
actual ends now. Okay. Because be 30 ft is 97 wide concrete and then 97 ft dirt and that just gets back filled with dirt. Yeah, that'll get back filled with dirt. We take the sand that we take out,
we'll put right back in. Um and again the state may want us to put plants in there or um take up any pressure with the muscles they go back in. It's a great kind of place. essentially just give you stability that you'll be able to drive
any vehicles out. 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 to get this, but guys are boats, but good. So, it's but it's 30 ft wide. So, it's wide as 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. So yeah, any any comments or suggestions feel free. Um but we will be I'll wait to hear from you on that and then govern and encou
[Music] 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 a little 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. Yep. Um the pipes are were bad and we just did well starting but we got
last year's grant to do Walnut Street up the hill. So so this is next to a school that's still playing field um connecting previous project and we're going to consider we're going to call it a safety issue um that the collapse and so that
one point is around and I think pretty good. Okay. Chance we'll get the maximum amount of money for that. Great. And we did a rough estimate and it would come in about to what? Two to 300,000 range. Yeah. It's going to be probably somewhere around exactly
two 300. Yeah. Yeah. So, if everyone's okay with that, we can we can move on and we'll prepare the resolution. We have another month for the resolution before the application is done, but it's nice to get that
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. June June, I'm sorry. June. And then we'll have the application
ready for the July 1 deadline. Sounds good. And then what what do we do about the tree roots and hickory? Well, that's we're going to address this. We cut them out once, but we're 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. The pipe needs to be replaced. How you doing is And we would get the funding through that DOT grant for that. Great. Good plan. Um I want one last thing. Um, mayor
me that as you know um yourself and and department um we met with um and police department and we met with PSG for their gas line replacement program. They're scheduled to start next Monday.
Mhm. Um and they're going to start over by orchard and water line cedar cedar that that section over there first. Um they're figuring that's going to take them about a week to get just
the main thing right and how it works for in case they ever need anything done. 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 it located outside the house. So, if you know anybody in
Indiana, but it's it's going to be townwide this program. Um, so if you need me is in the house, you're going to have to have it relocated. Yeah. Public, but they have to do that. And they actually I talked to Devin um he's the
supervisor over the project he was doing Kazoo Street and I went out and talked to him because the mark's on Rancokus 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 Rancus. Yeah they're not doing they're not going to do it this year. They're not going to do it at all. They already have high pressure high pressure. But my but my meter is in my house. Oh, the meter that's another story. They they at some point in time they're going to come to
you and say they have to fix your meter, but 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 do that. So, I'm just want to make sure when I put my driveway in that it's beyond that. It'll
be beyond that. It's in the street. I'm sure you call for a mark out so you know. Yeah, the markout's there. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, that'll be done. That's some 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. You're welcome.
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 Lan 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 parent 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 very good position relative to affordable housing. That's all I have. Mayor, thank you. Uh Mr.
um we're not going to do town 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 we put a half a ton in asphalt and that was mostly on Brillian Avenue, the parade
route. Uh, we moved uh 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 fields 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. That I don't know what happened, but
when I saw that, that was one heck of a mess. Yeah. So, recreation cleaned out their shed. uh 20 years worth of stuff piled up and public works had their dump truck out there for us to put everything in a dump truck and we spent four hours neatly piling everything in a 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. Yes. Now we have quite a bit half of a shed open. They got rid of very three quarters of a shed. Yeah. And uh thanks to 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. Great job getting
the town ready for the Also u talking about trees. Um I waited till to make sure any other trees needed to come down. I turned them into the shade trees. So I will definitely be going out with the list. Oh, good. 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 of 25 police cases. We had 57 motor vehicle violations issued with a total for the
year for 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, you 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. We didn't need that this year. We were able to staff 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, it is 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 a registered Republican or Democrat, we have the primary on June 10th, 2025. Polls open
6:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. And early voting starts tomorrow, Tuesday, June 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. And then Sunday, June 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They've added a new
location. We've had the Willing Public Library at 220 Willing 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 Centeraments and Community Center on Manor Road. So, that's for early voting, which starts tomorrow through Sunday. That's it. Thank you, Mayor. 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 wall 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 T 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.
Miss Fitzpatrick, yes. Mr. McFaden, yes. And Miss 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 correspondents 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 $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 Deleno 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 Delano. 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 Delanco 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 Deleno'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 Deleno? 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. from 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 Blanko 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. [Music] 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,
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 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' I've seen a number of our uh neighboring communities and communities along the waterfront have I don't know about the ordinances they at least have signs up for no Jake breaking engine uh
breaking I think it would help that resident I know exactly who it is because he has concerns every year and it it would show him that we're moving forward actually it's a different resident it's another one yeah that's 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 And it does affect everybody's quality of life. I'm sure the crossings here is it. Newton's 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. The 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 they're going to have to come sign a complaint because they
witnessed it. Yeah. Right. So, my hope is that the signs might be a deterrent to that if if it's happening. Yeah. Well, apparently it is cuz he's brought it up to me a couple times. So, Oh, sure. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I don't know if it's coming around, but 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 mayor. I think he wanted 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, we deal with this all the time. You got to refer them to call the police.
Non-emergency number. You don't have to call 911. 461 01151. I mean, they can call and we can respond, but they, you know, that number is 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 Exactly. Exactly. We can walk them through it.
But calling you doesn't do that. Not that difficult. And 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 easier do the rest of patrol. Yeah. A lot of 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 and 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 It doesn't work that way though because
it's a county road. No, you got to travel. Yeah. 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 where they wanted them. 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, but definitely put one at Boise Cascade. That's a big problem. And they should they should be put at
the entrance to town, right? On the on each of the county roads because otherwise 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.
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. So, it'll be Yes, I'm going to an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 295, vehicles and traffic of the
township of Dango uh municipal code for the prohibition of engine braking. This is first reading by title only. that public hearing date for June 23rd, 2025, 7 o'clock p.m. Thank you. Can I get a motion? Move.
Second. Motion by Kate, second by Matt. Roll call, please. Mr. Bartlett, yes. Mrs. Patrick, yes. Mr. McFaren, yes. Miss Seuss. 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. Yeah. 2025-94 to go into executive session for
personnel matters. Yes. Uh can I get a motion, please? So move. Second. 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 um after it's finished with its executive session.
Yes. Yes. Mayor, would you like me to end the live stream? Yes, please. Recorded out of here. John's papers here. We are back in public session after the executive session. Uh and back in public session
in the courtroom. Um mayor, do you have any business that you need to um bring up at this time? No business. No. No. For the record, there is no business coming out of executive session except to adjourn the meeting. Yes. I'll make a
motion that we adjourn. Second. Okay. All in favor? You are journed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Janice.