It's more for recording purpose. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Can we stand and salute the flag, please? I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God,
indivisibley andice for all. Ah, Jamie, could you uh read the sunshine statement, please? Be advised that proper notice has been given by the township council in accordance with the sunshine law in the following manner. Notice advertised in the Burlington County Times and Cam Post on January
8th, 2025 and posted on the bulletin board on the same date. Okay. Roll call, please. Mr. Marorrow, here. Mrs. here. Mr. Smith here. Mr. Jenny, here. Mr. Lion here. All right, move on to the work session. Uh, first up we have the
sewer utility annual report. We're going to kick that over to CME, please. All right. Thank you very much. Uh, my name is Keith Chervalo. I'm with CME Associates. I'm a senior vice president and director of the water and wastewater
department. Um, so in accordance with our authorization, we prepared a um sore utility annual report. basically gives um description of the facilities. Um gives an overview of the source
system. Um and accordance uh our preparation included uh site visits to go out to all the pump stations. Uh meeting with the superintendent. Um walk through the treatment plan. Uh look at records uh capital projects,
capital improvements in the past. review of the uh capital improvement plan and compile all that information. So, it's put together in one report for everyone's uh uh reading and enjoyment. But, um so in the report, it goes
through several sections. Uh one of the sections is the uh the collection system um which actually is uh all the lines that are throughout the township. Uh most of the collection system was installed in 1967. is when it uh would all when it all started anyway and that
was the beginning of the uh the installation of it. There's over 64 miles of gravity sore in the system of varying sizes. Um four miles of force man uh nine pump stations you have throughout the the system. Um and three
of those pump stations are still uh an older version called a can type station which they're actually on the capital improvement plan to upgrade those. Um those facilities would have all the pumps and control panels located underground. So the operator has to go
down in a combined space in order to get to those controllers and pumps. So, um, what we've been doing with other stations throughout the township is converting those to a submersible type pump station, which actually makes a, um, kind of like a sump pump in your house. And, um, the operators don't have
to go down into any confined space. Those pumps are removed without having to enter any confined space. So, there's three more of those pump stations left throughout the township that are the can type ones when you hear those referenc. Um, another area in the township is the
uh Swed um basically an interceptor line about 13,000 ft long. Uh runs through the street run area. Uh that line is um all ACP as spec cement plate. Um based on the age of that and the criticality
of that um that main is uh pretty important to the township because of the amount of flow it carries and where it's located. It's um pretty it's in an inaccessible area in most locations. Um so we're actually um have some recommendations in the report to to
evaluate the conditions of that line. Um there's some different alternatives on how you can do that, but they have some methods where they can blow the camera down through there. They use some sonar to see how much material may be collected on the bottom of the pipe and they use some uh light and lasers to
look at the exposed areas that are above the water line and cameras to So, it's a way to get an evaluation and assessment to see the actual condition of that because that that ACP pipe, which you have a lot of throughout town, um it kind of has a lifespan on it with
the the gases that are in that pipe. Uh they say 50, 60, 75 years. You know, it varies depending on the gases. Um we saw the pipe along Route 130 that um you know the you know the gases along there
were pretty bad and attacked the pipe and um it started to deteriorate and and fail there. When you mean gases so everybody understands what that means. You mean just the the fumes and such? Yeah. The hydrogen sulfide gas that's in
the store. Yeah. From it splashing around it generates more of it. It releases it into the air, collects, and it it um basically attacks the upper sections and the exposed sections of the pipe. Usually the crown of the pipe along. So that's a lot.
Yeah. It starts to deteriorate over time. So it'll accelerate. One second. So use your outside voice. Okay. I'm sorry about that. Oh, that's okay. Um, in addition to the collection system, the other uh main component of
your the sore utility is actually the wastewater treatment plant. Um the wastewater treatment plant um collects all the flow from throughout the township. Um the wastewater treatment plant is designed for 2 and a half million gallons a day um is what the
design uh point of the treatment plant is. Um basically the flow goes through different processes as it travels through the plant. Uh there's some screenings in the beginning of the plant. Um it goes through the uh reactors, the three large tanks that are out there that have uh processes in
there. And then it goes through um disc filters that filter out any material that may be in there. Um uh ultraviolet disinfection and then um the flow goes back out into the uh the Rancco. So uh
so that's another part of your system. We walk through there. Um right now there's actually a project that's starting on one of those um those tanks out of the facility. There's three of them. Uh the contractor is getting geared up now and getting ready to begin
their work I believe in the next uh month or two. They they had the pre-construction meeting uh just recently. So we're getting some middles in from them and we're getting ready to start the actual construction and the upgrades to that tank. So that's one out of the three that are out there. What's
the stats of the other two? Um they're operational right now. Um so we need to leave those in operation while we do the one tank. Um so the idea was to get the one tank done um monitor the operations at the plant and then go
out to bid with the second tank after that. So um just over time there's some corrosion. Um some of the steel the upper levels of the steel are starting to there's pin holes in the tanks. Um so they just have to watch the operations
and uh monitor that. But so Keith Keith, can you just add um what the typical life expectancy is for the treatment that we're doing for for the tanks? Um for the tanks themselves? Yeah. Like the last time that we did this in town
when the tank new tank was installed in the the late 90s from my recollection. Yeah, these were installed in the late 90s. Um these tanks are in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Um the majority of all the components are are
underwater. Um in the you know submerged in the sewage. Um a lot of the deterioration that you see on these tanks is right at the water line where it's um just above where it's in the oxygen and then it's in the search. So that's where you get some of the
deterioration mostly. So that's where the concentration of the the upgrades on those tanks is going to be is right around the top where it's in that transition area. Um other than that it'll be replacing components, sand blasting, painting, recoding and general
upgrades. Yeah, we actually did see the work. Yeah, shutting down less water, less shutting down. Yes. Yeah. The the operations will
continue the same. It won't affect there won't be any restrictions needed on flow into the plant. So, I summaries I don't believe they're appropriate. Yeah. For the for the first one. Yeah.
Yeah. They're kind of laid out on the capital plan over um a several year period. Um so the other two I think are probably out five, six, seven years. Yeah.
Yeah. We've we've done similar upgrades to several of the other pump stations over the last few years. Yeah. And it's really just that top r station for several stations have beated and uh I was wondering if we had already
appropriate all the money for all the pumping stations but not I don't believe so but um so okay how much um I believe it's 15 homes, 10 homes.
What's I believe I believe it's only a few homes. There's one pump station over there that goes to uh Riverside, but I think it's very few. I don't know off hand. It's not a a large percentage though. There there's portions of the township that that do go like the new development
that's right off of Chester Avenue like the homes there that eventually goes over to the Riverside treatment plant. Um but a majority of the township population goes you said. So there when the connection applications were were done, there was a
portion of their connections that physically go to Riverside and then there's another portion that actually goes to the the town. There's kind of a demarcation line uh over on that that section of town. Uh just some other general information about the uh your source system. Um the
the operator of the system requires licenses from the NJD. Um your system requires a a C3 license and an S3 license. That's basically for the collection system and the treatment system. um your superintendent has those licenses and above actually on the
collection system. Um so the highest grade licenses are four um and that those licenses vary on the population, types of treatment um the complexity of the treatment plant. So everything you're you're good there. Um you have
all the required licenses and the backup operator has his licenses in case superintendent doesn't know. Do you know how many of our people have licenses? Um, I do not know that offh hand of all the people that have the licenses. I I
know the the the director and um I guess his um assistant both have those. That's wonder people in case they leave or something. Yeah, you you you have the immediate backup. I don't know how far down. Um we can dig into that.
It it is an uh I don't say an issue, but a lot of places are seeking, you know, people with licenses and trying to get people qualify to get those licenses to have. So they are they are valuable to have. Right. for the report.
Um, and the the report also includes a list of the the ongoing capital projects and then the the capital projects that are on the capital improvement plan going forward. Um, so like we talked about before, there's the the project that's going on
at the plant right now, which is the um the tank that's being rehabilitated. Um uh that one's just getting started. I guess Leyon Avenue is some of the collection system work that's going on. Um and we're closing out some other
projects like the Route 130 project. Um there's some smaller projects that were some um water services out of the pump stations that were required to be uh um upgraded with backflers. Um so and then looking into the future like we had talked about there's the
three remaining pan pump stations that are on the capital improvement plan. Um the other two tanks that are out of the treatment plant um are scheduled to be upgraded after the first one's completed. Um the the remainder of the the Leyon
lines are basically from St. the heel and and uh Norman Avenue and Norman Avenue CCTV is part of the Lyon project. And then also as part of all of our road programs, we we're incorporating sewer upgrades and evaluation as um as we go
along. So that's that's a general overview of what's in the what's in the report. Like I said, we update it periodically uh request it, you know, through meetings with the uh the store utility director and um the
other staff and through our through our history here. So, there's any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. The only thing your opinion the overall health of
the system Um, in my opinion, um, the collection system, uh, some of the concerns are some of the aging pipes, especially the ACP. Um, there are sections that are PVC, which those are, you know, in good condition. A lot of the newer sections
are all PVC. Um, so there's some concerns in there. Um, which we have been addressing on like mainly the Route 130 and then the the Swed area. um the treatment plant um it's gone
through some upgrades that have um improved the operations out there over the years. So there's there's been some of the facilities like the screening in the front of the plant. Um that's newer um well in the last 10 15 years talking sore plant new but um the disc filters
that's a newer process. We got rid of the uh the sand filters that were out there and the disc filters. Um so there's been upgrades out there. Um but it's it's one of those things where you have to always stay on top of it so you don't fall behind which um the township's been doing. So, it's been
preparing the capital plan, looking at what they need to do, and then moving forward with that. So, thank you. Anybody else? Yes. One quick question. Um, I know you mentioned Swedes run and uh Route 130. Are there any other ACP
pipe that might concern you in town? Um, I guess Ed can answer some more of this, but also as part of the road program, we they are doing video inspections of the source um to look at the sore so uh we can coordinate with
any u road improvements also and so they're doing evaluations there. Um yeah, I would say to to to you ultimately your question, the areas that would be more concerned are the areas that are more susceptible to gas. So you have your route 130 corridor where we saw what we had in phase one. Um and
then ultimately that discharges into the uh basically where the bridge is over Route 130 there downstream to the fifth street pump station and fifth street down to the plant which is you know a couple miles almost. So those are the areas that are in the
report and just on our end, you know, our our focus versus when you have like the we're doing the road programs, we have ACP in these uh you know, areas, they'll be identified to go on a lining list and then ultimately do you know group those together. Um so we've done
that on some some roads already in town if it's in good enough condition to to leave in place. Thank you very much in the future. They're easier to see. Yeah, we can I mean in the future we can
a larger size drawing, fold it up and stick it in the back so it'll be easier too. I just appreciate that. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Next up is the discussion on the proposed resolution
for civil service exemption and that concerns the police and we have our active chief here and uh if you guys want to uh chime in on that and tell us the gist
of this. Um, the thing I would say is it's something that we can do. Um, there's something that we can do that's going to allow us to legally um without violating any rules um get officers in
the board um at a quicker clip um as long as they I don't want to step on but as long as they've gone to an accredited um course school um that would allow them to circumvent sit for the civil
service desk and drag all that out. Uh in a nutshell, yes. I mean, civil service is giving us this additional tool for recruitment. Uh it's very hard to get officers right now. Um by the time the list comes out, which is roughly November, the next academy is the first one is uh January and Camden.
We can't make that with the timelines, any requirements set forth by the police training commission. The next one after that would be Gloucester and that's even tough to make. So with this additional tool, it will enable us to go to job fairs. Instead of telling the people, take the test in March. We'll know in November if we can hire you. We're
losing candidates to other towns. Edgewater was able to hire four or five. Detective Wagner has looked into this a lot more. Um we know other towns are getting officers quicker. Cinnamonson, I believe, Willingboro. Um so it's just another tool in our arsenal to help. And you know, we have a couple job fairs.
One at Ruckers. Uh we're going to try and host one on May 7th. Actually, we have it advertised. We are going to host um and it's just going to give us another tool to get uh officers quicker. You know, they're they are not trained. They have to be trained like within nine months. Nine months. Nine months. We
have to get them trained through a PPC certified academy. We just found another academy up in Ocean County with the lieutenant and I visited, you know, which we would find acceptable to use. Um and that class starts in November, which is very good. It's a night academy runs from like 2 pm to 10 p.m. You know,
the normal course is about six months. Um it's just 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. So it's about the same distance whether we go to Gloucester or Camden an hour give or take with traffic and uh there'll be less traffic at that time. But it's another academy in between that if we had this resolution in place and it was
approved you know by council and all that that we could get officers quicker. Yeah, I know that the mayor and I know obviously works to hire some more officers
up this app and soon as we can get this Um yeah I don't see a problem unless anybody is yes the rest of the groups on board it just it just involved the resolution. So Tom I think you summed it up accurately
and chief you kind of summed it up from there as well. It's not really an exception or bypassing civil service. It's right in the civil service statute. So it's a tool that they give you. Um like you said it kind of avoids the oh list that whole thing and have to wait.
uh you can go out and recruit and then once you have that officer in mind, they then have a ninemonth period to graduate from that PTC course. What you guys would have to do as a council is adopt a resolution just to give yourself the ability to avail yourself of that option and then you just have to make sure that
you have a nepotism policy in place as well, which I believe you do, but we'll double check it. But again, that's just to avoid any kind of nepotism. So civil service kind of cuts all that out. If you're going to be hiring in this fashion, they just want to make sure that you have a neat policy in place. they have certain language they need you
to have as well. So, we'll double check and make sure your deficits and policy is consistent, but if everyone's on board, yeah, you can proceed with that resolution. And um fast forward five years down the
road, we can use this as a tool or use process. Correct. This is just something that you can use and I'm not even sure if it will exist 5 years from now. something that kind of came into play when towns were having trouble recruiting police officers or having trouble with the hiring process. It was
kind of talked about as probably being a temporary thing, but it still exists. You can still avail yourself of it. Um, so five years down the road, yeah, you could still make either choice if this still exists. If this doesn't exist, then you're just back to what you normally do. It's like having a hammer and a finish. Yeah. I mean, I would
still want to use civil service list when when it's possible, you know, that's a good tool to have, you know, just But they're able spoke to Matt and uh you know we spoke about his you know the department's needs and the recruiting
with Versail has them signs out there they're in the same boat Keno and um you know we talked about a few things and we can obviously discuss them issues as we move on um you know talking about a traffic you know traffic department or a group of guys just for traffic I think that's an excellent something that we
got to look into. But yeah, I think it's a great idea and something that, you know, I don't think anybody in town would have a problem. Something just so you see it in your packet, you do have a resolution from from an adjacent town who's done it. So that kind of gives you an idea of what the
resolution I mean, Detective, I just want to thank him for everything he's done. get the timeline and got peer-to-peer interviews and you know backgrounds. There's a lot that has to be done in you know relatively short amount of time. Thank you very much.
Thank you. All right. Next up, we have 2025 sewer claims. Um, I was going through these. Um, I'm
I'm sure everyone else has too. I don't know if Jamie, you want to make any comments on it. Um, I just had some concerns with one on here. I had Jamie take a look at the usage for the first
uh three months of this year and it looks like that usage is the same if not higher. So, I don't know if that one is something we should approve or not, but do you want to expound on any of these?
Um, or do you want to go through them one by one or uh actually if if if you can um the really expound on that number three um and some of the concerns that I had and if anybody else that looked at it
had those concerns. So, the first two on the list item just listed the account numbers, um I left the addresses off um but they both submitted um that they had leaks. They were repaired. The claims are there. Um for number one, their usage for the
first three months of 2025 went down to 40,000 gallons. Uh their 2025 billing is based on 132,000 gallons. And you can see what they were in previous years. So, my recommendation is the we always look at the average the last three
years. So my recommendation is 35. Um same thing with number two, they submitted all their receipts. Um in 2022 they had 14,000 gallons, 1010, and in 2025 104. Um there was a
leak. They submitted their water bills from New Jersey American Water and the receipts for the repair in the first three months of 2025. So for next year's billing, they're 6,000 gallons. Um so they're back to the minimum. My recommendation is 11,000 gallons and
that'll put them right around the minimum billing. Um number three is the one that we had a couple Tom had a couple questions on. Um just due to some, you know, issues in the home. The um seems like the water is
getting left running. Um I looked at their 2025 first three months and there are 23,000 gallons. So it's consistent with what it is in 2025. The water is getting processed through our sewer system. So I mean if
you wanted to make an adjustment um the prior three years was 12,000 but they did there was no leak. The billing is you know was imported correctly from New Jersey American. Um number four, it's another repair.
Ruptured pipe receipts were provided. There were 2020 um five billing was 70,000 gallons. The last three years were 10, 10, and 11. I would recommend the minimum for that one. Um they're down to seven for the first three months of 2025.
Um number five, um it looks like that was just the import reading error. Um, when we get the file from New Jersey American, sometimes there's just a if they've had adjustments, sometimes our system doesn't pull it in correctly. Um, they were 10 10 10 and then 59,000
gallons in 2025 for the 2025 billing. Um, again, my recommendation is 10. I can clearly see on the New Jersey American that there was it just did not import correctly. Um, and then number six, this is a rental property. Um, and
there was no this was the correct amount of water used. They just don't feel that it should be based on the prior tenant um's usage. We do an adjustment for a sewer new owner. Um, so if you're if you're a new owner, you get adjusted to
the minimum for your first year until we can get an idea of where your readings are. If you wanted to do something similar for the tenant, of course, in 2024, they had a really high of 72. So I put my recommendation at 36 if you wanted to do an adjustment for that one.
And their reading for 2025, this is based on the new tenants. So next year they're at 21,000 gallons. So it is significantly less. The new owner seems to be using significantly less water. Um but just based on the average in three years like we do for all the others,
it's 36,000. So that's all the claims we have so far. They do still have till April 30th to submit their claims. I think I don't think we're going to get many more, but we could get a couple stragglers. All right. The I mean, I'm all in, you
know, agreement with the recommendations except that, you know, number three, I mean, they're still using actually more. Um, so I don't what everybody's pleasure is. recommendation,000. So that's the average of the
um so there's really no recommendation but yeah I mean it's they're they're using more than so next year their billing will be even a little could be higher a little bit
higher. They're using it. So, I mean, we could do, you know, a one-time adjustment for this year. And, you know, that it's really that that one I kind of didn't make a a recommendation on. I just kind of said if you wish to reduce it, um, that there's your average
for the prior three years. They said the residents using excess of water care was white. Yeah. So there so I think the issue is just water is getting left running um you know for significant periods of time before it's getting caught. So but
like I said there's not there's no the water is being used and it is getting processed through our sewer system there there's no reduction. Yeah there's no I don't really see a reduction in anything. So I kind of just
stay and then we'll take a look at it next year. Okay. Um so we will have to do this we will do these adjustments by resolution. Um so at the next meeting you'll see the resolution. um we'll have them all on there and um and then the tax office can
make the adjustments and all of these what we tell them to do is pay the first quarter um and we will make the adjustment after that. So they they have been notified to at least pay their their first quarter because they have till April 30th. They don't we don't want to hit them with any late fees. So
they most of them I think I already checked they've paid the first quarter. So when we do the adjustments any credits will just get moved forward. All right. Thanks for all your hard work on that. Appreciate it. Um all right. So next up um 2025 budget discussions and
before we start with that the uh timeline for introduction and all that is so we're looking to introduce at the first meeting in May with adoption at the first meeting in June. Okay, perfect. All right. Um, I've had, uh, you know, several
questions, concerns, or not, no concerns, but, um, stuff that I got a bunch of answers from either from Jamie or the mayor and stuff. Um, I think, um, I'll let you chime in. Um, I think you
did a good job with the budget and whatnot. Obviously, we're looking at, uh, another another zero tax increase. Um, and you know, we're looking, you know, to add officers, which you just heard that may be towards the the fourth
quarter or I mean, we'd love to do it as quick as we could, but it might be, you know, in a perfect world, the end of the third quarter, end of the fourth quarter because that's, you know, um, obviously when you hire new officers, there's a cost to that and whatnot. And um you
know, we we got some aggressive projects going on um throughout the town, but if you would like to uh start that one off, go for it. Well, no, like you said, um you know, we did go with you know, no increase this year. Um I know everybody's had an opportunity to look
through the budget and see if you had any questions. I know you guys brought up for the the police department. I think we had talked about, you know, we're increasing the officers. We're going to be looking towards just loud. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, um we
hadn't done an increase or much of an increase in this year, uh because at the time we hadn't anticipated increasing the police strength from the 32 to the 35. Correct. Um our anticipation is that I we're going to be looking more towards
2026 where we're going to be needing to do that increase. I believe he correct me if I'm wrong. We're still funded for 32 right now. Yes, we are. Right. And we're currently I think we're at 27. So we have some room there for a couple.
Exactly. I mean, listen, ultimately I would love to be at 35 tomorrow. It's not going to happen, but you know, that's going to be in preparation of uh you know, next year. Um I know Tom had told me earlier he had had a couple of questions. Um, but I'm going to turn to
council and see if you guys had had any questions as you were going through. I just saw the increases for basic increase. Yeah, just use your outside. All right. Have to share mics here. So, no, but I
just, you know, pretty much everything across the board was pretty stable. um just normal increases through union contracts, um pension contributions, um insurance costs, we all know that. Um I think the administration um has done a great job over the last couple years of
keeping things in mind. Um town is really on good solid financial ground. Um getting a lot of good things done and um I think it's a solid budget for this year. Question. I was trying to look at and see do we have sufficient monies for the
communications uh person um or the company whatever I don't I turn to the number um we do have some stuff in there for the for the communications program it was so the communications money had already been put in um prior to us talking about
right so communications I think we're looking more towards uh June is when we're going to start that so we're it's going to be more of a phase thing so we can utilize what we had prior. Okay. And then in next year we'll be able to ramp up. Hopefully we'll by next year it'll be more of a we can keep
the cost down and keep the programs still running. So one question is okay. Yes. What what is our surplus at this point or after this? I have
so currently our fund balance is at 12 And that's before or after. That's at the end of 2024. That's at the end of Okay. How about what are we using for the budget? 5 million. Five. So we're down to seven 76. Okay. Right.
Which is just significant. Um slightly increased from last year. I think what we used last year was 4.9. We're using 5 million. That's right. So we went up by 100,000. A little increase to keep the to keep the tax. That's fine. I'm just curious. Y
one of the the good parts is we're very fortunate to have a 98 plus% collection. So that's that's a good thing. Yeah, I just had a quick question. I know that we are looking to purchase some new uh police vehicles. Um now
obviously I know that they need, you know, newer equipment. I was thinking about just from a like a fuel efficiency standpoint if you could potentially look at like maybe a hybrid vehicle, you know, that has, you know, the battery so that they can you use that for the gas.
You talking hybrid or you talking like full electric? No, no, not a full electric. Uh I know that there's some challenges with that. Yeah, I don't know that I don't know that they make a police cruiser in a hybrid due to the I only say that because of the performance level of it. Um, usually your hybrid
vehicles don't perform at a level that might be consistent with police. I mean, listen, I get it. I think I think it's a great idea for, you know, when we're doing, you know, the road work and so forth and so on and they're sitting an island for a long period of
time, it's going to save fuel. Um, maybe that's something we can look at for if there's a vehicle that's just set for maybe that type of duty that would make sense to make. They might be better. And I think I've talked to you before about this for a detective administrative car
where it's not detectives aren't getting, you know, they're going to crime scenes. They're here taking stuff to laboratories. Administrative cars are more more here at the station. They're not out in the road. They're not working 247 like most of the gas engine cars are.
I can check before, you know, our local rep and see what what the cost is if if anyone's doing it. I know some towns are doing electric, but there's a big cost associated with that. Especially when the batteries go where they go on fire or when they go. Yeah, we'll let
them. Let's see how they do it. They're fast cars. Oh, I know. But now I can look into the we have hybrid options. I appreciate that just because again, just from a fuel, you know, perspective, we're able to save a little bit there. Yeah, that's
always better. One thing I had um on the sewer, how do we stand as far as um we haven't had a sewer increase in what, 10 years, 12 years? Um how are we going to how are we looking as far as the sewer
surplus and going forward rate increases? Um so I did have this conversation with our auditor. I kind of came into the budget a little late, so I played a lot of catchup. Um, right now our sewer surplus is 7,66,847.94. We're only using about
$760,000 to balance the budget. Um, he he feels like we're in a great financial um position for sewer also with no need for an increase. Yeah, I had I had the same questions and concerns and I was given what she just said. Um, you know,
looking at everything we need to do, we want to do, and like you guys have heard me say, 15, 20 years down the road, viability of that plant and all that kind of stuff. But uh yeah, the auditors seem to think we're all good or
whatnot, but um I think at some point since I don't think it's been raised since 2010 now. So, you know, you're looking at 15 years. Now, the flip side and I just moved to town in 2010. I wasn't, you know, paying attention to
all this stuff or whatnot. Um my understanding and you longtime residents can can um chime in on that there there was a increase to the rates when it got taken over. Um so obviously that has
stabilized since we still have a good surplus and everything and it's working but I do believe um we need to be very aggressive with um maintenance maintenance maintenance like right like Keith said um you know because I when I
was still working um the sewage authorities and MUAS that was their mantra maintenance maintenance maintenance because if you don't that's what you keep ahead of game where you don't have listen water main breaks happen they have it right and but you
can reduce them with maintenance maintenance maintenance so I I had the same thoughts and uh I mean it's something maybe down the road we need to look at especially when you look at that chart of that Keith had in the report
what's going on now and you see 26 28 29 and those projects that need to be done Is there going to be enough money? Anybody else on the budget? question. All right. If there's nothing else. Does anybody have any questions on the
capital? Can everyone look at the capital projects? Okay. So, I'm I am wait I don't know if you I'm waiting just for one number that's for the Hannes Mill Road drainage. So, once that we get that number, I'll plug that in and let you know. Um but other
than that, I think we're All good. All good. You're good. All right. Um, we're going to move back up to continue the meeting. Should we click these off? Thanks, Matt. You're welcome. Which one is it?
I thought so, but I keep losing track of my chair. I would help you, Lyn, but you bend better. That's right. That's Thanks. Are are we still We are still good. Yep. We're still good. So, I can I can move
on. Okay. Uh moving on. Ordinance on second reading. Ordinance 2025-09 bond ordinance authorizing supplemental funding for the completion of sewer utility system improvements
creek road sewer line extension and and for the township of Delran appropriating the sum of 300,000. Therefore, authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds or bond anticipation notes of the township of Delran, County
of Burlington, New Jersey, in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed 300,000 making certain determinations and covenants and authorizing certain related actions and connections with the foregoing. Uh, this is on second
reading, so it needs a uh public hearing. Can I have a motion to go into public? I'll make a motion. Have a second. Second. Roll call. Oh, all I'm sorry. All in favor? Any opposed? Eyes have it. We're now on
public on ordinance 2025-09 and that ordinance only. Anyone that wants to make a comment on that ordinance, please raise your hand. You'll be recognized by the chair and you can come up uh to the podium. State
your name and address for the record, please. Seeing no hands, I'd like to get a motion to come out of public motion. 111. I thought I thought someone else was going to go up. Thank you. Hello again, Steve Grell Delran. Um,
good evening everyone. Um, I'm not here to oppose progress. but to promote transparency and fiscal awareness when it comes to how we finance our public projects. Uh like the $300,000 bond ordinance uh you're considering this evening. And there was very good
questions you were asking. Thank you. Um uh I agree that bonds are powerful tools that allow local governments to improve infrastructure without depleting the cash reserves. Uh but let's not forget this is borrowed money. We're leveraging the township's future taxes to get
things done today. Uh that's not inherently bad, especially when it comes to vital projects like sewer line extensions, emergencies, too. Uh but it does raise important questions that taxpayers deserve to have answered. Uh such as one, what is the total cost of
the project, including interest? Uh how will this bond affect our debt load and credit position as a township? Uh will it result in higher sewer rates or property taxes in future years? And finally, is this project being done in the most costefficient way
possible? I'd like to suggest that the township include going forward a simple fiscal impact sheet uh impact sheet uh for each bond ordinance. There is a lot that you have there. I agree. Uh but there's some other things that I'd like to see. Uh nothing too complicated. Just things such as a project summary, uh
debt service schedule, source of repayment, either taxes, sewer, utility revenues, etc., and potential impact on future budgets. Um, this would help residents uh and even future councils, even the new mayor, of course, uh, understand the long-term financial
commitments we're making today. Uh, a second quick suggestion, since we're now in budget season, uh, maybe you consider hosting a finance 101 night for the residents and a question and answer to explain the budget, the bonding, capital improvement plans, and how to
um, how to debt, how the debt factors into our planning. I'd be happy to help coordinate something like that with Jamie uh if possible. Um at the end of the day, residents just want to be part of the process and that starts with information, clarity, and it's all for transparency, which is good for
everyone. Uh so, thank you and thank you for your service, everyone. Thank you. All right. Um Ed, um on this project, um the county is I'm the lead on this project. Correct.
For up until that spot. I'm talking about financially or from from what perspective our our portion Yep. is just coming up to get to get to to the to the upgraded county park. That's to the upgraded
county park. and the ability of those three homes there to connect if they want if they want to pay to connect. Correct. Yeah. So, so the way the projects being set up is that there will be a uh a stubout essentially put um to the property line for for those three
houses um between where we're doing our tiein and where the the county park is. Um they don't need to tie in now. Um, but generally speaking, if they they're on septic system right now, if they want to connect, they can connect. Um, but ultimately if their system fails, their
septic system, they would be required by the county health department to connect. So, and there's a couple nuances with that, but but they'll have the ability to connect without having to go into the roadway. Perfect. Perfect. And that gets the it all the way up to Farmers Against
Hunger and beyond. Correct. Uh it's it's going to stop right right there. Right at farmers. Yeah. Perfect. So it's not going to continue beyond um the funding um is is only going to go through the base portion of it which is getting up
to that and our total outlay on it is Jamie. Correct me if I'm wrong. I think it's zero. I think the county's reimbursing the entirety project. That was where I was going. county took to, you know, for to do this and this is our step in getting
this done. Correct. Beautiful. Thank you. Anybody else from the public? I just want to up to the microphone name and address for the record, please. Uh Sam Hutchkins, 800 Southchester. Thank you actually, Tom Lion, for that communication. But just to further
expound on what you just said to clarify, are you saying that we don't actually are going to that we're not going to end up owing anything on that? We're not going to owe 300,000. It's not going to come out of Delran. It's coming from the county. Is that what you said? So Jamie, correct me if I'm wrong. My
understanding of how it's operating is the township is in a shared service agreement with the county. Okay. So the township is funding the project, but is getting paid for by the county. So even though it's a bond, it still ends up being zero. Is that true? I'm just asking because I wanted to clarify what
you were saying being funded. Okay. Winning. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. And just just to just one just because we are we are running the project. So our engineers designed it. It's it's being you know managed by the township
but then the funding is coming directly from the county. But we needed this in order to award the contract. and they're they're ready to go as soon as we get this done um to start this project. Anybody else from the public, please? Yes.
Jim Reard, Del Rem. So, this question is for Jamie. So you say that the $300,000 the the county is going to pay that or the state? So the the entire project I believe is 1.3 million correct that that we bonded I'm not I don't
remember I think it's slightly less than that but but ultimately the total amount that the township has bonded that the county has already done stuff on their end but since it's being run through financially through the township the township needs to have the money in place prior to actually awarding. So my
question is these bonds cost a lot of money to float. We have to pay an underwriter. We have to pay the lawyers. Um there's interest bearing on these things. Like how much is the Dan taxpayer on the hook for this? Are are they is the is the state and the county playing for like the Goldman Sachs of
the world or I mean I can get an answer from the CFO um for you because that that's more of like a financial and not that but we haven't actually borrowed any money. So, the only thing, you know, that's it's cost us as of today was to draft this ordinance. Um, we haven't, you know,
we're not we haven't borrowed any money. There's no interest um that we're paying as of today. But, but you're going to be so that this is a ban. They call them bond anticipation notes. So, there's there's a lot of cost behind this for the these things to float to the market because Delan's going to get the money,
but they're going to get it from investors. It doesn't count float thin air. investors will buy these things through Wall Street investment banks. So then that there's a lot of money involved in that. So I'm just curious of exactly how much the the town's going to pay. I would assume it's probably more
than the 300,000. So if you could give me that information, I'd appreciate that. All right. Thank you very much. Byebye. Anyone else, sir? Yeah. Was it going up? Name and address. Good evening. Gary Catherbone 261 Burning
Tree Road in Delran. So I just wanted to say u with regard to this this uh ordinance that we are getting um while there will be some cost we are getting an improvement to our sewer system.
It'll be our sewer system. Correct. So so we're getting it. They're paying for it and we're kind of paying the incidentals. I recognize that um that some you know it would be great to have every penny launched out, but this is a
situation where where this is a solid win for the township because we're getting the improvement and the county's paying for it. So all of the all of the additional expense that would be incurred by uh the internal township
staff and the professional staff to give a description of what would what would the ultimate down to the penny cost would be would probably be uh one of the larger line items in the budget for this
project. So, I I applaud you for for going through the steps and this I we I think we all recognize that this step is just a necessary evil in order to get the project done and the county to pay for it. So, thank you. Yeah, it's been in the works for quite a while, but thank you. Yeah.
Yes, ma'am. Yeah, thank you. My name is Nancy Evans. I'm on Art Street in Delran. And I've been one of the residents here who've been exceedingly concerned about our sewer system and our and our wastewater treatment plant and everything else that's involved with it. And I'm
listening to all of the statements that everybody's making regarding the annual report, the site visits, the pump stations, treatment plants, the pipes, and the aging system that's been going on. all of the money that this township
has paid, say over the last 10 to 20 years to invest into any type of bonds or to CME or to anybody else that's been involved in helping to allegedly fix our sewer system. Why is our sewer system so
broken down? I have been here for 17 years in New Jersey and in this township. In the 17 years I have been here, my property taxes have completely doubled. Can I just um This is a public hearing
on this ordinance. Yeah. Well, this is where I'm going. Okay. So with this ordinance, you know, including this money here, what where have where is all this money going to if our sewer system is in such dire need of repair after all this
time, especially under the previous ma mayor's uh jurisdiction and anybody who came before him. I just don't see that, you know, we're putting money into CME and everything else and these bonds, whatever, or we're requesting money for these bonds and and our sewer system is
screwed. Totally screwed. It's not working. It's going to fall down fall in. I'm afraid my house is going to get completely inundated with sewage in my basement. And and for what purpose? So you guys can keep collecting money and
pay and and we get nothing in return. That's my question. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Can I have a motion to come out of public, please? Motion. Second, please. Second. All in favor? I. Any
opposed? Hearing? None. The eyes have it. I need I need a motion to adopt. Please. So move. Have a second. Second. Roll call. Mr. Marorrow. Yes.
Mrs. I. Mr. Smith. I. Mr. Jenny. Hi. Mr. Lion. I guys have it. Uh, consent agenda. Resolution 2025-76 authorizing the purchase of two
144inch lawnmowers through the Omnia Partners Government Purchasing Alliance National Co-op Purchasing Network National Contract and lumpsum amount of 132,800. Uh authorizing the payment of bills including all purchases made under
the cooperative cooperative purchasing agreement. Uh, approval of merkantile licenses for Delran self-s storage fabric dry cleaning LLC. Can I have a motion, please? Motion. Got a second.
I'll second. Roll call. Mr. Marorrow. Yes. Mr. Hi. Mr. Smith. I. Mr. Jenny. Hi. Mr. L. I. Uh. Minutes for approval. Public meeting January 14th, 2025. Can I
get a motion, please? So move. Second. Roll call. Mr. Marorrow. Yes. Mrs. Apadu. Hi. Mr. Smith. Hi. Mr. Jenny. Hi. Mr. Lion. I. Um, approving the minutes for the work session January 28th, 2025.
Can I get a motion, please? Motion. Second. Roll call. Mr. Marorrow. I. Mrs. Pedu. I. Mr. Smith. Hi. Mr. Jenny. Hi. Mr. Lion. I work session February 25, 2025.
Can I get a motion, please? So move. Second. Roll call. Mr. Marorrow. I. Mrs. Deedu. I. Mr. Smith. I. Mr. Jenny. Hi. Mr. Lion. I. Public meeting March 11, 2025. Can I get a motion, please?
Motion. Second. Roll call. Mr. Marorrow. Hi. Mr. Zedu. I. Mr. Smith. Hi. Mr. Jenny. Hi. Mr. abstain. Uh, next up, public comment. Um, we'll
open up to the public. Uh, all uh, comments after you state your name and address for the record will be directed to the council president. Uh, nothing can be redacted or rewritten, either audio or written. Uh, the public shall
have five minutes to make the comment. Um, can I get a motion to go into public, please? So move. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Eyes have it. Uh, we're now in the public. Please raise your hand. You'll be recognized from the
chair and you'll state your name and address for the record. You have five minutes for public comment. Uh, let me go to the gentleman first. William J. SPH 518 Brown Street, Delran. Council President, this is going
to be directed to the mayor. Mr. Mayor, what is the current status at the residents of 812 Chester and 814 Chester as it applies to the public health nuisance which appears to
exist at that particular site? in particular that one parcel with three pieces of heavy equipment, trees, dirt, and standing water. And under that particular public nuisance code, this
causes a this presents a problem to the residents of Delran. Okay. Do you want me to answer now or do you want to ask the rest of the questions? Yeah, that's it. That's that's all I have is that Oh, that's the only question you can answer. Oh, okay. So, um, code enforcement is
aware. I know that they've talked to him and it's actively being investigated. Okay. And what what is the timeline on this, sir? When will this be addressed and finalized? I don't have a timeline
on it. I will have to get with uh code enforcement. They have policies and procedures they have to follow. Okay. And will this I can't give you that timeline. Okay. Will this be placed on the Delan website at sometime in the future? if legally. Um I don't know that it can
due to privacy. I don't know that we can best direct that to out. Yeah. So what is is it a code enforcement situation? Code enforcement situation. It's the house that's literally next to the municipal building. He has some construction vehicles, some dirt, and it's it looks like a construction site.
Unfortunately, it's across the street from our school. Okay. So, yeah. So, it's a code enforcement matter. It would be something that would end up in municipal court. It wouldn't necessarily be something that would go onto your website. Obviously, someone could get that information from the municipal court through an open request. So, it is public. It wouldn't be something you
would typically put on your website, though. All right. Very well. Thank you. That was my only question. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sam, Sam Hutchkins, 800 tester. Um, I actually just had two quick things. First off, last I believe it was last
meeting, there was a woman who talked about asking questions and getting email responses. Um, and when she said that, I I had kind of a thought. I know you guys are doing a really good job working on the communications uh forum, and I was thinking that once you guys square that
away, if you could have a section where it has all the questions that we ask during the, you know, public comment, and then you can have the answers posted right there on your website that everybody would have access to. So, I thought that would be kind of cool. And the other thing I just wanted to ask um
for clarification, I know that it's really important to get new officers and I I love that we're trying to do that. I just wanted to understand a little bit more about the civil service exemption. Does is that by any chance that
won't by having the exemption that won't miss a step making sure that we're having quality people, right? That's just a getting rid of a hurdle to keep us from getting more people. We're not going to lose any quality based on
haste, right? No. And if you want, I can comment on my report or I can comment now and Al can ch I mean, I don't I just No, I just wanted more for public clarification. is the and al correct me if I'm wrong but um it
it the steps to go through civil service for the test and then the academy what this does the if an if an individual goes to a qualified training college
school that gets them up to speed on what they need to do then they don't have to take the test then they can go to the academy. The academy is never out of the equation. Okay? So basically, the person goes out on their own, takes the
steps necessary to say, "Hey, I did X, Y, and Z, so I'm ready to go and go to the academy." So basically, it can have somebody who's aggressive get into the system, get to the academy, get trained quicker. Love that. Yeah. and the and
the hire is temporary until that takes place when then it becomes a permanent hire. So, it's really just a way to speed up the process. It doesn't take away the training. It it allows them to not take the test because there's a substitute for that, but they still have to go to the academy. I thought you did answer that. I just wanted to make sure
I understood correctly. Thanks, guys. Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, Mayor Good evening everyone. U Mary Janice Delran. Um and hello Tom. Hello. Thank you. Um I just had a question given all
the with all the sewer problems that were discussed. Um and in regard to the 2025 sewer claims um I was just wondering why is the water usage going up? Um, is it because of leaks uh in the
system or is it because of more people? Um, and Jamie did say that she believes that it's because they're leaving the water running. I mean, is that fact? Do we know? Has that been investigated? Or is just this just the water company? You know how they play their little tricks
and you know, all of a sudden, we can answer this after your five minutes or as we go. It's up to you. I can answer when you're done. Okay, you can answer it now, Tom. Thank you. So, and I'll let J Jamie correct me if and I don't want to go in details on each person's
personal life. Um, but let's just say um there's someone in the house that may be leaving water running not on purpose, but they don't realize it or whatnot. Okay. So, the usage is actually real.
So, the issue I'm having with that one is it it's one thing if you you have a leak in your pipe and you don't know and all a sudden you get your your bills and go, "Holy crap, pun intended, that my rates are way up." So, you investigate
and you find out the leak. Well, that's we want to help those people, right? And we want to help this person except they're using the water and it's going to our system. So, these are individual water situations. It's not
the system, it's the individual, the meter at their house. Oh, okay. All right. Good. Because I know the the uh tricks that the water company can play, too. And you're like, I know. Then you call them, they're like, "Oh, yeah. Sorry about that." Meanwhile, you're paying all this money to them. Um, and I
just have one comment. Um, it doesn't require an answer or anything. Um, it's a shame I, you know, the problem we're having with the, you know, hiring of police officers. Uh, I just, I truly believe that's because of the defunding the police in 2020. So, that's that's
the repercussions we're facing right now. And I just want to say in my opinion, please no electric or hybrid vehicles. You know, please investigate it before, you know, contempt for prior to investigation. you know that old saying because I think well, you know, maybe options need to be
weighed because we could end up spending more money in the long run if you go the electric or hybrid vehicle route. You know, stick to what works, you know, Ford built tough. Thank you.
Anyone else? Yes, ma'am. Uh, Patricia Griffith, Brown Street, Delran. Um, I would just like to say before I get started, I have two questions. Um, before that, I would like to clarify that a lot of us are involved asking questions because this is the only time for us to ask questions about
stuff that goes on. Like you saw the whole budget, but we haven't seen it yet. So, when we come up and ask questions, it's just for clarity. We're trying to we all I think both sides want what's best for the town. We don't all agree how to get there, but we're here because we're trying to find out more
information so we can all make the best choices for how we spend the money and how we run the town. That being said, you might um you know, you have to consider that people have different um different priorities how they think it should go.
So, just don't like just because we're asking questions doesn't mean it's like an attack. It's just that we're trying to get information. So, I think we should all agree that we're trying to do what's best. All right. So, and one of my questions is um what is the average
starting cost for the police? Like when we hire a new police person, does anybody know? Yeah. What I mean, like when you have a new police officer, when you have a new police officer, what what is the average starting pay?
Okay. So, um I'm just wondering how that compares with other towns. Like is that a reason that we have trouble or is it in general all over? I'll comment on that in my comments. Okay. Okay. And then the other question I have is um what kind of super duper fancy
lawnmowers are these? I would like to see one for that for that amount of money. That sounds like I want to see this lawn mower. It's just like I know it's two, but that's seems like a very high price for lawnmowers. And I mean I don't know. I mean I I didn't do a lot of research. I did minimal research on
lawn lawnmowers, but how big is this thing that's 144 in to cut a swath? So I just have a question about that. That seems like really really high. I mean I know the company is a good company but um that's uh I would like someone to
address that if possible. I I'll do it my my report. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, sir. PJ Buzzy, vice president of the historical society. Just wanted to give a little report for you guys. Uh so, one of the first things is we have our
annual Hogy sale running until June 30th. If anybody is interested in buying tickets, you can do it here. It's for Vids Deli. Each ticket $7. It helps uh fund our uh yearly
expenses for insurance and filing taxes with the state. We also have a t-shirt sale. Uh you can get more information about that on the website or out in the lobby. Um, some other uh issues we're working
on is the historical site markers. We have them printed. They're in the public works. Last I heard, we're waiting um for the public works to get the polls for them. And then once they can work it into this their schedule, they will. Um, let's see. And the other thing
is the photo extra photo portraits we have like out in the lobby. We're working on plans to see where they're going to fit in the municipal building. Couple places we're thinking is in the courtroom here. Halls fit in the mayor's
office. So, we're still working on that. And then just lastly, I wanted to say wanted to thank Mayor Hutchkins for coming to our last public meeting just to understand what we do and to get a better, you know, just all that. Also
wanted to thank the council for your continued support and for making the lobby what it is, helping us, you know, make it a reality and just all the other projects that we do and storage and all that sort of thing. We we didn't make the lobby, you guys did. We just let you
do it. So, thank you. Agreed. Agreed. Thanks for giving us a go ahead, though. And that's all I have to report for tonight. Thank you. Y Yes. J Reer Del Ram. Um, two questions. The first one is, um, you guys mentioned
that there's a $7 million surplus in the sewer account. So, if that's the case, why are we borrowing 300,000? So, we do we have the money to just take that out and just get it paid back when the county is going to pay it back. So, that's my once it seems wasteful to borrow that money. That's my
one comment. And the other one is I noticed um with the minutes for approval like they're from January 14th, January 28th, February 25th, and March 11th. So, like why four four months in a rears like
that? I go to other meetings around the county and they get them approved then next month. So I'm just wondering is there a particular reason it's like four months is third of the year. So I'm I'm not criticizing. I'm just
asking you'll answer that during your Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Yep. Anybody else? Seeing no hands, I'll take a motion to come out of public. So move. Second. I'll second. All in favor? Any opposed?
No one opposed. All right, we'll move on to reports. Uh, emergency services. I did see Joe earlier. He is not here. So, we'll move on. Boards and committees. You already gave yours.
Um, anybody else from any of the boards or committees? RAAC, green team, go for it. Hi, I'm Sam. I'm with the RAAC. I just wanted to report on our Easter egg hunt um spring festival uh which happened last Saturday. It was a great
turnout. The kids had a great time. We're so grateful to everyone involved in the RAAC and all the volunteers who came out. Um, and our next event starts tomorrow. It's going to be our first annual 0875 can sing competition and everybody remember that the winner of
that competition is going to get 30 minutes at Delran night out so we can support our local talent. So come on out, watch some audition and then come support our top 20 on the three weeks in May. So that's uh what we got right now guys. Thanks. All right, green team. I
don't see anything. Anybody else from boards or committees? I do not see any. Uh, next up, uh, engineering. Ed, you have anything besides what we laid out earlier? Yeah, I got a couple, uh, things. Um, you know what? I'm going to go after so I don't steal Jamie or the
mayor's thunder. Okay, that's fine. I'll go after the mayor. We'll defer. All right. So, uh, next up would be the administrator, the township clerk, Jamie Edgars. And could you comment on the minutes in your report? Thank you. Okay. So, uh, first just a couple items. Um
last week or actually several weeks ago we were reached out by Congressman Conaway's office um to resubmit for um we had approved been asked to resubmit our application. This was for funding that was previous allotted in the fiscal year 2025
um house but they projects were not funded. Um so last week with the help of Ed's office we submitted we resubmitted uh this is for improvements to Don Deutsch fields including parking lot and installation of lights. So, I don't know how soon we'll we could hear something
on that, but that application has been resubmitted. Um, also an quick Army Corps update. They they have finished the geotechnical drillings and are continuing lab work and then proceeding with their engineering design for the stream bank stabilization um or represent or project manager, I'm
sorry, Joel um for the Army Corps is leaving the position, his position with the Army Corps as of May 1st. So, we we hope to have in the next few weeks a meeting with our new project manager as soon as we can. Um, and then the public works department um held their cleanup days, April 9th to the 12th. Very
successful as it always is. And we will have another cleanup event in the fall. Um, with regards to the minutes, yes, we are a little bit behind as you know, I've taken on the, you know, the duties of the township administrator. So, we are working very hard to get those minutes. Um, the next meeting we should
be all caught up um to April. So with the help of Melissa who's been great in my office um we are we should be all caught up and then we hope to every public meeting approve the ones from the month before. That's our plan going forward. Beautiful. Thank you. Melissa is awesome. And just just a quick note
on the budget again for the public. We will be introducing the budget at the May I should have the dates but I don't. The 13th is the first meeting. The 13th. Okay. So May 13th and then um after that we will have a PowerPoint presentation. The budget will be posted on the
website. you can get a copy of it. If you have any questions, you can always come to the meeting or, you know, always reach out to me, the mayor, Tom, anybody on council um if you have any questions, specific budget questions. Um and then the public hearing will happen at the first um public meeting in June and
you'll also have, you know, we have a public hearing on the budget, so that'll be another opportunity to ask any questions before final adoption. Yeah. So, that that budget will be online. Yes. So there's always the regular bud the the full budget document and then a
um a userfriendly version of the same document and and the reason it's not on the website right now is because we're having our internal discussions and from where we are right now what gets posted may or may not change. So that's why we have the work session where we have our
opportunity to talk and so once once council is done the mayor made the presentation and once council's done reviewing then I will send all the final things with any changes to the auditor and they will prepare the budget document. Beautiful. Nothing else. That's it. Thank you Jamie. You're
welcome. Next up mayor. All right. I want to thank Ed for not stealing my thunder. Uh so first thing we're going to bring I want to bring up is uh the Leyon A project is moving forward and I would like residents especially in that area to be aware that we're going to be
sending out a notification letter next week for a resident meeting for any questions that's going to be relating to that project as it comes along. Um second I want to talk about a lot of people brought up some stuff last week that I just kind of wanted to address as
far as like our communications and newsletter. I know it's going slow, but when I do roll this out, I want it to be perfect. I want it to be 100%. Um, my wife happened to steal my thunder
because I had actually spoke with Al earlier today. Somebody had brought up something very important, which was questions that get asked at these meetings, we respond to them in email. And a lot of these questions pertain to everybody in the community. And what a great idea to add that to the
communications program where we respond to the resident in email, but we also post it as a Q&A on our new website so that if somebody has that question or a similar question, they can actually look it up and go, "Oh, okay." And I'm also going to be adding a reference to
YouTube for the minutes of the meeting so that they can see when that question was asked and maybe get a little more information. I try to help them along with that. Um, she's told my thunder is to 08075 can sing. Um, we're very excited about
this. Um, I haven't seen all of the singers yet, but there's going to be some great people at this event. If anybody can make it out to Dunies. Um, I know the auditions are tomorrow night u from what 6:00 to 10, but the
competition will start on May 7th. So, there's three days. May 7th, May 14th, and then the finals will be on May 21st. It's going to run from 6:00 to 10, and like she said, they're going to be competing for an opportunity to perform and open the first 30 minutes of
Delran's night out. Um, historical society, thank you. You guys, if anybody gets the opportunity, find out when their meetings are. When what are the meeting dates? When's the next one? May. May. I don't have a date on me, but May.
Okay. What these guys are doing over there is exciting. Um, the entire time I was there, I was just enthralled at all the information just kind of getting thrown at me. And I got myself two new t-shirts. And um, I love what it says on
the back cuz I didn't know that until I read it and my son read it to me. Um, make sure I didn't leave anything out here. Oh, I remember somebody had mentioned the lawnmowers. 144
in. So, 144 I'm just going to give you what I got on this. 144 inch mower actually is going to help the public works. Instead of them sending two or three mowers to one location, this will actually free up guys because one guy
can do a much larger area and it'll free the other guys up to work on some of the other things that we need to address. Um, that's the purpose behind it. We have a lot of large field areas and right now we're using two and three guys for, you know,
one area. And with these, one guy can go out and cut and the other, you know, one or two gentlemen can work on some other important areas of the town. Is that it? I Oh, I'm sorry. Why are you done with me? No. No. I uh You took a
breath. I did. Um the hybrid vehicle thing, we'll have to look into that. I'm not, like I said, I'm not sold on it. It's just it may need to get, you know, used for pursuit at one point or
um Yep. That's it. Very good. I'll end it there. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Ed. You got anything to add or you good? Yeah. No, I got a couple things. Um so, Leon Avenue, as the mayor said, um there'll be a letter coming from my office uh next week. We we'll we'll identify a date that the meeting will
most likely be held here. Um you'll be able to come and ask me any questions as well as our construction manager. um pertaining to the project specifically. Um and then we also I actually have a separate question for for council, but I'll get to that after my other update.
PSCG started uh test pits today in the Millside neighborhood. Um if you live in that neighborhood and you have not gotten a notification, feel free to reach out to our office and I will contact their project manager. Um they are planning on starting main installation tomorrow for the
replacement main within that neighborhood. It's going to take many months. Um then New Jersey American Water's going to be following up behind them and then the township's going to be coming in as well. So you guys are going to be disrupted for um for a little bit. So um pertaining to Lyon and I will get
the full details from the contractors. I just got a question a couple hours ago from them. They are going to be seeking to try and work at night for CCTV purposes. Um, which is most likely going to consist of mechanical cleaning and cleaning of the sewers prior to the CCTV
associated with the project. So, I will have all that information to Jamie hopefully by the next meeting for your uh your vote on whether or not they can do that. So, right. We'll we'll work in conjunction with uh with the police and uh we'll figure it out whether that's
the option. Yep. Good. Stewart Avenue, the second part. When I mean I'm usually not home, so I'm like, when does that start? There's not been advertised for bid yet. Okay. We have received DOT approval though.
All right. Next up, uh, solicitor Alro. No, outside of the work session discussion and executive session, I have nothing additional, Mr. President. Thank you, Al. All right, we'll start with council members far right, Tom Marorrow. Thank you, Tom. Uh, thank you everybody for being here tonight and with your
questions. Um, believe me, nobody objects to them. Um, at least I don't, so I don't speak for myself, but I enjoy questions. Um, one thing I talked about, um, can we get the zoning and planning board meetings up on YouTube? I don't know if that's possible, but I like to see that.
I think that the residents should be aware of what goes on on those two boards since they're critical in our township. So, we have ours on there. I think those two boards should also be on there so we can when it comes to construction, you guys can see what's going on. When it comes to reszoning,
you can see how that works. So, I think it's a valuable tool you two. So, I think it's something we can do that. Jamie, please. Okay. Um, Ed, I don't know if you I'm not going to put you on the spot tonight, but at the next work session, I'd like to have an update on the uh with when
you walked u went with Matt on the crosswalks um crossing guard locations. So, that is something that um our office is working on with the police department that they're going to be submitting the grants on behalf of the township. Okay, awesome. Um, also Jamie, I guess on the
next, um, work session, um, I'd like to have an update where we are on the house rental registrations since that notice went out, what, a month or two ago, we sent the letters out, I think the code enforcer was telling us about inspections and getting the house rentals registered according to the ordinance that was passed last year.
Correct. Okay. I'd like to see that. Um, one thing, um, I'm getting a lot of complaints and one thing that bothers the hell out of me is the freaking car noise. Uh, the mufflers. I know we got something sent to us. I'm not going to take time if you want to comment on this too cuz I know
it was sent to you, but the car noises and the mufflers and the stuff is outrageous and it's takes away the quality of life from everybody. When when you're sitting in your living room and that noise is in your living room, that's a that's a quality of life issue and noise issue. and so forth. And I
know I talked to Matt, we talked in length about that. And I know we have to get more patrolman and you can't have them out there everywhere, you know, but it's it's a problem not just in our town. It's all over the place. So, um, you know, I think we can do something
about it in the near future. Try to get some control of it because I'm telling it is it's it's outrageous. It's really is it's out of control. Um, other than that, um, that's all I have for tonight everybody. Thank you.
Thank you, Tom. Next up, Nikki Pu. Nothing to report. U, Mr. President. Thank you, Nikki. Uh, next up, uh, Marlo. Yeah. Thanks so much. Uh, just a couple quick things. Um, just in reference to like the hybrid vehicle, just to clarify, uh, the kind of vehicle
I'm speaking about doesn't require to like to be plugged in. Uh it just has a battery that uses, you know, either when you break or if you're idling, it recharges the battery so that it uses uh the battery before it switches over to
gas. Um vehicles like that tend to get, you know, over 30 miles a gallon. Um and there really aren't any like performance issues. I actually have one, I mean, believe it or not, it's almost 20 years old. Never had to change the battery. uh
and it works uh perfectly fine, but just to see if you know potentially we can save the township some money. Uh obviously want to look at something that you know would be appropriate for you know their services. I do believe other towns do have uh those kinds of vehicles as well. So just wanted to make that
point. Um also wanted to switch subjects and talk about the Delan Historical Society. Uh please support their their hogy sale and t-shirt sale they have going on. I do tremendous work within the town. Uh so many of our volunteers
with all the organizations, they're the backbone bone of this town that they're the reason that you know so many things get done. Uh so we just wanted to support them uh you know in any way we can. Uh next uh you know this week a lot of the kids are off but school so be
careful as you're driving around. Uh, I noticed, you know, uh, after dinner, I'm starting to see a lot more kids now. The weather's getting better. Uh, running around, you know, doing all the things kids do. They don't always pay attention to, you know, uh, what's going on in the
road. So, be careful as you're driving around. Uh, I wanted to also mention with uh, what Councilman Marorrow mentioned about putting the zoning and planning boards on YouTube. I think that's a fantastic idea. I'm very supportive of that. And
lastly, just wanted to mention again, um, for those that might have extra paper laying around if you want to do some spring cleaning, uh, the county is hosting a paper shredding event on Sunday, May 4th from 900 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. Uh, that's a rain or shine event. It's going to be at Burlington County Institute of Technology at 695 Wood Lane Road in West Hampton. Um, you can bring up to four boxes or four
bags worth of paper. Um, I utilized this earlier this year uh when I was going through doing my taxes. Got rid of um you know, year eight that I won't need anymore uh in addition to some other documents that I had uh bills and things like that. So, take advantage. It's a
great um thing that the county does. And with that, that's the end of my report. Thank you, Marlo. Next up, council vice president and Jane. Thank you, Council President. Uh one one suggestion, I made a suggestion before. Uh individuals come uh to our meetings and ask questions or
have comments that could be answered if you call the township. We have great people here. We have a great staff. They're very responsive to our residents. And a lot of these questions can be answered before coming to the public meeting. Uh or you can get a better answer by getting to the correct
individual instead of coming to council where you know we don't work dayto day with the operation. So feel free to call the township. I I know they're very receptive. Uh the green team uh we are in the middle of planting season. Uh we just
planted about 10 trees. Uh so far uh we began planting the um wildflower micro forest. Uh over on the jug handle off of 130. If you look back, you'll see a lot of trees there. There are probably close to 20 at this point. Uh we have another
20 uh on the truck out in the public works yard that Al Karp uh is in charge of directing the planting and we will be planting those shortly. Um also uh the historical society, PJ, thank you very much. Uh I am so thrilled to hear that
you're interested in uh decorating our walls with the historical society's uh artifacts. I've seen many of them and uh I'm we've talked about it before. I I am thrilled to see because we can fill these walls with good solid history of
Delran and then bring people in and have some uh historical society meetings here and let Delan people learn about the township. Uh congratulations to the RAAC. the I attended the Easter egg hunt and uh it was interesting to say the
least. Uh a lot of young people going berserk over Easter eggs. Uh and it was really well done. Thank you for the volunteers and all those people put it on. It was extremely well done. Uh Thursday the 24. One more thing I wanted to mention. Uh the woman was interested
in the sewer system in Delran and as evidenced by the report that was given tonight by professional engineers, our sewer system is in very good condition. It's an old system in many areas. Part of the system was put in in the 60s. Part of it was before that and more in
the 90s as well. Uh we have been working for the last number of years since I've been on council. This is my fifth year on uh replacing sewer and water and gas pipes. Our infrastructure is important and it's important that we continue to do these things. And that we've done uh
we've been very successful in negotiating with our partners like PSEG, the water company, and uh you know, the other companies that will be digging up and and doing things under the streets to help pay for the repavement. Uh I did
a quick uh u uh number on the last one we did. We spent about 45% of what it really cost to repave those streets. So this is uh extremely well planned. uh their sewer is in really good shape. Uh we have to upgrade it. I've been through
the sewer plant myself and I was in there in fact four years ago and we looked at some things that have been repaired. It needs constant repair. That's in constant action over there. Uh our people do a great job of maintaining it and it's good that our engineers are on top of identifying what needs to be
done to service it to keep it going. uh Thursday, this Thursday, day after tomorrow the 24th, we will have the climate change related hazard uh vulnerability assessment uh meeting here. It's a public meeting open to all
residents. We urge all residents who are interested in how climate change may affect Delran, particularly the Riverside Park area, but other areas of town as well. Uh there'll be Cinnamon in Palmyra uh I believe uh Riverside are also invited. This is a county sponsored
event and uh they there'll be a presentation and then there'll be a workshop afterwards where people will be able to see layouts of what they're talking about and provide input on this. So we urge any resident who's interested in that to attend at 6:30 to 8:00 on
this Thursday. It'll be here in the municipal building. That's my report. Thank you. Thank you, Wayne. And uh for my report, I'll go through some of the things that came up this evening. I think we already answered the civil service question. Um we're not looking
to just throw um officers out there that are not trained properly. Uh as for the hybrid or electric vehicles, I think a whole study needs to be done on what the infrastructure that we would have to um put in place for the vehicles, what
vehicles we'd have, how would they be used. Um I know the fully electric ones um they have problems in the cold weather. they don't get the range or anything like that. So, I think that's something that's down the road that's
that's not um out out of line to actually take a look and maybe do a feasibility study. Um when it comes to the budget, the police uh hiring new police officers, um the only part of the cost is is paying them when you get them
on and you're training them or whatnot. Um there there's a lot of cost when it comes to uniforms because you have to buy them their whole first new set of uniforms and as they go through they have wear and tear and replace. Um but
there's a lot of ancillary costs than just the um actual salary and then of course you have health care and pension contributions. So to to put a specific number on it um you'd have to look at a lot of variables. some that are in the
future that you don't know. The mayor already touched on the lawnmowers, the 144 inch. Um, what they do is they cut a wider swath and instead of having two guys on the mower, you could have the one guy weed whacking and doing the
cleanup and you could knock out a park in less time. Um, they also go really fast. Um, so the the public works guys need to get some training on it to make sure um they're safe operating um those particular mowers. Um when when you look
at the sewer system, um it could always be better. We do have a $7 million surplus there. I'm a big proponent of um we we need to do more maintenance, more maintenance, and replace what we need to replace at a a fast clip. And if we need
to raise sewer rates, if we're spending down that surplus, um I if it's non, you know, something small, um to keep ahead of it, I I think we need to do it. It's because that's a quality of life issue. Um your your water needs to come on,
your toilets need to flush, and you don't have an issue. So, we we really do need to um deal with that. Uh the minutes, Jamie um touched on that. um the emails. um uh if if questions come up that that we don't know the exact
answer and we don't want to um give an erroneous answer by what we think it is. That's why we say we'd like to get back to you to an email and and literally if you get an email from us with an answer that you think you want to share. You know, obviously you can come to this
meeting and you have your five minutes of public comment, you could express that. And like the mayor said, if we can get it all in the website, that's another tool. Um, the car noise. Um, I did get an email from someone. Um, it
was also time was copied on it. Um, I got it over immediately to the police department um to see what they can do. We do have those meters to measure noise or whatnot. Um, Some of the issues we have in town um actually come from
across the river, those boom parties. Uh I don't hear them where I live, but then again, they're late at night and I sleep like a rock. I don't hear anything. But I know people in my neighborhood say they can hear it. I just I just don't
hear them. Um so if there is a noise issue or as the person brought up um with the an eyes sore in town, bring it up. We'll get code enforcement on it. We'll get the police on it. We'll do everything we can to take care of it.
And once again, I'd just like to say uh thank you to all our boards and committees um for all the the work they do. I wasn't able to go to the spring festival Easter egg hunt, but I've been to a few. And like I said last time, it
is controlled chaos. It's fun to watch, but I do appreciate all those volunteers. And that is my report. Um, so right now we're going to go and we're going to get a motion to go into executive session. We're not anticipating taking any action, but we
will come back into public. Can I get a motion to go into executive session, please? Motion. Second. All in favor? Any opposed? Hearing none, we're going to adjourn to executive session. here. All right, we are good to go.
All right, I need a motion to come out of executive session, please. Motion. Second. I'll second. All in favor? I I Nace hearing none. We're out of executive session back in the regular meeting. There'll be no action taken
based on the executive session. So can I have a motion to adjurnn, please? So move second. All in favor? I any nays? Hearing none. Motion the meeting is adjourned.