Welcome everyone to our council meeting on February 24th. Uh we'd like to everyone please join us and stand the pledge of >> allegiance 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. >> Thank you. This time uh Miss Eckers will please read the sunshine statement. 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 Camden carrier post on
January 7th, 2026 and posted on the bulletin board on the same date. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Marorrow >> here. >> Mrs. Aedu >> here. >> Mr. Lion here. >> Mr. Smith >> here. >> Mr. Jenny >> here. Hi, we're going to begin our work session. We have a number of items to
discuss tonight. Uh the first item is uh well a number of items are with Nikki at Pedu uh Medicare Medicaid workshop series, Delan Social Media Working Group, Delan Volunteer Job Bank, and the annual Delan Senior Expo. Uh you want to
take over there, Nikki? Um well these were um ideas that have put forth and I was looking forward to us discussing it and coming to a conclusion with the mayor before going forward. Um so one of the reasons why I
came up with these projects is one thing give me a second. So when you talk about the uh the first one I have there um Medicare Medicare workshop series um
I've learned you know by talking to seniors some of them don't even know when to apply for Medicare Medicaid you know because there's a time frame is a whole lot of things you have to do before you can qualify to get it when you retire and I figure that would be
something where we can bring it to the township and people will have that you know in advance you know and if you have a family member who's a caretaker they'll know what to do or what to look out for. So that's the idea behind that because a lot of people are not aware
that they have to apply for that by a certain time when they're retiring >> and that work that's going to be workshop will be held here we'll set a date for that. Yeah, once we decide that we're going to go forward, we'll come up with a few days. I'm thinking maybe
three this year and then we'll, you know, contact the uh Department of Aging and then we'll contact our state legislators, county commissioners if they have any experts, have them come and talk to the um residents.
Good. Now you were saying so these are a series and now are they are these all going to be together or are these going to be individual? >> No the way I look at it is to start with basic because it's a lot to learn and I don't think anybody can learn that in
one hour. So when I speak with experts and find out what's involved then I'll know how to put it together. >> I think what the mayor's asking is are all four of these items they're not they're going to be on different dates. >> Oh that's what he's talking about. >> Yeah. Is that the series? Is like B C D the
series? >> No, everything is separate. I was going to talk I was going to address each one separately. >> Okay. Well, yeah, I love it. Let's get dates together and >> All right. You want me to continue? >> Yes. >> All right. So, yeah, the first one is separate. That's just for mainly for
seniors and the families. Um, the second one, the Delray Social Media Working Group. The reason I thought about that idea is because I keep, you know, saying, you know, seniors are usually um victims to scams and fishing and all of
that. And we do we do do training, but I figure it would be good to bring um like an intergenerational group together because older people can be prayed on as victims because they're not too good with technology. Younger people know
technology, but they're not concerned about safety. I mean, not all of them. So, I figure if the two groups come together, the older generation can actually coach them into keeping their private information private and, you know, safeguarding themselves. So,
that's what we're looking at. Um, and once we we when we approve it, then I'll put together a plan and get some experts involved. Continue. >> All right. The next one is um the Delray Volunteer Job Bank. The reason I thought
about that is mainly because of the snows we have, right? Um I got a neighbor who's um you know, she's she's elderly, you know, and she needs help when there's snow. She's married, but at this point in time, she needs a lot of help
clearing the snow off her sidewalk. So I'm like, if you have a a volunteer job bank, people can register. We can have there if somebody needs a volunteer to come help. If somebody want to help clear some the seniors or clear the snow or help them with anything, you know,
these people in the job bank will be vetted. So we know it's not like, you know, anybody trying to pray on the residents, but wanted to be res residents from Del R. But we will have to fet every one of them and make sure you know that if somebody were to volunteer that they're going to help,
you know, the hike of a senior and resident and not take advantage of them. But that's something we have to look into. Um the attorney, you know, once he tells us, you know, what's good and what's not, then I'll be able to put it together finally.
>> And the last time you need >> Yeah. And the last one that I have is the uh senior expo. I believe we already know about that. That's every third Monday in the year is set aside for that day. So this year, um, we're going to do a little differently and I'm going to
start working with, um, Kimberly and Melissa and and Jamie so we can put together something that's going to be a little bit more um, uh, for seniors where, you know, give them time to take breaks, sit down, but that's another whole thing to be
discussed at another time. And that is my >> that's the plan. >> Yeah. if any, you know, any comments from council. >> I just I think I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> I was going to say I think that, you know, you fantastic ideas. Um, you know,
I know we've uh successfully done the uh Delan Senior Expo a couple years in a row. Looking forward to, you know, helping out, anything I can do with that. And the other u ideas also think are great. I mean, anytime you can, you know, help folks get information about uh Medicare, Medicaid, you know,
especially with some of the changes that have taken place recently, uh helping out our residents is uh fantastic. And as you mentioned, it's not just the uh seniors themselves. A lot of times family, uh those folks uh need to uh be up to date as to, you know, what the
latest uh is so that, you know, nothing slips through the cracks. They don't, you know, potentially lose uh some benefits or some coverage. So, u definitely on board with that. So, I think these are fantastic ideas. >> Other comments? >> Yeah. Um, yeah, Nick, I I think it is to
a lot of great stuff here. Um, one thing I I would like to, you know, incorporate with you or you can incorporate is social security information. Um, social security disability, social security supplemental income. There's a few areas there. I know that, um, personally myself, I'm starting to work with that.
So, there is some areas there that are kind of cloudy um, and the information's kind of vague online. So, um maybe you can add that into that, too. Um you know, some social security information, like I said, disability benefits and the supplemental incomes and things like that. So, I think it's a great idea and
uh you know, anytime we can um help the seniors in in in town um to make life a little bit easier. I think it's a great idea. Good stuff. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Yeah, just lastly, uh the um on all the ideas, they're really good. And and
listen, there's a lot of information and prompts for Medicare and Medicaid, but at the end of the day, if we could help 10 people not fall through the crack crack and get um the benefits that they deserve and need, that would be a benefit. The other the other with the
social media working group, I think that would be awesome, especially looping in even if we looped in some high school kids, they a lot of them need community service hours for college applications and whatnot. um that could be that could be a real a real good thing. And also the volunteer job bank. Uh there's
nothing better than giving back and helping out. Um and and that would be awesome to help people out that uh don't know where to turn, you know, especially if you're older and these snowstorms that we had recently. So yeah, they're good ideas. We got to think them through. Uh make sure we do it right and
get it out there. So uh kudos for putting it out there. Thank you. Council, >> you have any other comments? >> Yeah, I'm going to double that. I mean, kudos. This is all fantastic stuff. Um, especially with helping out the seniors. One of the things that really stuck out
to me was the social media aspect of it. And with a lot of this, um, I would like to see if we could possibly loop in the communications department to assist you with this. Um, I love the idea of the high schools, um, their volunteer hours.
Every time I have a problem with technology, I look for a 16-year-old. Can you help me with my phone? I can't even figure out how to set the alarm. I'm behind it. I love it. >> Thank you. All right. Any other comments on that? The next item is uh the Route 130 New Jersey traffic camera
discussion. Uh I put that on there because well, we just had another um individual that was hit uh on Route 130 last week uh crossing by Holy Cross. And uh fortunately the person they everyone was concerned that they wouldn't make it
but the person is surviving. So that was the good news. Um but you know we've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars as a state on trying to figure out why 130 is dangerous and what can we do. You know they talk about a 10- foot wide walking path and all that and it's all
well and good but none of it uh has done any good to uh control the traffic. And every day I see people blowing through red lights. I mean red lights, not yellow lights. Uh people passing people on the left uh in a lefthand turn lane and going to the right. Uh we need to
enforce I think we need to enforce our laws. Uh it's a state highway. What I'm asking the mayor and council to approve is writing a letter sent to the governor to our representatives uh senators and ask them to consider
again the traffic the red light uh and the speed limit traffic cameras where you can capture people find people. It works in Philadelphia. This is not something that's just a good idea. It's something that's been proven to work.
Philadelphia's uh death rate and injury rate, accident rate is down significantly in the areas where they place these truck these lights. So, I'm just looking for council's feedback on this to see if as a as a group and the mayor we want to do something with this or just let it go.
>> No, I think this is something we have to do. I mean, we talk about just this one, but you know, I I I never had that civic ready app until I took office. And too many times I'm seeing pedestrians hit by vehicles. Pedestrians hit by
vehicle. And it's it's terrible. >> If the if the cameras help, if there is anything else, I mean, we might have to think outside the box because at the end of the day, these are people that are being killed or maimed. And I just I just can't imagine it's because somebody was in a hurry and had to get through a red light,
>> you know, that individual, you know, >> Yeah. >> suffered catastrophic. >> It just seems a disregard for courtesy to others and and safe safe traffic, you know. But anyway, anybody any other comments? Yeah, I think um if and then I'm all for trying to lobby the state uh
to do something, but um one of the things that they did on Route 38 in the Cherry Hill area because there was a lot of people getting hit because they're jumping the median and they're not going to the traffic lights or there's a pedestrian walkway over. Um they
actually put up a fence. So now you can't Well, I guess you can if you're industrious and you want to go over the fence. Um but it kind of forced people to go to the traffic light crossing a walk or use that bridge by the Cherry Hill Mall to get across the road and um
that the the the accidents, the injuries and the fatalities have gone down significantly and and I think we should include that that you know why why not us? Why can't we um get that fence put up where there's a median and um you
know what it it's pain in the neck maybe to walk another half a mile but it's better than dying. So I think we should loop that in. >> I agree uh Councilman I I thank you for your comments and I think we should incorporate that. Yeah, Lyn. And and to what Tom is saying, you know, I've
talked about this repeatedly, the running the red lights through um through through our town, you know, Fairby Street and all and Chester and Tempe. And also, you know, when you get to those lights, you can see like even at the pedestrian walk crosswalks, people are not paying attention to the
telling them when and when not to cross. They just cross. So, that's part of the problem. Um but the state you know can spend all the money they have over the years on doing studies and stuff but that's not going to get you the solution is actually doing something right. So
that span of a roadway from when you leave um uh Edgewater Park which um at the church there the fellowship church there until you get to Fair View Street. It's a long piece of road there and any anywhere where there's a long stretch of
roadway you're going to get people speeding and flying. So, if you go if you head northbound towards Bordontown and you're going through Florence, they actually have um lights that have been there for years that tell you the lights getting ready to turn red or you know to slow them down because it's very hilly
there and you have them real high hills as you as the mayor probably knows traveling through that area. >> Yeah, I like I like that. I didn't even realize that because I take that route quite often and as you're coming over the hill, it actually will tell you light turning red in 15 seconds, 10
seconds, >> right? And and so when you come from if you're coming southbound on 130 and you're heading you know towards Del Rand you that's a hill there and they're flying past that Home Depot and then we have the apartment complex that's going to have people exiting out on which there won't be a traffic light I'm sure
there correct that is there no I don't think there's any kind of light >> for those folks coming in and out of that apartment complex >> not to my recollection I was actually >> that's so there is a lot of concern because it can be a real it be a real tough get out of Home Depot sometimes so I agree with I think you know you
reaching out to Troy Singleton, reaching out to the governor's office. Yeah, let's get some people down here to actually walk along 130. You can put all the sidewalk Jan, but it doesn't really change the way people drive. >> So, yeah, I'm 100% for I want to add something here if I'm Jamie, I'm going
to I'm going to lean on you on this because I don't know if I'm remembering correctly. Did didn't the state come in within the last couple years to present a plan about replacement of all the signals within the township corridor? I think it's like from Union Land in Road
um in in Cinnamonson all the way up through um out of the township. I'll I'll I'll I'll look back um into it, but I I remember somebody from my recollection that it was separate from the 10- foot wide walking path. So my my
point being is reaching out. This is this is the time that you would want to reach out. They're already in the design phase. Adding, you know, the traffic detection for for red light um violations would would probably this is the time.
>> Good thought. Thanks. >> Other comments? >> All right. Uh with your approval, I will work with the mayor to put a letter together. We'll run it by Al and uh review it with the council before we do anything and then we'll forward it out.
Thanks for your comments. All right. Is there any other uh items in the work for the work session? We have Edgars. >> Do you want to say anything? >> No. Okay. Um so we we the mayor and I have been working with the department heads over the last couple months on the
2026 budget. Um in the other room we have the budget binders for you for this evening. Um currently it only um contains the appropriation side of the budget. So the departmental request you'll see capital items in there. Um the annual financial statement is due by
March 10th. So by then we'll have our revenue side of it which you know I'll give you all those sheets when we get to that point. Um but this is just for your review because at the next work session we will have the budget on for discussion. So before you leave tonight,
grab your book. >> Super. Thank you. Anything else? All right. At this point, we have a consent agenda. Um the U item 47, authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for
affordable housing administrative agent. We hire Triad, who is an agency we work with, and they uh will work with us on our affordable housing uh commitments. uh 202648 authoring CMA associate perform engineering services for
municipal storm water reporting. We have a MS4 report that has to be done required by the state and uh we will you know ask CME to provide that information for us since most of the information is resident with them. Uh, resent 202649
approving raffle license. Uh, bingo for Burlington County Animal Alliance. Another raffle license for the Holy Cross Prep Reparatory Academy. Uh, item 202651, adjusting the 2026 quarterly sewer bill for Hunter Glenn. Uh, talking
to Miss Edgars, this happens every year. Uh, there has to be adjustments based on all the readings and information is taken. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Oh, I didn't see. Okay. And um is that 51? >> 52.
>> 52. Okay. And so, uh we will be refunding the appropriate amounts of money. Uh 52. Resolution rejecting all bids for the Hartford Road Sidewalk Improvements Project and authorizing revertisement. I would have guessed that the amounts were out out of line with
our estimates. I >> I will explain in my report. >> Okay. Um, and we're going to authorize payment of bills, uh, including all purchases made under the cooperative purchasing agreement. Any questions on the resolution?
We okay with moving the consent agenda as a whole? >> All right. Do we have a motion? >> So moved. >> Mr. Padu, >> all in favor or I mean, you want to do a whole >> Mr. Maro? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Aadu, >> I. >> Mr. Smith,
>> I. >> Mr. Jenny, >> hi. >> Mr. I >> we have minutes for approval. Approval of minutes for January 13, 2026 public meeting. Do we have a motion? >> So move. >> Mr. Marorrow. >> Second.
>> Mrs. Pedu call please. >> Mr. Marorrow. >> I. >> Mrs. Apadu. >> I. >> Mr. Lion. >> I. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> Mr. Jenny. >> I. We have approval of the minutes for January 2027. 27 2026 work session. Do
we have a motion to approve? I make a motion. Mr. Smith, do we have a second? >> Second. Second. >> Mr. P. Please. >> Mr. Maro. >> Hi. >> Mr. Pu. >> I. >> Mr. Lion. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> Hi. >> Mr. Jenn. >> I.
>> Okay. At this point, uh, we are having public comment. Uh, do I have a motion to open public comment? >> So move. >> Second. >> Mr. Moral. M do. >> Uh, all in favor? >> I. Any opposed? We are on public comment. If you'd like to speak,
get my cheat sheet out. If you wish to speak, raise your hand and you'll be recognized at that time. You may approach the podium and state your name and address for the record. All remarks shall be through the council president. An individual speaker shall be allowed in five minutes. All statements are part of the public record, both written and
video recorded, and cannot be redacted. Do we have anyone who wish to speak? Sir, speech William J. 518 Brown Street, Delran, New Jersey. Mr. Mayor, in reference to resolution 2026-47,
who is the point of contact for the uh Triade Advisory Service? 140. Resolution 47. >> I mean, >> we don't have that contact here, but I can get that over to you. >> Very well, sir. Uh, question number two.
is the administrative agent. Uh does he have the overall responsibility in conjunction with the uniform housing affordability control regulations? >> Yeah. So the administrative agent with with what they generally do is the affordable housing the potential
residents need to be vetted. They need to be qualified and the administrative agent makes sure that those residents are qualified. That's not something that these individuals do. um those income guidelines change by year, change by region. So that's one of the main um uh
tasks of the administrative agent and obviously it's done in conjunction with the law. >> Very well, sir. Number three, what is the relationship to Senate Bill 50, the Mount Laurel decision number two and its application to the affordable housing
plan? >> Turn that one over to you. >> Sure. Um, so the legislation that you're referencing sets forth the fourth round requirements. What they've done over the last year and a half is come into compliance with the fourth round. Um, as it relates to this resolution, they're
just continuing to retain Triad, who's been their administrative agent in the past, uh, to facilitate that plan. >> Question number four, Mr. engineer is Vortex Services the vendor that's being currently being used in Delran for the
closed circuit TV examination of the sanatory sanitary sewer system. >> Yes. >> When that report is generated, will there be a report generated from Vortex Services? >> They will provide a report to our office and then we will provide a
recommendation to the township based off of the report. >> Will you be the first person to receive that report? my staff that is within our sewer department will receive that >> and then that report township >> and that report then will be turned over to Mr. Mayor
>> will ultimately be turned over to the township. >> Will that be unredacted >> from what do you mean? >> Will there be any black parts on the uh block out anything you don't want us to see? >> Uh I don't believe so. No,
>> it'll come as it is generated by Vortex Services. >> They'll ultimately provide CCTV footage to the township and to our office. They'll provide a >> But there will be an actual report. >> Yes, they provide a report. >> So, I'm asking if that report will come
in its complete whatever and unredacted. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> When will that report be submitted? Do you have any idea? >> I don't know the date. You have no idea continuing work. >> Okay. >> Uh let me see.
Will that report, Mr. Mayor, be placed on the Delan website? >> But but you certainly can. Um is >> Thank you. Just for the record, I I'd like to say that I've not seen any report or any information ever come out
of the township that was redacted. >> Okay. Okay. Anyone else? Yeah. I'm Maryann Rebel from 34 North Drive and um I'm here really to compliment you all. So I feel privileged to have you
serving us in the township. I don't have any complaints with the township. One complaint my daughter did have, she had gone the last snowstorm, she had gone to Target and she said the traffic the the parking lot was a mess. You couldn't get
through anything. you couldn't. She wanted to go to Target and she could not. So, I had spoken with um Councilwoman Robert Zapedu and I mentioned that that was a concern for people going in and out and she said she would look into that and she would go
over and consult with the manager at Target to find out what was happening with that, why it wasn't more clear sooner. and she called me almost immediately and said, "I was calling you back on township business and I had gone over and I had spoken with the manager
and the responsibility was with the owner of the shopping center and she said they gave me the 800 number and we will follow up on that." So, we couldn't be more pleased that that action happened so quickly that she responded so quickly. So, I want to compliment her
and thank her. I want to thank you all for your service because really the town has run well and I think that all the time and I'm proud to live here. So, thank you so much for that. Thank you councilwoman because really my daughter said to me today I was at Target and
that parking lot is clean. So, thank you very much. That's my only comment for tonight. >> Thank you for >> and I want to say to Councilman Lions that you for everything you've done over the years. >> Thank you. Anyone else?
>> Uh, Patricia Griffith, Brown Street, Delran. Um, I just have a question about uh the resolution 202647. When was Triad originally contracted? >> I believe bids went out and they were
successful bidder. >> This is awarded through a non-fair and open. So, it's it's not um through a bid process. And is that that was another one of my questions. Was there a reason why there was no bid >> because it's under the 175
>> is not required >> and we worked with them over the past and it's a pretty complicated issue that affordable housing. So we sticking for consistency. >> Okay, that makes sense. Um, that's part of my question because I was looking at
the other resolutions and uh 2025-50 talks about a municipal housing liaison. Is this triad different than the municipal housing liaison? >> Yeah, the municipal housing leaison is somebody in our township. >> So that's a township. >> That's a township employee.
>> And then who is our affordable our township affordable housing attorney? >> That is uh Platt Platt Stuart Platt's office. Yeah, that is separate from triad. >> Okay. So, and then the other thing is because going through um in resolution
202552 has CME being the um the housing consultant for the fourth round and do we already have um with CME housing consultant for previous rounds of the
fair housing act? Do we know? I mean CM has been there our municipal they're our planner so that is that is typically who we've used through through the prior rounds. Yes. >> Okay. I just trying to get it clear
because the resolutions come up differently and to try to make sense of like how the whole um fair housing system works. I'm trying to like put the pieces together by looking at the resolutions and it's like it seems like you have triad, you have an attorney and
you have a liaison or there who else is involved in handling the fair housing just >> the only other I mean basically the township planner um which is CME and the at everybody you listed there. Yeah, the attorney um I mean different things come
to council. We will have an ordinance on uh for next meeting that involves affordable housing also. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Switching gears. Um was on the 17th when the county commissioners were here, they mentioned a study the EPA was doing on
11 river towns to do with the flooding because they said it was an ongoing problem with the flooding. And I was curious since we have a an ongoing study with the Army Corps of Engineers. Are they do you know if they're sharing information? Because if they're all looking at flooding, it seems like they
should be sharing information even though they're different agencies. >> I mean, we Yeah, we have brought our information from the Army Corps to them during our meetings. I don't think they're sharing it directly as far as I'm aware. >> Yeah, there there's there's separate
meetings that we've been trying to set up with with the group. It's just there's a lot of moving parts within that and then with the governmental shutdown that happened uh previously we were going through that that channel and things kind of got hung up a little bit but they've been in communication and they're aware of of the study and have
uh communicated in the past from my understanding. >> Are you involved in both studies? I am not involved with um the county related that's through the county and they have their own consultant um through the state um and then the army corps were just the liaison essentially between the
town and the army corps. So I'm actually going to give an update um on that in my report. >> You have an update for us? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I was curious about that because it's been a year since we gave them some money. So I was hoping we could get an update. I just think it would make sense if you have different agencies doing the similar studies that could share
information so it might help expedite things because it's >> well they're really different. The the Army Corps is addressing just the Grand Hocus Creek, the sewer and the burner. The climate assessment is a countywide uh not countywide but a county driven uh
survey and uh uh project. If you remember we had them in here. We had all we had about 30 residents in and we had maps and they had information they were providing and everyone was providing input and then there were other meetings afterwards and then they're working
right now on a on a report as to what all the input was and it's more for climate uh assessment and storm water assessment but for about 11 towns not just >> right. Right. But I just figured if it has to do with flooding it's got to
somehow connect because it's all >> Yeah. As you know, Miss Edgar said, you know, they can sh or maybe they can share the information, but they're not working together. Army Corps is kind of a >> they work on their own. >> Well, that's why I was trying to bring it up like maybe they could try sharing and >> we'll share the report. There's no
problem. >> Army Corps move along there. >> Sure. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any other concern? >> Good evening everyone. Gary Catherine Bone, 261 Burning Tree Road. U so I I'm
hoping I'm not misspeaking, but I believe uh Councilman Lion, this is your last meeting, >> correct? >> Okay, good. I've tried over the years not to misspeak in this room. Not that I've always been successful, but I'm trying not to do that today. I just
wanted to uh thank you and uh for all of the years that you have uh served the residents of Delran. Certainly been uh someone who has been diligent and worked hard. I know that because I've seen the
results of what you've done. So uh I I hope you enjoy your time off now that you are retired and uh uh that you will enjoy I'm sure you'll be traveling. Uh anyway, I think I speak on behalf of a lot of the residents of Delran that
thank you for your hard work and that's really all I had to say. Thank you. >> Thank you for the kind words. >> Any other comments? >> Sir, good evening. Tyler Burrell of one periwinkle lane mayor council
professionals. It's good to be back. I have to say I've never been on this side of the podium before. So this is a first for me. But as uh Mayor Catchbone said, I want to congratulate Tom on all your service here in the community. We have spent a lot of time together. We shared
a lot of whiskey in his basement over many of the issues that have been resolved or discussed here. Um yeah, as uh at the uh at the de but um seriously Tom has been an asset during my time uh as as council president. We served as vice president together. Um Tom is a
great leader. He's a great elected official, but most importantly, he's just a great guy. So Tom, thank you for your service to the community and your friendship and good luck on your retirement, your second retirement, I should say. >> And and my service is a fraction to what Gary has done and you have done, but I
do appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, motion to close public comment. >> So moved. >> Tomorrow. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Smith. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?
>> We are out of public recession. At this point, we will have a report from our emergency services if any. I think they just went out to their meeting. >> Uh boards and committees. Um Deb's not here, but she asked me to uh speak for the green team. Um there's a tree
program that we have developed with Fernbrook Farms. Fernbrook Farms is where we buy our trees that we've been planting for the last several years around the community in our parks. uh they have agreed that they will uh we you can select of a multi multitude of
trees and if you need assistance in choosing the right tree uh we have Al Karp who many of you may know uh will give advice on the right tree then it can be ordered from Fernber Farms they will come out plant it take care of the
whole thing uh the trees will be similar to the ones we've been planting are about two two and a half inch about 10 foot tall um they're anywhere from $100 to $350, but that includes planting it and everything. So, residents now can order these and there'll be an
opportunity to have trees planted in the spring if if you want one. >> Uh, that's it for I guess for committees and boards. Um, >> hey, yes, excuse me. Before I'm sorry, but before you go any further on the tree thing, is that on the township website on is Are we going to have that?
Not >> It will. It will be. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. Great. Awesome. Miss Edgars, >> thank you. Um, I just have two quick things tonight. I just want to thank again public works, the sewer department, OEM, fire, police, the emergency squad, um, for their work
during the recent storm. We had our public works department here from about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday to about uh, 300 p.m. on Monday. So, they put in a significant, um, amount of time. And the sewer department was also here from about 10 o'clock Sunday night until about noon on Monday. and they were
working to clear the not only the plant but all the pump stations um throughout the day. So, and I know public works was out there today clearing this municipal sidewalks in certain areas and cleaning up anything that they didn't get to yesterday. Um so, then again, this is just a friendly reminder to all
residents to please move your vehicles um off the roadways during the storms. It really does help. And if you can see, you know, I drove around town today and the roads really do look great. And then the second item that I have is we were contacted by the friends of Burlington
County Animal Shelter. Um they're looking to place a bin in the lobby for collection of pet supplies and food. So I just wanted to run that by you to see if anybody has any concerns. Um they'll leave it up for about a month and then they'll pick everything up and they take
it to um take it to >> take the doll. >> Yeah. the Oaks Pantry in Mount Holly. So, if you're okay with it, we'll give them the okay to put it out there.
>> Okay, go for it. >> That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. At this time, we'll have our solicitor Elomero. >> Sure. I have nothing nothing additional to report on my end, but just to uh honor Mr. Lion, and it was been a
pleasure serving with you. Sure, >> the summer engineer Ed. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, so I will I'll start on for the MS4 um annual report. So, as you mentioned previously, it's something that's required every year by by D. So, our office will work
together with DPW to compile all the records necessary to submit. Um, it's due due May 1. Um, you know, we've done it every year for as long as I've been involved in town. Um, next next order of business, I already touched upon the
CCTV. Um, the Army Corps. So, we met with them uh yesterday. They're progressing along with their feasibility study. Um they are anticipating to have something that they can present to the public um by the third third fourth
quarter this year, so sometime in the fall. Um I I asked them if that that's something that they would be able to come into a work session for and they they were open to the idea um regarding the same um so they can get feedback from the public. um in addition to our
office and the township uh representatives. Um so just an update on the road projects in town. As you guys can imagine, it's on hold due to the snow that we keep getting. Um so we're we're hoping that they restart in the next couple weeks once we get the melt, but we keep seeing snow in the forecast. So
fingers crossed in two weeks when we have 60°ree weather, we'll uh we'll be done with that. Um so Vermese uh the soccer field with the lights. Um the contractor needs to install the ballards around the current transformer in order
for PSNG to come in and replace the existing transformer with a new one. Um and then the lights should be able to be lit. Um and then there's a couple minor site work things that they have to do and then the project will be closed out sometime. >> So it was supposed to be this week.
Obviously that got uh pushed back. Um but it's the next item for the contractor to do. So, they were out there um I believe it was two weeks ago or last week. I can't remember which one. Um but they were out there digging um finalizing everything for um basically the the powering on of the
lights um themselves, but the lights themselves have been up for a few months at this point. Um they're just waiting for power themselves to confirm everything's working. Uh I think Oh, then the the last thing I want to touch upon for the rejection of
the bid. So there was work that was done by others um which Jamie and I are going to follow up on separately that um drastically changed uh a portion of the scope um and in reviewing the bids the bids would
have been impacted in terms of the order. Um so it was our our recommendation to to reject amend the plans accordingly. we will have to resubmit the DOT and then we can officially revertise um our our office is planning on hopefully to submit by
the end of this week if not next week um for reapproval from DOT. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh this time we have our council members and we'll start with Councilman Maro. >> Thank you, Council President. Um first off, um yeah, just to piggyback on what
Jamie was saying on the snow removal. Obviously, we say it all the time, but to the public works guys out there are driving the trucks, the sewer guys. Also, you got to remember the guys in the repair shop to keep them trucks running smooth and fixing all the salt machines. We know how bad they break
down quickly. And also to the police department, EMTs, fire department. Whenever you have a a storm like that or any kind of clement weather of that magnitude, um, everybody's on high alert. So, um, thanks to all those folks. Um, one thing I I want to talk
about real quickly is um I don't think we've ever in the 12 or 14 months I've been back to council, do we have a for the AA fields, things like that, do we have any kind of layout like like as far as maintaining fields uh uh dirt
replacement? Do we have >> maintenance plan? >> Yeah, like a maintenance like we do with the road road program. um something that we can have in concrete that going forward every year we know what fields need to be fixed and what dirt needs to be replaced on the ball fields and
soccer fields and um and what seating needs to be done so we can actually have a game plan going out a few years. I don't know if that's something we can do. I'm sure we could uh Ed Ed um but um and work with public works and if the mayor is willing to do that but
somewhere we can formulate a plan going forward so we the township has an idea of where they're going and fields to keep up and repair and have the money allocated for those areas every year instead of just waiting for a grant or or you know an emergency happen. So, um
maybe going forward we can have a discussion on that or if the mayor is willing to do have a discussion and see what we can do that way. Um oh, and finally, I just want to thank uh Tom here next to me. Um these past 14 months have been um uh great. Um you've been a
tremendous uh president for council. I've worked with a few other different u presidents. All been good and you right up there with them, Tom. Uh a great negotiator for our contracts. I'm going to miss that. Um, your expertise in the negotiating field is, uh, you don't
realize how much that means to to the township to have that expertise at the helm and we're going to miss that. Um, but your dedication to the township, Tom, um, you have a beautiful family, a wonderful wife, uh, your openness to to
everybody on the council, welcoming u me back, um, bringing let me come over and get to know you really good. Um, and it's been a great pleasure and I hope you do enjoy your retirement. I know you will. Hope it's a healthy and long retirement. Um, and with that, um, thanks again, Tom. It's been a real
pleasure. Thanks. >> Thank Thank Councilman Lion. >> All right. Uh, just to piggy back, uh, great job again on snow removal, all our emergency services, fire, police, the EMTs. Uh it's kind of getting redundant
that we have to have these storms, but it is uh winter in the northeast. Um and I know that um Brian and DPW puts into the budget what he thinks he needs for fields and because of the history what
he has, but I think it's good that we have that discussion and move forward. Um and you know, all our committees and whatnot, they do a great job. We we saw our our buyer folks here. They couldn't they had their own meeting. They couldn't stay for a report, but they
always show up and everything. Um and as stated, this is my last meeting. Um so I generally just wing it, but I actually put something down and because public comments five minutes for the the folks. Um I timed this and it was 3 minutes and
18 seconds. So if I get through this uh without any hiccups, I'll be good. All right. Is this my last uh meeting before I officially step down? I would like to uh think I brought a downto-earth common uh person's perspective to everything we tried to accomplish or implement.
Growing up of humble means, I never felt uh disadvantaged, but was always loved and encouraged to be the best. My parents and older siblings told me, "If you want something, figure out a way to make it happen with morality and determination. No shortcuts. work hard,
get good grades, and for me, be the best athlete possible. I put myself through college and was blessed to be able to play baseball for the University of Arizona. All my experiences from being a dishwasher, janitor, construction worker, retail clerk, cook, forklift
operator, and general handyman, and some other things, uh, not only helped me get through college and graduate, but prove to me there is dignity at work, no matter what the job is. What my parents and siblings instilled in me work. A 21-year career driving a UPS truck was
demanding work, but afforded myself and my family a nice middle class life. Transitioning to an elected business agent for the Teamsters Union brought a whole new set of challenges and learning experiences. almost 18 years of representing workers was priceless, as
was rising the ranks to the number two man in the union, responsible for the finances and doing it right and making sure we were always in compliance. All the aforementioned experiences allowed me to have a unique perspective when I ended up volunteering for the township.
zoning board member, councilman, vice president of council, president of council, and planning board member were awesome learning opportunities. Listen, learn, and think before you speak was great advice that my father gave me. It
has been an honor and a pleasure being able to serve the residents of not only W 2, but the entire township. I would also I would also would like to thank all the dedicated employees of the township as they have been so wonderful and helpful to me in my various roles
for the past 11 years. While I hesitate to mention specific individuals for fear of inadvertently emitting someone, I would like to acknowledge the first township employee I encountered, apart from Jim Mitchell, who I met while obtaining a firearms ID, but I wasn't
working for the township so that doesn't count. uh after being invited to volunteer by both Mayor Paris and then council president Gary Catcherbone. That person is Kathy Phillips. She was the zoning board secretary at the time and
she could not have been nicer and more helpful as I listened and learned along the way. Thank you very much, Kathy. I believe you should give more than you get, but due to the quality of the employees and the amazing residents of Delran, I may have gotten as much as I
have tried to give. It truly has been a wonderful experience for me and my family. Thank you to my brilliant and amazing wife who laughed at me when I said I was going to do this around 11 years ago. Always supportive and willing to give a different perspective than
maybe I had. my children who very readily were willing to give the under 35year-old perspective advice and scolding for my sometimes archaic thinking. Thanks to the current council members and mayor. I appreciate you all.
Shout out to all the former council members and mayors. It was an honor serving with you. Al, Ed, Jamie, I appreciate you. Keep up the good work. Delran is an awesome place to live. God bless all the residents, employees and
professionals. I appreciate my time here. Thank you. Well, I'm not going to write anything down anymore. Very well said, Councilman. At this time we have uh Mr. Padu.
>> Thank you, Council President. I just want to say thanks to Tom Lions for working with me. I was green at a thumb and he helped me through. Um it was good working with him. He's like, you know, he's like that solid person who shows up
when you don't know what you're doing and he, you know, like Mickey, you got to be careful. But anyway, thank you very much and I will miss you. Council Smith. Yeah, thanks a lot. Um, just a few things this evening. Uh, first and foremost, again, it was said
earlier, but thanks to all of our, uh, folks here in town, the police, the fire, EMS, uh, Department of Public Works, uh, sewer. Another fantastic job of, uh, you know, with a really like big storm. You know, two of them we had, uh,
within the span of a month. I don't think we've had this much snow in, you know, probably in years. You know, uh I know we probably had more snow this year, but we had the last like five or six years combined. So, it's been a lot. And uh you know, again, as was said earlier, uh just a tremendous job by all
of our um folks here in town, you drive around different uh towns up and down 130, you'll see the difference. Uh you know, Del Rand definitely does the best. So, thanks again. Um also like to thank the residents. I know um as I was out,
you know, helping clear snow from some of my neighbors have, you know, some folks who don't own snowblowers, some folks are a little uh a little more senior. Uh so, you know, all of our neighbors just kind of came together and just made sure everyone, you know, was able to get to their cars, clean them
off, you know, clear path, um you know, make sure that their walkways were passable. Uh, and again, that doesn't happen without, you know, fantastic people with, uh, you know, big hearts, uh, that just want to make sure that everyone's, uh, well taken care of. So, thanks again. Uh, love the love the
residents of this town. They they always make sure that, um, you know, everyone gets what they need. And, um, you know, one day, I'm sure I'll probably be an older guy, so I appreciate, you know, being able to pitch in now. So, hopefully somebody will take care of me when I'm, uh, not quite as able. Um, and
lastly, I would like to again uh thank uh Councilman uh Tom Lion. Tom, uh it's been a pleasure working with you uh on this council uh and over the years. Uh just, you know, I'm going to miss you. Um as was mentioned, your expertise with
negotiating is uh something that I know the town's definitely benefited from. Um I know personally I'm going to miss you as a friend and uh but it's welld deserved. retirement. You know, this is probably the only time in life I wish I was a little older so I could also be joining you on retirement. But I got a
few more years of work. Uh got a kid in college, so you know that that's going to preclude me from uh retired anytime soon. But anyway, uh thanks again, Tom. And uh just wanted to thank you for all your service uh throughout all your roles uh throughout all your career. So uh well deserved and we're going to miss
you. Thanks. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Council Smith. um public works. I can't I can't go without again complimenting them and all of our EMS, but particularly this is when our public works people stand out. Uh
tremendous job. I visited every neighborhood in town again a day after the snowfall. And uh I was really impressed with the job that they were able to accomplish. uh except for you know the few cars that were left in the street and trash cans uh the streets
were cleared very very well and and we really appreciate their efforts because our surrounding towns don't come close. Um the uh county commissioners I'd like to thank uh Mr. Burrell and uh Commissioner
Allison Eko as well for the uh seminar that was put on and and moni and uh moderated couldn't get it out moderated by Councilman Smith. Uh a lot of good information. Um we'll continue to do
these type of community open houses to help people understand how our government works and what is going on in our county and our state and our township. Uh Tom Lion and I uh spent time on the zoning board together and Tom moved into
the council and and I came on council. Uh Tom I believe is council vice president and uh you know I watched him and and listen Tom has a a a good set of assets that have been mentioned his uh work experience and his negotiating
skills and just his uh critical thinking I think and clear thinking uh has been a real asset to our council. Uh, I enjoyed working with you, Tom. And when I became council vice president, Tom uh shared with me what was going on and brought me in and helped me understand more what
goes on around the township. And I appreciate that very much. And I will hope to be as uh successful as you were. And I thank you again. And I'm not going to wish him a happy retirement. I know he's going to have there's no doubt about that. Tom, good
luck. Wish your best. All right. At this time, we have one person hasn't spoken yet. That would be our mayor. >> Yes. Thank you. Oh, this is working. Thank you. So, um, real quick on the report, I want just want to say thank you to our public works and all of our
first responders. Um, while we were all hunkering down and the news was telling us to stay inside and how terrible it was going to be, these were the guys that were putting on their boots, putting on their jackets, and going out in this. So, thank you to them guys. Everything that you guys did was tremendous. And now to my friend Tom.
And I say friend because, you know, everyone here has known Tom a lot longer than me and I've only known you for a year and I think we became friends pretty fast. Um, when I first started this, I'm going to stand for this just because I like walking around. So, when I first got elected, I came here.
Obviously, I didn't know anything. And everybody in this room knows Tom's famous phrase, you don't know what you don't know. But I want to thank I want to thank Tom personally for Tom took me a little bit under his wing and he kind of he he mentored me and he helped me along along with everybody. But Tom
especially you were the first person that I sat down with and talked to and we discussed how we were all going to become a team and I think we've effectively done that. I I I think everybody works well together and I'm sad to see you go. Um I was going to prepare a speech but sometimes you know
I don't have the time to do all that. No, I'm not going to sing. Now, Sam would have been here if I was going to sing, but I really I just I couldn't think what to write down. So, I was trying to come up with an idea for you or something that I could do
that would tell you thank you and how much we appreciate the years of dedicated service that you've uh that you've put for Del Rand. And I thought to myself, no, what better way to do it than with cake.
So, if you can come on down here. >> There's no candles you have to blow out on this. >> And I'd like everybody to stay to have uh to have cake with Tom >> and my wife likes the sweets since she's not here. >> Exactly. Do you want to read it or you
want me to read it? um honoring your years years of dedicated service to Delran Township. Your impact will be felt for years to come. >> Tom Lion, the mo motion of adjournment.
Motion to adjurnn. We had we had to have that on the cake, right, Tom? Thank you for everything, buddy. And from myself and from everyone in Delan, we appreciate the years and years that you put into this. Dad, just just so everybody knows, when he got elected,
you know, we got together and you'll remember I said, "Your success is our success. Our success is your success." And together, it's everybody's success because it's all about the residents. It's not about me. It's not about It's
about doing what's right for the resent. It doesn't matter. Got to do what's right for think. And thanks. >> All right. Well, let's uh we have one more thing to do and then we all ask everyone to please join us in some cake.
Uh do I have a motion for adjournment? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. This be the