The open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Franklin Township by publication will be made by posting on the Bolton board in the municipal building posted on the township website and electronically transmitted to the officially designated newspapers
indicating that this meeting would take place in person at 7 p.m. on March 2nd, 2026. Okay. >> Okay. I wrote it down. So, we'll do it this way. >> You ready? >> I'm ready.
>> Ted Chase >> here. Walker >> here. >> Here. >> Present. >> Present. >> Maria. >> She's got to be late. and easy. >> He's supposed to be here. >> He's supposed to be here.
>> Yes, everybody at this point. There only eight of us. >> So, very quick uh environmental commission. I think I mentioned these last time, but uh the B9 warehouse saga still continues. uh both the township and um
the seaway group from Canal Walk have filed appeals of Judge Menon's um decision and um the appeals are sometime mid the spring maybe the appeal court will make a decision. So that one is
>> there also was a proposal there is a proposal to build a mosque on south middle bush that original proposal was to make it a Hindu temple but they sold the land to this group for a mosque and
the original application said that they would only be open on Friday nights and that's what it said but the website and all the other things saying no they're going to be open every day, three days, three, four times a day and a lot more
cars and a lot more water usage. And so the town is now trying to figure out what it is they're really going to do and whether that means >> it's right next to Snider Farm and Snyder has objected because of water runoff that could affect him. So that
one is in limbo. I don't know when when it >> they really put in their application to be open once a week. Yes, >> that was the original application just Fridays which is their Friday. Yeah, Friday is amazing. But I'm surprised that they even did that. >> I don't know. We don't know. They they
originally followed they're working off the plan that the the Hindu group had filed and maybe they just copied it from that. But that's not what Muslims do. I mean I know that you know in our temple we have a Muslim group that comes Friday
afternoons you know and and we we share. >> That's nice share. so we know, you know, when they're there and everything. Anyway, so that's that's mainly what I have just as an update. Um Oh, next would be the um approval of the
minutes. >> Move to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Any changes or modifications? No. >> You get your changes in Tara. >> What were my changes? I don't know.
>> A while a while ago. you I think you the last thing I remember is that you wanted it stated specifically that you would invite landscapers to the next. >> Right. Right. Thank you for remembering what I was supposed to remember. Yes.
>> Yeah. There was somewhere in here where said something about invite that I was going to invite the landscapers. >> And you did but it didn't it didn't specifically say that in here. I guess uh send a draft to landscapers and
invite does say then he will send a draft and invite them to comment. It does >> say favor. >> I I was prepared to move a rearrangement of the agenda to put the landscapers on
first, but I don't >> I I spoke to two landscapers today. I contacted all of them earlier today um either by text, email, or phone. two of and two of them called me back later
today saying that they were coming and a couple of others said they were coming also earlier. So I don't know it I would say yes if we could put this off for a little bit later in the meeting. >> We'll see what happens.
>> I I expect them to be here. I'd like to hear that comment. Well, go ahead and do stuff and then when they get here, we can put it. >> Is there a meeting going on over the other side? >> Yeah, there's a fire district meeting and there's a police meeting. >> I'm just going to take a walk over there
and see if anybody's over here. >> In the meantime, I'll we'll have a motion to open the floor to public comment. >> I David, did you want to make any comments to Well, you're fine. It's nice. It's
getting warmer. That's my >> Yeah, you noticed. >> Okay. Well, then we'll uh motion to close for >> second. I >> I don't I haven't been able to get to the mailbox because there's no key to
when I go to you. If I go to them today, the office will come and open the mailbox and see if we're going to >> We don't have I don't I doubt there's anything in the mail cuz they will most likely put it in mine if it was and I don't have anything. Yeah. No correspondence. >> No one slight plans.
>> Um I gather we got five flight plans. Yes, >> I have one. You want to have a seat over here? >> Guess who I >> found out on the other side. >> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> We'll change.
>> We'll do the landscapers. >> Move move to reorder the agenda to put the landscapers on. Now, since we have a number of site, >> I'll second. All right.
>> You're on. >> All right. So, you want um >> back on it? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Um >> thanks for coming. >> Yeah. >> Um I'm Arie Schmidt. I spoke to some of you before your representatives. I'm just going to read you something here
and then allow you guys to have your say in this. Okay. Um as you uh as you may already know, we are an advisory committee to the township council. Our members are appointed by the council. We have prepared wording for an ordinance which
I which I sent to most of you or your representatives and if approved by the council would place a partial ban during specified times of the year and specified times of days on gasoline or fossil fuel leaf blowers.
It's our intention in the near future to send this to the township council in some format, which is why we invited you here. Want to give you the opportunity to provide input for us to consider and decide whether we should amend some of
our wording. Once the council receives our final product, it will be up to them to decide whether to move forward with this or not. If they decide to move forward with this, they would put it on their agenda to introduce to the public at a council
meeting and at some time in this in the process, you would have the opportunity during council meeting public session to voice your opinions and concerns. So, we're looking for your insight into wording that might you might want to
change in this. Um, but that said, you're welcome to use your a lot of time to also tell us about your concerns that you have, but that's not something that's going to make us change our wording, which really, you know, whether it has to do with the times that we've
said that there would be allowed or not allowed, dates that it would be allowed, not allowed. >> Do you have those times and days or did you you don't have those yet? >> Well, we sent that to you, but I I don't get I didn't get >> We didn't get any of that. Uh, I sent it to some of your representatives.
>> I have it on the screen if that helps. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> By the way, did you get the the updated one that I sent you today? >> What time did you >> It doesn't It doesn't It didn't change the time. Is there anything? >> Oh, okay.
I can pull it up. Should I pull one up? >> That's okay. You don't have to. You don't have to. You can just just That's it. >> I can I I can read it off here >> or Paul has copies of it. That's great. Give him a few minutes.
>> Sure. Sure. >> Why? Can I ask why? >> Well, over the years, this is something that we've thought about for several years. main reason that people complain about the noise. That's that's the bigger reason. Um, but
there's also the air pollution reason. And if you read in the beginning of what Paul just gave you, um, it gives you reasons for why we're doing this for noise and for air. Um so if you just if
you want to take a look at that part of it also uh we have um justifications of prohibition uh for for noise and for air. So it's just a matter of time before this happened. And as you I'm sure you
know there are towns that have done this before us. >> Has a question? >> No. So, I'm reading here where you have pollen and things blowing it. What's the difference if a gas one's doing it or an electric one's doing it?
>> The difference is, as you know, and I'm guessing one of the reasons that you guys I'm making an assumption that you guys are against this something like this. >> I totally >> Yeah, the gas powered ones are much more powerful than the electric ones, the
battery operated ones. and therefore they will pick up what's on the ground, the debris, the material that's on the ground easier, pick it up more of it than the electric ones and blow it farther.
So you know just quickly you know thinking about concerns on our part would obviously be the additional expense to purchase additional uh cost of the electric to charge the batteries uh extra storage in the trailers that
obviously are limited uh right now um extra payroll that it's going to take because the jobs are going to go slower because you know more power faster time additional payroll control. So, the the jobs are going to go slower, you know,
so just quickly in the first couple minutes of sitting here, you know, the concerns, you know, just right off the get- go that I I would have uh, you know, for that. And obviously, a lot of those expenses are just going to get
>> unfortunately, you know, passed on at to homeowners >> to homeowners and associations or whoever it's going to be. um you know, you're not going to charge them for the $700 leaf blower that you're going to have to buy now, you know, but you know,
that's and we have so we have four landscape crews um with three to four people in each crew and there's four to five backpack blowers in each trailer, one for each guy and then one
for a backup if something breaks. So, I mean that's that's a huge expense. >> The other issue if I could just say two things you know first >> um if you don't mind could you if you're speaking could you give um your name >> to uh for >> my name is Will I'm with Spooky Brook
Landscaping. >> Oh yeah yeah we drive past >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So um I'll get everybody's name before >> Art from AW Contracting. >> Thank you. I put a signup sheet up here too this way. Yeah. Yeah, if you don't
mind tend on your way out if you don't mindut on the way out signed us for the minutes, but you can go ahead with their name. >> Maybe we'll land. The other thing that I talked about in the email that I sent um plus a
little bit what I just said in my opening comments here um is that we're looking for if you had looked at we what we sent you or gave you tonight wording that you thought might be
helpful if this was passed. >> Um that's what we're looking for from you. We know that this is not something that you're looking forward to. We understand that because of the cost, everything that you just said. We we
understand that. We empathize with you. Yeah. >> Understood. um that type what you're talking about there is when when we send this to the council as advisors
um and if the council decides to say yes, we want to introduce this and they it'll be on their agenda. They'll want to introduce it during one of their meetings, their scheduled meetings. And when they introduce it, there'll be time
for you in public session to make your points to the council about everything that you just talked about as to why this is bad for business, why, you know, all the things that it's going to cost you and you're going to pass that cost on to the to your um people that you're
working for. Um >> so can I just say something about council procedure? >> Yes. Because when they officially introduce it, there is not a hearing at that hearing. You'd have to you could
speak up in public session before they get to the introduction. When they bring it up for final passage, they have a hearing which you can can address the
ordinance directly. So, so just for my knowledge, >> Ted used to be a council member. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, the way, so let's just say it gets to that point and the landscapers show up and say their piece, it goes or doesn't go or however that
goes, but that doesn't mean it's it's a done deal, right? you guys can bring it up a year later and then it and then when there's not as much notice or you know people are kind of past it and then next thing you know a year later it goes through that I mean
so is this something that's going to have to be fought from here on out on our end if that's the case >> or how does that work? >> First of all it might have be might not have to be fought at all the council looks at and says no we don't want to do this. Okay. So, okay, that's a that's a
possibility, >> but we don't know where this is going. >> The other the other thing I like to also mention too is first of all, the batteryized stuff that commercial people work and I do residential all day long. The batteries don't last all day. So, now you're talking about either putting
a generator in the truck, which will be running to recharge the batteries, or you're going to put a system in your truck to charge the batteries for the equipment, which you're going to have your truck running. So there it's not beneficial to anybody either to sit there and have your truck running
because go buy the batteries. You're not going to buy five batteries for one day. I mean it's just un the cost is so unefficient. My other suggestion is why not more of a time limit. So you have I see where you speak about people
here you know with the time you know with the rest. Nobody needs to be running backpack 9:00 at night. I'm totally with you on that. Okay. Just like when a job starts, start a township job. You can't start a township job, construction job till 7:00 or 7,
whatever your time is. They have a time you can start. You're not starting a backpack blower up till 7:30, 8:00, but that backpack blow is going to You don't want to run it on Sundays. Tom, Dick, and Harry guys that are out there on Sunday trying to make an extra buck. Sorry, but go buy an electric one
because people don't want to listen to that blower running on Sunday. >> You know what I mean? That's the kind of >> these are things that we have to be for us, you know, that's what I'm saying. >> This is the kind of information that could be helpful for us as far as >> the days of the week, the times of day.
>> Those are the those are the types of things that we could change that we would consider changing in the ordinance. um as far as having to, you know, on your truck you have generators and stuff like that and you know it's not going to work because of this that those are the things that you would
bring up to the council um that that that's not going to impact how we >> do our wording here. So these are all good points, but some of them are for us and some of them would be for them. >> Well, that's why I'm saying to work with everybody. Okay. So most people are at
work, they come home at work at 5:00. They don't want the dust blowing in their face as they get out of their car, whatever, at 6:00, whatever. You know what I mean? They're sitting down to eat dinner at 6 and 7:00. They don't want to hear a backpack blowing on it. So, hey, look, you can only run these things in residential areas x amount of time. You
know what I mean? But again, it's efficiency, but it's also being economical or environmental and all that. you have your other disadvantages of trying to keep these batteryized things going by not helping the environment is what I'm saying.
>> Um my other question would be would there be maybe areas in the town that the gas ones can be used as the electric ones can be used. So if you're if we're working over off a Cottontail in Davidson Avenue when there's no really no residential houses around and it's
just an industrial park, you know, obviously >> in that particular setting and no one really they're at work, they're not in their backyard and and at home. >> It might be an option as well. >> That was something that I had originally
thought about when I was putting this first draft together. It's something that we might want to, you know, revisit. Um, as far as if you're, and I'm just throwing this out here, if you're 500 ft or 1,000 ft away
from residential areas or some or something like that, um, there might be exemptions. I I don't know. It's something that we would have to we would have to, you know, address and discuss. It could say, for instance, that the ordinance would
would only apply in residential zones. As long as I I agree that that's a possibility, but residential zone that is right next to because of zoning a
commercial or an industrial property. Um, you know, that becomes a that could be a problem. So, it would have to be a situation in my mind. It'd have to be a situation x amount of feet away from a residential zone, >> right? Like the SA, excuse me, the SHI
building, 300 Davidson Avenue, and obviously they have those two buildings right there, but they have houses right on the back side of their property, right? You know, kind. >> Yeah. So, we're going to have B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B in in the business zone, but across the street
is canal walk, >> right? But all of P1 is zoned residential. You got Amazon and all the other >> commercial >> Nissan's uh
North American headquarters. >> Yeah. Right there. Yeah. Yeah. So that's and um in the in the senior citizen zones, the the four of us um the HOAs also have hours. >> I know you've worked there already.
>> We can't start anything before 8:00 there. >> Yes. >> I live in an HOA. >> Yeah. Um the other thing too is the amount of time that the backpack blowers are running compared to the weed whackers and and lawnmowers. You know, they're they could be running at the same time. So, you know, it's not as if,
you know, you're cutting down much of the noise, per se, and the stuff blowing around because, you know, you're trying to be as efficient as possible. You're going to have one guy on a lawn mower, one guy on a weed whacker, and one guy right behind them, you know, with the backpack blower, you know, kind of
cleaning up behind them. So, it's not like everybody's cutting, weed whacking, and then there's three blowers going. So, the noise and dust are still going to be kind of moving around at the same time because you're going to have the lawn mower and the weed whacker possibly going at that time as well. >> I speak to you earlier today about
lawnmowers. I spoke to I spoke to one of you guys today. Somebody called me and brought up lawnmowers. I don't know if you >> No, not us. No. >> And when they brought up lawnmowers, I said, >> "Well, would you like us to, you know, include in the ordinance lawnmowers?" >> Yeah. >> And we're not going there now.
>> Right. Right. Right. No. what I'm I'm >> but as far as the noise is concerned for that >> in Franklin Township our noise ordinance does not include decibels. >> Okay. >> So you know when you when you piggyback
the leaf blowers and the and the lawnmowers and everything else on back of each other where it's going to increase the sound levels. >> So it's not a matter of that well it's over 65 dB on the next property line. That's that's not where it comes in. So,
we're not even considering decibels as far as I >> can I just say I mean uh I used to work in health and safety at Ruters, not the most popular department dealing with facilities maintenance and whatever and
we had to enforce OSHA regulations. And I just want to bring to you that the times are changing. You know, we are becoming more technological. We use fossil fuels. We're migrating from that. We're concerned about air quality, noise. It's like I'm sensitive to noise
in my condo association. I don't want him weed whacking outside my window at 7:30. I'm retired. But I I developed this own my own context around change. And I go, "Sure, I like change as long
as I initiate it." You get it? Because what power do we have in this life? You think when you, you know, you grow up, you're going to be able to, you know, make decisions and whatever. No, everybody else around us is making decisions for us. We have to adapt. And
we're in the in the technological age. We have to adapt. We have to look at different fuel sources. And yeah, I believe I do think our we should have decibel levels because we used them at Ruckers. you know 90 dibels was action
level according to federal OSHA and I don't know smaller businesses I think you can be federal OSHA you know >> 90 90 dB has nothing to do with with residents that has to do with workers so we're not we're not deal
>> OSHA also deals with at home my understand >> and we don't and the noise ordinance in Franklin Township does not use decibb >> yeah no I know and I think that's that could be an But >> they just they just changed it so it doesn't use
>> decimals. Well, that was before my time. >> Anyway, >> within the last year. >> Okay. So, it's like times are changing, you know, when we all have to adapt. I mean, I could be very flip and go, let's go back to rakes. I'm old enough. I'm a boomer. You know, we used to rake the
lawn. You know, I done Oh, god. The push the push mowers. You know, we're so mechanized, fuel powered. it it's we're looking to the future and I care about the environment. I care about the planet. We're one big biological ecosystem and what we're doing to it
scares me and I want us to all work together. It's hard for you to make these changes, but we have to look to the future. And you know, change is inevitable. And you know, and I've been on this commission for a short time
comparatively, and they're very intelligent and I think amanable to talk things over. So, we can probably work something out. But change is coming. Okay, I'm done. >> Change is coming if the council accepts
what we're putting forward. There's no there's nothing saying that this is going to happen. This is just an idea that's come to us based on people in the town and outside the town that you hear it all over. People don't want to hear the the leaf blowers cuz they make the
loud loud noises. They penet the the high-pitched noise. It penetrates the walls of their homes. You I'm sure you've heard these things before. Um so that's where we are. I see we uh have some somebody new here. Are you
>> Yes. How you doing? My name is Bruce Jagger. I'm owner of Jagger Lawn Maintenance, a legally run business in this town uh pushing almost 30 years. Um I keep it, you know, very straightforward. I just don't think it's very practical and um the fact that
we're talking about, you know, emissions and fumes and dust and people's health and safety. We're going to be mixing, you know, battery operated batteries with electric with mowers and gasoline. Um, and if we're going to be talking about people's safety and health and the
environment, you know, electric with batteries and gasoline doesn't mix, right? So, when we have fires and people's health and a battery explodes and we there's a there's a lot more other issues I think that need to be looked into. >> Mr. Jagger, >> Arie Schmidt, you and I spoke earlier
today. >> Yes, sir. And I thank you for updating me and keeping me involved in this. I do appreciate it. >> Right. Um as I >> wanted you to go here, we don't want to spring anything. That's why here. >> Thank you. And to tell you the truth, it was
actually a council member who came to me and said, "Why don't you invite some landscapers to your meeting um so that they can provide input uh to what we are to what we are doing.
Um, but again to address what you're saying and what we spoke about earlier today, what we're looking for tonight is you're you're looking at we've what we've written providing us input as to what you believe might be helpful in
what we're looking at writing that might be helpful to you. We have had one comment that wasn't an original draft of mine that we will look at about um what was it about the um the zoning about possibly if it's being
done on a a large commercial or industrial property that's and I'm just throwing a number out there 500 ft away from a residential area then there might be different ways of of writing the ordinance for that because it's not going to be impacting people elsewhere.
Um so I mean that's something that we could consider. So that that's the type of thing that we're looking for that could help us change some of the wording and what we have done when it comes to the time to talk about what you said how
and and others have said where this is not good for business and going to cost you a lot more money and all of the things that go along with that. That's when you use you talk about that when and if when the council gets this and they decide if they decide to bring this
forward as they want to adopt this as an ordinance when when there's a time for you to be able to speak in front of the council. That's when you would give them your reasons why this is not a good idea. >> I don't if you are done.
>> No, please. Well, uh my name is Tany and I'm also member here and I'm also sitting on the New Jersey New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association. Uh and I also want to thank you for coming here. Uh I understand that you
are concerned and you feel like somebody's pushing you to do something. Take it as a first listening session and I want to assure you that we are looking into it in a broader context. There are jurisdictions within New Jersey and
outside in uh in in elsewhere in in in our nation where much stricter ordinances have been applied. Uh we are just proposing here to to start with
eliminating certain and time frame where when uh gas fuel powered equipment cannot be used but uh if you have if you have time I invite you to visit quietprinceton.com. Uh this is uh Princeton is always ahead.
>> Yes. >> They had lots of listening sessions. They they listened to people like yourself. They had um educational session and they showed how it's possible to switch to to electric to which extent I don't know I'm not
landscaper but I know some of them let me finish this some of them I know and they switched and they are saving money. So what it implies that there is some information that is missing here and that you are
maybe confused by some information out there that actually doesn't make sense. So we will make sure that the information will get to you because we don't want to uh push you into something that you don't like. Yes. And as far as Princeton goes, I know I figured I was
going to quote, "There must be something in that ordinance because I've run my truck through there and work for developers, okay? And I hear backpack blowers going during the day. So there must be areas where they're not you where they're using them and not using them, but I can hear the backpack
blowers running. I mean, so I don't know what I know that they started that a few years back if they it's a couple years old, >> but it could be a matter of the time of year whether it's during the >> in this ordinance that we've put together during >> during spring cleanup and fall cleanup.
It's about approximately 2 hours in the two two months in the spring and two months in the fall, not exactly, but approximately where you would be allowed to use them. um because we understand that's the time where you really need the the extra power um for those for
those cleanup. >> So it's possible that's when you hear them. >> There's actually equipment that is quite powerful even it is electric. It's not true that electric is weak. You know that used to be batteries are much more advanced and they are getting cheaper
and cheaper. You know what you hear today is the equipment that was manufactured two or three years ago. Today it's much better. It's becoming cheaper. Um and uh you can also have a
trailer with solar cells on top and just have it recharge from sun directly. You know, this being said, for legal lawn companies, like I I can see if you're talking people that do a couple lawns, we're talking couple hundred lawns, multiple industrial and commercial
complexes. And that's why you say it's not practical. So, and is there any grants that would be offered to us to, you know, for chargers and batteries and to do this? You know, it's it's great that Department of Environmental Protection has some grants for electric
equipment. I'm not sure whether it's applicable for landscaping equipment but they have for medium heavy duty definitely it's going to affect us right at this point >> at this point there is not something from the township however again it
hasn't gotten to the point where the township is even considering this yet >> so whether they would take that into consideration don't know I I I would hedge my bets on that but you know we're far away from that point but it's it's a good point held that Princeton
agreed to pay 20% of the cost of new electrical equipment. So I noticed something about land to >> every landscaper. >> Every landscaper working in Brimstone, >> every every legal landscaper.
>> Well, you just cut that in half. Frankly, >> we're going to have vendors that are going to go out and force this because that's another thing. Well, if I understand you guys brought that up to me in some of our conversations that there's a lot of landscapers that aren't aren't legal, they don't have licenses and things like that. But the my point
>> commercial tags and non-commercial tags. My my point my point is that if it comes to a point where they are able to get some kind of funding, I would imagine to do that you would have to provide your license to show that you have a license
to do it and a license to do it in Franklin Township. I'm not sure how that works. If you just need a license to the state, county or municipality, I'm not sure how that works. But if I'm if if I'm in that situation before I hand out a grant to you for x amount of dollars,
I'm saying, "Show me your license that you're you're legally allowed to do this kind of work. Without that, it's on the application. Without that, you're not getting the funding." The other unknown, you know, with the batteries getting better and, you know,
just everything changing, you know, and is on our end would be the unknown is the repair costs because all the all the repair facilities that we deal with at at this point obviously deal with combustion engines and gas powered engines, you know. So, what it would
cost to one go, you know, you know, like a Tesla or an electric car. You're not taking it to rest this gas station over here to get it repaired or Getty down here or anything like that. You're taking it to the dealer. So now the extra time, effort, and cost is going to be to then repair this type of things is
an unknown cuz there are really >> it is unknown to you, >> right? >> Uh this is one of those things that we obviously we want to bring to your attention. uh the electric motor uh will last much much longer than internal
combustion engine. Uh the maintenance is so much smaller. Um and again you know if the battery is wrong battery years ago then yes you need to replace it but but modern batteries are much more
advanced and the more you cycle them the better. Excuse me. So these are the batteries that if if you pick the right equipment you can use them in summer for landscaping in winter for uh snow removal. Um and uh so that that way
those batteries will last. It's like you know when you have a lead acid battery this is really the worst example to compare because with lead acid batteries they have short span lifespan. If you discharge them they lose capacity. Um
and they are very heavy. The energy density the power density is is much worse. So you know in electric car every electric car has the lead acid starter battery okay that needs to be replaced every 3 to 5 years but the lithium ion
battery that is at the bottom of the vehicle. I have seen cases that vehicle electric vehicle was crushed totaled. They took the battery from the bottom and they put it into another electric vehicle.
The vehicle that got the is still on the road, you know. So the fire safety is overblown that that you know they make you believe that every human battery will will burst into flames. I'm citation citing citing you right. Um and
the the longevity is also much much better and unfortunately China beat us in the technology but you know it just shows that what is possible. Yes. >> My concern is not so much the battery is just mixing we have employees right that you know you're mixing chargers with
electricity to charge batteries with gas cans right in in enclosed trailers. >> No you would not be charging your battery with with that's another misconception. The best way to charge the battery is uh when you have solar on the on the roof of of the trailer. It's
not practical. >> It's not really being practical, but okay. >> Solar panels are very very not being practical, >> but you are entitled to >> even if you're charging. I can tell you
what, I can see a lot of more fires and stuff affecting the environment when these guys are trying to plug in the chargers because we don't have solar on the trailer and people there's gas cans spilling around. I've got enclosed trailers light up on fire on East Avenue within my 26 years of legitimate business. And you're going to start
giving these guys batteries and plugging them in and chargers and extension cords running across my property. I think we've gotten I think we've gotten far into the weeds of the of the the very very minor details of where this could go. Um >> practicality.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um so you know we have to take it we have to take it one step. >> Landscapers they use electric truck and that has a huge huge battery. You can charge your small battery from the truck. >> What do they what do they cost?
electric truck >> how >> downale we don't get paid enough as legal companies because the government doesn't force the illegal company so I don't know what >> um um
>> a regular size pickup truck >> uh I I don't know I don't know >> an F150 >> yes they're electric F-150 there >> okay so you got so I know we're getting off the wings here but an F-150 can't pull the trailers that we're pulling.
>> We have 3500 3500s and trucks with diesel motors and 6.6 L gas motors that have, you know, 500 horsepower. >> So, I mean, >> so that is, you know, from what we're trying to do, we're pulling around lawnmowers that have three to four
lawnmowers that are, you know, 500 500 lb a piece, you know, with all the other stuff. And then you got So, there's there's I want to talk a lot. They're used for plowing snow, too. We suggest on just stick with >> get back to you. Well, you you need to give us more information.
>> Just stick with the the leaf blowers. That That's what we're looking to >> possibly regulate here. Um maybe what Stan's talking about is good stuff. Whether it would be good for you guys or not, that's another story. Um so again
you guys have given us some some good information that you know we can look at that we can make some word changes in this something that we have to discuss. Um but again we don't know where this is going to go with the council. The
council might look at this and say no we're not ready for this >> right. >> Um and but if they do say they're ready for it that's when you guys go and tell them exactly what what you're saying. It'll be in a meeting like this or a meeting in >> it will be in the council chambers.
>> The official meeting. >> It'll be on the be on the agenda. Right. >> I think we're good. I think we gave you our input. >> It's been great. I'm really I really appreciate you guys showing up. Not saying that any of us want to screw up the environment anymore. We just have to
be in >> We just want to be realistic on >> what's going to happen. That's all. Absolutely. We we understand that this is something that is change >> cost and who that cost come from >> on you on your clients and everything.
Well, yeah, because I mean, so you're talking about cost and stuff and you you go out and you're charging a residential person, you know, $50, $60 to, you know, whatever it is to cut their grass and now it's got to go up to $120
because of the time and the the new equipment that you purchased. And like Bruce was saying, someone that doesn't have a legitimate business in town can come and undercut you. So now we're trying to do the right thing, abide by all the laws, regulations so we don't
get fined, and we're losing, we've put out the expense, purchased the what we needed to purchase to comply, and now we're getting undercut by someone who's not complying. And now there's no one out there to then enforce that
the the rules that put in place. And now where are we? the people that are trying to do the right thing are sort of, you know, kind of >> the other associations, your fees will go, your mother,
the the wording that we have now, um, as it's written now, >> you know, very primary, >> uh, preliminary. Um, >> it's based on complaints. If people complain, it's not like the police are going to be driving around and saying,
"Oh, that guy's using a electric or gas powered a leaf pl, >> right?" >> We have it specifically in here that that's not something cuz the police do not want to be doing that. >> I'm sure. Yeah. >> It's when it's when somebody complains about it. >> Yeah.
>> And they would then call the appropriate people, most likely the police department. And when they then it'll be up to them to come out to to look at enforcement uh to do something like this do the enforcement >> and and that would be based on you know
if it's the if it's the people that don't have licenses to do what they're doing maybe they're the ones that get called on more to um and get caught more. >> Right. And also when they get caught, when they get caught, if the police go
out there, I don't know how they work, but one of I used to be an investigator, an environmental investigator. When you go out there, you're asking different questions. And one thing you're going up to them and saying is, uh, you're not supposed to be using this this time of the day or this time of the year. You
can't be using gas power. Also, can I see your license? >> Right. and they can't if they can't show you a license for what they're doing, that takes it to another level in the township. I would think I would think, >> which might be tough because I I think
if if if you were to go out and like contact one of my crews, would could they provide that for you? >> Probably the license, you know, you know, with the information that you're talking the license number on your trucks. >> We have DOT numbers.
>> Multiple numbers. Yeah. I mean pesticide hi home contractor license we're supposed to once again police are aware of that it's not enforced right so but that license is not applicable for lawn maintenance but I can just state this and we are saying sir once again about practicality it it is in the title 39
book that if you're using a vehicle for commercial purposes and it's noticed to be every week at a particular property for running a business the police can summon that vehicle for being used as a non-commercial commercial vehicle and
just plain note that does not happen. So we we go back to being impractical. Once again, my word is practical for all of this. We're going to try enforce something when they can't even enforce proper registration because the police don't have time nor want to be bothered. And that's why my word is practicality. Let's be practical with this police.
>> Sir, it can outlook where I am. >> Yeah. >> We have these PMRs, you have to if you have a vendor coming in, you got to have an insurance and you got to have a license. Yeah, >> I I just did one, you know, >> talk I'm on the covenants committee
also. They cannot walk and so that's why all of our vendors I mean you know we've got we got six miles of streets. >> Yeah. Yeah. Small town. >> It's it's it's going to be tough. You know it's a >> change like you said change is
>> I didn't ask but it's thrust upon you and now how do we deal with it? We've got to work together >> and be reasonable. And the other thing that we're suggesting suggesting in here when we make our suggestion to the council is that >> we're not going to say okay when you
pass this it starts the next day. >> Yeah. >> We're suggesting this might start 6 months 9 months a year from now you know let everybody know about it so you can become prepared for it. You know we want to make it fair to the landscapers to do to do it properly. So that's part of
what we have written in here. Now also >> we're really glad you guys came. >> Yes. Thank you for your input. >> How long you replace a blower? >> If you take care of it, they can last you anywhere 3 to four years.
>> I get longer having a further grace period before it goes into effect. So that to some extent at least They would just be having natural
replacement natural replacement blowers be phased in. >> So something like that. So say you have five say you have five blowers in your trailer and you need to be compliant with you got to have 20% of your blower
fleet to be complied with. you know, maybe that as a as a ramp up, but you know, when when we're not working in town here, cuz you know, we work all over the state, you know, then we unfortunately it's double the cost cuz
now we have to have the the regular and the other blowers, you know, so it's like, okay, and now I don't have enough room to store all this stuff in a 20 foot trailer. I did just see an infomercial on cable I think today and I don't remember it was a blower. Oh, only
2 and 12 lb. Oh, the regular blower only blows at 2 3 m an hour. This one blows at 25 miles an hour. I don't know. Yeah, >> keep your eye open for of course it's probably residential, not commercial, but stuff is happening all the time.
>> Well, I don't know. It's just it's >> logistically for us obviously it would be Yeah, absolutely. We understand and kind of go from there. >> Let's just let's just keep in touch. >> Well, you have you have our email.
>> All right. Maybe that's okay. >> All right. >> We're good. >> Appreciate it. Thanks, guys. Thank you. >> Thank you for coming. >> If you guys don't mind just writing down your names. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Have a good evening.
>> Thank you. You too. Thanks for coming. There are new laws, new regulations. >> So, um, do we have to talk about next steps, Arie, for this? Is there anything we need to do or >> um, you know, I don't think it's something we have to talk about right
this moment, but they gave us a couple of ideas. I mean, I can put some thoughts down and anybody that wants to put some thoughts down and and send them, you know, individually to me, not copying the group, you know, Ted had an idea. There was the idea about, you
know, commercial property, you know, how many feet away and stuff like that that we might want to incorporate into this. >> Um, and then we can we can look at what we come up with at the at the next meeting. >> Okay. >> That would be my thought. One one of them mentioned that uh the
hours are actually pretty generous. >> I think they are also >> so you know >> and I think they're very generous. >> So so so I think if anything it's just a message that start replacing start thinking about it
>> what the session was >> because uh you know they can just make a trial buy one and see how it works. It's, you know, they are concerned, you know, I thought that people were concerned that water and electricity doesn't mix. Now they say that gasoline and electricity doesn't mix things.
>> And I don't think anybody, this is just my opinion, I don't think anybody, any of them are going to buy battery operated >> today until they are told they have to. >> They're not going to do it as a test. They're going to do it when they're told they have to,
>> unfortunately. And they are also victims of the political propaganda here. Yeah. So >> I I would think that recharging a battery during the workday
would not be a very practical thing to do. If if a battery will last let's say 6 hours of an 8 hour day or something like that depending on how heavily it's used have two batteries
>> a backup >> and then you charge both of them overnight. >> I have a I have a lead whacker battery operated that lasts me about 45 minutes the battery
>> now. So that I'm sure they're they're probably stronger batteries than that, but it's the battery that came with the, you know, the piece of equipment that I had. So if it even if they last 2 hours, I don't think you're going to get batteries that are lasting four or 6 or
8 hours. >> That's from what I've seen. I just seen um industrial grade because what we are talking about is the residential and they went with price and practicality to the point that it just doesn't make
sense to stay with with gas >> right what they are talking about is the industrial grade and you cannot have multiple batteries of the size that we have so those that I have seen they have a backpack okay and the battery is actually in the
backpack And it's it's not small device that would really blows lots of air, you know, and I don't remember how many hours it lasts, but um I suppose that they may still need if they want to do 8 hours a day, they still may need uh uh
have another backup battery. But what I was referring to this trailer, you know, and and it sounds maybe sci-fi for them, but it can be even done as a retrofit. I don't think it's too expensive because uh solar panels are relatively cheap.
Put it on the trailer and you you will have another set of batteries. those cheap LFP batteries that will be the primary storage when sun is shining and then when uh when you run out of charge,
bring it to the trailer, you plug it there regardless of whether sun is shining or not because you cannot depend on whether moment shining but your storage battery is is charged to the other one, right?
And uh it can be uh sized in such a way that you know you just need two batteries those that are in your backpack and u before you run out of the second one the first one will be charged. >> It would be great if you could find out
if you could get some specifications on uh batteries these blowers. If you can find some that last four or eight hours, I'd be interested in hearing that. >> I think what I'm talking about more about prototyping, you know, because I have
>> depends on how much of the time they're being used. >> It's like saying I have a electric power saw. uh I go out and cut logs is probably a tenth of the time that I'm
out there that I'm actually using the battery. >> Great. So, >> I would hope that they would talk to to landscapers working in Princeton with the Princeton requirements or any other
town that has requirements and find out how difficult or uniff >> they don't want to do that. They'll probably if it gets to a council discussion, they'll probably stand up
and give all of their objections and council back down. >> Well, that's why I'm saying we don't know what's going to happen. Uh once that happen, you know, once it gets to that point, if it if it gets to that point, if they accept what it is that
we're looking to do, um we don't know where it's going to go from there. All we can do is what we think is the right thing to do, the appropriate thing to do. And then after what we do, we feel good about it. It's out of our
hands. Then it's up to the council to to do and hopefully they do what we're recommending. But they will hear from these people. >> We already almost 8:00. We got >> I was just responding to Ted. I'm done.
>> We got five sight plans. I do have to leave at 8:15. So I want >> you have to leave before we do sight plans. >> No sight. >> Can we take a photo now since we are kind of >> No, Easy has to leave at 8:15 and we have like five sight plans.
>> You want to take a picture before shooting a picture and I can talk right away. >> We have everyone. >> This is the most we're ever going to get. Yeah. >> All right. Well, quick. It's got to be
super quick cuz he's got to go. So, >> you want to do it, Stan? >> Do you want to use your phone or my phone? >> I'll take it of you guys. >> And you want to have people sitting here and people standing here? >> That's what I was thinking. >> Do I stand up here? >> Stand here. Sit here. And people
standing behind, right? >> Yeah. Stand. Yeah. You stay where you are. Paul, you go sit there and chair next to Stan. >> And then we go behind. >> Have the taller people standing in the back. The other people sit. Paul said stand. >> I'm comfortable standing. >> Will you talk?
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Also, it's a good seniority. So, >> well, in that case, I should be >> There you go. >> No, no. I'm going to take the picture. You're not in the picture. >> No. No. I'm just the staff person. I'm
good. Here. You sit down. Sit. Go ahead. Okay. It's a cute jacket. >> Shall we shift then so that we are aligned? Oh, he's coming. He's coming in. >> All right. I like red. I'm >> good. Okay. Let me zoom.
>> Good. Uh, do you mind just moving that chair out of the way? Um, it's like right in the picture. Okay. >> Perfect. That's good. >> Excellent. All right. That's good. Ready? One, two, three.
All right, I'll take another. Let me zoom out a smidge. Hold on. I think these are all good. Let me do one like this. >> You like where these pictures go? >> Yeah, you're fine. >> Don't make identical pictures.
>> Well, they're going to be pretty identical, so you you edit them. >> Nobody's holding. >> There's a bunch of pictures. I think they look good. >> I think they look great. Okay, >> stand. Give it a quick look in the ear. >> Oh my goodness. I think it's cool.
>> We'll find something. >> I think they look good. >> Awesome. All right, we're going to let EZ do his. He's got to go. >> And he has Did you get a chance to look at Don or No, >> talk a little bit about about it, but let's talk about that.
>> Right. First up, I have is uh Islamic Circle of North America. >> Can you just go down to a little bit? So, this is a property on Hamilton Street. Never mind my red notes on top. >> Oh, your red notes. >> You want to see what I wrote? >> Oh, wait. I have the map. Let me just show them this. Okay. Here's the
property. Okay. This is Hamilton. This is Veronica. Just so you're can acclimate yourself. Veronica. Hamilton. And this is the property. >> Yeah. And over there is Miss Peterson. >> Yes. Are you on your notes? Easy.
>> Yeah. Can you just go back? I think it's I This is not like technically environmental. zoning I believe. Can you go on go down to the map? There's an image at the bottom. So this is the existing there are two floors in that building in the Islamic center. They have an office. Can you put get it a
little down? >> So they have an office space here. >> Just put it a little down. >> That's up. >> The other down. >> Yeah, definitely. So they have an office space here which is currently being used but they want to convert the office
space into a prayer space. A prayer worship place. So 3/4 of the place will be there. >> Yeah. This office space. Can you move >> the gas station? You want to go down? >> Yeah. Go down. So that's what they're converting into an office space. And
then on slow two. Can you go down? Stroll stroll down please. Oh, where does the second image go? Slow two has two conference room with a wall. They want to break in the wall and put a put a sort of a folding uh unit so that they can use the whole area. That's all
they're asking for. >> Nothing to do environmental, but I uh >> that wasn't a loadbearing wall that they're getting rid of. >> Yeah. >> No, I'm trying to fix >> nothing. >> Uh are they are they inherently uh above
impervious or >> the property? the property. >> I check that. >> Check that >> because maybe they highlighted it even though it's not changing outside but >> I get it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> But because other than that I we have >> there's nothing to say about it for that particular property. >> Yeah. There's no additional square footage or anything proposed. >> All I all I've told them in my comments at the end t if you go and go scroll right down just told them to be mindful about the type of you know wood they're using, the paints they're using. just
try to be eco-friendly in the lighting, all of that. That's all. >> Got it. That's all I say. >> Does it change the number of parking spaces they'll need? >> Um, so they have justified parking spaces over there. And uh they in one of their comments they say that if at any
given point uh there is an inflow of people coming to use a press space, they can use the a JSON lot next to it across it. Something like that. >> People can use that lot which is available for an overflow. >> They don't expect it, but in case it happens, they justify it. It's good to have a >> uh that was one and then the second
one's Veronica Avenue. >> Second one. This is 45 Veronica Avenue and this is called Dream uh Dream What is it called? Dream on me >> on project something. >> Dream on me industries. This is just where you go. So this is Veronica again just to acclimate yourself. This road
here is Veronica. This is the property. >> Yep. This is Route 27. >> It's mostly seen from Barrett. Am I right? >> Yes. Right. The visibility of the car. >> Yeah. The visibility is poor in terms of you can't see you can't have access to to Veronica. And what they're asking for
are signage is more number of signages bigger in size than the actual variant. So they're asking for a variant because they are much bigger in size. And uh what are they asking? They're asking for five things. They're asking for a logo which is usually not allowed. But they're asking for a logo because of the
visibility issues from Veronica. people will not be able to notice their business. So that's all they're asking. Signage areas to be larger logo u three totaling signs wall-mounted signs and directional signs like 14 of them. >> Are they are they illuminated?
>> None of them are eliminated. >> Illuminated is already crazy enough. >> Huh? >> Is already crazy enough. >> Yeah. >> The entrance is opposite to the algae now. >> Yes. So if you look at that that's what they ask asking for. This is their uh
designs. >> Yeah. >> Got to retract their application all together. >> All right. So, and then the last one is did so done. Odin Dunn came in as a resubmitt, but it just got easy today.
So, >> I know. So, just to remind everybody, Odin is on Wednesday >> and it's up on Wednesday. Yep. >> On middle bush. Oh, sorry. It's on Cedar Grove, right? Autumn Cedar Grove. this new area. They're building 14
single unit houses and they were asking for variances on a particular property lot on the extremities. Um >> that's the one we talked about before where they wanted them spread out and the town was clustered. >> Yes, they were clustered. We were suggesting to reduce one of the single
units rather than 14, make it 13 just to spread them out. But they're asking for a variance in the extremely property lot. I think the variance the total variant the total permitted frontage was 200 and they're asking for 130 and 140 for each of those units. So that's the variance. But what I'm surprised of of
that review, right, um the the the trees the free plan doesn't match to the second submission. This is the third submission. >> It doesn't match. Those numbers don't add up to me. >> Yeah, they don't. That is >> doesn't add up. >> So in this submission though, did you notice I know you didn't get a lot of time to review, but did you
>> No, I did notice the new submission for the trees. It does not match to the to the second one. It actually reverts back to the first one. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, we had asked him to increase the number of trees. I think they were cutting down some 1,000 trees, something like that, right?
>> Uh here's the last >> 2,000. >> Here's what we did. So, as part the applicant had significantly reduced the number of trees on site to be removed. So, it went from 2436 originally in the first submission, then they were going to only remove 21.84.
Then the next proposal required 2,74 trees to be planted and the applicant was going to post,00 roughly on site. So you're saying this new submission reverts back to the 2400 being removed? >> I think they they plan not to remove 345 trees. Something like that.
>> Oh god. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So we're against that. >> More. >> They want to remove more. The other comment we had last time >> a lot of discussion about trees at the planning board. We tried to persuade
them to to cluster to leave that very back end undisturbed and put the houses on smaller lots and they didn't want to do that. >> Did they mention anything about native vegetation? >> Yeah, they they give a complete
description about that. So all that is good on that. And what about the we also recommended the solar panels on the roof for minimum make ready solar >> I didn't read that I didn't get a chance to read I just went to two of the sections which I was interested >> there's no law you know they're not a warehouse
>> no we had recommended that >> that's the reason why we said they should keep planting more trees because of the >> when you speak to them at the planning board they're aware of how much it would cost per tree for them to pay into the tree fund if they're not able to plant
Oh, I'm sure they're aware of it, but yeah, we can reiterate it. I mean, it would be >> in incor it's it's only it's still only $300 a tree and that's been >> I think it went up. No, >> it was it was
$30 a tree for 10 years. They're supposed to change it every year. >> Then they finally changed it after 10 years and now 3 years later, they still haven't changed it again. So, Shade Tree is going back and forth to get them to raise it again. >> It would be $289,500
for them to meet their >> $289,000. >> Sounds like a lot of money. >> Yeah. >> And unfortunately, that's probably a low amount based on uh because it's only $300 a tree. >> Since we're bigger lot sizes and fancier
houses, it's probably >> I think for them. >> Yeah, it's not a big number. farming business. >> 14 houses they could go for close to a million dollar price of doing business. >> Also, they were I thought they were going to agree to
widen the space from the property line to where they would develop and plant more trees along the property lines. But that may have been
what they've reverted away from other plan. We shall see Wednesday night. >> I haven't looked at the revised plans yet after >> I guess you'll see Wednesday night.
>> All right. Well, I think >> you still want me to take a look at it tomorrow. I have I may find some time tomorrow if you want me >> if you can if I mean if you see anything else that's >> I'll just send you an email. >> Yeah, it's going to be I mean we only have those three comments last time if and the tree count has been like a
problem. So we >> Yeah. So we can just reord the same comments cuz Yeah, that one's going before the planning board. So >> thank you. Easy. >> Which one? >> You're good. >> Okay. So give a feeling
the recommendation. >> Oh >> recommendation for >> based >> more trees >> just that we ran through three applications and I didn't recall how what what
>> the recommendations that EZ had up for the dream on me is that this is not a lit display. So the only recommend basically he says no recommendations except for look at uh eco-friendly signage that
have low in low VOC inks can support businesses. That was it for the signage one. And then the Islamic Circle uh that there's no additional square footage proposed. He said we can recommend you know using LED lighting, installing recycling bins, but these are all things
that they would do. We don't have any light comments in terms of the development itself because in both these applications there's no square footage proposed >> method that we will recommend to follow the law and not make oversized sign
because we we had these uh requests before I mean um because uh creates precedent >> well we approved one I think didn't we just that mural didn't we approve that like a few weeks ago And
>> the planning board has a >> idea developed a long list of uh things that essentially the planning board might recommend to council for changes in the zoning. They're mostly relatively minor
things. One of them was the question of is a mural a sign? My recommendation is it's a sign if it includes any wording just a painting. It's not
>> right. >> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. >> Um >> and another another thing I was thinking of bringing up to the landscapers, but I didn't because I think I could figure out what their response would be.
Uh it's currently a landscaping business having its office place of doing business is not allowed in any zone in the township. So we're wondering whether we should allow it somewhere somehow.
>> These guys would probably say, "Well, we have our headquarters. This would just enable small fly by night landscapers to have an office in >> town. So I didn't bring it up.
>> They're in work. >> Yeah. >> Brook is here in town. >> Yeah. >> Well, they're not landscapers in the same sense. I know. I I had a
request passed on to me as somebody was just renting some space back off Route 27 where they could park their trucks and so I saw that zoning officer caught them. >> That happens a lot. Yes. Now, my
suggestion would be that we might allow it in certain residential zones if they have AC access from Route 27 or Route 518. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's a good idea. >> Yeah,
>> certainly down down 27 is not going to >> Yeah, you're right. That's Yeah, that's a good point. >> But that's >> right here. Yeah. Um, can we move on? Do we want to move on to falls? >> Yeah. Okay, I'm ready.
>> Is that good? Are you guys okay? >> This is a application from public service. Uh, they have a substation uh on Bennett's Lane near Dalmer and they want to knock that down and build a new one which will have more capacity, more
booth, you might say. Uh, they want >> Bennett Lane, you said. >> Bennett Lane and and Dalmer. Um they want to take down the lattice tower that they have and put a monopole up. Um the whole thing the building is only the new
building is only 1,500 square ft. I mean the one they want to replace is 1,400 square ft. So it's no big deal. And most of the um surrounding area is crushed rock. The only um paved areas are
driveway in and out. This is an unmanned facility. there's nobody there during the day. Occasionally somebody will come and do some service work, but so the whole um impervious service it's like 25%.
>> It's not even near anything. >> Is it the facility next to Middle Bush Farm? >> I think so. Yeah, it's it's off middle Yeah. >> that way. >> Across from Middle Bush. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> And um so so I went through it
>> with the wrong update the previous application. >> No, this is this keep it's 8827101, right? >> It says 16. Um >> yeah, 84.03. Why does it keep doing that? 88 >> 843 lots. One uh and 2.02 and 2.10 to
three lots. >> All right, give me one sec to get there. >> The total The total area is 8 acres. 8.2 2 acres. Uh, but they're only going to you and they're going to use uh 15.6% of it is the building. So, the rest is
pvious. It's all gravel except for the driveways. Um, they need more capacity. And I don't understand all the language, but uh the the the breaker is going up from 13 KVA
to 69 KV. And um they are going to have a bio retention basin which they don't have at this point for the gather. >> That's right. >> So that's for the storm water management. Um
building has less than 20 thou less than 2,000 square ft. So there's really no regulations that say what you can do and what you can't. >> Got it. The um the one um one area that they need a variance is
because the monopole is is above a certain height. >> Uh the building the building will be >> that's you could put solar on it but it's not it's not going to do anything. >> Impervious coverage goes from 2.54 acres
to the add.11 acres out of the eight. So you probably about less than 25% basically of of pvious coverage and there's only inside lighting. There's no no lighting on the outside. Um they're planting a lot more trees than they had
before. So they're going to take some down, but they're going to do uh I forget the whole number, but it was significantly more. And also they're in some shrubs which they didn't have before, but but they were in a lot of trees. So,
so there's no variance. >> Yeah, there's a C variance. Uh because they're changing. There's a C and a D variance. >> I wrote it down. It's on the first page. >> Oh, yeah. You have the D variance. That's the use variance because of the
conditional use, the height requirement, >> right? >> Um it has to be less than 10 ft or 10% of maximum height. And they are the monopol you said that is >> it doesn't really say how high it's >> light variance >> height variance >> then there is a
>> there's a C1 variant >> it is near the high voltage uh line >> I think so >> and it will not go over that anyway which >> so yeah >> one new monopole and demolition of one
A-frame structure yeah got it >> yeah I mean there's nothing to recommend that they do. They're adding more trees than they had before in a big number. And um the monopole is going to be less slightly less unsightly than the lattice
tower. >> So you have no recommend no recommendations? >> No, I don't have any recommendations. >> Anyone have any comments on this? Um, is that substation serving uh the residential area or >> I wouldn't be
>> I mean I don't understand all the all the voltage in greater sizes. >> Yeah, I know. >> Yeah. Here's what it says. Um, the Bennett Lane 236693
KVA substation. Proposed improvements include demolition of the existing 13 KV feeder roll and control rolls and control house. Installation of a six row KBA uh with switch gear will go to 12
instead of six. And a new 69 KV breaker to expand the existing ring bus to a seven breaker. Got it. >> All right. So, if you can tell me what that is, I'll listen. >> It says the upgrades to the station are being facilitated.
>> Electrical engineer. I would >> It says here, "Once installed, the proposed station upgrades will help satisfy the growing electric energy requirements in the area as well as offload the overloaded Sunnyme and Mount Rose substations." >> Yeah, they need more capacity. Okay. So what I read recently is that because of
the data centers >> that possibility >> uh the utilities they have to scale up but then they will pass the cost to all of us not selectively to those who are adding the law. >> Right. Right. Well um
>> they're not specifying why >> I they must have had approval already from the public utilities commission. >> Yeah. to do this before they come to us because they've got all the plans drawn and everything. >> Yeah. >> So, >> so one quick thing. So, it looks like So, I just I'm looking at this
compliance statement they put together, which a lot of people don't, which is great. So, the variances, the C variances is for corner lot minimum frontage. So, 400 is required. They're they have 136.16. >> Well, that's the line of sight. It's not
>> It's not there. Yeah. Right. >> Minimum front yard set back 100 ft is required. And they have 40 they have I'm sorry >> uh 51.8 ft is where the transmission lattice tower set back is >> and the proposed one will be 38.5. So
they're they're not they don't meet the requirements for front yard setback. Uh what else? Sideyard setback 75 ft required. They have 49.1 but this one the impervious coverage. So 40, the project is proposing to increase the
impervious coverage from 40.5 to 40.9. So they're going up by4. >> That's a rounding error. >> Rounding. >> Yeah. >> But it's >> and that's the height. The height, the monopole is going to be 161.4 ft. >> The A-frame will be 76.2 ft. And the
height of the existing lightning mast is 61.7 ft. So basically what they're saying is there's an existing nonconformity. There's already a lightning mass there that's 61.7 ft. Um and they're proposing this monopole of 161.4 ft. So even though it's tall,
there's already an existing non-conformity. >> Yes. >> What is monopole for? >> That's well they're replacing the lattice tower. So it must be that's the either it's a microwave or something. Oh, okay.
>> They could as well put a wind turbine on top of it. >> They could. They could. >> Are we good on this one or? >> It's the whole essence is public good. >> That's what I'm saying. Put wind turbine
on. >> I know where I could get one. >> All right. And then the >> What was the fifth one? >> The one I have is Let me see if I can have it up here. uh Iglacia Christristiana Rafuio.
This is at 680 Eastn Avenue and they are not looking to propose any new square footage either. What they need is a use variance because they want to use the existing residential structure as a house of worship. Um so the interior work will include reconfiguration. The
existing parking area is going to be mil and repaved which will ultimately provide 23 parking spaces including two handicapped. So they're not increasing the footprint at all. Um what they are doing is basically reconfiguring and repaving. Um they do not meet the minimum setback and
buffering requirements established by the conditional use. So 15 foot wide of heavily landscaped buffer is required in this zone and they basically don't have any uh and minimum of 25 ft setback from adjoining properties and 50 ft from the
roadwide center roadway center lines required. They only have 20 ft from Gerard Avenue and 22.4 from East and A. So they're just under the setback requirement for Gerard and they're about half of the way from East A because
they're not proposing any new footprint, any new construction. It's really all interior work. Um and no tree, no tree removal is proposed. My comment was is the buffering that should not be
approved by the zoning board for the variance. uh they should be required to meet the buffering requirement especially on the Gerard side especially because it calls for heavily landscaped buffering. So they can do that. They can put in buffering if if the compromise is
that they don't have to put buffering along east. It should at least be along the Gerard side I think. Um also pvious pavement for the parking area that they're going to since they're going to be remilling it anyway. Why not try to use pvious pavement? There's no anti- idling signage there right now, but if
it's going to be a house worship, there should be some anti- idling signage. And then I said a bike storage and um we can recommend solar panels on the roof. I don't know if they'll go for it, but >> good list. Um yeah, >> uh are they uh a subject for the
charging station? >> So that I don't know and that is a question that I have on here. They're considered institutional if they get the use variance because they're changing over to uh a house of worship. So I don't think they would be
subject to it. However, that only is if they get the use variance. If they don't get the use variance and they still propose some something along those lines um that's not for a house of worship like say a commercial use, they would be required. So that they're going to have to it's basically going to have to see
if they get the used varants then I think they don't need >> to have a charging unless they have a >> I don't think so but I have that as a question to ask Marqueely. I thought that they are not required >> but I have to double check on that. >> We can recommend it. Yeah we can
recommend it. I can add it to the list. EV charging station and then they can um you always put it here. >> This is house of worship. This is a bit of something for community, >> right?
>> And the charging station is is carrying that message. >> Yeah, we can recommend that. >> I added it. >> Now it is heavily uh residential area. Uh the side that's on Easton, you know,
is not super residential, but yes, there is residential around. >> Oh, it is on the side. >> I'll show you where it is. River. >> Um, hang on one sec. I'm going to pull up the map. >> It doesn't go across. >> No, no, it's on the river side. Residential. I'm saying the Gerard
side's residential. I'm saying, but the East side is really not. Yeah, >> but it's on the corner or something. >> It's this one. >> Isn't that a pre-existing? pre-existing. Yeah, it's like public service. The stuff is there about the
>> how far is it from the intersection with >> the side >> sign the >> aren't you are are you talking about the billboard? >> No. >> About this is they want to you they want to change this existing residence into a house of worship.
>> And brick that's the one that is in the little corner and brick or >> brick. I don't know actually. I'm not sure. >> Abandoned. I have seen that abandoned when I go to >> Here's Gerard right here. And here's Hillrest. >> And this is East.
>> So where's the >> It's these lots right here. I just highlighted one, but it's these. >> I think it's the rain goes like up in this direction. >> Okay. >> And somewhere in Hillrest. >> So they're not proposing any new. Now I
think the buffering should be on this side. the 15 foot wide buffer. We can say that we think you should also have it along east and a half, but I don't, you know, I don't know if that's really >> Where's the driveway on East? >> We don't How do you get cars in there? >> The driveway is off of Gerard.
>> Yeah, >> we don't advocate for the environment. >> I do the traffic. >> Okay. >> That would be the answer. >> Okay. So, just say no to the buffering. We recommend no to the buffering. I won't I won't specify.
>> I won't recommend that. >> I did. I put it in there. >> And we can recommend the other stuff I said too. >> Do we only recommend rooftop solar panels? I know I've seen on Ruters on Livingston and I think on Bush uh where
there were parking lots solar panels on top of parking lot. Oh yeah, we could do that. >> You don't want to penetrate a roof if a roof is you know >> we could say that for sure. Or we could say, you know, or can't roof uh parking lot. Can it be? >> I find that interesting. >> How
do they have a do they have a roof? >> Do they have a covered garage or covered parking? >> It won't be covered parking. No, it'll just be an open parking lot. Yeah. >> Covered parking if solar panels. >> And they're all over the school. Every time I go there, I
think it's brilliant. >> I agree. >> Tuesday. >> Oh, okay. go to the parking lot. >> Oh yeah, you're right. >> Every image that I'm seeing is true. Then uh
there are lots of trees on the property house west from them and it would cast shade on the canopy but it may not cast shade on the building. The building has a good roof orientation. Yeah.
>> Uh compatible with with solar. So, >> okay. >> I think Well, they could still have a solar canopy on this side, but not on this side because of the trees. >> Got it. That makes sense. >> Um I would still go ahead and make that
proposal just to make them. >> Yeah, absolutely. All right. And I think that is it. >> That's it for you. >> So, now we're into new business. No, wait a minute. >> Five. Yeah, >> I had one.
>> Oh, shoot. I'm sorry, Ted. No, Ted, where the heck are you? Oh, you had Somerset County. I'm sorry. >> You had six, not five. >> I had six, not I forgot on the county one because he'll explain why because I kind of like wrote it off. basically
Mark Nolton that I think of him as young Mark Nolton because I knew his parents who eventually moved away and left the house to him and he's proposing to transfer sell a large part of the
property I forget how many acres to the county as open space and it's next to county open space also fronts on old Georgetown Road. >> Yeah, I think >> here this is Canal Road
varant for >> and this is old Georgetowning County space is where >> the existing county open space t is this one >> I'll put I'll put it on
>> uh give me one second Bear with me for a sec here. I'll put it on. >> Anyway, considering that no construction is involved. In fact, this will prevent any further constru
any construction. See, he's >> is his property is oddly shaped one. Yeah. >> Yeah. That box open Georgetown Road was for a house that was built for her sister and
her husband. >> This is the county property. This is county property here. And this is county property. Yep. And this is the DNR Canal State Park. And this is the canal. >> Where is the property? >> This is the property. This oddly shaped
one right here canal. What? Well, there's a fairly small county property on >> south side of >> So, they want to preserve this. >> It is me. >> They want to preserve this property,
right, Ted? That's the main thing. So, the subdivision, it's they're requesting to do a subdivision so that the county can preserve a portion of the property and that's it. There's no development proposed. It's just a subdivision. Um I can tell you how many does anyone want
to know how many acres is it it is or >> was it planning was it a planning one or zoning? >> So only section would be passed to the county or the whole thing >> just a portion would go to the county as open space. That's why the subdivisions
ahead of us. Yeah. It's this one we would be getting is entirely undeveloped. There's a house. The house is old and some some buildings near the house. Yeah, you can see that lower left
corners. >> This here cut out that is what he'd be retaining. >> This is what he would subdivide out. And then this very now oddly shaped piece would go to the county which is okay. So it's proposed. Okay,
let's see if I can see this. So it would be 23.9 acres would be going to the county and then that leaves he would be taking off 9.015 acres. >> So so the lot will be surrounded by
public land then right? >> Uh yeah for the most part. I mean this property just to the south of it. >> Yeah. And there's a house on that one that sort of cut in to the right. That
was that was built for his sister, her husband, but they were trying to adopt a child. The adoption failed. The marriage broke up and it's now our resident Trump fancies.
>> So, you have no comment, right, Ten? No comment. >> Okay. No comment because this is basically a subdivision that will allow the county to preserve 29 acres of open space. >> Maybe we can we approve. >> Maybe we applaud.
>> We applaud. We approve and we applaud. Yes, that's our comment. Applause. >> Thank you. >> All right. How is that? >> Okay. >> So, we did the leaf floor ordinance already. >> Yes. >> Grant opportunity from Anjek. That was
something that I think I sent you. >> Yes. So, ANJ sent out their 2026 open space stewardship grants for environmental commissions. So, this comes out every year. Um, it's a $1,500 grant that can support projects that do
that advance local open space stewardship or help raise the profile of environmental commission in the community through publicity and public participation or collaboration with local groups. Um the new round includes the possibility for projects completed
on or near remediate sites. Uh let's see. So we have applied for this in the past I think a long time ago. Um eligible project locations municipal or other parcels that are preserved open space. So this has to be done on
municipally owned properties already or preserved open space. You can use uh the grant for materials, speakers, professional services, printing, mailing, advertising. $150 can be used toward food. Um you can't use the grant for travel or labor
by local volunteers, officials, or municipal staff. The application for this is due April 13th, and they would let us know by May 15th if we got the grant. Um the grant period is one year and we just have to submit a final report and photos showing what we've
done. And up on the screen is a list of suitable projects. So these are examples. Pollinator gardens, trail building, uh maps, open space trails assessment, conservation easement inventory, habitat enhancement, management of
invasive species, educational storm water management projects on preserve public open space. So, I don't know if we have a project that's like at the ready right now that we can apply for. Um, we can think about it for the next >> thing I can think of. It was supposed to
be a pollinator garden at Negri Napot. >> Yes. >> And then public works mowed it all down. >> Yes. >> It needs restoration. >> Chuck Martin was going to restore it,
but they going to California. Yeah, that is definitely one thing we can do. Can we do it for $1,500? >> Pollinator garden. Do you want >> I know that's true. >> I mean, we can apply >> to work on it. >> We have people willing Do we have people
still willing to work on it? >> What do we still have people, do you think, willing to work on it? >> Maybe some volunteers working on it. I don't know. >> I mean, that's one option. >> Volunteers more.
>> Yeah, >> we could pay the volunteers. So, it would be not volunteering. >> Or actually, I just had another idea. Not that that that's not a bad idea at all, but I know the trails committee wanted to work on that educational storm water management project. We thought
about doing something. I don't know if this would be a storm water management practice. Let me back up for a minute. We thought about doing something over by the rec center by where the senior se in the back of the rec center there's like an open space area for the seniors to use and it has
just like benches and there's some roots that are and it gets very like muddy. There's not a lot of tree canopy there but I don't know if that falls into this actually. I think >> um >> like a rain garden or something. >> Well, basically we were looking to make it just more suitable for the seniors to
use. don't like sitting out there because it gets hot. Um the benches really are not good for them. It doesn't work. There's a lot of tree roots sticking up. So like if you have mobility issues, it's very hard to use that space. So we had thought about revamping that, but I don't think that this grant would go with that. So that's
that wouldn't work. Mhm. We did have an idea by the senior center as well to do a a rain garden, but the biggest thing we encountered was the maintenance was who's going to maintain it and will the seniors maintain it and is there club? So that was really kind of what put the kibage
on that. >> I don't know is maintenancefree. No, it still needs to be weighted, which isn't a big deal, but you know, >> they have to hit DVW involved.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh well, let's see. It's due April 13th. What I would recommend is everyone maybe think about it and at the next meeting, our next meeting is >> uh the 16th >> 16th.
>> The 16th. By the 16th, if we can't come up with a project, we can we can apply an extra. I don't have to apply for this grant. I don't want to apply and then have to invent a project just because it takes so much work, you know, like >> for you and for us. What
>> related storm water? That's what you want related to storm water management. >> Well, that's my initial gut feeling, but it's really whatever everybody thinks will work. You know, like what's doable? Is it doable to have it in partnership
with board of fat and have high school kids working on >> thinking about that have students >> potentially >> agree the environmental club can help me? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Potentially. >> Um we could do that. We could maybe
there's something at this high school now. Well, so yeah. >> Wet corner of Nam Williams Park. Anything we could do there? Oh yes. So there is projects that were recommended
for there. That might be something we could look at our green infrastructure strategy. Maybe the students >> corner >> Williams Park. There's a corner up by um >> down by the parking lot at the >> road.
Fuller >> Matilda. >> Matilda. Okay. So this is the section with the child playground which gets flooded. >> Yes. But there's an area there that tends to hold water. >> There is. And we actually did think about doing like a little rain garden
there or something. That is a good idea. Tree planting. We did think about doing tree planting there, too. >> Yeah. And that is a rain infrastructure study. >> What what it could use is increase drainage over to that block
>> that runs through a wooded section. And we did look at that. But so DPW did put in an under drain that but it's not high enough up by Matilda A. It's kind of more in that um in the area that's like across from what is that like on the
opposite side of the baseball field, I guess. Um but yes, we do have some things in our green infrastructure study that could potentially work. That's a good idea. >> But use that as a base.
>> Okay. Um, do you guys want to think about that for next time? >> We got enough time. >> We don't know. >> And the name is >> I think Yeah, I think that at least we
have kind of something to start off, you know? >> Yeah, I think that's a good point. >> And then if the high school students can help, that would be great. >> We can spend $150 on food so we can actually like get them there. We can >> free food that'll draw
>> they can get primary credit from the teachers. >> Oh god, absolutely. >> I just want to see real quick if I can get to this area. Give me >> for community work. Do they have to do community work? >> Yeah, this is it. Yeah. Uh there was an
area by the baseball field and that area gets very wet too, but that was going to require like some turf kind of thing. pave trail segment spray ground. No, it's further down than that. We did the under drain. We did that.
>> Is the the under drain. Is that under the the pave? >> The new pavement. Yes. When they paved it, they put the under drain in. >> Um, this is the area, right, Ted? Is this the correct? There's the pool. Am I too
far down still? Hold on. I think it might have been number one. Yeah. This is the playground up here. And this is the area where it gets very wet in here. >> Yeah. Huh. >> What What is that that's shown there
with those pink bars? >> This was an idea to do a trench on either side with stone to kind of absorb water coming in here and then to catch it for it like and filter it before it gets here. But that didn't didn't make
it before the path was done. So now it's kind of this here rain barrel. Okay. So we thought about potentially putting a rain barrel on the end of the existing gazebo that's there. Here's what you're talking about. This rain garden right here. This is the area that gets super wet right
around the bend. So that's something they could work on. >> So it would be drained towards the wooded area. >> Well, this area here gets extremely extremely soaking wet. It's like unbelievable. So, we had thought maybe putting in a rain guard into this area
to capture the water from here because the under drain went in here to kind of deal with the with the flooding on this side, which it has done. >> But where would it continue from the rain garden or it would just >> Well, it would route into this area,
this tree area. >> Okay. So we could not >> Yeah, >> that is something potentially they could work on >> and we have it here. >> So maybe we think about that. >> What we really need is somebody from
Princeton Hydro to tell us what the best thing is to do. >> Yes. Yeah. >> And if we have to pay him a couple hundred dollars to do that, we'll have the money. more than a couple hundred have to have the funding to execute it.
>> Let me write this down. Grant for naming. Okay, let me look and see what I just want to look and see exactly what we can use. But we have Yeah, we do have something we can do. >> Okay, I think that'll work. And it's due April 13th. Due 13. Okay.
All right, we will work on that then. >> Okay, good. >> Last time I was in the area, I went sort of into the woods and then came out on the other side and I found Vince Dominac looking at a building that was Leewood's
sort of office. >> Oh, okay. >> He was trying to get them to take him down. >> Oh, wow. is retiring. So the building will probably survive. >> Building now.
>> Okay. >> Retired. >> That's funny. Yeah. >> It was just sort of strange. I I >> What's he doing here? >> Right. >> That is interesting. >> He was probably as surprised as I was.
>> I'm sure. What are you doing here? >> All right. >> Well, you won't see him there anymore. >> Uh D is update of Franklin Township open space and recreation plan. >> Um did you skip C or do you not have Oh, okay. There's one more ahead. Oh, here
we go. Close out of I I just want to say that I don't have an update on this close out of the residential energy efficiency campaign grant. We've met all of our criteria for the residential energy efficiency grant. So, Sustainable Jersey sent me the report. I do need though to get I I think we have some
money left in the $2,500 startup grant we got. So I put an email out. Our CFO is new. She's brand new. So she has a lot going on right now. As soon as I get a response from her about how much is in that grant. If it's nothing, then we'll just close it out. if there is money
left in there, then we can use it to buy promotional materials before we go, like before it's over, so we can figure out what that could be. >> Okay. Update on the open space and recreation plan. >> So, I'm working with Mark Healey and
Steven Dah. He's the director, the superintendent of recreation. Um, the township is going to update our open space and recreation plan. We're starting it this year. Um we are putting together a steering committee of multiple commissions, boards, committees
to kind of oversee the work. Um which will be done by the three of us and then you know I'll be bringing it to you guys for feedback and I want the environmental commission to be involved in it. you know, not in so much as like writing it or looking over open space properties, but because open space, uh,
one of our priorities is going to be protecting the tree canopy and protecting habitat for threatened and endangered species. You know, I want the EC to be involved in that. So, I'll be bringing it to you guys for updates and review, you know, fairly often, like throughout the process. It's going to take some time. Um, we have a steering
committee that is in place. So, um, Arie is going to be on it, right? so he can kind of uh represent us and also the J tree commission and the open space that you have all these different hats you're going to wear. >> Um Ted is on it. He's going to be from
planning but obviously he knows the EC as well. So we're in good shape. >> I know I'm on open space as well. >> You're on open space? Yes. You're on the open space advisory committee. Um so yeah. So, I think we'll have we'll have some good stuff going on, but um we're
just in the early phases, so it's going to be a process, but we're working on it. >> So, now we're up to item E. >> Yes. So, we still have a vacancy on the EC. Um we had submitted our
recommendation a while back and we haven't heard any the the council has not done anything. It hasn't >> accepted >> accepted it. >> So, we have a new one. So, in the meantime, while we wait, another uh person has come forward as well that wants to be considered. So, we'll look at the uh resume and we can send that
in. Then the council has two recommendations from us. So, we don't have an answer. We still have a vacancy. >> Um, >> do we have I think I saw >> Okay, this is it.
Basel, how do you say her name? You call her Kiki. We call her Kiki. Kiki Kiki. Yes. >> Okay. So, she's been a Somerset County resident for 20 years. She has a PhD in political science. Um, a bachelor's in
government and politics and a master's in government and politics. Uh, she worked for the Department of Defense. Uh, she's a tenure professor at Northampton Community College. Um yeah >> uh let's see
>> community work house action group and I suppose uh within u >> and the JFK Democratic club >> within the uh canal walk now >> she's in canal walk but she's also been on the that might
>> or the she was on the the health thing. Yeah. >> So again >> pretty good. Yeah. We can submit it. Um I know >> there's going to be a question about how much um environmental like background
she has, but we can absolutely submit it. And we said why don't we submit it? >> Who who on the commission had official environmental background? >> I did. >> Right. >> Was manager environmental affairs for
all the plants. >> Yeah. But you don't have to have a background in environmental is what Ted's saying. That's not required. >> But Stan did >> Walter worked for EPA. I mean Marie worked he worked in food. It really is.
>> I'm going to scroll. >> But with the government stuff that she's done as a professor. >> Yeah, I think she qualifies. >> I Interesting. >> I think that's an amazing resume actually. So, should we forward this one
as well? And then we'll I this one also will kind of maybe nudge the the council to kind of give us the, you know, to fill the vacancy because we've had a vacancy now for some time. >> You can make a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we uh forward this resume to the town council. >> I second that.
>> All in favor? >> I Okay. >> All right. You've gone to the next one. I just got right >> information. Um I uh approached my usual suspects uh kind again and then I also
approached Jim Brad >> and Jan backed away. >> Yeah. I I talked to her and she said no >> with that. Yes. >> She she talked to the family and she felt she had enough going on. >> So >> all right.
>> And I hadn't even thought of Kiki. She just volunteered. I didn't >> go after her or anything. with you know then I looked at her resume and said my god >> one of the first rule is that they have to be willing >> that was the point and um you know it's
funny you look adds a fifth PhD to the to the the council I've only got two masters that doesn't count you know good okay um that takes care of that um committee reports when when would the council uh I think get this the best
way. >> Uh I'll send it tomorrow along with my other exactly what Kiki's last name is. I can never remember go back. Here it is. >> Anastas call her Kiki.
>> I mean it's a >> She's like Sher. We just call her Kiki. >> What name? tacos. >> Interesting. >> Let me write it down. >> Not as bad as catch. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Committee any committee reports or no? >> Yeah, we do. uh the 25th um from the education committee. I'm winning more a presentation at the Thomas Edison. >> No, that's a different one.
>> This is a Thomas Edison school Saturday >> and then um that's one thing Thomas said it's on um they have a fair and I have to talk about one it's a topic about sustainability. So I told them to send me the topics that
the others are presenting so I don't double tip and that I'm most in alignment with the other ones. So and then and they told me 15 minutes it's going to be outside there's no technology so it's going to be like a conversation with the students very
interactive. Then I received an email uh Tara and Paul also were copy from Elizabeth Avenue and they're asking I didn't answer that they're bringing I'm sharing this now they're asking the commission
to they want to know if we are going if the commission is going to table on a Thursday April 9th April 23rd >> April 23rd >> 23rd and um >> and school.
>> Elizabeth Avenue School. >> That's the one we did. >> That's the one we did. >> 23rd. >> 23rd. So, this is the 23rd and the 25th is uh So, I didn't answer that because I'm doing the Saturday one and I did
want to know if anybody else wants to. >> So, this is what kind what kind of event is it? >> It's like a It's like a science fair. >> Science fair. They have a science fair and then they also have community uh groups and everything is related to sustainability and STEM.
>> Which day is it? >> A Thursday. >> Thursday hours. >> You know what time it is? >> All right. >> It's a Thursday. I'm sure it's right after school or something else. >> It was from 6:30 until 8:00. >> Evening.
>> It's an evening. Yeah. And then they want uh of course uh they give us a table and then again the tablecloth the banner and all that we talk to some people. I mean a lot of kids there but in the evening we're going to get more adults than kids I
think. >> Yes. >> Do you want to do it Maria? You think it's >> I'm doing Saturday. >> You're doing Saturday. So if So I guess what Maria is saying like is anyone willing to do that table on Thursday, April 23rd
>> because I'm thinking about the banner and and >> I have to go home and check my calendar. I don't think >> All right. Why don't you guys Ellen and Stan check your calendars if you can do it. Let Maria know by like tomorrow if you can so she can let Elizabeth have know.
>> I can show you right now. Um, >> do you want me to busy because it's Thursday and um >> the day after Earth? Yeah. >> But it's not weekend. I know that weekend will be tough for me with the TV shows. Um although this year
uh so I work from office on Thursdays >> but I I think I can I can make it. >> Okay. >> Okay. If >> All right. Let Ellen look down. If Ella can do it, that's good. If she can't, I could.
>> Okay. So, you guys respond to Maria. Maria, then they'll you can let them know. Is that okay? >> Never done quite that. >> Can you hear back? >> It was interesting. >> Steam night. What's What's that science technology? >> Uh,
>> engineering. I'm on that stuff. It's like, yay, kids. You know >> it's like senior. It's like remember it was STEM education. Now it's >> now they include arts. Yeah. >> It's an elementary school. >> Yeah. See first kindergarten.
>> All right. So you guys let let Maria know directly and then we can >> Okay. >> I will answer her >> and then you can answer her. Yeah. >> Good call. >> Okay. Good. >> And then um >> I don't have anything going to report about that trailer, right? I'm not going
to report about that. Okay. >> Uh, committee reports just did hot topics. Anybody else have something they want to raise? >> I don't think so. >> There's a question about what a new lea is on. >> Where is that?
>> We don't know yet. Um, we haven't. >> How did that happen? >> The council named somebody. >> Yeah. >> We did talk to councilman when he was here. No, no, we do have the leaison is the newly appointed
>> Is that who it is? >> person. I forget their name off the top of my head. >> We have a new Councilman Singh. That'll be our lead. Yes. >> I try. >> I frightened him by reciting
some of the responsibilities that Ed had and I'd had before that. God. >> Yeah. That was cool. >> Oh, that is Yeah. >> Manual that finishes our hot topics. >> Yeah. I just
>> has her hand up, too. >> Yeah. I mean, I sent all of you uh an email cuz I was talking to a friend of mine who lives in Manhattan and she cuz I mean I always talk about it's like Manhattan, New York, they're doing food waste composting. They have composting
collection areas. It's like that blew me away. So, I had to look it up and I sent it to all of you. So, it's like we can look at that. I don't know if it could be a model for us, but I had no idea Manhattan was doing this.
>> They've been doing at least for a year. >> Yeah. So, it was like, whoa, blew me away. >> So, I just thought I'd share. >> Probably with the population density, even if 5% of the people do it, it's enough to >> Yeah. support and pick up system.
>> I mean to look at their infrastructure, how they did it, you know, maybe it's it could help us, maybe not, but wow. >> Okay, I'm done. >> So, committee report. So, um, New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association had
responder EV awareness, uh, in February in Somerville and, uh, Ridewise put together, uh, many, many first responders from the county. Among them were couple of, uh, first responders
from uh, Franklin Park Fire Company and East Franklin Fire Department. Suppose this is our account, right? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> So I guess it we need for sustainable jersey.
>> We need them what to >> get. >> I don't know how much uh they want to have the product. >> We get points but certain things have to be met in order to get the point. So, it's like not just I think there's a certain number of people that have to attend and we have to have their
certificate of completion which is easy enough to get. Um I have to look and see if it's like an annual requirement or not. >> I was not aware that certificate is needed but um >> well for the points for sustainable Jersey.
>> Yes. Yes. Oh yes you submit and I would attest that they were there but four people. >> Oh okay. All right. Yeah, that's >> John House was on notice and uh sorry. >> Well, >> he did. >> He didn't go though, right? >> Yeah, he
>> see. That's the thing. So, we have to show Well, we can deal. Let's get whoever went. We'll find out. how we can get like a sign up whatever signup sheet or certificate of completion and then I'll look at the requirements cuz sometimes as Ted knows with sustainable
Jersey it's like oh if a person from the municipality went but they weren't going with the municipality they were going with their volunteer fire company it won't count as toward towards the point it's like they're very >> okay >> by then we can figure it out oh no you tried yeah absolutely
>> but we'll still try we will still try and submit yeah >> um Franklin High School will have green fair again and they invited us to participate. >> When is that? >> April 25th. >> Oh my god.
>> Saturday >> 11th that also >> what I mean the other >> our point of contact is Ron Brandage and Imani Carter. So, I think it's a it's a great uh
event. I don't know how >> in the other school. >> Oh, same day. >> Yeah, the same day. Um the Thomas Edison. >> This is a date.
>> You got to coordinate. >> Okay. Uh another thing. So uh but um I received also notice from the EP that they have funding alert for medium heavy duty electric vehicles.
Um last year I proposed electric front loader. Um the company failed to respond to request for proposal. Now the company is really up. So um but uh if uh if the township is
interested in something uh I would be more than happy to uh help to navigate and also um sustainable Jersey and uh drive green New Jersey, drive electric New Jersey which is
coalition um led by New Jersey clean cities coalition. Um they will have um ride and drive uh experience for police um uh electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the College of New Jersey on
March 16th. So if um the own police department is interested or think I copy. >> Yes, you did. Yeah, I'll follow up with with him on that.
And speaking of Okay, Texas clean up. >> You can go straight clean up. I think that's next. >> Um, yes. Um, I uh splurred uh the message and uh high school Jes
and Franklin High School will be joining us uh just last year. >> Jasha, she's the uh teacher at Thomas Edison Energy Smart. So, I wonder if she's going to bring some students with her. >> She's on notice and try. >> Okay. >> What's the date of that? That's the
stream. >> This now stream. >> Yeah. >> April 11th. >> April 11th. >> I send a notice to um respond. >> Okay.
>> Keep trying to promote. I'm working with Heather Fenic. This is >> at some point I will ask uh DPW to give us some plastic bags. >> Plastic bags.
>> Plastic bags. >> Why don't you stand send me Can you send me a list of what you need? Gloves, bags, whatever. And I because I want to get it to them like as ASAP so that there's no delay. if you can send that to me and then I'll send it to DPW that'll be great. And if you need
extra stuff like think, you know, if you do and also if you want them to um the garbage. >> Yes, tell me that. Tell me like that too. So that would be great cuz I can do it all in one thing. >> Is it one mile? This one
>> series >> series >> we could do every year mile run but uh >> I get it. >> Nothing else is in bad shape. >> We do not have anything about energy or
structure per se. Oh, we've just talked about the annual stream cleanup. >> I can just run through the next three things if you are good with it. >> Uh, International Dark Sky Week. So, because the landscapers came today, which was great. I'm happy they were
here. Um, I asked the uh representative from Dark Skies International, who's also the co-president of the Franklin Township Astronomy Club. I asked him to come next meeting because I figured it would have been a lot. Oh yes. >> Um so he's going to come to our next meeting and talk about dark skies week,
how we can work together. He also wants to talk about just amber lighting and uh you know light pollution in general. So he uh he's a he's like a certified ambassador through dark skies. He came to talk to the trails advisory committee
last week or two weeks ago I guess at this point about um working with the trails committee on dark skies as well because he was his thought is maybe that we could arrange a hike and then also talk to do something with light pollution or so the astronomy club
really wants to kind of start working with all different groups. So they will be here at our next meeting but dark sky week is April 13th to 20th April again. So hopefully we can figure something out. Not that we have to run an event, but we could always like piggy back on
to the trails advisory committees event like we do with the Firefly. So something to that effect. >> Um, another quick thing, if we do have money left in our residential energy efficiency campaign, I checked with sustainable Jersey. One thing we could
use that money for is we could buy amber light bulbs and give them out during dark skies week if we that's something we could we don't have to use our money for that but that's one we we are allowed to use it for things like that. So that's like one way we could participate in dark skies
week that's pretty simple and if we order those light bulbs you'll have them for your tableling events that you're talking about. >> So yeah so maybe we can >> test light bulbs. Well, that's just one example. It could be, you know, light it's residential energy efficiency. So,
light bulbs is fine or we have the night lights for example they gave us there. Any promotional items that really focus on that are good. But my thought is if we're promoting dark sky week >> and we have money left, we could like use like the outdoor like give outdoor
amber light bulbs which would be cool. >> Yeah. because it doesn't matching >> indoor um >> doesn't work. >> I agree. >> And we and they recommended which I think is easy easy would cost us hardly
anything. They said you could print up a QR code that you put on the outside of the light bulb and it can lead to our web page that had bad energy. So I thought that was a good idea and it's something different. So if we have money left I figured maybe we could do that. >> How much energy would that
>> I don't know. I think we have some the office the chief new chief financial officer is looking into it. Um I think we have money left. >> So I'm going to look I think we have a few hundred left. We will also need to
develop budget for the next year because >> yes >> July 1 is >> well no. So our budget we we submitted our the budget hearings are coming up. We submitted our budget already for this upcoming year. Yeah. We do that at the end of we do a calendar year so we have to submit it by December.
>> Yep. >> Y did we pay the inch check to us yet? >> As soon as the funds are in we will pay them but the PO is out. So yes once the PO is approved we're golden. Yep. That that is in. >> Okay. So when the commissioner ameritus
no update appointment of youth member to EC no update. >> Any other old business? None. Make a motion to open the floor to public comments. Second. All >> in favor? Any public comments from
anybody? >> Okay. >> You want to go home? >> Motion to close the public comment period. >> Second motion to adjourn. >> Second. All in favor? >> Yes. >> Thank you.
Meeting adjourned.