meeting of the Franklin Township Open Space called Pursuit to the Provisions of the Open Space Public Meetings Act. This meeting of February 17, 2026 was included in the list of meetings noticed sent advertised in local newspapers posted on the bulletin board in the
municipal building posted on the municipal website and has remained continuously posted as a required notices under the statute. In addition, a copy of this notice is and has been available to the public and is on file in the office of the municipal clerk.
>> Thank you. and Tara, can you take uh attendance, please? >> Okay. Bob Lort >> here. >> Um Arnold Schmidt >> here. >> Bill Connell >> here. >> Okay. Bob Tuscus is absent. Uh Vanessa
Jones is absent. >> That's okay. >> Paul Witzky >> here. >> Steven D >> here. >> John Moon >> here. >> Bob Warlocker >> here. >> Dina Lux. Is it Dena or Deanna? Dena. >> Dena. Okay. Dena Lux. Okay. Mayor Kramer
>> here. Um Mary Lalco >> here. >> Ted Chase >> here. >> And John Hurling is also absent tonight. >> All right. Thank you. Uh motion open to the public. >> Motion. >> Public book.
>> Yes. Chris Williams, 20 Magnolia Road, Somerset, New Jersey. I understand there's an opening on the open space committee. I would like to volunteer for that position if it's possible. >> I don't think there is. >> Oh, Dave Trixs. >> David Triggs.
>> No, >> there's David Triggs right there. >> Oh, what was he? What committee was he on? >> He dyed his hair. >> What committee was Dave on? >> He He was just a regular member. He >> was a citizen member. >> Oh, okay. Well, then the other thing is
is um do we h did they ever purchase the the stain that I wanted to put on the uh blind and stuff? Oh, that we asked for them to purchase. >> So, you So, Bob told me that you said you didn't get it yet, right? >> I have. No one told me it came in.
>> I haven't been told it's come in otherwise. So, if you don't have it, then >> we have to wait till you approve the budget again. >> So, there's a temporary budget. >> Yeah, there's a temporary budget now. So, I'll check with Carl and see if it's there or if it's coming, but I'll find out for you for sure.
>> Okay. Yeah. Because by April, I would like to Great. >> Okay. >> Got it. >> Which gives us a month and a half. >> Anybody behind you? >> No. >> Okay. Uh motion to close. >> Motion to close. >> Second it. >> Um
the approval of the January 2026 minutes. Motion to approve. Anybody else? I'll second it. >> I'll second it. >> I didn't hear what you said. That's why. Did you open it? Done. Okay.
>> I need a second. >> I second. >> Come on. Let's fight over it. >> Yes. Someone do it. >> You got first. You got a second. I think you need an all. >> All in favor say I. any I always look at Arty cuz he always finds something.
>> Yeah, >> you good here. >> I abain. I wasn't here. >> I abstain also. >> We all uh >> I'll approve. >> You have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Minutes are approved.
>> What? >> New business. >> All in favor? >> Oh. All in favor? >> Opposed? Before we do new business, Bob, can we just have Paul and Dina introduce themselves just because they're they're new? Yeah.
>> We need to be sworn in. Um, >> let's stay both of >> office. >> Yeah. I had everyone have it notorized. >> You want to introduce yourself and then we'll have Paul. >> Sure. >> Sure. I'm a uh a committee member, War
II committee member and chair and I used to be on the open space advisory committee and I stepped down for a while and now I and I knew that there was an opening I applied for it and uh was appointed and that's it.
>> Thanks. Good >> Paul Wiski. I'm chairman of the environmental commission. Been doing that for 18 years I guess. And this is the opening that was there when Robin left to do big time insurance
>> lobbying. Is it? >> Yes. >> All right. >> Thank you, Paul. >> Thank you. Welcome aboard both of you. >> Thank you. >> New business. >> Okay. So, the first thing of new business is updating of open space and recreation plan. So for we had a bunch
of plans I was talking about for a while that were kind of up in in different states of being completed. So one was the pathways and trails plan, one was the community energy plan with the microobility study and then the local health assessment which was done first. So now all of those plans are adopted
and done. So Mark Healey and I the township planner have been working together on how to update the open space plan. Um I'm kind of going to be like really like coordinating it. he's like providing guidance and oversight and also working with the planning board on it. So him and I together will kind of
really be spearheading it. Um so what we want to do so the first step is that I went through our existing plan and I went through the requirements of Green Acres and kind of made this uh comparison of what do we have, what needs to be updated, what new data do we
have available to use and like basically how can we go about doing that. So Mark and I have already laid the the methodology out. basically for starting it. Um Mark wants to move forward with it with a steering committee doing oversight which I think is a good
approach. Um so Bob Lord is going to be on the steering committee because he is on the >> historic >> from the historic. Um Mark recommends we have two members from the planning board which he'll take care of. >> We're going to have two members from the open space advisory committee. One I'm
sorry two members from the wreck advisory committee. So, Stephen, I don't know if you want to work with your committee on that. And >> yeah, we meet the um first Wednesday. I chatted with Mark and just make sure that >> at our March meeting, we'll two members. >> And I should say too, I'm sorry. So, Stephen also, so me, Stephen, and Mark
are going to be really like the people from the staff level working on it. Um, then we're going to have one member from trails, one from the A advisory, and Bob, you'll be from the historic commission. So, we need two members of the open space advisory committee that are not you because you're going to be
representing historic >> Ted. Ted, I know Ted wants to be >> Do you want to be from the planning board a planning board representative? >> Is it easier do you think for you if you are the I mean he's on the planning board. >> He's on the planning board itself and
the planning board itself is going to be >> doing the entire master plan. So maybe you can actually like kind of be the representative for both because you'll have the information from both. >> There's there's four of us on the steer on the steering committee because you can't have five. So I know it's Mike,
myself, Ted, and I forget who the fourth person was. >> Okay. So then we need one more person from the open space advisory committee to be on the steering committee. Before you anyone I know you're all going to raise your hand right away, so before you do that, I just want to let you know
THAT NOW, there's a few good things, right? So, we can all work together and update the plan, which is super fun cuz planning is a lot of fun once you really get into it. The other >> planning is fun. Um, the other thing is it's not going to be a heavy lift at
all. So, we have Stephen, myself, and Mark are really working on it, but it's not going to be a lot of meetings. It's going to be pretty simple, but we're really looking for oversight based on work that we're going to present to you. Um, so it's not, you know, you don't have to do a lot of the heavy lift yourself. So I just want to put that out
there. Um, but yes, we need one more person from the open space committee. You want to do it, Arie? >> As long as you say it's not a heavy lift >> because Arie is not, you know, so many things going on in retirement that have that spare time.
>> Well, you would be a good person too lived. So >> you would be a good too because you have insight from the environmental commission and also from the shade tree. So I think that would be a good fit. So if everyone's good with that then >> Okay. >> Sounds like you were nominated and elected without
>> kind of like being a secretary. >> Right. Exactly. >> You like being the secretary, right, Bill? >> So I'm going to keep this item on the agenda every month and under old business as kind of an update because every month we will have an update from this point moving forward whether it's a public meeting or work that's been done.
Um so yeah. So so far so good. Thank you. >> Okay. >> I have I just know what goes on with >> I think that's it for that. >> Okay. Um process for community >> Oh yes. The process for community engagement and outreach. So now that we
have this going, the first requirement is we have to have a public outreach meeting to start off. So to kick it off, we have to have a public outreach meeting. Stephen Paul uh Stephen Mark and I will arrange that. um and it's really for the public to understand what we're doing, why we're doing it and get
any input from them and we're supposed to also use that as you know a foundation for building the plan. The other thing is is that we have to have some other type of like physical outreach. So that's a survey I think we've talked about that before survey we can do um uh focus groups there's a lot
of different ways we can go about it. So we'll figure out what the best method for public and community engagement is to start off and we'll do that. Then we are required to have another meeting at the end of the project to explain it to the public. Now that does not include the requirements for adopting it into
the master plan. We have to have a separate public hearing for that. But this is really just in terms of the open space plan and wreck what we were required to do. So um with the health assessment we did a bunch of focus groups and we did some of them virtually. We did some of them in person. that was actually really helpful
and very well attended. So, we could go that way or we could do the survey route. So, we have some thoughts to discuss. >> Well, this is kind of the same thing as when we did the rec study 10 years ago, 12 years ago >> actually. Um 14 years ago, 15 years ago,
done in 2011, report finalized in 2012. >> Long time ago. >> Doesn't it? It does. >> All right. Well, if you if you want new ideas perhaps coming in from left field,
then uh focus groups would be. If you just >> um you think you know what you want to put in, then a survey that covers what you think you want to put in. That's >> right. Good point. >> Way to go. >> I hear you. Yeah.
>> You might want to reach out to high school students, >> juniors and seniors. Yeah, absolutely. When we did the health assessment, we had a bunch of focus groups and they were based on demographics. So, they were based on we had one for senior
citizens, we had one for um community representatives, we had one for all different types. So, so there's definitely we can do that for sure. >> Okay. Well, I'll keep it on and we'll move forward. >> Okay.
>> Leasing of memorial forest. So still Bob Puscus really I know wants to talk about this. He can't be here tonight because he's still recovering from his surgery. Um but basically again the long story short is that the uh lease of the
property is not going to renew his lease which which ends at the end of February. So once the end of February comes we can decide if we want to move forward with the thought for memorial forest that we had before if we want to talk about releasing it but we have to discuss that. So I think the best thing is
especially because right now the lease is still in place put on the next agenda. >> Let me ask you a question and I'm not a farmer and our resident farmers recovering from surgery >> but you did farmland stuff for a lot of years now. What would be the harm of not
awarding a lease this year? And if the decision is made to then award a lease in 2027 because we're not ready to go forward with the memorial forest project, >> then we award a lease in 2027. >> Yeah.
>> I mean, like if we skip a year, what I I mean, I you know, there I often hear about, you know, well, the the fields will become overgrown or what whatever. I mean, I don't know. Is that is that the concern? I think that there's not a concern if it's just for a year because I believe the lease requires that the
farmer planted like a cover crop. So, we should be fine for at least a year, but then after that, you start running into, okay, are we going to replant it? Do we need to recede it? Like, what's the goal? But, I think one year is okay. We just have to monitor it, keep an eye on it. >> It might be good
to to do that because there's a lot of work that needs to be done, including the roadway. >> Exactly. That's why I'm getting that. That's the point of I >> parking lot needs. >> That's exactly the reason why I said it. >> Yes, that is there's a lot to be done in order to get it there. Yeah.
>> Before we can even really >> musketeers >> before we can even really focus on a concept, we really have to work on the roadway and and the parking. That's really step one. So yeah, I think there would be nothing wrong. We would just make sure DPW goes over there like once. I just don't want to make I want to make
sure like we don't some for some way make it difficult then for it to be >> farmed again. >> No, no, we should be good. We should be good. >> Worrying about multifural rows getting >> Well, that's and that's the No, that's right. I mean, it becomes overgrown with
things. So, we take the mower and mow it. Is that what we do? >> We have to have DPW go and mow it. Yeah. At least once. Yep. So, is there a way that they can be made a priority by DPW or whoever is going to do it to work on the road in the parking areas?
>> They need a plan. They need a plan. I mean, right. I mean, so I know there's been um countless discussions going back 20 years about what's going to be done with Memorial Forest after, you know, that the town purchased it. And I guess you know this committee it seems is kind
of has the responsibility to finalize a plan that um is agreeable to everyone meaning not just this committee but council and anyone else that might want to chime in on it. Um I think it's
pretty much open space and maybe to a a a just a slightly lesser degree shade tree. I mean, I think that they might have a a discussion possibly trails. >> Well, yeah. I mean, there's that, but those can all come down the you know,
trails can be put in at any time, right? And I and I think that the whole discussion that had been had during my time is planting of trees and cultivating the trees and and really we call it memorial forest, but really we're talking about farming it. So, it's
obviously not a forest. It's a big field and has some woods on it. um what what is the what is the goal and then where do you want the road and you know is it the existing road where do you want a parking area things like that I mean can public works do it um it's
generally the type of work that we like to do in the off season >> but now it wouldn't have been great to be doing it now with a foot of snow on the ground but you know like that's that's generally the time to do that type of work because those people who do
that type of work, it's the downtime for them for public works. So, but I mean, not saying that we couldn't do it whenever. Um, it might not get done till the fall, early winter of of of this year, right? I mean, by the time that all the the plans are are worked out.
So, it is certainly work that they can do. It's the the type of of of excavating that needs to be done is is can be done in-house. It doesn't need to go outside. I thought that Terra presented a plan for us that >> Yeah, that was a concept plan that I put
together and we can use that as a starting point for sure, but public works would need to take that plan and actually like civil engineer it basically. But they can they can use that concept plan. So I think you're right, Mary, the next meeting we look at that concept plan, say we like this, we
like this. I think the concept plan, if I remember correctly, had two options for parking. So we would need to choose which area. Yes. So we can start there. the width of the road. >> The width of the road, all that. Yep. >> Because we, as far as a shade tree, we sent a list of trees that we did.
>> Right. But I think that it needs to be a little bit more in depth than just here are the types of trees that you should plant. There's if they're going to if you're going to develop a plan to reforest that area and have it be the memorial forest where people will
purchase trees and do all of those things, you have to get into the nitty-gritty. You have to you have to define exactly what it is that you want. Um >> certain trees I mean you know there's there's you know the shade tree uh did give a list of trees. I mean I recall that it's absolutely
>> and we have it we have it all saved and everything. But now that we know the thing that was the holdup was that the farmer was still leasing the property. So there was really not much we could do. Now that we know that the farmer is not going to renew the lease, now we can actually really start, you know, choosing how we want to proceed. Um, so
I think next month >> as far as shade tree, I think we're waiting for the plan to come to us. >> Got it. Yep. Yep. We can react to it. >> And that right now besides the list of trees, we don't really have >> any other recommendations. That's right. >> Well, besides the trees that are going
to be planted on memorial in Memorial Forest, we've talked about section >> the back section. We've talked about when the roadway is finished, we would love to line that roadway with trees. I know we put trees on that a while ago that haven't really done that well, but
it would look very nice. >> We also have existing trees and what do we do with all the existing trees? Do they all remain? Are there some that should be removed for various reasons, health, uh invasive, whatever the case may be, right? So, all of that work needs to get done and and you know,
certainly we can remove any trees that need to be removed. We can prune any trees that need to be pruned. >> Yeah. Um, >> it would be helpful to have the road done before we go drive back there to do that work. But, >> and we did talk about too, just as a concept that when you drive down, when you get to where the memorial forest
would be, that maybe there'd be a little pulloff for people that are, you know, have a harder time with mobility and things like that. So, we have to decide where, how big, do we want, you know, we got to talk about all those things. So, >> I think there's >> there's talk about walking trails in and out of where the trees are planted
because you can use the crush redstone that's rolled. That's 88 compliant. >> Yeah. So, we have a lot a lot of discussions. >> Yep. >> And >> Okay. So, is it okay if we do it at the next meeting? Cuz I know, you know, like I said, like it's and it'll be good
actually too for Bob to be here in terms of asking him questions about the fields and farming and >> that's just I have no idea if that's >> or not. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Um, we don't have to worry about vacancy membership, right? >> Nope.
>> No. Nope. I we introduced them. So, >> there it was on. All right. Old business. The Dunder version. >> Dunder version. We have to restart that up. I just haven't had a chance to do it last month. I didn't get a chance to get to it, but I will. It's on my list. >> You don't have to start it from the beginning.
>> We don't have to start from the beginning, but we have to redo um one of the hearings for sure. Um and but no, we have a lot in place already. So, we need to >> We have the access in place. We do not have the access in place.
>> I mean, we haven't approached the adjoining property owners to to acquire that until >> I want to make sure that all of these things are in place before we go do that if we I don't want to do it for no reason. So, >> cuz there's also additional work that'll
need to be done on the property itself. >> Tree cutting us. What? Tell me what that is. So the done diversion is a diversion from green acres is when you have a preserved property and you want to remove a certain amount of acreage from
that property through the green acres process. You have to you can't just say like oh we'll buy it back. You have to go through a whole process and it can only be done for recreational purposes, educational purposes. There's a lot of criteria you have to meet. So at the Dun property we're trying to remove the
actual structure of the Dun house. It's on preserved open space which is very limiting. So, we're trying to remove that so that we can eventually sell it to someone who's interested in rehabbing it and replacing it as it has to be. It's a historic site. The process with Green Acres is extremely lengthy and
takes a lot of leg work. So, yes. So, we're kind of, you know, in the middle of that. >> Okay. Thank you. One thing I might ask about that's sort of similar in process is
getting handicapped access to the community room at the Kingston school particularly because one of the members of the KAC is very handicapped. >> Oh, and there's no handicapped uh like there's no ramp there or anything? >> No, it's steps.
>> Okay, let me write this down. Okay. Yes, that is >> had been contacted about that, but >> it can be done. I think the probably the reason why it wasn't done
was this the there's ADA compliant entrances into the school, right? So then, but that's really not satisfying. >> Yeah. Yeah. We really can't use >> can't use the school. So, because you have an exterior door that you enter into the room.
>> Okay. Thank you for letting me know that a >> big deal. I think >> No, it wouldn't be. That's why I said it can be done. >> Okay. >> I would like to see it set in motion. >> Okay. Let me write that down. Okay. Got it. >> That's just to include it in the capital
projects for 2026 for open space. That's >> include that. Okay. >> Got it. >> Done diversion. I'm not done. The update on Kataba Park. >> Well, look at me. Yeah, I have nothing to do with that on the agenda.
>> Bill asked for that on the agenda. >> We were discussing it and me personally, I was I didn't think we voted correctly on the vote when we did it. Um the amount of time and effort put into that work and then the amount of state
interaction we had putting that together, I think it would be a crime to cut it off at the the uh the gully. Okay. I I would like to put a motion out there
like everybody was upset with the $9 million price tag and I'm not sure depending on how we pay for it. We may be able to get by if we expend it over time. So I want to make a motion actually what I really want to do is in
to make peace with the 9 million make a motion to do $8 million and then you figure it out. But that's not doesn't work that way. So, I want to push put a motion out to for the $5.7 million.
And that what that does is it gets the uh gully ravine, the bridge, all the EPA stuff out of the way and approved and it's part of the project and you can move forward and then suggest coming back rebidding the second half of the
project where you can fight over what else gets done and bring the cost down to another $2.3 million. it gets to my $8 million I have in my head and it keeps the project moving. And
so that's what I want to I do. That way you're not, you know, $9 million is a lot of money and it gives guess time to keep the project moving and figure out a way to manicure the costs on the rest of the project, okay, and not hold up the
project. But I definitely don't think we voted correctly. I think we should at least have the $5.7 million number. >> But that is your motion. >> Well, that's going to be my motion. >> Million. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. What?
>> To revote and approve the $5.7 million plan at least. >> We >> It hasn't been submitted to for bid yet, I'm assuming. Right. >> No. one of the >> one of the one of what we won't bid on.
>> Well, council needs to know what they will bid on. >> Council, I mean, you you can say you suggest maybe doing a cap of 6 million, >> but can you do that with the bidding process? Like, can you say, "Oh, I only when we got a certain amount." That's my
question. >> Before we discuss this, how about if we have a second and then have discussion. >> Okay. >> No, I'm not going to start. Ernie says he wants to have a second first before discussion. >> Okay. >> No, I'll second it.
>> My question is can you I don't know about purchasing but I'm not sure that you can just say if if the bids came in like certain amounts if you can be like and I had mentioned that you know you can say only this amount. >> No. >> No. Okay. So that's one thing to keep in mind is that so what does that mean? You
have to bid. >> You have to design a park to the number that you want to set your budget at based on all of the work that the engineer would do in designing a
park. And that's so you you you you come up with a design and then it's there's a cost out done >> for the design and you make modifications if you need to get to a number, but it's not that you say we
want this park bill and we're going to limit it to $6 million, but then there's there's a whole lot of other things that need to be done in addition to that. So when we voted on it, there was I think three different numbers and we voted for the the lower number which was
4.7 or something like that. >> Um >> and the next one was 5.7, wasn't it? >> My hopes for that was that >> wasn't yet >> there would be some kind of negotiation that we could come to, you know, somewhere in the middle between the 10
and the the five or something like that. um that the council would accept some of our recommendations. Um where we could leave some things out but leave most of the things in. Um and
I thought that's where it was left that uh we made a recommendation at that lower amount but I certainly did not expect the council to accept that lower number. I expected more stuff to be done, but I was hoping that there could be some discussion over what more would
be done. Not that council has to come back to us, but that was just my thought process. Well, wouldn't you think that there's got to be some number that maybe council would come up with? Now it's like the whole thing is in limbo
with no no plan, no nothing. What were those numbers? What were those numbers? Those All those numbers had a plan to them, didn't they? I'm sorry. >> All those numbers that you presented originally all had a plan to them. >> They all had a plan to them. They were specific to that number. Yes. Correct. So, there's four options presented and
each of the options had very specific what was included, what would be designed. We, and this was back in October, we made the um recommendation for option four, which was the $4.7 million, and did stopped at the culvert basically.
>> And that and that again, that is just a recommendation, >> right? >> That the council can do what they want with it. Maybe they will say, "Well, we like this point that you made and this point that you made um and this one, so maybe we can do it for
7.5 million, something like that with certain recommendations and we don't have to go to the 9 or 10 million." Um, but again, that's up to the council, which is where we left it when we had that vote. >> Right. >> But we voted for it. >> Yes. At that time,
>> we did. Yeah. So, you want to increase >> I just want to I want to bring it up and discuss it. We can you can drop it, forget about it. But I think I think we didn't as a committee we didn't vote the right way. That's the way I feel.
>> We should vote for it. >> You did vote for it. But then, you know, if we if we I'm thinking if we take the lower part, eventually we keep adding on adding on, we going to be updated to 9 or 10 million anyway. You know what I mean?
Why can't we? I still like project number one. >> Okay. Where the money coming from? I don't know. But why go for four and then later on you're going to have to add on this, add on that, add on that. It's going to be it's going to be the same difference. >> Well, I think you ought to build the
bridge now. >> Yes. >> Because if you don't, you never will. >> Some people may prefer that. That's plan four is essentially that, not building the bridge. bridge and see if there's any of the
amenities on the other side can be done. Now in a plan we could sort of rank order the various amenities on the other side. The other part of that is the aspect of the park that I think there
was the biggest push for was the cricket fields >> and we really ought to get the cricket fields done. They can be done essentially with almost nothing else done. Certainly some of Well, you got to have a parking lot.
>> We definitely need a walk and jocking area. I I can't see we can eliminate that. We We just We just can't. >> But that's nothing that >> I mean, but you can't do that. >> You got to have the bridge, >> right? >> That was in plan 4. >> No, it was not. >> No. No, it wasn't.
>> No. No. Plan four is just build everything on this side of the the >> That's what I thought. I thought that's what I thought Ted said. It wasn't plan for. >> No, he said we chose bridge. >> Okay. Okay. No bridge.
>> Well, again, with with the way I looked at it was putting up for the 4.5 million or whatever it was that did not include the bridge. I expected the council to go higher and I think the bridge definitely needs to be included, but I didn't want
to vote for something that was a much higher amount that would include the bridge. I I wanted to start with a lower number and then add on from from that and then come up with a design based on based on the add-ons.
One of those add-ons obviously being the bridge because that I think everybody agrees the bridge needs to be done. really need cricket fields. >> I mean, >> should be priority. >> Mhm. >> All right. I have nothing more to say. I have nothing to say at all.
>> Um, so you have a motion on the table. >> I was right. >> What was your motion? >> It was this long. I wanted to revote to make sure the covert the was in the in our approved money and then we can and
move that aspect forward and then if they want to come back for more money vote on that separately. >> We didn't approve any money. We just made a recommendation. >> Well, recommendation whatever. Okay. Okay. >> Made a recommendation on one of four plans that were presented to you by the
design engineer. >> And we voted on four. >> Yes, you did. number four. >> All right, we all good. Move on. >> Okay, we have a vote on the motion.
>> He withdraw. >> Uh updates from other committees. >> Shri, >> uh that's I I have a question for you. Um for Arbor Day, we're hoping to plant um
a a descendant of the Salem oak that that that came to us as a seedling from South Jersey. Um one is planted already up front here. >> Um and Chris is generously holding the second one. >> It was going to be planted in Chris's backyard.
>> Five years, >> but I didn't want to. It's not my tree. We're saying it for 5 years now. So, um, we approached the historical commission. Um, I attended the Meadows Foundation trustees meeting last last week. Um, and
so, um, we we propo we Shri Commission is proposing to plant the tree at one of the the meadows uh, properties in one of the houses. Um, one first, um, my recommendation, our
recommendation was to replace the tree that was in front of the carrots, >> the Vanloo Sidam house. >> Okay. Tree that was in front, but they said, "Oh, no. Um, that tree is going to be 150 ft tall. It's going to fall on
the house. We don't want that." So, >> um, so, so they're going to >> in 2,200, right? I know. Um but anyway, >> it's not your problem. >> It's not the mayor.
>> So, but but anyway, really um happy to plant it anywhere on a on a historic property. Um so, they'll come back to us this week with a formal recommendation. Um one question they had, which I I have to ask you this question. Um they
thought WOV Garrettson House might be a good place. Um because I I expressed to them that um we'd like to put it someplace where it gets foot traffic. It's going to have a nice nice um fence around it. We plan to put a a a historical marker or an explanation of
what it is. So if people actually get to see it and understand where it's from, it would be nice. So they said Woff has a museum there. I don't know. >> They do. Yeah. >> So So that would be a nice place to put. They said somewhere behind next to a shed somewhere. But they said there's
like um shrubs like it's overgrown and there are some like shrubbery stuff. >> Um they asked if if any clearing of that could be included in this plan. So I I thought I would I'd have to ask you because usually for arbor day we just
take a tree, dig a hole and put it in. So it would be extra, you know, DPW work to to clear an area for that. I don't expect it to be very big, but I it's something I wanted to. >> There's a tree on that property that they just cut down
maybe a month ago. >> It fell. >> It fell. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They cut the rest of the wall into something and they cut the rest of it down. So, there was a spot there for a tree. >> But I don't wouldn't want to plant it so close. >> It's too close to the road. It's too close. >> Well, they said they said behind
>> Yeah. No, but they want to put it by the carriage house is what you're talking about. There's two buildings on that property. There's the main historic house and then there's a modern they call it the carriage house. It's where the caretaker's apartment is above it. So they're talking in that area which that's I mean you could certainly put it there.
>> So if the a little bit of work is not >> I'm not worried about that. That's that's not a big that's not a big deal. >> DPW has gone over there too before and done some they've taken vegetation away. >> Right. And then when do you have a shade when do you have a shade tree meeting? >> This Thursday. >> So you should talk to Connor about it
because it will be Connor's crew that does the work. So mention it to him, too. >> I just wanted to ask you, >> I don't I don't see any reason at all that you it couldn't be done. What What's the date on Arbor Day? >> The last Friday in April. >> Last Friday in April.
>> Jersey. >> Something else is shade tree related. I've been informed both informally oneon-one and at the meeting of KAC that there are a number of trees around the
the ballpark area of the Kingston school that are dead and should be removed. >> Okay. >> You make a note of that to notify >> what was the the place I'm sorry the ballpark around the Kingston green. Yeah, >> Kingston Green.
>> Those aren't the trees. And those aren't the trees. >> Does that need to be removed? Okay. >> Several >> things green on the trees there. >> About 5 years ago, DPW planted >> plant trees there. >> Those some of the trees >> I don't know the site well enough to
envision where the trees are, but from the description, I think they're over sort of along the eastern boundary. She said that there used to be a little road there. They were alone. >> Okay, I will um we'll figure it out.
Okay, thank you. >> A dead tree is usually fairly conspicuous. >> It is except that right now dependent on if it's the ones that Arie is talking about, they were not they wouldn't be mature enough to be able to tell at this particular time of year that they're dead. They just
>> I didn't get impression start to bloom new ones. Okay. >> Anybody have anything else? I have update of 250. >> I have a quick update, but I'll go after you. >> I'm sorry. >> I have a quick update, but you sure? Okay. >> Um, so the stream the environmental
commission is going to be doing their stream annual stream cleanup. It's going to be Saturday, April 13th, I think is the one. >> Um, it's at Do you remember? Let me pull up the Run. >> I'll pull Celies Run. Cely's Run. Yes. Um, the
>> times we have cleaned up there. Yes. >> Well, it's funny because the mayor forwarded a complaint that he got over the weekend about one mile. >> Oh, >> and the typical area that has also been this site of multiple >> we go back and forth between
>> and I just and you could do that every year. Go back and forth. You could do both every year. And I sent public works today to go clean out the garbage that's there. Most of the most of the problem on Mile Run is not township. It's the church property. Yes.
>> Um, so >> I'll send the um the flyer around to everyone. >> We did seedlings run together the first year we ran for council. >> Becomes an encampment periodically. >> I'll send the flyer around to the group. If anyone's interested in uh volunteering, you're welcome to. Of
course, you know, um that's the first thing. The second uh update is just from the trails committee. They are working with the astronomy club. They came and did a presentation to us. >> Um, and they really want to work with the township various committees for dark skies week about all different types of,
you know, benefits from dark skies. >> Um, but they wanted me to relay that they're really appreciating the use of the John Clyde memorial native. >> It's not I mean I I appreciate that they're appreciative, but it's not anything that is anything of a lift on our part. I mean, they go up quietly in
the dark and look at the sky. It's not a big strain on services. >> I know they take good care of the property, >> of course. Can we tax them on looking at looking at the sky? Yeah, maybe. Um, >> but they're going to be working with us on dark skies week, which is the week of April 13th. And so, they're looking to
work with the AEC to talk about, you know, amber lighting and, you know, just kind of protecting everybody from light pollution. So, they've been they've been really good and enjoying working with them. They've approached the library to have the library have two telescopes
that people can loan out. >> Oh, that would be really nice. That would be really cool actually. Yeah, I love that. Okay, I'll talk to them too about that because yeah, they've they've been coming to a lot of meetings and I know they're working with Steve and they now they meet in the rec center now instead which they're super happy about
too. They're very happy. They're always happy which is why it's really nice to work with them. as they came to the moon. >> Moon problem. >> So, >> they were they were at the uh >> Firefly Firefly.
>> It it's a it's a thing that I I just I see a the potential for a lot of people being interested in it. >> It, you know, it it's >> if someone is doing it for you, they're doing it for the people who go
participate, right? You know, you don't have to own expensive equipment. You know, you don't have to find a good place to do it cuz you do need a good place to do it. You need darkness. >> I mean, it it just it seems like >> there's an opportunity here
>> to get a lot of people out and participating in it. It's just I mean it's >> especially you know nobody wants to go out when it's 20° outside you know 20 mph winds in the darkness
but during the spring and summer I just think that we should be able to capitalize a little bit more and get more people out for it. Um >> we should try to get the mayor to go out. >> We should maybe the manager should go to the house
sit outside and watch. Does the mayor have his own telescope? >> He did at one point, but he gave it away. >> Yeah, it's something everyone can do and enjoy and it gets them out to our preserves and they have 200 members, right, Stephen? They said they members
and my my son and I just think like it's not just it's not just telescopes. I mean, my son is a photographer by hobby, not by trade. and he lives in an area of Pennsylvania that gives him a lot of opportunity for nighttime photography. I
mean, it's it's it's a thing. I mean, you know, if you go online, you can find a lot of photographers, the Milky Way, and all the time-lapsed photos and things like that. Um, but you you know, John Clyde presents itself as unique in this area because it is very very dark
at night and that I have been there at night and it is very very dark. Um, and that's, you know, that lends itself to not just the astronomy, but, you know, photography to go along with it. Maybe we can kind of put that out there to the
general public. You know, if you're interested in nighttime photography, bring your 35mm camera and get some really cool photos, too. >> That would be good, actually. And then maybe they we could even use the photos cuz we've used the photos before. Yeah. I use them all the time. >> Awesome. That was the only updates I
had. >> All right. Thank you. Um, so our committee, the 250 committee has Black History Month this coming Saturday at the middle school which is on Hamilton Street. Uh, starts at 1:00 until 5.
There's a whole bunch of there are a lot of different events um, hands-on things for kids to do. Um there's a short video of soldiers back about a month and a half ago when we had the first snowstorm. There was a it part of the
Washington crossing video that's going to come out at the end of this year. It's the 250th anniversary of Washington's crossing. >> Actual video. >> Yeah. When he did it. What do you do? Black and white. Black and white down.
So, black and white. You know, you got to go like this. You'll be able to see his eye to colorize it. But actually, it was in black and we did that. >> So, uh it's a it's a really neat uh it's
about a 13minute I think the mayor seen. I don't know who >> about half of it. Huh. >> It's very good. >> It really is good. And it's uh one of the one of the uh fellas from the Rhode Island Regiment, which which is a
black regiment who helped Washington during the crossing. And so he's there and he's interviewing two other soldiers about what it what it's like. Why did you become a Continental Soldier? What did we give you? What did the British
give you? And so it's a very interesting um 15minute video of of the soldiers, but there's a there's some a lot of other different things that are happening. That's this Saturday. Next Saturday, I'm sure all of you have seen
the play coming out, The Crossing. >> Mhm. >> So that is going to be that's going to be at Samson. There's only 300 seats there. It's going to be very small. It's a musical that's coming out. um probably the end
of the year down in Trenton at the War Memorial Theater and we got the Terry Sergio was able to get I get the name right. >> Sergio I don't like it. >> Z G. Yeah, Nancy keeps on correcting me.
Um >> to come and see that you you you'll see kind of like the very first >> It's not the whole play. Does does Washington music does Washington sing as he's going across the Netherland? >> I don't think so. I don't think he's here. >> Come and see.
>> I might have to. I'm curious. >> Is that Is that on the 28th you're talking about? >> It is. Yeah. >> And that's at the middle school. >> That's the Samson. >> Samson J. >> Across the street across the street. >> Yeah. The first one you're talking about the 21st Hamilton.
>> Um I will high school. >> I will be out of state on the 21st. Is there a way to see that video any >> there it is? Some of it is being videotaped. Okay. For presentation at a later date. >> So Nancy was able >> You're talking about that video tape. They're going to show the crossing.
>> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Um No, >> because it's top secret. >> It's kind of >> No, he's talking about the the Africanamean. >> Oh, no. No. He said at that event, the crossing that >> Which one you talking about? The 21st,
which is the crossing, is my understanding. >> The 28th is the crossing. >> Time out. Time out. You're right. >> There's the play, The Crossing. And then you discussed the video of the crossing that took place on Christmas Day this
year that is going to be shown on the 21st. Will that video be aware available? >> Yes. >> Is it available that we could put a link to it on our website? Yes, eventually. There you go, Arie. I'm looking out for you, buddy.
Thank you for maning the whole thing. Following you right along the way. He's got a prod next to me, but I I I I know for in for um uh it
it's all over the internet. I'm not internet there's reals. I mean, I'm getting phone calls. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, I saw it. I know that. I mean that's why it was the >> And I think Wreck has how many how many tickets sold so far? >> So we you said we have 300. We actually have 283 seats left. So
>> already people are getting them online. That's the 28th. >> Correct. >> And is it where do we go where do we go to get tickets for that? >> You can either do it um on our registration if you want to do it beforehand or at the door.
>> If you want to make sure you get a ticket, you can do it on rec desk. >> Yep. Just like how you sign up for yoga. >> Like when you sign up for Zumba classes, which I know you do that yoga. >> Very good at yoga. >> Well, I would I would caution that if you think you're going to get there at 5
to 7:00 on Saturday on the 28th, you're not getting in. >> It's at It starts at 5. >> Starts at 7:00. >> 7. >> Okay. But if I order the tickets ahead of time, >> then you have to get there 5 to 7. >> Yes. >> Cuz you'll have a reserve seat.
>> Yeah. baby. >> You can buy it online. >> No, they can't. It's on on the >> rec. You can buy it online recreation page. That's that's what you the the program to sign up for recreation. >> Is that what I signed up for before? I
signed up for something before and it was very hard to buy >> the Salute to America. Best at selling tickets. >> It's mainly >> Is that the same we're not meant for selling tickets? You're absolutely right. All right, it's it's time fix now. >> Don't worry, I'll make sure we have
tickets. >> Okay, cuz I'll buy them ahead of time. >> I think I think I know somebody. >> You think so? I wonder who that could be. >> Um, but we do have this year we have one or two things planned every single month
this year. >> Okay. Um, what are we going to do in July? >> July is this is this is This is no July is important. July is important. That was a big month for that. July isn't
important. I don't know how many people have seen the Victory Town Franklin Township Victory Town flag. That's white letters on a blue background. Some of you maybe have seen, some have not. Okay. What we've done is we reverse the
colors and got a 4x8, which is going to be blue letters on a white background. at our July 2nd fireworks. You'll be able to go and sign that flag. Eventually, it'll be at at a couple different events. At the end of the year, it'll be folded up along with
other items and put into a 50-year time capsule. And where is that going to be buried? I guess >> we can put it in the library at the >> Well, there is one there now that is >> When does that one come up at? >> Oh, I just looked at 20 50 years from
1998. So, 2048. >> Yeah, I can do that. >> 2048. >> Yeah, >> it's a close call for me. >> No, it's nice, Mayor. Stephen, you might still
be retired by that date. >> One other bill will still be the secretary OF no one will take He will continue to get appointed over and over and over again. >> We might appoint him from his grave. >> Exactly.
>> On June 20th, we have uh the Brandenburgg band that'll play at the gazebo. Um it's a 40piece band. >> What band? >> Randenberg. The Blowenberg. >> I grew up Montgomery.
>> I grew up I I grew up in >> I know. I know. I'm helping you. the Blowenberg band. Yes. Been around 38 years. >> 138 years. >> And um so they'll be playing at the gazebo. >> Time could be anywhere between 6 and
7:00. >> Um it's almost like a small pops, you know, Boston pops. >> And they're going to play be playing all kinds of different patriotic music. >> So that's already set, that date set. Um time it's either six six seconds when we
do the fireworks. Okay. >> Uh, August is a really neat thing. So, I talked to Mark um, >> no, from from the from the Somerset Patriots, senior vice president. >> Dave, >> huh?
>> Dave Dave Merrick from the um, thanks. What did I say? Steve Mark >> for the uh, Somerset Patriots. Oh, that's going to that's going to be August 15th and that is going to be Franklin 250 day.
We're going to set aside 500 tickets for us. Uh at the beginning of the game, there will be uh revolutionary revolutionary soldiers, musketss, drum and f and a cannon that will be lit.
>> Okay. Then you'll have the game. that game the Patriots are going to have a specially designed uniform >> for that day. So cute. >> And then at the end of the um game will be probably their biggest fireworks of that year >> for 10 bucks.
>> Sparky the mascot will be dressed up as George Washington. >> I'm trying I'm trying to get Sparky L. I have four baseballs signed by Sparky Lyle. They're worth about $4, right? The worth the >> and dropping cost of the ball.
>> The ball is $3.99. That's you and 300,000 others who have gone to a Patriots game and got his signature on a ball and he knows me. >> We're going up to the diamond suite from Canal Walk.
>> I'm sorry. What? Can I walk for you? >> 70 people. Well, what so what we're trying to do is in the next month is get kind of an idea of like blocks. So I know that one
person that I know wants 100 tickets. Spoke to this the Boy Scouts. They're going to take about 30. I spoke to PD. I spoke to um um Franklin Little League and I spoke to I forget what other group
>> South Down Brook Franklin Little League too >> both Little Both of them. Okay. Um and Canal Walk. I know the vets over in Canal Walk. And I know I know they're big baseball fans and I'll talk to Sam about that. So, if we can if we can
probably book a ready like 250 or then we're just going to go ahead and just, you know, get this done. >> So, which will probably be the end of the another week or two. >> So, um, >> so that's August, >> huh? >> So, that was August.
>> That's August. September. >> September. We're working on at Colonial Park Colonial Day which will be if anybody anybody go to the Lord Sterling event that they have. >> I have I've been there.
>> I told you I was there. Yeah. >> It's all colonial stuff. you'll be able to we're trying to get that moved in to Colonial Park and we're having meetings with which you should be when I talk to
>> sure that your group has some kind of list >> like they do they do staff members dedicated to this particular >> can you can you set for them >> documents
here. Yes, >> we will. Have you gone on to the 250 website? >> No. >> Well, then there you go. >> I'm Well, I'm asking you to send it to everybody here. Don't make me work for it. >> www.franklinj.gov
or whatever the hell are you just pwpnj.com? I'm >> allergic to the internet. >> D. Okay, I'll send it to everybody so you have it. >> Thank you. I can't count on the president. I wear loafers. I don't know how to tie
shoes. >> Hold on a second. Go back. >> He should be telling everybody. >> I have Bob Hudac. >> Go ahead, Judy. >> Um, it says that I noticed that the website says old and I don't know if
that if you got the right one. Do me a favor. Just go to um committee go to committees and commissions and let that >> Well, there's other there's other ones. >> All right. >> And a bunch of pictures. >> Scroll down. Click on that one. Say
>> all right. >> And that's the that's the proper you want to search because it archives everything. You can't just >> I'll put up an email to everyone right now. Don't forget. Thank you, Tara. >> You're welcome. There we go. Let me put it in a separate email.
>> It has a bunch of the pictures that we've had already. It does. >> Okay. >> Well, we're not listening to you. We're listening to Tara. >> There you go. >> That's why she's so good. You >> know, I'm capable of Google. >> When you'll see that, hopefully in the
next our next meeting, we'll be able to settle and get everything posted what we're going to be doing. So there's a there we have one or two things every single month. >> Do you need Bob to come over and open your email for you?
>> I can open my email. >> Selling it for a million with the >> All right, let's move on. >> Understand 400. >> Anybody have any other committee? >> I don't think so. >> Um consultants monthly activity report
need to >> look at it. Were you active? >> I was active. Yes. >> Good to hear. >> Did you do activities? >> Activities. Lots. >> So many activities. >> Okay. Lots of activities. So many. I can't remember them.
>> And opening up to the public again. I get a motion. >> Wait, wait a second. Did we just skip over the activity report? >> No. He just >> said, "Do you have any questions about the activity report?" >> Um, does that include the budget? >> No. So, you know what? I don't see the
budget on the agenda. >> I think for some reason I accidentally took that off the agenda. I don't know why cuz it's usually up at the top, but it's printed there and I sent it to everybody. >> So, I just have a question and and this is something that we discussed at the uh subcommittee that we had. Um so in the
in the budget here it tells us um the ending balance of um what is in the budget but we don't have anything in here about what the fund what the fund holds the whole fund.
>> So is there a way that we can find out? Oh, we have a brand new finance officer who started last week and I'm going to give her uh ample opportunity to get settled into and and not not saying this isn't important, but she's starting this
position in the midst of a budget for the entire town, not just for open space. And I have to prioritize all of the things that she's doing. And I have to be honest with you, Arie, there's there's not enough hours in a day. you know,
she's kind of burning the candle at both ends right now. And I don't I can't say that I'm going to have that number for you. I don't have it today. And I don't know it'll it'll be maybe a discussion when Open Space presents their budget to
the township council at budget hearings next month. Um, but that's the best I can do for you right now. >> And that's fine. That's fine. I understand. I can tell you it's it it's if I was to guess at it right now, it's in the 15 million range. >> And that's fine. You know, you're going
through >> that budget document is a little bit I I don't like when people look at that and interpret certain things to mean what they think they mean. It's not that's that's a document that is more for the
finance officer and staff than it is for people to look at and know what it some of the things are not as easily understood to the layman as they are. It that's it's a document that could probably be
amended somewhat, but it's existed for so long that it was used again this year. It's the case for some of our budget documents that will change for the 2027 budget >> because I have a new finance officer >> and she is thinking about doing things
differently. >> So sometime in the next several months we might be able to get >> it's not it's not a it's not hard. Yes. It it's just that right now it takes work because the money is not all in one
place. We'll definitely have it by the time we have budget hearings. >> Yeah. I mean, that's what I'm saying. I I would anticipate that a council member might ask that question. >> And so the the point is besides that that if we can get that report monthly
or >> you're not going to get it monthly, it's the money. So it's just it's there's no reason for you to get it monthly. And here's why. There's that much money there and you see how much money is being spent monthly.
do the math, >> right? I mean, I can be honest with you. Other than the fact that taxes are collected quarterly, so you know what the annual is, it's in that report. Actually, it's in there. This is how much will be collected annually. 8
something million, right? >> Yeah. >> Divided by four, you get one quarter, one quarter, one quarter, one quarter. So, if it's $8 million, it's $2 million a quarter is going into the trust. and you see how much is coming out because she gives you the monthly expense. >> So, can we
>> can we get a commitment to get that number once a year? >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, but you get it once a year if you there's a lot of different ways to skin a cat. Yes. The answer is yes, you can have it. It's a function of the auditor. There's a number. I can
give you what it was at December 31st of 2024 because the 2024 audit is the last one done. You don't do the 2025 audit until later on in this year. >> All right. So, it's it's there. I mean, it's clearly it's not a secret. It's in
the audit that's on the website. You can literally go to the finance page on our website right now and look at the 2024 audit and it is in there. So, it's I mean, it's not we're not it's not trying to be secretive. It's just that it's a
moving target at times. All right. a portion of it is in is in uh um certificates of deposit. So, it's in a different account. So, you have to have somebody go sit and add all up the and finance is busy right now with all of the other things that are going on right
now with a new person in charge. >> I haven't said that. It's just something that we've talked about amongst us to see it at least once a year >> as a report to this committee.
We go with the consultants report. >> Are we making a motion to approve it? >> No, you don't have to make a motion to approve. >> Okay, I'm fine with Okay. >> Anybody have any questions? >> No, you can do public. >> All right. Public um motion to open to the public.
>> Motion anybody >> to 10y. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I open. >> It's open. >> Yeah, it's open. >> Okay.
Uh, Negri, the blind needs a new roof, which I will give you the material list for that. I will replace it. The other thing is is they were calling about the ADA ramp. It is horrible condition at Negri. It needs to be replaced.
Um, I can't build it. I was hoping we could get when I talked to somebody from PDW, they could have told me they could build one >> from DPW, you said. >> Yeah. So, in order to meet the the like
rating, everything has to be done by our which we we can do that. >> I know the regulation by heart because I used to inspect them. >> Okay. Yeah. But you don't you can't build it right now, you're saying. Or you >> No, you can't build it right now. You got to wait till spring so grand. >> Okay. All right.
>> Somewhat of a deterrent to construction. >> Yeah. Well, between >> rain. I guess we're supposed to get another snow on Sunday. >> It's supposed to snow on Sunday. >> Yeah. >> Possibilities out. >> It is winter time. It might snow.
>> I mean, really, it stays away. Who knows? >> All right. I'll find out about the stain. And you're saying it needs a new roof? >> Yeah, I will give you a material. I'll give you a materials list for that. I don't expect that >> getting done anytime soon. I I would like to see it done before around April would be ideal.
>> Got it. All right. Well, send me the list and I'll forward it along. >> Okay. I'll have to wait till it falls a little bit so I can go down here and measure it. >> Got it. Got it. Thank you. >> 90 96 ft, but the roof's going to be a little bigger. >> Got it. Yeah. Thank you, Chris. Thanks for your work.
>> Thank you. Way behind you. Oh, the other thing is um we have open Open space walks starting. >> Oh yes. Through New Jersey Autobon. Yes. >> Okay. The first one's next Friday. >> February 27th. Yep. >> Good luck.
>> I know. Might be. Yes. >> The other one is March 6th. >> Autom next week. We can look out our window. >> You go. Yeah. I think you should go. >> You can't do that. >> Is 13th.
>> 13th. Okay. If it gets snowed out or rained out or it's too cold, let me know and then we can readvertise it. >> It's through Autobon, but yeah, we can move that around. >> You have advertised the web on >> Yeah, it's advertising now. Y we have registrants already. So, yeah, we do. We
have like eight or nine registrants. >> Wow. >> Nine people. Holy cow. >> So, that's good. Yeah. >> All right. Yeah. So, >> next Friday maybe come out of public. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Just want to add something. Thank you. >> Afterwards, >> thanks.
>> Okay. >> Have a good one. All right. >> Call for a motion. Call for a motion to come out of public. >> Motion to come out of public. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. >> Just just I don't know if any of you
have seen the news today regarding um bird kills >> uh in particular. Um, Somerset County has experienced some on uh in the Sourlands Preserve as well as Duke Island Park, Canada geese primarily. Um,
also a reservoir in Mammoth County. It appears that it's aven flu again that's affecting them based on the behavior of the geese. Um, I saw some videos just before I came here um on I saw online of
of the reservoir in Mammoth County. Um the the they they swim in circles till they die. Um but I I I only say that because I know a lot of you do go out and you know the last time we had it to deal with this it was not just geese or
ducks it was birds. I mean you know people were finding a dead blue jay in their yard or things like that. Just you know for for what it's worth. I don't need to tell this group but you should let all of your friends know you see a dead bird don't pick it up. >> Yeah. you see a dead bird, call animal
control and Katie will come to dispose of it. >> Eats it or something like that. >> I mean, it's not it it you know, it's funny because the reservoir in Mammoth County is owned by New Jersey American Water and New Jersey American Water immediately put out a press release that there was no concern as to the drinking
water quality just because of these dead geese in the water. Now, let's be honest, >> animals die in reservoirs all the time. So, um, but and I don't think that aven flu is one that is spread through, you know, ice cold water. Um, I don't know
either. But I'm guessing that whoever they were consulting at with at New Jersey Americans said, "No, you don't have anything to worry about cuz they came out right away publicly and said, "Don't worry." But I just, you know, spread the word to your friends and family. Don't pick up a dead bird if you
see it laying on the ground. And if you feel the absolute obligation that I got to get this dead bird because you have a dog, right? I mean, my dog would be all over that dead bird in the backyard. Um, wear gloves, use a shovel, put it in a
bag, tie it in a knot, and put it in a garbage can. That's the recommendation that came out from the state department of health previously. >> We had we had quite a few the last time it was made around. >> Person supposed to call? >> Um, the animal control office. >> Animal control.
I can put it out to all of Canal Walk. >> Smart. >> Yeah. >> Y see a dead bird, don't pick it up. >> But we'll do. >> All right. You good? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> A motion to go into executive session.
>> Second. Second. >> Executive session.