I will call this meeting of the open space committee to order and I will ask for nominations for chairman. >> I nominate Bob Puscus. >> Second that locker. >> So I had a conversation with Bob and Bob
was not going to pursue the chair position this year. This is a conversation that the mayor and I had um just before the new year. >> I spoke to him in early this early. >> I said just before the new year.
>> I understand. >> I understand. He's not going to do it. >> No. >> Okay. >> So, do we have another nomination? >> I'll nominate Arty. >> Arie will decline. >> Thank you very much. >> You what? I said Arie will decline, but
thank you very much. >> Oh, you would be great. >> Be great. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Is not interested in taking on more responsibilities. >> You're retired. You have no responsibilities. >> Can we bypass it or no?
>> Well, you have most of your members not here. So I I generally defer to the man on the right over here as it as it relates to Robert's rules of order here. I mean I'm assuming that you can
>> I guess we can skip that. And >> you also have the the secretary is not here to accept nomination. Right. >> Um I I don't know how you reorgan. You have >> half of the committee. >> You can table it till the next meeting. >> Do you table it? Okay. No one has a
nomination though. >> No, there's no one on the table. So, we can table it. >> Table the chair. Do we have nominations for vice chair? >> I'll nominate already. >> I'll accept that. >> Any other nominations for vice chair?
>> I'll recommend that the voting be closed. That >> nominations are closed. We can do this by acclamation. All in favor of Ari as vice chair say I. >> I. I. supposed to say nay. Mr. Vice Chairman, it's your meeting.
>> Okay. >> You have no you have no secretary. You're going to hold you're going to table that till the next meeting as well. >> We can do that. >> I I I don't see why not. >> I know the last meeting car. >> Bill Bill might say I don't want it. I mean, right. I mean, so
>> we tell him too bad. >> That's usually what we do. I agree. >> And he nominates me and I say no. >> There'll be no argument there. So Tara, can you read the um statement that has to be made at the beginning? >> Um the disclosure statement and then
also uh do the roll call, please. >> Um okay, hang on one second and let me get that. >> Make a motion to nominations be reopened. >> I'll make a motion to nominations be reopened. >> Okay. Nominations be reopened.
>> Oh, reopen. Do we have a second to that? >> A second. >> Okay. >> I'd like to nominate Bob Lort as chair. >> Okay. >> All right. Bob Lort. Okay. >> You will need a second. >> Second.
>> You actually don't need a second. >> You have one. >> You're right. You don't How many times have I heard you say that? A thousand. >> Any discussion on uh on Mr. the court being chair. >> Do you accept the nomination? >> I I'll accept it for one year.
>> We won't ask him for more than one year. >> Give one year. I'm not I'm not saying is don't ask him this time next year. >> The funny thing is I was thinking you doing this, but then I wasn't sure you >> I had my hands full >> at the time.
>> It's okay. I'll do it for you. >> Okay. >> Okay. Well, uh, if there's no other nominations, uh, make a motion to close to the nominations. >> Okay. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I
>> Since there are no other nominations, we can vote. Um, I acclimation. All those in favor of Mr. Lort being chair. >> I I doesn't seem like it would sound. >> Yeah, that doesn't sound like it's very,
you know, Whereas for nays, >> anybody abstain? I know you sounded very excited to take it to the first place, but it's appreciated. I think uh you might have been on the left and the right. Maybe you were browbeating into it for all I
know. I don't know, but I'm just I'm just kidding. Just kidding. >> We'll get it done and get it moving. Go. Let's go. >> Okay. >> All right. You're on. >> Call the meeting to order. >> The >> All right. So, would you do the roll call, please? Yes. And the statement's
up there for you to read. >> This meeting of the Franklin Township OSAC is called pursuit to the provisions of the open public meetings law. This meeting of January 20th, 2026 was included in a list of meeting notices sent advertised in local newspaper,
posted on the bulletin board of 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 been available to the public. It and is on
file in the office of the municipal clerk. >> Okay. Awesome. All right. Roll call. All right. So, we have Ted Chase. >> Yes. >> Uh Stephanie Chel >> here. >> Bill Connell is absent. Steven D is
absent. John Hurling >> here. >> Vanessa Jones >> here. >> Mayor Kramer >> here. >> Bob Hornlocker >> here. Um, Bob Lort >> here. >> Mary Lalco is absent. John Moon >> here. >> Arie Schmidt >> here.
>> David Triggs is absent. Paul Witzky is our new member from the Environmental Commission, but he's absent today. Um, and Bob Puscus is absent. Did I miss anyone? >> Did you see Robin? >> No, Robin. So, Robin is she resigned from the committee and so Paul Witzky is
taking her spot. So Robin resigned from the environmental commission and her term with the environmental commission is cons is concurrent with this one. So our new representative from the environmental commission is Paul. >> Okay.
>> He's in Florida. >> And he's in Florida. Yeah. So after he got appointed, he was already in Florida. So he'll be at the next meeting, he said. >> All right. Uh public comments open to the public. >> Motion to open to the public.
>> Seconded. Seeing seeing no one motion to close. >> No move. >> Second. >> All right. Approval approval of November 25 meeting minutes. >> I don't have them unfortunately.
>> We remove a zero from your salary. >> We will remove a zero from Bill Collins. I'm not >> mine too. I'm up I'm up to 12. Yes. >> Um, new business. >> Okay. So, the diversion at Castleton
Park. So, that diversion we've been working on with Sonokco pipeline has been approved by the state house commission. Um, so the way it works basically is we've gone through this whole, you know, year plus of uh getting the approvals from D. D forwarded their recommendation to the state house
commission who approved it on December 15th. So, that diversion is all set. We're working right now on finalizing the easement which will basically give that permanent surface easement to Synokco so they can replace the manual valve with the remote valve. Um so
that'll be on the next council meeting for approval. So our attorney has already reviewed the the language uh made a few little edits which have been completed and once it gets approved by council we can go ahead and file it and then that's it be complete. >> Are you are you working with shade tree?
I know that they're doing trees putting >> they presented to us >> that plan was presented here and approved and and is moving forward through the public works department and the shade tree commission. >> Yeah. But they are aware of the diversion area. We gave them the map and everything. So >> excellent. >> Yep. >> Okay.
>> Um leasing of memorial forest for for farming. >> So this one actually Bob Pusk has put on the agenda. He didn't tell me a lot about it. What I do know is that the farmer has decided that he no longer wants to have the lease there. Um we have talked about in the past potentially doing a you know concept of
a you know memorial park there, memorial area there. Um so we need to discuss do we want to continue leasing the farm part only part of it? None of it some of it but really Bob has been pretty integral in that and he's not here. So we can definitely talk about it if you
want or I don't really know exactly what he wants to talk about. So maybe we should wait on that one. >> Let's wait till he comes in and he can fill us in. >> Just just to be clear, um just to take a step back. Um Bob is still going to be on open space. >> Okay.
>> Was appointed by council. >> Okay. >> Um >> you comment, mayor, >> he would be act. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Mike Orsini talked to me. He's taking a course. >> Yes. He sent that email to Tara, too. Mhm. >> Um I forget the name of a course.
>> Well, it's an environmental steward course at Ruckers University and he needs a project. >> It's kind of like a Boy Scout thing. >> It's not unlike it actually is not unlike our Eagle Scout projects. When I looked into it, I actually went on to the their website and looked and saw
what was in entailed. >> Um >> he has a plan for Memorial Forest. >> Oh, great. So, we can work with him. We can certainly look listen to his plan and see if we like the case. >> I think that's part of that program is they have to present it and yeah. So that would be excellent especially now
that the lease is going to be over. So okay. So I'll reach out to him and >> connect for the next meeting so that we have something to talk about. Okay, good. Okay, great. >> Will that be part of the um 10-year plan? >> Will that be part of the 10year plan?
the um >> master plan. >> Master plan. >> The master plan. Yes. Thank you. >> I I I mean I I don't I don't know that it's necessarily part of the the township master plan. I mean there's there's an open space component to the
master plan that Tara and Marquili worked very hard on and completed what about a year ago >> on the trails plan. The trails plan part of that. Yeah. Continue to work. >> Oh, that's still it's still a work in project. So the answer is then it's not complete. So it certainly could be
included in the open space master >> plan open space um what's the word I'm looking for? Annex. >> Yes. Oh the um >> Oh my god. Now I can't remember. >> I know you're a planner. Yes. The master
element. Thank you. I for both. Okay. I was relying on her. She's a plan the element. >> The good news is that the memorial forest concept plan was included in the trails plan and the trails plan was adopted as part of the master plan. So
there is definitely a reference to that memorial concept plan. Not that it has to be that one exactly, but that we wanted to do work at Memorial Forest. So >> Jed and I are on, you know, we're on the planning board, so we're we're going over the master plan now, right? >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you.
>> So, what specifically was looking to be done in Memorial Force? >> So, remember I guess it was it was probably like a year ago we talked about >> doing a concept. Remember we went out >> when you know I I I've been out there many times and I know we talked about
working >> there was never any talked about making parking lots >> and there was never a a a decision made by this committee as to what to recommend. There were a lot of ideas, but no one no one actually, I think,
made a motion that was seconded and voted on that said, "Let's go with plan X." Um, >> well, I think the big thing was too that there was a lease on it, so we figured anything. >> So, well, I think it wasn't so much then I think that maybe the fact that there was a lease on it made it not um there
was no time >> crunch. >> Yeah. >> To get a decision made. Now, if the if what we believe may be the truth and we'll find that out, I guess at the next meeting that in fact the the current farmer does not wish to extend their
lease, then I guess you could make a decision. The course that Mike Orsini is taking, I think it's like 8 weeks long, 10 weeks long. Um, so it's not like you I mean
you'll have him presenting to this committee whatever his plan is and it and it's not and it's not just you need to develop a plan. You need to do something too. It's hands-on. I mean, like if if if you're
going to have um you could have a rainbarrel uh demonstration where you actually you but the person who's doing the class actually has to do the class, right? And teach people how to make rain barrels. If you're going to plant trees as part
of a a a reforestation, you actually physically have to go out there with a shovel and dig the holes and put the trees in the hole. Um that's what's part of this class. So, I mean, I don't know. Maybe that maybe he should come here and talk about
it more. >> I mean, he he did he did in fact send an email to to the three of us saying, "I'm interested in in doing something in the town as part of this project. Um, do you have any ideas?" So, obviously the mayor offered up an idea.
>> So, do we want to put this on the agenda at some point after speaking to Mike? >> It wouldn't be a bad idea. Yeah. about getting him to speak to us about >> I'll see him tomorrow, so I'll ask him tomorrow. >> Yeah, that would be great. I mean, he won't be able to obviously do the whole thing, but he'll be able to do a portion
of it for something. Yeah. Which will be great. Okay, great. But now that there's no lease on it, that allows us now to move forward. Before we were kind of stuck. >> When does lease end? >> The farmer said he doesn't want to do it anymore starting like as soon as he can get out of it. So, if we can let him out of it completely, then >> Okay. So, when would it had when would
it happen? >> It would have been another year. it would have been next February. >> Leases are for a maximum of five years and they renew annually. So he's just saying I don't want to renew again. I
mean literally you we only lease it for one year, but the law allows us to have a five a renewable for up to five times. Um and then you have to go back out and auction the the leases off again. So basically go out to bid. February is
normally that day of February. >> February 28th is when his official lease ends. So he's giving us a heads up. I don't want to do it anymore. If I mean, so basically, he's done, but he can be there till the 20th February. If we if he wanted to do his full 5-year lease, he would be there till next year. So
there was no reason to move forward with this concept plan because we were kind of stuck, you know. >> I'm just curious about the February date. >> Thanks. >> Get it. >> Great. So, we had a stagnant plan and now Mike hopefully is going to be able to push this forward. >> Well, we the plan he's not going to be
able to do what I mean, we have to do road work. We have to do tree work. We have to build a parking lot. So, he's not going to be able to do that part. >> I'll let him borrow the public works equipment if he wants to build the road. I mean, >> it wasn't really what it was. You know, the concept plan I think everyone kind
of was good with, but we have to do that. We He can't do that part. >> Maybe you can get Chris Williams to uh help him with the uh road work. Yeah. Yeah. >> When he's done with his uh bird line. >> Cool. >> All right. Next.
>> The next thing. Yeah. The updating of the open space and recreation plan. So Mark and I have been wanting to update the open space and recreation plan. It has to be updated. So the issue was there was four plans that we were working on ahead of it that all got adopted. So, it was the pathways and
trails plan, the community energy plan, um the local health assessment was the first one before that, and then we did the microobility study. So, all of those we finished. So, now the open space and w plan is like on our radar. It's coordinating or coming at the same time
as the master plan update. So Mark and I did speak and the way that he's doing it, which is great, is he's basically going to send a memo to all of the committees and say, "Here's what I want you to look at in terms of the master plan." So as soon as I get that from him as it relates to open space and trails
and um environmental stuff for the environmental commission, I'll bring it. We'll talk about it. Any of our thoughts, visions, goals, ideas that should be changed, we can do that. And now in the background, Mark and I can start also working on the open space plan. And so we wanted to work on it. We
did update the Rossi, which was like the big heavy lift of we had to go through parcel by parcel and do the mapping of it. So we're basically done on that. There's a few little stragglers that we're working on, but him and I can start working on the text, but we had to get those four plans done before we
could do that, which was like a major undertaking. So those are all done and adopted into our master plan now. So now we'll go full throttle on this plan. So, here we go. >> You're talking about the updating of open space and recreation plan. >> Yes.
>> Okay. And did I miss the the state development and redevelopment plan? >> No, you did not. Oh, that's not on my agenda because I added at the last second. Did I skip over that? I'm sorry. >> You did. I just searching the two together, so I was confused. >> I think I put up my Yes, this is my
version. I got to put up the PDF. Yep, there it is. Adoption. Okay. Yes, we we'll come back to that. Okay. After that. >> Yeah, I was justing them together. Thank you. Yeah. No, this is Franklin Township's open space and recreation plan. So, it's on board. It's going to take us some time, but we're we're going to be working on it and we'll be
bringing it to you for review and everything like that. So, um yes. >> Real quick, are we going to have a calendar? You going to work on a calendar for next year or is it always the you know, if there's some days that we can't meet? >> Oh, we already adopted the calendar in
November. Yeah. Yep. >> I'm always I was here, I guess. We had a whole discussion about it. He was sitting right there next to me. >> He was dissipated. >> He wasn't the chair at that time. So he went in one ear and out the other.
>> This is exactly why I didn't write. >> Okay. I'm sorry about that. I skipped over the adoption of the New Jersey State Development Redevelopment. >> Before you go to that, I have I have a question on what we were just talking about, whether it's relevant to what we're talking about or not. It's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine that
I've spoken to you about. Um, and it's also a budgetary thing. I go through I go past Middle Bush Park quite frequently. Go up into Middle Bush Park 6 7 8:00 at night and there's
absolutely nobody there or one or two people there and every light on each football field is on. And I'm guessing they're on some kind of a timer that goes off. they are, which that means that the soccer club didn't notify the town that they weren't going to be using
the field for practice. They provide a schedule to the recreation department and the schedule for the lighting is based on that schedule and if they for whatever reason cancel their their uh practices and don't notify recreation to turn the the lights off on the schedule,
then they don't get turned off. I mean, it's quite frequent and I I assume there's a lot of electricity costing a lot of money. I'm just wondering is there a way >> What does that have to do with the master plan for the town?
>> I think whether it's related or not. >> Yeah, I'm just saying you can bring it up in new business, I guess. But it is. >> It was under recreation and recreation is >> No, I'm saying that we were talking about the open space and recreation component to the master plan. >> I heard recreation. Uh-huh.
>> He jumped. >> And when I think of recreation, I think of costs, >> but that has nothing to do with the topic. >> Recreation has to do with money and lights and all that. And you know, I I just think I know there's ways that you can turn off lights remotely. And I'm
just any there's any way that something like that can be looked into so that we don't have lights on for 4 hours. >> And and again, you're you're going on and on off topic, but when I said just told you, I gave you the answer. And so the recreation director, who's usually here, would have told you the same
thing. And I'll remind him to tell the leadership of the Franklin Soccer Club that they need to notify the recreation department when they're not going to have practice. >> And if they don't, then we won't let them use the fields anymore.
>> They will not get a permit if they don't go by the rules. >> And we can tell the 1100s children from Franklin Township that they can't play soccer anymore. and I'll say it's because of Mr. Schmidt and give them your address >> and my phone number and my email. Huh?
>> There are kids who use it in after hours. >> Oh, I know there are, but a lot of >> I know my kids do. >> No, I the point is made. We can move on. >> All right, let's move on. All business. >> No, we didn't talk about the thing that she
>> adoption of New Jersey state. So this is so just to update you the New Jersey state development and redevelopment plan has been adopted. They have been working on that when I say they I say the state of New Jersey the office of planning advocacy they have been working on this
plan since 2000 the last one was 2001 correct. >> Um they started working on the update of it in 2011. It was just adopted. Um, we did submit comments on the draft and our our comments were basically that it was kind of very aspirational in nature and
didn't really give a lot of, you know, concrete projects as to how to achieve their goals. It still kind of remains the same. Um, but I ran through it real quick and and I'm just going to let you know some quick basics. So again, this was adopted on December 17th. So this is
now the state plan. It focuses on 10 areas. economic development, housing, infrastructure, revitalization and restructuring, climate change, natural and water resources, pollution and environmental cleanup, historic and scenic resources, equity and
comprehensive planning. So, it's supposed to be used, this is their quote, an advisory framework for good planning in every region and at every level of government. So, it's very like lofty, you know, it's great, but it's super lofty. The township planner was
certainly more than familiar with it. >> Yes. >> And >> he probably said the same thing. >> Uh their vision is a stronger and fairer New Jersey which again wonderful. Um I did go through the uh that's my mom
calling. My mom always calls at the time that like not when I buzz I'm like okay. Um >> I think she does. So I went through a few things that would kind of relate to our committee and I just want to give you like some updates. So in infrastructure there's going to be a
focus on um improving intermodal connectivity and transportation networks incorporating aesthetic value and public art into all capital projects. This kind of goes through a lot of the plan is they're really focused on public art in in public spaces and in transportation
projects and any kind of building projects. Um they want to promote micromobility which really relates to our trails planning. Um all new buildings in the state should be energy and water efficient. Yes, correct. Um we then talk about climate
change where we're looking at zero emission vehicle fleets, climate change and hazard mitigation planning. When we look at natural resources, they say the continued allocation of funding for acquisition and preservation of open space is imperative. We have to look at biodiversity, protecting natural
habitats. Um they bring up here the soil disturbances that really relates to farmland where there's like a big crackdown now on soil disturbance. So on every preserved farm in the state, that farmer will get a map from the state a
development committee and it tells you how much soil disturbance you have and how much more you're allowed to have. So the farming community has really not been on board with that because it's very limiting. you're kind of our resident expert right now since you work in this area. What what is what is soil
disturbance? >> So soil disturbance from the state's opinion is general farming is not considered soil disturbance. However, some deep tillage farming which I'm not a farmer so I don't know all about that. But there are some practices that require like deep tilling that can be
considered the green level of disturbance which is like it's okay but you know we're going to keep an eye on you. Other type of disturbance is expanding your farm lane if you need a wider lane. Putting up um even non-permanent structures like a hoop house that's considered soil disturbance.
>> It's very very in-depth right now. And so uh yes. So >> so if a farmer has >> it's not it's not all about disturbing the land. It's also structures on the land and >> roadway improvements and things like that on a farm. >> Yeah. >> Yep.
>> So he has a big >> I don't know what what do you call them? a hole or whatever, >> you know, if it's that deep, then it goes and it tills, not like the round. So, if it's if it's deeper, >> if it's deeper, then there is some disturbance associated with that. And
the SADC is mapping them mapping it all out and figuring out what is what type of disturbance. Um, but it's individual to each farm. So, that's that's a big one right now. Um, another thing that's focused on in here that I thought was really interesting is, uh, there's a
focus on preserving the change project, which is connecting habitat across New Jersey. And there is money available through D for preserving some lands. But the main focus of that is to basically preserve areas for animals to move like from here to here or to safely cross a
road or to get across a river. So it's preserving the land for the purpose of like basically preserving their transit routes so that they can reproduce or have shelter or have food. That's a big focus in this plan when it comes to open space. So just >> we're going to pay for tunnels. >> Um the like the underground or the above
tunnel or >> the deer bridge over. Yep. >> Um so that's that's important. There's a big focus on his >> dear bridge over East Avenue. >> That was that that >> Yeah. One main focus here which I thought was really interesting is they
want to really focus as it relates to historic and scenic resources is making historic sites and houses and resources more um resilient to climate change hazards. So figuring out how to protect our natural our historic resources
because climate has changed and because you know there's higher flood waters and more energy efficient ways. So really looking and that's going to be some policy changes, but that's something big that's in this plan which I think is is pretty interesting. So that was good. There's a whole section just dedicated
to equity again I think is really important and it basically says what we've been trying to do already and we have successfully been doing in Franklin at least which is really focusing on our tree plantings and our land preservation in our overburdened communities. So that's that's a focus of this plan and
we're already kind of ahead on that. So, >> one of the major things is they should be looking at the Franklin in >> the Franklin in. Yeah. Well, so we can look at that for sure. We can get funding for that. >> They just got funding for >> this plan though. So, there this is interesting. There's no funding
associated with this plan because it's like an aspirational plan for the whole state of New Jersey. So, it basically says, "Hey, Franklin, you should look at doing this, this, and this. This is very important, but we can't there's no like funding tied to this." But it does kind of give us a framework to work within.
So >> give them a big grant. >> Oh, the Franklin in. Oh yeah. So like the county has money for that, but it gives us ideas and it gives us things we should be striving for. >> And that's really it. That's that's kind of the high overview of the state plan,
which is a massive document >> and it's always kind of been >> and you can find everything on this. >> Yes. I included the link. If you want to go through and read it, you're welcome to. Yeah. So we need more in the court like what's their intention? So so basically is this kind of like an
umbrella thing for us? So as we're doing our plan as we're doing to kind of use this as an umbrella to guide that work. >> Yes. And it's for every municipality in the state. So as you can imagine we're very different than other municipalities but the goals are really supposed to be for New Jersey as a state. This is where
we want our state to go. So it's like a master plan for the state. >> Yeah. >> As you can imagine very very high level. >> Yes. They can't make it deta super detailed because it wouldn't make sense. And so >> it has to be transferable to many different groups, >> right? >> But in all honesty, from my position
being a planner and looking at it, you know, Franklin is really, you know, we're really successful in a lot of this already, we really are. And a lot of what they're recommending, we've already put into motion. So we're in good shape there. Even that change project I was telling you about, we talked about that
two meetings ago. So we're we're kind of like ahead of the curve which is great. But yeah, I I will refer to it from now on. I will absolutely refer to it when I am doing something. >> Planners are like engineers at a very very very high level. >> Yes. Yes. >> Hands on in the dirt.
>> Yes. Out there like directing. Yes. Looking thinking. Yeah. So I But we'll use it. We will use it moving forward. >> So that's it. >> True. >> Old business. Very good, Tara. Thank you.
>> We did the updating already of the open space and wreck plan. >> The Dund versionion I have on there. So now that Castleton has been finally formally adopted and approved, we need to pick up the Dund version again. So I think the best way to approach it, I think I should go
>> to the Historic >> Preservation Commission meeting. Do you think or No, I think that's a better place to start. >> I know a guy there, too. >> I will go there if that's okay with you. I'll work out the time and then um we can start at it that way and figure out
how to get that back up and going because it's it's a long process and uh we got to get that going. >> Is not cooperative. >> Yeah, this one Castleton went through it. >> Perfect. >> I was going to say I I have a question
for for our ex expert here. Uh under what uh division of state government is the SADC? >> It's under the um department of agriculture but it's considered it's called the state agriculture development board.
>> No, I'm sorry. Not I'm sorry, not SADC. I said SADC. No, um SHIPA. What? What? What division of? >> Oh, that is under um >> under DP. Yeah, >> that's a lovely thing for you to say out loud. Thank you. I didn't need to hear anymore.
>> Right. Yes, that is underp question Vanessa. The Divers version you want. So the Dund version we've been work trying to get it going. Basically we want to the Dun house. >> We want to basically remove that from the preserved open space property cuz
that structure is on preserved open space which is very limiting to what we can do >> and we can't sell it separately. So we want to divert it. But in order to do that through green acres, we have to go through a lot of public hearings. We have to justify. We have to >> sell the house.
>> Yes. Not to move to basically carve it out of the open space and make it separate. >> Okay. >> Which has been a goal for a long time and it's just kept continues to hit roadblocks. What would happen is if you sold the house, you place historic e uh historic facade easements on the house
so that it wouldn't be able to be altered or torn down. and it would need to remain and get restored by whoever bought it, which means we wouldn't get a whole lot of money for it. But in its current condition and the fact that given its location, there's no real
viable use for the town because of of access to the house. Even if you know we we've talked about improving access from Barge Lane off of People's Line Road, which is to the back of the property. Um it's still it it's not it's not set up
for public use >> unlike some of our other historic houses which are, you know, right on like right on South Bush Road, >> the houses that are under to control the Meadows Foundation. Um it's it's tucked way back um off the road and it's just
not something it's not like we could use it for any governmental purpose. >> Have you seen it? >> I have. >> Have you been inside? >> No. >> Can I get a key if you want to go? >> It's absolutely beautiful. So, the outside is >> I've never seen so many extension cords, but it's really
>> that's how every room is powered because it was >> I'd love to I'd love to see the inside. >> It it h it has many neat features inside. Unfortunately, age kills old houses that are unoccupied and unused and we have a couple of them that that are suffering from that disease.
>> Um and in this case, the decision was to try to pursue um through the state has to approve it. It's through through the state house commission just like this diversion we did for Castton Park except on a much grander scale. Um and uh it
it's just it continues to hit stumbling blocks along the way with the um state historic preservation office and and >> so we're we're >> the state of New Jersey has made it the state of New Jersey has made it very
very very difficult on municipalities to dispose of these historic houses where there's limited to no in some cases no funding depending on municipality. Not everybody has an open space tax that they can use some of the money for. Um,
now that we have we have a number of of historic homes that there's not an endless amount of money to to do things with. You know, in 2003, so 22 years ago now, there was a study
done, the the township uh commissioned a a historic preservation firm to to do an analysis and make recommendations and and provide cost and costs for the restoration of Tuliput on Hamilton
Street. And it was over $3 million then. Imagine what it would be today. Um, and this is where the states regulations are so strict in what you can do with the houses as far as uses are concerned,
what you can use them for. Um, who can be in control of them. Um, you can't lease them to just anyone. So the the uses are so limited yet we they make it so difficult to dispose of
them even if you know if we could sell it you know we could say okay you buy it you live in it you own it you restore it but you have to keep it looking like a historic structure right that's that's the idea here but it's literally um next
to impossible to do what we're trying to accomplish here >> yeah it's been difficult but we're going to pick it up and try again. That's the goal. >> Kingston School was the great success in that. >> Kingston School was the greatest success I think in the state of New Jersey. Um
>> 24 year lease. >> 24 year lease. We own it and it was fully restored by a nonprofit organization that had an interest in Kingston and and the history of Kingston. All it was just I I call it dumb luck, but really that's what it
was. It was just dumb luck. Um, and it it was only because there was a tenant who was going to pay rent at a at a level um that was
conducive to this nonprofit doing the full restoration of the school. And it was a use that the state historic preservation uh approved. And it was a school. And you would think that it's a no-brainer that a school would be a
permitted use in a historic building that was a school, but it wasn't. It needed to get special exception to be allowed because educational purposes are not recreational purposes, which is what
all of these buildings are supposed to be used for, historic or recreation. education is not one of the things that the one of the categories for the state. So, we had to fight to get the state to approve a school in a school.
>> Well, didn't didn't that building have a wing? >> It has one small building, one small room smaller than this room that is available as a community room for community groups to use. The entire
school itself, the the main the old portion of the school was the historic portion, but the new wing was also restored as well, but it was all part of now a Green Acres property. Had nothing to do with the fact that the school was
historic. It was that when the board of education deeded it to the town in 99ish, somewhere around there, um it was then put on the recreation open space
inventory and made open space. Once you do that, you have to comply with all of the green acres regulations. It wasn't so much that it was a historic structure, it was that it was Green Acres property. That's why that was the the stumbling block for it. Fran Varali,
your predecessor, worked diligently and and she did a fantastic job in getting the state to agree to it. >> It was on now. There's a desire to make it handicapped accessible.
There's also a desire to I had a conversation with an there was a desire on the part of um Princeton International Properties who was the nonprofit to relocate the community room to another building because the school
is was seeking to have access and use of that room that was set aside and we had to tell them no that can't happen. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> it has to be the community room. It has to be part of the building. In fact,
there's a public space in another house, the Higgins House on Route 27 by Raymond Road, which um there was a a large sum of money out of our open space trust that was used for the restoration of
that building many years ago. And part of that was that they were required to have a a public space which I don't know if anyone ever uses but it has it. Um that's usually the way it works. That's how it all came to be. Vanessa, >> thank you.
>> Um consultants report. >> Um I sent it out with the agenda and I printed out a copy if anyone has any questions. >> Anybody have any questions? >> I think I had one comment. It might have just been a typo, but I'm
not sure if I can find it. The third bullet point on the second page of the Meadows Foundation with repair and replacement needs and well payment of approved invoices >> as well as
Okay, >> thank you. >> Other than that, looks good. Cool. Um >> open to the public again. >> Motion to open to the public. >> So move second.
>> Second. >> Anybody? >> No. >> Motion to close. >> All you awake are you >> all quiet on the western front? That's the northern front. Yeah. Come on. Let's go. >> Um second to close.
>> Second. >> All those in favor. >> Um ready to do we have anything for executive session? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. Just like um >> need a motion. >> Motion to go into executive session.
>> Second road up. >> Oh yeah yeah yeah. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank