[Music] Maybe she's sleeping. [Music] Good evening. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance and please remain standing for the invocation by Pastor McNair. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good evening to the council. Good evening to the community.
I pray that everyone is well tonight. Lord, we just thank you for our mayor, our city council, and our community.
We pray that justice will be served in hearing what the community wants to say to the council. behavior done in
parents and allow us as people in the community to have a love and respect for one another. Also have joy, peace and love within your
house. Lord, we ask that everything will be done in Jesus and in order. And I say all these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Thank you, pastor.
Good evening. This regular meeting of the township council is being held in accordance with the schedule of the meetings of the township council established and adopted by the township council which designated the time and place of this meeting. Adequate public notice of this meeting has been provided
pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings act. We are using an electronic amplifying and recording device in order to obtain a clear and audible record. We request that all those wishing to speak be recognized and state your name address directly to the microphone. The according to vice be so
utilized by the township clerk's office for the preparation of the minutes and shall be the official record of the township council meetings. Madam clerk may the roll call please. Mr. Mong here here. Mrs. Grace Love here. Mr. Nash here. Mrs. Walters here. Mrs. Wyers
here. Mr. Marcato present. Mr. Carlamir here. Mr. Cartis here. Chief Harkkins here. Mr. Miguel here. Mrs. Eric here. We'll now open up our first public comment portion. This is for agenda
items only. The speaker can speak up to three minutes. There's 15 minutes allocated for this public comment period and council will respond to any comments or questions after the public comment has ended. Anyone wish to speak on the first
public comment portion? Mr. Leave. You don't need this. Is this accurate? Leader, Huntington Avenue, Glendor. Good evening. When I went on the clerk's
site, it said that this entire document was the agenda. So, as I've said before, I don't know what is appropriate because I've been turned away from the microphone in the past for this portion of the
meeting. So, this this whole document like on the table there is the agenda. That's what it's called. That's what it's named. What items may I talk about during this portion of the meeting? We'll respond after your
comments, sir. Should stay home. Okay. Does anyone else would like to speak? Miss Coin. Denise Coin Shoes Landing. Can somebody explain to me why there's a resolution to amend the budget if the budget hasn't
been approved? That's it. Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else? See now we close the first public comment. Uh Mr. Leader the agenda items these are in issues that are items that are listed here resolutions that are on
here resolutions and ordinance. If there's an ordinance for a second reading there's a public hearing where you could speak on that particular item on the resolution here any comments that you made you could comment on the resolutions on the ordinance. Mr. Leader, do you need any more
clarification on that? Consent agenda. A consent agenda is one fail swoop where those items are listed there and rather than going through each individual one, they're on that consent agenda and they're voted as one as a group.
I couldn't speak to that at this portion. Yes, you could have. Uh, Miss Coin, uh, in regards to, uh, the amendment to the resolution, Mr. Cartis or Miss Eric, would you like to address that? Yeah, I can answer that. So, the budget was introduced on April
14, 2025. After it is introduced, it is then sent to the state. uh a state budget examiner then goes through the budget and comes back to the township specifically to the CFO if there are any
areas in there that need to be amended that that then results in the amendment that we see before us tonight. Thank you, Mr. Cartis. Proclamation of National Public Works Week. Whereas public works services provided
in our communities are an integral part of our citizens everyday lives. And whereas the support of an informed and engaged citizenry in vital is vital to the efficient operation of public works
systems and programs such as water, sewers, streets and highways, public buildings, and snow removal. And whereas the health, safety, and comfort of this community greatly depends on the dedicated efforts and skills of public works professionals, engineers,
managers, and employees. And whereas these essential services could not be provided without the commitment and tireless efforts of public works professionals to design, build, operate, and maintain the infrastructure and services that allow
our communities to thrive. And whereas the American Public Works Association has dedic designated the week of May 18th through the 24th of 2025 as National Public Works Week with the theme advancing quality of life for all,
which encourages all citizens to celebrate and recognize the vital role public works plays in connecting us all through infrastructure and services. Now, therefore, be it resolved that David R. Mayor, mayor of the township of Gloucester and Orlando Marcato,
President of Council, do hereby proclaim May 18th through the 24th, 2025 as National Public Works Week in the Township Gloucester and call upon all citizens and civic organizations to
recognize the substantial contributions that public works professionals make in improving our quality of life and keeping our community strong, safe, and resilient. not just during this week but at every opportunity throughout the year. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Proclamation mental health awareness month May 2025. Whereas mental health is an essential part of our overall health and well-being. It includes our emotional, psych psych psychological and social happiness. Whereas mental health affects one's physical health,
relationships, and ability to thrive by influencing how we think, feel, and act, how we manage stress, relate to others, and make choices. And whereas mental health is influenced by numerous external factors including access to quality employment, housing, education,
social connection, physical and emotional safety, diet, and preventative care. And whereas one in five adults would experience a mental illness in their lifetime. and one in five children will have or have had a debilitating mental illness during their life
according to the CDC. And whereas 20% of all children and young people ages 3 to 17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder. And whereas suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst
people ages 10 to 14 and 25 to 34 and the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. And whereas New Jersey has implemented and incorporated 988 988 the national three-digit dialing code for anyone having thoughts of suicide
and experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. And whereas there are variety of essential community resources in the township of Gloucester and County of Canon that promote mental health and well-being to meet the unique needs of groups and individuals on their
healing journey. Now therefore be resolved that David R. Mayor, mayor of the township of Gloucester, and I, Orlando Marcato, president of council, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as National Mental Health Awareness Month in the township of Gloucester and ask that all
residents, government agencies, public and private institutions. Businesses and schools commit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental illness to reduce the discrimination of stigma associated with mental health diagnosis and instill hope by providing access to
health care and a wide array of community-based human and social services that assist individuals with mental illness to live a dignified life with the support and services needed to thrive. Dated May 12th, 2025. One of our residents has worked uh with the police
department and uh just reached out to the mayor's department. Matthew Peterson would like to comment on that. Matthew, thank you. Good evening, council. Um I wanted to as a Mr. uh mentioned I had the chance this past Wednesday to go to
the awareness tree with uh Mayor Mayor and we did the ceremony for the green ribbon for mental health awareness month and uh Chief Parkin started that. Uh so I greatly appreciate your help with that, Chief Harkkins. Um just to expand a little bit on the resolution so
everyone knows uh you did mention how it affects one and five and I wanted to mention to everyone who doesn't know my son who is a graduate of Charles W. Lewis um suffers from schizophrenia. So some in the community do know who my son is. So it is deeply personal fight to
me. Um it truly is the single biggest issue I believe facing our country today. Mental illness doesn't care if you're Republican, Democrat, independent, it affects us all. The one in five is just a staggering number. Um, I just wanted to expand a little bit on
the resolution and put out a couple numbers for anyone who may be watching the stream or the number. NAMI has a hotline uh that is 800 950 uh 6264 that you can call just if you need to talk to someone, if you're
feeling even a little bit of crisis. And also that 988 isn't just a lot of people think it's just for suicide and all that. It can be if hey I think my friend might be contemplating something and you need help. As you mentioned we have a wide variety of resources in the township and the police are amazing on
that. Um they have a wide variety of resources. They already work with uh special interest groups that may need them. Um so my main message is that there is hope. Um the number may seem staggering the one in five, but I see
improvement in my son every day through the uh system and not giving up. I see other people, you know, just um just talk to anyone who may be listening and oh no one, you know, no one um no one believes me. No, no one will listen to
me will listen to you. Someone will always listen to you. And that's the message I wanted to give to everyone tonight is there is always hope even if you're in your darkest point. Thank you very much for letting me speak. Thank you, Matthew. Appreciate it. We the reading accept the minutes of the
workshop April 14, 2025. Regular meeting, April 14, 2025 and April 28, 2025. May I have a motion, please? I'll make that motion. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Many, yes. Mr. Sbury Troxel, yes. Mrs. Grace
Love, abstain from the March 14th workshop only. Yes to Mr. Mr. Nash. Yes. Mrs. Walters. Yes. Mrs. Wyers. Yes. Mr. Marcato. Yes. To all. Ordinance. The second reading.
There will be a public hearing. A ordinance of the township council of the township of Gloucester, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, amending chapter 63A of the code of the township of Gloucester entitled Palm Brokers and Dealers and Secondhand
Goods. What this ordinance does is a ordinance was established uh in uh 2007 uh establishing a procedure for licensing and operation of pawn brokers and dealers of secondhand goods and merchandise in the township. And it
created chapter 638 entitled pawn brokers and dealers and secondhand goods. This is in its entirety uh and subsequent amendments being replaced with the ordinance that we're introducing for adoption tonight. Theresa's follows where it talks about the license that is required. Uh
acceptable identification identifies what antiques or antique dealer is. Uh it indicates u the process of uh the exceptions such as garage sales do not are not under
this particular ordinance. Uh and it gives you the process for the application for a license, the fees that are associated for a pond broker or secondhand dealer. uh the issuance of a a license uh the posting of that license
and any revocations uh that a license cannot be transferred. The hours of operation, prohibited purchases, purchasing, selling of displaying weapons is prohibited. Uh and then the responsibilities for a pawn broker and secondhand dealer. We now open up the
public hearing on this matter. Anyone wish to speak on this? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing. May I have a motion, please? Is there a second? Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mo,
yes. Mrs. Alreight Troxel, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mrs. Wyers, yes. Mr. Marcato, yes. Thank you, Chief, for your work on that. I appreciate it. Ordinance 0-25-16 is the first reading. There will
be a hearing at its second reading. Ordinance amending chapter 81 of the code of the township of Gloucester entitled vehicles and trucks section 14 entitled parking prohibited at all times on certain streets of the code of the township of Gloucester. Uh this
designates parking prohibited at all times on certain streets and is hereby amended as follows. Uh the name I'm going to go down the name of the streets. Continental Boulevard on the sides of the easterly curb line. Uh, Continental Boulevard, the westerly curb line. We named the street Freedom Way
the sides the westerly side. Freedom Way the easterly side. Freedom Way the southwest side. Freedom Way the southeast side. And then Union Way both sides from Freedom Way to the roundabout at the eastern intersection of Union Way. May I have a motion, please? I'll
make that motion. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Man, yes. Mr. Sbury Troxel, yes. Mr. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mrs. Wer, yes. Mr. Marcato, yes. Next is our consent agenda. Any council
member like to have any item removed, please speak up. Hearing none, I entertain a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Muno, yes. Mrs. Aubrey
Troxel, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mrs. Wyers, yes. Mr. Mcado. Yes. Resolution 168, resolution of the township council of the township book loster authorizing the township clerk to
read the 2025 township budget by title only. May I have a motion, please? So move. Is there a second? Second. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mun. Yes. Mrs. Aubrey Troxel. Yes. Mrs. Grace
Love. Yes. Mr. Nash. Yes. Mrs. Walters. Yes. Mrs. Wyers. Mr. Marcato. Yes. Resolution 169, resolution to amend the 2025 budget of the town of Gloucester, County of Camden, state of New
Jersey. Whereas the local municipal budget for the year, you have to have the public hearing first. Oh, sorry. Public hearing. Uh, this is resolution 169. There will be a public hearing on the budget. Uh, each speaker is entitled to five
minutes. Uh, you could continue speaking, but we'll ask additional people if they want to continue speaking. It's unlimited on this public hearing on the budget. Does anyone wish to speak on the budget? Miss Coin followed by Mr. Leader.
time. It's five minutes. Any responses will be at the end of the hearing. [Laughter] [Music] Sorry, I'm not that tall. That's okay.
Denise Coin, choose landing. Can you hear me? Yes. Is this thing working? All right. Um, back in September 2024, we were told by this council and the administration that rejecting the sewer sale would lead to financial
hardship. We were told that rates would rise and we were warned that uh the business administrator's uh reaction to our sewer maintenance would have to be proactive and I mean
reactive instead of proactive. But here we are in May of 2025 and our sewer rates have not gone up. The township is buying lights for sports fields using leftover budget money and we're being told that there'll be no tax
increase. Conveniently, it's a mayor election year. So, how did we get here? The answer isn't sound financial planning. To plug the budget, the township sold off the MUA land for 1.6 million. They transferred 6 million from
the MUA to the municipal budget and they executed a reverse tax appeal for the older apartment complexes and some commercial properties pulling in a one time $8 million windfall. The last move raises serious concerns. The properties impacted Lake
View Fairways, Tory Estates, Jamestown, Milbridge Gardens are all home to young adults, seniors, and lower income families. Those tax increases won't sit with the landlords. They'll be passed down in the form of higher rents for the people already struggling with inflation
and rising living costs. This isn't a new pattern. History shows that odd number election years taxes are flat and even numbered years taxes go up. We're simply kicking the can down the road. So, my question tonight is, how much will our taxes have
to increase next year to cover this year's overspending, over borrowing, and reliance on one-time fixes? Thank you. Thank you. Does anyone else would like to speak? Mr. Leader Dave Leader
Gondor. The council in the last few months approved loans before the budget was even approved or presented. Those loans should have been
in the budget. So instead of being able to pay those loans through taxpayers this year, we're going to be paying for those loans for many years to come. And they could have just been in
the budget. My guess is you would have to raise taxes. My guess is also that Mayor Mayor is also going to campaign that he didn't raise taxes this year. Makes me think that you all are
part of the problem. You made a solution by getting loans instead of putting it in the budget. That must be foolish of you. Okay. Is there anyone else? Seeing none, we'll close the
public hearing. Uh, Miss Corin made some comments regarding the rates rising at financial issues. If the sewer sale did not go through, sewer rates have not gone up. That is correct. Uh, she
identified apartment complexes and the individuals that uh lived and how it would affect them. uh and asked the question, how will this affect uh what type of increase will we have this year? Uh that is hard to determine. I I leave that to our CFO and our business
administrator. Um I would not speculate on the 2026 budget, nor would I speculate on whether there'll be a rate increase, decrease, or whether it would stay the same. Okay.
Uh Mr. leader made a comment about that there was loans that were approved before this budget. We had a temporary budget that was in place uh for the first uh few months or up until this time period. Um do you want to comment on that as far as these loans? any any
any loan that the township any borrowing of money is followed under NJSA uh the section that that is entitled local bond law and we follow that local bond law uh with regard to monies
borrowed from by the uh general fund and by the sewer utility and so that would be mean that we would have to adhere to those that those laws and and what those laws fell out and that that would dictate what our debt service would be
uh the amortization schedule what the useful life is and we follow that to the to to the to the law. Okay. Thank you Mr. Cartis. So we have resolution
255-169 resolution to amend 2025 budget of township of Gloucester County state of New Jersey. Madam clerk, whereas the local municipal budget for the year 2025 was approved on the 14th day of April, 2025, and whereas the public hearing on
said budget has been held and advertised and whereas it is desired to amend said approved budget which does not require advertisement. Now therefore be it resolved by the township council of the township of Glouster County of Camden that the following amendments to the approved
budget of 2025 be made. General revenues number six local tax for municipal purposes including reserve for uncollected taxes sheet 11 60,98,670.30 30
to60,96,9181. Total amount to be raised by taxes for supportive municipal budget sheet 11 60,98,670,30 to 600 60,96,9181. Seven general total general revenues sheet 11 [Music]
83,489,84.78 to83,488,3629 general appropriations number 8A operations within the from caps liability insurance sheet 14 from $1,435,283 $33 to1,510,240. Total operations item 8A
within caps sheet 17A from $60,27,271 to 60,12,228. Total operations including contingent within caps from [Music]
60,27,271 to60,12,000 $12,228. Other expenses including contingent from 26,475,436 to 26,550,393. [Music] H1 total general appropriations for
municipal purposes within caps sheet 19 from 70,183,54 to7,258,461 8A operations excluded from caps liability insurance sheet 20 from
$76,717 to 0 total other operations excluded from caps sheet 20A from 1,962,777 to $1,886,60. Total operations excluded from caps sheet
25 from 2,290,89248 to2,214,17548. detail other expenses from 2,22,23748 to 2,125,52048 H2 total general appropriations for municipal purposes excluded sheet 28 from
12,326,46748 to 12,249 9,75048. O total general appropriations excluded from caps sheet 29 from 12,326,46748 to 12,249,75048. L subtotal general
appropriations items H1 and O82,59,97148 to $82,58,21148. M reserve for uncollected taxes from $979,833.30 30 to979,82481. Nine total general
appropriations from [Music] 83,489,84.78 to 83,488,3629. Excuse me. Take your time. Thank you. Summary of appropriations sheet 30H-1 total general appropriations for
municipal purposes within caps from [Music] 70,183,54 to 70,258,461. A operations within from cap's other operations from [Music]
1,962,770 to $1,886,60. Total operations excluded from caps from [Music] 2,290,89248 to $2,214,17548. M res reserve for uncollected taxes $979,833 to
$979,82481. total general appropriations from 83,489,84.78 to 83,488,3629. [Music] Be further resolved that certified copies of this resolution will be filed forth with in the office of the director
of division of local government services for certification of the local budget amended. So amended. Thank you, madame clerk. May I have a roll call, please? A motion. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Thank
you. May I have a motion? So moved. There's a second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Mun, yes. Mrs. Albbright Troxel, yes. Mrs. Grace Love, yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes.
Mrs. Wyers, yes. Mr. Marcato, yes. Resolution 170, resolution of the township council, the tang of Glouester, County of Camden, state of New Jersey, adopting the 2025 calendar year budget. May I have a motion to adopt the budget
pending state approval? So move. Second on the question. Roll call, please. Mr. Minion, yes. Mrs. Alre Troxel, yes. Pending state approval. Mrs. Grace Love. Yes. Mr. Nash, yes. Mrs. Walters, yes. Mrs. Wyers, Mr.
Marcato, yes. And thank you, Mrs. Eric, Mr. Cars, for your work on that. I do appreciate it. Thank you. We did not receive any gtegov access emails this week. Now open up the second public comment portion. This is for any item that the public chooses to address.
Each speaker is entitled to five minutes. There's 30 minutes for the entire public comment portion. At the end of the public comment portion, the council will address those questions and comments. Would anyone like to speak? Mr. Burns, followed by Mr. Leer, followed by Miss Gentilly, followed by
Miss Coin, and followed by you in the front. I'm sorry. Good evening, council. Brian Burns, Swood Drive. Um, two things. I want to chat about this evening. Um, one is the Murray um, acquisition. I reached out to
Mike Zambino who was the CEO of Triad Associates. Mr. Mat, you were copied on this as well. I'm not quite sure if you shared the his response with council members. I would like to read his response and it goes like this. Mr.
Burns, thank you for your interest in preserving open space in particular properties like the Murray estate with significant natural features. This greenacres funding which has been approved for the Murray acquisition is expected to close within the next 60 days or less. The delays
closing earlier related to some contamination as mentioned at the council meeting uh which has been remediated. The remaining steps relate to the final sign off of the remediation process after which the property will proceed to closing. The funding has been
reserved uh for this property. Thanks again for your interest in this matter. Sincerely, Mike Sino. So, I tip my hat to you guys. It's really going to happen. And as an educator of 40 years, you got to give credit where credit is due. So the Rosalyn Bridge, the Murray,
the Hayes, all together if you include the U there's a part of HOA which is reserved with the little mill states we're looking at close to 200 acres there. And if you add that to the golf
course which is 400 acres, most of which is conservation easement. I'm on the conservation team there. So, you're talking 600 acres of open space. That's incredible. It really is. And I say
kudos to you guys. I say thank you. It's been a long road. Uh but yeah, what you have preserved will be there forever. It's unique natural features. It's part of our natural heritage. It has endangered plants. It has threatened
fish. And you know, it's it's a it's a wonderful thing and I you know, I I say thank you. And when you guys are all gone and I'm gone, the next generations will be able to to enjoy this open space. Um the other thing I want to mention at the last meeting, one of the
residents brought up the topic of a shade tree commission. I don't know if council is aware but in January the DP passed a an ordinance that all municipalities of which you know where we are actually classified must have a
tree removal and replacement program. Um I don't know if we have one. I went through the website, I couldn't find it. And the state actually has a template that you guys can use and all you got to do is put in the name of your
municipality. Uh whether you need a permit to to remove trees, if the council wants to charge a fee for that removal, it's up to council, but it is a mandate that our township must have a tree uh removal and replacement
ordinance. So, I want to share this with council members and you guys can tweak this or do whatever you want with it. So, my question for this evening is, do we have an ordinance? And if not, will one be um I guess voted upon or installed uh for the township so we meet
D requirements? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. have your hat on. So, you're probably going to need a little time to read through that and digest it. Um, I mean, there's tree
companies all over this township every single day. And I don't know if they you guys require permits or not. I mean, we're looking at, you know, a budget deficit. you know, we're in the hole a little bit. Any chance that you can make a few bucks on that, I I support it. You
It relieves taxpayers paying more taxes. So, thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Leader. Dave Leader, Huntington Avenue, Glendor. Thank you, Mr. Cartis, for answering a question I didn't ask. I didn't ask how do you go about getting
loans. I asked why wasn't the loans included in the budget instead of making loans early in the year while you were still filling out the budget forms. That would be better answered question that where where my point
is. Uh, another point is when I look at the uh the working session, I see an acronym that is not spelled out prior to it being on the uh uh for example triad, for example,
the road improvement program. It's standard publication and documentation practices that first time an acronym is used, it be spelled out the full name and then that acronym in perns right after
it. I'd like to know if council will adopt that format. I don't know what CMCI means. I guess I don't care. Um, I've been trying to uh join the green team for three months now. I'm not
sure it exists. I've never met anybody that claims to have been on and participating in the green team, although I've asked people. Uh, I came here and was told to go to the mayor. I went to the mayor twice, no results. Uh, there's a link on the
township's website that actually states, "Join the green team. Uh, I've clicked that link and there's no way in that description following to join the green team. Although there probably is a page of data, which is all
good data. My question is, how do I join the green team? Lighted ball fields. My question is, what are your plans to light all the Gloucester Township ball fields that do not have lights? Taxpayers pay for some
lights. It's your job to make sure things are equitable. There's a lot of ball fields. I went by the one on EAM the other night and the kids were playing uh practically in the dark. It was still early evening, but you probably couldn't see a a grounder
coming at you. What are your plans to light all the Glouester Township ball fields that do not have lights? Next question is media and press releases releases. Madam clerk said, "Nick cell from police is how
notifications are given to the public. I get those alerts. I was never notified of an event like the recent press announcements. There was nothing on the township's web page prior to the media events or announcements. My question is, how can the public receive prior notice
of media events and public announcements prior to or the same time as a media?" My next question has to do with the press announcements and the media days, media events that you held. When press
announcements are made, only credentialed news are the only ones who can ask questions. Read the Constitution. First amendment. We are all journalists. What about the public? This statement excludes them. Every citizen is part of the news media. My question
is, will Gloucester Township allow the public to ask questions at media events and public announcements? My next question has to do with the focus on Blackwood arts, murals, box, blackbox statues. What
about the other communities? For example, Glendur had more people by the census than Blackwood. I don't see council mayor doing anything about looking at Glendor. And then there's Ariel, Hilltop, Glenheim, Jews
Landing, Davisville, Ariel twice, uh, sorry, Glenn Oaks, Grenlock, Hilltop, Lakeland, Lambs Terrace, Little Gloucester, Nashville's Point, Pleasant, and Turkeyfoot. These are all identified as areas that the residents of the township live in. My question is, what
are council's plans to invest in the other communities other than Blackwood? My next question has to do with the council and schoolboard meetings. The public should not have to choose which one they want to attend. My question is when will council take the
initiative to coordinate with the school school boards to coordinate the meeting dates and times when they meet so there is no conflict. In addition, the con the construction and zoning boards uh need to consider uh before they approve
things whether the school actually has space for the children that are anticipated in those approvals and that and council has that same obligation. Thank you, Mr. Leader. Miss Gentilly.
Okay. Council Nancy Kelly. Excuse me. Nancy Kelly to attend Keystone Blackwood. I go by Nancy Kelly. I have been for 40ome years. 50ome years. Um, okay. I'll call you by your
preferred name then. So, the developer mentioned um they plan to close in 30 days. Find that very interesting. Um, it was also said by the developer and up here that residents don't want commercial
properties. We did canvasing today and I have 13 signatures from the neighbors of the property. that's possible going to get the uh high density 250 apartments. That's a incredible
number. An additional 250. Um the residents don't want it. I knocked on uh we had someone here that knocked on doors today. I didn't knock on doors and the consensus was of the neighbors. They don't want it. I'll be knocking on more doors to make sure I can get the right information to you. The developers did
not do due diligence and I don't know if we did here either up on council. I don't know if everybody sent out a letter to them. This is what we're proposing in their backyard. They don't want 250 units in their backyard. Many of them said they
would rather have commercial. It's going to bring jobs. It's going to bring raidables. It's not going to increase our student population. It's not going to add more service calls for the police, more emergency calls for EMTs.
Um, so each of you got a package today from the clerk of 27 emails. Also, today was an additional 13. I can certainly get more from the neighbors of that property that don't want it. So, I'll do my homework. I'll do my
due diligence. I'll talk to that entire neighborhood. I have a map here that I was going around of all the neighbors of the streets. So, I'll get you more signatures of the neighbors. They don't want it.
Um, let's see. I had one more question. Why would a developer buy a property zoned as commercial? I don't know if you can answer that. I I know we don't have a crystal ball, but why would a developer buy a property that's zoned commercial
and now they have to go through hoops of fire to change it into a possible residential, which we hope it doesn't happen. Um, going forward, I really hope that everyone on council asks and demands traffic study, student impact
study, and we talk to the three developments that surround it. I hope you look at the packets that were given to you. I hope you read the letters and I have 13 signatures today. I'll get more. The neighbors don't want
it. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Coin. Denise Coin, Q's Landing. Um, first of all, I'd like to say that uh Mr. A Nash asked how many uh units of high density
were uh being built and planned, and he was told 160 units at the loss. That's nowhere close to the figures I have. So 160 at the Lost, 180 in Cichlerville, 360 at College Drive, um close to 200
across from Ann Mullen, the 500 that are built still being built at South Winds, and there's a high density project for like 800 units across from the college. And that's just off the top of my head. There's many more. So, um, I'd also like to address, uh,
Glustester Township's continued use of redevelopment powers under our blanket designation as an area in need of rehabilitation. This designation put in place in 1980 still applies to the entire township. That means that council
has the authority to approve redevelopment plans anywhere without going through the zoning process. But that broad authority comes with consequences. Because the whole township qualifies, any developer can now ask council to approve a
redevelopment plan for their project, even if it conflicts with the current zoning. And let's be honest, for many builders, redevelopment is the more attractive route. It's faster. It's more flexible and often more favorable than going through the zoning board where
strict legal standards and variances criteras must be met. So, here's where the legal risk comes in. If council says yes to some and no to others without clear and consistent reasoning, the township is exposed to lawsuits. Developers who are denied could argue
they were treated unfairly compared to others who were approved. That liability is something the public shouldn't be on the hook for. There's also a heightened risk by what took place just last week or it could have been this week. I'm not sure. At the mayor's annual breakfast,
the uh Michael's organ organization was introduced as the developer for the Nike base. It was presented as something up and coming, not for a formal designation or a vote, but a public announcement with implications. Four out of seven council members were
in attendance. A quorum. While there was no discussion and no vote, the mayor's public announcement was heard by a quorum of council. Under the PO public meetings act, even passive exposure to an upcoming matter by a quorum of elected officials can raise concerns
about whether future decisions will be made with impartiality. So I ask, will those council members ability to vote on this matter be tainted, at least in appearance? And if not, when the Michael's organization formally comes before council to be asked to the name
to be named the redeveloper, will that have an impact? That brings me to another key point. Residents are not allowed to speak at redevelopment entity meetings. Unlike the zoning and planning boards, which are polit are politically connected, the zoning board still
requires public hearings, testimony, and findings of fact. It's not perfect, but it's more transparent. So, my question is this. Why hasn't council scheduled a public workshop to discuss whether the townshipwide rehabilitation designation still makes sense or whether it's being
used selectively without public accountability and with legal risk. Second, I've asked multiple times about a township employee who's being paid above the salary range authorized by ordinance. I haven't received an answer. If council didn't approve that salary,
who did? Is it documented? And if no one wants to answer, what does that say about transparency? Ordinances exist for a reason? And if they're not being followed, we have a problem. So my second question is, why is this employee being paid above the range? And why is
that question being ignored? It doesn't matter where the money comes from. Thank you. Thank you. Miss in the front. You have your name? Uh Leslie Duca. I live at 704 Emerson Court in the bill is
Broaders. Hello. Hi. Um I've lived in township for 50 years since 1974. Um I have not been to a council meeting since Ann Mullen was our mayor. Um, but I felt the need to come today to
express my concern about the development that's going on in this town. Um, certainly not the township I moved into. Um, there is I mean, do we have to build on every free space that we have? I
mean, do we think about the long-term ramifications about our school district, trash collection, our wonderful police department, who I admire and think is a stellar police department and I love the township fire department and all the
things that come with all the residences that are being built. Do we need another 2 like you know that gentleman said, you know, it hasn't been developed for 25 years. Well, why do we have to development now? Why can't we
leave free space? Um, I just am very concerned where the township is going. We are of a certain age now. I brought my neighbors here. We are worried about our taxes because of the implication of schools. Um, it's just you're pricing us
out of the township, a township that I've lived in for 50 years. And I just wanted to express my concern. I don't know if Dave Carlamir remembers me, but I ran his helped run his campaign when he ran for freeholder with Nick Trayvash and Releta Crane. Um, but I haven't felt
the need to become involved in politics because I've always loved this township, but I feel the need now and I think we need to put a building moratorum in this township. Thank you very much. That's
all. Is there anyone else? Mr. X9. Good evening, council. Irastein Oaks. At the meeting earlier this evening, the gentlemans that that were trying to get uh recognized as uh being
in charge of developing that property said that it was a commercial piece of property and it's been at least 25 years since anybody has been there. And you had mentioned Mr. uh Marcato that there had been numerous
companies that wanted to open up there but they didn't. So my question is why? What's going on? We don't seem to have a whole lot of businesses coming to
uh Gloucester Township other than fast food places. Why why don't why don't we have people coming here like that? Are you guys doing something to chase people away or making it too difficult for them? I'm asking. I'm not being a wise
ask. That's my question. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Xin. Anyone else? Seeing none, we'll close the second public comment period. Okay. Uh Mr. Burns, thank you for the uh writing that email from Mr. Sino. He did I was
also copied on that email, so I appreciate it. Uh there is uh and thank you for providing the uh tree replacement ordinance. We'll take a look at that. Have Mr. Carl take a look at that for us. I do appreciate it.
Uh Mr. Leader, uh you have private comments about Do you want to address the loan situation again, Mr. Cartis? Again, we we follow strictly local bond law. Uh Mr. leader seems to feel that we
can just put an item in our budget to pay debt. When you talk about paying a loan, there's a particular area of the budget in the back of the budget outside of CAP and that is strictly for debt
service payments whether they be from the general fund, whether they be from Green Acres and we have to follow that that practice of budgeting in that area. and therefore it has to fall under local bond law. Okay. Thank you. Uh Mr. Leer
and you asked about how can you join the green team. I responded to you directly. So I I don't Did you receive my email? I responded back to you and thank you for it. Okay. So you're just asking the question again? Yes. Because
the mayor's team ignored me twice. Okay. That's it is the mayor's office for the green team. I gave you an answer. You can click here and join. But that's the answer. I'll let the mayor's team know that you're interested again, sir. But that's that's to respond. Just run through the mayor's office, the green
team. Okay. As far as uh and I think it's wonderful that you think that all our athletic organizations need lights. I'm sure Glouester Chance Baseball, Glendor, uh softball uh and all these other organizations. Um so, and we try to make these things equitable. So,
thank you for your support of that. And that's something that council will take under consideration as we go through a capital budget next year. Uh in regards to media and press releases, Nixl, uh Chief, you want to address that? Yeah. And I I can't speak to the mayor's
office, but uh media events that we hold are by invitation. There is this I don't know where it comes or uh there's nothing in constitutional about everyone being allowed. That's called a town hall. We have media release. I have I've
had media uh press conferences in my office. It's not open to the public. Uh we're allowed we generally uh recognized the New Jersey Press Association's credentialed members and that's who we take uh questions from. It's not open
from the public. We don't have any requirement to take questions from the general public during a media event. That's a different type of event. Um, we have had uh media events in this room where we have checked credentials and not allowed anyone in other than
credentialed media. Uh, we've had other media events where we've been out on the gazebo where if the it's open in a public area, public are allowed certainly to observe it, but that doesn't necessarily mean we take questions. Uh, that is not anything constitutionally. If that was the case,
uh the general public could walk into the White House into the press room and uh just anyone could ask questions. So there is a regulatory means of doing so. It's constitutionally accepted. Um and it is our it's by invitation. Uh
generally we put general information out through our NIXL uh information. That's general information. There are means we don't normally hide uh media like they're not they're not uh confidential information when we are having a media event but we do uh retain the right to
take questions from those that we choose to take questions from in a uh media. Thank you. Kind of reminds me of the commercial that they stayed in the Holiday in Express and that made him an expert on something. I guess if I guess I guess if people have a camera and a
mic and they they believe they're credential journalist credential there are ways of receiving the credential from the New Jersey press. Thank you chief for the explanation. Uh Mr. Leader I wanted to know about uh what's the township going to do as far as investing in uh excuse me council
investing in other communities uh other than Blackwood. Uh there are projects that take place throughout our entire community. Uh in fact I believe uh first week in June there's a in Catalina Hills which is a
very quiet section of our town where a new playground is being installed there and there will be an opening at the beginning of June. Uh but there are projects that are taking place throughout the township. Uh and we could I could forward you that Mr. leader and identify some of those projects uh and
send that to your email. Uh regarding council and schoolboard meetings uh and having them on the same dates uh that has been discussion for years. Uh council has met on Mondays. The school board has met on Mondays. The local
school board, the Black Horse Point uh Black Horse Pike School Board meets on a Thursday. On Tuesday, there's a planning board meeting. On Thursday, there's a zoning board meeting, I believe, or Wednesday. So there are days of the week and then you have other taxing entities such as fire districts and also uh Canam
County that has meetings. So trying to coordinate those meetings. People will have to pick and choose. Uh the black horse, excuse me, the Boston Township Public School District has said they're keeping their meetings on Monday and we've stated that we're keeping our meetings on
Monday. Uh in regards to regards to the acronym uh we'll take that under advisement. I I do agree that sometimes uh for the general public uh particularly Mr. Cars Mr. Carr starts talking about budget things and I I'll tell them to explain what that budget
item is. So we'll take that under advisement. Uh Mr. Leader. Uh Miss Kelly made comments. Uh Miss Kelly informed she knocked on doors and that the residents are not interested in the project that was presented at the redevelopment. uh meeting uh and that uh
asked why would a uh properties own commercial why would someone purchase that and I guess you answered your own question I don't have a crystal ball we don't have a crystal ball why that developer would purchase that project um with impact studies those are done by the planning board traffic studies and
impact studies to the community so if it does get to that level the planning board would entertain that and that discussion will take case and thank you for prying those letters. Uh I'm not sure if you know the letters were all the same. They just changed the
names. So there was it was all the same letter form letter. Okay. So okay, they're just form letters that Okay. Everyone that I received today was a form letter and instructions on the top
of how to do it. So Okay. All right. Okay. Uh, Miss Coin talked about provided an update on the amount of apartments uh, and talked about GT redevelopment uh, and regarding any type of liability. Uh, the I want to address
the Michael's organization quorum. Yes, there are four members at the business breakfast and those four members did not discuss I can assure you any township business related things. Uh, just because there could be seven members at an event. uh that we're not discussing
township business. Okay. Uh so uh and and nothing is tainted in appearance or an open public meetings act. Uh there was a project talking about the Michael's organization, a well-renowned organization that wants to do a project in a uh parcel of land that has been
under underutilized for decades. uh a comment about a public portion in our redevelopment that is considered a working meeting. Is that is am I incorrect? Correct. No, you are correct. It's not a public portion. Okay. Um so
that is not something that is required. You're sitting as the redevelopment entity in your capacity on the redevelopment zones and because we are meeting in public, you know, we advertise that and discussions taking place in front of the public. Okay.
uh in regards to a rehabilitation, a townshipwide rehabilitation and and yes, Miss Corn, you have brought that up. Uh and I have said in the past that's something that we'll take a look at uh and possibly address and I'll speak to my colleagues on council how they want to proceed with
that. Uh Miss Luka or Luca? Luca, Mr. Luca, thank you. Um there's a lot as I look around of the people sit on the das or people who sit in the audience. A lot of us wouldn't be here if there wasn't development that took place in the last 50 years in our
community. So I understand I grew up in Swedesboro 2,000 people when I went there. There was no traffic. I would get to the turnpike within about two minutes from my mother's house. She was on Kings Highway. Um now you can't do that. W that Woolwitch Logan area has been
transformed. it it takes more than two minutes to get to the turnpike from my mother's house. Um, and I I understand uh that there are properties here, this particular property that we talked about, this has been vacant for over 25
years. I don't know why um you know the businesses that have gone through there m I'm going to come by Mr. Exin's question as far as why didn't they work out? I have no idea why they didn't work out. uh it is uh zoned for industrial
uh a warehouse could be there and or uh some type of commercial facility uh I don't think you're going to have a restaurant located there as a possibility but if that's a private parcel of land and and someone wants to sell it they have that right to sell
that particular land as a township whether it's a planning board or zoning board we just can't or council can't come out and say no I don't want it I'll give you an example Uh we have a representative that sits on the planning board right now is Miss Alreight Troxel but for nine years I had
to sit on the planning board sat there on the right all the way at the end and there was a developer that came in front of us that wanted to put a project at the base of the gems landfill and as soon as we heard it there and I could tell you made the comment Mr. John Castunia who was the vice president of the planning board at
the time. He goes, "Oh, heck no." And that comment was made because those who have been here, you know what has that that has done to our community, that landfill. Anyone who's been here, we're like, "Absolutely not." Well, guess what? We got sued. And guess what? There's a development at the base of the landfill. So, the same thing with the
Southwinds project, which is located on Eerial Road across down by the Walgreens as is and then goes up the Black Horse Pike. That was a project like, "Uhuh, we don't want it." and they went back and they sued us. Now that project was originally prior to the first recession
in 2007. It stopped. He ran out of money, sold it to another developer, and now that developer is able to uh move that project along. But that was stagnant for over a decade for that particular project. So it is difficult for us as a body to say no, we don't
want it immediately. We have to give everybody equal footing when they come before us. So uh but I thank you for your comments. Uh Mr. Mr. Exon, I addressed your comments regarding I don't know why things did not work out in that particular area. Does anyone else want to add to any of the comments that are made? Any questions or concerns
or comments? Mr. Nash, you look like you wanted say something. All I'll say is that, you know, we appreciate everyone's comments online and here today. We take it very personal as well. We're residents of this town as well, right? We're paying taxes. We have kids that go to schools. We travel the same roads. We have the same concerns as you, but like
President Marcato said, we have to follow the process sometimes and let the professionals, let the planning board, let the zoning board, let them do their due diligence and then it's going to come back to us and then we're going to see this finalized plan. And at that point, then we got to make the decision whether it still makes sense or not. But
at this point, yes, we're concerned. We have the same concerns as you, but we want to see how it proceeds forward. Okay. Uh, holding the directors. Mr. Carlamir, nothing to report. Mr. Cartis, I just
want to thank Mrs. Ear on her hard work on the budget. Chief Harkkins, just to remind everyone this week is police appreciation week. Coming up, we'll celebrate National Peace Officers Memorial Day on Thursday. Um we also
want to acknowledge a uh a foundation today called friends of solo who it was a last minute get get together last week but uh this is a foundation that provides uh protective equipment for our canines for our dogs. Uh they donated to
us two um ballistic and uh stab proof vests for two of our canines. These aren't cheap these uh pieces of equipment. Uh but they uh they they came down here uh and outfitted two of our canines and the other two are in the process of getting outfitted. And I
would just want to acknowledge that. Friends of Solo, if you see a good a foundation that does good work for Police Canines, uh they uh the woman who came today um made this donation through this foundation uh in memory of her
husband who was a Port Authority uh New York, New Jersey police officer. And uh it was really quite a great experience for us here today to have that and for them to provide us that costly equipment at no charge um is really a great thing.
So, I want to acknowledge him. Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you, Chief. Mr. Miguel, nothing added. Thank you, Mrs. Earrett. Nothing. Mr. Mone, uh, just want to say, uh, this week, uh, a couple of us attended the GT police awards
ceremony. Uh, Chief, great job. Congratulations to the officers that were being recognized. And I also want to state that um I know this is mental health awareness month and I can pretty much promise you that if you go into any community hospital and I can almost guarantee that the census of the uh
crisis patients and BHU patients will pretty much u be either more or a little bit less than the acute patients the medical side. So great awareness. Thank you. Have a great week. Mrs. Aubrey Troxa. I'd like to start out by thanking our public works department, especially
since this is National Public Works Week. As I am retired and I can drive around town all over the place every day I'm out and about. I see our public works people at work all over the township. They're they're not sitting
around drinking coffee. They're not sitting around just chitchatting. They're really working. And I I want you to know you're getting your money's worth out of our public works department. The other thing is Mr. Burns, thank you so much. We have almost 600 acres that we're saving and I appreciate it, but I also feel that uh
Dan Hutchinson worked very closely with you while he was on council and I got to take his spot. So, I feel that I will make sure that Dan Hutchinson's gets the thank you from you because he he was very instrumental in helping you. Um,
also, uh, Mr. leader. I went to the uh Mother's Day uh lunchon last week with the seniors in town and you were there and I made it a point to go over and speak with you um because you said something about the the green team. You said you hadn't heard from the green
team. So, I guess I'm another person that you've asked. So, I think it's must be really important for you to want to be on that green team. But I did mention it to uh I passed your uh request on to the mayor's office and um just to let you know that. And um I think that's
about it. I think there may be something else, but other than that, it's nice to see some people who haven't come in a long time, who have been active in the past to be here, and I appreciate all your comments. Uh, we may not always
agree, but that's that's the United States of America. We're allowed to disagree as long as we all do it respectfully, and this was a very respectful meeting tonight, and I appreciate it, and I want to thank you all for for coming and for acknowledging
us here. Thank you, Mrs. Grace Love. Yes. Uh, I want to acknowledge, Miss Coin, Miss Kelly, and the community members, your strong advocacy for your community. I do respect that and I I just want to acknowledge that not only do I hear you, I also feel what you're
saying. So, I want to take that in account. I know we talked about a lot tonight. So, it's it's really good to hear both sides and really get a lot of factual information about how the community is perceiving what may be happening in their community. So, I do I
want you to know that I don't only just hear you, but I feel what you're saying. Um I also want to um recognize mental health awareness month for May as you know being a social worker for 25 years. I deal with that all day long, you know,
and and also have family member who deals a young family member who's dealing with mental health and the resources that we have to go and and seek out that you know, it's nice to know that G Gloucester Township has plenty of resources and you know, we
work with the police department and we have social workers available for families in the community. So, I am uh uh really appreciative that we really um make sure we take care of our community and I want to thank everybody for coming out tonight and have a great night. Mr.
Nash, thanks for coming out. Mrs. Walters, um I want to thank everybody for coming out. I do listen to everybody's comments. Um you know, I'm part of the community as well. Um so, we all take that into consideration to heart. Um again, mental health awareness. Um, just be a friend to
somebody. If you don't know what to do, just ask somebody. Um, and we'll help you steer in the right direction. And everybody have a good night. Thanks for coming. Mrs. Wyinners want to mimic the comments of all my council members without repeating everything, but I do agree with all of those comments that were made. I wish
everyone have a great night and enjoy this beautiful weather. Mr. Martado, I want to thank again uh Mr. Cartis and Miss Eric on their work on the budget. Uh also uh thank you uh to our G Township Police Department for the
invitation to attend the G Township Police Awards. Uh there was one poignant moment uh the evening where uh this the stage was filled um with individuals not only from Gloucester Township Police Department but the surrounding police
departments that worked on uh that uh June was June 1st Gloucester Township day. um and they were recognized for um helping out our community when we needed it. So, thank you very much for that invitation. Uh and also those that are
community members that helped out that were recognized uh that evening as well. Uh Memorial Day services are May 26, 11 o'clock here at Veterans Park. Uh and then so that that means that our the second meeting of the month will be on
Wednesday, May 28th. Uh, so please mark that on your calendar. With that, I entertain a motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? I have a great evening, everyone. Oh my god.