You >> good? >> John, you good? >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> Jen. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Wait, she's not saying hi to people. [laughter] >> Sit down with your toddler.
That's horrible. [laughter] >> Good evening. This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings law. This meeting of July 14th, 2026 was included in a meeting notice sent to the Burlington County Times and Courier Post
on January 9, 2026 and advertised in said newspaper on January 11, 2026 and January 14th, 2026. posted on the website and the bulletin board in the [clears throat] municipal building on January 9th, 2026 and has remained continuously posted as required under
the statute. In addition, a copy of this notice is and has been available to the public and is on file the in the office of the municipal clerk. At this point, let's rise to salute our flag 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. [clears throat] >> Jen, can we get a roll call? >> Committeewoman Evans, >> here.
>> Committee Montgomery >> here. >> Committeewoman Loveman >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Tory >> here. >> Mayor Dick >> here. >> All right. At this point, I'd like to approve the meeting minutes of our regular committee meet minutes on June 9th, 2026, as well as our executive
session minutes on June 9th. Motion to approve both. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Isn't Shouldn't this be the 23rd? >> Didn't we do the 9th on the 23rd? >> Yep. >> Question. >> What's the question? >> Yep.
>> You're right. This should be the 23rd [clears throat] minutes. We did the 9th on the 23rd. >> Yep. Right. >> Hold on. >> Never mind. [laughter] >> Good catch. Um, okay. So, Mr. Montgomery.
>> So, I'd like to make a motion that we approve regular committee meetings and executive session meetings minutes from June 23rd. >> I'll second that. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Loveman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick?
>> Yes. We're going to move on to reports. Um, I don't see any Is there anyone here for reports? >> No. Okay. So >> we'll move on to the township committee liaison reports. Uh we'll start with Anna today. >> Okay.
>> So for the green team on June the 15th, the recycling coordinator Jen Gumlson and I accepted a $2,000 check at the sustainable Jersey awards ceremony to kick off our food waste awareness and collection pilot program in partnership
with Unwaist. We held a pretty well attended talk for the program on June the 27th and several residents have signed up so far including me. We did video the talk and it is available from the sustainable hanesport Facebook page.
The green team met on June the 29th and among other topics, we finalized the plans for the raffle of one year's free service from Unwaist for the food waste pilot. That will be drawn at the Halloween costume exchange which is taking place on August the 29th.
On July the 6th, Janice Leen and I had a Zoom meeting with Vanguard, who is our partner for the commercial energy outreach program, and we discussed the next steps. The next green team meeting is on July the 27th. For the Burlington County Commissioners,
I attended the June 10th meeting along with three other members of the Burlington County Green Teams round table to present our group to them and discuss opportunities for countywide collaboration for affordable housing. On June 17th, I attended a Zoom briefing on the NJ Homes
ABC Club, which was interesting. Although Hannesport ultimately decided to pass on signing up for the program because we are already, thanks to our wonderful people, on top of our affordable housing requirements. Thank you. 10. >> Okay. So, for economic development, uh
we have an ordinance today we're looking at and redevelopment in a non-condemnation redevelopment area does provide for new economic development and um growth in Hannesport. So, we we look we look to continue to do that when it makes sense for the community. Um we
continue to evaluate opportunities for finance. Um we are adding revenue today. So, um we'll see that in consent resolution. So, always love to add revenue to our budget that are coming in. Great job to our staff. Almost $33,000.
So, good deal there. And also, um we're approving the audit. Um so, that's for finance for the um environmental commission. We continue with our monthly did you know series and we'll go with um
um mosquito awareness and water conservation. we had a lot of water now. So, we're doing the mosquitoes first because the water obviously brings on the mosquitoes. So, we're going to uh you'll continue to see that. Hopefully, you're um enjoying those quick did you
knows? Um, also we're we continue to investigate uh grants where we can continue to help uh work with our environmental commission and green teams and um also the um uh looking at an ordinance to um prohibit the uh the
bamboo um growth that we've had in our community in number of different areas. And um I think um I think that's it for me. Sam,
>> good evening. The next uh board of education meeting is will be held on Monday, July 21st at 7 o'clock at the Hannesport School Cafeteria. Uh last meeting that we had on June 23rd, I was out of state, so I did attend via on the phone. Um and I did have trouble hearing
some of the residents and so I stated that I would like to make my comment from that meeting tonight. So I just want to quickly go over a few things from that meeting. At the June 23rd township meeting, he voted to provide funding to help the Hannesport School District replaced a failing boiler. During the discussion, Committeeman
Montgomery uh shared his perspective of the impact of annual school taxes that are, you know, continuing to increase. During the public comment, uh the board of education vice president, Aaron Monero, uh acknowledged residents concerns about raising taxes, noting
that as board members, they are also taxpayers who are impacted by these increases. She went on to explain the significant budget challenges facing the district and the difficult decisions the board must make. Um I also wanted to shed light on Jen Weers who's also a be
uh board of education member and liaison uh for the board. Um on her comments she reminded the committee that the school building is not just utilized by the school students but also local community groups. Um, I encourage residents to watch the June 23rd meeting on YouTube or to read the meeting minutes once
they're published. Um, so that you can get the full response from both BOE members. Um, personally, I believe the schools are one of our most important investments we can make in Hannesport. Um, I did go on the census.gov website
and it is estimated that around 18% of Hannesport population is under the age of 18. That means that nearly one in one in every five residents are either attending our schools or will be attending our schools. Providing a high-quality education requires investment. While no one likes to see
taxes increase, supporting our schools is one of the most important investments we can make. Strong schools prepare our children for success, but they also strengthen our communities and help protect property values. That is that is part of why I support the township's decision to provide pilot
funds to the school district. I believe that education is the stepping stone to a great community and that investment in our children is an investment in Hansport's futures. So, thank you. >> Um, okay. So, um, I'm going to combine the, uh, recreation and also the
America's 250th anniversary. Thank you. Okay, so the Fourth of July was a great success. Um, rain held off until the very end. So we did not have any safety issues. Those were my two concerns going into that. So um a huge
thank you again to all the many many volunteers who participated and helped to make this a memorial memorable event. And a special thank you to our sponsors who helped to make this a free event for all. Congratulations to our winners of the school essays and coloring pages. Um
these entries will be available to see in the atrium shortly. And also congrats to the winners of the house decorating contest. And also um I was really pleased to see that the mural was a big success and so many people were taking pictures in front of it. So that mural
is going to stay up for a long time for us. Um so coming up this Sunday um the band concert is All That Jazz. Um and that starts at 7 o'clock and on August 2nd the Coots Band will be um playing at
7 o'clock. And the farm fair starts next week. >> That's all. >> Okay. All right. So, briefly, uh, public safety, uh, we did, it's been, uh, posted now. We did receive the grant. We are entering into discussions with Lumberton. No more than discussions
right now, uh, to discuss, uh, different agreements with Lumberton on our, um, with our fire company. Uh, we will have a second meeting in a couple weeks. I don't remember [clears throat] exactly when. Um, but so far, everyone seems to be on the same page. So, there's there's at least some some movement on that. Um,
our firet truck is being built, get pictures of it. Um, hopefully we'll get a a legitimate uh update soon on that. Um, we did post for a fire official position uh last week. We are we do have someone retiring, so if you know anyone,
keep an eye out for that. um to echo great job on July 4th from not just our public safety but the neighboring public safety, state police, Mount Holly, all the people who showed up made it a great event. Um made actually allowed me to enjoy it at the end which was kind of
nice. Um and we do have some news in the resolutions, so keep an eye out for that. So in our resolutions in about 20 minutes, we'll have some more public safety news there. Uh public outreach, again, thanks to our HESport helpers for helping on July 4th. We did have four of our teenagers come and help with setup. Um they also did the pledge of
allegiance for us. Um and I do continue to work with our task force on our local um unhoused and with the heat kind of like with the with the cold. We do check on them. Um we do try to make sure that they are safe. We try to make sure that they are fed and all that but not so
comfortable that they're a nuisance and we do try to pay attention to any concerns of uh neighbors or residents if there are any issues with them. uh public works again great job on July 4th. They did a great job. Congrats to Shannon on his um his uh advancement and
the MRN highway bridge. We did post some information on that. That is a county uh county project, right? Um the bridge uh so that is about a 30-day project. Uh it was legitimately awful the first day. I got stuck in that traffic. I made fun of it and then I sat in it for an hour. So
I do realize how bad it was. It should not be that bad any other day. um you may see some intermittent slowdowns, but as you've seen, it really hasn't been that bad, but it is about a 30-day process and probably already a week and a half, two weeks into it, right? Um so hopefully that'll be done within two
weeks. Uh and that's all I have for that. So I get a motion to enter into the minutes. >> So move. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Tory, >> yes. >> Miss Evans, yes. >> Ms. Loveman, >> yes. >> Mayor Dick, >> yes.
We're going to move on to some couple presentations. Our first one is our monthly community impact award. I'm going to turn this over to Ken. >> So, I'd like to welcome uh D Crawfifer and her daughter Denise and grandson John um who are here. This is our first
posthumis um award. Hannesport Community Impact Award for July 2026. Whereas the township committee of Hannesport Township wishes to recognize individuals and organizations whose actions reflect
the values of kindness, generosity, and community spirit. And whereas for this month's recognition, Hannesport Township wishes to honor posthumously Howard H. Crawlfer Jr. And whereas for six years,
H served our country in the US Army reserves, being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. And whereas for 17 years, H served on the Hannesport Township Joint Land Use Board, leading as its chair for the last six years.
And whereas when a township committee seat had become available due to an unexpected early vacancy, H completed the unexpired term. And whereas for several years, H taught as a substitute teacher at the wonderful Hannesport
school. And whereas after playing soccer professionally in Los Angeles, California, H transferred his knowledge by training and coaching children with the mantra, everyone plays. And whereas H also refereed all levels
of soccer from youth to international, which we all know the word now as FIFA, ultimately being inducted into the AYSO and national soccer hall of fames. And whereas after his retirement as a
senior vice president with Copico, H served several small Hansport organizations as their treasurer. And now fair and now therefore be it proclaimed that the township committee of the township of Hannesport hereby
posthumously recognize Howard H. Crawl Fifer Jr. as the Hannesport Township Community Impact Award recipient, commending him for his endless hours of volunteerism, leadership, and example of service to others and encourages all
residents to join in celebrating his positive impact on our community. Be it further proclaimed that the township committee extends its gratitude to H's wife D and her family for supporting him in all his endeavors that strengthened
the Hannesport community. Thank you. [applause] We just like to ask De and her family to come up, please. [applause] >> [applause] >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. So you want
back here. [laughter] So you guys [clears throat] Okay, So moving on to our second presentation. Um I will once again turn it over to Ken. >> Ah okay.
So we did this on July 8th. The reading of the Declaration of Independence as that was the first time it was read in public was July 8th um 1776. So the declaration of independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson as
many of you know was refined by the committee of five whom we also included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. [snorts] John Hancock the president of the Continental Congress signed along with 55 others representing the 13 newly declared states. Five signers from New
Jersey included Richard Stockton, Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, and John Witherspoon. The declaration basically consists of four parts. The founding principles,
grievances against the king, failed attempts at resolution with the king, and the formal declaration of independence. So, in commemoration of that reading
and of our 250th anniversary, the Hannesport Committee will read it again today. Uh so without further ado, we'll start with Mayor Dick. >> When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another with another and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's god entitled them a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold
these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed. that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness. Prudence indeed will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes. And accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer
while evils are sufferable than to write themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurppations pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute desperatism, it is their right.
It is their duty to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security. >> Such has been the patient sufference of these colonies and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter
their former systems of government. The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and user patience all having in direct object establishment of an
absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his ascent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance unless suspended in their operation till his ascent should be obtained. And when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He
has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable
to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his
measures. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time after such dissolutions
to cause others to be elected whereby the legislative powers incapable of annihilation have returned to the people at large for their exercise. The state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without and
convulsions within. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither and raising the
conditions of new appropriations of lands. He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his ascent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the
tenure of their offices and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of new offices and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance. He has kept among us in times of peace
standing armies without the consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to
our constitution and unacnowledged by our laws, giving his ascent to their acts of pretended legislation. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us. for protecting them by a mock trial from punishment for any
murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world. For imposing taxes on us without our consent. For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of trial by jury.
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses. for abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example
and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies. For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and alter and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments. for suspending our own
legislature and declaring themselves invested in the power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us. He has plundered
our seas, ravaged our coast, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is he is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and
perfor scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country to become the executioners of their friends and
brethren or to fall themselves by their hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers. The merciless Indian whose known rule warfare is known
undistinguished is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of this oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus
marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be ruler of a free people. >> Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an
unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our immigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanmity and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these surpations which would
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must therefore acquies in the necessity which denounces our separation
and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind enemies in war in peace. Friends, we therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world, for the restitude of our intentions, due in the name and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent
states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved and that as free and
independent states they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce and do all other acts and things which independent states may have right to do. And for the
support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
>> Thank you. Here ends the reading. [applause] >> How do we how do we follow that? [laughter] >> Move to a journ. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We'll move quick now. Um, all right. So, we're going to move on to comments from the public. This is on agenda items only and comments are
limited to five minutes. So, we'll open the floor to comments on agenda items only. Janice, [laughter] >> but so, uh, I would like to speak on the correspondence Palante subdivision
request for chapter 172 relief, which is our tree ordinance. Um, I'm speaking as the chairperson for the environmental commission to present the ecological considerations surrounding the replacement planting relief request. My purpose is to assist the committee in
evaluating the environmental merits of the requested tree relief. The EC re reviewed the site plan as part of our July 25th last summer meeting. The site plans available for our review did not include a tree in inventory or identify
which ones of the trees, if any, were being preserved. Most of the recommendations of the to the joint land use board were regarding preservation and replacement of the trees on these wooded lots. Revisiting the notes from that review, I would like to suggest
some points for consideration. First, the ecological quality of the proposed replantings. While the applicant proposes a total of 225 replacements, over half of these are classified as wisps and lowc caliber saplings.
Forestry data and our experience with Subaru trees suggests these smaller specimens face an exceptionally high mortality rate without continuous resource intensive maintenance, especially given the deer population. From an objective canopy recovery
standpoint, this effectively yields only 92 high probability viable replacements creating a substantial desk deficit against the 199 required by the municipal ordinance. Also, the uh irreplaceable environmental
infrastructure. The loss of mature established trees represents a permanent depletion of the local ecosystem. Unlike young saplings, mature canopy trees provide critical environmental infrastructure, including sophisticated storm water
management, carbon sequestration, air filtration, and wildlife habitat. This natural infrastructure directly preserves the environmental quality for the surrounding community. Also, I'd like to mention the preservation of the ordinance intent and president. The
municipal tree preservation ordinance was established under New Jersey state guidelines specifically to assign an objective value to shared natural resources and to deter wholesale clear cutting. Granting relief based primarily on the localized financial costs of
clearing heavily wooded parcels risk establishing an adverse planning precedent. Future applicants with similar wooden par wooded parcels may cite this relief to bypass the environmental protections the ordinance was codified to uphold.
The ordinance offers mitigation alternatives. So, if standard on-site replanting presents logistical or survival challenges, which I think the WISP and the saplings do, the most ecologically sound mechanism to fulfill the intent of the ordinance could be
financial contribution to the municipal tree fund. Redirect redirecting the developer's asset expenditures from high mortality saplings into an inloo fee would allow the township to strategically plant high-caliber shade trees in public parks and municipal open
spaces where their long-term survival can be properly managed. We present these considerations to encourage that any decision made tonight regarding this um request uh maintains the intent of Hannesport's environmental protections. Thanks.
>> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Jennice. >> Paula, did you want to jump in now or do you want to >> Okay. Yeah. Just making sure. Uh, anybody else before we
>> do? >> Yeah, I heard uh online. Check there. No. >> No. Okay. And obviously we have the correspondence gems to a little bit on that. >> Okay. So, let's close comments from the
public. >> Motion that we close. >> Second. Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Loveman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. >> Mayor, before you read the first ordinance, can I interrupt you for a second? Um, on the Long Bridge
redevelopment plan, I don't think you need to read it by title because we're respectfully asking that you table this to the August meeting. We received some comments from the redevelopers attorney the end of last week, >> Thursday. [snorts] >> Thursday. >> The end of the day. And before Paul and
Scott and I go through that, there was a caveat at the end of that letter that said he is simultaneously saying it to his client and his client reserves the right to comment as well. So, we want to see what the comments if there are any further comments before we spend time going through the attorney's comments.
Right. So, >> hopefully this is all wrapped up and we're ready to give you something for the August meeting. But I would ask that you table 20 20 a motion to table 2026-10 to the August 11th meeting. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Loveman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. All right, moving on. Ordinance 2026-11. This is amending the land development code chapter 104 of the township of Hannesport to add the definition of of
and to prohibit data centers. This is a public hearing and final adoption. So, I need a motion to open public hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Miss Tory? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Miss Evans? >> Yes. >> Ms. Leman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick? >> Yes.
>> Anything you say? Republic. >> Yeah. >> Any comments? Anybody? >> No. >> All right. So, I need a motion to close and go into final adoption. >> I'd like to make a motion that we close and um Whoops. Close. Just close. Okay.
>> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick? >> Yes. Mayor and committee, before you make the motion to adopt, assuming that's what you're going to do, >> the record should reflect that the planning board adopt a resolution 2026-17
following its referral under the land use law which determined that the ordinance that you are about to act on is quote not inconsistent with the objectives of the master plan and does not and the board does not recommend any additions or modifications to the ordinance. >> Perfect. Great.
>> Motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt. >> Second, >> Mr. Montgomery. Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. >> All right. Uh, moving on to consent resolutions. >> Want me to read these or
we good? You do them at once. >> Fell. >> Yep. Motion to >> I'd like to make a motion that we adopt the consent resolutions. >> Second. Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Leman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Tory,
>> yes. >> Mayor Dick, >> yes. >> All right, moving on to resolution 2026-124-7. This is authorizing the execution of a contract renewing membership of the Burlington County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. >> Jeff. >> Yeah. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Loveman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jordy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-125-7. Certification of the annual audit for year ending 2025. >> So moved.
>> Second. Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> M. Zans. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-126-7. This is appointing the public information officer. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mrs. Leman.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. Our next one is resolution 2026-127-7. This is appointing our fire leazison and OEM coordinator. Scott >> motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. Yes. Mrs. Evans. Yes. Mrs. Loveman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. And congratulations Scott since you're sitting there. [laughter] [applause] Resolution 2026-128-7 awarding contract for four professional
services to conduct an operational review exploring shared services for daytime fire duty crew program. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans. >> Yes. Mrs. Loveman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-129-7
authorizing bond reduction for Longbridge as recommended by the municipal engineer. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mrs. Tory? >> Yes. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Loveman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick? >> Yes. >> Okay. Moving on to business. We have approval of business licenses.
>> I make a motion that we approve the business license. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory? >> Yes. Mayor Dick. >> Yes. Uh and at this point we'll move on to the correspondence. Um Paul, you want
me to turn it over to you for the >> to introduce? I don't know what. >> Yeah. Um I I heard Mutton's report on behalf of the EC. I don't have in front of me, but I do also know that you received a I think a report from Scott Taylor
um which probably was prepared by his landscape um person uh which I think recommends the request. I think in terms of the EC's concern though about the anticipated lifespan of some of the
smaller bushes, I think that can be covered by a landscape maintenance bond. Um, so I would recommend that. Other than that, I don't know that there's anything that really flex. >> Yeah, I mean, I think Mrs. Lutton brings up a lot of very valid concerns and
points um on on this issue. I did speak with uh Scott Taylor right before the meeting. Um, just to kind of review his uh letter that he provided and and discussion on it because this was a year ago. um those. So, it's a little
different than our efforts that we do here at the park and we rely on our public works crew um to to help maintain, you know, our developers are mandated um through a performance bond. So, during the period of the actual development, they're covered under the
performance bond and then they're also mandated, you know, by the land use law for a maintenance bond. It's a two-year maintenance bond. So, you know, Scott and um our engineer, they do a great job in inspecting, making sure that everything is compliant, that the
board's uh resolution of approval is followed, adhere to, that the signed and and sealed plans are being followed. Um, oftent times I can tell you that uh Taylor Design Group's landscape architect and engineer, I am constantly
reading letters from them going back and informing developers they need to replace dead trees. they need to go back. Oftent times that happens only in the spring and the fall. So it can it can seem like it's not being addressed but but it is. Um these plantings are for buffering. So my only concern and
hesitancy in reducing what is being requested or suggested um to just 92 plantings only. Um I don't know how that would address the buffering which is what the board. Could you explain the buffering for
>> So it's the perimeter buffering of these three single family homes especially you know on the route 38 side. So it's you know primary perimeter um and street buffering um of these trees. So you know I think the concern is for the dead and
dying in the lifespan of these smaller whips and saplings. It is it is valid but we we do have performance and maintenance you know bonding that they have to to follow and our professionals do inspect on a monthly basis for during that entire duration of the maintenance
bond and they do require the developer to to replace any dead trees, saplings or whips. >> The maintenance is two years. >> It's a two-year maintenance bond. Um but that doesn't start until the end of the performance period. So it could be four
years, it could be five years that there's under they're under bonding >> and this will be individual homes, not a HOA. >> No, it's going to be an HOA. >> HOA. Okay. >> So um the two years
our professionals follow that. Is there what's the process for if there's a like a chronic issue where we have to replace the same 20 trees three different times? Is there a point where we they have to come back to us and we re we revisit the type of tree that was >> so generally that's handled by our
professional >> okay >> they generally >> but that's something that would be part of it >> the board the board does provide a lot of deference to the professionals in those kinds of matters and also our zoning official >> to answer your question mayor the um it
is a two-year maintenance guarantee and it will expire unless uh the township says to the developer, >> we're not going to let you off this because these are not being maintained. >> That's kind of where those get >> one extended
>> maintenance guarantee. >> Okay. >> So, we do control it that way. And and I agree with Paula. I have reviewed some of those reports from tailor design group >> and uh yeah, they're on top of it >> and and that maintenance would be b or that that coverage is mainly tailor
design now or and and then Kathy as well. >> Yeah. So, the bonding is generally separated out or stabilization some >> okay >> landscaping >> okay
>> um can I ask a question uh what is the justification for not doing what our tree ordinance actually requires and why wouldn't that actually provide better buffering than these smaller trees so I believe our actual ordinance requires
1.5 inch uh replacements and it would be I think 199 did you say Janice? Um wouldn't that be the best buffering that we could get and also be the trees most likely to survive? >> So I think what we and our professionals
indicated in the letter that he provided to you is that the ordinance is was provided to us and closely mirrored that of the state which is quite frankly very ownorous and that's why we made some adjustments to it. Um
and to to technically do a replace it's about $60,000 of trees. >> Okay. >> And um >> so what you're saying is that >> question probably be better answered by the developer as to what the justification is request. That's that's
not my >> right. But what so what you're saying is that by allowing this to go to saplings and whips, the developer is saving a significant sum of money. >> Not necessarily because they're adding more, >> right? But whips and saplings are
significantly cheaper than 1.5 in diameter trees. >> I don't think >> I don't know. >> I mean, certainly the developers here can come up and and make a presentation. I don't think that the analysis, however, is purely based upon cost benefit, right? it's going to save them a lot of money. Therefore, we shouldn't
grant this or we should grant this. Right? I think it's based upon and I think Scott addresses this one. The ordinance is stringent. Right? The ordinance is if this were in front of the planning board, it would be considered a waiver. It's not a zoning variance. It would be
a design waiver and a request to modify. And so long as the purpose, the buffer is achieved, which I think was then it is something that is within somebody's jurisdiction to grant that
relief. But I don't think it's just the idea of whether it save money, so let's give it to them or not. >> Yeah. From what we had at one of the environmental commission meetings, we had someone talk about it is that you needed to be able to layer the different trees and have different types of have
different types of trees to be able to do it. So just to go out and plant them all, they they probably wouldn't survive. Um, that was a discussion that we had at one of our meetings a couple months ago. Um, so I don't know if the developer might be able to address that, but when I had heard that, I'm like,
okay. So, it's it, you know, to do exactly what our ordinance said and I'm and I was a big proponent of that and stood firm on that and and helped to spearhead that to be um to be stringent, more more stringent than what the state was. So, I'm all for that. But at the
same point, when we're planning something, it's okay, we got to do this, we got to do this. Well, we need to step back and look at the big picture and be able to do it from a from a forest management perspective. And that was my understanding when we had that person speak with us at the Environmental Commission. That is not my forte, but I
was um I was happy with that explanation. Now, certainly um I can't repeat it, [laughter] but when we heard it um I was. So, um, that might be helpful if we got some more information on on the management of
the forestry. So, it's it's kind of like what we're doing at um at Creek Turn, right, where you sometimes you have to take some of the larger trees out because they're preventing the growth of other trees um and to um and that we had a forestry
um I forget his name, John Hooven, is that is it John Hooven? who who mentioned that um that he said, you know, sometimes you have to cut trees down to be able to help other tree growth. Um and that was my understanding of what was going to happen here. It was going to be more planned. So again, I'm
all for saving trees and not cutting them down. Um but in this situation, to me, it would be more planned. But I would, you know, I'm going to acquies to an expert to >> Well, if I could address that. >> Yeah. If I could just kind of hone in on
what um the recommendation was is this was based on the longevity and the survival rate right of the smaller plants. These are not saplings where they're just the roots. They're going to be bald >> um >> actual potted and contained
uh whips and saplings. So the that in itself will lend to a higher survival rate. Um the recommendation to just allow 92 trees and take you know and then have the rest a payment in lie of
um will leave a deficit of the buffering which is the intent of what the board approved the ordinance the way it's written right now for this tree ordinance. This is coming back to the governing body. The reality is it's really should be going back to the land
use board. So, we will be making a recommendation in the very near future to make an amendment to the tree ordinance because the land use board is really where this approval began and should end. That's where the professionals are. That's where the board members are that heard this application. But I can again reiterate
that the intent of this is to provide buffering. If we if we only have 92, then that's not being achieved. So, can I Janice, can I just ask just so I'm clear what you're proposing is instead of the 113 and 20 saplings and
whips instead of buying them putting that whatever that cost is into a into a a newly created tree fund that we could buy trees for elsewhere. Okay. Just want to make sure I want to make sure I have the right notes. Currently there is there
are proposed saplings. >> Yep. They don't they don't make it. True. >> And I have a I know you talked about it already, but the two-year buffer with the maintenance bond.
So, after the two years, say it be however long that ends up at actually being, the HOA is then required to maintain these trees because the ordinance also states that if the tree is not within a certain diameter, they do not need to be replaced or if it's dying. And these saplings in two years,
I don't think we need a professional. I don't think they're going to be that big. And so they could technically remove them and no longer have those trees in general. So then we're not maintaining that ordinance by any means if the saplings don't grow big enough for us to even be able to uphold anything.
>> Right. I mean I don't we don't go back and you know once the maintenance done unless it's written into an agreement by John. >> Um >> yeah what's going to happen is and I think you ought to hear from the >> Yeah. I wanted to make sure I got Janice's >> but whatever you decide will be memorialized at the August meeting with
a resolution. >> Okay. >> And if you decide you want a condition in there that uh in advance of the two-year expiration date like six months before the PDG will do a specific
inspection of all of them and evaluate them and if it requires an extended maintenance guarantee then so so so be it. >> Okay. Yeah, good. Good. Thank you. >> Good evening, mayor, members of committee. Jonah Singer appearing on
behalf of the applicant, Epante LLC. Um, my engineer is setting up his easel easel. Um, we submitted, >> could you please speak into the microphone, sir? I >> I can barely hear you. >> It's on. Okay.
We previously submitted plans uh to uh your planner, your landscape architect. Um although I haven't received his response to committee, I understand that he's recommending the plans that have been submitted uh for approval. I have
this evening Sam Romero, our engineer, who will basically go through the plan, describe what's >> Oh, okay. what's um being provided um and the need for the buffering that was uh required by the planning board when
they approved the site plan and subdivision. Um, sure. [laughter] >> You swear affirm the testimony you're about to give before the township committee represents the truth. The whole truth or do you affirm? >> I do.
>> Thank you. Qualify. >> Yes. Name >> Samuel Rero with SR3 engineers. and brief your professional background. >> Uh briefly, I have a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Drexler University. I've been p practicing civil
engineering and professional planning for 20 years. I've testified before 70 boards including uh the Hannesport Township Planning Board. >> And were you the engineer qualified to present [clears throat] the subdivision site plan to >> Yes.
>> plan your supervision? >> Yes. you go through the plan and explain to the board the need for what is being proposed as far as buffering. >> Yeah, the project is a six lot uh
sixacre lot, a wooded lot and the applicant is proposing three single family homes with a shared driveway. As you can see on the plan, the light green areas around the perimeter are areas of trees that will be preserved. There will be more trees preserved on the property than trees that are removed, but there
will be trees removed as part of the application and as part of the construction of the stormer basin and the single family homes. The application also includes a landscape plan that's generous and there is some trees that Paul mentioned do
serve a double duty as far as buffering and as far as also providing tree replacement. The ordinance requires that we provide pro provide tree removal uh tree replacement as part of any trees that are removed and the ordinance
requires it would be 202 trees at a single caliber width which is three two and a half to three inches based on your ordinance and in discussions [clears throat] with Scott Taylor the township planner and in our review of the application as far as fitting them
on the site as far as some diversity in the size and type of plantings that we'll be placed on on the site. We have proposed 65 trees at 3inch calper whip caliper diameter. Caliber of course is the diameter of the tree at the breast height just to give you background. Uh
27 shrubs, 20 saplings which are a little larger and then whips which are smaller 113. Our goal was to provide more trees. Uh, I know there's some concerns about survivability, but I know 3-inch caliber trees also have some survivability issues. The applicant is
willing to provide deer fence around the planting areas because they will be in kind of beds like areas that are segregated. We can provide some uh deer fencing around those areas because I think that's a legitimate concern uh this evening. and providing 225 instead
of the required 202 gives a little buffer in my opinion regarding uh survivability as well. In addition, you Mr. Taylor mentioned that having some diversity as far as the sizes of the trees is a positive. So for that reason, the applicants here
this evening to provide 225 tree plantings. This would normally be something that the committee would not have to deal with. So I apologize for for taking your time tonight, but it's something that what we were directed to appear before the committee. So the request would be to show the plans with
65 3in caliber trees, 27 shrub plantings, 20 proposed saplings, and 113 whips for a total of 225 plants. You guys want to add or ask? >> Anything to add or ask? >> Yeah. Can you define a whip?
>> Yes. Um, so a full 3-inch caliper tree has 3inch caliper. So it really kind of goes down from there with a sapling being one and a half one to two inches in diameter and a whip being maybe 3/4 inch to one and a half inch diameter. So whips are usually smaller without uh
kind of the tree whips are usually smaller. They're the smallest. A sapling would have a tree shape where they're starting to have branches. And the the 3-in caliper tree would be a tree implanted with a root ball >> that has a bulb. Okay. So, the only one that has the bulb would be the 3-in
caliper trees. >> Well, they would No, they would all have a root ball, just smaller for the for the whip. >> The whip would actually have a >> Well, it it it would be in a can it would be in a can for the whip. It would be It would be smaller, >> but it would have some >> It would definitely have a root system >> root protection. Okay. Interesting. So,
by showing us, can you show me what a what a whip is, what a sapling is, what a As far as height? >> Yeah. Just Yeah. Like through your hands. >> Yeah. So So whip would be about about 18 inches tall. >> A whip is 18 inches tall.
>> Really? >> Okay. Interesting. >> Would be about two to three feet tall and then the 3X caliper tree would be five to six feet tall. >> Okay. >> Uh can I ask a question? Um, could would you be able to give me an approximate comparison between how much it would
cost to purchase the 199 1.5 in caliper trees required by the ordinance and how much it will cost to purchase the uh 225 varied uh plants that you're actually suggesting? >> I don't have that I don't have that
prepared. Now, I know that the ordinance has a is a $300 per tree uh is written into the ordinance chapter 172 for the tree replacement, but as far as the individual smaller trees, I don't have that number prepared. I'm sorry. >> Okay. And in terms of planting these 225
trees as compared to planting the 199 trees, do you know how much more or less labor intensive that would be? planting the planting more trees would be more labor intensive >> even though the larger trees have the bigger root balls.
>> Um it would it would probably be similar. There probably is some savings because they're smaller but each tree has to be planted, each one has to be cared for, each one has to be watered. >> Okay. >> So, and just I hate to go around you but Janice when you mentioned
your thought would not introduce any savings or deficit, right? It would be whatever they were going to spend on these trees would go into a fund. So there's no real >> Yeah. No, no, no. I just want to make sure I I I want to make sure we're apples to apples here. So the concept here is not really a cost savings or or
or benefit in any way. It's it's just about the trade. >> Yeah. No, no, no. I I just want to make sure, J. Yeah. Thanks. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I understand. >> Yeah. Um, you guys have any questions?
>> No, I just want to drive home again this really. >> So, is will this go back to the joint plan? You >> No. No, we're not. But the next time the next one will >> the next time it will. You know, this is
the first time >> we're here for you. >> Relief is not an unusual thing. >> Right. >> Right. >> Um and I think that that relief is considered by the board members based on the totality of the application.
You know, there are a lot of other factors that go into that's a lot of aspects of this application that you all are not aware of. So it's really um >> so I I'm so the the forestry management is something that I think is important
and it and again it's we had forestry doctor of forestry our masters I'm not sure what his education level was but uh um I had learned a lot from him in doing it but of course I'm not really educated to make that decision. ision as you're saying I'm not we're not the
professionals here who do all that. Um but so we wanted to survive and and and obviously there's a performance bond and a maintenance bond and whatever and I would be really interested to make sure that those are maintained and I I believe you when you say that our
professionals make sure that they are. I guess in this situation because we're um we're we're agreeing to fewer trees um that I would just want to make just want to make sure that they are taken care of and I don't
know what else we could do to make sure that they are the wording is a certain way whether we extend the performance bond longer than that. The the other thing is I think maybe there could be something where if there whatever you know listen I'm not out just to have people spend money or whatever but I
mean if there is something there um that if if if they were to do exactly what the ordinance said it would cost XYZ. Okay. So now this is going to cost XY and a half. All right. So maybe that half or a quarter can be put as as Miss
Luton has said maybe to something else of funding where you can do something else. I mean, I think there's something to be said for that. Um um but again, I don't have all that all that information as maybe those people on the joint land use board would have, but off from based
on what I do know that that may be a compromise that people might be interested looking for compromises here. If I may, the the good news is that, you know, Scott Taylor, who sits on the planning board as well, um has reviewed
and revised and reviewed and revised this plan and is now comfortable with what we've presented uh for approval. So, he he knows the background. He knows the project since he was a party to it from the beginning. And he, you know,
his letter uh although doesn't explicitly state that he supports it, but it's but he's describing it and indicating that the relief would be as part of the board's decision and we would ask that that his his opinion
carry weight and be approved. >> So my understanding is we have three options here. One would be to stick to the original plan. One would be to roll with the new plan and the third would be Janice's plan. Those are the three things that have been brought up
here. And my understanding is cost isn't the debate with Janice's idea. It's that would be a net zero because it would be different trees, different numbers, but it would be the same cost because it would go into a to a thing to a a fund. But we would have 92 trees instead of
225. We have a two-year bond. Correct. That inspection is between Scott as well as the developer. Obviously, it does get turned over to HOA. I am interested. The one thing Sam brought up about at that two-year time frame, it gets turned over to the HOA, what I'm cur I am a little
curious what our oversight would be or not be to the HOA to maintain those trees. But to me, I think like at least I understand all the all the points in order. Well, I think in terms of the HOA um and maintaining it, they're the ones
are going to be living there, right? They're the ones that want the buffer. They're going to want the benefit of how it was approved and how it was designed in terms of buffering. They're going to make sure that it continues to be buffered, right? That's their job. Um,
and you know, I'm not sure at what point. We haven't seen any HOA documents, so I'm not sure at what point. Whether it's after the second house is sold, which I suspect it would be. That's when the HOA takes over from the developer or is it all three. I think that's a discussion that still has to be had, but we haven't seen the
documents. So, we don't know. Um, by that time, I also don't know where we will be in the performance time frame and whether we've gone to maintenance yet or not. Uh it may be that it hasn't gone into maintenance before the HOA is even performed or or takes over. So you
may still have plenty of time left on it at that point. We we just don't know that. >> Okay. >> But I think you I think going back to the earlier point is that you know and I can throw this stuff in the resolution for the the August meeting to memorialize whatever it is you decide. But assuming it's to grant the relief
requested, then we can put stuff in there about the maintenance guarantee and making sure that the escros are posted so that Scott can do his inspections. >> That's kind of where I >> clarify. Yeah. >> But trees themselves.
So the winners are not. >> No, that makes sense. Janice. Yeah. the value. It's not my environment. Look at It is. >> Okay. >> Of course.
Thank you, Jennice. >> So, how I'm looking at the design, are you stating that the total planning is 225 are all needed for the buffering or is part of that 225 because of the ordinance and for looks and presentation
of the community? >> Not all of them are needed. Many I would say most of them on that list were planted to satisfy the tree ordinance, >> but not the buffering that the their buffering is some but not all. >> Correct.
So in in my mind and again if you take out the money aspect of could it be something where you you strictly plant for the buffering and then the rest of that money that would have went towards the the whip saplings, things like that could go towards a fund
instead for the township to then plant the actual trees that would satisfy the you know the ecological concept of all of this. if the buffering is met >> because that seems to be the big thing
is the buffering. It is in a I live right next to that location. It is very loud. >> I Yeah, I've spoken to somebody who lives on Laurel Ridge Road and they have mentioned this also, but I I think I just to I like Sam's ideas there. And just to respond to what Andy said, there are never only three solutions to a
problem, right? There may only have been three solutions specifically outlined here, but Sam has just outlined a fourth. There is there are probably a fifth and a sixth. I am not sure that the ones that we have on the papers in front of us either of them either the one that would be would be satisfying
the tree ordinance or the one that we have in front of us here that we are supposed to be approving. I'm not sure either of them is the ideal solution. And it is possible that Sam's suggestion of designing for the buffering and then putting whatever the value of those trees to satisfy the tree ordinance
would be into a tree fund is a better solution. >> Yeah. So the fact that just to go on with this, so the fact that we're you're saying that um well we're planning these other things just because we need to satisfy the ordinance. Okay. Well, let's maybe not just try to do that. If if if you don't feel that we can get the big
ones in there, then yeah. Okay. Well, then we don't need these little ones here. You don't feel that they fit right or whatever. Let's use them somewhere else then. I mean, that that certainly could be right. That's kind of along the lines of what I think Janice was saying and and what you guys are saying too. So, that may be a compromise. I I I
don't know. I mean, I I don't you know, >> can you guys >> not my expertise, but >> respond to that in any way? I don't want to put you on the spot, but whether it's Frank or Mr. Volante >> respond to whether that's acceptable, >> Sam's idea. Yeah. Or or the feasibility. I don't know. The lawyers could discuss moneywise.
>> They're feasible. >> Okay. >> From an engineering standpoint, they're all feasible. I think it's a >> Are you are you willing to discuss this further as far as an option? >> Well, discussed further this evening or >> No.
I think what Sam means is come up with a plan that does the buffering >> and then look at the tree ordinance and put the value on the missing trees and how much would that be and would that then go into a tree fund.
>> Yeah, you can get >> Yeah, you can do it. >> Frank guys doing a great job for me here and we've been going over with this with uh Mr. Taylor for for months and months and and tonight was the resolve hopefully.
Obviously, you know, there's there's a lot of opinions and I and I can respect that. Um but obviously I was looking to get to the next phase after tonight and I know this was kind of thrown on your lap unfortunately and and now you have to deal with it and you're dealing with it. You know, obviously you wanted the
best best for Hannesport Township and the community and the environment. Um, but now to come back in front of you after I've been trying to get in front of you guys for months and months and now to try to now hash this out with Scott. I guess what I'm requesting is would it be okay to hash it out with
Scott? And I don't know whether it would be a resolution to say um we now go to Scott Taylor and work this out what you guys are saying as far as the uh tree replacement as well as a um as well as a a contribution to the tree
uh replacement uh program township. >> And then Scott come we we communicate with Scott come up with that resolution and bring it back to Scott. He says yes I'm happy with this. there's monetary contribution to the system to the tree replacement program as well as trees
being replaced for buffers but also ones that and I understand 100% what you're saying as far as that you know these saplings or whatever else now they're going to die at least if the if um the township doesn't you know and it's monitored you guys can now put it
somewhere where you know it's going to survive and thrive um and I I'm I would be okay with that I guess what I'm asking is would you be okay with Scott working with us to make this um make this happen, but not having to come back
up to the board again to now present again to you what we just went over with Scott and to kind of put it in his hands to know that he is, >> you know, I guess fully capable of handling this. >> In other words, trust our professionals to to work it all out with the plan that we're suggesting here
>> and then that way >> Yeah. >> I don't know how to copy that. >> Yeah. I I don't know how to >> John >> John we don't I don't know how to codify that >> yeah [laughter] no no I think that >> No no no it's valid >> so why don't why don't you do this
because even under Mr. Pente's suggestion, it wouldn't be finalized till August anyway, right? Because you you at this juncture, you were the ones to finally make the decision based upon whatever recommendations. Um, you know,
since since uh Sam and Ken are the ones that are kicking around different ideas, why don't you appoint a subcommittee of them to meet with Scott and Paula and these folks and see what they come up with? I'm a little concerned about the tree fund to be honest with you. How do the people in the HOA benefit from money
going somewhere else? I don't know. I think that's something you ought to explore. Never in favor of kicking money down the road somewhere else. Either either the application warrants the relief or it doesn't, right? I don't think you satisfy I don't think you satisfy it by putting
money into a fund that's never been even created yet and doesn't benefit the people in this HOA. Right. But that's a decision they could kick around. Maybe maybe I'm dead wrong. It's middle of July. Do >> um >> why don't you do that? Why don't you
just point those to the subcommittee meet with them and >> So would you guys be okay with that? >> I'm I'm fine with that. >> Yeah. >> Ken. >> Yeah, I fine. >> Karen. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. All right. So >> these two will work with Scott as well
as you >> and we'll hash it. Now that >> it'll be it'll be voted on at the August meeting. Only the committee can grant the >> Yeah, >> you don't have to come. >> But also at the August meeting
>> the good thing is it would be quick one way or the other. >> Yeah. >> Also at the August meeting hopefully you'll introduce an ordinance that sends sends future applications back to the planning. >> Yeah. And because if two of us would be on it, then therefore you
>> obviously you guys would know exactly what's going on. >> You know what the others >> I think that's what John >> Oh, I thought I was the >> Sam. It doesn't matter. >> We're going to stick with >> sometime in the next couple of weeks because I'd want to have that resolution
out the door. >> The meeting is August 14th. Is it August 11th? >> 11th. So, we need it out the door by the fifth or sixth or >> seventh. And Scott's on vacation beginning the 31st.
>> Yeah. And you're on vacation next week. >> All right. >> All right. So, yeah. So, Sam and Ken, you guys get with Paula choices for >> make sure we get it going and we'll Yeah. And that way we'll make sure we Yeah. >> Are you
something? Yeah, we can thread that needle. >> That's right. >> Yeah. Does that work? >> Yeah. >> What matters is I'm on vacation now, but [laughter] >> came back so we're Yeah. >> All right. So, let's do that. >> You're saying that we would that that Sam and I would need to have a meeting with them. >> You can do it Zoom. >> We'll do a Zoom
>> over the next two. You're saying over the next two weeks? >> Yeah. And then just figure the first week of August. >> As long as we get it done within a week of >> meeting. >> Yeah. >> Because our meeting's on the 11th. I don't either. Yeah. Yeah, this should be simple. Should be able >> Monday or Tuesday of August.
>> Should be able to >> All right. So, you guys figure that out. Go through Paula. Paula will be the point person to get all that going. Sam and Ken will be involved and then the August 11th meeting. Hopefully, we can. >> So, so a motion to table based on that understanding would be appropriate.
>> All right. So, moved. >> Second. >> Is that Anna? >> Mrs. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Miss Evans. >> Yes. >> Miss Loveman. >> Yes. >> Miss Tory. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dick. Yes. >> Thank you. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, gentlemen.
>> Okay. >> So, we're going to move on to comments from the public. Comments are limited to five minutes. Um, please raise your hand if you would like to. Mr. BTO, state your name and your address and have at it.
>> AJ Barto, 140 two tasker. Um, I just think it's funny that we're sitting here talking about trees. Uh, Fourth of July, you know, event was phenomenal. Um, one thing I would say about native trees to Hannesport, if you don't have half a dozen chainsaws in a 40 foot pocket
truck, you don't want them. Um, after every storm, I clean up massive, massive limbs, widow makers. Um, the reason that I'm up here is because you bring up a valid point of, you know, the trees and everything. Yet, have you been out to that micro forest you planted?
>> That's actually horrendous. >> One of my points. why I didn't actually make it, but I did make it to Andy earlier on today, which is that the micro forest, all of the saplings have died. >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah, because they weren't planted properly. That was a horrible decision. the soil in this town, especially in that field, all that
sand. I mean, it was just I mean, leave it up to the professionals to make these decisions because I'm telling you right now, that was a horrible decision all around and a waste of money to come up and try to extort this man for whatever your trip, I think, is a a huge waste of time and effort, especially as far as
he's came. I've been to the Joint Land News Board meetings. I've seen what he's gone through. Um, you know, that project's been going on for a long time and this town has given him help. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Anybody else? Uh the back. Sorry, Zach. >> He got you. >> He got you by like two seconds. >> Stone Larowway, 114 Branch Street in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Mayor Andy Dick, uh, Deputy Mayor Karen
Tory, and committee members. Thank you to Thank you to Mayor Andy Dick for the invitation tonight. I'm attending as a neighboring resident, a citizen, an observer, and a learner. I'm not here
to speak over anyone or to argue. I'm here to listen and better understand how neighboring communities handle their challenges and governance. Some residents have raised concerns about my posts in community Facebook
groups. Comments like, "Stop this bot from posting," or, "This isn't in scope for our local page." I'd like to clarify. >> I'm not a bot.
I'm a human being. I write in structured format intentionally with citations and references where possible. And I use AI as I write and research tool research tool to organize my thoughts and
challenge my own thinking. Using AI doesn't make me a bot any more than using a calculator makes someone a computer. I also want to be transparent where I stand. I am a Lincoln Republican. I
value diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. I support a woman's rights to make her own healthc care decisions, lawful pathways to asylum and citizenship, and the dignity of our LGBTQ
plus and transgender neighbors. I support small businesses, family farms, truck drivers, warehouse and dock workers, and everyone who keeps our communities and supply chains moving.
I don't consider myself aligned with the current Trump-led Republican party, and I don't believe party loyalty should o outweigh loyalty to constitutional principles and the people elected officials serve.
I support any candidate of any party who governs with integrity and backs their words by action. When someone tells me local pages are
only for local issues, I ask, "Does your municipality receive federal or grant or state grants? If so, government policy and funding
decisions directly shape local budgets, infrastructure, and services, which makes them local issues, too. My goal is isn't to dominate the conversation.
It's to contribute thoughtfully, support what I say with evidence, and stay open to changing my mind. Good ideas have no political party. They come from people willing to listen
and work together. I may communicate differently, but my commitment is simple. Listen more than I speak. Cite my resources
and treat others with dignity [clears throat] even when we disagree. Veritas minute. The truth endures. If I may, I'd also like to give you Yeah. Go ahead.
There is an error, but to remind each of you on the other side for everybody. >> Thank you. >> Have fun. So my words are be kind, love,
and laugh. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. So, I'll uh to to just to comment real quick. Um I So, the page in question is
not a township run page. It's run by me, which I know is a but like I started it well before. Um I'm happy to to sit back and discuss after with you. Anyone who's here can join in the conversation, but I don't think it's appropriate for me to talk from here about non-township run page.
>> So, I'm happy to to to discuss off to the side in in a couple minutes when we're done. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your time. No problem. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Zach. You >> Zachary, 1601 Edwin Street, Painsport, obviously. Um, I just want to say thank
you guys for taking the time. I know the the issue with the buffer zone in Palentine doesn't usually come across to you guys. Um, but I respect the way that you guys took a time to discussion it and table it. Um, it's not just about trees. There is a law that states that
these trees, I'm not a professional on trees. Um, I put gas pipe in for a living. Uh, bigger gas pipe costs more money. Bigger trees, I'm sure, cost more money. So, I appreciate you guys taking the time to think about it and really come
together and push forward what's right for the best for that buffer zone, for that HOA, and for our township moving forward. So, thank you guys. Appreciate it. Thank you, sir. >> Thanks, sir. >> Thank you. Bruce Levenson, two Fox Court. One of the most inspiring aspects of two
of our 250th anniversary celebration was a visible visible expression of patriotism by people who love our country, our culture, and the enduring values upon which our nation was founded. Those values are embodied in our founding documents. Documents rooted
in the ideals of enlightenment, individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, and the Judeo-Christian principles that recognize the God-given rights of individuals and the authority of the people to govern themselves. For 250 years, our constitutional
republic has endured under the oldest written national constitution, still in continuous effect. This is an achievement worthy of our celebration. Thank you every to everyone who helped make our 250th anniversary such an outstanding success.
Lauren and I had the pleasure of working at the information booth where visitors repeatedly commented on commented on the quality of the celebration. Several even asked to give us a hug as a way of expressing their appreciation. Those heartfelt moments reminded us what
a special community Hannesport truly is. As a Liberty Bell reminds us, proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. Happy birthday to all of us and may God bless America.
And now I'd like to turn to a separate matter concerning public accountability. Anna, I'd like to return to a statement you made at April's meeting. During that meeting, you made a very clear
statement. My default is always honesty. That is a simple statement. It's also a measurable statement. Tonight, I'd like to compare that statement with several publicly discussed actions and ask whether they are consistent with the standard you
established for yourself. These are not personal attacks. There are questions about whether your actions have reflected the principle you publicly proclaimed. My default is always honesty. I'm not asking you to defend your
intentions. I'm asking you to explain your actions. First, if your default is always honesty, why was information from what was supposed to be an unreleased committee agenda distributed by you or your associates before the last election? that agenda contained an issue
of particular importance to district 5. How is that consistent with the township's established processes? Second, if your default is always honesty, why was your position on that agenda item effectively communicated before the committee hearing when every
applicant should be reasonably or should reasonably reasonably expect an impartial hearing before the governing body? whether or not you intended to influence that process. Do you recognize it created the appearance that the outcome had already been decided? Third, when you took your oath of
office, you promised to represent all of Hannesport. Yet, important information regarding that proposed development was shared only with District 5 before the election, while the remaining residents received no comparable information. You frequently speak about transparency and
inclusion. If your default is always honesty, how do you reconcile those actions with your promise to represent the entire township? Notice that every one of these questions test the same standard, the one you established. My default is always honesty.
These are not rhetorical questions. They are questions about whether your actions consistently reflected your own stated principle. So, I'll leave you with one final question. When residents compare your statement, my default is always honesty with these
actions and with others that time did not permit me to discuss tonight. Why should they conclude that honesty has consistently guided your actions and decisions? For tonight, I'll let those questions stand on their own. And a public trust
is built on answers, not slogans. But sometimes the answers that remain unanswered tell residents as much as the answers themselves. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bruce. >> Anybody else? >> Name and address.
>> Hello, Nick Scarlet. I live at 601 Hanesport, Metal Road, Hannesport. Um, I'm just up here first. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, committee. Um, to just introduce myself. I am running for committee. Um, and I feel like I'm at work with that presentation that we just
went through, which I kind of know all about that. And that's one of the things that I was actually looking like. It's hard for me to sit there and listen because I do know a lot about that. I was just in one 10 days ago. So, that's some of the things that I think I can bring to the table here. Um, I think I
just really want to get up here, introduce myself, and we live in a town, small town, and I think that we all need to get together in this town. And I think that this town is a wonderful town with a lot of potential, and everybody
needs to get on the same page. And that's why I'm here. I don't need five minutes. I'm just here. I'm not a social media guy. So, I'm very approachable. anybody can come talk to me. Um, I'm going to try and be around a little bit more now so people can do that and uh
answer questions whether I were to win or not. I like to do stuff for this community. It's where I live. I have kids in this community and that's why I'm here. I want the community a great place for everybody to grow up. So, that's about it. And first thing on the agenda would be to fix the PA system in
here. You can't >> You're not the first one to say that. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks, Nick. >> Thanks, Nick. [applause] >> Anybody? Go ahead, Tom. Uh >> oh. >> Slower than you were last week.
>> Yes, sir. >> Hi. Um Tom Mai, 2114 Creek Road, also part of the environmental commission. Um listening to the very difficult listening to be honest with you, uh especially when the uh air goes on. So,
what I could catch, maybe I'm wrong, but what I could catch it sound like on the Palante application will be a um uh another meeting with the professionals and I was thinking um when
I read the charter for the environmental commission, that's what we're supposed to be doing, the environmental commission, and yet it seems like we're left out in the out in the pasture. Uh so I would ask uh we to
include someone from the environmental commission to be part of this so that we can fulfill our responsibilities under the the township's charter. And I think there's um some good things that could happen through that process.
And I'll just say one last thing which is um I'm an environmental professional. I've been doing this for 40ome years. Uh, don't think environmental protection is my optic. It's not. Take down a couple
trees, plant a couple trees. That's my optic. There's a bigger picture for environmental protection that you all should consider. And I think the environmental commission can provide that perspective for you because I haven't heard it yet. And quite frankly,
from Mr. Ponte, I haven't heard a reason why he does not want to comply with the uh township ordinance. or rationale. So that's all. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> So just to set the record straight, I'm
the liazison to the environmental commission. I attend almost every environmental commission meeting. There's a lot of information that goes on that the environmental commission doesn't see that of course I was I was privy to. um which is why I stood up and
mentioned what I did and agreed with a few different options here. So um yeah, I don't I I know you didn't want to offend me, but I don't consider myself myopic. I do think I look at the big picture. Um I think that's one of my strengths being here for the six almost
six years I've been doing this position. Um which is why I suggested that we you know take a look at it again. So thank you. >> Anybody else? online. It's my queue.
>> Uh caller one, if you want to unmute, you have a public comment. >> Okay. Closed comments. >> Motion to close comments. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery. >> Yes. >> Miss Lman. >> Yes. >> Miss Evans? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tory? Yes.
>> Mayor Dick? >> Yes. >> Uh comments from the administrator? >> Sure. Um I just want to make sure that um it's clear, you know, I think that we do communicate well with the environmental commission. You know, I as soon as I received Scott's um letter, I
forwarded everything over to Janice to make sure that the EC is part of this conversation and she could provide um her recommendations and her insight. So, I do appreciate that. It's always nice to to to hear everybody's um part of the conversation. Um,
job announcements have been advertised for the full-time uh tax and finance clerk position, part-time land use board secretary position, and the part-time fire official position. Um, our fire official, George Meyers, has uh officially clicked the button. He is
done uh on September 1st for full retirement. Uh we are accepting these applications until next Friday, July 24th. Um, I had the pleasure of sitting in on the pre-construction meeting for the Randolph Senior Estates project. Uh, that was last week. They anticipate
starting the end of July and will be complete the end of 2027 with that entire project. Would like to thank Jen and Paula Tyver for all of their hard work and time getting the new website launched. Uh, that was done yesterday. Um, hope
hopefully everybody jumps on that site. you if you're already part of our email blast, you should have received one. Um it is so much more user friendly. Um visually so much nicer and way easier to navigate. So we're super excited um to launch that for the community. Um again,
I'm going to thank everybody again for the 250th. Um it's always such a pleasure to be a part of such a huge event. Um that was my prior career for 20 years, so it's always fun to dip my toes back into those largescale events. Um, more specifically, I do want to
thank everybody who was involved. Uh, Hannesport Fire Company and also for the good of the the room just to see how many people were involved to make that event such a success. Hannesport Fire Company. I can't even tell you how many volunteers were here from the fire company, the mutual aid fire companies.
I know the chief from Mount Holly was here. our Hannesport Fire Police officers, Lumberton Emergency Squad, they had five rigs here and ready to go, not only to serve the needs of our event and the people here, but also the community. Um, just their support is
amazing. Thanks to Under Sheriff, Burlington County under Sheriff OD Carr. Um, he was part of our planning meetings. He was kind enough to provide us with uh sheriff's officers in support. our Mount Holly neighboring Mount Holly police chief Cliff Spencer
was amazing. Our fire official George Meyers, he was also our emergency management coordinator for that night. Deputy Mayor Tory, uh the 250th committee, the governing body, uh Donna Casey, Sue Sue Derekson, the Levenson family, uh my own family, which was kind
of cool. Um all the public works staff, all five of those guys were here. Guy Hessle for being here all night long. took over a thousand pictures, shared them with us and everybody in four different formats. He's amazing. I don't know how he does what he does, but all the other volunteers and staff um that
really helped make last Saturday's event a huge success. Thousands of residents and visitors were here to celebrate our nation's 250th and I know that they left with a real sense of why Hannesport is so special. Um we do things well. we do
things right every single time. Um, welcome Scott to the to the Hannesport Work family. Um, and also Emily Haver. She could not be here tonight. Um, looking forward to working with both of you in your respective areas of expertise. Um, I do strongly
believe that their work and contribution will improve our continued services to the residents of Hannesport. >> Thank you, Solicitor John. Um, I actually just want to thank you for reading the Declaration of Independence. Uh, you know, we remember, we hold these
truths to be self-evident. Remember those lines. We don't get the chance to hear the whole thing, right? Um, and I think you should do it every year, not just on the 250th. >> No, seriously, it's it's it's it's our
foundation, right? and and to think that the war actually lasted five more years, right? The actual battle for independence lasted five years after that was signed and then the peace treaty didn't get signed for two more years after that, right? So, it's not
just 1776. It continued and that was a I mean, I just love reading those books and watching that stuff. But anyway, I just wanted to thank you for for doing that because we need to be reminded of the grievances. We need to rem be reminded of of where it all started. I
thank you. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> All right, let's go to comments from the committee. Start with Anna again. >> Okay. Uh I'd like to thank uh Jen Gumlson and everyone else who was involved in our very enjoyable employee cookout on June the 25th. Annie, you are
a great hot dog chef. I just want to say that. Mhm. >> Um then I think um Paula covered everyone, but I just wanted uh to add my thanks to everyone who was involved in the um wonderful celebration on July the 4th. It was incredible and so many
people have come up to me since and said that they really enjoyed it. The fireworks were amazing. Hannesport does the best events. So apart from that, thank you all for coming. Uh have a great night and go England versus Argentina.
>> Okay. once. >> So, um just to continue with um Paintport Celebrates America's 250th um anniversary. Uh just loved working with Karen and and our just great committee. I I'll mention names, but I'll forget
people and Paul did such a great job in going through it. Our public works, our fire, the Lumberton emergency squad, um just great all the committee that we were all there. Um, I have four adult children. We're at the shore. We're on
vacation right now actually and all came back and I didn't really have to twist arms. They wanted to come back to their hometown. Uh, wanted to come back for their hometown. They were here two years ago uh when we had our 100th anniversary and we had tremendous fireworks and um our administration was very much on top
of things and said, "Hey, what are you doing two years from now on July 4th?" So, we got him again. So, kudos. And I was told by one of the state, I don't know if he was the senator or who he was, that Hannesport had on the top five fireworks in the state. So, no surprise
because if anybody was there, we know they were unbelievable. [applause] >> I I truly wish we could do it every year. I It would be incredibly cost prohibitive um to do it, but it was just wonderful. John, I I appreciate you're acknowledging the reading of the
Declaration of Independence because that was one of the things that um that um I had spearheaded and we did it on the ETH and just learning so much about it and those vocabulary words are pretty big. But yeah, I had to look a few of them [laughter] up. I think all I also love
uh Anna with the British accent reading it. I thought that was really cool. Yeah, it was really cool about it with with passion. Um so it was just such a pleasure um doing it and again it's going to continue right as as John had mentioned it it this went on the the
battle went on but really the words that went into this and the five signers and the 56 people that signed it sacrificed their their lives their livelihood their families to doing this. Um and I it would be a great thing to read it every
year. That would be for another committee to decide, but um um really uh tremendous. Um I could go on and on. I'm sure other people are going to add more to it, so I'll I'll leave it at that. Um but I'm also happy that my third daughter was finally able to sing the
national anthem and be up on stage with um Don Joy, which was fantastic, and our DJ, it was great. Um affordable housing, just really great to see Randolph Senior Estates coming moving forward with that. We've worked a long long time on that.
Um, [snorts] congratulations to Emily Haber and Scott Mitchell for joining our Hannesport family. Look forward to having you in some important roles. So, uh, so thank you both for doing that. Um, really happy that the final adoption of the data center um, prohibition ordinance
has been put into place. Um, I look forward to working more with Sam and Paula and Taylor Design to come up with a compromise um with the tree ordinance there that again I was involved in with the environmental commission and working on that in the first place. So um
looking forward to doing that and um God bless Hannesport, God bless America. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Um I also want to thank everybody the sponsors for the 250th, the employees, the volunteers and the
commun community for uh participating in the event. It was um it was very hot and so the fact that we had such a huge turnout was really nice. Um I understand that this tree ordinance has come to us and moving forward it will go to the board. Um the Jub
what I would like to say is that I would hope to see that they have the same due diligence when it comes to questioning our developers in our area. Um because not only what they do now affects here and now, but it will affect our future and the future residents of of that um
HOA. Um so I hope they would do the same thing. And um I do believe that with Paula's help and everything that we're going to get this finalized for them and you know hopefully all parties are satisfied and able to meet the standards that we here at Hannesport want to
withhold uphold. Um otherwise thank you for coming and participating in democracy >> um >> wait thank you for participating in democracy. >> Yes. Well put. Sorry, but just >> well put.
>> Um, and McKenna, she did she she did a great job. We were so happy. >> Absolutely beautiful. >> Stepping in at the last minute. She was wonderful. Outstanding. >> The the joke was um uh McKenna, can you sing that national anthem? Yeah, sure. Hold my beer. [laughter]
>> She She did have a little more notice than that, but that was >> not much. Not much. Um, so I'd just like to say that I was kind of quiet when when we were talking about the trees and um, I told Janice before that she amazes me with her knowledge of all these trees and she is
on the Jub. So, it's really nice to have her input when we're talking about these things. So, I really appreciate you, Janice. Thank you. And um I would like to say that that um I do always think that Scott really puts a lot of time and effort into all of this and he
thinks very carefully and sometimes I think he's maybe a little too strict on some of these residents but um that he's very careful. So I think that you guys will all be able to come together and I'll support whatever um decision that you make. Um so I'd like to say
congratulations to H and to HK and to D. It was wonderful to see the current Jay Love members here today to show their respect for them. Um it was truly an honor to have known him and to have called him a friend and to be my friend.
So with that um I'm very happy that we acknowledged him today. So with that, I'd just like to say thank you all for coming. God bless you. God bless Hannesport. God bless America. >> Thank you. So I'll be brief. Um, I've already thanked all of the many, many,
many people online and in person hopefully for Fourth of July, but I do want to give a couple of people an extra little shout out. Um, these are people that showed up on Saturday and or Sunday morning by around 6:00 a.m. or some people 7:07 on Sunday. Um, having very
little to do with it other than wanting to help whether it was to set up or to clean up. So Jason Hancock, AJ Bardau, Rick Murphy and his kids, Shelby Mar, Bruce Levenson, Mike Lac, all of them showed up, like I said, crack of dawn to
get things started. And these are not people that necessarily have like an intimate role. They just wanted to be helpful. So I do appreciate that on top of all the other people that had a very large role in making this happen. So thank you to all of them. And um the last thing I want to say is um and this
is more uh for Donna. when uh you asked me to read the preamble, um I have to admit I was not exactly excited about that. It's a lot of big words. It's a lot of people to say it in front of and it was really hot. Um but sitting up there and on the 250th birthday of our
country on 4th of July in a small town staring out getting ready to have our fireworks, there was definitely a sense of pride in doing that that I was not I'm not used to acknowledging in the moment. So I do thank you, Donna. that was something that I think was one much more wellreceived than I anticipated,
but I also enjoyed being up there and being able to do that. So, I so I do thank you for for the idea and for pushing it through. Um, and with that, um, let's close comments from the committee and pay some bills. >> Make a motion that we close comments.
>> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery, >> yes. >> Miss Evans, >> yes. >> Mrs. Loveman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Tory, >> yes. >> Mayor Dicks, >> yes. >> Make a motion we pay some bills. Second, >> Mr. [snorts] Montgomery, >> yes. >> Mrs. Tory, >> yes. >> Mrs. Evans, >> yes. >> Mrs. Loveman, >> yes. >> Mayor Dick,
>> yes. Let's adjourn at 8:20. Motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Montgomery? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Evans? >> Yes. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. >> There we go. >> I was live. >> Sorry. [laughter] >> I'm hungry. >> You were happy.
>> Yeah.