Adequate notice of the April 9th, 2026 regular meeting of the township committee has been provided in accordance with the open public meetings act by posting written notice and agenda of the meeting on a bulletin board in the municipal building 100 count of handover and by posting the same on the
official website and by delivering such notice to the following newspapers Morris County Daily Record Hover Eagle and by following the same with the township clerk. >> Roll call. Committeeman Cahill here, >> Committee Manoska, Committ Franci >> here, >> Committeeman Malco, Mayor Gallagher
here, five members in attendance. Please stand and join us for the pledge of allegiance. And please remain standing as lead. I alian to the flag of the United States of America
for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Almighty God, please watch over and guide this governing body with abundance of wisdom and understanding to help make the best decisions for our residents.
Please bless our first responders and township volunteers who help keep us all safe. Also bless our township employees and residents. Lastly, please let us pray for the men and women of the US armed forces who stand vigil over us always. Amen. Amen. Thank you.
>> Good evening everyone. First on the agenda, we have the approval of the township committee meeting minutes of March 12th. May I please have a motion to approve the meeting minutes? >> Second. >> All in favor? is so approved. Next on
the agenda, we have letters of communications. The first letter is a letter of resignation from design engineer project manager Isaac Raymond, effective March 31st, 2026. The second is a letter of retirement from police department matron Ray Anne
Wallace, effective March 31st, 2026. And lastly, I have a letter of resignation from Deputy Court Administrator Ailen Delgado, effective April 17th, 2026. May I please have a motion to approve the letters of communication? >> So moved. Second.
>> All in favor? I. >> So approved. Did I meant to say that it was a letter of retirement from police department matron? I'm sorry I said resignation. Next on the agenda is the public hearing and consideration of adopting the 2026 municipal current fund
budget in the amount of 33,813,7541. Proof of publication that the current fund budget appeared in full in the daily record on March 19th and also on the township website on March 13th according with law. At this time, may I please have a motion to convene the
public hearing on the 2026 current fund budget? >> I have a second. All in favor? >> Is there anyone chambers wishing to be heard concerning the 2026 municipal current fund budget? If so, please state
your name and address for the record. >> Gary Kaiser Township. First of all, like to thank the county committee and all the department heads that worked on this budget. When you first sat down to work on this budget, the tax increase was up
here. You came down to here and it's a lot of work to do that on the budgets. And I know your pension your pension bill and healthc care bill is probably the most biggest item in your budget.
It's it's a lot of work. And the problem we have is Governor Christie back in 2010 put a 2% cap on your prior year's budget. You can't go above your 2% on your BUDGETS
here in 26 2026. Things are out of control. When I say out of control, that 2% isn't cutting your budgets. before you have to add your your budget. The problem here I see our legislators,
you generally can't do it. They need to look at that 2% cap and raise it. That's not going to happen cuz you're going to raise taxes. So, they're not going to do that. The other problem we have is the I believe in the fair share. We have the
the um pay you on your you go out to work you there's a um what are you calling your unions is your prevailing wages prevailing wages yes
your prevailing wages you hire a contractor is out of control New Jerseyy's right to work state and the prevailing wages have to come down or something has to happen like I said it's not up to you
gentlemen It's up to our state legislators. The board of educations are in the same predicament that you are. Look for our own town. Every time you pick up the paper, layoffs, transfers, whatever they're doing, it's because of the high
cost of our pay cost, your pension and your um your healthcare. But anyway, besides that, you did a good job on doing it. The only other thing is it appears on your
capital projects two years ago. You're going to put capital projects off to another year. You keep putting them off. You keep putting them off. When is this going to stop where we can start doing your capital projects? Department of Public
Works needs equipment. Our roads, there are money. There is money back in the budget for the roads. There's a lot of other things that are attached. You can't keep kicking the can down a road or you're going to be in a lot of trouble in the future if not now.
But thank you for putting that budget together. Thank you very comments. Gary, this is for everybody. Some of you may or may not know that I'm a vice president of the Mars County League municipalities. We've all been talking quite a bit about
our budgets. Um, I have a lot of information about a lot of surrounding municipalities. Not every municipality is the same, although we have a lot of similarities. Our tax increase this year is one of the
best ones, period. It's very, very good, very low, which is consistent with Hannib Township. And I'm very proud to say last year our infrastructure improvement cost was $1.9 million. We realize we have to do more and more for
our infrastructure. This year our infrastructure improvement is $4 million. So we're doing all the above. We're working as hard as we could to be as aggressive as possible, keeping our tax rate down. And we're also working as hard as we
could to do as much as we can with that money. There's a lot of things that we can't do, but also H Township is in the front on seeking out grants and different ways to subsidize improvements in our town that are well needed and
long overdue. So Gary, thanks for your kind words. I know you spent a lot of time working with us and you saw what we started with. You saw what we got to and I think counter township's in pretty good shape. And if anyone has any more comments, the floor is still open for the budget. Otherwise, I'll ask for a
motion to close. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> May I have a motion to adopt the 2026 current fund municipal budget? >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> May I have a roll call? Committeeman Cahill. >> I. >> Committeeman Baramaska.
>> Hi. >> Committeeman Francioli. >> Hi. >> Committee Malco. >> Yes. >> Mayor Gallagher. >> Hi. >> So adopted. So Chris, I just want to thank Sylvio Espazito. Uh we take a lot of credit for a lot of this work and we do put a lot of time into it, but we have an incredible CFO
and Sylvio. Thank you very very much. You are absolute the absolute best. You really are and we appreciate you and Hannah appreciates you. So thank you, sir. >> Excellent. >> Thank you, Kristen. >> You're welcome. Next order of business is the public
hearing for the exterior repair and restoration of the Tuttle House. But before I begin, I would like to ask our business administrator to provide us with the purpose of this hearing. >> Okay. Thank you, Kristen. >> You're welcome. So, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I'm pleased to
see that there are a number of members of our distinguished landmark commission and cultural arts committee present this evening. and I think they will will appreciate what we are about to to embark upon. Um, I'd like first of all
for those who are not familiar with the Tuttle House just to give a thumbnail sketch uh about the Tuttle House before we talk about the actual proposed restoration of the Tut House. Uh the
tunnel house is located at 341 Route 10 East uh just uh east of um the Troy Hills Jug handle. That home was built in 1796
by Samuel Tuttle and after Samuel Tuttle's u demise it went on to his grandson Joseph Tuttle and the Tuttle House remained in the
Tuttle house in the Tuttle family uh from 1796 until 1913 for 117 years before it was sold to Levvena Bowmont. And Levvena Bowmont
then uh had that house until 1924 in her possession. In 1924, she sold it to the Sparta family. And for 97 years, the Tunnel House was in the possession of
the Sparta family. Uh back in 2020, the Spot family approached the township and um asked whether or not we would be interested in um receiving it as a donation and the township committee at
that time said yes. Um the Tuttle House is on the New Jersey register and on the Federal Register of Historic Places and it has been since 1941. So, it's a very old and um kind of
venerated site in Hanover Township. It's one of our oldest um buildings, one of our oldest colonial buildings that have survived over the years. But the house has deteriorated to such an extent that it
requires interior and especially exterior renovation. In 2023, the township committee applied for a grant through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund and we were awarded a grant in the amount of
$338,300 which also requires a 20 cent a 20% township match. In 2023, the township also applied for a New Jersey historic preservation grant. And thank God we
were awarded a grant in the amount of $539,250. So what we're about to do is embark upon a phase one. And the phase one would include the spot repair of masonry, wood
cladding, restoration, repair to the uh windows and also painting the structure. And there are certain regulations that you have to follow. You can't just go out go out and slap a coat of paint on the building. There are requirements
under the federal and state regulations that require that individuals, consultants who have uh a lot of experience and expertise in working on restoration of historic buildings have
to follow. So what we had to do, what the engineering had to do, uh the engineering department worked with Clark Kaitton hints, our consultant to prepare um a pre-qualification package, which
means that only certain architectural groups who have that experience and expertise to uh help preserve and protect an historic structure can dig
on the on the proposal. So, that's what we're about to be uh embark upon. And the pre-qualification requires a very stringent um a string a very stringent um work to be
done through the um secretary of the interior standards for the treatment of historic properties and also subject to the requirements of the Mars County Historic Preservation Trust Fund. So, uh, that's what it's all about. And at
this time, I would ask for a motion to convene the public hearing. >> Motion, please. Second. All >> in favor? I. >> Is there anyone in chambers wishing to be heard concerning the exterior repair and restoration of the Tuttle House? If
so, please state your name and address for the record. and I could stand up without making noises. It is sad. My name is Mike Jnitzki. I am the chairman of the Lmark Commission. I
am the chairman of the 250 350 committee of town for the various celebrations of this year. I live at number 57 Oak Boulevard, Cedar Nullles. And I would like to add just a little thing
to what Joe said. I'd like to humanize it a little bit in that the woman who donated the home to Hanover Township was one of our neighbors. She had been a neighbor
from when she moved into the Tuttle House at age three in 1923. And she was a neighbor until the day she passed, still living in that home for 97
years. And when I tell the story, I say she almost lived a hundred years in the same house, which is incredibly rare. The reason that house should be preserved is not just that it was built in 1796.
The reason it should be preserved is it's 4,000 square ft of unique home in unique location physically next to the Whippony burying yard. That area has been dubbed Whippony Historic because
the amount of history in that tiny little area is incredible. The that that Whippony is 100 years older than the United States. Can't be seen in that area. But across from that
house is the hill where the first television broadcast in history was transmitted from. About a 100 yards away from that house is the location of the first iron forge in northwest New Jersey. The one that started a giant
iron industry. That house is physically across the street from the railroad museum, from a fire museum. The Whippony Burying Yard will become or is a living museum because we give tours of it all
the time. So we are in the process of creating literally a historic district out of what is right now labeled Whipony Historic. And other towns have such areas and other towns take their children to their town museums to
understand the incredible history of the town. And we do not have any museum in town that talks about the history of our town. And the value of a of a museum of that sort is that you teach your
children to be proud of the ground that they walk on and to take pride in the fact that their ancestors have done great things because we did great things in this town. And when you point to the future, we will be doing more great
things. And so preserving that house is so incredibly important. So I thank you very much for your attention to the home and we're grateful to you. Thank you. Anyone else?
My name is Agnes Lachland. I live at 25 Apple Tree Lane. I just have a simple question. How long do you think this process is going to take? >> Well, this is phase one. Um, first thing we have out and solicit uh through the
pre-qualification project process the qualified biders. Um Jerry, do you think um you can address that question on how long it might take? >> No, I I really can't once we have a contractor um
um engaged. U they'll have to provide a project schedule. Um and at that point, we'll have a better idea of how long that process will take. I really don't I really couldn't afford a guest right now. >> Okay. I just wondered, it's already been 5 years since we started this process
and got these grants and every year that house gets older, more things go wrong with it. So, the sooner the better, actually. Okay, that's it. Thank you for your >> Thank you for your comments. >> I think it's important to note uh that
uh I'm sure Brian can even comment on this. This first phase is to protect the integrity and the the house itself um between uh work on the windows, work on the uh clabs, work on the paint, etc. is
to seal the house better against the weather. If we don't do something in this first phase, there won't be a second phase. So, it's critically important that we we uh stabilize the home from the exterior and the weather. So, that's that's very important.
Just to end with what Ron just said is in 2002 I did a very big job on Ellis Island, the portion not open to the public. And they spent a fortune on what they classified as containment. And containment is going to save you a
fortune in the long run if you want to preserve the structure. And this is more or less containing those lines here. and then preparing to preserve the structure and then move forward with the structure cuz we're also looking at a lot of money and we just discussed with with Gary and
the public the importance of of balancing our budget but this is going to preserve what we have in a much much better way and in that category of containment. Okay, my name is Greg B. I live at 12 Whippony and I just have one simple question. You're talking about
phase one. What is the timeline for phase one? Phase one is a generic kind of thing that can start at any time. When is it going to start? >> Well, we're now ready, sir, to go out and seek the pre-qualified biders, and
there's stringent requirements for those biders uh to apply in the whole process. Now, as Jerry Mer pointed out, we really don't have a timeline on how long that would take. Do you have a contractor or any people
that you can submit bids to? That's what this process is all about. The governing body has to adopt the regulations for pre-qualification. Once that we go through this process, then we can then solicit for biders. >> Okay. So, we haven't gotten to the point
of soliciting for bids yet. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. I'm glad you raised that point. If I might, mayor, members of township committee, there are criteria that have to be followed when we go out with this pre-qualification. Very quickly, I'd just like to read
those pre-qualification requirements into the record. Number one, the prospective bidder acting as a general contractor shall have experience in project supervision and administration of historic preservation projects. Two,
the prospective bidder superintendent manager shall have experience in project supervision and administration of historic preservation projects. Three, the prospective bidder must not have wrongfully defaulted on a contract for
non-performance within the past 5 years. Four, the prospective bidder must not have been denied a consent of shorty bid bond on performance bond within the past 12 months. Five, the prospective letter must provide the name and title of all
principal members. And six, a list of all current projects underway to demonstrate ability to adhere to project completion schedule. So what all that means is that once we go out and we receive bids, we have to make sure that
these six criteria are met to the extent that they're required by the state. And to your point, Joe, that criteria limits the number of contractors that could potentially bid and then once they do bid, depending on how many we get,
right, we do have to look over them and and approve them. And sometimes we've been in situations where biders are not qualified for one reason or another. It's not only about the best price certain criteria. So it's a process. Anyone else like to comment on this
item? >> Motion to close. Second. >> May I have a second? All in favor to close. >> I. Now, may I have a motion to approve the pre-qualification regulations to qualify biders for the exterior repair and restoration of the tunnel house? May I have a motion?
>> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call. Committeeman Cahill. >> I committ. >> Committeeman Francioli. >> I. >> Committeeman Mahalo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Gallagher. >> Hi. >> So approved. Thank you everyone.
Next is the public hearing and adoption of ordinances 17, 18, 19, and 20. I'm going to begin with 17 and 18 first. Proof of publication that ordinance 17 and 18 and the notice of introduction
appeared in full on the township's website under legal notices on March 18th. At this time, may I have a motion to convene the public hearing on ordinances 17 and 18? Second. >> All in favor?
>> Is there anyone in chambers wishing to be heard concerning ordinance 17 or 18? If so, please state your name and address for the record. Hearing none, may I have a motion to close the public hearing? May I have a second? All in favor?
>> Now an adoption. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 17-2026 and 18-2026? May I have a second? >> Second. Roll call. Committee Cahill. Yes. Committeeman Farasa. Committeeman Francioli. Hi. Committeeman Malco. Yes.
Mayor Gallagher. >> So adopted. Next is a public hearing of ordinance 19-2026. I'd like to state for the record that ordinance 192026 is a land use ordinance. And this ordinance was sent to the Morris County Planning and
Preservation Office as required by the municipal land use law. And in addition, the law also required the township to submit the ordinance to the five contiguous municipalities. Ordinance 1920, 2022 was also referred to the planning board for their
recommendation and referral. And in a letter dated March 17, 2026 from planning board vice chair Robert Deian, it is stated that if adopted, ordinance 192026 would adopt special regulations for hospitals and large ambulatory healthc
care service facilities and would establish illuminated standards for onremise multiple message signs, message signs, excuse me. The planning board has reviewed the amendments proposed by ordinance 192026 for consistency with the township's
master plan. The master plan contains no specific recommendations that pertain to the proposed amendments. However, the board believes that the ordinance is substantially consistent with the intent of the OS zone district in the plan. So, at this time, may I please have a motion
to convene the public hearing on ordinance 19-2026? Move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Is there anyone in chambers wishing to be heard concerning ordinance 19? If so, please state your name and address for the record.
Seeing none, hearing now on adoption. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 19-2026? >> I have a second. >> That was Brian. >> Yes. >> On roll call. Committeeman Cahill. >> Yes. >> Committee Faroska. Committeeman Francioli.
>> Hi. Committeeman Mahalo. Yes. Mayor Gallagher. >> Hi. >> So adopted. >> Chris, I just want to make one comment on this one. >> We still can't talk too much about this one, but it's a great great benefit to Hannib Township, but I do want to say
Blaze, uh, you did incredible work on this in lightning speed and two revisions. And I want to say thank you. We appreciate it. I appreciate it. And I do also want to take this time to recognize that this is Blaze's last meeting with us. Uh Blaze is going to
retire. You have one more >> meeting public. >> I'd say this is Blaze's last public meeting with us. So uh Blaze, thank you very much on behalf of everybody. You've done incredible work in your hands. Please take us over to the
Chimney Rock after this. Please. Yes. >> Moving on to next is the public hearing of ordinance 20-2026. Like to state for the record, ordinance 2026 is a land use ordinance and the ordinance was sent to the Morris County Planning and Preservation Office as
required by the municipal land use law. In addition, the law also required township to submit the ordinance to the five contiguous municipalities. Ordinance 2026 was also referred to the planning board for their recommendation and referral. In a letter dated March
17th, 2026 from planning board vice chair Robert Deian, it is stated that if adopted, ordinance 2026 would one amend the definition of motor vehicle repair or maintenance establishments to include body shops and similar establishments.
Two, update and amend the regulations for the number of principal buildings on a lot to permit more than one principal building on a lot and an industrial zone districts. and three, clarify the guidelines for permitting certain combinations of uses. The planning board
has reviewed the amendments proposed by ordinance 2026 for consistency with the township's master plan. The master plan contains no specific recommendations that pertain to pertain to the proposed amendments. However, the board believes that the ordinance is substantially
consistent with the intent of the master plan. At this time, may I have a motion to convene the public hearing on ordinance 20-2026? So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Is there anyone in chambers wishing to
be heard concerning any I'm sorry of ordinance 20-2026? If so, please state your name and address for the record. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is John Kap. I'm an attorney at Herald Law in Warren Township, New Jersey. Represent Thomas Ford. These are
property located 715 route 10 attached that owner. We're here this evening to object to ordinance 2020 2020 2026. It's our position that the ordinance is inconsistent with the master plan not withstanding the findings of the
planning board. And instead of me testifying as to the consistency of a planning documents, I have here with me this evening, professional planner Donald, and I would like her to come up
here right now and speak as to her opinion on the consistency of this ordinance with the town master plan. >> Good evening. My name is Donald Holquist. The last name is spelled H O L M QV like in Victor I S T. I'm the CEO
and founder of Preferred Planning Group. We are professional planners based in Montfield, New Jersey. My firm was retained by Mr. Fuller to look at the ordinance and the master plan and render an opinion on the consistency or as I
see it the inconsistency of this ordinance with the master plan. And I would like to just outline a few remarks for uh your consideration this evening as you uh deliberate. I looked at the 2021 land use element,
your uh development regulations as they are now in addition to this proposed ordinance. It is my opinion that this ordinance is inconsistent with your land use plan element uh for the following reasons. Firstly, uh it will result in
peace meal development particularly with regard to the IB3 uh district. Um the land use plan element is very clear where it talks about coordinated development uh assembling smaller sites,
integrating uh these sites into larger development uh to promote lesser driveways, less transportation conflicts, etc. Uh in my opinion, this ordinance does not preserve and strengthen residential areas. Adjoining
the IB3 zone are two existing affordable housing developments. They are in the AH1 district and the RB. We know them to be Hover Hills and Willows at Cedar Nulls. I do not think that these ordinance changes enhance and strengthen
those residential areas. regarding no specific recommendations. That was a a determination of the planning board in reviewing uh the consistency of this ordinance. Um I offer a different opinion. I see an overall policy uh that talks about
limiting the floor areas. Um again, parcel assembly and the overall flavor of your land use plan element seems to be speaking against smallcale development in this IB3 area. Um, in my
opinion, the ordinance as proposed undermines the master plan goals of coordinated development and residential protections. Again, in my opinion, this ordinance, if implemented and adopted, will result in fragmentation, over intensification, and
a lack of coordinated development. Thank you for your attention. Anyone else like to comment on this one? See none here. Fred, you've closed the per could give us, you know, some some of
his thoughts on the consistency determination just for the record because Mr. this whole class had given you know her opinion about this master plan uh consistency determination please if it would be okay as if you thought that be
>> yes okay firstly to explain the ordinance um the ordinance talking about ordinance 20 here uh which affects all the industrial
not the IV3. Uh the first the definition of motor vehicle uh repair establishment to include body shops and for many years they have not
been included. Um but things have changed with body shops and not what we used to think of when you think of a body shop or highly regulated by the state. Uh much cleaner and quieter than
the state. In fact shops. So we do permit the auto repair just changing the definition to include those. So the feeling was is that the restriction, the exclusion of body shops and we have body shops in town that have
not generated complaints or uh issues is that we should amend the code to permit those. Uh and again that's not unique to the industrial zone. Um that's all zones.
The master plan doesn't have a definition for repair in it. So the plan did not feel that change was a substantial departure from the master plan. Um the section two
permission more than one principal building on a lot in the industrial zones and this was discussed at the pl when the referral came and the feeling was is that there wasn't really any sound
reason that would justify the exclusion of one principal buildings to permit 100,000t building or 250,000t buildings. There was no real reason why that would be a bad thing. One principal
building and one large accessory building which is currently permitted wouldn't have much real difference then having one principal building and one another principal building. Um so it's it's not the number of buildings that is
an issue and to not allow that just in in a number of cases would to just be overburdensome restriction and that's what the board felt the master plan does not speak about limiting these zones to
one principal building. So the board did not feel that it was inconsistent with the master plan uh policies that are stated in the in the document. Um and the last section um
well not the last section section three talks about certain combinations of uses that are considered incompatible considered incompatible with each other. They're not allowed unless the developer
can demonstrate that they'll work together. And the only amendment in this was not to change that policy, but to clarify that policy. And then all it did was to explain some of the criteria that should be looked at when looking at determining
whether they're compatible or not. So there wasn't wasn't a change in policy from the existing code. It was just a change in clarifying what you should consider and we're looking at uh two uses that may or may
not be incompatible but which the applicant can demonstrate. If they can demonstrate that they are compatible and they won't be a problem with each other then they can be allowed. Um the other sections of the code deal with uh again
the idea of more than one principal building where specific zones and not all by the way all industrial zones prohibit more than one principal building some permit more than one and yet we've not seen any complaints or negative circumstances that have
resulted from that. So again to revisit that one thing the board felt a the master plan doesn't really have a policy about number of principal buildings on a lot and uh so to say that it's inconsistent to
allow more than one principal building on a lot and uh the board could not see any justification for doing so and did not feel that it was incompatible with uh with the zones are there for
that was a great answer and I just want to say that once again this is consistent with what many municipalities are facing today in repurposing industrial zones because we've all accepted the fact that there is no longer going to be a tool and die company coming in like there was in 1970
uh to take up these industrial areas and what can we do to make them more modern and benefit Hanover Township in a very very good way and I'm glad you touched on body shop because I personally haven't mentioned body shop yet, but I
also want to refer to 1970 with when body shops were big back in the old days and I'm old enough to remember this. Uh they had nitrous stand and bondo. They had sanders going all day long. Um now it's more or less part replacement and
the technology and the safety and the respect to the environment. It it it's it's an incredible opportunity for Hannib Township and it's consistent with us trying to repurpose old outdated industrial areas to benefit all of us. So Blaze, I appreciate your answer and
again great great work on this and we struggled with this for a very long time. Chris, that's my comment. Yes, >> in addition from the planning perspective as director of planning, I can echo the commentary of the planner as well as the mayor regarding the
industrial zones trying to repurpose these industrial zones. And equally as importantly, for those of you who might not remember about it, um the area which we're talking about was commonly referred to New Jersey planner maybe about 15 years ago as the miracle on
handover avenue. And what drove miracle on handover avenue was the predicate to that was aggregation. That period of aggregation has come to completion. We're now at a point where we're in the synergistic period. So, I do believe
that, you know, this ordinance speaking speaks well to that and and allows that there's multiple uses, multiple uh principal uses on the same lot facilitates that as well as the purpose of the drive-thru cuts. So, I
think from a planning standpoint, board saw this, supported it, and that's why we're here tonight for this, and I would motion to advance this. I would second that motion. >> Okay. So, I'm going to try now on
adoption. I'll have John as the first mayor as the second on roll call. Committee Cahill, >> committeeman fara, committeeman Franci, committee, >> mayor Gallagher.
adopted being that this ordinance was adopted and there was a question about whether or not it's consistent with the master plan. Anybody may recall that in instances where the planning board says that a
orance is inconsistent with the master plan. What happens is you adopt an ordinance and then you adopt a resolution explaining your reasons for adopting the ordinance and that is called basically I think the term is really an override to the planning
board's consistency inconsistency determination I think it would be appropriate just for clarification since it's been raised let's just say in the event someone were to determine that the ordinance was inconsistent with the master
What I'd like to recommend would be a a resolution at this point in time uh to state the reasons which myself and Mr. Branch could give to the governing body for your consideration. It's basically reating what you just talked about why
you adopted the ordinance if that would be okay. Uh, so if I could just ask uh Christa if we could just give a resolution number and then I would just
go over what the terms of the resolution would be. if I can just >> 92 >> 92 resolution 926 >> 2026 and that would be a resolution to
um explain the basis for the adoption of 20-26 in this case the determination that the is consistent with the master plan and the governing body has
considered rules 20-26 as well as comment and also discussion information provided by the township plan and the govern body has considered
that information and determined and adopted or 20-26 based upon the following for the following reasons. One that the orates would otherwise be building restrictions
in principal number of buildings for uh such development as as indicated by Mr. And that there is states to address incompatibilities
and to encourage compatible structures on site. And the governing body also felt it was important to repurpose the industrial zones and provide more development opportunities.
for the actual zones that are in question here and Mr. B discussion as to why the governing body adopted the essence of the restriction against body
shops. I think is is part of the testimony that I offered that uh with current regulations and practices the body shots are not as offensive and there is no need to exclude them.
Thank you. So those reasons to discuss mayor of the governing body which is really the appropriate way to consider what we call an over resolution and unless there's any other reasons I would ask if that could be a motion and
a second for consideration motion second. I'll do a roll call. Hi Commander Veramosco. Hi. >> Committee man Francoli. Hi. >> Command Mahalo. Yes. Mayor Gallagher, >> the override resolution is so approved.
>> Thank you. You're welcome. Good job. Thank you. Welcome back. Thank you, Mayor. >> Okay. Next on the agenda, I'd like to introduce ordinance number 21-2026, 22-2026, 23-2026,
and 24-2026. like to read each title into the record, please. Ordinance 212026 an ordinance of the township committee of the township of handover amending and supplementing ordinance 10-2025
and chapter 61 of the code of the township entitled salaries and compensation personnel poly policies which chapter establish regulations and rates of compensation for the officers and full-time and part-time civilian non-union employees of the township of
handover. Ordinance number 22-2026, an ordinance of the township committee of the township of handover authorizing the execution of a lease agreement with the handover soccer club incorporated in operating the B Meadow Park Brickyard
concession facilities retroactive to March 28th, 2026 through July 1st, 2026. Ordinance number 23-2026, an ordinance of the township committee of township of handover authorizing the execution of a lease agreement with the
Scouting America Scouts BSA Troop 155 in operating the Betal Park Brickyard Concession Facility July 6th 13th 20th 27th 2026 during the township's live vocal concert.
Ordinance number 24, 2026, an ordinance of the township committee. I'm sorry, an ordinance of the township of panel over Mars County, New Jersey, amending article 21, conditional uses and article 35IB, I-B3 industrial business district in
order to amend the development regulations for the I-B3 zone district. I'd like to state for the record that the ordinances and the respective notice of introductions will be published in the full in full on the township's
website under legal notices accordance with law. Public hearing is scheduled for May 14th, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. If any member of the public would like to be heard regarding these ordinances, they be given the opportunity to do so on that evening. May I please have a motion
to introduce ordinances 21-2026, 22-2026, 23-2026, and 24-2026? So move. May >> I have a second? >> Second. >> On roll call. Committeeman Cahill. >> I committ.
>> Committeeman Francioli. Hi. >> Committeeman Mahalo. Yes. >> Mayor Gallagher. >> Hi. >> So introduced. Our next order of business is the approval of resolutions as a consent agenda. Resolution numbers 81-2026
through 901-2026. Does any member of the governing body have any questions regarding any of the mentioned resolutions? >> Motion approved. >> A second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
And next we have to pay our bills in the amount of $10,881,8685 cents. May we please have a motion to pay our bills? >> Motion to pay the bill. >> Thanks, John. May I have a second? Second. >> All in favor? We could pay the bill. Sylvia mayor and
the members of the township committee, that clears the agenda. And I thank you very very much for letting me talk so much tonight. Thank you very much. Yeah. Good work. Uh, I'd like to have a motion open to the public. Second. All in favor? I. If anyone from the public would like to
address the governing body for any reason, please take the podium, state your name and address, and you have four minutes. Seeing none, hearing none. Motion closed. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. with with um committee comments
tonight. Um I'm going to yield any time I have to Ron cuz Ron wants to give us an update on the library. >> Yeah. >> And Ron went do quite a few things with me today that I thought were very interesting. So of course there's a lot going on in H Township. You're going to see a lot of press releases. You're
going to see a lot of information on the website and tap into and in the eagle. But Ron, please take the floor. Well, thank you, Mayor. Very good. Uh and you're absolutely right. There's some exciting things going on with our Wibbon Library. I wanted to bring some more of that to our attention. Um, Wibbon
Library, uh, a private sector library does work in conjunction with the Mars County Library very closely on book borrowing, etc. But, uh, our circulation, uh, interest has gone up considerably. uh and uh from March of 2025
uh circulation was in the neighborhood of 4,036 and into March of 2026 circulation grew to 5,53 which is terrific. Uh that's just on the book borrowing sector of it. But there's
so many events going on. Uh and uh what I want to do is bring to your attention uh their website. Uh if you go on Howard Township's website, you'll easily find the webinar library which can bring you to your attention the events uh that
they have planned, programs that they have planned from youngsters to oldsters is absolutely fantastic. Uh but just to help you along here, what I wanted to do and uh Robert, how good is that lens? How close can you get to me?
Can you get that close to me? >> All right. What what I'm what I'm showing you is there a new website for the weapon library and the way your hands f are in the way of it. >> Yes.
>> Is that is that clear? Okay. Um All right. If this is a website uh is easy to get to. If you have a search engine and you do either on your laptop or on your iPhone or uh other then uh
just put in whipon library. It will bring you to this site. Now scroll up John a little bit. You're going to see all of the highlighted events for your library for the particular month. uh you're going to get all the details for programs coming up for the month and we
invite you to uh explore that website and take advantage of the programs that we offer. It's one of the gems in Hanover Townships uh one of the crown jewels of one of Hanover Township's crowns here. So there you go on that. I
wanted to take a moment too to thanks John. I wanted to congratulate uh the changes that were taking place in our board of health uh with uh the advance of Ralph Manuro. Uh Dr. Manuro uh Maloro
is uh advancing now to a full member and uh James Calvido will be coming on as alternate one. uh very proud of the board of adjustment of board of uh health and what we've accomplished over the last several years as the township
committee knows and with their support many years ago we fully changed the uh administrative uh manner in which the board operates and we brought in from the county Dr. Perez as our health officer. He's done a
fantastic job for us over this time. So, I want to congratulate the board on all they've done all these years. Uh, but that's what I have there. Thank you very much. Okay, >> Ron, you can take as much time as you want. I know how passionate you are. I know how important this is. >> Appreciate it. And, uh, we've got so
many other great things going on beyond the library. Uh, we're now posting, um, any changes that take place at Mars County Airport uh, on our website. The administrator gets it along with our
clerk gets any changes of the runway uh closures for either repairs or updates etc. We post those in advance of that. Usually we get that information from Marstown airport weeks ahead of when the closure will take place. So if it
affects you for flyovers or noise of noise abatement, uh it would only be a temporary matter, but you can check that uh once again by going on howtownship.com website to see that. Um Stony Brook Farm
is doing fantastic. I want to comment one thing on Stony Brook Farm. Uh at our last meeting, we had a concerned citizen who brought to the administrator's attention some issues that he might have with the farm regarding um the uh power
line maintenance through the farm area and the use of uh defoilance or chemicals that the power company might be using that could affect the gardening. The administrator looked into that. I think Joe you contacted uh is it
JY? >> First energy and uh we were sure that the materials that they use as the foilings are not a carcinogen and are not affecting the farm whatsoever. So I just wanted to make that abundantly
clear. Uh the farm is doing good. By the way, anyone that's interested in taking part in the farm uh can contact us through recreation 9734282454 and uh you can get information about having your own garden and within our
garden. Um I've reviewed Denville's garden late lately. I've reviewed Marstown's three gardens, Mars Township's gardens. All very very effective, beautiful, beautifully done just as ours is. And this past year some
800 lb of vegetables and uh were delivered to the uh food the interfaith food pantry. So uh we're doing great with that as well. So Mayor, that's what I've got. Thank you very much. Beautiful. John,
>> thank you. Uh Hanover has a very active environmental and green team and there's a big event that's coming in celebration of Earth Day on April 21st. This is being brought to us by Warwrack which is the Libony River Water and Action Committee. And what they're doing is
they're hosting a corporate cleanup and beautifification of Hanover's parks. And the companies that are going to come out and do this work for us are companies resident of Hanover Township, Barkley's Bank, Bayer, Manderly, and Marzett. So,
we thank them. We thank them for their involvement. We thank them for being good custodians of the environment and beautifying our parks. This is the time of year when we talk about it's all about the roads and you're going to be hearing a lot from us. Uh the township committee has
supported a major investment in roads this year. We look forward to kicking that off soon. The first roadway up and is much needed to be done is Alangquin Parkway. Um so you saw that tonight in one of the resolutions. So we look
forward to that. We spoke a little bit about recognition, but I want to underscore some of the recognition because there's two major retirements that are happening this month in Ann Township. One from a planning perspective, one from the
Hanover Sewage Authority perspective. From a planning perspective, Bla1 Branch Township Planner has been there. one of the best in Morris County. Brilliant strategic mind um has helped craft and
guide the the proper and smart development of Handover Township. So, we thank him for all of his contributions. We wish him all the best as he gets into the next chapter of his life. Second individual we want to give a
shout out to is Michael Win. Michael has run a nationally recognized sewer authority for almost 40 years. The HSA is recognized throughout um the
country for being the top or if not the top the second best run sewage authority in the United States of America. So congratulations to Mike and we wish him as well all the best on his retirement.
And that concludes my remarks. >> Thanks, John. Brian, >> thank you. I want to touch on a couple things. First, I'm not going to go into too much detail. We'll be talking about it a meeting down the road, but just want to let you know that recently Jersey State
Association of Chief of Police uh approved for Capture Police Department in their law enforcement accreditation program. Uh we don't know the detail. I just want you to understand that to get that accreditation is a three-year process. It's very very very
uh it's so involved and and takes so much work that as of late 2025 only 54% of eligible police department eligible police departments in the state um actually have that accreditation. Um out of those departments only 32 have
attained reacredititation. in other words have done it again and only 12% of the state's departments has done it three times. This is Hanover Township's fifth reacredititation. So we are a very very rare one and it is a testament to Chief Lock and our Annship Police
Department all members of the police department uh for what it took to to uh to get this uh accreditation all the work that was involved and to continuously do it uh over essentially the last 15 or more years. Um, I'm going to stop there on this topic because
hopefully in the May meeting, uh, representatives from the Chiefs of Police, the New Jersey State Association, Chiefs of Police Association will be here, uh, to present an award and actually then go into much more detail into what it takes to actually do that. So, I'll stop with
that. Um, sticking with the topic of public safety, just be aware, uh, beginning on April 1st, uh, the put the phone away or pay program uh, was launched here in Hannover Township as well as a bunch of other municipalities. Uh, the state has put out $918,000 in
grants of which Hover Township was awarded $7,000 to go towards additional patrols uh, as well as overtime and that sort of thing. So, this program runs from April 1 until April 30. Uh and again it's looking for distracted drivers, no texting and driving. Uh that sort of thing. Um also, you know, very
very important thinking about it. Uh in 2024, 42% of all crashes involve distracted drivers and resulted in 175 deaths. So uh serious business. Um Star Ledger today had an article in regarding Humber Township uh that we are
officially have received the New Jersey film res ready designation. And I know we talked about that before, but now we're in the paper, so it must be true. Uh, so congratulations to Chief Lock. Thank you very much, Chris. I know you were a huge part of that as well. And John and the administration, so thank
you for that. Uh, Heritage Education Foundation will be uh sponsoring or hosting uh their education walk um on May 9th, beginning of Whippy Park High School. There's a walk at 8:15 a.m. in the morning and then there's a 5K run
that starts at 8:30 a.m. in the morning. Um, this has been an annual event for for a number of years now. All the money goes to the K through 12 districts. Um, and if you are interested, pre-race packets will be available Friday, May 8th between 6:00 and 7:00 at Whipin
Chiropractic right on Whipin Road. And I'm sure if you Google it, there is a website out there you can get more information on that as well. Uh, last and certainly not least, I want to call out the uh Hanover Township um the Hanover Township Heritage
Association as well as the Landmark Commission. Uh they've got an event coming up on April 25th beginning at 10:00 a.m. It's a Civil War commemoration and tour of war veteran grave sites. It'll be occurring at the Whippy the Whippony bearing yard along
Route 10. Uh, and parking can be you can park your cars at Kaset Monte Cristo, which is the cigar bar right next door. Uh, free admission. I'm sure it'll be very, very interesting. And that's it. >> Thanks, Brian.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Brian. Um, yeah, let's just go through a few couple things. Cultural arts. Um, unfortunately we had uh Lunar New Year got snowed out a couple months ago, but we had a very successful step dancing, Irish music, and soda bread event. Uh, thank you very
much. Two ladies in the back here are a great great effort to it. Thank you all. Um, you guys do a great job. We do have an upcoming event. If you guys walk through the hall on your way in, you notice some art in the wall. We call it art in the hall. Um
Joan Spiri, is that how she put it? Spiri is uh is the um is the artist. She's an impression impressionistic work. Uh it's on display now. We're going to have an art opening on April 19th here. Obviously, uh from 3 to 5:00. So if you'd like to meet the artist, want to come down, uh ask her some
questions, check out the art, and again on your way out, feel free to walk through. And we have it's a rotating display every 2 months. We have a different artist in there. So feel free anytime you're in in the area, stop by, walk through, check it out. Um, also with cultural arts, we have two
new members, which is great to have. Um, Susan, uh, Callen Tone and Brian Hagen. Uh, two new members have come on, and we just, uh, approved Brian tonight. Um, great additions to to our our staff, uh,
to our volunteers. Again, they do a great job. Uh, glad to have them. Um, seniors, our next meeting is on April 15th. So, if you're of the age, you want to come out, come out to that meeting. Um, we're up to over 300 members now. Um, last year we were at 400, but then
they have to reup and sometimes it takes them a little while, especially in the winter time. Uh, we had a few meetings get cancelled because of the weather. So, uh, but yeah, we're about 320 right now. So, um, that comes on the heels. If you remember a couple years back, they were their own separate club. And at
that time, they were only averaging about 150, 180. I think that a high water mark just under 200, but now that we've taken it under recreation's umbrella, uh brought on some new uh events, more traveling. Uh we we got to
400 last year in 2025, 400 senior members that had signed up and and participated. So again, if you're of the age, come on out. It's a great group. Uh there's always something going on. Almost every Wednesday, there's something in addition to all the other events. So, uh come on out. Um,
recreation, springtime, we're always busy, so I'll try to keep it short and sweet. Um, but Blackbrook Large, that's the big field, uh, down at Blackbrook that we had turfed. We turfed the infield. It's open this season. Um, and
just quick history, it was originally for uh, baseball, men's and and senior um, high school senior and that age, older uh, older baseball. We turfed it. We lined it to do just about anything
now. So be it um softball, baseball, uh the younger kids to the older kids, just about anybody can participate on that field now and use that field. It's now open. Um so just in time for open season um for opening day. Again, gentlemen,
mark your calendars. April 18th, next Saturday, 8:30 to 1:00 here at Betsfield. Little bit different. We're not going to have the uh parade this time, but we are going to have almost like a carnival type of a of a feel going on. They uh I know they rented a
dunk tank and they're going to have some food trucks and some other stuff happening. So So come on out, support. Um again, great uh great great uh uh great group of people. Little League does a terrific job. Hundreds of kids we
have involved now. Um they're already practicing. They're already playing, but this is their the actual opening. figure it be a little bit warmer when we get into that date. Rain or shine? It is rain or shine. Yep. Yep. Rain or shine so far. Unless it's torrential and then they'll make the call. Good. But uh we'll keep you posted and obviously
everything is posted on the website. So when in doubt, check the website. Um couple other things. Saturday, May 2nd, Touch a Truck. If you guys are familiar, uh several of the businesses in the area bring their vehicles out and we have Touch a Truck on again Saturday, May
2nd, 1 to 3:00. It's kind of neat. bring the kids out. They love to climb on the trucks, blow the horns. Um we've had everything from uh tow trucks to dump trucks to military vehicles, fire trucks come out. Um so again, got some younger
kids, even older kids. It's kind of neat to see these vehicles um come on out. Um what else? We got an uh and I apologize, that's at the uh community center parking lot. That's where that's at. Um bus trip, going to resorts. um in the
Poconos. That's May 13th and it's $80, but the $80 gets you lunch, a matinea, and $25 slot voucher. So, it's it's a nice event that's on May 13th. Still availability. Sign up for that. Um good
deal. One point of note, the wreck meeting, we had to cancel it last month. We combine last month's and this month. So it'll be April 14th at 7:30 at the community center. Um so we bumped May's a little bit earlier or excuse me, yeah, uh April's a little bit
earlier, but because we had to cancel March, we had just a little bit adjustment there. April 14th. Um couple other notes just so you know again there was some confusion. That's why I want to keep announcing it. The patriotic celebration, our our fireworks here at town is on Wednesday, July 1st here at
the uh at the center. And hopefully we're going to have some uh some extra events going on for the 350th and 250th. Uh we've got some uh of our um um like uh Mr. Chis was saying, uh some events
going on. Uh there'll be a parade. We're going to have some some actors and all kinds of other stuff happening. So, please come and check that out. Things will get posted. We'll give you more information as we get closer. Um Memorial Day parade, put it on your
calendars. on Memorial Day, which is May 25th. Um, thank the gentlemen here. They're all part of the committee. I also see uh see some uh fellow committeemen out there. The Harks are are big uh big supporters, big helpers with the Memorial Day parade. Uh again,
mark your calendars. That's coming up soon, too. Finally, B Meadow Pool Registration is open, swim team signups are open. We have been told time and time again, Splash Pad will be open and on time. Uh we were over there the other day. I've been over there almost every
other day. Um and and they've been working very hard, very diligently. Thank goodness the weather has been cooperating. Uh we finally got some nice weather. Uh there were some some bugs, some hiccups that popped up, but it's been uh they've been rectified and we're moving forward. So, we're looking
forward to having that uh that amenity open. Uh again, ADA compliant. It'll be open for anyone. Um you know, any anyone really. anyone can go in there. There's still going to be a little uh waiting pool for for children. And then there's also going to be sprays and dumps and
showers and sun shades and all kinds of stuff. A lot of work's been going on over at B Medical Pool and hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised. Central Park Hockey R. Oh, yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Ron. I appreciate that. Central you uh one more. We got so much
going on. Uh Central Park Hockey Rink um weather per milling should be paid the end of this month. We'll be able to rollerblade on it shortly thereafter. Give it about a week and then about they said about a month after paving. Then it
will be painted. >> Um and again just uh it'll be open for rollerblading. It'll also give us a nice flat area if we wanted to have a a craft fair or you know some type of an event where we're not in a parking lot. That's always a big issue. You know we want to have something outside we have to have
in the parking lot. uh or on the grass and sometimes we know the the constraints with that. So now we'll have an area to have that uh in the winter time it'll be able to be filled with water, flooded with water so it'll freeze and it'll freeze a lot quicker than the old mosquito pond we used to
have there. Uh if you guys remember that we'd have to have a long stretch. You'd have to flood it, let it freeze, flood it again, freeze again three times and have to flood it and freeze till we get enough water built up to actually skate on it. And that would take a week or two. So now we can flood it with a couple inches of water, freeze
overnight, and skate on it the next day. It'll be good. Weather gets warm as we know what happens in Jersey. Uh warms up, pull the plug, let the water drain out, go back to rollerblading on it again. So thank you for reminding. So thank you all. Thank you. As you know, I
yielded my time to Ron and it was well deserved and I appreciate that run. But I just want to thank and acknowledge Jeff. Jeff, you see that this is not a 5 day a week job. It's not an 8 hour a day job. I just want to say in the last month and a half we spent a lot of time
together uh with the fair share housing obligation authority. We spent quite a bit of time with the extended state hotel. I just want the public to know that although we have a very good team, a very strong team and a very smart team, uh business
doesn't stop here at 4:45 or 5:00. So, I want you to know as great as it is to have Fred back and we love Fred like a brother, you really stepped in and you're doing an incredible job and we're now really counting on you and I appreciate you and thank you.
You said please.