Good evening and welcome to the township committee meeting of March 24th, 2026. Miss Lenzo, I'm sorry. An executive session was held at 6:30 and we are now reconvening. Miss Lenzo, please call the role. >> Committee Bing, >> here. >> Committee Gomez,
>> here. Committee woman >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Le >> present. >> Mayor Payne >> here. >> Administrator Ferrer >> here. >> Attorney Willard >> here. >> Please join me in a salute to our flag. Sorry. >> I pledge to the flag of the United
States of America and to the standice for all. Okay, I'm going to start with some of my remarks for the spring holidays. As we welcome spring, Hillsboro is brightening, I'm sorry, brightened by the convergence of three significant
holidays. We have Easter, Passover, and Edalfier. While each of these traditions holds its own unique history and customs, they are all a common message of hope, renewal, and faith. And I wish all who celebrate a season filled with peace and reflection.
Last night I had the opportunity to attend a reception at Drum Thacket in honor of Women's History Month. It was such an honor to meet so many women of influence in our state, including Governor Mikey Cheryl and my neighbor mayor Nina Singh, Mayor of Montgomery.
On March 6th, I attended ReadAcross America at Sunnyme School. Uh, I was delighted to catch the kids at a really good time where I was able to spend about an hour and a half with them actually and it was a really interesting morning with lots of great questions and
inquisitive little minds. So, it was great. On March 19th, I was joined by the whole committee for another successful networking event put on by Hillsboro's economic and business development office. The event was held at Iron Peak and local historian Greg Dlette was the guest speaker. We also
had over 80 local businesses represented and it was an amazing turnout. On March 11th, I had some very special guests. I had Girl Scout troop um 60842 visited my office to learn more about
their local government for their democracy badge. On March 14th, I held the quarterly information session for our veterans. We had veterans affair attorney Annie Buckley on the left. Uh
I'm sorry, Annie B and Buckley Johnson and Ambar Leon, the external affairs coordinator for First Light Home Care. They were our guests for this very informative session um and really valuable information for our veteran
community. This morning I met with Kaiwa Lynn. He told me about his work with the Wild Camel Protection Foundation in both Mongolia and here in the United States, as well as the ways to raise public awareness about climate change in our community and how we can contribute to
the local monarch butterfly project together. Uh we look forward to working together on some conservative initiatives within the community. For awareness, the front um entrance is under construction. Hopefully all of you realize that when you came here tonight.
So, we began on the front doors of the municipal building. The main entrance will be inaccessible for about two weeks. Please follow posted signage to the temporary entrance and designated parking areas, including for handicap parking. Hillsboro High School Debate Club. I
wanted to extend a massive congratulations to the Hillsboro High School Debate Club who recently dominated the London Youth Moon uh 2026. This small but mighty team secured eight individual awards for their exceptional diplomacy, research and orital
ortorial sorry skills. In fact, they were officially crowned best small delegation. You have all truly done Hillsboro. Very proud. Nicely done. Um lastly, I have the ebike safety
training. Um, it's part of my wellness campaign as mayor and Ridewise for virtual ebike safety training on April 15th at 700 p.m. This collaborative session features experts from Ridewise from the Hillsboro Police and also fire
departments and POPS bike shop. Participants of all ages will learn about ebike laws, battery and fire safety, rules of the road, and guidance on proper maintenance, purchasing, and disposal. Don't miss this opportunity to ensure you are riding safely and responsibly in our community. And that
is all for me. Deputy [clears throat] Mayor Leani. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, so I also had a chance to read to some children at Uton Road and Sunny. Uh, as a Sunny alum, and don't do the math. Uh, it's always nice
to go back and and see the kids. Uh, Miss Murray and actually one of the teachers, Miss Y, is makes you feel because she went to school with my daughter. So, uh, yeah. So, it gets it gets a little home as to the age. They even asked me if I was a grandfather. Luckily, I said not yet. Uh, but the
kids are great. And then also Nutton Road School. But, uh, as the mayor said, the, uh, the kids are very attentive, have some great questions, and and very well behaved. And I got to hear the Sunny Me's fight song, uh, twice. I don't know if you get that. >> Yes.
They know it word for word. It's really cool. All right, moving on to some more newer activities. Obviously, we've been talking this up, but uh we're going to turn the uh town red, white, and blue to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Plans include a patriotic house
decorating contest. So, put your hats on there to think about what you might do to your house. An initiative to paint fire hydrants red, white, and blue, mirroring the nationwide celebration of the 1976 bsentennial. Additional projects currently in develop include an initiative to plant a
semiquincentennial forest. Nailed it, Deb. Uh of 250 trees and a series of interactive historic maps and digital markers to be placed at notable locations throughout the community. More detailed information regarding specific events and activities
will be released closer to their respective launch dates. And also, I'll just make a note if there's any businesses out there or even individuals that want to sponsor some of these activities, you're more than welcome to. Um, so we were actively uh accepting any
sponsorships for any of these initiatives. Um, from the engineering department, uh, obviously this has been a longgoing project, the 206 pedestrian bridge. Um, the project is is moving forward, I'm sure, at not the pace that some people would like, but the the
engineer is currently viewing the shop drawings and then please note that the fabrication of this extensive project can take up to 12 weeks. So, they're going to make this bridge offsite and then bring it in in a complete uh manner and drop it right there. So, it's not
being constructed on site. Um the engineering department remains committed to keeping the public informed as they reach new milestones in this project, but it's going to be a little while yet. Duke Parkway West update. Obviously, we couldn't finish the paving uh at the end of last year, but it's scheduled for finishing the paving the week of April
20th, weather permitting. The road will be closed to traffic during this time. Residents are advised to follow posted detours or seek alternate routes. Um there will be uh notices put out by the township to remind you when those roads uh will be closed to
traffic. Planning and zoning. Uh please be advised some of the applicants to our boards have been recently targeted by fishing emails requesting payment of an escrow balance for application review. These emails may include fraudulent invoices and
instructions to wire funds. Hillsboro will never request that payments be made via wire transfer. Applicants are strongly encouraged to verify the legitimity of any email, including the sender's address, before opening attachments or responding. If you receive a suspicious communication or
have any questions, please contact the planning and zoning board directly. from our public works department. Uh registration for the senior curbside pickup is open through March 26th for residents aged 65 and older who must
choose between curbside and drop off services. Seniors can register to DPW by phone or email. And as a sustainable shift, physical uh as a sustainable shift, physical stickers or coupons will no longer be issued. Pickups of up to 10
items, including plastic wrap mattresses, will occur by geographic section throughout April. All materials will must be curbside by 700 a.m. on the Monday of the assigned week. And lastly, Somerset County curb ramps and crosswalks for Beakman Lane, Autton
Road, and Raider Boulevard, and the area in front of Hillsboro Post Office will be installed once the new traffic signal is complete. But in the meantime, the county is installing temporary curb ramps and striping this week. And that is all. Mayor, >> thank you, [snorts] Deputy Mayor.
Committeeman, >> there's only one. >> Yes. But okay. [laughter] >> Didn't mean to throw you out. >> I either have a little cold or have the I um have a little bit of a uh allergy kicking in. So, I'm sorry if my voice sounds off. So, I had the opportunity to um [clears throat] excuse me to sit down
with Congressman Tom Kaine about two or three weeks ago or so along with the New Jersey Realers Association to talk about the salt um tax reduction or salt tax uh changes that are incredibly important, especially for New Jersey residents. Uh it's important to note that Congressman McCain had um really imparted this
message that this something that he fought for. even though his side of the party was the one that essentially changed the salt deduction and made it harder for New Jersey residents, he was pushing very hard for that to be at a much higher level, which is now $40,000 versus $10,000. So, I think it's very important that the message here is for everybody is to make sure you check with
your accountant because it is accounting season and make sure that you're taking advantage of this because it's a big deal for New Jersey residents. It's a good thing. Next is, excuse me, [clears throat] Read Across America. So, I also had a chance to go sit down and read across America. I was at Sunnyme for I think four classes and then I was
at uh Amsterdam for another two or three classes. It was great to sit down with all the children just like everybody else had the opportunity to do. But I coach a lot of them and I've coached them over the past many many years. So it was great to see them all grow up and have a good time with them and make fun of them and they made fun of me while reading the book. It was a good time. So
all right, next is uh health. All right. So tonnage. All businesses in Hillsboro reminded that their annual recycling tonnage information must be submitted to the health department by March 31st, 2026. Next, we have recreation. I'm going to try to get through this because my voice isn't so hot. Uh, recreation
Memorial Day. The recreation department is looking for youth groups and organizations to march in the 2026 Memorial Day parade on Saturday, May 23rd. Patriotic floats and banners are welcome and encouraged as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary. See the recreation department website for details. And after this, we're going to
have a really nice conversation about our history tonight with Mr. Gillette, which directly representative of this. So, very excited about that. Uh 2026 summer [clears throat] themed camps. My children will be attending a few of them, the sports ones, but it's great that we see STEM as well. Uh registration is open for summer camps.
Weekly themed options include softball, soccer, basketball, STEM, tennis, theater, and music. Check out the recreation website and Facebook page for more details. I think we probably have the best rec department in the business when it comes to making sure that the kids have things to do over the summer. Keep them busy and get them smart. I
think it's great. Um, from [clears throat] the social services department, the Hillsboro Township Community Assistance Network or the CAN C will hold its annual spring holiday food distribution on March 30th. To support this effort, the Social Services Department is seeking donations of box potato mixes, canned canned or dried
fruit, canned yams, assorted nuts, and biscuit muffin or cake mixes. uh much needed items uh including cooking oil, [clears throat] disposable cooking pans, holiday candy, and egg coloring kits. Please deliver all donations to social service department by tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. For any
questions, please contact the contact the department. Now, the key [clears throat] here of this, I think that the ending message with that is please, if you're going to come and uh donate, everything is accepted, but please check out the website because the department knows exactly what the residents are looking for and I think that's really important to make sure you get them what they need. So, thank you
so much everyone. Thank you, committeeman. Committeewoman Gomez. Thank you, Mayor Payne. So, I also had the opportunity to participate in Read Across America and Luciana, my daughter, joined me. She was very excited to come to school and the kids were also very
excited to interact with her. I got to read one of my friends books that she wrote um called Holidays of Spring. And then afterwards, we talked about which holidays the students participated in and celebrated in. It was a very nice conversation.
Next, I got to go to GG's U Playhouse held its annual gala this last Saturday on March 21st, which was also World Down Syndrome Day. The event supports the free therapeutic, educational, and developmental programs. GD's Playhouse
provides for individuals of all ages with Down Syndrome. It was really lovely to see the community come together to support this incredible organization that we have right here in town. And here I am pictured with some of our wonderful officers who were there as well. Up next, administration. In accordance
with new public notice requirements, we have transitioned away from publishing in print newspapers. All official notices are now hosted on a dedicated page on our township website. You can find them under the government tab. Up next, economics and business
development. Businesses experiencing challenges with hiring or finding qualified talent are encouraged to reach out to our township's economic and business development office for assistance and workforce connection resources.
We have human resources and Hillsboro is hiring. Please see tomorrow's e-news for a list of available opportunities in the building, health, and public works department. There are also several internship opportunities available for the summer. So, please take a look at that.
Up next is information about our tax assessor. The annual assessment postcards showing a property's new 2026 assessed value were mailed on February 25th, 2026. In Somerset County, annual assessment postcard notices are mailed to property owners in late February or
early March. These notifications outline the new assessed value for the tax year. And finally, just wanted to share that the Hillsboro Library has reopened and is ready to welcome you with its new carpet. The old carpet will be recycled
into building insulation. The library has many wonderful offerings such as its craft studio, which has been refreshed and reorganized. So, go pay them a visit when you have a chance. Thank you. Thank you, Committee Gomez. And also, thank you to GG's for your donation for
their paddle race. We appreciate your support. Been a volunteer there for 10 years and I was their president. So, uh, Committee Ham, last but not least. >> All right. Thank you, mayor. So, um, I've got some I'll get to OEM. Just a
quick shout out to the Hillsboro High School Lady Raiders. So, um, this year was the first time they had a girls flag football. So, the ladies had an I'm going to call it overwhelming victory 44-8.
Um, so, so Lady Raiders showed up and um, super exciting. I know my girls were very upset that this happened now versus when they were in high school. Um, but super happy that it's happening now and congrats to all the athletes. All right, OEM. Um, and we have our OEM director in
the audience. Just want to call out Dan Lenzo is in the audience. Um, so he is our OEM expert. Um, if you have any if you're experiencing prolonged power out power outages, do not go to Dan right now, please. um report it directly to your utility provider, monitor their
website for status updates. If it continues for an extended period time and you require additional assistance, then please reach out to Mr. Lindso at the Hillsboro Office of Emergency Management. And speaking of police, and
we do have um fabulous people in the background, but here we go. Um top cops. So, our chief, who's also present tonight, thank you, Chief McMahon, is proud to announce um two top cops. So, Officer John Johnson from Squad A and
Officer Dan Shahad from Squad B as the 2025 top cops. And this program was established in 1996. And this awards the department's highest performing officers based on two things. I loved this. It's
annual evaluations and peer feedback. Like when you're recognized amongst your peers, best of the best, like it just it's a it's a huge congratulations to the officers. So it is in recognition of their hard work. Both officers will receive accommodation in their permanent
file. A special award bar on their uniform and their names will be engraved on a commemorative plaque in the police headquarters lobby. So congratulations to both the officers. Um, and if you would like to congratulate them, I don't know if they'll be here, but breakfast on the beat is coming up. So, Sunday,
April 19th, I don't know if we have a slide for that, but Sunday, April 19th at the Hillsboro Star Diner. We have There we go. Breakfast on the beat. And so, if these officers are there, please congratulate them. Um, but please, it started, it starts at 9:00 and come by,
meet um, you know, meet our law enforcement and have a yummy breakfast at the same time. Additionally, the DEA National Takeback is coming up April 25th. That's a Saturday from 10 to 2. And here
residents can anonymously drop off um you know all of the uh unneeded medications that you have. Please note, not sharps and liquids, but um as far as like tablet medications, they can an anonymously, sorry, drop
them off at the drop off container at the police department um where there's a standard red collection mailbox. This is a great time. Go through the medicine cabinet, clean it out, get rid of the stuff you don't need. There we go. Thank you so much. Back to you, Mayor. Thank you very much. Now, I would like to make
a special announcement. It is my honor to announce that Hillsboro Township Police Corporal Army veteran Frank Puzzi has led um will lead sorry Hillsboro's 2026 Memorial Day uh commemoration ceremony on May 27th as the grand
marshall of the parade. And he's probably not speaking to me anymore, but that's okay. [applause] >> Officer, come up. Come up. I know he's [laughter] >> put it on. >> I think you should put it on. I I think
we should absolutely see that. Corporal Pizzy [laughter] served in the United States Army from [applause] >> He's so [cheering] handsome. >> He secretly loves this. Don't let him fool you. >> Guys and gals, all the officers. I
>> I mean, that's blackmail forever, Mike. So, um I'm sorry. So, Corporal Pizzy served in the United States uh Army from 2011 until 2019, transitioning between active duty and reserve while um attaining the rank of sergeant. Throughout his tenure, he has served as
a civil affairs specialist with the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade and a chemical operations specialist with the 411th Chemical Company, balancing responsibilities in CBRN defense readiness with highstakes civil military operations. This expertise was notably
applied during a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where Corporal Pizzy served as a vital liaison between the US forces and local authorities, facilitating stability and community engagement in complex environments. It is my honor to announce that Hillsboro
Township Police Corporal Army veteran Frank Pazy will lead Hillsboro's two uh 2026 Memorial Day commemoration ceremony on May 27th as the grand marshal of our parade. >> [applause] >> One more picture. Congratulations.
[applause] >> So, I'm just going to stay down here because we have another one. Next, I would like to introduce township historian Greg Gillette to present the allnew um interactive revolutionary Hillsboro map. Come on.
It's now. >> Thank you, Mr. Gillette, for the um Oh, go first. Sorry. >> Yeah, it's all you. >> All right. Well, thank you uh thank you, mayor. Thank you, committee members, for inviting me tonight. Oh, face the face out this way. Okay. Um so, something
I've been working on uh since before I was named um uh historian back in October is a Google map uh sort of an in not really inter I call it the clickable Google map because you can click on it. Uh, and what it shows is some of the sites that were around or played a part
in the American Revolution that were in Hillsboro. I call it revolutionary Hillsborough, of course, uh, Hillsborough during those times uh, included the Burough of Milstone and the Burough of Manville. So, we've included those sites on the map as well. And, uh, I think someone is over there clicking.
I don't know who it is, but is it the right? [laughter] >> Okay. So, if when you click on uh, one of the uh, sites, just pick anyone there. That's all right. And then click on you can actually click on the P. You see a description. You can click on the picture itself and it becomes bigger
which is important for some of them. And then you can click back and um go to one more uh can be um anyone that's not a house. >> Oh >> well yeah it doesn't we didn't rehearse.
>> Okay. So it also so I'm going to tell you what it has includes the houses the cemeteries. Uh, some of them are events and stories of things that happened uh during the revolution and I've illustrated some of them with uh I'm becoming pretty good with uh AI. I
didn't know I would live long enough to to be able to type in uh like a paragraph and have someone draw a picture for you, but it actually works as long as you do it about 40 times until you get the picture you want. But some of them are are a small synopsis of
a story um uh that you'll see and I call it I call the map revolution in Hillsboro which by the way is also the name of the talk that I'm going to be presenting at Flounder Brewing on April 21st where um on Tuesday, April 21st at 7 p.m. where I'm going to go into a
little more detail about some of the stories that are on the map. So, if you want to hear a little bit more about Revolutionary Hillsboro, come out to Flounder Brewing on uh April 21st, 7 p.m. And also, if you want to click around the map itself, I think we're going to launch it on the website
probably as early as I don't know >> tomorrow. >> It's in the e-news tomorrow and you'll be able to click on it uh through the e-news and then on a link through our website after that. That's that's unless you have any questions. That's about it. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you, ma'am.
So, a special thank you to Mr. Gillette for all of his commitment and passion to our little Hillsboro. >> I know she will. I know. >> She gets paid by the photo. [snorts] [applause] Okay. Um, if anybody wants to leave at this time, Greg, if you want to leave or if
you want to stay for the rest of the meeting, you we can leave. We >> You're not being asked to leave permission to leave, >> but Frank took a second to leave, so You are always welcome, sir. I know. Go get clicking, will you?
>> Okay. Um, so now we have approval of minutes. >> May I have a motion and a second to approve the special meeting minutes of March 4th, 2026? >> So moved. Second. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Committee Bing, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez,
>> yes. >> Committee woman hand. >> Abstain. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. Mayor Payne. >> Yes. May I have a motion and a second to approve the regular meeting minutes of March 10th, 2026? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Sorry. >> Committeeman Bringing. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leon. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. Uh, sorry, my papers got out of whack.
Um, so we have public hearings. Um, ordinance amending salary range ordinance. Uh, sorry, am I right? Yes. Thank you. Okay. Public hearings 2026-2. Ordinance amending
salary range ordinance of the township of Hillsboro to set forth the salary ranges for the position set forth in said ordinance. Further consideration and public hearing to be held on March 24th, 2026. May I have a motion and a second to open the public hearing for ordinance 2026-2?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Is there discussion from the deas? Discussion. Okay. So, I I have one key point. I just want to make it very clear. This is um we are amending the
salary range in this ordinance to match the contract that was just signed by our uh by our union. Any questions or comments from the floor? Good evening. Maria January 6 720 East Frick Avenue, Mango, New Jersey. I'm also a Hillsboro Township property
owner, block 86, lot 3, 2155 Camplain Road. Um, on the first page of the ordinance, there's a human resources director and a human resources manager. Does Hillsboro have two people filling [clears throat]
positions? >> We do not. We only have a director. >> Have a director. Um, also for the deputy clerk and the deput deputy clerk training program manager, are there two people? >> We have a deputy clerk. Um, deputy clerk
training. Yes. Yes. >> It's okay. >> Same. >> The same. It's just >> What is it? >> Yes, we do. >> Uh, two of the deputy clerk and deputy clerk training uh program manager. >> No, that's what you just said. >> Just deputy clerk slashtraining manager. >> It's all in one. So, it's one person
that one. Okay. On the second page, um, for for part-time outreach support specialist, there's a change in the, um, max.
>> Is that the only is that the only ch uh, one of the only changes here? Otherwise, everything stays the same as >> So, there was two actual changes. Um, Maria, there was that change and there was also a change of title. >> I'm sorry.
>> So, um, there was a change of title for the PD from an office manager, now called police officers manager, and then the part-time outreach, uh, is just a title change. >> Well, there was a salary change as well, but we did that last week.
>> So, that that's a title change and a salary change for the max. Not for the max, but yes, there was a salary change. >> That that was a sec. Anywhere you see something with a line through it and then another number um that's that's
what's being changed. >> So everything else is staying the same. >> Correct. That be correct. But when you have two um looks like similar positions, why why is that? Why um like like I had asked about the human resource director manager, why is is
that that there are two shown part of the contract that was just a role that was put in there, but it's not occupied at this time. >> Um I I think I'm hearing the question different. I think you were asking why there's like multiple roles, but maybe only one of them is filled. Um, I've
asked the same question in the past. So, I'll share the answer that um that I had gotten was that there are these are all the possible positions in town, you know, in the in the municipal center, but not all of them are filled at any given time. Um, I had gone through this
based on the last one that we had passed um last year and I saw seven changes. I'll just tell you what they were and and maybe that'll help. Um, there were the two part-time positions that went from 22 to 25. there was the um a couple title changes with in department of
health. We had talked about um environmental, you know, and and some of those positions had moved around a little. We've already put people in those positions, but this um seemed to be kind of a catch-up. And then obviously with the um IT, the
combination that we talked about last meeting with the IT director in the township and then IT for the police department. um combining those under rich and then having an assistant in Joe which we'll talk about. Um and then one
other one that I noticed was a senior systems engineer admin and it seemed like that was new >> and 4 to 6,000 >> as I mentioned the office manager for the police as well as the police officers manager. Yeah.
>> And then the part-time outreach. >> Okay. Thank you. Um On the last page of this ordinance, um, you have director, assistant director down to program manager. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, like 10
positions. And there's a a huge range from from the the low to the high. Um, why is that? >> Well, with any position, you would have a range of salary based on experience. But don't you have a criteria as to what
you want uh in the person who's filling that position? So why would they be >> This isn't about the criteria. This is about the salary range. >> You're only talking about salary range. >> Okay. >> And all these have nothing's been changed since last time. Only thing that's been changed in this ordinance that's been introduced prior is what was mentioned and crossed off. All this was
here prior. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any other questions from the floor? Judy Hos Titus Court. I'd just like to bring to your attention that your new engage indicates that um the public comment and
adoption occurred on March 24th for this ordinance. That's the information that Thank you very much. Uh that's the information that you put out to the public on that >> correct? That's today >> that it occurred. I read this last Friday night.
>> Yes, we are introducing it to the public in advance as committee Gomez read earlier in her comment. >> Excuse me. Your information about the ordinance indicates that the public hearing occurred on March 24th and that
was published before March 24th. Correct. Because this is the public hearing for that ordinance. >> Well, you're really not getting what I'm saying. Okay. You don't put out something that something already occurred past tense when it hadn't
occurred yet. >> That is the full ordinance as it's written to be published and agreed upon tonight. >> Read the sentence. Okay? read it on a Friday night and see if it encourages you to come to a meeting when it
indicates that the passage, the adoption has already occurred. Thank you. The other thing I'd just like to say, I've made enough comments over the years about your salary ordinance and how meaningless it is given the ridiculous ranges that you have for all of the
salaries of all the employees. But something you might really truly want to get a handle on is the incredible increase in employees that have happened over the last five years. You have 221
employees according to the 2025 um the 2025 userfriendly budget 221 employees. So 67 of those are police officers presumably because I don't know when
this little count was taken. What are the rest of the people doing? >> Seriously, >> this has been like a 50 employee increase in five years. >> Our town has also gotten considerably bigger in the past five years.
>> Excuse me. >> Our town has gotten considerably bigger in the past. >> That doesn't mean you need more employees. Your employees don't work per person. >> They really don't. >> Clearly, >> not at all. >> Thank you. >> You don't have more roads. You don't
have more >> anything. You don't have new programs. >> We don't have more housing. We don't have more cars. We don't have more traffic. We don't have more crime. >> That's all in the police department. >> DPW. >> DPW. >> DPW. How many employees you have in DPW?
I'm not seeing an increase in that number. >> Has anybody increased that number? I don't think so. >> Yeah, >> I don't think so. >> But anyway, just a suggestion that somebody who cares about taxpayers look at that sometime. 50 additional
employees means 50 additional sets of health benefits, pension, other employment taxes, and you know that pension payment that you had to do a um you know its own um emergency
appropriation for because nobody anticipated that. Good job, >> Mayor. Mayor, we'll get the the number that that number is impossible over five years of 50 full-time employees. So, >> I think we all activated the um emergency transfer budget also.
>> Yeah, we'll we'll get the real numbers for the next meeting. So, >> so any other comments from the floors? Well, one one actually one comment based on that. So, I just I went to engage really quick to double check the wording and I think the issue being is that it says public comment and adoption
occurred on March 24th. So, we haven't adopted it yet. So, I think um to to Miss Hass's point, it just I think it's a language that it looks like we already adopted it, >> but it's the legal language of the ordinance is my point. We're not >> This is just a comment and this is just free textes.
>> I understand. >> It looks like we adopted it already. >> With a future date. >> Okay. All right. So, we have >> [sighs]
>> Okay, now I lost my paper again. I'm sorry. >> Yep. Can I have a motion in a second to uh I I don't have my papers. I'm sorry. Yes. To close the public hearing and adopt ordinance 2026-2.
>> So moved. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call, please. Committee woman. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leon. >> Yes. >> Mayor P. >> Yes.
2026-3 ordinance authorizing the sale of development easement to the state agricultural development committee for farmland preservation of the property owned by the township of Hillsboro located at 8 uh Hamilton Road and Aml Road and identified on the Hillsboro tax
map as block 198 lot 2 block 198.01 lot 1, block 198.02 lot 1.01 and block 199.02 O2 lot one. May I have a motion and a second to open
the public hearing for ordinance 2026-3. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. Any opposed? >> Is there discussion from the days? >> I'll stand a little bit. Mayor, uh first of all, I'd like to thank um Mr. Kois
who happens to be sitting here um and our and his work to uh facilitate all the back um information required by the SADC to get this project uh to the end or at
least we're close to the end here now. Um, this started as a opportunity back in 2023, I think it was, uh, to to acquire this land to preserve it and ultimately,
um, prevent excess building on this property and and we've all been waxing poetic and how it's nice to preserve 450 acres of land, but it took a lot of work. Um, I'd like to SA thank the SADC and the state for uh moving
expeditiously over the past year to get this this done. Um, and I think that u this is a great opportunity to um leave a legacy for our township for
years to come of a very large piece of property that will be beneficial to the a community and also to preserve our agricultural and uh rural state. >> Thank you for the history. Any comments from the >> I just want the this is a big deal for
Hillsboro. I just want the residents to hear this. This is one of the largest land I think the largest land purchase right in Hillsboro uh history and and I think this is or in recent history uh what is this just under a thousand acres just under over the past what 5 years or something like that uh a significant
amount of land has been preserved in our town when land in the state of New Jersey is really hard to come by and we live in this town for its beauty and for all the great features that it has and this is just another testament to the group getting together and making sure that we work with the right groups to make sure that they can help us preserve
this land in the end too. I think you know and it's probably going to come up in this conversation but it also helps us reduce our debt as well too because there's significant amount of money about $3.1 million comes off the debt when this when this hole comes to fruition and also in the future it may even allow us to make a profit on this
by selling it off to also preserve it as a farm in the future. So this is a big deal for Hillsboro. It's the right step. It's the way to protect the land. I'm just very proud of this one. >> Discussion from the floor. May I have a motion in a second to close the public hearing and adopt ordinance
2020? Okay. Well, I'm come forward. >> I just opened it to the public. I saw no one move. >> Somebody come. >> First, I'd like to say I'm very happy that this land has been preserved by the
state. Um, the only objection I have is that it was purchased in the most expensive way possible, which was unnecessary. Um, I was looking at your FAQs on this and the one question
that wasn't in the FAQs is the question I asked at this microphone last week, which was, "How much money was spent on debt service since this property was purchased?" Anybody have an answer? 433,000444. >> You asked for the question. Do you want
the answer? >> Yes. >> Okay. 2 million433,44562. >> And what does that include? >> Just debt service. >> Debt service. >> What about legal costs? What about ancillary costs? What about maintenance of the property for three years? That >> wasn't necessary.
>> No maintenance of the property. We don't maintain the property that we own. Wow. >> It's open space. >> Excuse me. >> It's open space. >> Yeah. And your DPW usually maintains open space. >> No, we don't. >> Since [snorts] when?
>> It depends on what the open space is. >> Miss Hos, you got the answer whether it fits in your narrative or not. Do you want the true skinny why it cost us this money? I didn't want to get the into this because I was trying to be positive. >> Feel free. We asked the county three years ago to partner with us
>> to buy this and and they did nothing but sit on it. They didn't even give us a letter of no thank you until they just basically let it sit and die on a table which cost us three years of interest till we went over their heads and went to the SADC. >> Why is that over the head over
[laughter] >> because I the county does not report to the state. I asked the county, they decided that they didn't want to get involved and and sat there and we waited and for years for them to give us a yes or a no and didn't even do that. So they
indirectly cost us the taxpayers of Hillsboro about a million and a half dollars in debt service because we waiting for their answer. Okay. >> So, the answer to your question is who really cost us the biggest amount of money was the county's inaction and basically disservice to this community
by not moving or at least giving us the courtesy of a thank you no letter. >> They just sat on it and let it die on on the vine until we just said no thank you. And we went to the SADC. David spearheaded that event and we got it done in a year.
>> Wow. and and Commissioner Drake even to the point in his letter that gave to me years ago, this was a land that was identified as a very valuable piece of property for their beltway. And when it became available, they did nothing.
>> So to sit here and ask how much debt service was put on it >> is disingenuous. And the real reason it we we sucked this up and you know the answer and you can sit there and be smug all you want, was the county's inaction. >> Yeah. Wow. And I tell you what, also
since we're getting into it, >> yeah, >> in the end, instead of using $14 million of open space, and you said why we could have done it cheaper, this land was could have been purchased for a lot more. We used the bond because we could act on it faster and not take up $14
million open space that can be used for other properties. So now we still have that 14 million of open space. We got $13.1 million in in development rights which could pay off the debt and we still own the property. Yeah, >> I think that's a pretty good deal. >> That turned out to be a great deal, but
you had no reason to anticipate that when you originally bought it and stated that you were going to hold on to it for a couple of years and that's why you didn't use open space funds because you didn't want to preserve the property but you wanted to develop. >> Then it gave us the most flexibility to
get to this end right here. Hey, flexibility has a cost. >> So, true leadership wins here. The ones that don't are the ones that sit back. The bottom line is you could have taken this buyer to the SADC originally and the state would have managed the purchase. The timing was not there. Two
appraisals. She had buyers for the property. She had buyers for the property. The timing did not permit anything other than what we did. And you don't know that because you weren't here. >> That's correct. Happily, >> I'm telling you. And I'm telling you that what used to happen was the SADC used to take the lead in purchasing
farmland preservation properties and it didn't cost the town anything until the town and county decided to opt in. And as far as your county comments go, the county had no obligation to partner with the ridiculous price that was originally
paid for the land. >> Good for us. >> Uh, good for you, right? Terrific. What problem do they have not being involved in it right now? They have plenty of property all over the county. In fact, our county government has been extremely aggressive in obtaining valuable
property to stop development instead of land that's covered with wetlands, covered with a pipeline, covered with a gas and electric uh pip uh easement right down the middle of it. >> Done your political speech. What else? think about all the development that
could have gone there or not and be very happy. But the bottom line is there are a lot of things that are not exactly accurate in there. I don't think the county has any obligation to bail you out. And honestly, if you waited for
three years for an answer, there's something really wrong with that. Okay, three years. I mean, if you ask somebody out on a date and they don't answer you for three years, do you stay home and wait? I don't think so. But we'll leave that one alone. Um, I would like to ask
in the original um in the original uh where is it? In the original ordinance, um where you talked about an application for this property. Um, that thing, that particular ordinance also included a
another property that wasn't in fact endorsed by the state. It was 303 Amwell. You submitted that in your original ordinance. Um, so why didn't the state include that property? >> We're only referring to ordinance 2603.
>> I can't hear a word you're saying. >> I can hear. >> Excuse me. >> Something wrong with my mic. >> She can't hear you. Just >> I understand. >> Annunciate. We are taking questions for ordinance 2026 >> and I'd like to know why 303 wasn't in fact included in the state
participation. It was submitted correct. I'm asking the question, >> mayor. As you as you've indicated, this is pertaining to ordinance of whether or not the township committee should move forward and actually enter into an
agreement with the SADC uh for pres preservation of this property and accepting of approximately $13 million in funds. >> Correct. >> Um if you don't believe the township should do so, please state your opinion. I'm just asking the resolution that gave the issue
>> April 9th, 2024 included block 98, lot 203 and it wasn't included. >> You don't control the agenda. You don't control the narrative. This is an ordinance >> about whether or not the township committee [clears throat] should enter into an agreement with the
SADC for the preservation of the farmland preservation on this property. If you think they shouldn't accept the $13 million, please let them know why they shouldn't. If you think the township should sell the property, they could certainly sell this property for well over $14 million. All they'd have
to do is zone it for 100 acres for town houses. They could get well back their money. But they have made the decision, I think, to preserve it. If you have a contrary position, please state it. But I don't know why you're bringing up these tangential issues that have
nothing to do with what's on the agenda. I don't think it's tangential to talk about how much money was wasted on debt service for three years while nobody moved forward with preserving the property. >> Do you have another question on this ordinance? >> Yeah, I do. I have a lot of questions on
this ordinance. Um um yeah. Oh yeah. I'd like to know when the uh thank you notes going out to the Democratic governor of the state. Um I was very amused when I was looking at
the minutes going back to the um app the original uh purchase of the property and uh the bond ordinance from 20 21 and on the same day you took out that
bond ordinance. Isn't it a coincidence that two items later, Joe Biden gave you four million dollars um on the same time? Do you ever you ever happen to send out a thank you note? >> Anything for this ordinance, ma'am? >> Yeah. I'd like to know if a thank you
notes gone out to the governor. >> That's not pertinent to this ordinance, but thank you. >> Yeah. Okay. Um Yeah. I I'd also like to know since I I read your wonderful Facebook post. Uh you indicated that four people on this
day worked on this problem. Um I'd like to know why uh committeewoman hand was not included. She voted on everything you voted on. I'd like to know what the four of you did that the one of her did not do. Well, >> I'm not going to comment on that, but
that's my experience. said it was Mayor John Chikarelli was also a part of it and he deserves a ton of credit for pushing and also working with David as well too. >> I'm not asking you why somebody else was included. I'm asking you why she wasn't. >> Well, because she didn't work. >> I wasn't either.
>> Excuse me. >> I wasn't either. >> You were included, honey, because you did part of it. Absolutely. You were. >> Yeah. Congratulations to those who've been working on this and those who closed it out. We're very proud of this. >> You can go through my social media all you want. There's tons of it. I communicate with everybody. again. Do we
have anything regarding ordinance 2026-3? Yeah, [snorts] your FAQs have a lot of errors in them. >> Thank you. and not my job to correct them. >> Mr. Brookke,
David Brookke, 7 Windingway. I'm still looking for that podium. But as it relates to ordinance 20263, I I'm glad that Hillsboro was able to convince the state agricultural
development committee um to agree to purchase the development rights for these 424 acres. And thank you, David Kois. Um I have two thoughts. The first one is um as now preserved or soon to be
preserved open space. Um I would like to please ask how the public can become involved with the idea of the use of the property specifically the idea of >> farmland not open space.
>> Yeah it's not open space it's farmland. So there there is an exception area that David put in there for some trails, but but just so so we're clear to the public, farmland doesn't mean open space open to the public. Farmland means it's going to be farmed and there's going to be farming activities on the property,
not open space. >> Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Willard. I was going to use the word trails into what I was going to ask about which is that I recognize that as agricultural use there might be
restrictions but there are many a areas that allow for trails. It's a great opportunity to try to invite the public in. Not all of the area is farmed. It's forested also. And unless we're going to be harvesting trees, those are also good
places for trails. Um, and I I would I guess suggest that the open space advisory committee or anybody else, sustainability, at least put something on their agendas to begin
to invite um the public and the idea of setting up some sort of uh proposals to do that. >> Yeah. >> Excuse me, Mayor. May I address that? Sure. Um, hello Mr. Brooke. Uh, part of the process of working with the state is
that, uh, SADC went back and worked with the county to kind of make sure that everything was okay. Uh, that's just part of the process that happens. And because of that, we're able to work with the county. and the county had expressed
that as part of their rail trails plan that was adopted just a few years ago that there was a stretch uh from Hamilton to Milstone, the burrow of Milstone that they had identified that as a potential future trail. So they had
asked us to consider uh carving out an exception area for that. The town's going to uh continue to own it for now and the township committee can decide what to do with it in the future. But for the purpose of having the farmland preservation deal go forward, we needed
to identify any of any and all of the exception areas and that was one that we got feedback from the county that they asked us to do that. So that's one of the one of the three exception areas on the property. And I'm presuming the forested areas are
also available or those are not >> the remaining part of the property. So 430 acres about 429 and change I believe uh will be preserved and that part that's preserved does
include some environmentally constrained areas and also includes all of the existing agricultural fields that are there uh that we currently have that property as part of our farm lease program. So we lease it out to a local farmer who uh who has been taking care
of the property essentially and we also have a part of that property is used as part of the the deer uh wildlife management. >> Right. >> Okay. Um yeah, the the idea of opening it up without interfering with the
agricultural use, I know can be accomplished. The the combined um beneficial use for both agg and the public. Um as was mentioned before, this property was not originally purchased using open
space monies. Um yet, I'm sorry, but I must bring this up. The township saw fit to take hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the open space fund to presumably
pay off some of that 2.433.445.62 cents of debt service. >> Nicely done. I don't know the total amount of money that was taken out of the openspace fund and I guess that would be a question.
Does anybody know how much money was taken out of that taxpayer funded open space fund to pay the debt or whatever else was involved with this property? So on the day right now, we don't believe that there was any open space funding used for this, but we will
confirm with our CFO. >> Well, I saw $800,000 one year that was taken out of open space. >> Taken out for this specifically. >> Okay, we'll confirm. >> At least that's my recollection. >> I think it was last year. I think it was in I think it was last year's budget
season. Um there was a I think it was like 853,000. Don't quote me, please. um that was taken out and it was used to pay debt service on that. >> So I I guess I would only ask if somebody could put together a total to
figure out how much money. >> So each year the debt the principal was 169 roughly,000 and then the interest was um it varied but I I nothing I have
matches that. So, I'll definitely look into it and get back to you. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, look, it's all in everybody's interpretation with regards to things. Um, and I know that the money that's coming back is not going to pay back all of the money that was put out,
but I guess I'm a little bit concerned that sometimes we rob Peter to pay Paul. And while I I don't want to get into a back and forth and I'm sure nobody wants to go that way, >> why don't we're robbing Peter or Paul if
we can't confirm it, but I will confirm with the CFO and get that number for you. >> All right. Well, the the thought would be I would encourage the township to figure out a way to try to put that money back into open space so we can use that money for more purchases, however
that might happen. Um, and and a total would be very much appreciated. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Any other questions from the floor? >> Hi, Muriel Bisber. Excuse me. [clears throat] Uh 22 Scarboro Road, Belme. Um
>> I do remember that in the initial contract in those two ordinances in 2021, there was 705,000 taken out as a down payment. So, since we bought it for 14 and we're selling it for roughly 13
besides the the uh bond uh service, um there's $75,000 that's not coming back. And there was also money allocated for inspections and bond council. So, there's probably another million dollars there that we haven't
even discussed. And I also agree with selling it at this point, but I was one of the people who came to the mic when we purchased it because it was a lot of money. and I knew we weren't using open space. And um I asked the question a couple times, what was the purpose of the purchase, which is supposed to be
articulated in the ordinance when a township spends this much money? There really wasn't much in there. And um what we were told was it was to avoid um warehouses. That was before the three years of warehouse applications came in
um which came in later that fall and there were several applications. and also uh to avoid being considered land inventory for affordable housing. So we're in kind of a little bit of a quagmire with affordable housing too. So I you know I just I just want that to be
recognized. That's all. >> Right. And committeeman uh Leani, I'm sorry, Deputy Mayor Leani gave the full history of the property and how it came to us. [music] Thank you. Any other questions from the floor? John Chikarelli, 14 Southland Drive, former mayor. Um,
I have more of a comment and observation. Want to confirm the county, from what I understand, what I was told, will pay $30,000 an acre. Is that correct, Mr. Kois? I think that's the
going rate is 30,000 an acre. Even if it ends up costing us 3.4 4 million. That's 7 7,900 an acre. So ultimately, what we're paying to still have 430 acres is
significantly less than what we could sell it for. So we still own it. That's the thing. >> And we're paying It's 2.4 million. It's 5,700 an acre and it's a steal. So go for it today. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Any other comments from the floor? Motion and a second to close the public hearing and adopt ordinance 2026-3. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> Committeeman Bringing. >> Yes.
>> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy uh Deputy Mayor Lukani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne, >> yes. Moving on, we have some personnel items. We have a personnel resolution
and appointments. Um, I'd like to uh make a motion to hear all the comments first and after that if any committee member would like to vote on any personnel items separately. I will give you the opportunity to do so. There's no need to take the item separately for the
purpose of commenting or questioning. Are there any comments from the deis? >> Yes, I have a comment. I just wanted to congratulate George and Ryan who are joining our sustainable Hillsboro steering committee. Had the opportunity to meet with both of them and I think they'll be wonderful additions to the
committee. Congratulations. Excellent. Any other comments from the DES? Comments from the floor. Come on. Maria Janusk, 720 East Freck Avenue, Manville. Um,
that would be consent consent number one. Uh, could I just ask why aren't these um identified by the resolution number instead of showing consent one, consent two? >> Miss Janu, we go through this. This is the how the system labels them and numbers them.
>> I'm sorry, what? >> We have gone through this. This is how the system labels them. >> This is how the system labels them. >> Correct. >> What do you mean? I I don't understand what >> when we put them into Civic Plus, that's how they get numbered. >> I'm also for some reason having a hard
time hearing understanding what you're saying. >> Can anyone raise your hand if you can hear me clearly? Seriously, I'm not Okay, thank you. Maybe it's a Maybe it's like a direct on thing. >> Slow down. >> Okay.
>> Oh, okay. Thank you. Appreciate the input there. Sorry. Okay. So, we put these into Civic Plus and then Civic Plus numbers them automatically. That's just the way the system works. But the system can be changed. You can
have resolution number and this way you would know automatically what the you know if you're referring to this >> it cannot is what the clerk is saying. >> So it's going to continue like this with the >> correct >> confusion. Okay. >> Sorry. >> Um
so this would be consent number one which is identified on the right as resolution R20 R1 120-2026. Uh resolution authorizing the salary adjustment for Joseph Desmond. Correct. effective 322026.
>> Correct. >> Um so uh whereas the police department IT director has retired effective 312026, there is a need for the responsibilities of this role to be assumed. Um so now it says that a township administrator recommends a salary
adjustment to 53,000 annually. Uh I I don't I find this kind of confusing because this ordinance talks about the salary range. Um and the IT director's uh salary range is 70,000 to 150,000 but
this recom this resolution recommends a salary adjustment to 53,000 annually. What what's being done with this? Is someone else taking over this work or is it is it a different becoming a different position now? >> So this is the position that we talked
about last week last meeting rather. So where he is supporting the PD and the uh director of IT here. You had the same question. >> So what what actually is his pos the
position titled? >> Yeah, that was back on >> police it. >> I feel like everything's back feeding here. Uh that was back when you did resolution. I mean uh the ordinance we changed his salary we changed his title but we went over this um last week last
week feels like last week two weeks ago when we went over the structure of the it so it's really just changing back in uh the ordinance his title was >> senior systems engineer >> engineer
>> slashadministrator not my administrator but for the IT for the PD um and that salary increase we talked about I believe uh deputy mayor Leani talked about it last last week. So because the salary range wasn't there we
had to change the ordinance which we did for the title and the dollar amount which is we talked about last meeting. So we just had to do that because the range wasn't there. >> All right. So uh I don't remember remember this from the prior meeting. It
was talked about but I don't remember the details. So, uh, this is a is this a new hire and this is what is the title of the the position? He's not a new hireer. >> So, he is moving from the PD.
>> He what? >> He is moving from the PD from the under the chief's, you know, supervision over to the director of it. >> Yeah. And and was it actually a part-time? I mean, it was a temporary
position. It's now a part-time position. So, >> yeah. >> So, this So, this is part-time. All right. Because it doesn't say and it's saying here >> because we talked it was the last meeting that we talked about him being part-time. >> Okay. But this is talking about this
position. This resolution is talking about this position. Correct. That should be something that should be included because um when you look at the the uh salary range ordinance uh you've got a a range of 70,000 to 150,000 for this position and this
become becomes very confusing when you when you have this resolution showing that uh the IT director retired and now there's an adjustment to 53. I think I find I think this this resolution does not provide information that should be provided as to what happened with this
with this. >> So last week or last meeting we did one piece of it and this meeting we're doing the salary adjustment. >> Why is it done that way? Why isn't it just pro information provided as far there's no reason why it can't be
provided and it doesn't say here that this is a this is a part-time position. So Anthony, do you want to explain why we separated it? >> Yeah, we had to we had to separate it because on the ordinance had to be changed because the salary range went up and it was above what he was making last
time and we had to change it because the title was was different as well. So you see a title change in the in the original ordinance and the resolution authorizing the salary adjustment because he was given a little bit more money. But we talked two weeks ago about the overall savings that both
committeewoman Gomez and Deputy Mayor Leani were part of. Um it was a savings for collapsing um some of those positions. And this is a huge savings. We went from a full-time person making 140ome [clears throat]
to 144 to now making 53. >> Correct. >> So that's what we're doing. >> Well, that's we went on and on. Okay, >> I think Okay, >> this is very interesting because it shows how by making certain adjustments,
there could be a huge savings in salaries. >> There was a a $90,000 savings and we talked about that last meeting as well. >> Yeah. So I'm that's what I'm saying is that that you know if if because there's so many employees that was was mentioned
there's so many maybe there can be looked at as to what can be combined somewhere or someone you know put someone in full-time with >> exactly what committee hand referenced last meeting. So we've done it in health we're doing it with it as people retire we're able to kind of blend those roles.
>> Yep. Yeah. And and I still and I still [clears throat] feel that that >> personally that more information should be provided as to this position and that it's part-time and kind of what happened to it. >> Thank you for the feedback. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Yes. Um consent number two, which is
resolution 121-2026, >> uh resolution authorizing the salary adjustment for Brittany uh Yakolik Yak Yak Yakalik. Um whereas the responsibilities of the
outreach support specialists have grown sign significantly since its inception in 2024. Um what what is the current salary of the um outreach support specialist? >> 22 $22 an hour.
>> It's it's a also part-time. 22 to 25 >> an hour. >> It's in that range. No, she is at 22. We're proposing a raise to $25 an hour. >> Okay. All right. So, you're saying
because of the um responsibilities having having grown significantly, you're increasing it? >> Yes, ma'am. >> And this is a part-time position, you think? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. And so does it kind of is there somewhere where you kind of specify what
what what responsibilities because it says grown significantly. What what responsibilities and where are these responsibilities coming from? >> I'll leave that to the um personnel leazison. >> So Miss Janisk, so you actually even
said this what her salary was in the beginning of the meeting when you talked about the salary ranges, but she's a support for our economic and business development commission. She does a lot of outreach to the community. So, her her job is a part-time position. Um it
uh as she's gotten involved in the position, her roles have taken on more responsibility. It gives frees up um our Susanna from doing some things and allows uh Miss Yian to do it. So, she's very valuable part of our time and of
our community and our our township. And it's a part-time position. It's $25 an hour. you're looking at a 29h hour a week uh job times $3. So it's it's a hundred bucks if you want to reduce it to the ridiculous. So it's just being uh
rewarding and keeping a very good employee here that could leave and go work somewhere else and make more money and still be conservative. >> Okay. Um you mentioned she frees up someone she's >> her supervisor director >> the director
>> of the economic business development team. And who is that? >> Zuzanna. >> Who? >> Zuzanna. >> Luzanna. >> Zuz Zu Z U N A. >> Zuzanna. >> Zu Z- N A. Thank you. >> Carris. Susanna Carris. The director of
economic business development. We have two and a half full-time people. So, she's taken on the added responsibilities versus trying to bring a full-time employee in which would add 30 some thousand in benefits and cost us a lot more money. So taking additional
responsibilities, additional classes and software stuff that we need. So we're thankful for that. >> Okay. Right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I just I want to ask the team something. So I was just looking based on um Miss
Janice. I hope I said that right. Um uh question. The the resolution for Joe Desmond has his title as senior systems engineer administrator. On the salary ordinance, it says 4,000 a
month to 6,000 a month. I could not find that salary anywhere, but we're approving a salary of 53,000, which we talked about, but I'm just trying to square the two. >> What's your question? >> So, are we saying so he's 53,000? So,
he's in between the four to 6,000 a month. Correct. So like banned it's again so I think that's could be confusing. So on the resolution we're showing that we're putting him at a salary of 53,000 which is a part-time
position and it's an increase from what he was making. But if you're trying to for those of you playing at home or or here in the room on the salary ordinance, it lists that position, senior systems engineer administrator,
but it says 4,000 a month is the minimum and 6,000 a month is the maximum. And if you do the math, if you look at a full-time position is like 240 hours. And if you look at 1020, like a part-time position, and do the math, um,
it goes in between, I think, like 48 and 50, the high 50,000s. So, it does square. I just wanted to say that out loud. All right. Any other comments from the floor? >> Is this just for the personnel part?
>> Correct. Good. Excellent. Um, item number five under personnel items and appointments, uh, hiring and rehiring of part-time positions to support Hillsborough 2026 spring recreation programs. Um, looking at the chart,
um, which is hard on my phone. Um, it says rate next to the positions and you know the rates are what they are. Um, it doesn't say whether this is per game, per hour. You have soccer officials here. You have coaches. You have
supervisors. Correct. >> And you have a rate that doesn't indicate whether that's an hourly rate or a per game rate. >> What is it? >> I'm not sure what the website says, administrator for >> Yeah, I some some of it is actually for the camps it would be hourly. Some of
them do have uh um rates as well. It might be a six- week program. I mean, I'd have to look at all that from the recreation. I mean, it's either it's either probably most likely camps or they might have a one-time uh fee, but most of those are hourly rates from
whether most of these are high school students, if you will, or college students. >> Um, on the low end, then probably on the higher end would be the supervisors and as they go up, >> they're adults also on this list. >> Correct. >> That's what I just said. >> Yeah, it would be supervisors. >> And these are hourly rates,
>> believe so. Okay. Yes, I believe so. There's there's no um there's no maximum number of hours. There's no minimum number of hours. There's no range of hours here. So, in other words, what you're approving tonight is an endless stream of, you
know, anywhere from 24 19 or 16 to $50 an hour without any limitation on that at all. And I asked that question because over the last couple of years, the recreation trust has over spent um the amount of money in the trust and
the general fund had to make up for that. In fact, a couple of years ago, it was to the tune of $250,000. So, if you don't know how many people are coming into your programs and you're hiring people with unlimited rates of
pay, how does that ever get controlled? Do people >> Yeah, I I again you're just making comments again. I'm not sure where those numbers are coming from. Um and as a former administrator, I think you should know better than that. Um they keep coming up here like that and just trying to make comments that aren't true. So
during a COVID year, um I believe there was was issues with that fund which was around the entire state. So that fund is no one's owing that fund. That fund is where it needs to be. All I know you're coming up with five years a township had to make up for the money that the
recreation fund should have had. >> I just I just answered the question for you and I advised you that it was during the co years like every other town in New Jersey and probably around the United States. Um so that was true to maintain those level of employees to get the program up and the program's back
where it needs to be. >> So just because you say it doesn't make it true as the last couple comments you made. I'm trying I'm trying trying to understand what you're saying and what you seem to be saying is perhaps during the pandemic um programs were not
attended but then why were people hired to run them? >> Excuse me. >> Why were people hired for programs that didn't have >> back in the co years? Of course they weren't. >> So we're going to focus on we're going to focus on >> let's we keep going off actually
>> the items to go through the subject. I'm asking about how you subject how you control when you don't have a maximum number of hours for these rates. >> If you want tomorrow, we'll get you all that information. If if you think for an instant that we're paying college kids
for a couple weeks in the summer for camps and again, as a former administrator, you know this is spring. This is spring recreation, not the summer. >> Wait. Do Do you think that the kids out there in college are making hundreds of thousands of dollars for a couple weeks? It's simple.
>> Are you suggesting that we're running the recreation program illegally? That we don't know what we're doing >> again. It's every it's it's every week. I I know you're trying to cause issues that are not there. >> I'm trying to cause issues. >> If you want the numbers, we will provide the numbers to you. >> Okay.
>> Simple as that. >> Do you have any other comments on this? >> I will when you get to the consent. >> Great. Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Uh would anyone like to take the item separately? If yes, a motion and a second are needed for each.
>> May I have a motion and a second to approve personnel and appointment items 1 through 7? >> So moved. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call. >> Committeeman Bringing. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committee woman [clears throat] hand.
>> Congratulations and yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. Congratulations all and thank you to our staff. Yes, >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. Consent agenda. Remember, we're going to hear all comments first. After that, if any committee member would like to take an item from the consent agenda
for separate voting, I will give the opportunity to do so. There's no need to take items separately for the purposes of commenting and questioning. Comments for the deis on consent agenda items, [clears throat] please. Uh,
>> no questions. Okay. Thank you. >> I'll just reiterate uh Mr. Gillette was up here. So, I would uh look to go to the neck event on May 11th at Flounders Brewing and Network Association with a business association. I would if you
haven't been to one, it's a very good event. It's also the one in uh our business association awards. We recognize all our our successful businesses voted on by our businesses is October 29th. So look for that to go out. So I would highly recommend you uh
come and and to that. It's a very uh nice evening. Um and then the uh other thing that I'd like to um say is that I'd like to thank again David and his team for helping us get through the
myriad of things to get this point at least for our affordable housing uh some of these resolutions to get them off our plate. So, thank you, David. >> Second, the huge thank you to the planning department in general. Thank you very much.
>> All right. So, um I had a comment. So, number three, I know we are discontinuing our shared services with Alexandria Township. I know this decision was made back in November, but I think the the question to be asked is
um what have we learned from this? So, you know, we have some successful shared services, you know, with board of health. Um, we have several with with other towns and then some that this one didn't work out. So, I know when this
was introduced, we thought it was um you know, the the township said, "Hey, this is the right thing to do, but it it didn't work out." So, I think what is the lesson learned? >> And sure, I'll answer is I'm sorry. and and it's like what is the criteria um so
that we as a township can make sure that the right decision is made moving forward and we don't have another um failed >> fail it's it's nice that it's nice that you say failed um so we have extremely
successful shared services here um just like we have four courts >> and even some of those courts which will named won't be named we go out there we investigate we send our team out there and they do the best they can and they evaluate that service and is it worth
the service and the money for the township. Even in our best efforts until you actually take on that shared service for a while just like some of the courts and you believe everything that the other town tells you is is true sometimes it's not. Um and in this case that was the fact. So the team went out
there, investigated until you actually do the shared service for a while to see if it's actually worth the time and money for the town and this one wasn't. So it's not failed, it's actually successful because when you take a look at it, we could keep doing the service
and wasting money and wasting time. And we decided that after reviewing that for a year and giving it a a good chance that we decided that it was not worth the amount of money that we were being paid. It wasn't fair to our employees. it just wasn't. So, it was actually a
success in that we're looking at it and evaluating it further. You can never take on any shared service and know exactly what you're getting in the first couple months. It's impossible. We've kept four courts and we've been almost number one, two, and three, and four in those courts. And I can tell you, taking
on those courts in the beginning, it was tough for our court. And we did not know what we were getting. We thought we knew we were getting, but we ended up getting through it. But in this case, for the small amount of money we were getting, Thank you, OEM director. Um, thought you were trying to save me. So, um, in this
case, for the very little amount of money and the amount of time it was taking my finance staff, it was not worth it. So, every shared service is a gamble, um, you do the best you can to evaluate it, but you have to trust your people, which I do. and they came came
to me the CFO and the um the tax collector and all the all the ladies in there and just said this is not worth our time and what we're doing and we gave it back and we should have. >> So we'll we'll continue to take on shared services and evaluate them the best we can but I certainly don't want to continue a service that is not
benefiting the township the employees or taxpayers and I won't do that. So it's not failed it's actually evaluated. I just want to add it also speaks to the success of our personnel that they stood up and advocated for themselves and this deal. So definitely not a failure and
certainly not a failure to our employees and thank you for that. >> Oh not so I think let me clarify. Um so it was a failed shared service. So I think um and nothing to do with our employees. They do a fantastic job and I think the question was you know should
we put the stress on them in the beginning? And I remember having that conversation as far as workload, but it's a matter of um increasing the due diligence to make sure that we make a good decision. Like I'm not I'm not okay with a gamble. I'm really not. And I
think that we need to take a more conservative approach to make sure we do the appropriate due diligence and dig into this and make sure it's the right thing to do. Um because, you know, is that why we lost our last CFO? You know, was it the stress from that? Who knows?
Um, but we don't want that to impact our employees negatively and I think we owe it to them to make good decisions. So, thank you very much for that. >> I would say that the CFO that left was the one that advocated for the shared service and came to us. >> That that is correct. >> So, we she actually said she could do
it. Absolutely. She's also the one doing it right now in Alexandria. >> That is that is correct. So, actually our last CFO recommended it and said she could absolutely handle it. um so much that she is now the same person doing that. >> Exactly.
>> So if that that is correct. So you can't thank the employees and then not thank them because they're the ones that evaluated it and said they could handle it and take it on >> and they're the same employees that came back and said that they couldn't after the CFO left. >> Any other comments from the day on any
of their consent agendas? >> Yes. I I mean I don't know if others have questions. So, um, on number seven with the I know we've talked about the Sunnyme, the non-combination area, etc. N in need of redevelopment.
>> Do we know what they're going to do there? And I did have a concern around trees. There's because it's it's >> Yes, I know it's a, you know, some of it was a landfill, etc., but there's the other parcel that is a ton of trees. Do we have any idea what they're going to do on there? I know it's right by the
railroad tracks. >> So, I'll >> No, let David Okay, if I may. Uh, so the next step after this would be for the township committee to introduce as an ordinance the actual redevelopment plan. And the
redevelopment plan would go into all the different uses and any of the standards from the land use ordinance that would apply or not apply >> to design kind of what zoning that sort of thing. >> Correct. Correct. >> As discussed in in Zack. Okay.
>> It is very nice having you up here, David. Thank you. >> Um discuss >> do we want to go over? >> Well, I mean >> because there's the sale agreement >> as well. >> There there was a prior redevelopment u agreement that was entered into that with them. Um and in that agreement it
mentions uh solar uh self storage facility office or class B recycling. Originally when they came to us it was going to be class B recycling. Um then he went to went to solar. Um no wait this wasn't No. Yes. It was class B and then solar. Correct. Um One of the
reasons he wants to acquire the more acreage was to make the solar more feasible. Again, I don't know if it's going to work out for him, but based upon our agreement with him, um solar, self- storage, office, class B recycling were were the uses that were put into that agreement. Um but as David
indicates, there'll have to be eventually an amended redevelopment plan, a redevelopment plan with respect to this property. >> Right. and and tonight it's what's before the township committee is to adopt a resolution um adopting the recommendation from the
planning board to add that other lot. >> Yeah. >> And Bill and Bill, you are correct because you and I have been working on this a long time that Mr. Her's anticipated is to put a larger solar on that. >> Yeah. That's that's why he wanted the additional property is because to make it financially feasible.
>> Um again, I I don't know solar if it's going to work or not, but that was his his thought process. Mayor, if I could just add. >> Sure. >> The addition of the property allows more flexibility on where things can happen on the property. And as they're
responsible for closing the landfill, there might be certain restrictions in terms of of of what of what they can do on top of the landfill, right? >> Depending on how they close it exactly. So by having a little bit more property, it gives an opportunity to look at the
two lots as the entire redevelopment area and to try to put something there or a combination of things that would be allowed to try to make the most of that property. >> Exactly as discussed in exact session. Thank you very much for that clarity. I appreciate it. Any other questions?
>> Thank you. So yeah, so um on 10, I'm just wondering so dig digitalization of construction department. >> Um terrific. Do we think do we I don't know how um Erica, not to put you on the spot, I don't know how many um Opas we
get around those sorts of records, but do we think this will help from an Oprah standpoint if those are digitalized if they're put on the township website? You know, are residents going to have access to more information and they won't have to go through that system and and tax our employees? What are your thoughts?
Even it well if they're on the township website I'm not sure that they would be on the website but even if once they're digitized they're a lot quicker for us to retrieve um to fulfill a request. Yes. >> So also I deal with phobionics at the county. They also do redaction. So
everything that is um scanned is then redacted by our legal and then saved on fauvionics. So yes they're redacted. They're immediately available and operable is simple download. >> That's great. >> Yep. >> We love that.
>> Yep. >> And >> did anyone else have questions? >> No. I >> I'll just add to that, but the bigger the other plus side of that is it's a significant cost savings because we have to pay a monthly fee to store all those things in a warehouse somewhere. We
don't like to use the W word, but in a warehouse somewhere. And then obviously when we need to get something, it takes even longer because we have to go physically to the site, find the file, and bring it out. So the uh cost in is part of it, but also there is a savings in for that too. >> Yeah, thanks. I'm just going to say that
because of the storage of those units and every time we take a box out, they charge us to take the box out. So cost savings and obviously for the staff to get obtain that in 5 seconds versus driving somewhere past Elizabeth. >> Exactly. Anyone other questions? All
right. So my my other comment is I know we have three different settlements on here. Um again for those playing at home, number six, number eight and number 13
are all um settlement agreements that we are um going into. These are all um around affordable housing. These are people who were objectors uh things like that. So I guess my couple questions.
First of all, um, have we, you know, I'm just I'm trying to think of all the settlements, the the litigation the town is involved in. Um, what is our track record? Like seriously, over the past 20 years and all of the um litigation, all
of the uh ones that we have entered into, I'm just wondering what our track record is as far as because it looks like we are settling they're settling with these um developers >> and they are you know we we are not in a
great position from a leverage perspective. They know what the courts have told us um from a affordable housing perspective. So these are developers who were like okay I wanted to build a warehouse or I wanted to build this um we are not in a good
position as a township with with the courts from affordable housing and I think they are using this um as leverage. So, I'm just wondering I don't I don't think what we're doing has has been working well and I want to know what our track record has been over
the past 20 years. >> So, that has nothing to do with these consent agendas and we can definitely get you that information offline from our legal team. >> Well, and do you have a question on the consent? >> I think we should know what are we paying in legal fees and what what have we paid in legal fees? >> Also public.
>> Um >> I'm sorry. also public record >> and but you know let's let's bring it together. Um because the the taxpayers all of us in this room are are footing the bill for that. Um and as far as all these court cases just
>> well to answer your question our record is we haven't lost we have not lost our immunity ever in in Hillsboro. So therefore we have not been subject to a builder's readmies uh standpoint. So everything that we have settled has settled according to the judges and to
the fair shares. So, um, as you know, because you just sat in executive session for an hour with our attorney, the last the last one took five years to work through, uh, in round three and now we're in round four and we had to do it in six weeks. Um, we are
still have, uh, immunity and the judges are allowing us to discuss in settlement. So, we are not in a bad place. We are actually in a very still good place. So, I think that you're being disingenuous and speaking to the public that way. We have if we were in a bad place we would have lost our immunity and we have not.
>> So we haven't lost our immunity but the playbook is clear. So the developers know that we they know that the judge wants us to work with all the objectors. We have the dubious distinction of having the most objectors in all of New Jersey. Congratulations Hillsboro. We're not going to put that on the sign by the
way. Um but we we have that distinction. We have all of these objectors and the court has said you were to work with them. Hence you are seeing all these settlements. Hence we will be you know having these buildings moving forward.
Um because we have been directed to to work with them. Um >> it's fair share miss hand and you know that fair it's basically affordable housing has driven all of this. If there was no affordable housing mandate from the state of New Jersey we wouldn't be in this spot and period. had we not
objected to our you know again we were one of the few towns that objected to our housing number and because of that the judge question the >> coals do you think that we should have just accepted the number up front and move forward
>> I think that we could have gotten the exception >> yes or no do you think we should have accepted the number and move forward up front >> yes or no >> I'm not on trial >> well you're putting you're asking questions you know the answers to I'm going to asking you answers to your own question. I do not think it was this is
your this is the game. >> Trust me, I read the whole package. So, don't even act like I don't know what's going on. >> Well, then then answer your own questions because you know the answers. >> I'm the only one with questions or corrections to the package. So, let's not talk about who >> what is the answer to your question that you just asked because I know you don't.
>> My point is that we have not handled this well. Um what would you have done with these? >> What would you have done differently? Would you have accepted the number up front? Yes or no? >> Committeeman Britting. Committee woman hand answer the question. You're asking everyone asked to do the same thing. Would you have accepted the number up front?
>> I'm asking you general questions. >> I'm asking you. Would you accept accepted the number from the state, the statemandated number up front yesterday? >> What I will tell you is the towns that accepted the number upfront from the state fared much better than they just accepted the number. >> So what you're saying is Hillsboro
Hillsboro residents should have just said yes to the state without defending themselves. >> Set that for the record. >> Thank you. Any other questions from the deis? Great questions from the floor. Um, I wasn't really planning to come up
here, but since we're talking about affordable housing, um, it's very easy and clear to mention that in 2020 when we satisfied round three in terms of number of units, we were charged $50,000
by Fair Share Housing for legal fees. And because of this delay, which is much longer for round four, um, it could easily be 50 or $100,000. So there is a cost and plus all the professional fees. So um you know I I think there is a
possibility that we could have resolved this sooner. There's only 20 towns in 400 and something in New Jersey that still have to be resolved and we're one of them. So um this does take a lot of time and when you have to settle and you haven't done any of the zoning yet, you
know, so you don't know how plausible really building in some of these places is. I think there's a lot of reason for acting more quickly. Also, last week I came up here and I mentioned that we haven't had any accounting information um for round three since 2020 when we
signed the affordable housing ordinance for round three where there's a responsibility by the township to put out the accounting and we really need to see how our fair share planning has been and spending. There's, you know, there's
500,000 a year mentioned from 2022 to 2025 in the spending plan for round three for affordability assistance. What is that? Did we spend $2 million on that? I mean, I think these are some pretty important questions.
>> So, Mel, don't wait. Don't don't don't sit down yet. So, no, come on up. Um, so you know, right what I'm going to say. >> No, I don't. >> That you were here two weeks ago. >> Yes. Yes. And how long did it take for Mr. Kois after I told him to call you?
How long? The next morning and went over the process. >> We had a very good discuss >> and you had a great convers and I told David, I said, "You know what, Merryill's going to have a great conversation with you cuz after the cameras are off and all the nonsense was gone, we had a nice conversation in the back of the room and I said, "Got it. We have a great affordable housing agent.
David's working. He just started and help him out and work together and get resolution, which is what we like to do, which is what I like to do." and you called, had a great conversation, and David's working on it with you, right? >> Not with me. It's a CFO responsibility, >> but we're working on the process
together, >> right? >> Within a couple hours, the next morning, reached out and took your information, working with David, right, David? And we're getting we're getting somewhere. >> I don't have the information. >> I know we do, but we we appreciate you bringing it up. And anyone who comes up
here, we get you get a call usually the next morning. Maria Maria can tell you I called Maria the next morning. Right. What time was it? 8:30. >> Too early. I woke Maria up. Actually, [laughter] I woke Maria up, said good morning, sang some songs, and we get back to people
the next morning when you guys come up here. So, for the public, we want to be transparent. We always say that up here. So, we call you the next morning and sometimes we wake you up because we listen and we try to resolve things and we did. So, we have two people that got called. One, I unfortunately I woke up. Sorry, Maria. But Maro, in all fairness,
we David reached right back out. David is going to be a great municipal housing officer, but he came in in the middle >> and we are so we are and I agree with you. We are so happy to have a new um housing agent. I'm thrilled. So, we're all thrilled, all three of us. Thank you. >> Doesn't change anything that I said.
>> Okay. >> Just out of idle curiosity, is there any way to avoid fair share of fees? >> That was part of the that was that that was an odd thing as part of the third round. That was almost a shakeddown at every single municipality. every single
municipality ended up paying them something in their settlement agreement to go to fund fair share. It hasn't been part of this round. Okay. >> It has not been part of this round, but she is correct. In round three, it was it it was the court was looking at every single party and every single township
that insurance settlement agreement there was a number in there to make a contribution to fair share. >> Lovely. >> Thank you for asking. >> Excuse me, mayor. May I just address a little bit of what Miss Bisberg said? Uh so it's something that we're currently working on uh in the last two years or
so. Uh there's been a new process started at the state level in terms of them switching over to a new system and um you know becoming your municipal housing leaison uh whenever the reorg was. Uh I'm currently working directly
with the state with the DCA in and going through and trying to verify that all of our information is accurate with the state. There's two different types of information that we have to make sure is accurate. One is all of the units that still have controls in terms of what's
considered affordable units. And the other part is me working directly with our CFO and making sure that all the finances that have been reported or need to be reported will continue to be reported. And that's and that's something that we're working on. Uh the
strategy is is going forward and addressing what we're spending in this budget in this calendar year going forward. And then we're going back and trying to make sure that the state has all the correct information. The state understands that Hillsboro is not the
only town in the position that we're in and that uh all the towns need to make sure all their information is accurate. Uh the state has been really really good in working with us and we continue to have a dialogue. So, we're going to work as fast as we can to try to get that
information out there and to make sure that it's that it's public and available. We just need just ask for some time. We just need some time. Yep. >> Understood. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments from the floor? Come on. >> Don't ask any questions that are going
to get your phone ringing at 8:30 in the morning. [laughter] >> Miss Janisac, I just want to say anytime Anthony calls me, it's too early. [laughter] >> This is for the uh for the other resolutions. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, this is for consent number
one, resolution uh 126-2026, the resolution authorizing the economic and business development office to host a Hillsboro business association awards and networking event at Roycebrook Golf Club on October 29, 2026.
>> Uh is this is this a new event? >> It's a it's our annual quarterly event, ma'am. So we hold an event quarterly every year. >> This this this this event >> well this is the year end but it's not a new okay
>> but it's not a new event to your question. This is something that we've done every year >> this networking thing. >> Yes ma'am. >> Okay. Um why does uh is there a need for this type of event? >> Absolutely. So this is the event that I
just mentioned in my comments earlier. This is an event that allows our local businesses to all come together. And some of them are not just within Hillsboro, but they do business within Hillsboro, like they could be in Montgomery or whatever. They all come to these events to network with like-minded
business people, but also to, for instance, you're a um a a landlord, I'm a realer. We're going to get together and we're going to talk about like other potential business opportunities for each other, right? So these are the
kinds of things we have food vendors who partner with event spaces and then they can come together. So this is a very important networking for the success of our small local businesses. Absolutely imperative actually and we're one of the small few towns uh specifically in this
area in Somerset County that do do this and it is very widely received. >> Okay. Um now, uh it says here that there's a a um fee, registration fee of $30 for this first one. >> Yes. >> Um
>> for all of them. >> The second one has a a lower a little lower fee. >> Yeah. It depends upon what Mr. J. It depends upon the event space. What happens is the uh business havoc goes out, arranges the space, finds out how much it's going to cost a head, and then
anybody that wants to sign up signs up, pays that fee, we collect the money, pay the venue. What what I wanted to ask though was in addition to this uh u fee that that that they they gave could give to Hillsboro,
are there any additional costs that have to be paid by >> from some funds from Hillsboro? >> Not to my knowledge, Anthony. >> So, anybody who attends the event uh pays for it as as uh Mr. Willard mentioned. Um the only thing that's picked up is the few employees that that
attend. So, it's it's it's pretty nominal. the township committee, a few of the department heads. So, you might have maybe any between eight to 10 people from the township. The rest is paid by all of the attendees. >> Okay.
All right. So, that was the same answer for consent number two where it's going to be on May 11th. >> Y >> and it's a $20 fee. Okay. Um Okay. Okay. So, consent number three,
uh, resolution 128- uh,2026, resolution ratifying and confirming the discontinuation of the shared services agreement with the township of Alexandria for the pro provision of chief financial officer services, including payroll accounts payable,
qualified purchasing agent services. Um, why is it specifying including payroll, accounts payable, and qualifi? What what what types of other um >> it's just listing all of the services that we provided for them.
>> Oh, so so >> we did their payroll, their CFO, their accounts payable, and their purchasing agent services. So, it's just ratifying that we are no longer doing any of the businesses as a shared service with Alexandria.
>> Okay. So why did Hillsboro enter into a shared service agreement? Uh >> oh ma'am. >> Anyway, >> so uh at the start of committeewoman Hand's questioning, this was the discussion that we just had with Anthony and committeewoman Hand
>> did did Hillsboro always have a shared service agreement? What >> No, ma'am. We started it last year. >> Okay. And so and so now does Hillsboro have a CFO or what's what's going on with that right now? >> This is this is discontinuing our shared
service for Alexandria. So we have a CFO. They we set them free to go find their own CFO. >> So it was Hillsboro's CFO that was being shared. >> Correct. >> Okay. and and our and other of our
finance department to handle all of those specific uh segments that I just mentioned. So, what was what was the benefit of doing that for Hillsboro? >> We were paid. [clears throat] Okay. Um, uh, consent number six,
resolution 131-2026, resolution authorizing execution of a settlement agreement with Murray Contracting and Homestead Corner LLC. Who was who was the judge who handled the settlement agreement? >> Menon,
>> the settlement agreement isn't us. I'm sorry. >> Well, the case is before Judge Menon. The settlement agreement is between between the township and the and the property owner. >> [clears throat and snorts] >> The judge was who? >> Settlement agreement is between us and the property owner.
>> But you don't have a judge involved in this. >> Well, there is a judge overseeing the case. Yes. Judge Menon is overseeing the case. >> Overseeing the case. And uh that's judge. What's the first name? >> The judge William. >> William Menon.
Okay. And um it says here uh that uh uh a copy of the uh settlement agreement was annexed annexed to this which which
wasn't so that there's no information as far as how many units are involved in this what what the settlement agreement is. Why wasn't that provided? If this is something that's at a at the public hearing, why isn't that something that's provided to the public? >> Great question. Deputy clerk will answer
it for you. The settlement agreement was added in exactly >> was added in >> this sorry the settlement agreement has been added in it came to me late in the day so that it's why it wasn't included
in the packet that you have there but it is actually it's included now so you can go online and it'll show up in the portal. >> This one was in there actually. So number six you're asking about >> number six was in there is the one. Don't sorry
>> Eric you did it. You're great. >> Never mind. It's there. >> Number six was added but you know what? I don't know if it's available to the public. I don't know if you can see what we see but we we could see the settlement agreement in there. >> We should be able to >> I think the public could see the settlement agreements. They I'm I'm
seeing once it's approved. I'm seeing shaky shaking. >> Once it's approved and executed, then it'll be a public document available for their inspection. But to answer your question, Miss Janis, um the settlement agreement does call for uh inclusionary housing at the site. For anybody that doesn't know, inclusionary housing is a
mix of market and affordable units. Um this is 150 total units, townhouse units, and 36 to be affordable. >> And so what is what is the reason why it's not available to the public? because >> because it hasn't been it hasn't actually been approved yet, but it's
being approved right now. If it gets approved, we'll it'll be signed and uh you can you can definitely get a copy of it. We'll get you a copy of it if you ask for it. >> So, why would this be presented before before it's approved? Why would this be a resolution before the public and at a
meeting before it's approved? >> Just like all the ordinances are >> they have to approve it. >> Not an ordinance. >> No, I [clears throat] I said it's the same as any other ordinances, right? So, we bring it here to approve it. >> It makes it very difficult for the
public to know what's going on when it's it's it's not information isn't provided in this resolution. It says a copy of which is annexed. The settlement agreement annexed here too. So, it would appear that we members of the public
know what's going on with this. Now we hear that it's an inclusionary uh inclusionary what >> it's called incl we call it inclusionary housing which means it's a mixture of market and affordable units. In this particular development it's going to be
150 stack town houses. 36 of those units will be affordable. >> So out of 150 36 are are are only affordable. Yes ma'am. >> 24%. Yep. Um
um consent number eight, resolution 133-2026, resolution authorizing execution of first amendment to settlement agreement with Valley Road Realy LLC. >> Again, it states here that a copy uh has
been annexed, but it has not. So don't have information as to what that's all about. Um >> so this includes 34 affordable rental units, 27 supportive housing bedrooms,
um proposed under amendment up to 199 total units. So, um, how many how many pages are there to this amendment? >> Does she count?
>> Yep. Yep. >> Mr. Chair, I don't know how many pages the amendment is, but um, again, and my office didn't prepare it. Uh but there was a third round settlement with respect to this property. Um it did include 223 total units. Um based upon I
guess some engineering of the property um and looking at its site they mended it down to 199 total units. So they're reducing the number of units that are going to be constructed on this property. 34 are going to be affordable rentals and then the other there's going
to be 27 supportive uh special needs bedrooms. Special needs. What? >> Special supportive housing bedrooms. >> And there's three pages to the settlement. All of this is uh it's going to be
rental rental properties or this is >> this is a rental project. Yes. >> The entire project everything is being built is going to be for uh for rental. >> This is a rental project. Yes. Okay. And consent number 13, resolution 138-2026,
resolution authorizing execution of settlement agreement with Robertson Douglas Group. Uh again, this states that the um the settlement agreement was the next which would mean that we members of the public saw it, but we didn't. So um
>> Sure. >> What's what's involved with with this with this settlement agreement >> with this one? It's um age restricted for sale units. There's going to be a total of 150 townhouse units. Again, an inclusionary development, meaning some are going to be market, some are going to be affordable. There's going to be
150 total units, 36 of which are going to be affordable. >> And age restricted, meaning >> 55 and over. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions from the floor?
>> Of course. [clears throat] >> David Brookke, 718. I had no intentions of coming up, but I can't help but ask. This number eight, Valley Road, that was previously agreed upon. Correct. That's at the end
of Valley Road where the road turns sharply over the railroad tracks. Okay. I I just want to bring this up. I brought it up when it was reszoned. I'll bring it up right now. This property is directly next to the railroad tracks.
Directly across from the railroad tracks is a place called Aerop Press. Take a look. It handles highly explosive gases. They take them off the train,
they mix them, they put them on trucks, and they send them wherever. So when this came up, I came before everybody and said it's probably not a good place to build residential. I know the court was involved, but
if you look at this place and you recognize that it fits in what's called the Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act. There's 90 places in New Jersey that fit that. It was passed,
this law was passed after Boal. Everybody may remember Boal in India where this toxic gas leaked out and killed thousands of people. So the state passed this law to identify the
superhazardous facilities in the state. Aeropress is one of them. Congratulations. We actually have two in Hillsboro. But putting that aside for the moment, I went and did a records request. I love doing records requests.
Not really, but the D keeps track. They identify this facility and they make them do a worstcase analysis. Meaning, if there is an accident, what's the worst that can happen?
The worst that can happen at this particular facility is a fireball that will reach a half a mile out from it if it explodes. That's the worst case. All I'm saying is this is a multi-story building, at least it was before,
and please somebody tell somebody to do something from the point of view of zoning or a blast wall or something because if there is an accident there, all those people will be
emilated by that particular uh release of gas. probabilities they're certainly low but reality is that facility maybe we can move it I don't think so but that facility is there and building housing
next to it >> honestly stupid so >> we couldn't agree more and we would love to have you speak to the state on that behalf >> all I'm saying is somebody should do something because if we build it there
and if there is a problem and if all those people get killed, >> um it it doesn't make sense. Um a blast wall could work to the extent that the facility would build something along the
tracks that could try to deflect it, but all I'm saying is it's a bad place. It was a bad place before. And I have all the documentation, so I'm not making this up. If anybody wants to see it, I'll give you all of the um worst case
analysis that I picked up from D. So, just please be aware of that. And I think we're all making a mistake. >> Agreed, >> Mr. Brookke. Then, does the D prohibit? >> Really good question, Mr. Willard. No.
>> So, the state sets up a law to identify those ultrahazardous facilities, but there's no zoning requirements that they put in place. the law is flawed. It really should say that, but it doesn't. >> Okay. >> I was just curious.
>> Yel Bisber, [clears throat] I just want to note that if this is Premier Valley Road we're talking about with 27 units. >> Yeah. This is from round three. That's right. It would be Yeah. Well, um, so this has
been in place for at least five years or so. >> Correct. >> So, okay. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments from the floor? >> Would anyone like to take any of the items separately? >> Okay. Can I have a motion, a second to
approve consent agenda items 1 through 13? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Committeeman Britting. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Hand,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leount, >> yes. >> Mayor Payne, >> yes. Introduction of new ordinances. We have 20 2604 to ordinance amending chapter 143 vehicles and traffic article oh god 1012 schedules section 143-30
schedule I no parking of the code of the township of Hillsboro to prohibit parking along the northbound side of the roadway eastern curb line for Dickerson Road further consideration and public hearing on April 28th 2026. May I have a motion and a second to introduce
ordinance 202604? >> Anybody? >> Some move to that. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Committeeman Britting, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez, >> yes. >> Committee Hand, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani, >> yes.
>> Mayor Payne, >> yes. May I have a motion in a second to approve claims list 2026? >> Anybody? Motion >> and a second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Comments from the deis.
Comments from the floor. Roll call. Do you have a comment on the claims list? Okay. Thank you. Roll call. >> Committeeman Britting. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. Uh, yes. New business. There's none. Public comments for matters not on the agenda. I will now open the meeting to comments from the floor. Please keep in mind this is for comments on matters not on the agenda. Miss Lenzo, please read the statement
regarding public comment. The township committee now opens the floor to public comment. To ensure a productive and civil environment for all, please approach the microphone, state your name and address, and spell your name for the record. The township of Hillsboro maintains a strict standard
of decorum. Please ensure your remarks remain respectful and focused on the township business. Each speaker is limited to a single threeinut aotment. This forum for public comment rather than dialogue. Please address all
remarks directly to the mayor. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and for treating your neighbors, township employees, and committee with courtesy. comments from the floor. Merryold Bittburg, 22 Skyborough Road, Belme.
Um, two weeks ago, someone sat through this entire meeting, not me, because they wanted to make a comment about um the 20 2021-3, the 430 acres that the town is selling for farmland preservation. Then they were told they couldn't make a comment about it because
it was only being introduced. Then when public comment for items not on the agenda came up, he also couldn't comment on it because it was on the agenda. So he just couldn't comment. Then I got up and said we had been allowed to make comments on ordinances being introduced
until a few years ago and then that capability was removed, perhaps even without an ordinance. How could we talk about how transparent we were when we were removing public comment, not adding it? In fact, there are many examples of instances where transparency has been
removed. We used to have links to all the ordinances passed in numeric order by year with oneline descriptions going back several years. This was useful when you need to look up an ordinance and you didn't know which exact meeting it was passed in because the description was listed with the number. For instance,
the Mandel property, which we I guess should start calling the Hillsboro Township property, um because it was sold to the township back in 2021, there were two ordinances, one for bonding, one for sale, but who knew that the ordinance was introduced in a July meeting and it passed at the August
10th, 2021 meeting. You have to find the meetings before you can find the ordinances attached to the meeting. Then you have to go to the videos tab to find the video of the meetings to try to put everything together. While you were suggesting people make comments on engage, all they have with the engage tab is tonight's ordinance. That's all
that's on there. Not the ordinance to put the property in the township's hands to begin with. Not [clears throat] all the discussion, minutes, video around the rationale or the lack thereof for buying the property in the first place. Not the pricing information. When you introduced the
ordinance two weeks ago, you did not give any background about why we originally purchased it, which isn't even articulated in the or well, we talked about that before. This to me is what introducing an ordinance should be about. The mayor or designated committee person should explain to the public what
the ordinance is, especially since we probably won't have reviewed it unless we dropped everything we were doing at 5:00 p.m. when we could first look at the detail the same day of the meeting. If you're just going to post it and go around the deis and get approval to introduce someone can just as easily
read that to they can read that two weeks later or just not quote unquote engage at all. Tonight you introduced another ordinance but no one can quote unquote engage on it before tonight's meeting because the engage function isn't activated until right around the meeting time. And how do we know that
anyone on the TC is reading these comments anymore than they might on social media? Um this is more than three minutes so I will cut it short and give you the ask. Um this is what I am asking for. One,
bring back public comment at ordinance introduction. Two, live cast the planning board meeting, zoning board meeting, environmental commission meetings, at least the way you do township meetings. Three, I'm almost done. Consider bringing back public comment remotely via Facebook Live, Zoom, or some other means for disabled
or traveling members of the public to make comments. Four, issue the meeting packet on Friday night as you do with TC members. Call it draft if necessary. It's understood that things can change last minute, but at least give people a chance to review long ordinances, minutes, bill lists that likely won't
change. Uh, five, keep ordinance lists and meeting reports, and videos for at least five or six years available on >> I let you run over. Thank you very much. >> Any other comments from the floor? Don't start the timer until I
>> And I think if they're giving us good constructive like um Miss Berg, I would say why don't you email your ideas because we do want to hear them so um you can email them to the clerk. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to talk really fast. No, my
name's David Brookke. As many Oh, there. >> Okay, that was pretty fast. Three minutes. >> That was awesome. >> Three seconds. Three minutes. It's all the same. >> Go. Okay, >> let's start again. As many people may know, the township has been sued by Homestead Road LLC, challenging the
planning board's denial of these two giant warehouses that were on Homestead Road. We know there was tremendous public public opposition and involvement in helping the township gather sufficient information to support the unanimous vote by the planning board to
deny the application. There were five formal objectors who assisted in that process. I am currently going to represent three of those formal objectors. SWAT Elcat, the Sourland Conservancy, and Richard Garmin, an adjacent property owner. And I'm trying
to assist the township in the defense of the lawsuit that was filed. In case you may not be aware, I filed what is called a motion to intervene on behalf of these four parties before our judge Menon. This matter required formal and
time-consuming legal briefing, and it's going to be heard for oral argument in case anybody's interested on next Tuesday, March 31st, at 10 a.m. I'm curious, though, after filing the motion, we expected the developer to object to my clients being involved.
But what we did not expect was to have our own township, Mr. Bernstein, formally object to our being admitted. This has never happened before in the motions to intervene for Harvard Way, Western and Western Road, Western Road.
When those motions were made, the township didn't get involved. So, I ask you, why is Hillsboro objecting and fighting to keep its own citizens from being involved in helping to defend this decision, making sure that all residents
interests are protected? Who made this decision? By the way, these are questions which I'd love to get answers for. Who made this decision because I've never seen it listed in the executive session and it should have been there, I think. And I would like to ask my four
interveners who are volunteering to help defend Oh, good. Thank you. to help defend our township. So, I guess I'm asking why are we being targeted by the township? And I guess the other part of it is I
want to ask why are we or why are you or why is somebody fighting against our own residents who are trying to assist in this lawsuit. I think everyone in the township would appreciate some answers simply because
of the fact that this motion is of course being objected to by the developer's attorney. But now we're being doubleteamed by the township itself who is trying to keep us from being involved in this litigation
and I have not seen it on the agendas for the executive sessions for any of you. And that's my question. >> Thank you for your comment. Anyone else from the comments from the floor? >> I don't get an answer. Huh? >> You do not. It's questions. It's a
comment session. >> [laughter] >> She's like be happy tonight. Yeah. >> Maria Janick. Um I I brought this up before, but I need to bring it up again. This impacts my property on uh my
property on Camplain [clears throat] Road. And the property I'm talking about is block 86, lot 21.02, which is owned by Hillsboro. And that property also uh was one of the properties uh in a
settlement agreement between Hillsboro and between Eminem realy and involved also with in that settlement agreement is another property on uh that's the former Glengary um
um mine. So the app Eminemm realy had applied to to the Hillsboro planning board uh in regard to the Glengary quarry property and the uh block 86 lot 21.02
and that application was approved even though block 86 lot 21.02 02 is owned by Hillsboro. And so in order for the project to go forward, this property needs to be sold and it's been already
several years and nothing is happening. But yet the the application had been approved and a comment was made that a lot of the uh affordable housing is going on properties that have freshwater wetlands or that there are flood flood hazard
issues. This this is this block 86 lot 21.02 has freshwater wetlands and there were some issues with flooding and the Glengary quarry um had contamination. So these are pretty bad um properties as
far as building anything residential on there. At I think at the one meeting I at the one planning board meeting I had asked when when uh a potential buyer uh is interested in buying does any uh is there anyone who would tell them that
there's an issue with could could be an issue with flooding and the planning board attorney Eric Bernstein said not this planning board which is very unfair for someone who buys in a development and so would assume and we all know what
happens when you assume, but someone would assume that the township uh um approved the the application and that it should be okay. And so they don't delve into whether there's flooding or or uh or it's a flood hazard area or wetlands
or anything. And so, uh that's not fair. That's not fair to to a buyer. So, I want to find out what's happening with this block 86 lot 21.02. has the has the township sold it yet? What's happening with that application?
Um, also we had the uh uh talking about the salary ordinance. Uh there's a deputy court administrator uh uh municipal court administrator and she has a position um at the Kingwood, New
Jersey Municipal Court. Uh, and I don't know how she can, unless there's some kind of shared service agreement, I don't know how she can be working here in in the Hillsboro Municipal Court and yet be able to do the hours that she does uh in uh Kingwood Township in
Huntington County. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> And a second. >> Second. >> Roll call. Committeeman Berning,
>> yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Hand, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani, >> yes. >> Mayor Payne, >> yes. Thank you everyone. Good night.