We just came out of executive session. Uh good evening. Welcome to the township committee meeting of December 9th, 2025. We are now reconvening. Miss Lenzo, please call the role. Committeeman Bringing >> Committee Hand
>> here. >> Committeeman Leani >> present. >> Deputy Mayor Payne >> here. >> Mayor Cherelli >> here. >> Administrator Ferrer >> here. >> Attorney Willard >> here. >> Okay. Please join me in a salute to the
flag. I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley and justice for all.
>> All right. First item is approval of minutes. May I have a motion and a second to approve the executive session meeting minutes of November 25th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please.
Committeeman Britting, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Han, >> yes. >> Committeeman Leani, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Payne, >> yes. >> Mayor Cherelli, >> yes. All right. Um, that was it. So, some general announcements before we get into
committee reports. Um, Hanukkah begins on Sunday, December 14th. So to all of our residents celebrating the festival of lights, want to offer my warmest wishes for Hanukkah. May the glow of the manura bring light,
joy, and peace to your homes and to our entire community. So happy Hanukkah. And I think we'll be lighting the manura on Sunday. Um Christmas is also coming. I want to extend my warmest Christmas wishes to all residents who celebrate. Uh may your celebrations be filled with joy and f
and the joy of family, warmth and cherished traditions, genuine spirit of hope. So, merry Christmas everybody and here's wishing all Hillsboro residents a warm, safe, and festive holiday season. Um, related to that, on Friday, we had a
chilly Friday night at the township tree lighting. Uh, we kept warm by the radiance of the holiday lights and the friendly glow of community spirit. On behalf of the township committee, thank you for the parks and wreck, parks and recreation and public works departments for once again putting on a festive
night, a a festive event that delighted all who attended. Um it was it was good night, nice and cold, very wintry. All we were missing was a couple of snowflakes, but uh it was a good good time. Um, on Sunday
we uh December 7th, I was joined by committeewoman Samantha Hand and members of VFW8371 and residents to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day with a Garden of Honor ceremony. Brief, it was cold, but uh, you know, respectful of of those who
lost their lives on on December 7th. And lastly, on on the 5th, Hillsboro celebrated the grand opening of its newest 7-Eleven location. was joined by committeewoman Samantha Han, representatives of the economic and business development commission, and residents to welcome the new business in
town. I was also joined by the slurpee, the dancing slurpee up there. Uh the store brings added convenience, creates local jobs, and supports continued economic growth along Route 206. Um the same owner has had that property for years and and has been through all the various uh uh gas stations that are
there and and now he has 7-Eleven. The 7-Eleven folks were there. they're in the one picture. So, um they alleviated any concerns about there being two 7-Elevens. They said, "Nope, that's in the plan. We're good." So, um there it's uh it's it's pretty much a family
business. The people work been working there for 20 30 years. So, um we're happy that that they've invested in, um you know, turned around that site so quickly. So, that's it for my reports. Now, let's go to reports from liaison, starting with Committeeman Britting.
>> Thank you, mayor, and happy holidays to everybody. Happy Hanukkah coming up and have a very merry Christmas um to everybody. It's a great time of year. Uh hopefully all the children are hopefully all act like children too and look for some presents and have a really good time and spend some time with family. Um
as it relates to 7-Eleven as well too. Um just so everybody knows, they have really good air pump for your tires. It's actually very accurate. I used it the other day and it was perfectly accurate on both our cars. So it was like if you need air in your tires, it's working really well. So just a heads up. All right. So, from the administration
office, businesses and organizations uh planning a special event in Hillsboro must follow a new application process. To begin, uh submit a completed special event form and questionnaire to check the clerk's office. This document is essential as the clerk's office uses it to determine which departments need to
review your application and whether any fees or permits are required. So, that's our first update from the administration office. Next is from our EBDC, so the economic and business and development office. So the NJA resources are available for local HBA businesses. So
the uh Hillsboro business association, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority offers a variety of business grants available to local HBA businesses. If you are not familiar with these programs, please please contact the economic and business development office to learn more and get connected directly with their team. So one other
update as well too for businesses in Hillsboro. Uh, SCORE resources for local businesses, S C O R E in all capitals. SCORE is a national nonprofit. Uh, it is offering uh free mentoring, business advice and webinars. Services are available to local HBA businesses and
residents starting or growing a business. The uh EBDC or the economic uh economic uh development office um excuse me, the economic development office can connect you to mentors, workshops, and online resources. It's just a number of there's a plethora of different offerings that our business um group
offers our local businesses to help support them. It's very hard sometimes starting a new business and being a small business in a uh in a complicated matrix business environment. So, it's nice to see the additional resources being uh um supported for them. Next is from health. The Hillsboro Health Department is hosting its annual free
rabies vaccination clinic on January 10th, 2026, which is my goodness, not too long away from now. a couple weeks from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Hillsboro DPW facility located at 21 East Mountain Road. Contact the health department for more details. Human resources, Harriet, you're in the back
there, Harry. Human resources. Hillsboro is hiring for a variety of positions. Hill, please see the Hillsboro Township website and the mayor's e-news uh for a list of all positions. Hillsboro is a great place to work. We win awards all the time for it. So, if you're looking for a job, look in Hillsboro. Information technology, a new email scam
is targeting planning and zoning board applicants. You might have seen that online if you're on Facebook or some of the Instagram and I think uh some of the news art news media picked up on as well too. Um the uh so the the this this scam is targeting planning and zoning board applicants with phony invoices demanding substantial application fees via wire
transfer. The fraudsters copy official pling uh official board agendas, use the municipality's logo, staff names, and making the emails appear legitimate. Please be aware that the municipality does not accept wire transfers for any type of payment. So don't fall for it. Call us if you have any questions.
That's the key. Call the administration office and ask them. Recreation, one of the best recreations in the center of the state, New Jersey. So, here we have the pajama drive. The 2025 pajama drive was a resounding success thanks to the generosity of our residents. Uh more than 500 pairs of pajamas were
collected. Um and all donations will be distributed to local families in need. Really just want to heartfelt thank you to all of those people that um were so generous to give this time of year. House decorations. The lights are strung. And this is also from recreation house decorations. The lights are strung
and the lawn ornaments are all out. It's time to vote for the best decorated house in Hillsboro. So, please go online and do that. Visit the Hillsboro Recreation website uh for a map link and voting survey. Voting closes on Wednesday, December 17th. Miss uh Miss
uh uh Lenzo, we're going to have to put some more stuff on social media to make sure people know because the 17th is coming up really way too fast. Just a few more items for me just from last ones are from social services. Um, so Maverick's Fast Pitch Pi donation. The social services department would like to extend a huge thank you to the
Maverick's Fast Pitch softball team for their generous donation of 50 pies to the Hillsboro Township canned food pantry. These pies will be distributed to families who are part of our food pantry, allowing them to enjoy a special treat just in time for the holidays. Uh, two more items from social services.
Kind of thon donations as a part of the Bransport E Education Foundation's uh, kind ofathon. Jay uh Christian Murdy, R.J. Steel, and William Steel teamed up to make breakfast baskets for the Hillsboro Food Pantry. The boys worked hard to create 25 baskets, including
cereal, granola bars, oatmeal, um bowls, and spoons, which they happily delivered to the food pantry prior to Thanksgiving. Thank you very much to all those people that did that. It was a huge success for those families who who were in need and for people who were looking for a little something extra on Thanksgiving. Last one is from
gratitude. The Hillsboro Social Services Department administers the Community Assistance Network Food Pantry to help combat food insecurity for local residents residents. This essential service relies entirely on the generous contributions of individuals, groups, businesses, and houses of worship. The department expresses sincere gratitude
to all donors and volunteers as their collective support is crucial for many residents. And for any of those of you who are looking to donate to the social services and to the can, please go on their website to look what they're looking for as well too because you may think they people might need something, but they will put on their website what people actually need this time of year
and it's really really helpful to those people. So, thank you very much, Mayor. >> Thank you, Committ Ridding. Uh, next is Committee Hand. >> Yes. Thank you very much, Mayor. I'll be quick, so happy Hanukkah. I know I'm looking forward to lotkas this weekend, so um hoping everyone has a really nice
holiday. Merry Christmas as well. We've got that coming up. And I know we're going to talk about it, but I also wanted to take a moment to thank the credit card advisory group and all of the people that have worked since 1995 um to disperse those funds to a lot of
the really fabulous um groups within town. So, just a thank you to everyone who put time and effort into that. Um also, look, I don't know if you're going to have a slide for dog licenses. So, those of you I know I have three rescue dogs and reading this made me put a note
in my phone to make sure the dog licenses are up to date. So, um keep in mind renewal uh starts January 2nd. Last day to do that will be in February. That's going to come quick. Um and we can do it online now with the SDL process, which is great. And oh, and
then for the library, ton of fun events. So, please check out the uh the library programs on the website. Back to you. Thanks, mayor. >> Thank you, committee women. Uh, Committeeman Leani next. >> Happy holidays, everybody. Every wake up
early. It's getting quiet, so almost done. Um, thanks to all those who came to our holiday uh festival last Friday night. Uh, weather was nice. Crowd was great, and it was always nice to have Santa visit us, and all the kids seem to be pretty happy. Um, but next year, if
you're not aware, I'm sure most are, is a 250th anniversary of of our country, though. We just had our 200, not to be confused with we just had our 250th anniversary of Hillsboro, so we're actually older than the country, so we got that going for us. Um, we are planning, uh, uh, we do have a planning
committee for America's 250th anniversary, and we've been meeting over the past few months to plan fun and educational activities and experiences for the whole community. Please keep an eye out for updates on all our platforms, and don't forget to complete the survey in tomorrow's e-news. Uh,
you're not going to want to miss this. So, we're looking for if some community input as to what they might want to see us do to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our country. Uh, winter inspections from the building department. Just while scheduling for outdoor inspections during winter
months, please be reminded that the area cover cannot be covered in snow. If an inspection site is covered in snow, it is unsafe and the inspectors are unable to perform the inspections properly. Those inspections may have to be rescheduled.
uh engineering also the Harvard Way Hillsboro campus detention basin which uh was severely damaged back by tropical storm IDA which was some four years ago. Finally has been successfully reconstructed to its original design.
Although the project faced delays due to NJ environmental protection requirements uh and delays, the engine department ensured the necessary repairs were completed. This reconstructed basin is crucial for ma maintaining flood control in the surrounding areas. Final seating,
however, because of the time will be finished in the spring. Public works during obviously snow events, please uh comply with all street parking restrictions to allow snow plows to operate safely and efficiently. Please keep sidewalks clear and uh use pen pet
friendly ice melt. We also ask everyone to adopt a hydrant. If there's a hydrant near you, please uh help us by clearing the snow away from it if the house you may be saving is your own. Be aware that primary roads are cleared
first based on safety priorities with neighborhoods following quickly afterwards. Finally, please ensure your mailbox is protected from plow spray. And remember, you can you can report any issues like potholes, down trees, or drainage problems via the town's website
or by phone. And that's it, Mayor. >> Thank you, committeeman. Uh, Deputy Mayor Payne. >> All right. So, um, first up is Hillsboro Fire District is sharing best practices for keeping your home and family safe this holiday season. Please see tomorrow's e-news for a list of holiday
safety tips. Um, police chief Mike McMahon would also like to remind Hills residents to protect themselves from becoming victims of theft. Keep your vehicles locked at all times. Fobs in the car will allow bad actors to see that the car is unlocked from afar.
Remove all your valuables, especially personal um identity items. Um if you have if you must leave valuables in your vehicle, please lock them in your trunk or your glove box. And don't leave any holiday gifts in your car longer than you need to. And lastly, Operation Shoe
Box. Hillsboro community members recently volunteered at the YMCA on Saturday to assemble approximately 500 personal care packages for Operation Shoe Box New Jersey. This all volunteer local nonprofit has now shipped an impressive 200,000
care packages to our servicemen and women since 2005. A wide range of volunteers, including VFW8371, scouts, police, and township staff, packed the boxes with essentials and um heartfelt letters of gratitude. So, we
wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um so, from my reports, I have uh first a farm road grant. Hillsboro has been selected to receive a significant grant from the and
New Jersey Department of Transportation fiscal year 2026 municipal aid program. We've secured a grant of almost $56,000 for improvements to Farm Road. The NJ DOT grant will fund a majority of the Farm Road project that will will mill
and pave the whole the the length of it. I think from 206 to Triangle Road, I think is the portion. um with the remaining balance covered by the Hillsboro road bond depending on how on the bids that come in. Scope of the work extends beyond simple repaving. It'll
include upgraded sidewalk ramps at intersections to meet the latest ADA handicap standards and installing enhanced crosswork walks. A lot of that work has been done across the town. See tomorrow's press release for more information. So that work will get done as part of next year's program. Uh there's also going to be a press release
for the dog dogs licensing and rabies clinic. The uh clerk's office did a uh officially crunched the numbers from the 2025 dog license registrations and has announced that the town's reigning champion of K9 naming and that is
Cooper. Cooper is the number one dog name in Hillsboro. So for anybody with a Cooper, it's very popular name. Uh Bella is the second. So uh see tomorrow's press release, you got the top 10 list. My dog's name is Keith. His name is not on the list at all. So, uh, there will
also be a reminder that the dog license registration begins January 2nd, as Committee woman Han mentioned, and will be an announcement for the free rabies clinic, which, uh, is held on January 10th. So, it's always a nice event to go to. Um, stay connected. As always, you
can stay connected with, uh, all events via Wednesday's mayor's e-news and Thursday's experience bulletin. Be sure to follow and like the official Hillsboro Township Facebook page, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. tune in to Hillsboro's YouTube channel and sign up for Hillsboro alerts for traffic and
emergency notifications. So, uh this is my final township committee meeting as mayor and uh serving all the residents for the past three years on the township committee has been a great experience. Uh both fun and gratifying events as well as some difficult issues that we've
had to resolve. Uh not everyone gets to serve as mayor and it's been an honor and and an experience that can be carried into the future. Um, students often ask, "What's my favorite part?" And I usually said, "Uh, marrying people." Officiating. They're like, "You got married already." No, it's
officiating marriages, officiating weddings. That was always a fun, uh, thing in any way to help people. And uh through the years other memorable participation includes things with the Robo Raiders, uh anything with the schools, the children, educational and
employ employment programs, the scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, um sporting events, cultural and religious events, veterans events, just all of that has been a great experience. But really as a pattern, I think of of leadership. And what I what I really like doing is is
really cross-pollinating and connecting people through the through the town. Uh various interests that would not seem to be connected eventually are through something and the main one that I have is is diabetes. I ended up connecting a steel manufacturer in town with the
diabetes uh group because they make the omnipod pumps. It's just a small and that came about because I'm on the planning board. So just a connecting all these dots and being in touch with the various parts of of the community um and putting these connections together even through businesses
um that that all have a common goal or something related is it was always I was I I I've relished that even through my years leading up to the township committee. Um, we also leave a legacy of projects that I expect the future township committee to continue to to
deliver on. And that's the proven road paving and preservation program that we've had where we're now addressing 13 about 13 miles a year of our roads to get our roads into a permanent cycle. That's something that that that we we've got going over the past three years. Um,
we've got Wawa coming to town. At least that's the that's the talk. Um, we've got Chick-fil-A coming to town. Uh we're going to sell the Mandel property and preserve more uh more open space in the coming months. Um we're doing storm water improvements that committee
committeeman Leani talked about and um to make and other projects to make sure the DPW and police uh can continue serving the residents long into the future and um you know I look forward to seeing the progress on these infrastructure improvements. So, it's hard to remember all the interactions
I've had that I've had with residents and and tried to help each and every one of them and and always present presented the truth and facts and the perspective about what was best for Hillsboro and also I can stand firmly behind every action I took I've taken which always
puts Hillsboro and the residents first. Uh I certainly made a lot of friends that includes the hardworking ad administrative staff as well as staff in each department who work all work for the residents. Uh I want to thank the staff and police departments for unwavering support through the years to
help me do this job and uh represent the residents. So it's been a pleasure and an honor serving Hillsboro and I again thank the staff colleagues here on the deis and residents for helping me uh along with this great experience. So I'm not moving. I'll be in town and I'll be
around. So, um, now on with the business and first order of business, we have some personnel items, appointments, and police officers swearing in. I see them all in the back. So, first is personnel, resolutions, and appointments. We have
five resolutions. Uh, would anyone like to take any of the items separately? Hearing none. Um, may I have a motion and a second to approve personnel and appointment items one through five?
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any comments from the deis on one through five? No. All right. Any comments from the floor on items one through five? All right. I see none. I do know we're
make I said I mentioned the police. I know we have a swearing in, but we're also authorizing three to uh qualify for permanent uh permanent position. So, congratulations. Um roll call, please. >> Committeeman Britting.
>> Yes. And welcome. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. And congratulations. >> Committee Leani. >> Absolutely. Thank you all. >> Deputy Mayor Payne. >> Yes. Congratulations, Mayor Churelli.
>> Yes. Enthusiastically. So, all right. Now, we have the oath of allegiance. So, I'd call forward Jonathan Pope and Captain McCarthy to swear in our new officer. She could. Yeah. >> All right. >> I state your name. I, Jonathan,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> The Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance to the same. and allegiance to the >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I do further solemnly swear
>> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will impartially >> that I will impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of the officer >> all the duties of the officer >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratulations.
>> Congratul It's got like five holes in it now. It's fine. It's fine. >> That's right. Exactly. Congratulations. All right, we have aclamation. >> Come on up, Alex. have to lower the mic. Finally, here you
go. This is a proclamation for you. Bridge, huh? >> Yes. >> All right. Alex Shei is a sixth grader at Autton Road Intermediate School. He achieved a silver medal at the World Youth Bridge Teams Championship with the USA one and
under 16 team in Italy in 2025. Congrats. >> Thank you. I want to talk already. I'll be done with you in a second. All right. Alex was introduced to the game of bridge in 2023, played and studied the game for two years, and then traveled to Atlanta
and qualified for the USA team. Alex met with his coach and teammates three times a week preparing for the world championship. Is that right? >> Yes. >> Okay. That involves six days of competing. He also won the special judges award for piano duet and the gold prize for piano solo at the National
League of Performing Arts competitions. He also volunteers at Children's Hospital Philadelphia by participating in piano performathons to raise money and Alex hopes to be to create a bridge club in Hillsboro schools in the future. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and Hillsboro Township
Committee, commend Alex Shei for achieving a silver medal at the world youth bridge ter teams championship and we wish him good luck in all his future endeavors. Congratulations. So yeah, so I do play Bridge and I think it is I think it's an excellent
game that teaches people logical reasoning and all the skills that are necessary to do well in any endeavor. So I highly recommend Ridge to the kids because although it's known as a game
with seniority, right? I I I do believe that kids have every right to play the game as well. Also, I do play piano as said and I also enjoy that deeply.
So, thank you for this honor. >> Debate club maybe >> in the future. Mayor, we'll take a picture. Mayor, can I can I just give Alex a compliment, too? Cuz I had a chance to speak to the schools last year and Alex was there and we were asking a
ton of questions and he was able to literally get 100% of the questions right and he was also really good at listening to the other students as well too, giving them a chance to answer. So, I was really proud of you for that. You did a really good job, man. Smart boy. You can all go up with him.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Give your phone to her and she'll take a picture for you. >> Sam, you're up. Come on. take the best picture. >> She goes like to do that. >> She's so good at it.
>> All right, we'll take a short break and a pause here while when we return. We can >> I'm reading what it says here. Just go on it. >> Oh, you guys, >> wait a minute. first presentation. Samantha Ball,
>> I got to re I got to raise the uh >> you right after the break. >> The plaque. >> So Samantha Ball, I thought you were doing the presentation telling us what you did.
All right. Samantha Ball is recognized as one of Somerset County's County Business Partnerships top 40 under 40 this year. Congratulations. >> You hold it. I don't want to drop it. I don't want to be responsible for it >> either. You should hold it.
Um Samantha Paul, Hillsboro Township's assistant planner and sustainability program manager, has rapidly emerged as a leader since joining the township in 2019. In her current role, she's been a driving force behind major planning
updates and has transformed Hillsboro's environmental efforts. Under her guidance, the township achieved sustainable Jersey silver certification, the gold star in health, and was named the 2025 sustainability champion, earning a record-breaking 845 points. She supports the master planning
updates, uh manages our GIS systems, and has facilitated robust public engagement through our key community surveys. Beyond the professional duties, Samantha demonstrates deep community commitment, chairing the Hillsboro uh Express youth
creative team and administering the award-winning sustainable Hillsboro steering committee. She played key roles in achieving the township's AARP age friendly and safe routes to school designations. And she created innovative programs like arts in the park and the arts in the park initiative. Samantha
consistently bridges planning and sustainability and community engagement, making Hillsboro a model municipality. Her achievements, leadership, and forward-looking vision make her an exemplary recipient of the Somerset County Business Partnerships top 40 under 40 recognition. So, we got to see
that celebration uh yesterday. >> So, Samantha, the mic is yours. >> Sure. >> Um thank you, Mr. Mayor, and um thank you to the entire township committee and um our administration, especially our administrator, Anthony Ferrer. Um,
everyone has been so supportive and encouraging of my growth throughout my entire six six years. >> Six years here at the township. Um, I've worked in a ton of different departments. Um, I specifically want to shout out uh Kathy Farabber, assistant
director of social services. She was the one who first told me to apply for this position, which was floater, which is how a lot of people get started here. Um, I can I see a lot of nods in the audience. Oh. Yeah. um that I also want to thank. Um I've worked in public works under Rich Resby, construction under
John Feedler, economic and business development under David Kois and Susanna Harris, and now I'm in planning and zoning under David Kois and Marcy Mclofflin. And um you know, I've just had such an amazing time working here and working with our amazing volunteers. Um and I'm just, you know, I love
working here. And um I want to also thank specifically my parents who are watching in Tennessee. Hi. Yes. Thank you. Oh, and my fiance. Oh, he's going to kill me. I love my fiance. >> She said dog house. Dog house.
>> Not not a good one. >> All right. >> Good cover. Good job. >> Good cover. >> That was good. >> I hope he wasn't watching. >> He's watching. >> Sorry. >> Hello. I sent him the link, too.
>> It's recorded. It's all good. >> It's not the first time. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Now, mayor, stay up there, please. Township committee, will you please join the mayor down the floor?
>> You stay there. >> Give it to him. Go ahead. Give it to him. So this is the opportunity that that we have to recognize Mayor Cherelli for his year of service as mayor in Hillsboro Township. We have the a committee based government where when we vote, we vote in committee members and
then we vote in our mayor on a yearly basis or it can be a term that happens longer time depending on how the township committee is. And um just want to take a moment to recognize Mayor Chikarelli for all of his amazing work that he's done over the past three years and prior to that on boards and
commissions. He's worked incredibly hard the many hours late at night that we have worked on trying to make sure good things happen for the town. Uh John, I'm going to call him John, not mayor for a moment. John is just that guy that truly cares about his neighbors, cares about Hillsboro Township very very much and um
we're going to miss him dearly. He is an expert a an expert in the engineering field and has been the centerpiece of a lot of great things. So, we hope that the the the mayor Chikarelli, John Chikarelli, sticks around in some form of capacity to help the town because his
experience and is just second to none. So, John, we we love you, buddy. We just uh we miss you and um already and uh just God bless you, buddy. We just love working with you. >> All right. Well, I I said I I did say kind of said my piece up top, but I I appreciate
really appreciate this. I think it's a uh gavl. I almost pulled it out. Yep, there it is. So, officially I'm the mayor or 2025. So, thank you uh uh township committee and again staff and and uh for for you
know years of uh hard work and dedication. Actually, Samantha's story kind of tied in with what I had said that you're connecting a lot of different dots, right? sustainability planning, the health collaborative, all that stuff comes together either in the master plan or you just connect
different dots and and bring the whole everything that gets done here together under one umbrella. Mayor's wellness, everything that all marches in the same direction for the benefit of of the township. So, um so I wasn't just full of it when I when I said that. So, uh,
thanks again and, um, as Committee member Briting said, I'll I'll, uh, you know, hope to be contributing in other committees and continuing the work how it started kind of full circle. So, thank you. Now you can break. >> Yeah, we'll take
>> All right, quick break and then uh we'll have a presentation uh the water story. >> So you everybody else can we'll probably bolt but front row here. Stick around. Samantha, >> I didn't think you've ever gone to an
information session. >> All right. >> Lost my uh the sign. >> He saw you. paying attention. >> Um, I lost my talking script. The So, we have resolutions. Um,
>> presentation >> on water. >> See, I told you I lost it. >> Pres water story. Please come on up. >> Which way do you want me to face? >> That way. Okay. >> Okay. All right. Uh, so, hi, my name is Kelly
Francisco. Um, I am the chair of the sustainable Hillsboro steering committee this this year, uh, for 2025. Um, and I'm here to present our water story for Hillsboro Township, protecting our future. Next slide.
All right. So, this is just a little bit about our committee. Um, so ever since 2009, by proclamation in 2006, but ever since 2009, we've been participating in a program called Sustainable Jersey. Um, and basically we attempt to make this
town an even better place to live. Um, by making it just a better, you know, better for the our citizens economically, environmentally, socially, making us more healthy, just making us a better community altogether. Um, again,
I'm the 2025 chair. Um, and my vice chair is sitting right there in I think the same shirt almost. Um, but that's Dr. Chris Abrupta. >> I'm not the only one that happens. >> Um, and we have our other committees here. We have uh Phil Rudio, Ta Sharma,
and uh Barbara Porter, as well as our fearless leader that you've already been introduced to, Samantha Ball. Um and we have two C uh township council liaison um Rob Robert Britig and Katherryn Payne. Next slide.
Okay, so just Hillsboro at a glance. Um again, we had just celebrated our 250th because we're older than the nation. We were in in the first 104 municipalities in this great state of New Jersey. Um it's a 55 square uh mile town and that
is the largest in Somerset County. Uh we have about 43,000 citizens um at any given time it goes up and down. Um and the water features because this is about our water story uh cover about 10% of town. So about five
square miles. Uh we have about 421 acres of surface water. So that's all of our rivers and streams and ponds and lakes. Um, and another 2800 plus square uh acres of uh sorry, not square acres, acres are
Chris is keeping me honest. Uh acres of flood planes. So that would be areas that get periodically inundated with water. Um and so you know the vision really here uh with the muni the municipal water story the Hillsboro Township water story um is to try to
sustainably manage all of these ecosystems and that includes all of the forests meadows all of our um wetlands and streams and including all of our agricultural areas and our developed land. Next slide.
All right. So where does our water come from? Um, so we have two primary sources of where we get our water, where our uh, you know, town uh, township homes and businesses get their water from. Number one is public water. Um, and so if you
turn on your tap and you have a p a water bill that comes, uh, you're getting your water supplied most likely from the New Jersey American Water. Um, and they source their water out of the Ritan River and the Delaware Ritan Canal. Um, but a lot of our township
homes aren't in a more industrialized area or a densely populated enough area to have that. So, we still do have a lot of township homes that are on their own personal wells, their own private wells. Um, that means that inside your own home, you have a well tank and that
water is not actually coming from an entity that's testing it and making sure it's safe for you. So, you need to do that on your own. Um, okay. So, uh, yeah, next slide. Okay. Um, so we have a number of large
key waterways that are very important to our town, especially when it rains. Um, but you know, Raritan River, the Millstone River, uh, the Nishanic River, Roycebrook, those are, you know, some of the names that, you know, the roads even are named after a lot of these uh these
waterways. So, the current status of some of these water bodies is impaired. That means that it has something in it that we consider a pollutant. Um, so it could be, you know, things like nature going around and dropping stuff, right?
And that gets it washes into the waterways and causes issues with ecoli, causes issues with different types of nutrients that can be a source of pollution. But we also have roadway runoff, right? So your car your car is leaking oil and that might wash off into
the roadway when it rains heavily. Uh so we do have a number of streams that are currently impaired in town. Next slide. Um we also have issues with flooding. If you have lived in town for at least four
years, we just referred to Ida, right? Um the name in that is infamous in this town. Um and so you know that there are certain areas in town, low-lying areas where we do the the roads will go underwater. Sometimes the homes will be
um get water in them, flooding water. So we have a very what we call flashy system and that is just because you know there's a lot of urban cover. This is not a city. Uh but still anything that is impervious, meaning the rain can't go
through it, like a roadway, like a parking lot, like even your home. Um or even if you have a gravel driveway that you drive on a lot, that is, you know, the water is not going to filter into the ground. Uh and so that can cause the water to run off quickly to our stream,
nearby streams, um and flood our roadways. And so that is one of the issues that we deal with periodically and it causes not just you know a pain when you can't get where you're trying to go because of the flooding. Uh it also causes monetary damage to the
citizens and to the township. Next slide. All right. Um after we're done using the water, we talked about where it comes from. We talked about having too much of it. But when we done using it, where does it go? um for a uh good amount of our uh population, it actually
goes off to a wastewater treatment plant. So everything that you put down a drain or flush down the toilet goes and gets treated before it's released back into the environment. Um but again we do have a lot of homes that are in more rural areas and those rural rural areas
will have their own on-site treatment called septic and that again is a responsibility of the homeowner to try and maintain that type of system. Um so those are private systems. All right, next slide.
All right. So, Hillsboro has been really successful in trying to, you know, be more sustainable and be more environmentally friendly and just be, you know, manage our water. Um, and so we have been leading by example. Um, one
of the programs that we have been involved with for many, many years is the, uh, mayor's campaign um, to ch the challenge for water conservation. So around Aprilish of every year, we usually send out uh notifications that
you can go online and pledge to try and fix your leak leaky faucets or, you know, make sure you turn your faucet off while you're brushing your teeth, you know, while you're doing the actual brushing. Um those kind of actions can actually save us, you know, 8 and a half
million gallons is what we estimate. and we were uh in first place in New Jersey for medium-sized municipalities in the 2019 mayor's challenge. So, that's one way that Hillsboro is really at the forefront of taking charge on these
water issues. Uh green infrastructure. So, my colleague Dr. Chris Abbrupta um is involved with the water resources program at Ruckers University. um and he's a big champion of something called rain gardens. One of which is right out
in front of this building. So we have that beautiful little garden just off to the to the right as you're entering the building is it serves a purpose of collecting the storm water when it rains and storing it. And it also, you know, has the added benefit of being beautiful
as we walk past it and being a beneficial uh being, you know, beneficial for insects that can land on the flowers. Um, okay. And it's an educational tool as well. So, what are some of the priority issues that Hillsboro still faces? We've touched on
them a little bit. Next slide. Uh, the first issue again, flooding, right? Um, there are certain areas in this town where you just know, you and I, if you've lived here for any number of years, you know that if it's rained heavily, oh, I'm probably not going to
be able to get from here to there on that road. Um, and so this repetitive uh flooding, you know, it's a problem. And so, you know, and it's caused by heavy rains. And of course, you know, we we're getting these more frequent heavy rainstorms
um you know, that are are causing the issue. So, some of the strategies that we're looking to uh to implement in order to reduce the impact of flooding, um we have a target of completing one to two green infrastructure projects um
from the impervious cover reduction plan that Rucker's created for us uh within the next two years. So that's one of the suggestions of the committee. Um and then you know just looking at areas where we can retrofit so that you know you're not it doesn't have to be all
natural but you can do certain things to try and retrofit areas so that the water has someplace to actually get into the ground and or gets guided away from the roadways um and stored in some way before heading directly to a river.
Uh next next slide. All right. Issue number two, drinking water. Um, so you know, I up here again, a lot of our township homes are on private wells and so there is not an entity that is testing that water for you. It's coming
directly from the groundwater and pumped into your house. Some of you may have treatment systems. Some of you just have a sediment filter. Um and so it's really important that the township people understand that you do need to test that and make sure that you're not you don't
have things like arsenic. Um that's a naturally occurring element that can be found in certain areas. Um, also there that, you know, we're finding increasingly that now that we test for something called POS or you might have heard forever chemicals, um, that this
is an issue that's popping up where we didn't know that it was there, but now that there's a test for it, we're finding it in a lot of places, including in Hillsboro. Um, so it's important to test for these things. So, our strategic uh strategy here is just outreach,
trying to get to people that have wells and inform them of the importance of testing that water. Uh people who've never tested their water before. Um trying to bring them into the fold so that they now test, encouraging citizens
who do have tested their water in the past that they should do it at least once every two years. Um and then having referral programs so that more people become informed about this. Next slide. And then our third issue is impaired
water quality. Um so again, you know, there's there's wildlife out there. Uh deer, geese galore, right? Hillsboro is a very natural place. It has a lot of little critters running around. Um and little critters leave presents behind.
Um, and you know, roadways wash things off. Um, and so some of these things can make their way into our waterways where you know, it takes a lot more treatment after it's the water's been collected for it to reach your trap or your tap. Um, and so we want to come up with ways
that we can sort of treat it at the source. One of the ways, if you look at that beautiful picture, that's a stream that is surrounded by some vegetation. The vegetation is growing nice and high on either side of that stream. So, if a uh if a flock of geese is somewhere a h
100red yards away from that stream and they're leaving their little presence behind when it rains, it's not going to go directly into that stream. The vegetation that you see is going to sort of take up some of those nutrients and prevent the waterway from being impaired. So, that's just one of the
strategies. So identifying these these uh high quality streams, coming up with ways that we can uh create or restore the buffer, the vegetative buffers. Um looking at ash trees, right? We we've had a lot of ashtree mortality in town
over the past couple years. Looking at ways that we can uh take some of those places where ash trees have now disappeared or fallen and plant natives in that area. um and just maintaining these buffer zones so that the the water
uh remains protected. All right. And next slide. All right. So, um what we have developed is a resolution for township committee. Um and so the res resolution that's before the town council um authorizes a submission of a what we call
navigational path. Um and that is a requirement to earn a gold star from the sustainable Jersey uh organization standard in water for the township of Hillsboro. So if we can do that, if we can earn that gold star, um I think if I
checked right that we might be the first township in all of New Jersey to have two gold stars, one in health that we earned two years ago and one in water. Um, this this resolution also declares Hillsboro Township as being eligible for
that gold sto um and because we have completed two major things. This water story that we presented to the public um that I'm presenting to you now, but we also presented um and we have a website for it if you're interested as well as a natural resource inventory um and it
represents the township committee's formal endorsement of these specific actions that we've outlined here. and um in order to you know basically undertake making our uh the water quality in our community better. All right. And with
that next slide. Um I want to thank you for you know your commitment to this community um and to Hillsboro's future. Thank you guys for considering this resolution and I'll take any questions if anybody has any from either side of
me. I'll just make a comment uh to Kelly and Dr. Abbruff and the whole staff um and our new 40 under 40 superstar over there. Uh you know, obviously I've been on the committee for a long time and Anthony before is that we've made a
direct commitment to make Hillsboro one of the best places to live and this is part of it. This this there's a lot of a lot of small things that make up big things and this is this is one of them. Um, and uh, it's no easy task to come up with these plans obviously. Um, but I I
thank you for all that you do for the town. You guys are volunteers and this is a very important program for us uh, and the residents. So, thank you. >> And I I think you know, having made this presentation and and you've got three the three items in your in your uh,
action items, if you will, but the one that one that jumped out immediately immediately to me was the drinking water quality issue in the well testing. I mean, we dealt with that today. So, there's and and and cross-connecting committees
and you know, you guys are working. I don't know if it's in a bubble or not, but it shouldn't it shouldn't be and it's not anymore because he's heard it and the health department, you know, will will Mike at the health department will write that letter for you all day long and knows all about PAS and is is right up in there with you. So, if
you're going to do comm community outreach with respect to that issue, we've got the tools are here. So, we just need to just push it the right way and and we'll take care of that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And trees, DPW, I mean, they they're they're on the ashboard tree. Um, you
know, we've got some scenarios where things you were describing are happening. And so, maybe there's something we can do in certain areas that will um alleviate some problems we have, but it's something to consider. So I think your presentation falls on a lot of ears and make the connections to the departments that are doing the work
already and just you know focus it and concentrate it and to everybody's betterment. So thank you. >> I just wanted to add that um I've worked on almost every sustainable meeting this year and I just want to say you know there's so many committees and boards
and things like that advisory committees that meet in the town. Sustainability is by far the biggest commitment probably more than most of the deis sitting appointments. Like they work harder than the board of adjustments I would argue
timewise almost as much as the planning board. Uh there are subcommittees, there are committees, there is constant push and pull and effort and all of it is amazing. And this is honestly just a fraction of what has been done this year
for the town and it's phenomenal work. So I was very very impressed sitting there all year. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much for all you've done and I think we had a question from the audience too or a comment from the audience. >> Sure.
>> Yeah. >> Um talking about you know and I'm not It's great that I'm so happy to hear all this, but I've lived in my neighborhood for 30 years and in those 30 years, the
houses are getting bigger and the lots are getting smaller. >> And it is so obvious on one bike ride and that's got I don't know how that was addressed in here. Is that something you're looking at? We're talking about the neighborhood drive.
>> I I don't see much. Okay. >> My yard is And now I think and I remember when we first went in there it was only a half acre and above and now they're way less and the houses are a lot bigger. So has that been studied? I mean you're saying
that your work has increased um situation but I don't know how the building in that neighborhood has helped your situation. Well, so any any sort of development. So the question um for anybody listening at home, if there is
one person out there, um the >> I don't know there is you're >> okay. Um the question was about development and larger homes on smaller plots um and how that might be impacting uh the issue with a lack of being able
to the rain to be able to get down into the ground infiltration. Um and so you know large you know houses being on smaller tracks is actually good as long as we are is a good thing as long as we are putting a aside a section that's
completely undeveloped. It's better than having you know more spread out um uh areas where you're breaking up and people are keeping giant lawns um as opposed to letting the the you know area go natural. Um but if what we're doing
is taking farmland um and then you know growing houses on it um that's going to increase the amount of uh what we call imperous space um you know area that can't where the water is not infiltrating. So that actually would lend itself then to more flooding. And
um that's one of the things that we would want to look at ways to address that so that if the water is not getting down into the ground, we can maybe put it into some sort of detention basin. You know, like one of those depressions in the ground or retention so that it's
it's held somewhere other than going directly to the river and the river flooding everybody around. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you. >> How do you reconcile it? Yes,
>> mayor. You'll have to see the evidence. >> I love winning by the way. Keep winning. >> More gold stars. >> I will take >> that. Thank you. >> Keep going. Keep going. >> I think The last thing they did was give us the pause to like regroup themselves
because I was like, "Girl, we can get all the things now." >> All the things. >> Oh, on the sustainability. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You guys >> All right. You uh >> thanks for coming. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> Merry Christmas.
>> Merry Christmas. Happy holidays. >> All right. Yes. >> So, >> the next order of business is the consent agenda items 1 through 16. >> Take it.
>> Um 1 through 16. So, we're going to hear all comments first. After that, if any committee member wants to take any of them separately for voting purposes, I'll give you the opportunity to do that. There's no need to take items separately for the purposes of commenting or questioning. Um, so
on the consent agenda, would any comments from the deis on the consent agenda went through? Start with you Bob. >> Sure. So, um, just three this four total, but I'll just address the three 9, 10, and 12. I'm just happy to see
that we're continuing to support the police department and making sure they have the resources that they need. I think that's incredibly important. It's a growing police department with a uh a town that needs uh that type of attention to it and I think there's uh a lot of great things going there. So, I'm I'm glad to see that. And also number 15
for those in the audience, that is the U resolution that is uh associated with the previous presentation that happened for sustainable Jersey. So, that's a great thing too for the gold. We need the win, >> right? Uh anybody any other comments on what 8
n 10 12 15 >> Bob raised >> just on the on the well I had others but on number 12 I don't know if we are missing one of the invoices because it looks like it was for 21,000
yet the invoice was for 10,000. If you double the invoice it adds up to the 21 but the quantity said one. So I just wanted to ask for clarification on that one. So number 12 >> it's for the radio. It's for the um
existing equipment >> for Motorola. >> Is it one or is it two? >> I can show it to you if you want to see it on the computer. on the quantity it says one and it's 10,000 I think 700 but yet the resolution's for 21,000 if you
double it it happens to be the same amount >> it's not on there >> yeah I'm sorry it is >> so Erica either the resolution amount is wrong or we're missing maybe There was the second invoice
>> I believe off hand it's only $1. >> Okay. >> Now that I'm looking at it. >> Okay. >> 12. >> Do you want to see the resolution? >> Wait a second. It is two because one is replacing existing and one is a new one. >> So it it is two. It's one is replacing
existing and one is a new one. >> Yeah. But the invoice totals 10,000 >> on each. >> Yeah, it's one of everything though. It adds up to 10,720 2960. >> The replacement of an existing and the
motor. Well, it says not to exceed 21,000 actually. Yeah, just usually they're for the amount. So, I was just >> Yeah, >> I just thought we should get clarification. It does have a budget line item attached to it. So, kudos to
Christian for at least making sure it was um sourced. I just want to make sure we approve the right thing. >> Fair. >> Yeah, I would if if it's for the replacement. I know we did have to do replacements and So, it's probably for
>> it's a replace and a new, right? >> I believe so. Yes. >> Yeah, that's the way I read it. >> And it's also saying not to exceed that number as well, too. So, it's not saying that's the actual spend >> per item and that comes under that. >> All right. >> So, we're still approving something appropriately.
>> So, that was that was one question. Um, number 16. And actually, this was also another question. I don't know if um Katherine, excuse me, deputy mayor could answer or um Sergeant McCarthy
around number 16, the money that we are paying to repair, you know, uh multiple items. There was a a driver that hit four four different items in town totaling over $8,000 in damage. Are we going to be getting that money back? Is
the town going to get the money back from the insurance company of the driver? >> I assume we are if we're going through the insurance. >> Yeah. I mean, because it looked like um you know, I think it was uh unfocused
driving, which I thought was a very nice term. So, unfocused driving. They struck four different items, a guardrail, a pole, like four different things. I hope they're okay. But it was $8,545 in damage that the town is paying to fix. That's a lot of money. I just want
to make sure we're getting our money back. So >> all that and we have to replace immediately for safety >> for sure. >> Same as the pole, but the driver is responsible ultimately. >> Yeah. And and so I just wanted the confidence that um
>> Yep. That's how that goes. That the insurance company would would be on the hook for that. Yeah. Let's see. It was um I don't think it's the insurance company to be clear. It's the driver. When there's public property like that, like a pole, they're
built the driver is built directly for the pole. In this case, I would assume the drive the guardrail is the same. >> Yeah. It was a guardrail, a wooden pole, a utility pole, and a tree. >> One, two, three, four. Like smack,
smack, smack. So, okay. So, as long as we're billing the driver, I just want to make sure we're getting the money back. >> Yeah, it'll be Yeah. All right. >> Okay. Um, and then my only You didn't ask about these numbers, but I just wanted to again, number four, thank you to the credit card committee and all the
work they've done over the years. And then also, thank you to um Somerset County. So, the cultural and the Somerset County cultural and heritage um committee awarded Hillsboro $42,000
to help support the Vandervir House. So, it was incredible that they awarded us that grant. And it was interesting because one of the requirements of the grant, which is new, um one of the requirements is that we need to make it um accessible to the public. So the
county's take is look if they are taking you know taxpayer funds from Somerset County and it is benefiting a structure in Hillsboro then we need to make it accessible to the public so that anybody um within the community could visit it.
So, we will be excited on historic preservation to look at what we can do to not only continue to restore Vandervir um house, but also it's almost 300 years old, by the way. Uh but also what can we do to um do something
accessible to the public? It would probably be outside as the structure wouldn't be um able to have people inside in its current state. So, just wanted to say I was excited about that grant and to thank um the county. And that was that was it. Back to you,
Mayor. >> Mayor, may I just make one statement on that last one, too, too? I think uh if you're on social media, you can see that Mr. Greg Gillette Gillette on Hillsboro um talked about that recently as well, too. So, he's our local historian who we had uh brought on uh earlier in the year.
>> Yep. >> Preservation meeting. >> Yeah, he's doing great. and our grant writers and edman who put the grant in. >> Yep, absolutely. >> Um, Commman Le Panny, any others that haven't been addressed?
>> Um, I will just point out that uh we are granting a license for the Kringle market which is happening down at Flander this weekend and next weekend. Uh, it's a great little gem of Americana. I'd recommend that you go and
see the little micro shops that pop up and support our local um distillery and brewery if that fits your boat. But if not, there are nice little it's great little couple hours there to get the spirit of Christmas, pick up a Christmas
tree or whatever. But uh it's been uh going on now for a couple years and u it's nothing but magical. So on that too, I just want to add that the Cringle market also the parking is $10 per car and it benefits a local nonprofit as
well. So it's all kind of geared at giving back to the community with all the local vendors and things like that. Uh I think there's 28 or 32, I forget the number exactly, of little local vendors. Um and last year was bitter bitter cold, but it's a fantastic
weekend uh jaunt out for the locals. Okay. Uh I think does anybody want to Let's go. Comments from the floor on 1 through 16. >> They're in the back.
>> They're in the back. >> Come on up. >> And Marie, go ahead. >> Don't wait. Yeah, >> right. This is for for consent agenda 1 through 16. >> Excuse me. Maria Janus 6, 720 East Fick
Avenue, Manville, New Jersey. I'm also a Hillsboro Township property owner, block 86, lot 3, 2155 Camplain Road. Um, consent six, resolution authorizing refund of tax overpayments.
There are uh a lot of uh uh overpayments by Core Logic. What What is Core Logic? Is that some kind of a business? They they seem to own a lot of property in Hillsboro and over the years they've been getting
repeated uh um refunds. Who are they? >> Uh Bill, do you remember the answer you gave last time on that? I'm sure it's a third party payer. A lot of people that have mortgages, uh, the mortgage companies hire out a third party payer to manage the escrow accounts. And, uh, periodically what we
have is sometimes we have double payments on accounts and when those double payments occur, uh, they're refunded. We have a lot of properties in town. >> Um, the first name on there are Vikas and
Zer Patel 6,592. How how does it happen that that there could be such a large u overpayment? What would cause that to be for someone have to get such a large uh overpayment? >> They paid 6,000 more than they should
have >> or they made a double payment like >> Yeah, you could have a you could have many circumstances. You could have a closing of title on a particular house and and uh both it's paid by the closing attorney and in the meantime the bank also makes the payment. There could be a number of reasons why the township gets
a double payment, but the only reason it would be on the agenda is if our tax collector has confirmed that there actually has been a double payment and that a refund is due. >> Okay. On consent uh number 11, that resolution requesting approval of items of revenue
and appropriations. Um I know that uh um Hillsboro is getting that 400. What is it? Uh 42,4002. Uh but it says here that uh a like sum of 42,42
uh is hereby appropriated. Does that mean that that additional 42,000 is being taken out of the budget, Hillsboro's budget? Is that the grant money that we >> It's the grant money we're getting that we just spoke on >> that we just talked about for the Vander House,
>> right? But the second to the last uh paragraph, it says uh be it further resolved that a like some like sum of 40 4002,42 is and the same is hereby appropriated under the caption of general appropriations
operations excluded from caps. So >> what does that mean? Um it means that uh as we've indicated before it means you're getting a grant fund. So the first part that you're reading is an acknowledgement of receipt of the of the fund and the next part the CFO is saying
then I am creating account and putting it in there for that specific purpose. So it's being appropriated for that specific purpose and in this particular case that specific purpose is the band of your house. >> Okay. All right. So that that that paragraph is referring to that money
that can't be used for other things. getting it and now we're appropriating it for that specific purpose only. >> Thank you >> and consent number 15, resolution authorizing the submission of a navigational path, a requirement of the sustainable Jersey gold star
standard in water. And um here it talks about um >> that's the gold star resolution that we just talked about in the presentation >> and it's mentioned in here um the uh forestry management plan and and New
Jersey urban forestry um >> correct >> trees are a very important environmental um feature. >> Correct. not only for um the air quality
but also as far as water. Um >> that was the whole presentation >> that is uh at planning board meetings a lot of times waiverss are given uh for for for these types of things. What what um
what would be a consideration to allow a developer to to uh remove a lot of trees beyond what's question? >> It's a planning board question. We're not doing that here. >> The short answer, Miss Janisc, is I
can't prevent somebody from developing their property because of trees. There's trees on it. >> All right. Thank you. Any other comments from the floor on items 1 through 16? All right, seeing none, would anybody
like to take items separately? Say no. May I have a motion and a second to approve consent agenda items 1 through 16? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Committeeman Bing, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Hand, >> yes.
>> Committeeman Leani, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Payne, >> yes. >> Mayor Cherelli, >> yes. >> All right. Thank you. Public hearings. First one is 2025-16. uh an ordinance amending chapter 205 massage establishments section 205-6
operating requirements and section 205-13 violations and penalties of the code of the township of Hillsboro County of Somerset State of New Jersey. Uh may I have a motion and a second to open the public hearing for ordinance 202516?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Committee Pring. >> Yes. Committee woman hand. >> Yes. >> Committee Le Pony. >> Yep. >> Deputy Mayor Payne. >> Absolutely. >> Mayor Tigerelli. >> Yes. >> So, do we have comments from the deis on
2025-16? >> No. All right. Comments from the floor on 2025-16. Seeing none. May I have a motion and a second to close and adopt ordinance 2025-16. Motion to adopt.
>> Second. Roll call, please. >> Committee. Committeeman Burning. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Leoni. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Payne. >> Yes. >> Mayor Cherelli. >> Yes. Okay. Next is ordinance 2025-17.
Ordinance amending chapter 143 vehicles and traffic article 12 schedules section 143-30 schedule one no parking of the code of township of Hillsboro to prohibit parking on Milbour Drive Claus Court Hutchinson Drive and Meyers Court.
So this is the ordinance. Um before I ask for any motions, the original public hearing um here uh as described was to propose some permanent parking restriction on one side of the street in the the named
roads uh within a residential neighborhood. We brought this up. Um I want to emphasize that this was uh this ordinance is a uh is a response to safety concerns and complaints that were received. uh following several large
events held at a farm in the neighborhood. Uh we received some reports about public safety hazards, uh difficulty with emergency vehicles. And so as an immediate response, uh the township placed temporary signage at a recent event which limited parking
to one side of the street. That seemed to be practical temporary solution, but it does not address the long-term uh problem. So we met to just there was a meeting several meetings to determine the most immediate par and seemingly effective and a force enforcable path to
address this recurring safety concern and proposed that a permanent one-sided parking restriction was a quickest and way to ensure that emergency vehicles uh could have access. We also recognized the farm's right under right to farm act
another thing we have to consider which permits them to hold these events. Um, so while the farm activity is related to the increased parking, tonight's focus must be on the proposed parking ordinance, uh, which is within the township committee's immediate control
and not the right to farm act. Uh, this will ensure surrounding streets are we want to ensure the surrounding streets are safe for all residents, especially in an emergency. Uh, that's our that's the township's non-negotiable responsibility. So this is at least this ordinance is an initial wasn't is an
initial attempt to manage this impact. Uh so we introduced it last last month and then had some discussion then and on the next day we sent out a we personally notified residents on the affected streets about this public hearing and
encouraged you to submit feedback. Um we did receive feedback. It progressively came in faster as the meeting approached but we definitely received um more feedback. We got one today at I think 6:40. Um, and we heard you, you know, we we we that input uh was very important.
We've re and there's a lot of good ideas in there. Some things I don't think we all thought about or maybe we did and need to take a look at combined with other factors. There's there's a lot of moving parts here. Um, but the overwhelming response indicates that residents are opposed to this specific
ordinance. uh they've they they know that the parking um uh uh it is a it's a it's a concern. Um the the residents have been proactive
recommending several alternative solutions for managing event parking at the farm. Some of which we dealt with and we'll have to deal with the county as well. But that's okay. We um some feedback contends that we're punishing residents of this neighborhood by restricting
parking, but that's not the intent of the ordinance. It was trying to come up with a a viable solution that was permanent. Um so we need we need to determine the fe feasibility of a lot of these solutions
uh because some of them would be difficult to enforce. We we do need enforcement mechanisms. So that's part of the the process here as well as the time to implement it. But we don't expect the form to have any events over the winter. We hope um if they do, they need to follow what they're supposed to
do. But given um this unified feedback, you know, for the most part, it's unified that they're against this resolution. I think it's necessary to pause and consider that there might be some more agreeable solution uh another viable solution maybe that addresses
both the farm's operations and the neighborhood safety concerns without this permanent restriction. So tonight is our opportunity to hear from you. We do have a lot of uh we have considered and read a lot of lot of the emails. Um, but with that,
what I would look for is a motion to table this until we're we have way more options. So, we won't have an official hearing on it tonight. I would like a motion in a second to table it. And I'll caveat that with the fact that we will
still hear from the public. I mean, they came out. So, so we'll, you know, hear from you as well. uh hear from the public who came out tonight to talk about this ordinance and um we'll put that in with the planning department,
planning and zoning department, the the police department, um agg and farm and county. We'll we'll put all this into the grinder a little bit and and and see a little bit more what the options are. So, I would like a motion and a second to table >> ordinance 202517
until >> motion to table a second. Uh, roll call. >> Committeeman Briding. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Leani. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor.
>> Yes. >> To table it. We're not going to vote on >> everything I just said. >> We're not voting on We're not voting for the ordinance tonight. We're going to have you guys come up and talk. >> Where we at? >> Okay. Mayor, >> you guys are still going to come. >> Gotcha. >> Sorry. >> Where we at? for the benefit of the
members of the public. What a tableabling an ordinance mean is they they they've decided they've heard the feedback from the residents and they've decided, listen, we're going to pull this ordinance at this point in time. Uh therefore, um you know, you're welcome to come up, you're welcome to to speak, but at this point in time, they've heard
what you've had to say and they agree at this point in time not to move forward with the ordinance. Um if in the future uh this were to come up again, it would have to be re reintroduced, renoticed, and everything like that. So, they're tableabling it at this point in time. Um, there's not going to be a
public hearing, but uh, as a courtesy, if anybody still wants to be heard, um, you can feel free to come up to to the microphone and state what you have to say, but again, they they have received your letters. They've heard what you had to say, and at this point in time, they're not proceeding with the ordinance.
>> Thanks for that clarification. >> I'd like to make a comment. >> Uh, so we're we're >> I still need a roll call for Mayor Cherelli. >> Oh, I was the last one. >> You were the last one. >> Oh, yes. >> Okay. Um and so with that, I don't know if anybody on the deis wants to comment on the the situation and and then we'll
we can hear from the public. >> So a couple things. Um there were many email that came in and I think everyone who's both in the room and online hopefully that did submit those emails. Um there's email are also going to be forwarded to the county for their consideration. Uh right to farm is their
you know their thing not ours. That's not something that we can control here. However, we want to partner with them very strongly with this farm. There's, you know, just from a process perspective and make sure that we're very thorough and that they also hear your feedback. The other thing I wanted
to address is I was so excited about the the testimony that sir, you were able to give last time and even more excited that we were able to pull all of the body cam and car footage of that interaction. And I'm so happy to report that our police acted completely
appropriately from what they had done that it's not illegal to park on a street unless you're blocking a, you know, sewer or a fire hydrant or too close to the corner and things like that. So I just want to commend our police despite what was said last
meeting that they did a great job. They were very thorough and we appreciate that by both the video and footage that we were able to obtain. So that was the one thing I wanted to say from an open space perspective. I am the have been on open space since even before I started
uh as an elected official here. Um open space this is very important to us that we make sure that we get this right that this farm acts appropriately and within the metrics that they can without um overengaging in this kind of behavior on
a constant. So we just are very concerned with that from an open space perspective as well. Um that's the only comments I had. >> So I would jump in just to say that I think um we heard the town when there were complaints about parking. I know um
we have a sensitivity around making sure that fire trucks and ambulances and things can get through. So, we were concerned about parking and I appreciate the the recommendation um or or the analysis by the police department, but it was very overwhelming from the
residents that this wasn't the right solution. So, I would urge that um to the mayor's point that we kind of pull back, look at some of the options. Um and I think the county does have other options. It is also my understanding that um although somebody has a right to
farm, it also can't you know impede and and really cause um a lot of havoc for everything around it. So I would love to understand what the farm's obligation would be to provide on premises parking so that it is not you know spilling over
just into the the neighborhood around. So I think there's definitely um you know other avenues that need to be explored and then we can come up with a really thoughtful um solution to uh to the issue. So thank you very much for
coming tonight and thank you to my colleagues for agreeing to table this. We will we will come up with something better for sure. >> Thanks Mayor. >> Any other comments from the deis? >> Additional comments? No,
>> we're going to call for that. >> U well, you'll get plenty of time to put comment up here, plus your neighbors will have time to comment through. So, >> um yeah, so this this obviously uh is a sensitive area, right? So, we're we're always looking for the benefit, health,
and safety of the residents. Obviously, um this is uh something that like as the mayor stated, you know, based on the police what they thought was the easiest and most enforcable um option. Now, obviously, there's
there's opposition to that. So, we're always willing to listen, but obviously whatever is decided uh amongst us as committee people and you as residents, I don't think that everyone's going to be 100% happy just from the nature of
the area and the farm, but we're willing to try and find the least um objectionable uh outcome, and that's that's our goal. >> All right. And uh so at this time you know we've heard from the deists
um >> so come on up for public comment on on you know related to 2025 17 um you know we like I said we do have we did receive a lot of email with with good suggestions including parking on
site things that we're going to consider. Um, so you were asking, come on up. >> Please come come to the mic. Come to the to the mic and uh state your name and address and then ask away. >> All right. My name's Robert Shaw, one
Meyers Court. Um, how will I know if this comes up again? Is there a website to go to see when if this comes on some type of agenda? >> So, as the mayor mentioned, we'll renotify the public just the way that we did this time. Oh, you mean a note in the mailbox? >> Yep.
>> Thank you. Yeah. >> And it's it is published. There are there are public notices on on the agendas for every meeting. If there's an or if there's a new ordinance introduced ahead of time, >> is it what's the uh >> Well, I would I would encourage all members of the public, hey, it's only every two weeks. Take a look, take a
look at the ordinance when it's published. It has to be published before the meeting. Take a look at it and see what's on the agenda. If anything uh uh tickles your fancy, come on in. will be on the Hillsboro website. >> Hillsboro Hillsboroj.gov. >> It's on it's it's on the township webs
website. All agendas and uh the township committee meets twice twice a month. Um so you know please please take a look at those agendas not just for this item anything else that uh uh again is of interest to you that you want to provide comment. >> Thank you. >> And and typically what happens is we introduce an ordinance
but not the public hearing. So, so it's introduced and then >> two two or three weeks later is when we we do what we're doing now where so it's introduced, it gives the public time for input. You know, this one's a little more high-profile. So, um we'll we'll
reach out, I'm sure, to the to some of the key residents and anybody who asks about it, you know, by all means, if you send an email and say, "Hey, what's the status?" We'll we'll respond. >> Questions tonight. Is there anything that you can tell us about what some of the other alternatives that are being thought of?
>> Not yet. That's why we need to table. >> We got plenty of them, but >> yeah, we have about probably about 40 right now. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Did you have any questions that you wanted to ask or like statements or anything like that in
advance? only like would there be consideration like if if if it went down to this as it does in the ordinance with only parking one side whether there would be like exceptions like guest passes for something like that you know for >> I mean that that's one of the ideas and
that's part of what we'll consider there's a lot of lot of different things >> to to consider >> um >> because it's not just the farm right I know that there have been I've been se several times on that street where there's been like large um religious
gatherings >> vehicles. >> Well, those too, but there's just been like large religious gatherings. I know uh there was a housewarming party one time and it is significant. This street is narrow, right? So, we're looking at every option to be as fair as we can to every resident.
>> So, if it was only one side, they might have to park five blocks away. >> Well, I'll give you my own point of view. And I last thing I want to do is make you guys feel like you don't live in your own development. >> I mean, that's that's important, too. So there's there's there's a lot to consider here. So we have to use some common sense, a little empathy, and then
figure out the best the best. >> Does this have anything to do with with how wide or narrow the streets are in the neighborhood? >> There's a lot that goes into it. Yeah, there's Yeah, that's >> in our neighborhood. Are the streets actually more narrow than the surrounding neighborhoods? >> No, there's a there's a like a set I
asked actually the very same question. There's a set width of streets based on how they run. Yours is a culde-sac. So therefore, if it like dead ends like that, it's a different width than one
that would be a thoroughare. >> Oh, but the culde-sacs in the other neighborhoods, they're the same width as ours. I guess >> that was my understanding. That's what I was told when I was >> I drove around some of the other neighborhoods and >> all roads are designed to state >> the streets look wider. >> I did the same thing. Trust me, I asked.
Yes. >> All all roads and developments are designed according to state, >> right? >> State regulations. So, we wouldn't build roads as narrow as they might be uh uh to that were not to compliant with state
laws. Okay. Thank you. Thanks, >> Deanna Milano, 64 Milbour Drive. Hi, everyone. Thank you again. Um I wanted to first thank all of you for your quick action after the last meeting. Um, I think that as you can see, my neighbors have a lot of feelings about this, which
is what why I came last time. Um, I'm really glad that they had the opportunity to give everybody feedback. Um, I just want to or I'm thank you for tableabling the issue because I don't think two weeks with a holiday in the middle uh was enough time to really uh
thoughtfully approach this. Um, and I appreciate that you have to balance a lot of things. safety, the rights to farm, the um comfort of the neighborhood. I understand that. I do want to urge that you are incredibly transparent through this process. So, I
know you've got a lot of feedback and you're saying you've got 40 ideas and we got to look into it um uh from a change management perspective if the permanent solution is the only option, the only feasible option. Uh being transparent with us about why those other options
are not an option. uh would be appreciated. >> Yes. And always. >> Huh. Thank you. >> Promise. >> Yep. So, that was my only feedback and thank you again and I really appreciate all of the hard work you guys did and walking around the neighborhood and putting flyers in the mailboxes. >> So, thank you.
>> Um sir, for the record, I just want to amend my statement to the following. Um some of the residential neighborhood streets are different based on RSIS which is residential site improvement standards and when the development would
have been approved. So um the timing of when they were approved and what was the law at that time depend my zoning department head just texted me so just so that I'm giving you the right information.
So it depends on when it was constructed and what the RSIS law was at or you know ordinance ruling whatever you want to say from the state of New Jersey. But just to be more transparent up to the second updates. >> I was going to say there's also the
reality too of curvatures of the road, the length of the fire truck. Like you just want to make sure and I know you all want um the same thing we do which is a safe a safe environment and enjoyable town. So we hear you. I would say just only because I'm have a moment.
I would encourage all of you to sign up for the mayor's e-news. Um that is one way to get information from the town. And I think Erica, it may be um an opportunity to um put a link in the next e-news on where to find the agendas for
this meeting so that you're not, you know, spending time um trying to find it on the website. So if we could just kind of >> Yeah, it's right on the front page. Yeah, just to help because we we're not trying to hide information. We would love if
you came to every meeting because we're here and it's great when people it's it's uh sometimes a little rough when it's an empty room. >> So, we would love if you would come. >> Does anybody else want to Yeah. >> Hi. Um my name's uh Scott Winston. I'm
at three Hutchinson Drive and uh I submitted one of the emails over the weekend >> and I have uh a couple questions because I was going through the statutes and I it seems like there's other things that can apply and one of the things is the
property the farm is zoned are a uh residential agricultural and which is zoned for residential with the potential for farm related activities and I'm just wondering how broad the scope is for what you actually consider farm related ated activities relative to what they're doing for the
big events. >> Well, that that's one of the issues we had with uh with I think the second event, but that's really dictated by the county um I believe. So, we have to that's one of the scenarios where we have to work with the county to confirm what they're doing and and make sure
it's uh it's compliant. But, um that that's that's at least >> I nickel short answer. It has to be something aggro >> centric. So for example, I'll use one. They want to have a movie night that is not agroentric.
They want to have a ride the pony night but have a movie also at the same time that is aggroentric. So the event has to be save. >> Yes. So the event has to be agroentric as the primary reason for the event. And
I'm getting a nod from our zoning officer behind me because we've been through this a lot of times. But that is the key. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And and and sir, just so you know, under the Right to Farm Act, uh the way they've structured the legislature structured it is it you might look at it
and say, "Hey, wait a second, this is in violation of your ordinance." Well, under the Right to Farm Act, if they are a farming facility, I got to go to the board. I got to I got to file a complaint with the agricultural board first. I can't I can't I can't just file
a claim against them because they're protected under the Right Farm Act. I first have to go to the county and the a board and get them to say yes, this is not covered by the right to farm and then I can go after them. So it it's it's kind of a two-step process. I got to kind of go to them first. So I know
you might be looking at those thing and saying, "Hey, why don't you just why don't you site them right here because I got to go to the county agriculture board first and have them say, you're right, that's not covered by the right to farm." >> So the farm act supersedes all the township. >> I have to go to them first. Correct. I have to go to them first.
>> Okay. which is why Scott, we want their your feedback to get forwarded to them as well. They need to hear this as well. >> Okay. And then my last question is um it sounds like when this is going to be brought back, there's already an ordinance done that we either approve,
you know, like or don't like. Is there another way that we can get involved earlier in the process? >> Well, yeah, you you are. >> Well, I mean, we helped get it tabled, but I mean, in terms of crafting the you know, the next ordinance, >> right? Um so when it's when we can come
up with something it'll be introduced >> and then but this is not the same like this is tabled essentially it's dead right and then we're going to >> No but I mean in terms of coming up with something new is there a way I could get involved >> I I I think your feedback did that >> do I have to get elected to do that >> I think your feed both I think your
feedback did that though your feedback is what we're taking into consideration from all of you >> okay correct me if I'm wrong but I I think the goal is to try to if they have events to try to get the parking on their property, right? Isn't that curious? >> Yeah. So, so I I understand and uh I
think that's because yeah, because most of the other farms in the community, they have parking on their site. >> Correct. Y that is the common sense answer to this problem just to be a good neighbor. >> And so that's going to be tried. I guess that's going to be the goal, right? Okay. To through the county and uh
through the right to farm is that if they're having events, >> hey, >> what's your what what's your parking plan? >> Yeah. and you know and I encourage you to you know send an email if you don't hear anything for a couple weeks and you get antsy shoot an email and what's the
status and and we'll uh you know give you an update on when the next if there's a meeting or what's going on. So >> stay you know by your first email gets you involved and you know continue to follow up. >> Sounds good. Thanks for your help. >> Appreciate it. >> Mayor, if I might just a couple things.
Um, one I just I I know the the captain's here and thank him for being here. But I want to thank Sergeant Le Boy who's been very involved uh ever since this happened with coming up with data. He's here this evening as well as Marcy McLock and our assistant planner and zoning official. So, they're both on
this, but I'm going to be quarterbacking this moving forward. I know the holidays are coming up but working with the PD engineering and the TC and health and all the different groups that um that are important and taking all the ideas from residents and tableabling all those and putting those together. So it's
going to be multiple departments including the leison on uh two lison to the committee and uh we'll take all that and and make sure we're we're bringing the right solution forward. >> Yeah, it does cut across departments. >> Right. So if there's if there's any questions, I know Sergeant Leo is back
there with all his data and as well as Marcy, they're both here this evening as well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you both. >> Anybody else want to uh comment on it? >> Coming up. >> No. >> No. Are you coming or no?
>> They want to go now. All right. >> Thank you for having your voices heard. >> Thank you for uh your patience. Um the last item is ordinance 20258. May I have a motion and a second to o open the public hearing for that for
ordinance 202518? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any comments from the deis on that ordinance? >> So this one's not an introduction though. This was the this was the approval of >> Yes, that's correct. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So I I did have a couple comments on this one.
>> All right. So, keep in mind I I we obviously love our township employees and we would want everyone to get a raise. Looking at this salary ordinance, my concern is how we would actually pay
for this. Um, I'm looking at the rate of inflation is 2.8%, social security is 2.8%. Some of these are definitely more than 2.8% raises. And I guess my concern is um you know without new ratables coming in uh these raises would really
be on the backs of taxpayers to pay for and to fund. So just you know why why are we doing this? Um and would you consider tableabling this? >> Okay, let's we'll thank you for bringing that up. So I know our HR director's
back there. She can come up to the microphone she like as well. This has absolutely nothing to do with raises or anything of that sort. >> This is simply a salary range. >> So, I don't know, Harry, if you want to come up and just explain that and what we're doing and why we're doing it. Um,
but this is no way in making anybody's salary or encouraging any um increase in anybody's salary. Uh we're working right now with two unions um as well as making any decisions
without any budget discussions. But >> what we did is we tried to make the ranges a little bit bigger so that we don't have to keep doing this every year. We've done now this is about the third year in a row that we've had to change the ordinance. So we're just making the range a little bit bigger. So it it gives us a leeway to work over the
course of years. But it's not salaries that's not the salary resolution. It's just an ordinance for ranges. The concern is it's just setting that up. And so again, I've I've urged you in the past. I think every time this has come in front of me, I've I've
definitely had a concern with it and the way it's done. I think it's also unclear. There's many rules on here that we know are not populated. So, I think there should be some sort of like notation something on the ones that
aren't populated, the ones that are. I know there was some underlining of of things that were new on here, so that was helpful. But for for residents in the town, they would not know which of these positions is filled and which is not. >> I think every position on there is is
filled, isn't it? >> Well, I mean, it's still just a salary range for a position if it were to come >> and some of the sal titles on there are things that we have had in the past and we kept them on there. So, if we do need to hire uh uh like if somebody retires
and we need to hire uh instead of a director, a manager. So, we do have some uh titles on there that might not be populated for that reason. >> No, no. Thank you. Clear on why they're on there. Just wanting, you know, there's a consideration that
we should kind of notate, you know, how many how many of these positions are actually occupied because not all of them are occupied. I went through the list. Um and and there was one actually on here with unless it got corrected.
Um we had something earlier for Everett. We're all very excited for for Everett in his new position, but the job description for that is conflicted with this. So I think as JD um said 130 was the top range on here. I
think it was 120. So, we want to make sure that those are that they match because it was in the same package. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions? Does anyone else have any other
questions? >> No, this is again this is for ranges and I think businesses do this all the time. I think this makes us more efficient. Um, it allows us to, you know, also maintain talent. This is a large town with almost 45,000 people in it and people expect services and we need the
right people to do the right job for the right reason. Again, we're not voting on salaries tonight. We're voting on a range which then we can offer and then has to go to resolution and we can debate people in public as well too like we have been over the past few years and see whether or not they're worth their salary. I think that's what what that comes down to. But for me, I think this
is a range. I think this is a very um efficient way to run it. Um, and if there's a difference of opinion of that, I'd be interested to know what solution would be provided to do things differently because the statement you just made too, committee woman, was that, you know, you didn't, maybe I'll misquote it, sorry, but or a paraphrase,
um, you didn't like how this was done or something to that effect. I'd like to know what you would do differently. >> So, thank you for the for the question, Committeeman Bing. We had talked before. I'd seen in years past each year we're
inching up and it was a matter of what is that salary range and I understand and I appreciate that you seem to be trying to make those bigger now but otherwise if we're increasing the salary ordinance every year we're just keeping or trying to keep pace and showing where
raises may be. It didn't seem efficient. So, you know, we could consider doing this a little different. Um I don't know if you need a salary range for every single position. maybe levels something. Um, but happy happy to talk offline. I
would love I think I'm not part of personnel. I would love to be part of the personnel committee and work closer with you on it. That would be great. >> We did offer for you to come talk to me last year as well. We never did. So this year maybe let's make that happen. >> Would love to be on the personnel committee. That would be great.
>> Just for the record, I work for a large pharmaceutical company out of this and so do you. And that's how they do it too. So this is no different than large businesses. So, this is we're operating like a business. >> Just for clarity, too, I I talk with um Harriet all the time in HR about questions and things I have offline. I'm
not on the personnel committee either. >> Anything else? >> Thank you. >> I think the public not until the public uh has >> I think you're good to go for now. >> Uh any comments from the floor? Yes, >> not expected to speak today, but
>> come on, Rich. >> No, no, I mean this is like this is a very interesting discussion. Uh, so I definitely appreciate >> your name and address. >> Yeah, first name is Richard Zadlo. Live at 14 Partridge Road here in Hillsboro, New Jersey. Uh, so I think this was
introduced in like November 25th. I was not part of that discussion. Kind of getting caught up on speed. Understand the discussion going on board. This is not a salary just a salary range. It's not for promotions or whatever. But I think there's you know looking at the
the changes contextually I think there should be some sort of comments on the frequency of the government to take a look at how often we'll review this whether it's on an annual basis whether it's a five years. We know inflation's you know dramatically increased over the
last five p five years since co so there's been a huge change in what you know standard livingings are to to maintain what you had five years ago and I think the committee should be judicious for contextually in there to talk about how do we define those salary
ranges because some of them did increase you know you know I can go by percentages some went up by five or 10,000 by the top end which is you know rounding numbers some went up by 84% from the lower end and there's some deviations but I think just to be transparent to the to the township is
like you know here's what the range you know for this director position or assistant assistant director it's it's meritorious with what is going on in uh corporate America because you want to grab the talent for the for the township
you want great people work for for the township to make us better the challenge is we're not a pharmaceutical company >> right I'm not I'm not saying No, that's okay. But this is how businesses business all about radicals, right? So radicals come in from my perspective as either, you know, homeowners or
businesses. Yeah. >> And there's a balance in that aspect. And I think, >> you know, we need to be judicious and or, you know, just say like, you know, if it's a tough year and we need to make this call, just be transparent on how that was done. Was it a 3% raise or 2.8 based on inflation or no, we need to
increase it because here's what we see going on forward. Uh, and I know that's it's a tough position for HR to do that, but the numbers are the numbers and you need to be able to quantify that. >> And I think, you know, looking at this, >> it it seems like this document was somewhat dated. That's kind of what
brought up the the the discussion to increase some salary ranges. Uh, but I think there should be some context of, hey, let's every five years look at this and in the inter the adjustment would be inflation per year. >> You know, that way you don't need to revote that. I mean, just by
consideration just something for you guys to think about >> uh whether it's a vote or to table it. It just you know for me it's context on how are the numbers you know brought together for that. >> So just to be really clear because you brought it up again that this is salary range not salary increases.
>> So it's just to your point it's that transparency to say okay so as a manager you could be making from X to Z and then anywhere in between. So based on to your other point merit and how long you've been here, how long you've worked, if
you came with experience from another township or something like that, right? >> Performance reviews. >> Yeah. Performance reviews. All of that gets taken into. So this is not about salaries. It's about the salary range of potential. >> Got it. >> And when salaries do come up, we actually put it to a specific vote for
that job for that person and we make it public. >> Okay. >> Yeah. That's how it works. Like we we talk about it in public and that is open to a good point. Just wanted to make one other thing clear just not to not to blavorver the point, but what has happened in the past and I'll just use an example as $40,000. So someone's making $40,000.
>> Well, if that person got a stipend at the end of the year, say $1,000 >> for working out of title or doing something outside of their job, we'd have to do a new salary ordinance because we couldn't pay that person. So what they've done in the past is make it
have zero zero flexibility in those salaries. It's whatever you make, that's it. So, we have merit increases due to um union contracts and obligations. We have two contracts coming up uh this year and right now the employees are getting 2 and a half%. So, if we kept
the salary ordinance the way it was and all of a sudden in January we moved up from that 2 and 1 half% say it's 2 and 3/4 say it's anything different even if one or two people now we have to redo it again. So, you want to talk about inefficient that's inefficient. So what Harry and I have done with the finance
committee is move those salary ranges a little bit more just to give us an area for that. It might impact one person. So this has nothing to do with anybody's salary. It doesn't. Most of the time it has to do with that one-time uh uh
stipen or something else out of the unordinary, not the salary. So we're not inflating salaries. 75 80% of my employees are under under contract. It's not how it works. Any other comments from the floor?
>> Hi, Deanna Milano, 64 Milbour Drive. Um, I actually do compensation for a living, so that's uh didn't know this was on the agenda. Um, but I am actually interested on in how the salary ranges are set. Like where is that data coming from? I know you guys are all saying it's not dictating actual salaries, but salary
ranges have a really big impact on where salaries do move in the future when you're planning. If you make a salary range larger, you do increase the opportunity for you know placing someone in a role higher in the range. So yes, yes, I understand it's a range. It gives
you flexibility which I think you need because you don't need to be doing these reviews constantly, but the data that is used should be based in fact. And I'm just curious where the data is coming from. >> Yeah, the data is coming from the three contracts. So just because I may want to
pay somebody x amount of money, I can't. It's a union contract that tells you what the starting salary is and what the range is. Not forget about the range. There's no range in a contract. This is a starting salary and and you get steps whether you're in the PBA or you're in
any of those. So it there's there's no flexibility in that range unless you're a part of the management team. Yes, there's flexibility there, but I can tell you over the years that that flexibility is is very thin and there's there's no flexibility when it comes to
union contracts. I can't pay you one thing and somebody else something else. >> Contracts. Totally understand that. >> To your question, we always >> we just want to know where it's been. >> We always and and Anony's all about that. We always constantly monitor what other towns around us, both the same
size and area, what their salaries are paying so that we know if we're in line, out of line, um in between or um so I'll tell you that we are not the highest paid on average in this in this area and we're not the lowest. We try and stay right in a competitive area that will
keep and and re keep the people we have but also attract new stuff. But we are that is the data I think you're asking for. >> We we the administrators actually share that data amongst each other so they all know where they are so that we're all
theoretically within a a curve that is useful. every every every position, every employee through at least five towns. And we look at that data with a matter of fact, we just looked at it today at 5:30. Uh again, we look at that
all the time. We look at at least two or three times a year. Um and I'd love to keep all my employees. I can't I'm not going to compete on price. That's not what we do. Um we try to be fair, but we do look at all that data. I'm all about >> My question was just where where are you
benchmarking against? Are you using any surveys? I know there are government specific surveys. I know there's public data. I know BLS has data. Um I was just wondering where yes all that all that data, but we look at Bridgewater, Branchburg, Montgomery, Franklin,
>> any like towns with our budget, with our a number of employees. We look at all that data and we look at job ads. We look at the New Jersey League of Municipalities. We look at a lot of stuff. >> Cool. Thank you. >> Thank you. And just to clear up because I don't
know if it was clear from that comment. So, um I don't know the number on here, but I would think a majority of the positions on here are non-union. So, yes, we're, you know, maybe it would be a matter of doing this separate for union and non-union. So, I just because
you don't have it in front of you, I just want to be clear um about what's what's actually on the ordinance. >> Hi, Maria Janusk. Um on the on um this page here it shows classification and then it shows minimum and there's two
lines and then maximum and two lines and if you look at uh IT director you can see that the minimum was crossed out and there's a new minimum and then you've got a maximum and then the fourth line there's another number uh what is that
what is that uh second number uh by the by the maximum I think you're looking at what the the ones crossed off are the old ones. The new number directly to the right of them are the proposed changes. >> Okay. So, IT director the uh >> from 41,000 to 75,000.
>> The minimum is uh crossed out which I understand and it was changed to 75,000 >> and then maximum is showing 125,000 >> and then next to it is 150,000 and it's nothing's crossed out. So, what is that
150,000 after the maximum? >> That would be the proposed change. >> But I think for consistency, I see where you would assume that the 125 would be crossed out when they proposed 150. I think it was just a formatting difference. So I think um what you would
probably want to look at for all the changes is the second row of minimum and then the second row of maximum of showing the changes even though to your point some of them are crossed out and some aren't like for IT director that was a great one to point out. They
didn't cross out 125 but it looks like they're proposing a new upper limit of 150. So the new range it went from 41 to 125 then it went 75 to 150. So you're saying that that the maximum is >> 150
>> because there there are a lot of on on the second page there there a lot also that uh show uh two numbers uh like the municipal judge from 85 to 90,000. So th So you're saying th those should have been crossed out and showing what the
actual uh new uh maximum is. We can confirm with either our HR administrator or the administrator. I think that's what they meant to do. >> Yep. >> I think it was just a formatting error. >> Yeah. Harriet's nodding her head. So
that is I would look that as a yes. >> So that's what it is. It's the they the the the maxes should have been crossed out and you have new maximums. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.
All right. Any other comments? Seeing none. >> Yeah, I was just going to say I think so, um, I would like to follow up and Harriet, I'll I'll definitely follow up with you because I think it would be helpful not only knowing what towns we did compare with, but also
percentile-wise, like where we landed in that. Um, all all all of the facts matter. So, it would be really helpful. So, thank you. >> Okay. So, motion and a second roll call on 202518.
>> I actually need to do two roll calls because we went right into public comment. So, I'm Yeah, I didn't get to do we we need the >> close and approve >> open. >> We went right into
>> just the situation. has changed the ordinance. It's ready to go >> and it's public so everybody sees it. >> So go through >> Oh, shoot. Yeah, I'm looking at Okay, mayor. >> Yeah. >> Oh, so it's close and adopt. >> Motion to close and adopt. I'm sorry.
202518. >> Motion to close and adopt. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Roll call, please. >> Committeeman Bing. >> Yes. >> Committee woman hand. I'm voting no. And the reason is I think this sets a precedent that it would grow salaries
larger than what we can afford. Um I understand these aren't the salaries, but I think on principle no. >> Committeeman Leani, >> I vote yes because it was stated so was not to be done every year. This is so we don't maybe do it for four or five years
as actually the comment was from public. So this isn't about next year. It's about years to come. Yes. Deputy Mayor Payne. Yes. Mayor Chorelli. >> Yes. I was looking at the claims list.
>> You're going too far. >> All right. Um claims list. May I have a motion and a second to approve claims list 202518. >> So moved. >> Second. >> That's what screwed me up. Uh comments from the DES. >> Nope.
>> Nope. All right. Any comments from the floor on claims list 202518? >> Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Committeeman Bing, >> yes. >> Committee woman hand, >> yes. Committee Leani, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Payne, >> yes. Mayor Cherelli,
>> yes. We have no new business to address. Um, public comments for matters not on the agenda. Miss Lenzo, please read the statement regarding public comment. The township welcomes uh input from the public. Please state your name and your address and spell your name for the
record. You will be given one three minute aotment for your comments. Please understand that this p is this public forum is not structured as a question and answer session. Comments are to be addressed to the mayor. Again, please keep your comments to three minutes.
Thank you. >> All right. Any comments for items not on the agenda? Come on up. Don't. Maria Janusk, 720 East Frick Avenue, Manville, New Jersey. Um there is a um
uh development that was given approval by the planning board. It's the Sherman tract. Uh there was a phase one that was completed and there's a phase two. Uh but the property that uh is um the the location of this development is owned by
Hillsboro. Um that property is adjacent to my property and I don't know what what is going on with that. Has the uh governing body of Hillsboro sold that property to the developer or um what
what exactly is happening with that property? >> Mr. Lean, you want to answer that? So when that's is sold, there'll be a a consent agenda to do so because it's all part of transferring the property to the developer at the point when they are
ready to start developing. So until you see us actually vote on it, it doesn't happen. Am I true, Mr. Willard? >> That's correct. I guess the last step in the process, uh, that is one of your affordable housing projects. Uh, so I I guess they have their approvals. So when
they're ready to break ground, I imagine the transfer will take place. >> Okay. Because that's part of a settlement agreement which also um impacts another development that was uh approved which is Gleng Gary and that and that um
property uh is is is a huge development probably close to 400 houses. and the um one of the waiverss requested by the
developer is uh is is cutting down over 2,000 trees. And so I was also wanted to find out when it comes to a township ordinance, who makes the decision, which
public officials uh body, the township committee or the planning board makes the decision to allow a developer to uh get a waiver such as this where uh over 2,000 trees are cut down. And they also,
I think, requested not having to replant anything. So, who who makes the decision on that? >> Well, the planning board approved the the uh the site plan and and the development plan what, two, three years ago? Three, four years ago.
>> Yeah, she was there. >> Yeah. So, the planning board approves that. >> The planning board approved it. Okay. So, but I'm saying when when there's a waiver, the >> planning board, they the the planning board members are the ones who make that decision. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other comments from the floor? Seeing none, can I have Mayor? kind of before that happens, I'd like to take a little personal time here and um take a minute to publicly thank you since we're wrapping up this meeting for not only
your uh wonderful service to this town, but your uh friendship uh how you've helped me specifically through some pretty difficult times uh in the planning board. um and some other issues that we're still facing that um
fortunately you won't be able to help us finish, but I just wanted to uh publicly thank you for everything you've done for this town and uh we'll miss you. >> Perfectly said. Thanks, neighbor.
>> I was just >> I was just gonna say he was obliged to say that because he dragged us into this. >> I know. still paying back. >> No, >> thank you. Thank you, uh, committ. >> Thank you. >> Definitely the best mayor um I've seen on the day.
>> We all have our attributes. >> I know. I know. It's a good one to have, man. >> All right. Um, may I have a motion and a second to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Committeeman Ving. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand,
>> yes. >> Committee Leanne, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Payne. Yes. Mayor Cher, >> I'm gonna say uh thank you officer Lab Boy for staying here and Captain McCarthy for you know what? No. >> No.
>> If we don't close. >> It wasn't unanimous. >> Merry Christmas. Happy holiday everybody.