No. All right. Good evening and welcome to the township committee meeting of June 24th, 2025. Miss Break, please call the role. Committee Bing, here. Committee woman Hand here. Committee man, present.
Deputy Mayor Payne. Mayor Tarelli here. Administrator Ferrer here. Attorney Willard here. All right. Please join me in a salute to the flag. Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Please be advised that in accordance with section five of the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter
231 of the public laws of 1975, notice of this meeting was made by the posting on the bulletin board at the Hillsboro Township Municipal Complex and notifying the officially designated newspapers that this meeting would take place at the Hillsboro Township Municipal Complex at 7:30 p.m. on June 24th, 2025,
executive session if deemed necessary to begin at 6:30. We did not have an executive session. Uh there's no minutes to approve. So I have some general announcements before we get into the committee reports tonight. Um first, I'd
like to make a statement. This is our our anti-hate statement. Uh, Hillsro Township is committed to ending the spread of hate, bigotry, and harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual
orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Today, Hillsboro Township will affirm its commitment to the well-being and safety of all its community members and to ensure that they will be protected and their rights respected. Hillsboro Township also wishes to affirm its
commitment to cultivating an inclusive community. For more information, see consent number 27 for our resolution affirming Hillsboro's commitment to the countering to countering hate so we can better celebrate our diverse community and continue as one of the best places to live in America.
So again, consent 27 has our resolution. Um project graduate graduation. I along with deputy mayor Payne and committeewoman Hand had the pleasure of attending project graduation at Iron Peak last week to celebrate the
Hillsboro High School graduation class of 2025. Approximately 458 of this year's graduating class attended the event. Uh and there was a great energy and buzz. I ask the students to give themselves a round of applause for for graduating as well as the chaperones,
volunteers, project project graduation parents for or who organized it for uh and who organized this great celebration. I wished every student great success on whatever their future held in store for them. So another great successful event for project graduation.
Uh, also let's see, on June 7th, I was I started the uh I was a starter for the Hillsboro YMCA's Hillsboro Hop 5K race. More than 600 racers participated this year and it was the largest number since COVID. Uh, after starting the race, I walked back to the uh municipal building
and some of the runners beat me there uh and back and to the finish line. So, we welcomed the racers uh back, congratulated them and handed out awards for all the age classes and uh overall winners. So, uh congratulations to everybody and again the YMCA for running
the the hop again. And right after that, since we were here at the municipal building, the uh green living and wellness fair was conducted. Um I or I I attended and stopped in there and uh just had at least we had about 49 exhibitors including some of the uh
township um uh services uh all related to green living and wellness and uh they actually had a great turnout. Even the exhibitors were noting that that I think the we did a good job of marketing it to the uh the hop people kind of a captive audience but they uh they had a great
turnout for the uh the green living and wellness fair. So again, very successful for uh event for the community. Um so with that I'm going to actually talk about Route 206 first as an update. Um
no, let me pass on that. So I'm just going to keep you in anticipation. I'll give you a 206 update after. I hate to tease you like that, but I'm going to do it. I'm going to make you stick around a little longer and go to the reports from the committee liaison. So start with uh committeeman Britting.
Thank you, mayor. Good evening, everybody. And I just wanted to um take a moment and just just address what the mayor had said up front, too. I think this initial statement about how we stand up against hatred in this town is incredibly important. We support everybody in this town. Everybody belongs and we want everyone to know
that. That's a very important thing, especially for the children in the room. It's really I coach a lot of them and I've known a lot of these little little children in this town for a long time and their parents. and it's very important for them to know they live in a town where we want to keep them safe in a place where they can just live the way they want to live their lives. So, uh, God bless everybody on that. So,
good job, mayor, on the up front. So, uh, as it relates to the administration, so we have a passport clinic coming up where there will be a passport clinic at the municipal building here in the senior activities room right across the way there on Thursday, June 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the clinic. Uh, you'll be able to renew your passport, apply
for a new passport passport, and take passport photos. So, you might not have to go down to Walgreens this time, you can do it here. New Jersey motor vehicle uh mobile unit is returning to uh the municipal building on Thursday, July 9th, so a little after the 4th of July. Residents can apply for the real ID
licenses or renew vehicle registrations. While those services will require registration advance, handicap placard uh acquisitions and license plate drop offs won't need an appointment. Registration for this event will open in the next couple of days. Look out for the link on Hillsboro Township calendar or in tomorrow's e-news. Uh these events
fill up incredibly fast. So uh don't wait to register for your Real ID appointment. Um I actually had to when I first did it, it took about three or four months to sign up. So if you can sign up, sign up. Revolution New Jersey. So Hillsboro is officially a Revolution New Jersey community. Revolution New Jersey is a partnership between the New
Jersey Historical Commission, which is a really great commission, division of New Jersey Department of State and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey for those children. You know, George Washington, our first president, fought
in the Revolutionary War, and it was a big deal for the kids in the crowd. Big big deal uh with what the United States was able to do and Hillsboro Township has some pretty significant history as it relates to Revolutionary War. So through this partnership, Hillsboro's 250th anniversary planning committee receives resources and information for planning activities centered around
America's uh semiquincentennial. Wow, I said the whole word. And Revolution Revolution New Jersey will highlight Hillsboro's commemorative activities. The mayor will have more information about the 250th anniversary planning committee during his remarks, which I believe are coming up shortly. Uh so next we have economic and business
development. We have a over a thousand businesses, small businesses in Hillsboro, which the backbone of our town. and we want to make sure that we support them as a number of things that we do. So, our 2025 summer social is coming up. The Hillsboro Business Association invites you to their 2025
summer social on June 26, just excuse me, just a few days away from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the landing. I think the weather is supposed to be a little bit cooler. So, that might be is it outdoors out on the uh on the patio? It's probably it's going to be 100 on Wednesday, 80 something hopefully. Hopefully. admission admission is only
$18 and includes light appetizers and soft refreshments with a cash bar available. This is the last business social until the fall. The NJA uh grant one-on-one session with CA Kathy Guzman. So, one-on-one sessions with Kathy Guzman from the New Jersey Economic uh Development Authority held
on June 4th was a was a big success. Business owners received helpful information about grant opportunities and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The sessions offered valuable insight into available funding options and resources to support business growth. The next one-on-one session is scheduled for September 30th. Contact
our economic and business development office for more information. Uh it's a really good office. They're always moving, so leave a message if they don't get you right away. Upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies. You see the mayor and other township committee members are always cutting ribbons for new businesses in Hillsboro and businesses that are reestablishing themselves in
town. The economic and business development department is excited to announce two upcoming ribbon ceremonies on June 27th to celebrate the opening of new businesses in our community. So, welcome to those new businesses and I ask you all please to shop there if you can. Vein Aesthetics, uh, V A Y NE
Aesthetics, located at two Clerico Lane, Sweet 21:15 at 2:15 p.m., uh, on the June 27th, uh, Hill, uh, and Hillsboro Hair Studio located at local located, excuse me, at 422 US 206 in Hillsboro at 3 p.m. So, two really cool little
businesses that are coming to town. So, please frequent these businesses if you see it uh, appropriate. We warmly invite all members of the public to attend these events, meet the new business owners, and help give them a warm welcome as they join the Hillsbor Business Association community. So, I have a couple more to go for us. So, just just bear with me for a moment.
I'll try to make it as fun as possible. Uh, spring 2025 magazine release. The Economic and Business Development Office is pro is proud to announce the release of the 2025 spring issue of the Experience Hillsboro digital magazine. one of the only towns in the area that does a digital magazine. The way they do
it, they make it so it's reader friendly on all different types of uh and accessible to everyone that has iPad, iPhone, or different different different means. You're taking a picture of it. That's great. That's we're we're digital in Hillsboro. Um the addition celebrates the strength, growth, and spirit of Hillsboro's vibrant business community.
Every featured business is a proud member of the Hillsboro business association, and their stories are sure to inspire. Please be uh please check out this issue on the Townships Experience Hillsboro web page. All right, so just a few more sections for me here. Human resources. Hillsboro is hiring for a v variety of positions
including building the building department inspectors and summer clean communities help. Please see tomorrow's e-news for more information on available employment opportunities with Hillsboro Township. Recreation, as we all know, Hillsboro has one of the best recreation departments in the whole center of the state and they are really good again digitally if you want to sign up for
their programs. Very easy to do so. Monarch butterfly poster winner is the first one. So, Hillsboro Recreation is proud to announce Kashall B, aged 10 years, is the winner of the mayor's monarch pledge poster contests. A great job. Um, Kushall, very good job, mayor.
Good job for for recognizing our youth. Sign up for summer activities as well. Keep your child active and engaged this summer with Hillsboro Recreation summer camp offerings. My two boys, Robbie and Christian, are playing basketball. I don't remember exactly when my wife signed them up for them, but they're playing basketball and they're pretty excited. So the recreation department
offers range of activities including soccer, basketball, golf, tennis as well as theater, robotics, cooking, comics and more. So recreation in our minds is not only physical, it's also mental. It's it's the STEM activities as well too are really important. So social services, Hillsboro Township Social
Services host the PAS-1 property tax rebate filing event. I think it's articulated that way as well too up there. uh Hillsboro Township Social Services Department, which is actually a very good and growing department as it relates to our town because there's areas in the town that need some assistance and this is one of them, is excited to announce an upcoming property
tax rebate filing event held in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Taxation. Uh this event is designated to help residents complete the new form, which now combines the senior freeze, stay New Jersey, and anchor property tax relief programs in a one in a one easy to use application.
This event will take place on Saturday, July 12th uh this year at uh 10:00 a.m. uh to 2 p.m. right here at the uh the M Hillsboro Municipal U multi-purpose room across the way there. To make most of this event, please bring the following items. Your val uh your valid photo ID,
social security number, income documentation for both 23 and 24, and total property taxes build for those same years for 23 and 24. And you can I think look this up on the website as well too if you need more information. State representatives will be on hand to walk around to walk you through the process, answer your questions, and make
sure your form is filled out correctly so you receive all the benefits you're eligible for. And all eligible residents are encouraged to attend this helpful and informative uh event. And as it relates to our our social services department, we also have a food pantry that is uh always engaging with the community, always handing out um items
for for those who are in need or who are in need of new items. The social services department was soon to transition to a new and improved system for managing food pant pantry registrations. This updated system is designated to better organize client information and enhance the overall service delivery resulting in a more efficient and positive experience for
all. Uh it's just a great service that we offer in Hillsboro in collaboration with many different groups. And for those of you that want to donate, please check the website as well because what we think people may need may not be what the social services department recognizes they need. So they put it actually on the website. So please follow that as well too. That will
really help. Now, tax assessor. This is the time of year when the tax assessor's office conducts farmland inspections. We kindly ask property owners to comply with requests for access. According to New Jersey Division of Taxation, all farmland properties must be inspected at least once every 3 years. If you have
any questions or concerns, please contact the assessor's office at 908-3698077. And two more sections, but this last one relates to the tax collector. estimated third quarter. So, estimated third quarter tax bills will be mailed during the week of July 14th. Payment is due July 1st with a 10-day grace period
ending on July 11th. Now, last, we're going to end up with the Hillsboro Township Schools. Now, the just a reminder to the to the audience and of those watching, the Hillsboro Township Committee does not have control over the Hillsboro Township Board of Education or the budget, but I am one of the liaison to the school board. So, we're going to read off a couple of interesting things
that are going on with the schools. So, uh new chatbot. Hillsboro Township Public Schools is proud to introduce a new way to connect with our school community. Their brand new website chatbot, which is pretty cool. The AI chat by chatbot is designed to provideformational support and answer your questions instantly. Look for the
chat icon on the bottom right corner of our website and give it a try today. Actually pretty informative. Uh Hillsboro Happenings, Hillsboro School's weekly newsletter. Like we have a weekly newslet letter as well here too. Even if your children aren't in the school, I think it's important that you know what's going on in in in the town because 65% of your taxes go to the
school board. So, it's important to know what's happening there. So, sign up for both newsletters. Hillsboro Schools weekly newsletter, Hillsboro Happenings, is a great way to connect with all things Hillsboro. To subscribe, please go to the Hillsboro Schools website and click the link at the bottom of the left corner. And before I close this out, I just want to recognize a couple of
really great things that happened because it's the summertime now and the children did a really nice job ending the year with some of their sports. Congratulations and and some of the other activities. Congratulations to Hillsboro girls track and field. They're the sectional champion, central groups one and four medal winners. Fantastic
job. Congratulations there. Um the uh um now we also have Alec Alex Susan who's the number one ranked freshman in New Jersey for volleyball which is absolutely incredible. So we have some terrific athletes in here. Hillsboro the high school um high school Hillsboro High School student Jess Mclevy breaks
the girls lacrosse school record with over 200 saves. Just to give you one more item. Hillsboro High School treble and mixed choir. Um, and the, uh, the New Jersey American Coral Directors had an association festival not too long ago. And for those of you that were a part of our, uh, Memorial Day parade,
they did a phenomenal job of not only singing in front of the crowd um, during the after the parade, but beforehand, they sang all the different hymns from the Army, the Marines, the the uh, Air Force, and all the others as well, too. They're absolutely tremendous. So, I am going to stop. My mouth needs to stop.
Thank you very much, guys. Thank you, committeemen. Uh, committeewoman hand. Yes. Thank you, mayor. Good evening. Happy Pride Month. Welcome. And it's air conditioned in here, so I think we're all just happy to be in air conditioned. So, um, uh, a
couple more things to add to, um, the committeeman's updates. So, congrats to the Hillsboro High School swimmer, Tommy Marquetta. He won the 100 fly in the Special Olympics. um excited for him and his family and the whole team as well as
the high school baseball team. They had their sixth straight Central New Jersey Group 4 baseball crown. So very exciting excited for them as well. And um a shout out to all the grads. I know the mayor talked about project graduation. I have
a senior graduating. I will be be an empty neester apparently come August. So, just wanting to say congrats to all the seniors out there and the the school and the parents do a terrific drop job with Project Graduation. If you
have an opportunity to contribute, please do. It's incredible and it's to keep our children off the streets the night of graduation so that there are no um you know, drunk driving, accidents, that sort of thing. So, it is a um a an event at uh held at Iron Peak. they lock
them in um until two in the morning and it's it's a fantastic event. So well done. All right, Hillsboro Library. So very exciting. The Hillsboro Library staff won the New Jersey LA Conference annual conference. It's the New Jersey
Library Association County Section Great Solutions Award for the Hillsboro Space Reorganization. If you've not been in the library recently, go in there. Um it looks fabulous. Couple updates on that. So Kathy Deberry, who's the um branch manager, won the NJLA county section
award for staff member of the year. So congrats to her. And then the farmers market playhouse. So like when you go in the library on the right hand along the back wall, um the market playhouse was secured with a generous donation from the friends of the library. It was
delivered in um May and it is a wonderful addition to the children's play area. Also, the Somerset County Board of Agriculture has made a generous donation to the branch with the help of Debbie Norris of Nor um Norris Farm so
that the staff um could outfit the farmer market playhouse with the appropriate farm toys. And again, little known fact, I know we're the Hillsboro High School Raiders. We were almost the Hillsboro farmers. So, that could have happened. Hence, all the farming, you
know, we're we're paying uh homage over there. So, um, upcoming events over there. There is a bubble show. I'm assuming that's regular bubbles, but I don't know. Um, bubble show on July 29th and a whale exhibit on August 5th. So,
very exciting. Um, wildlife applications. So, moving along to wildlife. The, uh, clerk's office is now accepting applications for wildlife management. applications due July 23rd and a lottery will be held on July 25th.
And then last but not least, Hillsboro Fire District. So, you know, we're getting we're getting to the obviously very warm weather July 4th holidays and the Hillsboro District Fire District would just like to remind everyone how to stay safe during fireworks season.
Please only use fireworks that are legal in your state. Um, keep a bucket of water close by when shooting off fireworks. keep a safe distance and after lighting the fuse, step away. Um, I know that sounds like common sense. There are horrible accidents. Was
actually a very bad accident in the town next to us. So, please step away. Um, keep a safe distance. Um, and if they don't light properly, do not attempt to relight it. Um, just douse it with water. Don't attempt to relight it.
Don't check on it. Just uh douse it with water, please. and only use fireworks outdoors and keep fireworks away from children. Please stay safe. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Committee Leani. Okay, so there's only three of us, so get much longer, but shorter pe less
people. Sorry about the long- winded things, but all right, just a few here. We'll get through it and we'll get to the fun stuff, which is next. Um, obviously summer's here. It's the peak of construction season. Inspections are important part of inspection process. permits will remain open until all final
inspections have passed. So, it's important to remember, especially when you're selling your home, to close all permits. So, it's up to you to remember that. Otherwise, when they do the title search, they'll see the fact that there are open permits and that'll just slow things down. Uh, obviously the summertime, the engineering department,
you know, under doing some projects. We're doing a sidewalk repair that we always do on Nutton Road between New Amwell Road and Amwell Road. It's a high pedestrian area use which leads to the high school and replacing mainly uneven areas will help improve pedestrian safety. And I think actually I think
they're almost done with it if I saw something recently. Um an update for some people over on the area green hills. If you remember when I hit this was the area north of town over by Dukes that uh was very severely flooded uh
back when I was mayor um that we're still working on to remediate. But this is kind of things that we've done along the way the last few years. Just to update people in that area and also the town of Hillsboro. The ditch along Johansson Avenue was cleaned of leaves, branches, and other debris. A contract
with a landscape contractor was bid regrading reprofiling the ditch cannot be completed uh other than that because of the wetlands permit is required. the great at the pipe inlet was cleared uh of debris so the uphill runoff can discharge into the pipe system along
Johansson Avenue. DPW is clearing escape monthly. The detention basins at the courtyard office complex and stellar academy school which is right behind these people have been cleaned, inspected and are functioning. The detention basin at the rear of Harvey Way which was damaged by Hurricane Ida
is being reconstructed. NJD permit finally was issued but to us after two years of of pulling teeth. Unfortunately because of the um restrictions by fishing game we cannot start till after
October due to bat habitat restrictions. So that will start right after the end of the September. A stormware study of the development was conducted by Penoni Engineering and some storm water improvements can be explored to reduce runoff. These improvements are costly and grants are being uh explored on a
day-to-day year-to-year basis. Uh the attention base in Harvard Way needs to be repaired in October before any further improvements for the reason that you can't repair something along the road if the main thing that failed is is not fixed yet. So once that's done, we have a better assessment of what needs
to be done next. We did send letters to all the homeowners along Johansson Avenue to please remain maintain the ditch because it is actually on their property and not to dump debris, leaves and sticks in the back which we had to clean out um and bicycles and other things that we had to take out. Um, and
we've continued our discussions and and work with FEMA and JD Blue Acres, which we're looking to buy a homes that were in the flood plane and and substantially damaged and also along Dukes Parkway east and Kilbury Road. And I'm happy to announce just got the email today. I
don't think everybody's seen it yet, but they are closing on the first house at the end of June finally that was um assessed and bought out by Blue Acres. So government move moves slowly, but we finally got there. Um, so I'm happy to
see that. So more hopefully to come shortly after that. Uh, from our planning and zoning, uh, yard sales are an environmentally friendly and sustainable practice. The reuse of goods and materials save those items from being in a landfill. As the weather improves, yard sale season will
soon be here. And planning zoning department would like to inform that residents who are looking to host a yard sale to please adhere to the following policy. While no zoning permit is required, please do not put up any signs more than 48 hours before your sale or leave signs up any longer than 48 hours
after. Do not put any signs in the public rightways or in sight triangles that are taller than 24 in. And do not attach any signs to utility poles, lights, or traffic poles. Thank you for going green and helping one person's trash become another
person's treasure. Obviously, we talked about summertime and our uh our construction. The DPW crews, please keep an eye out and be vigilant for our crews out there working on various repairs in advance of the upcoming road preservation and paving programs.
Everyone's safety is our primary concern while these jobs are taking place. We ask everyone to please pay extra attention and drive carefully through the work zones. Um there are still spots available for the 2025 township cleanup drop off program. If you still need to get rid of
household items or your yard brush, please visit the township website to get more information how to sign up. And uh this past week on June 6th, our uh our deep our police department, as usual, uh proudly ran with the 42nd
annual New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run, where dedicated officers known as the Guardians of the Flame proudly kept the flame of hope burning throughout the Garden State. This was for the Special Olympics. Sergeant Pellettech, Corporal Gorka, Officers Gerva, Lawrence Edmonds,
Bautquinn, and and Raquel carried the torch through Hillsboro. Good thing it wasn't today or yesterday. They may not have made it. Um, thousands of officers across New Jersey carried the torch, passing off to each other and continuing the through the state to raise awareness for the Special Olympics in New Jersey.
This run leads to the Special Olympics New Jersey summer games, which were held at the College of New Jersey on June 7th and 8th. following the torch hills police office had the pleasure of recognizing the amazing athletes at the at the New Jersey Special Olympics and I understand that the uh it was one of the
largest attended Special Olympics this year because I believe it's they did qualifications for nationals this year. So, and there's quite a few as committee hand said some local um people did very well and and took home some medals. So, congrats to that. Um this is kind of the
duh moment but please don't leave your pets in hot cars. um and unattended, especially during hot days and extreme heat even if it's for a few minutes to run into something at least try and have someone in there or leave your your air conditioning or whatever going on. I know that some of the Teslas have a pet
mode which allow the car to stay running while your pet's in there. So, kudos to Tesla on that one. But if you come across a pet in a stuck hot car, please call the police if you can't immediately summon the owner. Um because it's it doesn't take long for the the as you've
been in a hot car the last couple weeks, it's been pretty stifling. And with ice cream as a normal thing to cool off, the Hillsboro Police Department invites Hillsboro residents to come out to con with them at the Ice House, which is right over here on July
9th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. In addition to meeting locally, the first 100 children will get a free cone. So I'll say that again. That's July 9th at 6:00 to 9:00 at the Ice House. And the last thing, our police are continuing the National Night Out. It'll be the third one. Last year we kind of got rained out
a little bit, but on August 5th from 5:38 at Mountain View Park, the community policing is our This is a community policing event is a fines and gratuit get to spend time with local law enforcement, plus a lot of firemen show up in trucks and EMS and anything have to do with public safety. Plus a lot of
um people come and show off what has to do with like the township and other vendors that have to do with public safety are there as well. National is a national initiative that involves municipalities from all across the United States and Canada participating a free all residents and attendees will
witness live displays by police and EMS including K9 motorcycle and fire company demonstrations plus dunk plus a dunk tank and a fan favorite kickball with the cops. I think the cuffs never have a chance. They always get crushed. Um, see
the press release and e-news for more information. And that's all I got, mayor. All right. Thank you, committeemen. Um, couple more announcements. I did mention Route 206. So, give a slight give a an update on that. Uh, the doctor's way to
valley road project, which is phase two, uh, is taking baby steps with work at the Valley Road bridge and jug handle. Uh, plus there's secondary utility relocation ongoing. Sometimes it's at night, so you don't always see it. Um, but again, they're taking baby steps.
And as I've set expectations, that project is scheduled to finish at the in the fall, the end of 2026. So, we're going to have this summer and the next summer to deal with different phases of work. Um so when we met with
the DOT team in May uh we were told that the intersection of Falcon Triangle Road and 206 will be shut down for a weekend uh sometime in July or August. So these de the detours will be planned um and this will be coordinated with the uh
Hillsboro Police Department's traffic bureau and we will communicate it out to everybody as much as possible. I mean it's obviously a significant intersection. And I don't think 206 they may have a bypass on that but we'll we'll we'll see what their plans are and we will we will warn uh everybody
accordingly. Um so kind of related to that project that phase the township has submitted a local aid grant request for to pave Farm Road from 206 to Triangle Road. And if we're awarded that grant it will likely be
that work will be done in in 2026. And note that a lot of comments from the public relating to Farm Road, they call it P pothole road or whatever really deal with the transition from 206 to Farm Road, which is in the two is in the state's easement. So, you know, we we
continue to pass these along to the DOT in hopes that they will patch or smooth these over uh sometime soon. Um it it can become dangerous. So, we relay those complaints to the DOT. Um we also had some ask the mayor for phase three. So
phase three is called Valley Road to Brown A, which is basically the railroad track, the bridge, and that won't start until phase two is done. So you start doing the math, that's 2026. DOT has funding agreements for 2027 to 2030.
So the 206 is going to be under construction at that bridge. They've got plans. They know what they want to do. They're dealing with Norolk Southern, which is not easy to deal with. They're they want certain things done a certain way and it's increased the cost. It's taken more time. So they're going to
detour the tra the railroad tracks so they can remove the bridge. It's a very complicated process. Can only imagine technically what it's going to take. So um so the bridge which by the way is one of the paintings down here. I forgot to I just realized that I would have said
something inside. Um is is the is phase three and we're talking 2030. So, just setting expectations, folks. Um, while we're talking about paving, uh, we had some residents also inquire about what
to do on an unpaved road, Montgomery Road, and we've since, you know, since the last meeting, we explored some options. Uh, full paving was around 1.5 million. Is that right? One 1.5 million. while chip sealing the road uh which is
more like a you know it's a different type of flex preservation process was approximately 90 to 100,000. So uh engineering and DPW departments will continue to maintain the gravel road as is and we'll consider this option in our
2026 budget and paving plan. So, um, just wanted to bring that news to to some of the some of the ask the mayor and also in response to what was stated at the last meeting. Uh, and it's actually been several years that this has been an issue. So, uh, we think we have a solution for that. Uh, so that's
all the road paving and that that I have for now. Um, onto another topic, pickle ball courts. On June 12th, the township proudly cut the ribbon on four new pickle ball courts at Harold Dockery Memorial Park. Um, I think we initially bought three or planned on three, we
ended up getting four because the surface was big enough. Uh, pickle ball has been gaining in popularity and not only in Hillsboro, but throughout the count the country. In fact, pickle ball is one of the fastest growing sports in the US. Uh, Hillsboro residents have been asking for more pickle ball and
opportunities to play, and nothing makes us happier than than giving the residents what they want. So, there'll be a press release in tomorrow's e-news for more information, and I know some some residents have already used it. Um, so it's it's uh you know it's something people have been asking for and and um
we're very happy. It's taken a little while but we we got it done. So um 250th anniversary committee. Hillsboro Township is planning commemorative activities for America's 250th anniversary. The newly formed 250th anniversary committee is planning
several interactive displays and events to be announced at later dates. and we're especially excited to partner with Revolution New Jersey as an official Revolution New Jersey community. Uh in addition, we'll be sharing information and planning activities to engage residents and get them excited about Hillsboro's rich history. The township
is also hoping that local businesses will get involved and share their history throughout the next year. See more information again in tomorrow's e-news. Uh we just met a new resident tonight. He's in the front row and he asked, "How do you how do I find out about Hillsboro's history?" Well, one,
we have a book. But actually, my first response was, "You got to talk to Greg Gillette, who's on the first front row right here." So, I didn't know if he was coming tonight, but there he is. Talk to that man. He's The Walking Encyclopedia. So, um, uh, so I think that was, uh, serendipity, I guess. But I know we also
have a book. It might be. Yeah. Like him. That's what I said. Look him up on Facebook. You get all the answers. Yeah. Um, Family Fun Day. Uh the annual H Hills Hillsboro family funday and fireworks will be held this coming Saturday, June June 28th. The
Independence Day celebration will feature inflatable amusements for children, a food tent, carnival games, and promotional information from local organizations. Live music will be provided again by Gypsy, a true Stevie Nicks experience. Uh leading up to the main event, the annual fireworks
extravaganza. As always, there's no visitor parking at the event, but shuttle buses will be uh begin transporting people to from Auton Road uh no to Auton Road uh at 5:00. So, see tomorrow's press release for more information and details
on on how to catch shuttle. Uh last item is the mayor's wellness and family yoga Sundays. I'm happy to share that our 2025 summer yoga series is underway. Uh, as part of the mayor's wellness program, we're offering free monthly yoga classes designed to help residents relax,
recharge, and focus on well-being. First session was held last Sunday, and everyone enjoyed the experience. The next next classes will be held on July 13th, August 17th, and September 21st. So, we'll see what kind of pretzels I can get twisted into. Um,
I may be busy on those days. We'll see. Um, so that's all all my reports. Um, stay connected. As always, you can stay connected with all events via the Wednesday Mayor's E-News and Thursday's Experience Hillsboro bulletin. Be sure to follow and like the official, uh,
Hillsboro Township Facebook page, uh, X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram. Uh, tune in to Hillsboro YouTube channel and sign up for Hillsboro alerts for traffic and emergency notifications. So, we have four proclamations tonight that we'll get started with and then two
presentations immediately following. And uh so I'll come down to the floor for that. And the first is uh Edward Burton. All right, then we'll move to Tim and Johnson. right?
So, this is uh Tim Johnson from the Historic Preservation Commission. He's actually retiring from the commission. Come on up. Yeah, you are. That's what I'm told. That's what I'm told. I was agreeing. Okay. Uh Tim Johnson has served for 22 years with the Hillsboro Township Historic Preservation
Commission from 20 uh 2003 to 2025, serving as vice chairman in 2005, 2006, 2015, and 16. As an A member, he provided technical service to the committee and residents looking for guidance on projects. He spearhead spearheaded two projects, the Gabriel
House and JK JK Design, which won county awards. Tim has been a Hillsboro resident for 28 years, worked in the financial industry, attained post-graduate certification in historic preservation from Drew University, and then began his own historic restoration
company. He's been a member of the Sarland Conservancy since 2007, serving two terms on the board of directors, and since joining has been one of the producers of the Sarland Mountain Festival. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and township committee, do hereby extend our
congratulations on retirement to Tim Johnson and thank him for his many years of service to Hillsboro. Congratulations. Is that Thank you very much everybody. I appreciate the acknowledgement. I was expecting one of those oversized checks,
however. Is that coming? Is that coming? No. But thank you very much and as the gentlemen up here have said there is a rich history here and part of it is the architectural history. So we should pay attention to that. the microphone.
And by the way, the the If you're a history buff, the historic preservation meetings, I'm the liaison. They are open to the public and they are fascinating. I learn every every month from uh these gentlemen. So, if you're a history buff, come join us.
All right, Mr. McCrae. Okay, mayor. glasses. I don't have it memorized. All right. Bob McCrae for outstanding commissioner award. Bob McCrae has served for over 23 years
with the township of Hillsboro's Municipal Utilities Authority, the MUA, and has been awarded the two 2025 NJEAA Wave Award for Outstanding Commissioner. He's also a dedicated servant as a commissioner of the Somerset Raritin
Valley Sewage Authority from 2005 through 2013 and previously served as the administrator for the Readington Lebanon Sewage Authority from 1983 through 2015. Bob proudly served in the US Navy in Italy and finished his term as a naval submarine base in
Connecticut. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and township committee, do hereby extend our congratulations to Bob McCrae and thank him for his many years of service to Hillsboro and the United States. I just like to thank the mayor and the
committee and my fan club here and special thanks to Pam Bour. Congratulations. Girls, come on up here. All girls, ladies. Okay, thank you. All right. Is is Siddhu Nagar Raj on
here? There he is. Come on. This is for the National Geography B. Geography B Championship. Congratulations. Uh, Hillsboro High School freshman freshman. Well done. Uh, Sidu Nagurajan won the
National Geography B Championship Junior Varsity Division for 2025. Sidu also won the National Geography B Championship Junior Varsity Division for 2024 and the International Geography B Championship Middle School Division for 2024 held in
Vienna, Austria. Well done. He's also a member of the varsity debate team for the Model UN and Model Congress and as a member of the academic team and the chess club. I was just watching some of the Queen's Gambit today. Um, Sudu also volunteers with the North the North
South Foundation. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and Hillsboro Township Committee, do hereby extend our congratulations to Sidu Nagu Nagu Rajan for winning the National Geography B Championship, Junior Varsity Division 2025, and we wish him well in
all his future endeavors. So, congratulations, Mayor. Mayor Mayor, can we know what his word was, his final word, and how to spell? Was it? Oh, it's Joerger. Okay. Okay. So, what was the what was the last question? Oh, it was like some question
about um Shoot, I forgot. Good for you, man. That's awesome. He just won. Got anything you want to debate or? Uh, not really. Okay. Well, congratulations. Thank you. Remember that last word?
What was it? It's summer vacation. Good. All right, robotics team 75. I know who you guys are. Well, don't all come up at once. Hello.
Someone's gonna step up. Sure. We'll we'll figure it out. All right. We'll we'll we'll arrange them better when it's picture time. But for now, um, the 2024 2025 Hillsboro High School team 75 Robo Raiders won the
Gracious Professionalism Award at the World's Championship in Houston, Texas. Congratulations. Team 75 Robo Raiders also won first place and the on autonomous award at Montgomery, first place and first impact award at the Senica district event and
the sustainability award at the Lehigh District Champion event. The 2024 2025 high school team 75 Robber Raiders consists of the following students and mentors. I forgot about this part. Start with you. Oh, hello. My name is Vickiota
and I'm the president of Team 75. Chen Hoffman, mentor. Uh Alan Jacob, outreach VP. Um I'm near Baner, the sustainability committee chair. Um Omaria. I'm Simon. I'm Simon Misaki. Arathi finance. Da Mahesh business VP
Gupta mechanical. Jumukuji strategy. Carmen Roth of strategy. Moneta strategy. Ethan Lowski programming. Dan Tuttle, mentor. Jennifer Tuttle. Tuller, uh, assistant
faculty adviser. Debbie Boyet, mentor. John Ascu, faculty adviser. Dave Blackburn, mentor. Great. Thank you. Um, as you could hear, a lot of these students are, you know,
leaders of different divisions, and I always liken the, uh, the Robo Raiders team to a business because that's how they've structured it. So, it's really preparing them for the future in the business world. Um, you like it or not, right? It's it's a but it's really an interesting dynamic with the different
departments and what they do. So, been a fan for a long time and uh uh happy to see them up here. So now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and Hillsboro Township Committee, do hereby commend the 2024 2025 Hillsboro High School team 75 Robo Raiders, coaches and
parents, not only for their successful season, but for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the team, and to those principles of good sportsmanship, teamwork, and academic achievement, which the organization endorses. So congratulations. Take a picture.
All right. Yeah. John These are certificates for everybody. Next up, we have certificates of creative excellence to be presented to some of our young township artists. I met three of them tonight in the off in
our mayor's office prior to this. So, um, each year the Hillsboro High School District hosts a district-wide arts gala and wonderful works of art from our young residents that fill the walls of the municipal complex. A few pieces of art are now showcased here in in some of
our municipal offices. Um, I've selected a few mayor's picks that now hang in my office. And this evening, we're recognizing our mayor's picks. Uh, and Alicia Aruna Charlem, come on
up. Madison Campbell, and Emma Moffett, along with their teachers, Heather Bartholomew and Thomas Luke. So, come on up. All right. You got her up here. I You know, she's
coming out a little bit, right? as you're a little shy in the office. Um, if the students would like, could you hold your your pictures and uh I'll I'll say a word or about just right here, Amelia, hold that up.
Thank you. And I I told some stories about the uh the photos. the the the one individual who's not here, it's uh Emma. Emma Moffett painted butterflies. That one has meaning because uh when my father-in-law passed away a couple years
ago, butterflies were a sign. And so I there were several pictures with butterflies. This is the one I selected. Um the otter, somebody in my family has a nickname, otter, and uh it was between the otter and the sea turtle, and I picked the otter. So um plus it was a
different color. Um, we have the uh the landscape here. Uh, I've got my daughter went to Arizona. I I frequent Utah a lot, so this was appropriate. And the girl who senior graduated happens to be going to Southwest Utah University, so
there's some serendipity here. And uh, she didn't know it, but I'm an engineer and we talked about bridges tonight and she painted a bridge. So I picked bridges, but bees butterflies and an So it's uh uh I think you know added color
adds color to that room and uh you know very happy that I picked these and um you know seems to tie everything together. So do the I don't I told the the students I wouldn't make them talk but if the teachers want to say something
no neither okay now we know where we get it from. So these are the ones we selected uh that that are in my office. I know there's some more around in the various departments. All the departments got to pick one. So, it's a great great event. So, I'm I'm really happy that I got to meet these young ladies and I
hope that they continue um you know through uh through the art community here in Hillsboro. I know that um they're familiar with the art gallery that does the portraits. Um students paint those. So, it's uh you know it's a great great start and congratulations
everybody. Let's give him a round of applause. So, we have Madison. Here's your certificate. I know your hands are full, but uh so I have a certificate for Madison. Amelia Dumpy, this young lady
right here, and Alicia. So, um we'll you can take your certificates after we take some photos because we c we got to see more of your pictures. Okay. So, smile for the camera again. You got the original, right?
Can't take the picture. All right. All right. We have the uh one last presentation of certificates for the Lewis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. So, who do we
have? Uh, we have Louisa Louisa Chua and Stephanie Alvarez Piso. Oh, I guess they're not here, but I'll read it anyway to let everybody know what it was. Uh, the Lewis Bay II Future
Municipal Leader Scholarship uh competition award. It awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Purpose of this scholarship seeks to advance the virtues of elected and volunteer positions in municipal government while raising awareness of municipal government in
general. The scholarship competition is named in honor of Lewis Bi, Mayor Emmeritus of Hawthorne. This year's statewide competition centered on the theme, what I like about my hometown, and several high school seniors applied for the scholarship. Uh I understand
that they're not here tonight. So, um anyway, we wanted to recognize those who did apply. I don't know if the decision has been made about the ultimate winner. Uh all right. So I don't think any of them won the the big the big prize, but they get a certificate of recognition
for actually writing a nice essay and and providing that application. So it was nice to read those why they like Hillsboro and those nice things about the town. So uh congratulations to them. So that concludes our proclamations and presentations. We're going to take a
quick break. So, if anybody wants to uh scoot out, we'll take a brief pause. Um, did you You good? Okay, Lieutenant, close the door. We close the door in the back. Welcome
back. We'd like to get started. Yeah. Okay. Welcome back. Moving on. We're going to uh first There you go. Good. Good news. Um moving on. Uh the first
order of business tonight is the consent agenda. Items 1 through 37. Reminder, we're going to hear all comments from the deis and from the floor first uh on all the items. After that, if any committee member would like to take any item from the consent agenda separately
for voting purposes, I will give you the opportunity to do so. There's no need to take each item separately for the purpose of commenting or questioning. Uh so, do we have comments from the deis on the consent agenda? We have one one edit
to consent agenda nine. the uh name of the uh resolution of hiring Janet Martin to the position of part-time alternate crossing guard for the police department should be hiring of Joanne Martin. So we corrected that name. Thank you committee
one hand. Um so that's for filling the filling a vacancy. So it's been revised already to Joanne Martin. Um do we have any other comments from the deis on the consent agenda? Oh, Anthony, you first.
So, just Thank you, mayor. Thank you. Give me one hand. Uh, I should guess I should put my glasses back on. I can see. So, I just wanted to really welcome the uh six interns. Uh, Hillsboro Township has an
outstanding internship program here. Uh, thank our HR director as well. um Har Fenc for kind of leading that project with uh our internships. Uh we have them throughout the year whether it's with the high school or a local college and university. Um so we appreciate working
with the state and uh greater rares onetop as well uh for assisting that. Also our summer seasonal employees through uh recreation back at the camps and also uh through clean communities are uh DPW as well. um for our full-time
employee uh welcoming uh Dan Lenzo uh to his three-year term uh for OEM. Very fortunate uh to have someone locally uh to handle that position with um more than 26 years of experience in law enforcement, 12 years uh director of
safety and uh security operations. Um Dan could not be here this evening because he's attending a security and uh and police conference uh in Atlantic City. Uh but we're uh we're thrilled to have him. Um most of you have seen I believe his uh his resume. Uh it speaks
for itself. So again uh want to welcome Dana aboard and also thank John Sheridan for his many years um as our OEM director here uh in Hillsboro Township. Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. And also our which guys will probably mention on the police
commission, but just uh for our uh our officers who have permanent status as well in the PD. Thank you. personal things. Thank you. Uh committee woman hand you had I did. So this was a qu So I had a question on number three and I
know committeeman Le Panny had referred to Blueacres. Just um a couple three questions on that one. Do we know because obviously the township is is taking on you know responsibility for these properties. Um do we know the
average time to vacate the properties? And I'm just asking average time to vacate and then to demo because until then I know we have some significant responsibility for protecting these properties, boarding them up, etc. Um and then the the last question is how
many properties are up for you know discussion just so we can understand. Sure. Uh I can give my two cents but obviously Mr. Willard can answer some of the other question. know the the vacate uh once the closing is done um they have
a basically I believe a need to leave. Um so they didn't clo they wouldn't make them leave until they're ready to leave. That was once they had the um agreement to accept the bid till they found a place to move to. Uh so once the closing
happens I believe they need to to get out within a reasonable period of time. I don't neess know the exact time. Uh then the house is then secured. Uh and from my uh understanding they plan on taking the home down within months and
clearing it out to um a field so to speak of just grass. I don't know if Mr. Will can add any um as maybe some of you know um who were on that email chain it was a kind of a take it or leave it offer from the state. Um it was
essentially this is our memorandum of understanding. Um we are providing funds for the buy out of these floodprone properties and you the municipality we we will come in you know the state's basically saying we the state we're going to buy the property it's our funds
we will demo the property but once we buy the property and we demo it you're responsible for maintaining it you're respons we're going to we the state are still going to own it but you're responsible for everything if there's sidewalk that needs to be uh shoveled you're responsible for it if
there's grass that needs to be mowed and We want it mowed. You're responsible, but you're responsible for everything regarding the property. We'll maintain it. We we'll own it, but you you you're responsible for the property. So, it was basically a take or leave offer and um either the and if you didn't take it,
then the residents wouldn't be part of the program. Yep. Yep. To understood all that, but just my three questions were what is the average time to vacate? There must have been something in like once you accept the offer 30, 60, 90, like what was the time period to vacate? Oh, I'm I'm I don't know if there's a
set time period. They'll work that out with with the seller, right? That's a that's a that's between the state and the seller. Whenever the seller finds a new place to live, I'm sure the state doesn't mind. I'm sure the state is very flexible in when they'll close title. Uh because obvious obviously for them, uh nobody's going to occupy the property.
They're not looking to move in. So, the the state will be very flexible with the seller of the property of when they're going to get out. But once they once they get out, they'll close title. And at that point in time, the property should be demolished within 90 days. Okay. Demolish 90 days. Great. And then
um how many properties are we talking? I think there's 11 that have applied and I believe there's two or three more that are in the final stages of I and I understand I think one they've already closed title on and number two they're
closing title on on June 30th. Yeah. The one I was just talking about. Yeah. All right. So, excellent. Thank you. Anyone else have questions on that one? No. Well, I I just was to what uh Bill had said that we really had no no choice. We tried to make some edits to
the contract and the state was like, "Nope, this is it. This is what you get. Except there really accept it or leave it." Uh but uh you know, it took us three years to get here. So, I was just happy we finally got to this point. Yeah. Quite frankly, I didn't understand why the state wouldn't just turn over
title to the property with restrictions on it to the municipality. Um, but they indicated that there's certain federal funding requirements and that wasn't a part of their plan. Uh, but I felt like since I know they were doing everything, they were putting up the money, but I
felt like once they were if they wanted us to be responsible for all the liability, the maintenance of it, why not just turn it over to us? Uh, but that was not in the cards. All right. Anything else on three? Nope. All right. What was the next one?
Um, 19. I had a question. So with 19 the what was the location? So obviously they're getting the the gates to um put at one of the properties. I think there was something in um the backup but it wasn't available to the
public. I just didn't know if the location So it was two of these gates. Are you are you talking about the gates for the low uh that part wasn't in the public? So okay. So these are for Lowe's and this is because
uh people are destroying that field and we are trying to prevent cars from driving. Okay. Yep. Protecting it. Great. Um and then if nobody else has questions I'll keep going. Um I had on sorry the numbers changed.
So on on 21 so this was the um renewal of the public input system. So, this is around um $19,000 that that we're paying and this is a system that we have utilized for the master plan updates, right? And it's
been super helpful. So, questions on that because I read through and didn't didn't see any restrictions. Are we able to use it for other things? So, for that $19,000, are there limitations on how many times we could use it a year? Because I did
not. So, yes and no. Yes. other other parts of the township can use it. There's modules that can be built in and that was the goal of of of getting it was that we could do that. We could, you know, like the health collaborative, they conducted their survey prior to us
buying it, but they could reup and use use that software. You just have to build in another module. Yeah. So, we'd use it for the the health collaborative. We use it for um the master plan, right? You could recreation. We haven't we didn't use it for the health
collaborative. The health collaborative you did their study before we had the software, but they can and it has been used for other for anything that requires public input. Yeah. So, I I would just think that um this is a great opportunity since we're already paying
for it that we utilize it in other ways so that the township is able to um participate more and have your voices heard. I know we can get a lot of great metrics and analytics from it. Um, but you know, again, great opportunity. We could use it for the budget. We could
use it for other large spends. I know we're going to talk today about a 17 million dollar bond uh with lots of items. So, I think that there's um other other areas where we could use it. So, I'm excited to hear that we are not limited. Thank you. Um and then my I
didn't have any other questions. I would like to take I know it changed numbers. Um, and I would also like to take 31 separately off the consent agenda, please. 31. Yeah, the numbers did change. Which one? Let me look. That's the fair share
housing housing element. Fair endorsement. Yep. Okay. Uh, mayor, I just right here. Yeah. I would uh just uh want to thank uh as the old man of the day is uh uh John Sheridan for his service to Hillsbor not
only as for the 20 plus years as an officer here but the decade or so that he was our OEM. I had the opportunity to work for him during COVID and um you know there's no manual that teaches you
that. Um and uh he was uh tireless uh with helping us with COVID uh then through Ida and other storms that we've had. So I wish him a very quiet retirement to wherever he wants to go and wanted to just personally thank him
not only uh as a resident of Hillsboro but able to work with him over the last seven years. Um and also welcome all the new officers that are coming in to the department that are now full-time. We have a great batch of officers, very
diverse, very energetic uh what this town needs and um you know the chief has done a great job as will his staff uh picking only the best applicants. There are plenty that they could have chosen but bypassed and they're only taking
what they feel will fit, not because they need an officer. They'd rather be without an officer than have the wrong officer. So, thank you uh chief uh and your staff for that. Thank you. Any other comments from the deis?
All right. Uh comments from the floor specific. Yes, specific to the consent agenda. Thank you. Montgomery Road would be Well, no, we already commented on it. No, public comment. Oh, public comment. Public comment. That's next. After all
this is done, there's a public comment that you can make. No other comments from the floor on on the consent agenda. Uh we already asked so 31 will be taken separately. Uh would anyone Okay, 31. So may I have
a motion and second to approve consent agend agenda items 1 through 37 excluding number 31. So second roll call, please. Committee Bringing. Yes. Committee woman hand. Yes. Committee. Yes. Yes.
Mayor Tiger. Yes. All right. Number 31 was taken separately. So, can I have a motion and a second to approve consent agenda item number 31? we want to talk about. Um I will uh make
a motion with the caveat that obviously I said this at the uh the planning board that I when we had this first is that um this is the dichotomy of a process that was thrust upon us in Hillsboro by the
legislature to get a plan in place in weeks versus the last plan was allowed to take years. um the amount of work uh and sweat that our attorney and our planner,
Mr. and our uh Jen Beam, our affordable housing planner, had to go through the reporting uh and also our um health department doing the windshield study um
to get this prepared by the dates that had to be done, which was unrealistic and unfair to everybody. Um but we did it as in all the other municipalities in New Jersey had to. Um
the fact that um the number that was given to us of 565 was laughable in my opinion. But with the work of our group, we significantly were able to show proof and the math to
reduce it to the number that we feel it should be, which was 27 22 223. But remember, 223 affordable units means roughly a,000 total units. So imagine if
we had to do 565 units, what that number would be over 2,000. Um and all that has to be in a sewer service area. They don't care about the schools. We ever had everybody come here. What about the schools? What about the infrastructure? What about the uh
traffic? What about you know everything? They don't care. They are strictly looking at a number and they land analysis they feel you need to fill. So counselor here said it would have been 28 200 2,825 total units would have been built if we had to do the the 565 that
was given to us by the state. So we cold hard came in at the mayor's direction to prove that that was unrealistic and our attorneys and our staff was able to to positively prove that. So I'm happy to
say that um we reduced it to half less than half. Is it perfect? No. But this is the hand we're dealt and we have 10 years to build this where the last phase was 20 years. So this all has to be done in 10 years.
So when you see someone from the state legislature and you want to start talking about affordable housing, I'd start with that. And I will make a motion to approve. Thank you. Second. Motion
and a second. Um I don't know that there's need for any other comments, but the 10-year, you know, that that was uh I made the note to talk about that, but you did. So, you know, if we're down to a thousand units for 10 years, you know,
that's 100 100 units a year average. Uh different ways of looking at it. Um, yeah, we're going to have to we're going to have to This is the struggle we've had. It's a tough decision, but we had to make it and we made the hard decision. Um, well, we had to make the
decision. So, yeah, we didn't really have a choice, but uh uh looked at applications and made, you know, ma made the decision on on developments that we think best can best uh solve this for our township. Um, and then we'll see what happens over the next 10 years when
the fifth round happens. So, um, so we have a motion and a second. Is there a roll call, please? So, I'm sorry. Comment. I still had comments. Oh, all right. Yeah. Anyone else? No, speak. Go. No,
please. No, I insist. You spoke up first, so it's all you. I'm sorry. You spoke up first, so it's all you. All right. So, um, couple questions. So, I see we have our affordable housing attorney, Eric Bernstein, here. Thanks for joining, Eric. Um, and then do we
have our affordable housing planner, Jen Beam, here? No. No. Okay. Not tonight. Okay. Jen, not here. All right. So, what what I wanted to bring up and and you'll have to fill in some of the
details. So what was available on a public website it looked like um was was quite an admonishment of our town talking about the um mishandling the misrepresentation
um really the they use the word for calcetitrant um manner in which the town uh handled this. So I I would like some some information here. So, it is my understanding on June 5th that we
received quite a scathing um what is this? A uh an order to enter judgment from Judge Minon. Um I'll I'll read a couple. It's it's nine pages. If you're going to read it, committeewoman, either read all of it or don't. Because if
you're going to pick and choose pieces of Judge Menon's decision, which ostensibly is a rehash of former judge Jacobson's comments, because frankly, while we did turn over all the materials that Fairshare Housing Center wanted to
prove our number, Fair Share Housing didn't want to reduce our number anywhere near I'm sorry. I think I have the floor right now. So, mayor, can I continue, please? Well, he was giving you advice under the advice of councel to read the entire document so that we don't take things out of context.
Attorney Willard, am I able to share these comments? You can share your comments. Um, but but remember this is uh comments to the public. This is going to be part of further litigation. I don't know why you would want to compromise the township.
It's a public document on a public website. I'm not providing any information and I wasn't given this by the township. It was on a public website. I had to go find it on the public website. Um, compounding
the complications caused by Hillsboro's scant report was the fact that Hillsboro did not timely provide the missing and requested information in advance of the program sponsored settlement conference on March 17th, 2025 without the necessary information. That settlement
conference was doomed to fail. Doomed to fail. I was in that settlement conference and that is a complete matter of falsity. So, you can read it but it's not I'm not the mayor by the way. I wasn't referring to you as the mayor. I was referring to the mayor to control the
meeting. You want to keep lying. I am reading comments from a judge from a public website and I am insulted and would like that redacted. Please, I'm not lying.
You guys are welcome to find this. um fair share so uh fair share housing SC also found it illogical for Hillsbor to accept the DCA's methodology for the calculation of prospective need for the entire region while at the same time
objecting with such magnitude alleging an 85% error rate to DCA's statutoily consistent methodology for the individual Hillsboro calculation. I'll skip ahead.
There's more comments. By any objective standard, Hillsboro frustrated the settlement process intended by the legislature as a way to quickly resolve disputes over housing obligations. Hillsboro undermined the mediation
process by repeatedly failing to provide important information to the court, the program, and the challengers. Let her let her finish. I don't know. I thought she was just again like this. It just shows that
we were late to class, didn't do all the homework, and had no excuse for it. I think it's embarrassing for the town. I think this was mishandled. And I would actually make a motion that we appoint new fair share housing
council. Well, what happen what's procedurally when we have a motion that's already open on the floor? Well, it's fine. There there's a motion. There hasn't been a second. So, there has been a second. Well, we have we have a different motion. I'm sorry. She made a motion. There is no second. Motion
fails. We move on. I will procedurally ask for a second. Hearing none, let's proceed with discussion of item 31. Mr. Bernstein, it's always fun to be part of a grand
stand. Um, we provided to Fairshare Housing all of the documents that were necessary to support our initial request for a reduction in the number from 565 to 270.
It was not provided immediately because my office did not recall receiving the request from Fair Share. And when it was asked for a second time at the hearing, the initial settlement confident was provided within an hour after the conclusion of the conference. We spent
hours, Miss Beam, Mr. Kois, fair share housing representatives, etc. discussing the numbers and while fair share understood what the numbers were in terms of the land analysis, the fact of the matter remains is that they have never been in favor of and were not
during this entire process. not only with Hillsboro but every other town they were involved in reducing numbers from 570 565 to 270 or any number therein. We do not have the ability at least during
the numbers portion to contest the regional obligation because part of it is established by the legislation and totally out of our control. For example, we are responsible in some measure for the various towns in Hunter County where
the Highlands exist for their obligation that they will not be meeting under the Highlands buyout nor are we respond nor are we able to address the fact that four towns in Middle Sex County which are also part of the region would breach Perthamboy Carter and New Brunswick have
no obligation in round four which then becomes partially part of ours. The biggest issue, the item that every municipality faced in this round relative to the numbers issue versus the plan was addressing the fact that the
only factor that was really at play was the land analysis based within a 30-day period to provide. We provided the backup. It was reviewed by our professionals with their professionals. And when the moment of truth came, we were not interested in reducing the
number by 10 or 15 units. We were interested in the numbers that were realistic in accordance with the fact that there are insignificant places to build these units in question. The
program decided overwhelmed and overdecided that they didn't agree. Judge Men in ostensibly accepted Judge Jacobson's decision, which we vehemently disagreed with, which we've appealed to the appellet division regarding, saying we're not the only town in this county
that's done so. And the fact of the matter remains is that based on what was at issue, based on what was before us, based on what we've had to deal with, we have not only provided the accurate materials relative to the numbers, but
we have also discussed in our plan, which the planning board approved, which will now be an issue relative to the other property owners who may have issues with these numbers to deal with over the next two months as to whether or not this governing body wishes to
replace me with somebody else. I leave that up to the governing body. But frankly, I think this is more political than it is realistic in terms of the comments by Judge Menon in an overall context
which was not accurate not only by Judge Jacobson but by the approval of that decision. So I leave that up to all of you. So, mayor, first of all, I will be voting for this. So, this is, you know, again, that's insulting. Um, has this
been filed with the state mayor? Has the plan that was has the plan that was adopted um by voting on tonight. Okay. But again, I'm looking at the New Jersey statute annotated and it talks about after adoption of the
housing element and fair share plan and the proposal of drafts of the appropriate zoning and ordinances and resolutions, the municipality shall within 48 hours of adoption. 48 hours, excuse me, or by June 30th, 2025,
whichever is sooner, file the same. So, if it was already adopted by the planning and zoning, are we at risk for builder's remedy because you have not filed the work because it's it's my understanding that all other towns have done so. Actually, committee woman, just
the opposite. Almost every other town has waited until the endorsement along with the plan to submit all items under the declaratory judgment action relative to not only the interpretation of the legislation but the interpretation of
judge grant administrative order back in 202 at the end of 24 and almost all the municipalities I'm aware of if not all are waiting until everything is done rather than doing it peacemeal. That is not accurate. Yes, it is. And we
also have 48 hours after or June 30th of us adopting it. So, we're well within compliance. Um, and secondly, um, there was a court order that came down to basically tell fair share they do not have a seat at the table to discuss the
number of houses or to try to litigate it. and went back to the original um I would call it statute that was brought to us because to be quite frank because I was in the room along with the mayor when we were in in the settlement
conference looking for even a me with the mediator and the judge asked both parties if there was a number we would settle upon and to be frank we offered a number that was slightly higher and 270 to
whatever and the fair share said nothing just crickets. They did not offer a secondary number any mediation number at all. So the judge just basically kicked the can down the road, said 565 is the
number, set up to judge men, which then left it to us to fight our own battle, which I would hope that you would think that you would have prefer to have less homes built than more, but that's that's your personal opinion. But I think most
of the people that we've talked to in this town think that the building has gotten crazy and would like to see a little less building whether it be affordable housing or any housing. Um so I feel that we did what we needed to do
both legally and structurally and uh I'll leave it at that. So I would uh reply that this has nothing to do with the amount of housing. Um again this is a difficult process that we are
doing the best at. My issue is with the handling of this the representation of the town and the communication back to the full township committee. Um you know we were told that things were being filed on time um that we had complete
information. Uh and then you know to read this document it was it felt like being scolded in the principal's office. So, I think it's embarrassing for the entire town. Um, and I don't think uh it is helping the town um get any
favorability from the judge. Which judge? Menon or who was who? Uh Jacobson. Jacobson. If you read it, I don't think either one are fans. Well, she did have nice things to say about us attending. She was very
pleased that I was there and committee and uh was kois on the call. So she was very pleased to have us there uh showing our interest in the proceedings. Um
in spite of what's what was written uh frankly I was not surprised one bit about what was written. Uh I fully expected it. Um, you know, DCA was never going to admit that their numbers were not right or not
applicable. They the state cabal just did what it does. They um backed one another up. Weren't going to change the number. They admittedly said
there's property I don't know which one it was, 40 acres that's not in They said, "Yeah, that's right. It's not in it's it's not developable, but we're not going to change your number regardless. So, it just uh they kicked it down the road and here
we are at 223. So, they don't they they're not wrong, but we were able to adjust it in the in the uh what was it? The law the the land adjustment. We were able to take it down anyway. So, it it
makes Yeah. vacant land analysis. So, uh, it is what it is. We we, you know, and who we're dealing with. So, um, again, I was not surprised one bit about what what came down and who was the, uh,
their expert, the, um, the woman who was reviewing the numbers with the what's her name? Uh, no. Beth McManus. McManus. So McManis's comment was when she first she made the comment that she
reviewed our do our data. So it contradicted what she said and I'm tell me if I'm out of school here because we are talking about negot mediation but um that we that she looked at our data and that when Dave provided
it to her which he had done prior she was very impressed with what was given to her. So I don't understand the logic between all of these statements. So, it was pre-ordained. That's that's the way I took it. I've sat through these negotiations. I've sat through various
negotiations and not one not one not one bit surprised. Again, it wasn't about the numbers. It is about um the risk. It's it's about protecting our town and not putting the township at risk. These
are, you know, uh these are real laws with with consequences. We sounds like there was We're playing fast and loose. Um hopefully this works out and uh again unappreciated.
Well, we're well within the bounds of laws and there was no fast and loose ever. Uh for someone who wasn't in the room or uh in the meetings u and and reading from the outside, I really don't think you have a u informed information uh to back up what you're saying. But
let be let's to be sure that we are and attorney is can back me up. We are fully in compliance and it will be submitted within 48 hours of of this vote which is before the June 30th deadline. Roll call, please. Committee Pring.
Before I vote yes, which I'm going to vote yes, um I do want to say that I'm incredibly disappointed not only in how the state handled this entire process, forcing towns to to do this in the time frame in which we had to do it. Um I am happy that we were able to get the
number down. That's more reasonable for Hillsborough Township residents as this was mandated by the state of New Jersey and I think the mayor and committee Leani also had it stated earlier very well. So I'm not going to take that any further. Um, I'm just glad that we were able to get the number down to where it's at versus where they had us up
front. Yes. Committee. So, yes again. Yes. Committee woman hand with reservations. Yes. Command Leani. No reservation at all. 100%. Yes. Mayor
Chronley. Yes. All right. I will point out to the committee as well as the public that once this is filed there are 60 days to the end of August for people to comment and or object to the plan and we will be going forward from there
thereafter. So this is another stop on the on the so-called train relative to this matter that's going to go on for the rest of the year. All right, we have public hearings at least
one uh for so 257 ordinance amending chapter 143 vehicles and traffic article 12 schedules section 143-38 schedule 11 stop intersections of the
code of the township of Hillsboro Somerset County New Jersey to add the intersection of Montgomery Road and Wartzville Road as stop intersections. May I have a motion and a second to open the public hearing for ordinance 20
202507? So moved. Seconded. Um roll call. Committ Bing. This is to open it. Yes. Committ Hand. Yes. Command the Pani. Yep. Mayor Jill. Yes. Any comments from the DES on this
ordinance? See none. Any comments from the floor on this ordinance? Seeing none, may I have a motion and a second to close and adopt ordinance 25 202507. So moved.
And a second. Second. Thank you. Sorry. Too quick there, huh? Uh, roll call, please. Committee Bing. Yes. Committeewoman Hand. Yes. Committee Fani. Yes. Mayor Jelli. Yes. Introduction of new ordinances.
202508 bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Hillsboro in the county of Somerset, New Jersey, appropriating 17 million therefore and authorizing the
issuance of 16,150,000 bonds or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. Further consideration and public hearing will be held on July 8th, 2025. So may I have a motion and a second to introduce this ordinance 2025. Oh wait. So moved.
Second. Roll call, please. Committing. Yes. I had a question on this before. Just introduction. Just introduction. Next meeting. Yes. Committ Hand. Yes. Committee. Yes. Mayor Jarley. Yes.
Claims list. May I have a motion? I I know but I still had questions that I want to put on record for the public hearing. It's just an introduction just understood. Yeah. But if we're going to have So I'm going um for the public
hearing what I want to know for this I think this is officially a point of order. Right. We're just opening it and we've we've we've passed it. So I know but I asked I requested a question.
I had requested a question. It got blown right by. We said we were just introducing the public hearing. Mr. Chair of the mayor. I'm not the chair. It's not the public hearing. I understand. Am I not able to ask a question on introduction? Attorney Willard, are you able to ask a
question upon introduction of a um ordinance? There there's no rule either way. Um it would be the direction of the chair. Um I think you are a governing official and I don't I would let you have comment but
may or may I please ask a question. Considering but not questions. I mean I don't know I don't understand not going to get an answer. So if you want to if you want to make a comment go right ahead. Okay. My thank you very much. My comment would be that I believe as we've entered this public um period where
folks are able to look at and analyze $17 million that we are looking to bond that will be added to the 51 million debt that we have um that folks we should put out some sort of information
looking um first of all more detail on all of the items. There's numerous items in here. It goes all the way to X um in the alphabet. So um I think more information uh should be given on each of the line items. Additionally, some sort of an estimation on what the 17
million will really cost the taxpayers because as we all know, you know, you pay if we bond for 17, we're going to pay a lot more than that. So what that estimation would be, best guess. Um and then the last comment would be around um
so the backup and then also the period of usefulness. So it was my understanding that for capital purchases 10 years was um kind of the the limus test for capital purchases. Many things on here have um fiveyear use
uh usefulness of life. So, we're going to be paying for it long after um that item is is still useful and being used. Um so, I think information on all of that should be provided to the public in
this time period before um they would be coming to make public comment. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. Um moving on to the claims list. May I have a motion and a second to approve claims list 202511?
Some moved. Second. Any comments from the deis on the claims list? Seeing none comments from the floor. Seeing none, I have a roll call. Committee Ring. Yes. Committeewoman Hand. Yes. Committee Potty. Yes. Mayor
Turley. Yes. We have no new business from up here. So, public comments or matters not on the agenda. Miss Break, please read the statement regarding public comment. My papers are stuck. The township committee welcomes input
from the public. Please state your name and address and spell your name for the record. You will be given one three minute aotment for your comments. Please understand that 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.
Anybody want to step up? Public comments. I was just giving the heads up because they asked when so Okay, I forget already. My name is Tira Ree and I live over on Oh, I used to live over on 705
Montgomery Road. So, when I heard you talking about paving, not paving, chip sealing the dirt section of the road, I'm very excited about that because that is why I'm here, just to, I guess, put another plug in for making sure this
makes it to the budget because it sounds like it's going to be looking at 26. So, do we have assurance that you are pushing this through as a bud budget item? Yes. Thumbs up. So, um, I'll get let the mayor talk
about. Essentially, the reason it was pushed to next year is that we want to make sure that all the necessary road prep is done, drainage, cut, road base is done because actually we couldn't find a company till we just found one that would do a chip seal seal
on this road. So, we were we were looking and we found a company that was said they could do it. So 2026 is when we'll look and make sure that we can get the uh the road prepped by our DPW and then be able to get the chip seal into into the budget. Fabulous. Yeah, that's
great. Um yeah, greatly appreciated. I have pictures here that I will share with you. I've driven it. We've driven it. Oh my gosh. I was going to challenge you all to take a walk on that road at like noon. It's crazy. They do.
I've been here since 1974. I've been on that road every day for years, so I know it very well. Yeah. Okay. So, along those lines, one of my next big pushes, and I don't know if this goes along with the prepping of the road and the chip ceiling, but something that could be
done now, is to put uh some more speed limit signs up. There is literally one, and it's hiding behind a bush before you get onto the dirt. There's also no warning as you go from the pavement into the dirt and then immediately you get
welcomed by potholes and washboard areas. So, it's an accident waiting to happen and it's a safety concern I think or a liability concern also for the township. I see Miss Brakes taking a note there 100% hearing hear you loud and clear. Yep. Thank you for your
attention. Appreciate it. Do you do you want to does she want to come up or do you want to hand her We can take her the mic over to her. Dust that is impossible to live with. And it's not your fault he died, but he had
breathing issues. And my husband was walking outside and couldn't breathe and got back in the house. He didn't die right away, but it was shortly there after. The dust affects us greatly. It
just rolls and burls along. I can't knock the road department. I think they try their best. Their hands are tied by their budget. So the road is dusty. You can't breathe. You can't be outside. So that's it. We've been there
for 61 years. We love where we are. It's been a dirt road for 61 years. I'm so glad you guys are going to put this on the budget because if you look at these pictures like I started documenting in like May because I was like, "Oh, this is really crazy." And
then they treated the road and some of the pictures are literally after it was treated that same day by 3 in the afternoon. Dust cloud. It's terrible. Thank you. They fixed it, but not to
mention the fact that Will you please come up? No. Sorry, we got you. No worries. Come up to the mic. No, but we want you at the mic. That's all. So, I'm April Linkram and I live on 715 Montgomery Road. I've been up there for
about 22 years. Um, it seems as though every time they redo the road, these big boulders keep on showing up and there's nothing they can do about them other than pull them out. But the road by my house is wide. And when you get up to Ethel's house, it get on the hill and on
the curve, it's narrow, but the ditches are deep, two to three feet. And if I have a truck that loves to go on that road about 30 miles an hour coming down that road and I'm coming up that road, I have nothing to do but get out of the
way and I'll go down into the ditch. Now, this has probably only been for about two years that the ditches are this deep. And the ditch that was formed right in front of Ethel's
um the house and the mailbox, I went up there. I couldn't get I reached it. I walked up there. I reached it and I couldn't get in there. And we have a result here of somebody falling down, sliding down and hitting her hitting her
arm. We have a redone shoulder blade shoulder just recently. More than that, if I go in that ditch, I flip. And that corner that that Tara was talking about, we've I've seen two cars
go around the corner and it hits the dirt road and they slide. And when they slide, they go right over to the thing. They flip over the car and it's upside down. I came around the corner and the guy's getting out of the car and I was like, "What happened?" and he said it was a wet it was a wet muddy road and I
tried to make the turn and I just didn't make the turn and the ditch is deep and that's there there's a stream that goes there. The stream that's going through that area now has changed when they built the ditch. So, it's the design
when you're when you're talking about we're going to um do it probably I don't know if we they need to talk to the people that have lived there for a long time. But I've watched the stream become like four feet deep. Okay. Not with water, but when there's a flood, but I
watched the water go across the road and it and I have pictures, too, but it the pipe that's going across from one road to the other that leaves my my driveway in my house and it goes on the other side. the water just goes over the pipe. It doesn't go into the pipe because the pipe hasn't been cleaned out. So, when
we had this huge flood, four hours I was outside trying to keep my driveway from not going away. So, the engineers when they come to look at the property, they probably ought to talk to us because I follow the water that comes in and out
and why not, you know, find out what the problems are with the way they're excavating it because it's gotten worse. It hasn't gotten better. And there's this pipe that's just exposed and it's just not going around. And when it was 30 degrees out, I'm digging four inches.
Four inches changes a waterway. I was like, "Okay, well, just come up here and dig the four inches so that you can change the water rate or put a new pipe down." But, you know, we're losing our driveways and all that on the side. So, if the pipe is clogged, I I mean, you
don't have to notify the DPW now, but uh Oh, okay. Okay. So, you know, call call us up and and you know, if if you know it's clogged, you know, we'll we'll I'll go out there and fix it by the time you get there. But if you're going to have them come and do a torrent ship or whatever you put down on the drive, do
you how good engineer come and know what they're doing? They're they'll come they're coming out. I think what I said earlier was that they'll we'll maintain the road and continue, you know, responding to these issues until uh you know, next year when we get the chip seal done. Well, that's good. Just make
it safe for now. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Any other comments from the public? I'd like to tell you I'd like to tell you guys that the county
name address. I'd like to tell you guys state your name and address. David Reyes, 797 uh Belme Blandenberg Road, Montgomery. I'd like to let you know that Somerset County Board of County Commissioners invite you to the 5th
annual Junth Festival on Friday, June 27th. 5:00 p.m. Music on the Green, 6 p.m. program and performances sponsored by the county commissioners of Somerset County. Celebrate Junth.
It's going to be a great night of performances and the people are going to be there from the Stratsburg Sourland Museum and Mount Zion Church in Mon in Skilman. They're the our leaderships. Betty Mills and Elaine Buck are going to be there.
And on the 19th is history on the Green for Somerset County. Meet General Washington living history event. Visit Revolutionary Error, New Jersey at Somerset County's Free Living History event for the whole family. Explore a
popup encampment, meet George and Martha Washington C, Colonial Artisans in action, and more at the Courthouse Green in downtown Somerville. So, we have those events coming up. So, if anybody wants to come, the mayor or any of the township committee, I'd like
you to uh come. And by the way, when is the uh Rotary Fair? I'd love to know because I love the Rotary Fair. August 12th, right? Starts 13th. 13th. August 13th. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. So, yeah. Hold on. Uh, do we have these for our
newsletters? Do we have these announcements? Uh, um, we can add them to our newsletter. Add them in. So, want to hand those to you to make sure we get them electronically. Can I have those? You want those? Yeah. Then we can just to let you know that the Junth
celebration is we can history. on the green. So, it's it's a fun event and do it in front of the courthouse. Great. Thank you. Thanks, Dave. Evening. Hello, Chris Meyers, 25 Anka Drive, Hillsboro, New Jersey, 08844.
All right. Uh, I'm here with a few of my fellow residents. Uh, we would request a meeting uh concerning the Claremont sewer system and the Toll Brothers new system that's going in. Uh, we also request that the MUA and possibly the
Toll Brothers could attend this meeting. Uh, we would like to have it in a forum that could hold. We have 220 families. Obviously, we couldn't all pour in here tonight. We would like to notify them that, you know, we could have this meeting. We want to discuss uh the
correspondence we've had for the last 10 years and newly discovered correspondence that contradicts what we've been told and what we have on in writing. So, that's pretty much uh never did this before. Is this how you request
a meeting? Yeah, you're doing fine. Okay. So, and if also, you know, as soon as possible, whenever it's convenient, you know, as soon as possible, we would we would like to be heard. Uh maybe also something could be put on the township
website, you know, um this way everybody in the community that we live in would be notified and we can try to get everyone there and express their uh concerns and we can present uh you know again what we've had for 10 years and what we've recently discovered.
Okay. I don't What would happen next? Well, we'll we'll consider I mean we did receive an email today as well requesting a meeting and we're doing a little due diligence on our part. Okay. Uh to prep um ourselves to fully understand the the history or understand
the history a little bit more and recall some of the things that were said and stated at planning board meetings and whatnot. So So more or less the correspondent would come back through that same email that Yeah, we're doing some due diligence. there's there's more to it, but uh on our end and we'll
propose an action going forward. I mean, whether it's with a core group or something that's more uh for everybody. Uh I know we've tried to have meetings with your group before and hasn't worked out or or people from your development for one reason or another. So there's
some logistics to figure out uh moving forward to have. Well, we'll do our part as well, but you know, as much as we can get out there for someone who may not look at the internet, you know, maybe they look in their mailbox. So, we're going to try to get when we do have a date, try to get as many people here to
express their concerns. And uh that's pretty much I wanted your time for. All right. Thank you. All right. All right. Have a good night. We've done we've done we've done meetings for developments before. So, okay. The first time outside of Hang and Hank is the only other time
I was in here. I don't want to talk about that. Doug Eden, 55 an Street. I'm here for the same reason as Chris. Um um I feel a little different. I'd like to have a meeting with the committee with a few of our the people that have
been advocating for our community to sit down and talk about the uh our sanitary sewer system that we had built um and the I guess the the people that are that are paying for it or the people that are using it that are in our community which
is about 190 homes. So, if we're looking at put together a meeting, I'll save us on some of this tonight. If that's what your intent is, if not, I'll dig into this a little bit more.
But what I have here is what I I just want to show you. I just want to talk about when we when we put when we did the sewer system, um we uh we didn't burden the taxpayers of Hillsboro. We took it upon ourselves because our area had an issue. we had a health risk and
uh we needed to have sewers put in. So the 200 homes say we went in and we paid for this structure to be to be built. Um, and when we did it, we have I have an ordinance here from Hillsboro Township that states that any monies that go to anyone anyone that hooks up
to our system, um, actually what it says here in in section 9, any grant monies received for the purpose described in section three hereof, which is this system, shall be applied either to direct payment of the cost of the improvements or the payment of the obligations issued pursuant to the bond
ordinance. And we are the obligations. So, I'm sorry, sir. Did grant payments? Any grant monies. Okay. Okay. If you want to just any grant monies would be a sum of money
g which is you know I googled grant monies and it says a sum of money given by a government or any other organization for a particular purpose. So any incoming money coming into Hillsbor. We were told we was going to alleviate our burden on on the cost of
this of of the sewer system. I mean, every every home has $24,000 assessment, which we're still paying. So, we're still paying for this sewer system. Um, we've asked many times about we've asked Toll Brothers, we've been at all the meetings and we asked Toll Brothers and and Roycebrook if they were
going to hook up to our system. Um, I actually talked to uh Denny Mani at one point early on. Uh he's the vice president of Royce Brook Golf and um I have um something in writing saying that Denny Miani was willing to put up $1.3
million to hook into our source system. Then we were told that um the MUA told him not to hook up, that they were happy with the way our system was working. We were told they couldn't hook up because our capac we were at capacity, which I know is wrong because I also have an
engineering study on our system and we're under capacity. So, um, we've been told a lot of mistruths and I'd like to have that meeting with everybody because, um, I just don't feel that it's
fair that we paid to have this structure built and people are going to hook up to it in the future and we're going to be bypassed when we're still paying for it. And whether I we were told that we do not own it anymore because we turned it over to the MUA, but Mr. Ferrari, you
were here when we signed those letters and we had to get them notorized and we were told you have to sign it over to the MUA for them to maintain it for maintainance purposes only. And in this ordinance, it doesn't say anything about who owns it when it talks about money
coming back for usage if anybody hooks into our system. So, I'd love to have a meeting and and avoid having 200 homes coming in here and nothing will get done because a lot of people will be talking and yelling
over each other. And I think we need to sit down and really talk about this. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. And I would just say from a township committee standpoint, I would love to have a full update in a briefing and be
able to um have folks from the public come in. I know we as you said, mayor, we've done it with other neighborhoods. Um and I think if it would be open to the public so that all of the township committee can attend. Um I don't know if you're aware only only uh two of us can
can be together at any one time unless it's open to the full public. So I think um even though I think the only folks that would attend would be those um that have have a relevant interest, but if it's open to the public um so that that all of us could attend would be um would
be great. So thank you mayor and administrator. Anybody else? Our my concern is that we were told that they were not they weren't hooking up that that Toll Brothers wasn't going to hook up in the in the Roy in the
Roycebrook project and um we have a we have an interest in this with through this ordinance and it's ordinance if you want to know it's uh ordinance number 2000-43 and um we've asked that multip many so
many times and we were told I Toll Brothers professionals and that you know they couldn't hook it up because it was a force man. You can't hook into a force man and we knew that was wrong. But anyway, you guys never come back and tell us, you know, why didn't when you
found out that they were hooking into that system, was anybody planned on reaching out to let us know that they were hooking into the system or was it just going to go by the wayside and no nothing was going to come our way?
to alleviate our burden on the on the assessment. We're paying for it. You well, you're you know the news now is that uh that supposedly they're hooking up. We didn't know they were. And if any payments came come to the town for the hookup, we will gladly pass it on to
you. Well, I gladly we just that that's that's music to my ears. But I had to find out through Chris Meyers who ended up because they were digging across Hamilton Road. I thought it was probably because they're hooking up to the water line, which is on the other side, which makes sense. But Chris took it upon
himself to go down and look at to look at the plan. So if he didn't do that, they'd still be hooking up and we'd never know. Yeah, that was yesterday, right? We we saw that. Yeah, Monday. Monday. Yeah, that was yesterday. So, you know, again, thanks for letting me come back up. I appreciate Absolutely.
Thanks for being here. Yeah. Hi. Uh, my name is Tim Verco, 3 Franklin Drive. I guess what I would say is if it proves out that Toll Brothers is indeed hooking into the sewer system that we paid for,
u unequivocally somebody needs to do some kind of an economic analysis of what their cost avoidance is and or what the fair value is that they're gaining by hooking into this system. and our community needs to
be reimbursed for that amount of money. There's no way when we signed up to hook into to to finance the sewer system that we would ever expect that we're financing a sewer system for anything other than ourselves. And if we are then
fair fair is fair reimburse us and and and Penoni needs to be involved. Some professionals need to be involved. The 1.3 million that that Doug mentioned, that sounds like a small amount of money. Remember now that's offered up by the golf course people. We need an
objective professional estimation of what the fair value is that we should be reimbursed. That's my my thoughts on that. and and the fact that they're doing this, if it's true that they're hooking into the
sewer system and it's being done underhandedly without any I don't know what's going on in the back room on this, but it's not right. Um, I'll just I I hope that
again, as I've said, some some professional, you know, responsibility to our community, some advocacy to our community can prevail here. We we we're there's a lot of things that have gone on with this whole development of the
flooding and etc. that it's not right and this is just more on top of that. So really begin to question how this township is is governed and operates and
how the residents are being looked out for or not looked out for. It's it's it's pretty pathetic and and pretty I think irresponsible from what I've been seeing and it's a bad eye opener. Thank you. I can assure you there's no
back office uh shenanigans. Anybody else? Well, all right. Motion to close. I have a motion to close. Motion and second to close. So moved. Second. All right. Mayor a roll call for that.
Mayor, just on a comment on that. Um, I think there's a misunderstanding of how the sewer systems work and how they're built and how they're compensated. Um, when the Claremont project was built, it was an extension of the sewer service area. Um, they connected, I understand
the connection runs down Hamilton, and it doesn't stop there. The sewer improvements go all the way to the SRVSA. Their sewer can't be treated until it gets to the SRVSA. When they built their project, and they did, they paid for it. They didn't pay for everything from
where they connected all the way to the SRVSA. The way they compensated for that was they paid a sore connection fee. They paid a sore connection fee to the MUA and they paid a sore connection fee to the SRVSA. And that's how it works. That's how they compensated those who came before them.
Likewise, this particular project, it'd be the same thing. They're going to hook into Hamilton. I understand. And yes, that's part of the line that they they pay to put in. However, how do they compensate for that? They compensate for
that by when they pay their sewer connection fee. That's how they compensated for it. And it goes to the MUA, who is the entity who owns and maintains those lines. That's how the sewer system works. I think it's an unreasonable expectation when this
particular project was 17 years ago. If let's say for example that property wasn't being developed now, let's say it was another 20 years, would that individual still have to compensate those from 30, 40 years ago?
Who are those people? How many how many of these people even in this development are still there? How many people who have paid have now moved, have gone, have sold their property, have paid their assessment, are gone. And in Florida, even the new people are still paying.
I actually So hold on. Public comments over. Public comments over. Public I'm just giving you an illegal analysis. I really need to respond to this. I wanted to save this for something else. So I Hold on. I just order here. Order. On a legal basis. On legal basis. And if Hold
on. Yeah, let him finish. you will hear right on a legal basis and then I don't know how if we have a meeting when we have a meeting we'll respond right when I don't know the legal basis that you could implement
to do what they're asking there's no legal basis to now tell to Toll brothers you got to compensate them somehow and we're going to divide this formula And I don't know what do we do about the people that were already there and gone. But I I don't even know how
you do that. I don't know of any I don't know of any legal basis. If you can give me a legal basis, please provide one. I don't know of any statute, rule, or regulation that authorizes what you're asking for. I'm just giving you
all our comments. have a meeting and we'll put the chips on the table. Whether you guys want to entertain a meeting is not I'm just giving you my legal opinion on it. Again, it's a project 17 years ago. Um and and at this point in time, I don't
know how you ask somebody else who's connecting in to pay those residents. So what what I would say so could I just what I would say is um and I've only lived here I think 17 years right so so some of this you know
we're we're learning right what I would say is I would love full information and I think um whether you know attorney Willard is saying there is or isn't legal basis there's a lot of information what I'm not comfortable with is just
saying sorry folks we're not going to have a meeting and it was a long time ago go and sorry that's not going to happen. So I think we need to have some sort of a a meeting folks where we are able to exchange information where you
can be heard and present the information and where the township would then also present information. But I don't think we can just give you three minutes. You know that's not okay. There's enough people involved and and I think you need
to be heard. We will find a pathway to do this. We could use public input because we just paid 19,000 for that. However, we we need to have something where you guys can come live and have some sort of an exchange. So, we hear you. That's all I
did was request. Yep. And and we appreciate totally acceptable. I'd be grateful to have the meeting. We appreciate it. Very reasonable. Thank you. If you're gonna end the meeting, come on, guys. Come on. Let's go. No
shouting. I I will make sure I'm there. Of course. All right. Motion to adjurnn. So moved. We already have a motion in a second. May I have a motion in a second? Second roll. Committee one hand. Yes.
Committee. Yep. Mayor Jarley. Yes. Happy 4th of July, everybody. Yeah. When's the next one? The 9th. Happy 4th of July.