Township committee meeting of January 27th, 2026. An executive session was held at 6:35 and we are now reconvening. Miss Break, please call the role. >> Committee member braing >> here. >> Committee woman hand >> here. Gomez >> here.
>> Leani >> present. >> Mayor Payne >> here. >> Administrator Ferrer >> here. >> Attorney Willard >> here. >> Please join me in a salute to the flag. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisibley and justice for all. May I have a motion and a second to approve the regular meeting minutes of October 14th, 2025? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call.
>> Committee Bing. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Abstain. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Levani. >> Yes. >> Mayor P. >> Yes. May I have a motion and a second to approve the regular meeting minutes of November 25, 2025? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Thank you. >> Roll call. >> Committee member Bing. >> Abstain. >> Committee woman Gomez. >> Abstain. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Levan. >> Yes. >> Mayor. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion and a second to
approve the executive meeting minutes of December 9th, 2025? >> I'll make them. >> Go ahead. I'll let her go first. >> I'll make a motion. >> I will second. >> Roll call. >> Committee Bing. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Abstain. >> Committee woman hand.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Levani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Be. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion and a second to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 9th, 2025? >> So moved. >> I'll do that. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Committee Bringing. >> Yes.
>> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Abstain. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Depay Levani. Yes, >> Mayor P. >> Yes. One more kid. Sorry. May I have a motion in a second to approve the special meeting minutes and executive session minutes of December 15th, 2025?
>> So move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> Committee Bringing. >> Yes. >> Committee Boom Gomez. >> Abstain. Committee in hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Levani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bane. >> Yes. >> Reports from committee liaison and receipts of reports, petitions, or
communications. So, we're going to start off with Miniman Britting. >> Thank you, Mayor. How's everybody doing tonight? Very packed crowd tonight. Just kidding. I'm not a large group, I think. Um, yeah, I be starting off with the bagel bazaar here. Miss Break, if you can pull that up real quick. I think this was sent a while back, but this was
just in support of some of our new businesses. Had a chance to go get some breakfast from one of the new one of the new businesses that's out. It's fantastic. Does some great bagels. Actually got them this morning. My son's told me they said, "You want to be the best dad in the world?" I said, "Sure. I try my best every day." They said, "Go get us bagels before two-hour opening."
So, I went and got bagels for everybody. Great little place to go. But that's okay. We don't have to show the picture. That's fine. It's a good place. It's just my my my mug out there in in uh in in the bagel place. Next is recreation. [clears throat] So, uh the recreation um service number different things. So, first we have the
summer camp. Recreation summer camp 2026 is open for rec uh registration camp offerings for ch children ages 5 to 14. Register today at Hillsboro recreate new Hillsboro New Jersey njrecreation.org. Uh we have some fantastic camps and um great place. My children will be doing a
number of them. Basketball camp being included, but great place for your children to go this year. Spring activities which comes before summer. Hillsboro Recreation 2026 spring programs are open for registration. Um new new this season, we are offering uh spring break sports camp and art classes in addition to the usual array of
sports, cooking, and STEM classes. register online or stop by the recreation office for more information. It's actually a great idea for those of you looking for something new to do during spring break gives the kids something to do. Now, before I just I close this out, just two other items um from a recreation standpoint. Um it's
not specific with Hillsboro, a specific entity um that's run by Hillsboro Township, but um just wanted to mention just the thoughts and prayers go out to the the groups over at Iron Peak. Um, it's a recreation facility that's paid for, of course, for, you know, the customers that use it, but a lot of children have sports facilities there
now and using those sports facilities. If those of you don't know, the dome had gone come down. Nobody got hurt. Thank God. Uh, really thank God. And, uh, during the snowstorm and just um, just thoughts and prayers out there and hopefully uh, they're able to get it back up in there as soon as possible so the kids can play some winter sports, especially soccer. And the last thing I
just want to mention is social services uh, from social services department. Um, I I think it's incredibly important. I went there last week to drop off some some material there or two weeks ago. Um, one thing is their um, donations drop dramatically in January and February because everybody essentially
donates in the end of the year for the Christmas and Hanukkah time frame. So, I just want to just remind everybody to please if you're looking to donate something, please go on the site and donate as well. It's really important time of year. It's very cold and people are in need. Thank you, Mayor. That's all for me. >> Thank you, Committ Gomez.
>> Thank you, Mayor Payne. So, a quick reminder to Hillsboro residents that it's time to renew your dog licenses. Please renew by February 28th to avoid late charges. Some news from our economic and business development children's week is happening
now through the 30th in Hillsboro. The event highlights programs, activities, and services for children. Please take advantage of the programs and services for children this week. Check out the Hillsboro Business Association Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on those.
human resources, Hillsboro's hiring. Please see a list of all available job opportunities in tomorrow's e news. And lastly, the accessor's 2026 tax list will be finalized on February 17, 2026.
The 202026 tax list will be available for viewing on the accessories web page on February 2nd, 2026. And I did actually just want to say one more thing. just take a moment to acknowledge Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That was last Monday. I think his message of
peace, equality, and justice are really needed right now during these difficult times, and I hope that it can be reflected in our words and actions. Thank you, >> committee movement hands. >> All right. Thank you very much, mayor. All right. So, um hello, good evening.
and wanted to um also just uh I'm going to get to the fire pictures, but really quick um today is actually Holocaust Remembrance Day. So, the United Nations General Assembly designated today, January 27th, as the anniversary of the liberation of the Ashawitz um
concentration camp. And um this is a time to remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims from the Nazi persecution. As we are witnessing the alarming rise in anti-semitism around the globe, it's more important than ever
for us to recognize the critical lessons of the Holocaust history. As we commemorate the victims and honor the survivors, we hope you take a moment to um reflect today to honor those six million Jews as well as the Jewish victims as well as the millions of other
victims of Nazism. All right. Um to a slightly uh different topic um to the pictures. I had the distinct pleasure um of over the last three weekends, if you wonder where I am in January, I am swearing in firefighters. So, uh, I had the distinct
pleasure of, um, these are our three firehouses, 36, 37, 38. These are the folks that, uh, run into the fire when the rest of us are trying to run out. And just, um, congratulations to all of them. Um, these are volunteer fire forces that, uh, support our town in
addition to the paid fire district. And, um, we several of them also have uh, executive members, trustees, and then firehouse 38. Um, there's a great picture of Committee Woman Gomez swearing me in as the uh president for the auxiliary. Thank you, Committee
Gomez. Um, all right, moving on. There should be another picture. So, we had the Hindu This was great. And we got to run into David Kois, our planner, uh, during this event. This was the Hindu heritage event. This was over, um, by the library. And this was just a
community sponsored event where they go over um different aspects of the Hindu religion as well as very tasty treats. So um it's a great event and again it's free and open to the public. It's a great moment to um if that is not your
culture uh it is great to go and and learn and to get a little more educated around it. So thank you. Moving on to engineering. All right. In early December 2025, the township completed paving on a portion of Bloomingdale
Drive, extending 550 ft past the first driveways from Autton Road. The remaining sections were not included in the 2025 program. However, the township um is in the midst of applying for the NJ DOT local aid grant um and that will
be in May of 2026. will be applying for that and hopefully that will fund the rest of the project. If awarded um then in November we would go into the design and the bidding phases and hopefully have that work done in 2027 until
permanent repaving can begin. The Department of Public Works, our very own DPW, will continue to monitor the road, repair the potholes, um or heavily damaged areas as needed. Please be aware these maintenance efforts um are intended as temporary and we are trying
to maintain the safety and the drivability in the interim while we wait for the additional funding. So, thank you. And then on to everyone's local hero right now is Department of Public Works. So, they've gotten some action these past couple weekends and rumor has
it there's snow in the forecast for this coming weekend. Um bad news for the kids, it keeps coming on the weekends. Uh we need it like a Wednesday snowstorm if we get one. But um here DPW's primary goal during winter storms is public safety. They are prioritizing the main
roads, the hills, the emergency routes to ensure that the first responders can get to anyone um if needed. Plowing follows a set hierarchy. They move from the main arteries to the residential streets and they um continue working
long after the snow stops to clear intersections and widen lanes. I know I saw DPW today um on a major road just kind of again getting that snow um further back off the road to widen the lanes. Salt is applied strategically in
high traffic and high-speed areas. If you are not aware, um, our town, DPW, did a fantastic job of managing our salt. Uh, and it was it was one of those things where, um, other towns around the, you know, the state, the county
were in need of salt. Um, we were not in that position. We had strategically managed it so we had salt for um, for this uh, storm, which was well done on the on the team's part. So, keep in mind residents should expect some snow
covered um roads on really local roads because again we're going to strategically manage the salt on the main arteries. To assist the crews, couple things. What can you do to help? Um please uh shovel and plow, but do not push it into the street. Um that's
causing um a further hazard. So, you know, pilot in the yard, pilot um where you can on your property. Uh, additionally, follow emergency parking rules. make sure that the plows can navigate safely, make sure cars are off the the roadways if they are snow
covered. We appreciate your patience as our teams work long hours um to have our town safe and efficient. So, a big shout out to DPW um and all the contractors that that leaned in to help the town. And that's it. Back to you, Mayor. Thank you. [clears throat]
>> Thank you, Command. Uh Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Hi. Um, just like to echo commands um, comments about DBW crew. Listen, it's it's tough out there. We've had a lot of
snowstorms and weekends, long one, three days a weekend ago and then this one. Uh, unless you've ever done done it and been a plow for 24, 36 hours. It's very taxing on your body. Plus, it's, you know, you go to work have to go to work the next day. Um, so you know, kudos to
those guys and to our team, Rich in DPW for uh the great job that they do. And I've been told every time, but numerous people, they know when they get in Hillsboro because the roads are plowed. Um, surrounding towns don't do the job that we do and we times we take it for granted. So just maybe take a look at
next time you drive through Hillsboro and then to another neighboring town how the roads look and ours are are much better. So thank you Rich and crew. um to something fun. If you haven't been aware, I'm sure you have, uh it's the 250th anniversary of our great country.
Follow this successful So, you can we encourage you to follow the successful milestone of the township's own 200 uh anniversary five years ago with Hillsboro now preparing to join the national stage in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Hillsboro has always taken an immense
pride in its place within America's history and its story. After the wonderful community response to our township's 25th ann 250th anniversary five years ago, it gives us great pleasure to now join in the rest of the nation celebrating this historic semiqu
semiquincent semiquincential. >> That's it. >> We are building on our past success to ensure this year is a memorable one for every resident. As part of this celebration, we are bringing our history to life using
modern technology. If you're ever wondering about our township's namesake, Lord Hillsboro, you're about to find out who he was. We are proud to debut our first interactive historic video marker. Please join me in the meeting to meet
the man himself, Mr. Lord Hillsboro. Hillsboro Township takes its name from Wills Hill, the first Marquis of Downshire, better known in his time as Lord Hillsboro. Though he never visited this region, [music] his title was chosen for the
township in the colonial era, one of at least 17 places in the United States that still carry his name today. Lord Hillsboroough served as Britain's first secretary of state for the American
colonies during a time of great tension. He played a central role in shaping colonial policy and famously met with Benjamin Franklin. While the two clashed publicly in London, they later shared an
unexpectedly civil 6-day visit at Hillsboro Castle in [music] Ireland. Though their political paths remained opposed, that moment of respect amid discord left its mark. Today, Hillsboro is a thriving township that reflects the
complexity of early American history. Its name reminds us that even the fiercest debates once held room for diplomacy, conversation, [music] and the possibility of common ground. First one, thank you. Um, I'd like to
thank Deb Ing, who's our head of our our 250th committee, for moving along with this. And lastly, because it's never official until you have something special to kick it off this official kickoff of this historic year, we are also unveiling our dedicated I'm going
to try it again. Semiquincential logo tonight. This >> There you go. Semi-quincentennial. I got to say it slow. This symbol will represent our community spirit and as we honor 250 years of America's independence. Deb, will you please unveil the level
>> gently? >> [applause] >> And this logo was um helped and designed by our >> own DPW staff and uh >> I think it's a great So we'll look forward to keeping that and getting
things all around township to celebrate um the rest of the year. >> And one more time, can you can you pronounce >> semiquincentennial? There you go. >> Thank you, mayor. And I'm done. >> So, deputy mayor, if you don't mind, mayor, just uh Blair Derona was the one
actually came came up with that idea and a design. So, I just want to make sure we give Blair and and the team the team that's really been meeting behind and and going through. We had a couple iterations of that um as we came up, but Blair really come up with all designs for us. Thank you. >> Good job, Blair.
>> Perfect. Just a few quick comments for myself. So, I am super proud to have approved the budget for 2024 and 2025 that led to those amazing paving jobs that we've been doing throughout the past uh year and a half, including Bloomfield, and um made all those roads
possible. Also, uh for salt, um there was some concern from other towns that they didn't have enough salt for the winter storms. Uh we do and we have enough salt for the storm that's coming up. We thankfully have been very on top of our purchases with that. Um, this
picture that you have here is from the Robo Raiders uh, two weekends ago. I, um, had to literally run in, high five, and leave. Um, but the super cool thing about this Robo Raider meeting was this is their kickoff, and they got all of
their marching orders for what to build, what it's going to do. Um, and it's crazy cool. Their robots can climb um put balls in. The balls are significantly smaller than last year's balls. They are like fuel, I think it's
called. Um someone out there is yelling at me, I'm sure, but I'm sorry. I think it's fuel. And they're um they're about the size of a softball this year. The robots can climb, they can launch, they can do things, they can have players help to get fuel in. So really, really
cool things. Uh if you uh have not gone to one of these events, go like they're super cool. So that was the kickoff. Uh we also have the Lewis Bay II scholarship which is Hillsboro Township is again participating in the New Jersey
League of Municipalities. Lewis Bay II future municipal leader scholarship competition to allow Hillsboro juniors and seniors to participate in this scholarship competition. The theme for 2026 is what I like about my hometown.
Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded statewide and you can find the application on the township website. Applications are due to the mayor's office um on March 9th. Also, we have a new meeting for format
here uh on the DAS. So, we have updated our schedules to dedicate the first meeting of each month specifically to proclamation presentations. This change aims to streamline municipal business while maintaining a high level of recognition for community achievements.
Um, there were some fabulous comments online about this change and I will address those with although it seems like we're saving 20 minutes, we're actually saving hours upon hours of work for our clerk and her team of people who put together all of our minute notes,
all of our meetings, put everything online, um, have to go through all the iterations from the department leads. So it's definitely a significant time savings and does streamline things significantly for the team. Hopefully we can get to a point where the comments
are nice and brief on the DIS and we can really keep our meetings moving along. Beyond formal meetings, we remain available to present honors at off-site events, including scout ceremonies and athletic banquetss. Interested parties should submit requests via the digital
form section on the administration department web page. Though, please note that submissions are subject to approval and do not guarantee a proclamation. And that is all. As always, you can stay connected with all the events via the Wednesday mayor's
e-news and Thursday experience Hill Hillsboro bulletin. Be sure to follow and like the official Hillsboro Township Facebook page, X, and Instagram. Tune in to Hillsboro YouTube channel and sign up for Hillsboro alerts for traffic and emergency notifications. One little note about that I will say we had what an
uptick of like 200 before the snow. So that was phenomenal. I love that everyone's trying to keep in contact and know what's going on with your streets and local areas. Moving on, we have some personal uh items and personnel items rather and appointments.
So we have personnel resolution appointments. Um read each one separate. >> Yep. >> Okay. So we have uh resolutions uh one through nine. Would anyone like to take the items
separate? >> No. Okay. If yes, can I have a motion and a second for each? >> There's still >> I'm sorry. >> There's still time for comments. >> There's still time for comments. >> Who's who's questioning? >> No, you make goes comments from the day on
>> No, it doesn't. >> So, >> well, it's it's it's coming. It's coming. Yeah, it doesn't. So, may I have a motion and a second to approve the personnel and appointment items one through nine? >> I make a motion. Second. >> Thank you. Comments from the day.
>> I have one >> one question on number six really quick. Emily, there was one person, Emily Henderson, that was at a $15. Everybody else was 16. Was that on purpose? I just there was just one different
>> part time I just it >> okay so just so we could approve it but just noting that on number six >> actually >> Emily Henderson is just noted at $15
everybody was at 16 I didn't know if if there was like a different qualification or something for her. >> She's not special. >> That's daughter. [laughter] >> Are we penalizing her? >> Okay, >> honey. I feel like you should get double for working with your mom, but we'll go
the other way. I Yeah, >> you owe her a dollar an hour extra. >> Okay, got it. Okay. Any other comments from the day? >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Um, just before I get, I do want to thank um the the hard work of the DPWM parks. I know you guys
have mentioned here and I thank you for that. Um, but on top of putting in all those hours, what people do forget sometimes is that while they're spending hours here at work and sleeping in their truck, their houses themselves aren't being done. So, when they're done with a long day, then they have to go back and shovel and it's always in a worse
condition because it's ice and and they're tired. So, I we we truly appreciate um everything they do each and every day, especially with the emergencies. Um, like to uh attention to uh resolution one. I want to thank um our HR director Harry Fencer Good and
our assistant director Annette Henderson for being here tonight. And I'm super thrilled to u bring before you Nicole Metzel who's here in the first row. Um Hillsboro resident um coach, mentor, has worked with over 150 clients. Um the
enthusiasm is just incredible. You don't see it right now, but I can tell you through interviews, she's extremely uh energetic and she's going to be an awesome addition to um our wreck department. And I'm sorry we were in executive session, didn't you get a chance to meet the committee before um but I assure you I'm going to see great
things uh moving forward um from Nicole. So, I just want to welcome her and thanks for the support that she has here tonight. Thank you. >> Welcome, Nicole. Looking forward to working with you. Okay. Any other comments from the DES?
>> Just following up on committee hands comment regarding the one particular Emily Henderson. $15 an hour. Um I question whether that should be actually 16 given the minimum wage. Right. >> Okay. >> We just said it was >> I just wanted to make sure.
>> No, we're fine. >> Any other comments in the >> comments from the floor? Roll call. >> Committee Bing. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. And welcome.
>> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. And welcome. >> Mayor, >> yes. >> You guys can go now if you want. >> All right. >> Say now your time. >> Consent agenda 1 through 30. Is there
any uh sorry hang on a second? Does anyone want to take these separate? Okay. Um so we're going to hear all the comments first. After that, if any committee member would like to take any item from the consent agenda separately for voting purposes, I'll give you the opportunity
to do so. There's no need to take items separately for the purpose of commenting or questioning questioning. Uh so comments from the day on the consent agenda. >> Yeah, just a few some really good things here. I just wanted to call out to the community as well too. So, uh number six, we have the Parkerson Recreation
Grant. Um so, this is a a really good opportunity for us to uh continue to add to the playgrounds in the school. Bullwins Valley Pocket Park. Just another great way to help uh help the children play in a good spot and just great to see that we're putting that forward. Um number [clears throat] 15
wanted to highlight the resolution with regards to the police department um the township through the Hillsboro Police Department to participate in the defense logistics agency law enforcement support uh enforcement uh support office and program to enable the Hillsboro Police Department to request and acquire access
uh uh Department of Defense equipment. I just think it's great to support the police any way that we can. great in our previous and the personnel as well too. We had a couple of promotions. That's just another great one there. Um safety programs as it relates to our GIF I think is a risk mitigation in number number 21. That's a great one to call out. And um I think uh the last one I'll
call out is number 30. The opioid settlement the um the way of managing that. I think that's a really important feature for from a social services standpoint for the residents of the town. In 24 when I was the mayor, we had the Narcan put out throughout the building and I think there was called some attention to it and I think it's really important for people to know that it's available uh when and if needed.
So, I think there's some really good things in here tonight that we're proving. >> Anyone else comment from the D? >> I had a question on 24 and I didn't get a chance to ask um David prior. This is we're appointing Rehabco, affordable
housing administrative agent. Did we have one prior? >> We did. So, >> CME. >> So, it was that's right. It was CME for the past couple years and we're just >> So, it's a state requirement. Yeah. So, we have to This is for running background checks um legally mandated um
for the process for affordable housing. >> Yeah. And I looked up I mean >> Okay. helpful. Thank you. >> Yeah. Just to follow up, we had a meeting with them today, David and I. Um we're actually thrilled to bring them on. Um they're doing they're going to do a lot of things that haven't been done
in the past and uh we're actually thrilled to bring them on and and bring do the things that we want to do that haven't been done actually. So, we're happy to bring them on. They are super excited uh to uh to join Hillsboro. >> Anything else? >> I do, Mayor. Uh couple quick ones. Uh
just to pay attention to number two. Uh the farm road paving was uh we were able to move forward with design plans because we received a a grant last year to uh provide paving for that road that our engineering had applied for. So, this gets the plans done so we can get
that road done uh hopefully 2025. Um and that's between 206 and Triangle Road. And the other one that was uh by because of the bond from last year, number 13 is the safety pavilion being built over at
Singley Park. And if you ever been out there, it's a pretty wide open park with a lot of soccer kids out there and there really is no shelter if anything should happen there. So, I think number one, it adds a nice value to the park for picnics, but also a critical safety point for any inclement weather that might show up. Uh, so that's all I got.
Thanks. >> Committee Blooming Gum has anything? >> Just a question on the pavilion. Sean, um, and people are able to rent that out as well. >> Yeah, that would be something you would uh go through the rec department for. >> Y
>> Yeah. So basically a lot of great things uh from these resolutions and it really just helps Hillsboro be Hillsboro um PD DPW park you know all the things that go into our beautifification in general but also keeping our town and town services
in tiptop shape. So that's super important. And one of the things I just want to note is there is another bulk salt uh rock salt buy for DPW. Um the last delivery I think I have this right. We were owed like 300. We got 300.
>> We were owed some >> We were owed some salt. So they gave us a partial partial shipment. >> Just for perspective, we got like 300,000 300 tons. Is that right? Thank you. Uh so this is kind of little fun fact there
for all all of our storms coming and things. Okay. Um >> mayor, a dump truck is roughly 20 tons. So it tells you how many dump trucks that is >> exactly a lot. May I have a motion and a second to compro approve >> comments from the floor?
>> Sorry. Oh, I'm so sorry. Comments from the floor. >> Thank you. Okay, seeing none, may I have a motion and a second to approve consent agenda items 1 through 30? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> Committee Bing.
>> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. >> Mayor P. Yes. Okay. Public hearings, we have none. Introduction of new ordinances, we have 2026-1, ordinance amending chapter 188, land use and
development, article one, title, purpose, definitions, uh, section 188-3, words and terms defined. and article five districts and
standards section 188 um-106 one oh boy 1-1 1-2 and 1-3 light industrial districts of the code of the township of Hillsboro Somerset County New Jersey further consideration and public
hearings on February 24th 2026 may I have a motion and a second to introduce ordinance 2026-1 One. >> So moved. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call. >> Committee Bing. >> Yes.
>> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. May I have a uh for claims list? May I have a motion and a second to approve claims list 2026-2?
>> So move. I'll go second. There you go. See you. >> Thank you. Comments from the deis. >> Comments from the floor. >> Roll call. >> Committee Bing. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Lefani. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. New business? None. Proclamations, presentations, none. Public comments for matters not on the agenda. I will now open the meeting to comments from the floor. Please keep in mind this is for comments on matters
not on the agenda. Miss Break, please read the statement regarding public comment. >> The township committee will now open the floor for public comment. Those wishing to speak may approach the microphone, state their name and address, and spell their name for the record. Please be advised that each speaker is limited to a single three-minute aotment. This
forum is intended for public comment and is not question and answer session. All comments and remarks should be addressed to the mayor. Thank you for your decorum and for respecting the three-minute limit. Good evening. Roy Fryman, 601, Route 206, Hillsboro, New Jersey. Um, couple
things. Just wanted to start off by agre um thanking and the DPW as well. Um, it is was astonishing how well the roads were were cleared, how quickly they were cleared. that went out on Monday afternoon and it was spotless for the
most part. It was it was >> it was truly remarkable. So, kudos to that team. >> Um, I also want to thank you, mayor, as well as everyone on the township committee for organizing the vigil for the the two children that were
tragically lost. Um that was it's an awful event and to be able to bring the community together was very very important and a lot of people were hurt were hurting by that. So thank you for doing that.
>> Thank you for mentioning that. >> Um and departing from that it would please consider getting a podium please. And that's all. Thank you very much. The thanks for the vigil goes to Reverend for reaching out to us. But
thank you, >> David Brookke, seven winding way. As you may recall, I spoke last meeting about 2026 being a year of focusing on good government. In the future, I'd like to go into more detail about how this body and all the staff in Hillsboro can be
more focused on providing good governmental services. But for now, I have limited time, so I will focus on a few things I'm asking you to consider to act upon right now to advance the interest of good government in Hillsboro. First,
time limits. Past mayors have set a threeminut time frame for speaking in the public comment portion of each meeting. I ask you to re-examine that number. Why? Simply put, one size does not fit all circumstances.
I think it would be better if it was simply flexible time. So, if there's only one person in a meeting who wants to speak, then I would say let them speak with no time limit, assuming they keep within the context. Circumstances,
in my mind, not rigidity, should dictate if there is a time limit. We want to encourage people to share their thoughts, ideas, and even criticisms. I think it's better for government if we do that. Second, cameras. There are
three cameras in the room. Um, and the public only gets to see the back of their head filmed when they speak. That's not my favorite side. There is a camera
in front. Um, and I think that that camera should be looked at for all of you to instruct the operator to turn that camera on when the public speaks so they can be seen and ultimately I think
more respected since as we know the back of my head's not the best view. Third, I would echo the issue of the podium too. I think the public deserves a podium to speak from. I did an informal survey of the 21 municipalities in Somerset County and I find that the vast majority have
podiums for the public to speak at. I would say time to encourage, not discourage the public to speak without feeling intimidated, which many people do. Fourth, a non-political township clerk
is what we need, but it is not what we have. I filed four open public records act requests last year since I am curious as to why there were suddenly a barrage of warehouse applications in
very odd locations across Hillsboro. I must have hit a nerve since Miss Brake, the township's record custodian, is demanding a special service charge of hundreds of dollars for me to get simple
emails. These are not complex matters. They're not in archive. They're not in some off-site storage. They're not giant maps. They're emails. My belief is that the municipal clerk is playing politics and that behavior to me is unacceptable
and it has now forced me to file a formal complaint with the state of New Jersey government records council as this township and miss break is failing to comply with the law as far as I see it. To me that's bad government, not
good government. I think there's a simple solution and that you the township committee can instruct Miss Break to disclose these emails to me without charge. I think that politics
belongs in this room. I think it does not belong anywhere else in the building. >> Thank you for your time. I would also like to reiterate that in the past year, you've spent this township's time of over 98 hours in Oprah requests. First,
secondly, with no charge. >> I'd like to add >> with no charge. Secondly, it is the Oprah law of the state of New Jersey that we follow for all Oprah requests and charging is something that we may do. Thirdly, you have absolutely no idea how Miss Break votes or what party she's
affiliated with. Nor do I. Politics. I strongly disagree. Do not belong in this room. They belong outside. This room is not for politics. This room is for serving Hillsboro. Thank you for your time. >> I would simply say that I'm referring to the politics that all of you
>> Thank you for your time. Please return to your seat. >> Thank you for your time. >> Any other comments from the floor? Heather Larico 23-3C Bloomingdale Drive, Hillsboro, New Jersey. First, I'd like to thank Committee Woman Gomez and
Committee Woman Han for acknowledging national issues, the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day of Service as well as Holocaust Remembrance Day. We no longer have the luxury of separating the local from the national and
unfortunately it is all political. So, I would hope that this committee would issue a proclamation, make a statement. We know that you're in communication with the state, with the county, with the federal government in order to operate this township.
Please consider as a committee making a statement regarding the murder of Alex Freddy and the actions of the federal government because we cannot just worry about Hillsboro. It is a national community. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any other comments from the floor? [clears throat] >> Closing. >> Mayor, public comments are closed. I would just like to comment about Mr. Brook's comment. Um the open public records act
was adopted decades ago and the whole premise behind the act was for the public to identify a document and then the clerk like a contract the permit I want this application it's minimal effort by the clerk to take it copy it and provide it
and that was the purpose of the act um there's body of case law that says it's not a research tool and it was never a research tool um so openended requests were always denied um that this is not a research tool But as technology has advanced, at least
it's been my practice and how I advise my municipalities, certain things are now readily searchable. So therefore, what's happened, I told Miss Break and all the townships I represent, if they provide
enough information in the request for you to search it in a database, do it. If it's minimal effort, do it. Do the search. And if it reveals a couple documents, you get the documents, look at them. Are they subject to Oprah? Are they producable? Are they responsive?
Yes, produce them. But what we have now and some of Mr. Brook's requests recently, one of them revealed over 5,000 hits, 5,000 emails of various different lengths. Some of them have attachments. So now the clerk's office
and quite frankly I indicated she should have charged a special service charge at that point in time when she found out there was over 5,000 hits but she already started it. She felt it wasn't appropriate and she continued to process the request tens I what was it 98 hours
>> put 98 hours to respond to that request because now you have to go through five over 5,000 emails again of various different lengths with attachments. The clerk's office goes through all those. They have to go through all those to see read everyone redact information that
has to be redacted pursuant to Oprah and if they are redacting information or they're not providing it and then they have to provide why I'm not providing this particular document or why why so that is a monumental task that is a monumental task and Mr. Brooke, you've seen the memo. I'm not going to comment
about the comments he made to the clerk. I thought many of them were inappropriate, but I'll leave that up to you guys what you felt about those comments. Uh, but as far as that's concerned to charge a special service charge for those type of requests, it's absolutely permitted by the statute. The
statute says any extraordinary amount of time and expense to municipality can be passed off to the quester. So I have advised the clerk to again when I receive when we receive those kind of requests if it does take only a minimal amount of time to run the searches run
the searches even though they don't give you a specific document run the searches see what you come back with but if you do come back with 5,000 hits it's only appropriate at that point in time to tell the requester hey there's going to be a special service charge >> right >> and that's what's that's what's happened
in this particular case again Miss Break has provided you guys with a memo regarding this. Take a look at it. I agree with her position. If Mr. Brookke I he's indicated he might be filing claiming with GRC, I welcome it and uh we'll defend. >> He did file. >> Oh, okay. >> Yes. I sent it to you today
>> for Okay. Yes. Thank >> Thank you. >> Thank you for the education. Appreciate it. Uh Miss Break um sorry. May I have a motion to return? >> So moved. >> And a second. >> And a second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Committee inverting.
>> Yes. >> Committee Gomez. Yes. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. Thank you. Good night everybody. >> Ready for