Test. It's working. >> Hello. >> Good evening and welcome to the township committee meeting of March 10th, 2026. An executive session was held at 6:30 and we are now reconvening. Miss Break, please call roll. >> Committee Bing >> here. >> Committeewoman Gomez
>> here. >> Committeewoman Hand >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Leani >> present. >> Mayor Payne >> here. Administrator Ferrer. >> Attorney Bullard >> here. >> Please join me in a salute to the flag. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. May I have a motion and a second to approve the regular meeting minutes of January 27th, 2026?
>> So moved. Second. >> Roll call. >> Committee Bing? >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez? >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand? >> Yes. >> Dr. Mayor Lean? >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne? >> Yes. May I have a motion in a second to approve the regular meeting minutes and executive meeting minutes of the
February 10th, 2026 >> meeting? >> Sorry. Thank you. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call. >> Bringing. >> Yes. >> Woman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Woman Hand. >> Yes. >> Depan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion a second to approve the regular meeting minutes and the
executive meeting minutes of February 24th, 2026th? >> Second. >> Whatever. >> Whoever get first. >> Roll call. Sorry. >> Committee Ring. >> Yes. >> Committ Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. Good evening everybody. I think we're all feeling the pain of what is happening across the world. And it just isn't uh news. It's about family, friends, and the people you love. In
that spirit of shared sacrifice, I'd like us to pause for a moment of silence to honor the American servicemen and women who have lost their lives, as well as those who are still fighting in this conflict. Our thoughts are with their families and with everyone here at home who is waiting for a loved one to return
safely. Thank you. In times of such deep worry, our greatest strength is how we care for one another. No matter where we are from and what we believe, we are all part of this community and we are stronger when we stand together. On a lighter note, Friday was National
Employee Appreciation Day, and I would be remiss if I didn't take a few minutes to express my gratitude to Hillsboro staff. As mayor, I often get the credit when things go well. But we all know exactly who's doing the heavy lifting. The crews who ensure our roads are safe,
the police who kept watch over the community, the staff who keep our parks beautiful, and our office teams who keep things running smoothly are the heartbeat of this town. Their hard uh sorry, their hardest work often happens when no one is looking, but their impact is felt by every single resident who
calls this town home. Thank you to all for your patience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to making our town the best it can be. Each year, March is designated as Women's History Month, a time to honor the profound contributions women have
made throughout American history. And this year we honor the visionaries and trailblazers who have shaped our past and are currently building our future. Under the theme leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future. We celebrate women who are driving process
in green tech e uh economic justice and community resilience. In other news, we have received several inquiries regarding Duke's Parkway West. Please be advised that the repaving of Duke's Parkway West is scheduled for early spring, weather permitting. In the
time in the meantime, the Department of Public Works will continue to perform temporary maintenance to address immediate concerns and maintain safe driving conditions until the paperwork is completed. And finally, I wanted to briefly share an anniversary in light of America's
250th anniversary. Our first recorded Hillsboro Township Committee meeting was held 254 years ago today on March 10th in 1772. You can see a copy of the original minutes on Facebook today and in the
e-news tomorrow. Uh, moving on, we have some personal items, personnel items rather. Uh, I'm sorry. Wait, comments are not miss break.
>> Okay, thank you. Uh, no, because everyone else is We have comments from everyone. No. >> Yes. >> Resolutions. >> Okay. All right. So, um, personnel resolutions and appointments. So, we have, uh, three personnel resolutions.
We hear the comments first. After that, if any of the committee members would like to, uh, vote on any of the personnel items separately. I will give you the opportunity to do so. There's no need to take items separately for the purpose of commenting or questioning. Are there comments from the deas? I'd like to just first of all welcome
everybody to the positions that they're in, but I also would like to um call out Mr. Granite as well too. I was on the hiring committee when uh he first came on and um he is our head of RIT and he now goes across the town and uh for the police department and his position is incredibly incredibly important for the
township and his daughter's sitting right in the front as road too. So I want her to hear about her dad. Her dad's doing a fantastic job. He does a really nice job of making sure that um that the town is safe from a digital world and that's a new world that you guys are growing up in you girl guys and girls living in now. So um just very
happy to have Rich here and really proud of the work that he does. So wanted you to hear that first from from us. Okay. >> Any other comments from the deos >> mayor? Um we'll start following uh committee burning as well. Uh welcoming
again uh Mr. Granite to his uh new new position as director. has done an outstanding job. Uh within the last year and a half saved the town over $100,000 and has kept us safe when other towns and counties have been shut down. So super happy for him to be on board, stay on board. Dad's doing a great job. Um
also, uh Dominic Mazagotti also has been uh promoted uh to uh the assistant building sub code official. So we're super happy to keep our our folks here that we've trained and continue to move up uh through our planning. And we're also very happy to bring on um our our
public health nurse um Kayla Farah as well. It's really tough to get uh qualified nurses these days. So we're super happy to have her on board as well uh to maintain our programs and services throughout the township. So very happy for all three. So thank you. >> Any other comments?
>> I would just like to congratulate all three, Dominic, Kayla, and Rich. And um to the point about Rich, he does an awesome job, but I think combining two positions into one is something that we should be evaluating. Every time there's a vacancy, I think we should look at
that vacancy and say, do we need to fill this or is there another, you know, qualified person within the township? Can we combine positions? I think we need to be creative. I think um times are tough. Uh gas prices, everything is increasing. So, I think we need to be
good fiscal stewards. So, I'm excited um for this position with Rich and I think we should continue looking at this as we have um other vacancies in town. >> So, thank you. >> I will just offer a little anecdote this week. Uh Payic County um Payic Township
got um hacked and uh they were held hostage on a cyber security issue. And it's funny, I work for a county in it, and nothing in this state news-wise spreads faster than when a town or a
county gets cyberbullied or hacked or anything else. Uh, so knowing that we have rich here and keeping us safe. Uh, that was the first thing I told Anthony when I or um administrator for her when I saw it, I was like, "Oh god." But
we're safe and that makes it worth every single penny to know that one, he saved us uh at least his salary last year and things like that don't happen in Hillsboro. So, I'll add that to uh Rich's credit. >> Mayor, I'll just um this actually this
this has been in the works for with Anthony. This this consolidation secession plan has been over a year in the works. We had a person that was working in that was on um that was going to be retiring. So this was this was in the works that we've been evaluating for a long time. Rich, we have actually the
blessing of Rich coming on made this this plan really come to a hole. Uh but we also just did the same thing in health. We had a retirement of health of and we've revamped that whole thing. So we constantly evaluate our positions when people retire move on to see if we
can at that point then streamline. and it's been a position that we've been doing for years and I anticipate we continue to do it. >> Comments from the floor. Would anyone like to take any of the I >> We have a com on this.
>> Yeah. >> Yep. Come on. Oh, I'm sorry, Maria. >> Maria, you're always first and we always make you move the mic. Maria Janu 6 720 East Freck Avenue Manville, New Jersey. I'm also a Hillsboro Township property owner, block
86, lot 3, 215 Camplain Road. This is in regard to consent number three. >> Yes. Um, so it says that the uh uh police department IT director has retired and so now there the one person is going to be uh filling that position
and also the township IT director position. >> Correct. >> Um and so there's a salary adjustment to 140,000 annually. What was the prior salary of the um police department IT director?
>> Uh it was over a hundred. I'll defer to the personnel. >> It was 144, I believe. >> Thank you. >> Usually pretty good at remembering numbers. 144. >> It was 144,000. >> 144. >> And the new person for that position is
53,000. >> I'm sorry, bud. >> The new person's salary for that position is 53,000. >> 153,000. >> 53. No one. >> All right. So, I'm I'm not understanding correctly. The police department's IT
director who retired was was was receiving 144,000. >> Correct. >> And now that salary is is uh >> 53 >> 53,000. >> Correct. >> But that same person is uh also leading
the township IT. >> No. So there's Rich Granite. >> The what? >> There's Rich who is our IT director. So his position that is are you asking for his salary? >> Um well you're say the police department
IT director has retired and now you're going to combine that and and another IT together. >> Yes. >> And that's being uh uh that that position is given to Rich Granite.
>> Yes. and he's getting his salary adjustment to 140,000. >> Want me to try to maybe I can try to help. So, um, what we did is we looked at prior to this reorg, you had the
township on one side as an IT director and a full-time person part-time, and you had a full-time IT director on the police side and the same thing, two part-time people. So what we decided to do was to combine it and have one director versus two. So what you're seeing is where the probably the
confusion is. So if you had two directors yesterday, you now have one director today. So Rich is getting an increase um of of 15,000 on on this side. We're up to 140. And the person who was out for 144 is 53 where it's
actually part-time. So when you when you do the reorg and do the math, it's somewhere between $55 and $60,000 of a savings of doing the reorganization and reducing uh some of the numbers and some of the titles. If that helps. So instead of having two directors
today, you actually have one. >> I that that I understand. I just don't know how the the salary uh uh >> so the person who was making 144 is now making 53. >> The township. Okay. Salary adjustment of
53,000 is going to Joseph Desmond. >> That is correct. >> Yep. And what? So, so does he have anything to do with the IT? >> It does. >> Yes.
>> Extending his role extending his role of senior systems engineer administrator. >> Yes. move to the next meeting >> and and what and and so >> that's actually going to be at the at the next meeting but but yes you're ahead you're ahead of you're ahead one
meeting but yes >> I'm ahead one meeting >> see that you're you're ahead of the >> agenda yeah because of his salary. So, right now we're just talking about Rich's salary tonight, but that that individual will be on the agenda next week uh for
the 53,000 because it'll be more confusing if we talk about the salary ordinance and the title. So, >> maybe I can M Jennis, we eliminated one person retired, >> right? >> We have one person that is now doing the job. What used to be two people.
Everything else stays the same. >> So, the one person that left, we didn't rehire. Rich now assumes IT for both the police department and and Hillsboro as the director of IT. We did not backfill his position. Joe Desmond remains at the
position he had here and our other part-time people in IT and full-time people remain there. That is the only thing that this is about. >> And this was really my comment a couple minutes ago when I was really happy that we looked, you know, as somebody retired
in the police it said look Do we need to do we need to refill this with another FTE full-time employee or do we have an opportunity to leverage the skill set of somebody else in the building? And so Rich is being compensated, I think you
said, from 125 to 140. So he's getting a $15,000 raise really to take on a second, you know, a larger workload um and have an expanded role. So, I think we need to continue to look at those
sorts of um arrangements within the building uh as vacancies come available. I don't think we should just, you know, continue to hire because we had somebody doing the job. Let's analyze it and and see what, you know, what the best fit is for the town. >> Does that help?
>> So, so what is going to what is going to be his actual total uh salary? >> Mr. >> Mr. Grant or 140 140. >> All right. And uh All right. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments from the
floor? Okay. Would anyone on the DS like to take the item separately? In that case, may I have a motion, a second to approve personal items one through three? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Committee inverting.
>> Yes. Welcome everybody. Committee Gomez. >> Yes. And welcome. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. Congrats. Welcome. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> 100%. Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. And congrats.
Okay. Um consent agenda 1 through 14. So we're going to hear all the comments first. After that, if any committee member would like to take an item from the consent agenda for separate voting, I will give you the opportunity to do so. There's no need to take items separately for commenting or questioning. Comments from the day is on
consent agenda 1 through 14. >> Just wanted to highlight number four and mayor actually put you on the spot and ask you because I know you launched out a a veterans program. Sure. >> And uh I think this is important to to talk about what we do in Hillsboro. Other towns don't always do this, but I know Hillsboro does it. So >> asking you to just address it.
>> Sure. Number four is a state law. Uh so what we do is um as veterans become um veterans can go through the process at any point in time to uh have their abilities or disabilities assessed. When
they hit 100% they are by law um reimbursed for their um taxes, their property taxes only. And so this is something that we do throughout the year pretty frequently. It's as a new member would become eligible for 100%
disability through the VA. Then we as a township reimburse their taxes for their property taxes which are reimbursed to us through a state program. Any other questions from the Das? I would just make a comment on um looks
like number 13 which is the resolution committing to adopting the implementing ordinances and resolutions regarding the townships hills township of Hillsboro's affordable housing obligations for the fourth round. You know, this is something that I'm sure will pass tonight. This is something where our
back is against the wall. we as a township um did not farewell in the courts and now we are needing to implement this so that we do not lose our immunity for our round four housing. So it's really serious and um I would
you know implore everyone to make sure that you are aware of our affordable housing plan and what the town is looking to do. Any other comments from the DA? Comments from the floor?
>> Maria Janu. This is for all of them, right? In regards to all. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Um, in regard to consent number five, resolution authorizing refund of tax overpayments. >> Yep. Um, why is it that this one, I
guess, property owner, Corore Logic, has so many um tax overpayments? This is not the first time. There's been quite a few times that Core Logic uh receives uh payment for uh for t uh receives uh refunds for tax overp payments.
>> Correct. >> Um Miss Jan Janisk, once again, uh Core Logic is not a property owner in town. They're a third party payer. Um large they're a third-party payer. A lot of people who have might have mortgages in here find out that uh they have somebody
managing their escrow account and every time they make a payment um to their mortgage holder, some of that money gets put in that escrow account and it's managed by a company called Core Logic and then Core Logic pays their um property taxes. So, in this particular case, the township already received over
overp payments from Core Logic. That was probably due to a maybe the pot maybe the property was sold. Um or b maybe the property owner made a tax payment and core logic also made a tax payment. So we received double tax payments. But if you have any further questions uh regarding that you can contact the CFO. Uh but uh this does happen regularly.
>> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I could contact who? >> The CFO. >> Who? >> The township chief financial officer. >> Financial the financial officer >> or no actually the tax collector. Actually tax collector tax collector is more appropriate. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And could you uh uh repeat one more time what is actually Core Logic?
>> Core Logic is a third-party payer. Many people, if you've ever you own a property, you own a property in Manville. I'm sure you at one point in time probably got a mortgage to pay that property. You probably got a loan from a bank and you were making payments to that bank. And when you're making your
payments to that bank, part of every single month's payment included a portion to be put in escrow to pay your property taxes. Well, these mortgage providers, they go out to a third party such as Core Logic and they contract with them to manage that escrow account and to pay your taxes when they become
due. >> Okay. Um Okay. Thank you. Uh in regard to consent number 13, >> uh the resolution committing to adopting the implementing ordinances and resolutions regarding the township of
Hillsboro's affordable housing obligations for the fourth round. Uh, paragraph four uh lists all of the uh I guess are they developers who had filed
uh lawsuits that could developers. >> Um so you have one here Weston Road LLC. Um that application had been denied. So what happens in this case uh that they get approval or that gets re um
>> for affordable housing? Bill. >> So, Weston Road, they filed an application for a warehouse development. That warehouse development was denied by the planning board. Um, the uh applicant has filed a lawsuit against the town uh
the planning board uh challenging that denial of that application. Um, also the uh owner of the property or the contract purchaser has also filed the lawsuit against the township to intervene in our fourth round uh because if they can't
get a warehouse development there, uh they are interested in putting inclusionary housing. Inclusionary housing mean a combination of market and affordable units to satisfy the township's fourth round affordable housing obligation. >> So have they sub have they already
submitted an application? That was that was I I I had been at those planning board meetings and I uh uh for that ware for that warehouse. >> Not this is not for a warehouse. >> So but I I hear what what what >> Sure. They haven't submit No, they haven't submitted an application because it's not zoned for that. Uh they haven't
submitted an application uh for housing, but they would like to be included in the township's affordable housing plan u because the warehouse didn't work out. They're still suing us regarding that, but their plan B would be to be in the township's affordable housing plan and
put inclusionary housing on the site. Again, meaning a combination of market and affordable housing units. >> So, all of these all of these developers are now going to put in or have
applications for affordable housing. >> Correct. >> Yes. Already before the submitted to the planning board. Hold on, hold on, hold on. They don't necessarily have all the all the interveners don't necessarily have applications pending and before the board, but what they are is they're either the owner of property or the
contract purchaser of property. And what they're saying is the c the township has a state obligated affordable housing obligation. And what they're saying is either a they own property or b they're the contract to purchase their property and they are able to build affordable
housing on those properties by way of an inclusionary housing development. So they're trying to get into the township's plan >> by way of inclusionary what >> we call it inclusionary housing mean it's a meaning it's a combination of market and affordable units.
>> Yes. Because so so a developer could have a uh market rate um development and a few affordable units and that gives him the the right to be part of this
part of this type of a a a lawsuit and then uh be allowed to be allowed to uh submit an application. Are these applications automatically now? Uh
>> again, unless they get into the plan, unless they get into the plan, their subsett settlement or a court decision in their favor, then they're not in the plan. If they do become in the plan because the township committee uh or the planning board decides that they should be in the plan, uh then zoning would be
introduced with respect to the property that they own to allow the proposed development that they're that they're looking for. Let's say for example, 100 units. So if they built a 100 units, 75 of those units would be market rate, 25 of those would be affordable
>> and then Tatchet would get credit toward its affordable housing obligation. >> Okay? Because I'm seeing here also Eminem realy who had an application uh before the board and that that application that application uh for the
Glengary project that was approved. So, are they go are they going why why are they part of this? Why are they part of this? Uh >> they all have lawsuits against us from the affordable housing. >> They all have lawsuits against us from the affordable housing.
>> Right. Right. But they they had they had gotten approve approval for Glengarry >> for the affordable housing. They weren't the owner. They are not the owner of the property that's supposed to get the affordable housing. I don't understand how all of >> correct. But as um attorney Blair said,
these are also contractors and land owners. So it's a little bit of both. They may not own the land yet, but they still have a lawsuit against us regarding our fourth round of affordable housing. >> Maybe I can simplify for Maria since becoming
>> I'll try and simplify it. These are people who want to be included in our plan to build. They don't they have property available. They are ready, willing, and able to build. And and in case of your friends, the Morrises, they want to add more density to the property
that they have already been petitioning the township for. So that's why they are suing. So they're looking to put more units on the property that they've already proposed to build on through round three. So that's why they're included. So they are all essentially people who are petitioning the township
to be included in the fair share and to protect their rights. They file a lawsuit. That is the way that the law works in fair share. If you don't file a lawsuit, you're you're actually basically not obligated for us to consider. We can negotiate in good faith outside that.
But the protection that petitioning >> petitioning a lawsuit is it allows them to continue to be concluded with fair share. It's a long drawn out process. We are the most we have the most people petitioning for
property in the whole state of New Jersey. So we own that that uh >> claim to fame >> that claim to fame because we are a very large municipality and we have property and people want to be included and this unfortunately takes a lot of time to negotiate with 11 people. Some of the
people have already have been um omitted but that is essentially what this is. This allows us and our back is against the wall not only be is really because there are so many people the judge wants us to continue to negotiate with these people or these petitioners. So they
have given us the ability to say we are still negotiating in good faith per the fair share ordinance and this will allow us to continue to do that till we've come to a resolution that the judge will sign off on. That's all this is. And uh I don't want to interrupt you,
but who which which uh developer did you mention that they wanted why they're in this is because they want >> more density? Morris. Jack Morris. >> Who? >> Jack Morris. >> Sherman. >> M&M Eminem Realy Partners LLC.
>> That one they they're looking to get more land. >> No, more density. >> More. Oh, they want they want to build they got plans for a certain number. They want to increase that number to increase more density on the property because it it increases their ROI on that property which if I was a builder I
would do the same thing. >> So they want to increase density on the property off of >> Glengary on the Glengary. >> Correct. >> And that's a property that has uh um uh area areas flood areas and and and and
wetlands and they want to increase more property over there. increase property increase more property, >> more units, more density. >> Do you have any other questions on that? >> Excuse me. >> Do you have any other questions on that? >> Um, uh, yeah, I I'm I'm I'm asking
questions on this. >> Okay. Just trying to move it along. >> Uh, Eminem realy partners um has a settlement agreement with with with the township. >> Correct. >> Correct. And so now they want to uh amend that
settlement agreement. >> So essentially I think because the township um and attorney Willard can correct me, but because the township did not accept the original recommendation from Fair Share Housing. We were one of
the dubious um or townships to combat that number and went to court. It did not go well for us and now it opened us up to all of this litigation and all of these challenggers. So now we're in this very interesting situation.
>> That that's actually not true. >> That's not true. >> So these are challengers that we've had since day one of round four. >> This list is a comprehensive list of everyone who has challenged our affordable housing since day one round four opened.
>> Okay. Okay. But I don't understand how Eminem realy partners if they already have a settlement agreement and they already had a specific number of of >> everyone is challenging for different reasons. >> And who who is the who is the um judge
>> Menon? >> What is his name? >> Menin. >> What's the first name? >> I don't know his first name. Judge Men is >> we only go by Men Nen. Menon. >> Thank you. There you go. William. >> That she's correct. It's William.
>> Judge William Madden. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Don't ask me his address. I don't know >> the what >> he said. Don't ask the address. We don't know. Um consent number 14, resolution authorizing execution of second
amendment to land subleath agreement and easement agreement with Belme Depot Solar LLC. Um they're looking to um amend their subleas agreement. Uh why why do they need to? This is the suble
the same solar sub lease agreement that we talked about a couple weeks ago. It's just disbanding. Everyone's going their separate ways and everyone pays a little bit towards the settlement of it. >> They I'm sorry. What? It's very difficult to I don't know. I don't know if you're not speaking or
>> I don't know. So, so nothing's changed other than as the mayor mentioned, um we talked about a uh legal settlement last meeting because the the settlements taken longer than we than we thought. The the person that's building the solar
field is unable to start making those payments until the solar field is built. So, it's going to take longer to build the solar field. So instead of I'm making this making this up. Instead of paying in January of 2027,
they may now have to pay July 2027 because the court case take took longer to settle uh between all the parties. So we're just extending the lease payment a few months so it can be built. We can't expect them to pay it until it's built. So that's all this is doing. It's not
doing anything other than moving that payment date out till they build the solar field. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. You're welcome. >> Hi, my name is Mel Bisber. Uh 22 Skybor Road, Belme. Um I have the questions on
number 13. Is the third round of housing complete? And was that at all an issue? Because the last I remember is we had conditional approval in 2022. I never saw anything I never saw any follow-up after that. And I know that some of those units are not built yet and maybe
not even approved. So, how does that work out when you're going for a fourth round approval? Sure. Um, as with all affordable housing, it's an affordable housing plan. It doesn't mean everything gets built. It just you have to provide for realistic opportunity for it to get built. So
sometimes contract purchasers or land owners come to us and in the process we come to an agreement with them to include them in the plan and the property is in fact included in the plan and they they never put forth the project or come to fruition. So therefore the units never get built um
in which case if it still presents a realistic if that property still presents a realistic opportunity for development um and maybe some outside factors are holding it it up then it it's fine. it can be continued into the fourth round. Uh but if there's a termination that you know what that
property is never going to get built, it's not realistic anymore and should be removed, then it does present a deficiency which needs to be addressed. >> But the approval was still conditional. I we're only talking about the approval, not the execution of the whole plan. >> I I I don't understand what your your question is. What do you mean?
>> There were like 40 items that had to be cleaned up from the last plan. I don't know if that ever happened. >> Okay. So, um I am not the affordable housing attorney. Eric Bernstein is. However, I am familiar with it. You did get approval. You're you're you you've been in compliance and um there's no def
there was no deficiencies as far as the third round. >> So, that that wasn't referred to going through this whole >> So, that you know that's not that that is not an issue. There's nobody attacking our third round plan. Um it's all about the fourth round now. And yes, some people are bringing up the fact that hey, you had properties in your
third round plan. nothing ever happened and since nothing ever happened these particular builders would say we don't think it presents a realistic opportunity that it ever will happen and you should contribute you can consider my property take a look at my property because I'm going to make it happen and some of those people for are from the
third round that said they were going to make it happen and they're now in the fourth round saying they're going to have it happen and they didn't make it happen in the third round. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. um the um the housing element and fair share plan that was
used as input for the application. Um whatever happened to the application? And I know there was a disagreement about the number of units um um legally, but what was it the was it the plan that was dated June 2025 that
was input into the application like because that had a financial plan which is really important and it was a very complete document. Um so h like on what basis did they say they wanted something different or that it was
insufficient? Was it based on that plan? >> Because that plan >> I'm not so sure what your question is when you say put in an application. What application were you talking about? >> With the um with fair share housing or with the >> with the program >> with the court. Yeah. >> Um no, the township would have adopted a
housing element and fair share plan and then that gets filed with the program and once it got filed with the program that's when these particular interveners stepped in and uh filed lawsuits against the township. >> Okay. and that was approved shortly
after June I think right um so in there because there is a financial information there's a lot of information about controls which is when properties hit 30 years and so they can go back into the um inventory for the next round which would save us a lot of building if we
had it so you know I only saw in in that plan which was you know for 200 and something units um 15 units that were mentioned as controls like Hillsboro Point. And I'm not trying to get into a discussion about each unit. I'm just trying to show that if you have
vigilance on the properties and where you can use controls and where you're planning to use rehab because it's pretty well outlined in that 2025 document, then if that plan isn't approved or the numbers change, you have to go through the whole thing over again, right? And I would like to know
there were there were um also 10 or 15 units for rehab, but it wasn't clear that the rehab was for the same units that were rolling over after 30 years. So I know there's money available from the trust fund for developers who um you
know who roll their um their properties over and that would really save us having to build a lot of units. So I just thought by 2035 there'd be a lot more than 15 units in Hillsborough that would hit 15 30 years. >> You also don't get the same value from a
you from rolling over that credit as you would from a new credit just to be clear. So 15 credits might not be 15 units. >> Really? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Did they address that in discussions? Um
it is always beneficial to extend controls where it's possible. Absolutely. There's there's no doubt about it because like you you've indicated if the unit was already available and it it's already built, let's avoid new construction by extending the controls. So I believe the township has taken available taken those
opportunities when they are when they are available. Um just so you know though, extending controls on rental units, it's not cheap. I mean, you're talk you're talking, >> but there was money budgeted for it. >> Oh, I I don't know how much was budgeted for it, but I can give you just one
particular town that I represent, um, they're paying um over $3.7 million to extend controls on some units. So, it isn't cheap. Um, but but but yes, it is always beneficial and absolutely is something I'm sure that the planner, the potential planner took a look at and the
um the affordable housing planner took a look at. >> Okay. Um, have any resonings happened, you know, through areas of redevelopment and all the stuff that has to happen um for the for the units that are specified in phase four so that
we know that uh you know we'll have the proper zoning after approval to actually build these things or plan them. >> Sure. Um we're going through the process right now when your plan is finalized. Those zoning ordinance will be coming uh before the township committee and the planning board and there'll be agreed
upon zoning ordinances to zone all these properties for as we discussed earlier inclusionary housing which is higher density housing than we would otherwise like to see or permit. >> Okay. Um the last thing is going back to the issue of kind of transparency and
people trying to follow along. There was an ordinance that u the township committee approved in 2021. It's 202106. It's for chapter 188, whatever the affordable housing chapter is. And it was a complete replacement of our affordable uh housing law. It was a it
was a long ordinance. So, the very first thing in there, and I've brought this up before, so um is that um the township is supposed to be putting out financial information beginning on July 1, 2020, which is interesting because we didn't
approve it to 2021. And then it said, "And every anniversary of that date through 2025, the township shall provide annual reporting of its affordable housing trust fund activity to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Council on Affordable Housing, Division of Local Government Services, blah blah
blah blah." Um and in in addition to that, the reporting shall include an accounting of all affordable housing trust fund activity, including the source and amount of funds collected and the amount and purpose for which funds have been expended and then also all activity in terms of what's actually
happening, rentals, applications, all that kind of stuff, building. So I have never seen these reports and um I have asked a couple of times but this is an ordinance we passed and in in that uh in that um 2021 ordinance and we did come
out with a fair share in housing element plan um in the summer of 2021 which is no longer in the master plan information was completely taken down but that had the last financial information for affordable housing and so I'm just
wondering how they came come out with a plan in 2025 with a starting balance when I see nothing that tr up what they planned, what they budgeted with, what the actuals were. So I am I mean among other things I mean you can respond to this but among other things I'm just
imploring the township committee to start producing those reports because it would make the next round easier to know what we've actually done and uh you know and I think it would solve a lot of this craziness with the state too. So,
>> thank you. >> Thank you. >> And mayor, periodic reports are submitted to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in accordance with the regulations. >> Our website or the DCA's website >> and okay, I don't know whether you're posting them to the website, but uh
>> we'll look into it. Judy Hos, Titus Court. Um, I didn't have a chance to do any research on this because this just popped up on the agenda. It wasn't on the agenda on Friday night, but your execution of second amendment to land sub lease
agreement, an easement agreement with the Belme Depo Solar LLC. Um, you have been carrying a debt to the se uh Somerset County Improvement Authority for god knows how many years on this. Do you know how many years? It's at least
2023. Do you have you leased this land? Have you paid anything towards your debt for Somerset County? >> I think the the the obvious answer is yes. Because we haven't taken um the land hasn't been cleared for the environmental constraints. So until that
point was we weren't taking possession of the land. So, SEIA had had the L had the note um and until they got the full U LSRP report that no further action was required NRO, why would you want to take possession of that property? So, that's
that's and to answer your question, it still hasn't been done. >> Why are you carrying that debt on your financial statement? >> Because we had the agreement with the county. It was supposed to be done over what, four years ago, Mr. for that that
that we've been promised by the LSRP that we would be having. Then COVID happened and it went dark. So, they keep telling us it's close, but you know, when we bought this, this was uh supposed to be a very short-term deal, but we weren't going to take possession of the property until we had an NRO on
it. >> And is the rental price going to take care of all of the debt service on the 19 million when you start paying it? >> No, it's not supposed to. >> Why not? Because quite honestly, the first solar project that was proposed
was shot down by the BPU because it said it was too large. They wouldn't take the energy into the grid. So, we did have a program to have a very large solar field on it. And I went through the planning board and it was done in 202 one maybe 2020 in that range. Gave it
approval. The county was all ready to go. The SEIA made the presentations a thing. It went to the PAC and the BP who said you can't build it. We're not accepting that much power into the grid. Killed the whole project. So my my uh my affinity to to solar is not the best.
But this solar project is a smaller community solar which has credits which are going back to people who need it. It's a very good program. Uh we do have other proposed uses possibly for the rest of the land once we get possession of it which we can't discuss right now
because it's an executive but um this is at least something that is both beneficial to the people who need solar credits and also to us to start generating some revenue. Um so that's what it is. So, you leased $19 million
worth of land from the county and you're leasing it to a private business for less rent. >> It's not the whole property. It's a very it's a very small piece of property. It's not the whole most of it is still untouched. But again,
we can't take full possession of it until we get the till we get the sign off from the environmental constraints as you would imagine. Right. Are there any other potential tenants that could be >> I said there is, but we can't talk about it right now. >> Well, >> you I guess you you chose to listen when you don't want to listen.
>> That's that's fair. However, you put in a resolution that basically says nothing. I mean, it basically says, you know, the township this and the the renter that no amounts of money are represented in this resolution. And it says that the lease itself is a next
there too and is not just like practically every other lease or legal document that should be attached to resolutions that get passed by this body. There's nothing for the public to review in terms of the terms and condition and the financial responsibility on that. And I have a
problem with that. Somerset County is not mentioned at all having any relationship to this project and you signed a lease with them and this is now the second amendment to a lease. And I can tell you that that debt has been
carried in the debt statements and the annual financial statements of this township for many years. >> It was also purchased in conjunction to stop a very large development to be built of over 500 homes. So that was the reason it was purchased. So
>> maybe >> yeah and you know so that >> I don't want to get into arguing with you because no >> so I don't know if this is where we are. We have a solar project proposed. This is an extension of the lease. Um Somerset County, the township are
partners on this property. Um which uh gave us the loan to to purchase it. Uh it has been delayed because the LSRP hasn't signed off on it. That's all it is. I can't think of any other um borrowing
organization that would allow this to go on that long, but good good for the town, not so good for the county. >> I guess I would ask, so attorney Willard, just to that statement, what are your thoughts or reactions as an attorney? You know, do we need to have
something else in this agreement? The numbers represented, things like that. Can you speak to that, please? I I don't even understand your question. Um, as Mr. Leani indicated, um, way back when, this particular property was owned by the federal government, I believe,
um, way back when, and there was a portion that was that the township and the county went in on buying and then this particular property, a portion, I think, was owned by Anthony, was it Hillsboro Properties or something like that? >> I'm sorry to not redo the whole history. Committee woman hand can you please
redefine your question that >> so I don't know if that was a sufficient answer to Miss Hos's question she was asking is interesting as far as the resolution not representing any numbers I know that we've seen the settlement
and we've passed the settlement >> so we know what that is regarding the three parties but the fact that Somerset County a CIA is not represented in here does that pose an issue for the town. >> No, this is just a this this this
agreement again, this came from Mr. Bernstein's office is not not my office, but this agreement when when I look at it, it's just they're amending their lease agreement because now it looks like the project's going to get up and running. And uh they're changing a lot of dates. Uh but this particular project
has been delayed for quite some point in time uh for reasons that that were expressed by uh Mr. Leani. And now it seems to be getting on ball and coming to fruition. And one of the things uh that is moving it forward is also the
settlement that uh that you guys voted on I think it was last week. Uh the settlement of that uh with the prior Hillsboro properties is allowing it to go forward. So it will be beneficial to the town. Um yes, she was correct that you we have been carrying debt service on this particular property for a number
of years because a um there was a larger project that was proposed that did not end up coming to fruition and b uh getting the final reme action outcome on the property regarding the environmental cleanup that was required because it was federal property um and there was
environmental cleanup that needed to be done. >> Your answer to your question was yes, Mr. Willard was Hillsboro Properties. >> And I believe those dollar amounts were on the last one. This was just an extension. I believe it's about $18,000
um a month or a year. >> A month. >> Would anyone like to take the item separately uh on the consent agenda? >> May I have a motion and a second to approve consent agenda items 1 through 14?
>> So moved. Second roll call. >> Committee Burning. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committee woman hand. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Lefani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. >> Um, with that, I'm going to interrupt this whole meeting for a second and I'm going to go ahead and jump to the
proclamations and save these poor girls. >> Yes. >> You're so welcome. I saw that relief in your face. I did. So, we have uh some proclamations and presentations. And um before we get into the proclamations for those joining us here this evening I wanted to mention some recognitions uh I
presented offsite. First and foremost we received a film ready certification. Hillsboro has been reertified as a New Jersey film ready community. A film ready community as a municipality ser certified by state film
commissions that has undergone training to streamline, promote and accommodate on location film and television production. These communities offer dedicated liaison, standardized permitting and pre-screen locations to attract uh economic and industry growth.
Secondly, the um Hillsboro Dukes proclamations. I had the absolute pleasure of attending a banquet honoring the award-winning Hillsboro Dukes cheerleading teams and present them with proclamations. A shout out to the varsity junior varsity, junior pee-wee,
and mighty might teams. It was a really fun night. Now, moving on to the honores we have in attendance tonight. Our first proclamation is honoring Salvatore Rtoro for over 35 years of service to the community. At the request of Sal's family, administrator and former mayor
Ferrer is honored to present our first proclamation tonight. If we can have the uh family come up. You've been so patient sitting here. So please, yeah, the all the entire family please. You can hold this, Mr. >> Don't be shy. You guys can come from the
side. First, I just want to thank um the mayor and the committee for allowing me to uh to present. It's a complete honor u on behalf of the rheto especially with S. Uh three generations of my family have now been going to Sal's back in
1990 I think it was my first time meeting Sal for those residents here in the room and also for those watching on TV. Um just one of the nicest guys in the world. The first time you meet him you just feel like you're family and always had that soft voice and always
spent time with you when had nothing to do with alterations or anything else. He was just a very caring individual. So, I appreciate the family being here this evening. Um, the Hillsbor community is mourning the passing of Salvatore Salvator on September 24th, 2025,
remembering him for his resilience, hard work, and commitment to service. Born in Marapati, Italy in 1932, Sal survived World War II and learned the values of kindness and generosity from his parents at a young age. After
starting a tailoring apprentice at 16 and immigrating to the US with his wife of 62 years, Angela, S became a local business leader as a co-founder of Sal's custom tailor and dry cleaning. For over 35 years, S served the Hillsboro community as both a master tailor and
supportive friend, often providing sameday service and comfort to those in need. S's legacy includes selflessness, sponsoring his family's immigration to America and using his experience, his business experience to help others make sound decisions. He was known for his
deep empathy and for treating every customer like a member of his own family. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and the Hillsborough Township Committee, officially recognize and honor Sal Rotoro for his decades of service, entrepreneurial spirit, profound kindness extended to the
residents of Hillsbor and a testament to the positive impact one individual can make on a community. So, congratulations. Turning it over to Fred for a few words. >> Thank you, everyone. Um, good evening everyone. I would like to take this
opportunity to acknowledge my father, Salvatore RTOR, who owned and operated Sal's custom tailor shop for over 40 years. He left the city of Planefield, New Jersey during the dreadful riots and took a chance to come to the township of
Hillsbor. His business flourished as he established a loyal following. He to tailored many clothes in his practice, including judges, lawyers, police officers. He loved police officers, residents, and everyone in the community. He was always
a friend to everyone. People would come with a missing button or a hem on their pants that broke loose on their way to work, and Sal would say to them, "No worries. I'll take care of it." And would say, "No charge." People loved him and he loved this town.
There are people sitting in this room that I have acknowledged that knew him and respected him and that's why this acknowledgement is about. Thank you for allowing me to share this moment with you this evening. Thank you. Good man over here.
>> He's the best. >> Sorry about that, guys. You guys were awesome, though. So, we have the Girl Scouts. Do you want to all come up? >> Yeah. At the very least, it's like a seventh inning stretch, right? So,
I was reading awesome. So So whereas throughout its long and distinguished history, Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women to strive for the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character. And whereas Girl Scouting has offered 21st
century programming in STEM as well as outdoors entrepreneurship and more. Through scouting, girls developed invaluable life skills and are encouraged to take the lead early and often. And whereas the Girl Scouts of New Jersey has formed in 2008 and
capably delivers and the optimal I'm sorry, the Girl Scouts Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey was formed in 2008. I was like, wait, that's not the right sentence. was uh and capably delivers the optimal Girl Scouts experience to over 20,000 young women and adults in
Essex, Hunan, Hudson, Middle Sex, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties. And now therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and Hillsboro Township Committee, do hereby applaud the um commitment to Girl Scout to Girl Scouting has made to support the leadership development of America's
girls and proudly proclaim this week of March 8th through 14th, 2026 as Girl Scout Week. Nice job, ladies. On March 12th, 1912, our founder, Juliet Gordon Lowe, brought the first group of Girl Scouts together in Savannah,
Georgia, with the goal of exploring new possibilities and the wonders of the world around them. The first Girl Scouts blazed trails and redefined what was possible for themselves and for girls everywhere. They shared a sense of adventure and a belief that they could
do anything. They offered a helping hand to those in need and worked together to make the world a better place. My name is Shannon Warner and together with my co-service unit manager, Megan Valleo, and our planning team of more than 25 volunteers, we are proud to serve
Hillsboro Township with over 450 Girl Scouts. We are honored to accept this proclamation celebrating our history, our commitment to today's girls, and the generations of girls we will continue to serve in the future. Hillsboro Girl Scouts proudly carries
forward Juliet's mission and puts it into action every day. You can see our girls all across Hillsboro serving their community. Whether it's wearing orange vests while cleaning up parks and roadways, dropping off donations to can, or simply helping a neighbor shovel their driveway after a large snowstorm,
service is truly at the heart of what we do. For the next few weeks, you will likely see Girl Scouts outside of many of our local stores selling cookies. While that is something we are known for, cookies represent so much more than a sweet treat. When you buy a box or donate a box of cookies, you are helping
a 5-year-old Daisy learn her first sales and communication skills. A 10-year-old junior work toward a troop adventure to Savannah, and a 17-year-old ambassador raising money for maybe what is her final Camperee adventure. Please stop by and encourage our girls. No purchase
necessary. Your support and encouragement means so much to them. The Girl Scout mission is Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Hillsboro is truly a special Girl
Scout community, and our 350 dedicated volunteers help deliver that mission every day. We're going to leave you with the words of Juliet Gordon Lowe. Ours is a circle of friendship united by ideals. Thank you for your continued support of Girl Scouts in Hillsboro Township.
Come on, girl. Thanks ladies. >> Thank you. Okay, one more time. Red Cross Month. You're welcome. American
Red Cross Month is a special time to recognize our everyday heroes and thank those that contribute to the mission of the Red Cross. Whether through time, money, or blood donations, the American Red Cross provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans, and their families, CPR, and I'm sorry,
training and CPR, aquatics, safety, first aid to millions, and collects about 40% of the nation's blood supply. In Hillsboro, the Red Red Cross works tirelessly through its employees and many volunteers to support the township when disaster strikes, when someone needs life-saving blood, or giving
comfort to um in the form of a helping hand. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the mayor and Hillsboro Township Committee, recognize March as American Red Cross Month and encourage all Americans to support this organization and its noble humanitarian mission.
Thank you. >> Do you want to I can say a quick couple of words. Thank you so much. Um I'm so pleased to be here tonight with two of our volunteers, Charles and Carl. Um we have a a multitude of Hillsboro volunteers who come out and support just
as the mayor shared um across all of our lines of service. So during March is Red Cross month, we want to take a few minutes to thank all of you because our humanitarian mission is only possible because of our communities. So, making sure our communities are more resilient. And I'm looking at a number of Girl
Scouts who I know you do that good work. Thank you. Um it's always wonderful to come together, uh see neighbors, and recognize wonderful volunteers like the gentleman here today. Um and all of you watching at home. So, um be safe, take care of one another. Um you can prepare
your families and learn more about our mission or even sign up to volunteer at redcross.org. Thank you. Congratulations to everyone. everyone recognized. I do just want to take a moment to make a personal announcement I'd like to share with you all. And it is with great joy
that I announce that my husband and I are expecting our second child this fall. And my daughter's in the audience today, too. She's been great. It's way past her bedtime, but we're very excited to share this. And also as we celebrate Women's History
Month this March and honor the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere. I think it's just really important to make the message for women to the young girls in here. You do not have to choose between um following your passions and your dream and your calling
and a family and that we can we can do it all. Um and so and women have been doing that for a long time. we just simply haven't always been seen doing it. My voice on the committee will remain strong. Every decision I make is already with the next
generation in mind. Just want to thank my family and friends and the community for your support during this time. Thank you. >> Y congratulations. We will have a every time we will have a moment break. You guys can leave. You've sat very
patiently ladies. Thank you for your time and attention this evening. >> And everyone else, you're free to go. >> Thank you for the cookies. That's perfect. hearings. Seeing none, introduc introduction of new ordinances. We have
26 uh sorry 2026-3 ordinance authorizing self-development easement to the state agriculture development committee for farmland preservation for the property owned by the township of Hillsboro located at Hamilton Road and Hamilton uh and Amwell Road and identified on the
Hillsboro tax map as block 189 1 198 lot 2 block 198.01 lot one block 198.02 02 lot 1.01 and block 1 point I'm sorry 199.02 lot 1.
Further consideration public hearing on Tuesday March 24th 2026. May I have a motion and a second to introduce ordinance 2026-3. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Committ braing >> here. Yes.
>> Committeewoman Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Yes. Deputy Mayor Leani. >> I'm also here but yes. Mayor Ping. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion in a second to approve claims list 20265? >> Second.
>> Com uh comments from the deis. Comments from the floor. Roll call. >> Wait, you have a question? >> Oh, the mic again. >> Sorry. >> It's self-s served now. It's >> You got to get on the mic just for >> You got to be on the mic for record.
>> You got a hot mic, Rich. Thank you for having us. Commendable that you guys have not opened up the cookies. Um so I'm not contesting the ordinance. I just want to get you know uh clarity on it was in 2022 14 million. We're selling it for 13.5 million.
>> Difference. >> We're not talking about the ordinance is on claims list only. >> Claims list. >> The ordinance was introduction only. That'll be discussed on on the 24th. >> That'll be the 24th. >> Yeah. I'm just doing a math. So I mean you know I'm probably you know overstepping or not understanding. >> So you can bring it up at new business.
No, I can't go until today. So, I have to wait till the 24th. >> Yeah, >> he can offer it during public. >> I was say he can offer it during public comment. Yeah, >> at the end of this we're not talking about this. >> No, no. >> Track my statement.
>> So, Rich, after we go through the claims list, you could make a comment. >> Sir, please read the agenda. >> That's funny. >> All right. Anyone with an actual comment on the actual claims list? >> Okay, >> Richard.
Okay, roll call. >> Committee Britty, >> yes. >> Committ Gomez, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Hand, >> yes. >> Deputy Vani, >> yes. >> Mayor Payne, >> yes. New business. Seeing none,
I will now open the floor for comments. 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 now opens the floor for public comment. To ensure a
productive and civil environment for all, please approach the microphone, state your name and address, and spell your name for the record. The township of Hillsborough maintains a strict standard of decorum. Please ensure your remarks remain respectful and focused on township business. Each speaker is limited to a single threeminute aotment.
This is a forum for public comment rather than a dialogue. Please address all remarks directly to the mayor. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and for treating your neighbors, township employees, and this committee with courtesy. >> Comments from the floor. >> Ber um 22 Scarbor Road, Belme. Um, I
just want to say that up until a few years ago, we could have public comment when ordinances were introduced and then that rule was changed. And I I really feel because uh, you know, people have come to talk about the ordinances that are introduced and because this is the only time that they can ask questions
until the next meeting when the ordinance is going to be passed or at least voted on. And that that time for questions is usually right before the ordinance is voted on. I would really like to reinstate the ability for the public to make public comment when
ordinances are introduced. >> Thank you. Next, Maria Janusk. Um, I had brought this up, I think once before, um, um, at this at at a Hillsboro meeting, uh, in regard to the, uh, Hillsboro shared municipal
court with Montgomery, Manville, and Branchburg. Uh, I was at the Manville Burough Mayor and Council meeting yesterday, and I had asked, uh, if the Burough officials had received any reports from the Hillsboro m uh, municipal court in regard to Manville
Court. uh no reports are being given on a monthly bas on a monthly basis. Um I don't know if you have information showing how how the court uh is is conducted is is there a separate
um if there if there if there is a separate day for the Manville court a separate day for the munic for the um Montgomery court separate for Branchburg. Uh and then who is the prosecutor? Um is this the same uh main
prosecutor for each each court? Because they're also um are um alternate prosecutors. One, two, three, four, five, like six or seven alternate prosecutors besides a primary DUI prosecutor. So what kind of information
is any kind of information being provided to the other other municipalities in regards in regard to what takes place in the court here? Um as far as uh what matters are heard um
how much is collected in in in in fees who who the officials are um what how how is how is court conducted? Um we we don't have any information. I asked yesterday and I think they that uh the
the uh uh Manville uh officials someone from the Manville officials is going to going to contact Hillsboro to get more information because all that was given was an annual a report of the annual uh uh money that was given to the bureau
but no no no no kind of information. So, so uh um I I don't know how how all of this works here, but it would be very much I'm not going to say appreciated. It would it would be it's something that that should be done that this
information should be given. Uh Manville paid over a hundred probably over $130,000 towards the municipal court. I don't know how much Montgomery gives and how much Branchburg gave, but
Manville's Manville's taxpayers deserve to know what's going on with the court and with uh as far as what kind of money is being given to to uh Manville. Thank you. >> Thank you. I also I also wanted to ask
about the um ordinances ordinances regarding regarding uh salaries um and uh Hillsboro Hillsboro Hillsboro salaries
and uh I had read some seen somewhere online I can't say who the source was that uh Hillsboro salaries are quite a bit higher than salaries in general. I I didn't take my paperwork in front of me,
but that's something that that in the future uh I'd like to bring up that salaries in Hillsboro are very are are very high in comparison to other salaries in general. Thank you. Thank you, >> Mayor. >> Next. >> I'm sorry. I know it's not I know, but
this is the second time now and I emailed all of you >> about the courts, >> correct? >> So, the staff will go crazy if I don't say something. So, um, the court sends reports to all our shared services on a monthly basis, extremely detailed to
Manville, Montgomery, um, and Branchburg. And since Hillsboro has taken over those courts, there's about 96 courts in the visage, and Hillsboro has been ranked in the top, sometimes the top 1, two, three, four. So, we do an excellent job, and we bring in a lot of revenue for those towns. And the
reason it's a shared service is because we do use the same judge and the prosecutor for all the courts. So the and Maria I know I can't come back up but I would ask you to Oprah the Manville um courts because on a monthly basis all the detailed reports are sent
to uh to Manville and all the rest of the courts um and they do get a year-end revenue as well but um the town doesn't accept Hillsborough doesn't get any revenue from any of those towns. All the tickets and revenues go back to that town. We just have a flat fee to provide those services. So those towns are doing
very well. Um and the courts are run extremely well here in Hillsboro. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Yes. And mayor to to piggy back like right. It's a shared service but each court maintains its individual identity. Of course Manville and maintains its individual identity.
Montgomery maintains its individual identity. Branchburg maintains its individual identity. They their officers issue summons. They just come here to get adjudicated. And when those summones are adjudicated, the fines, penalties that are assessed are then remitted back to each of those particular
municipalities. We are the elite agency. So we choose who the judge is and who the municipal prosecutor is. And um those all those entities for operating the court system pay us a flat fee, >> right? >> That's how it works. >> We were made privy by uh Susan Keith
last time this question came up. So we're very aware. Thank you though. Next. Well, I'm sorry. I just wondered so administrator I agree and and Susan Keith who runs the court is is phenomenal. So I guess just because it seems like there's some sort of
miscommunication if she's being if Miss Janisc is being told that Manville isn't getting it. >> Can we just find out who Susan is sending it? Who Mrs. Keith is sending it to >> so that Miss Janis can follow up on the other end to say >> I know that you're getting this from from Susan Keith.
>> That was confirmed in the email from >> Oh no. I'm just saying the name of whomever is receiving it on the Manville side. So, Miss Janice, I can follow up. >> I I agree. So, we we can get that for you. Call me tomorrow. You know how to get a hold of me. Uh but but it's really their data. So, it's in all fairness,
the Oprah should be filed with me. It's their data. But we'll get you the call me tomorrow. Stop by >> just a contact. Next >> golf delim Oscar 14 partridge 3 minutes on the clock. Really quick ordinance 26
2026 03 bought it 2022 for 14 million selling it for 13.5. How do you guys go? How do you guys adjust that? Does that does that loss come out of like the reserve fund? >> So it's not Q&A. We didn't buy it. We bonded it. >> I got it. All right. Thank you. Uh and
then budget bill list. Did you guys go over that or is that later on? >> That did that already. >> The claims list. >> Claims list. We just did that. >> Oh, that was a claim. So, so I I saw the claims list as one file and the budget bill list as a separate file. So, thank you for transparency. I'll come prepared next time.
But what I would say um if you have questions on the ordinance because I agree with I forgot who I think it was Merryill who said you know we introduce it in one meeting and then in the next meeting we vote on it. So in in between that time if you have specific questions
on an ordinance um in the past we've directed everyone to email our clerk so Sarah break. So please email her questions because we want to make sure that you get answers to it because otherwise the next time you see everybody is at the meeting when we vote
on it and that is not opportune or giving giving sufficient time. So >> I appreciate it. So next time claims list comes up if I if I have questions for the budget bill list I can bring it up. >> It's all together. Yes. >> All together. I have probably 30 seconds left. Enjoy the cookies. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any other comments from the floor? Judy Hos Titus Court. I wasn't going to come up here again, but I just heard you say we didn't buy it. We bonded for it. You bought it. Okay. You bought it. You've been paying debt service on it
for three years already. It's very This actually for five years. Actually, for five years, you paid $14 million, Sean. Is that about right? Another $850, $850,000
was the down payment from the township of cash for the down payment. You bought it. And we, the taxpayers, have been paying that debt service. And I guess we'll continue for God knows how many more years. So, um I know we're not
supposed to talk about intros, but since the ordinance that was published has absolutely nothing in it about financing for this purchase, I would like in the interim period for the ordinance to be amended to be transparent about the
amount of money that was spent and when it was spent to buy that property. >> Now, I'm going home. Okay. Any other questions from the floor? >> Comments. >> Comments.
Thank you. May I have a motion in a second to adjurnn? So >> moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Committeeman Britting. >> Yes. >> Committee Gomez. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Hand. >> Congratulations. Committeewoman Gomez.
And yes. >> Deputy Mayor Leani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Payne. >> Yes. >> And yes. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Good night. >> Happy Thanksgiving.