You're either on the list to be Everybody ready? >> Good evening everyone. I hereby announce that pursuant to section five of the open public meetings act the adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the notice which was sent to the Asbury Park Press to two river times and
posted on the Bolton board in township hall and filed in the township clerk clerk's office on January 6, 2026. Mayor Prevadudo >> here, >> Mr. Foster >> here. Mr. Bontempo >> here. >> Mr. Romano is not here. Mr. Vanderham here. Mayor, you have a quorum.
>> Thank you. Everyone, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. ledge 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 >> a moment of silence please for our men
and women in uniform both keep us safe >> thank you I'd like to do one Please stay standing. One more moment of silence, please. For the Devaso family, former committee woman, mayor, commissioner, and assembly woman's mom passed away
two weeks ago. Uh so we do want to offer our condolences and our prayers to her family and hope that they're getting through this difficult time. We appreciate their contribution to the community. Yes, Wendy. >> Next on the agenda is approval of
minutes for the December 9th, 2025 executive and public sessions, December 22nd, 2025 public session, and December 29th, 2025 public session. Mr. Bontmpo, >> I'll have to abain. You need a motion. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Motion to approve. >> Move. >> I have to abstain. I wasn't here. >> You can second. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Mr. Vonmpo, >> I will abstain. I was not here one day. >> Thank you, Mr. Foster. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vanderham, >> I'll abstain. >> Mayor and Prevaduto.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. The minutes have been successfully passed. >> We probably can't pass with him. Is that a problem? >> Yeah. You know what? Yeah, we only have two affirmative votes. Yeah. Uh, we're going to say that motion failed and we'll bring it back when we
have Committeeman Romano, I think, which is probably the appropriate course. We're in an unusual situation with two members who were on the governing body at that point in time. >> All right, moving on to public comment for agenda items only.
>> Mr. Chetta, >> Patrick Tuska, 56 Line Road. Um, I want to uh fully support the resolution on the scope of work for Wilson Park improvements. I think it's a great plan. I read through the plan in detail. Uh, taking down those buildings and get it
to be a park with a national historic landmark is a great thing and uh uh I hope it's approved. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments for public or agenda items?
Good evening, Lance Loopy Line Road. Um, I just have a question on one of the item actually two of the items. Um, there's like 60 Some people may comment that I nitpick
on this stuff. Okay, I'm not saying you >> I would never say such a thing. >> I know you would. It's because I hope that everyone treats every dollar that comes out of this town like it's coming out of their own checkbook because it is. So that's why I ask these types of questions. You know,
my when I was little, my dad used to say to me, I'd say, "Hey, Dad, I want this. It's only $20." You know what his response was? How many only $20 do you have? And my answer was none. That's why I'm asking you, right? So, so that's why I
asked some of these questions because I just, you know, I I just want to know what we're spending money on. And I hope, like I said, everyone that's sitting up there is looking at this like it's their own personal checkbook that has their name across the top instead of the town. So, I saw 6,300. And >> wh uh Lance just
>> Yeah, I'll I'll get to So, I want to preface this also by saying that I I chat GPT I work a lot and I work like a lot of hours a week, so I don't have a lot of time to analyze it. So, chat GPT. So, I could be wrong, but it seems like somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,400 was cell phone reimbursements in 20 for
2025. A lot of them were $240, some of them were 420, some of them, one of them was 600. So, I'm just curious what that is. I don't recall. I'm not saying it was never there before in the past. I just don't ever recall seeing it on the line items. And then
I'll let them answer. And then uh there was a there was a line item for radon testing kits which I don't recall at any meetings. I know in the past we've done that free radon testing for some of the residents limited supply first come first serve but I don't recall ever seeing that as an item.
>> So >> thank you. >> Those are my questions comments. Thank you. >> And I'm and I'm looking at my at our administrator now. Chris, if you want to take those. So yes, in the past we have these are the same reimbursements we did last year
um for for it. This was a policy that was done prior to me being here. Um because I started in April, I uh have chose not to change that policy. That policy is changing this year though on reimbursements. Um if somebody wants to be reimbursed for their phone, they're going to be limited to how much they
could be reimbured for. And then if they still don't want to use their phone, uh they'll be issued a phone from us and they'll be responsible to carry two phones. So, uh, I am looking into that. I just didn't want to start changing stuff at mid year. They all expected it. And, uh, so we this year are budgeting
so that, um, they have to make a choice. Either they're going to be re reimbursed up to $250 because all the people on there do get called off offline. So, that I can agree to, but it's not their entire bill, and then if they don't want to go on their own private uh, lines,
then we'll give them a phone, you know, a T-Mobile phone that I I have access to. answer the first question. >> Would you mind waiting to the end because we want to we'll hit the radon thing and then we're going to move on. Um, >> let me J get the radon question answered
and then the radon testing gets answered and then we'll >> so this is a this is out of a grant that we p was was out of a grant in the past and so we we now continue it for people who in need of it. So we do have them on in stock. That's what we do. So in the
past it was done through a grant. I'm just finding out now it was done in the past as a grant but now we continue it uh as people might need it. Yeah, because we've handed those out for years. >> I I I can't speak to the LA I I don't remember what you know when or if
they've been on in the past. I >> Yeah, I Well, to your point, I don't remember the last time it was on an agenda. That's all. Yeah. Yeah. Jenny, sorry. >> Uh Jenny Blumenthal, 41 Stony Brook Road. Just to uh give a little more data on what Lance just asked for. There was
17 employees that got $420 for I don't know what kind of periods. I didn't do the arithmetic, but that's a lot of money, particularly since I don't use a cell phone, so I don't even have to pay anything. I'm very much of a dinosaur. Also, I had
one complaint that on uh consent agenda item Well, I uh consent to gender, the one about um uh Wilson Park. Um
I read the whole thing except that it was really difficult because the whole TNM letter was entered onto the agenda backwards. So you read the cover letter and all of a sudden you're on page eight. And so the only way to make sense of the whole darn thing was to print the
whole thing out and shuffle it around so you got to page one. >> We just like to make sure you're paying attention. >> Yeah. I And then also I wish the agenda was a little clearer about what in the world's going on. There's there's this item on the agenda. You're holding a
special meeting. How in the world is anybody supposed to know what a special meeting is? When you read the verbiage, it says absolutely nothing. It would be a little more useful to be a little clar more clear of what is on this agenda because not everybody in town a reads
the agenda or b goes to all the hundred pages following to try and figure out what in the world and you say you're transparent. >> Mike, do you want to address the special meeting now or do we have to pass it via resolution first before we get into it? >> No, I I'm happy to address it. Uh so I I
I I'll take the comment as putting information on the date or time of the special meeting and the caption of the resolution which we could certainly uh take under advisement. Uh the resolution itself provides all the detail necessary. Uh specifically uh the township committee did not want to act
on the fourth round affordable housing tonight to have an opportunity to reflect upon the outcome of um a legal challenge that was pending in the United States Supreme Court. Um that order came back today denying the request for an injunction pending appeal which um will
require the township now to move forward with the fourth round compliance process. Uh the special meeting is scheduled for this Friday. Uh the township committee did meet in executive session tonight and discussed uh the actions that are going to be required this Friday. They'll be posted on an
advance agenda and the township's um affordable housing council, Andy Bayer, is working on finalizing those for the committee's consideration at the end of the week. So, that's the purpose of the special meeting on Friday. It'll be at 10:00 a.m. >> Good. Does that make sense, Jenny?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Got it. Any other public comment on agenda items? All right, moving on to the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Moved.
>> Second. >> Mr. Bontempo, >> yes. >> Mr. Foster, >> yes. >> Mr. Vanderham, >> yes. >> Mayor and Prevadudo, >> yes. >> Okay. Resolutions 202656 through 20264 have been successfully passed. Thank you.
Next is introduction of ordinances. The first one is ordinance 202602 which is an ordinance amending chapter 13 parks and recreational facilities sections 13-3 swim center sections 13-3.2 fees and charges of the code of the
township of Homedale. The motion is to adopt on first reading publish on the Homeell Township website and set the public hearing for March 10th 2026. You got a motion moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Bontempo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Foster.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Vanderham. >> Yes. >> Mayor and Prevadutoo. >> Yes. >> Resol in ordinance 20262 will be set for public hearing. The next would be ordinance 20263 which is ordinance amending chapter 12 titled fire protection and prevention.
This motion is to adopt on first reading, publish on the Homedale Township website, and set public hearing for March 10th, 2026. >> Motion >> moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Inreadudo, >> yes. >> Mr. Foster, >> yes. >> Mr. Vanderham, >> yes.
>> Mayor and Prevadudo, >> yes. >> Ordinance 20263 will be >> I think Roco got two votes on that one. >> Well, I really believe in it. >> What is going on? Sorry about that. You probably saved the two votes for
something more exciting than >> the 2026 Z. >> Can we just confirm Mr. Bontmpo's vote? I think he was the one omitted the minutes. >> You save me? >> I thought I did. >> He said, >> I did. Okay, Mr. Bontempo. >> Yes. >> Okay, there we go.
>> 20263 will be set for public hearing. Next is ordinance 20264, which is an ordinance amending chapter 10-1 titled local enforcement of the uniform construction code. This motion is to adopt on first reading, publish in the hometown township website, and set the
public hearing for March 10th, 2026. >> A motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Bontempo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Foster. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vanderham? >> Yes. >> Mayor and Prevadudo? >> Yes. >> Okay. Ordinance 2026 04 will be set for public hearing.
>> Okay. Thank you, Wendy. Moving on to uh our administrator. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I'm going to be pretty brief tonight. Um, one thing I wanted to announce from last meeting, and it was been a while, but um, there was questions about the candy cane looking cameras that were on our uh, our
county roads. Those are cameras. They're not recording. What they're doing is they're I I guess they're like AI cameras. They're actually telling the um the the system to change when it sees too much traffic on the road. Um, they're they're no longer using in the
road, you used to see like a looked like a triangle in the roadway. They're not working the way they supposed to with all the changes and the type of cars going over them. So, the technology is changing. So, those were put on so the lights don't stay red or green for any too long a period of time. So, and they're on all the county roads. They
they're there on a lot of state roads, but states road ones look a little different. These are the newest technology. Um, but the county did get back to me and uh there's no concern. That's why they're there. So um and then uh we are against uh as you saw in the
uh consent agenda we we did um we did talk about a little bit uh Wilson Park we are uh going to have a presentation. It's going to be a short presentation hopefully in um in either late March, early April on the two phases to show exactly what it's going to look like on
Wilson Park. And these are just basic cleanup phases, but we will our goal is to get the park open um at the most basic level in in the fall. So, um and I think we're we're on track to do that. We have to go out to bid once we get our plans um to do the demolition. Um but
we're moving moving along well with it. So, >> and that's it. >> Thank you, Chris. >> I think I covered the one item I was going to talk about earlier, mayor, on on Friday's meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to the committee. We'll start
with uh Mr. Bontempo. >> Good evening everybody. I have a update from the information technology. Um as I mentioned um the last meeting with a new staff member uh joined assistant director of information technology. Uh
she's becoming a key asset to the uh township's operations. Meredith Meredith is her first name. Her role is vital and wide reaching. She supporting all the technical needs of our police, public works, town hall staff, and the governing body, ensuring everyone has the tools necessary to
fulfill their responsibilities. In today's world of technology is a backbone of everything we do. Bringing Meredith on board reinforce our commitment to maintaining a modern, efficient, and reliable digital infrastructure for the entire township. Second thing, we're transitioning to an
e bidding system. Over the past month, we've officially transitioned to a full paperless e- bidding system through our partnership with open gov platform. This digital shift allows us to manage the entire bidding life cycle online,
including advertising bid specs, communicating directly with vendors, and even conducting live bid openings in a virtual environment. This move provides a significantly more efficient experience for our residents, contractors, and vendors, streamlining communications, making it easier to do
business with with the township of Hondell. We're moving away from manual filings. We're cutting out thousands of pages of paper waste every year, making our administrative operations both more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Committeeman. Committeeman Vanderham. Thanks, Mayor. Uh, so the veterans committee, uh, the veterans coffee and conversation, the next coffee and conversations will be held Thursday, March 12th at 10:30 at the senior center. All veterans and gold star
families are invited to attend uh, this information gathering. Uh, it's an informal gathering enjoying coffee, bagels, and pastries. Uh, those interested, please contact the rec department. Just on a personal note, I had an opportunity to um attend the February uh meeting which was just a
couple weeks ago. Uh it was enlightening to to hear some of the stories of our veterans uh not only of their military experience but also the history of Homeell. Uh many of those veterans have been in Homeell uh decades and uh it was really uh enlightening to me and and I had an opportunity to introduce myself
and and and meet uh the the veterans that did uh attend that meeting. So it was a a great meeting for myself. Um the Homedale Heritage Committee, the first meeting of 2026 is going to be held March 5th. Um the Homeell Green Team,
the green team held its winter seed sewing workshop uh on February 1st. Uh they had a special guest speaker to talk about the native plant society of New Jersey. Uh the team continues to work on the community energy planning and the municipal energy audit. Um, the
green team will actively participate in the annual Earth celebration at Bayonet Farm on on April 26th. Uh, please stop by the booth to say hello. Uh, and then the upcoming meeting of the green team is uh March 2nd, Monday, uh, 7 p.m. in
the library. It's open to the public. Anyone looking to learn more about the efforts of the green team or get involved, please contact green team@homedell.gov. >> Thank you, committeeman. Deputy mayor Thank you, mayor. Couple of uh updates
from uh the rec department. On February 10th, the recreation department hosted 120 residents for the senior Valentine's Day lunchon. Our seniors had a blast. Everyone was up on the floor dancing and several residents reported making some new friends. On February 12th, the
Homeell 250 committee hosted our revolutionary war trivia night. There were between 30 to 40 people in attendance, including a lot of new faces. Special thank you to Texas Roadhouse for hosting us and providing prize baskets. They're a excellent partner of town. They host our veterans
lunchon as well. So double thanks to uh Texas Roadhouse. The annual Daddy Daughter Dance is coming up. Uh this is for Homeell girls from grades 3 to 7 and their special escort. This year's theme is Emerald Evening. Guests will enjoy a night of food, dancing, special guests,
and fun. Limited spots are still available and recreation, excuse me, registration can be done at the recreation department's recreck desk page. The event does sell out, so please get that in as soon as possible. The extravaganza egg hunt will take place again at CrossF Park. The event includes
hunting for eggs, a special treat bag, and pictures with Mr. Rabbit. This event is a free event for Homeell residents ages 1 to 10 only, and pre-registration is required. Registration will be open at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 27th online at the rec desk page or by
calling the recreation office. Please save the date for the Homeell 250th committee's historic scavenger hunt highlighting Homeell's role in the Revolutionary War. The event will take place using the Goose Chase app and take
through various historic locations in Homeell and the surrounding area. Trivia questions will be mixed in as we hope our residents take part and learn more about how important Homeell was during that time. Residents are encouraged to form teams or family members, friends or
neighbors during the month of April to visit sites, answer trivia questions, and take pictures of the places they are visiting. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. The recreation department will have more information on this event soon. And lastly, registration for the
2026 swim club season will open on March 1st. Information on the 2026 season can be found on swim club's website. That is all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Brian. So, first, uh, an update on the blizzard. I want to give a huge thank
you to our public works team. They've been working around the clock since Sunday. Um, tireless efforts to salt and plow, ensure the roads remained as safe as possible, especially during the height of the storm. Um, I went and visited them right as the storm was kicking off and these guys were ready to roll. Um, they knew they were in for a
long couple of days. You know, we talked about probably 40 hours straight, give or take with those folks and and I I just can't thank them enough for all the work they put into it. I also want to thank Chief Hernando and the OEM team, police, firefighters, and first aid members. Um, by staffing the emergency
operations center and their respective stations throughout the blizzard, they ensured a constant ready presence for all of our residents. Um, this was a once in three decade storm. Um, these guys face conditions that we haven't seen in literally 30 years. Um, and just I'm really impressed. I'm pleased. I'm
thankful for the resilience that the crews showed. Um, it was nothing short of remarkable. Um, and the seamless collaboration between all departments was fantastic. So, you know, can't thank those guys enough and and uh if you ever see them around, please, you know, give them a handshake and a thank you. They
really they worked hard and they they continue to do so. Um, a quick quick update on the power outages. The township administrator and I, Chris and I were on the phone last night and been on the phone since with JCPNL leadership emphasizing the need for expedited restoration schedule for our
residents at the beginning. Uh, well, we were we were up to about 466 outages in town and on my way here I think we're down to about 20. Chris, is that our last report? >> We should be closer to like 10, but I think a couple more came in. Um I'm not
sure. We did have some power lines come down in the last couple hours. So >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. There's there's one or two I want to talk to you about when this is over too that came to my attention. So uh you know JCPNL has you know heated our
pressure I don't know uh request um and and they moved fairly quickly again against you know pretty dangerous conditions as well. Part of the delay in some of these things is the amount of time it takes to get the roads in a condition where they can be traveled on, branches removed and and uh and uncovering, you know, lines that have
fallen. So, you know, thank you to them. I'd like to see the rest of it uh you know, get back online as soon as possible. I'm also happy to announce we'll once again be holding the mayor's community cleanup event this year. will be Saturday, March 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This event in partnership
with the Mammoth County Clean Communities Program will take place at various locations throughout the township. All volunteers are asked to report to the senior community center where a list of locations will be available. It's a great opportunity for scout groups, athletic teams, and
community organizations to come together and help clean up the township. Community service hour signoffs will be available for those who need to track their hours. T-shirts, gloves, and garbage bags are provided. This is not a drop off event, just so we're clear. Participants will need their own
transportation to a to clean up a location. Um, and it's an outdoor event, so please dress for the weather. If you have any questions, please contact the recreation office. And yeah, I think so, Jenny, I think you're right. Um,
another announcement, the the mayor's office hours, I'm unable to uh hold them this uh this Saturday. We try to do them last Saturday of every month. So, we're going to push them to March 7th. Saturday, March 7th. Um, same time. I think it was 9 to 11 when we did it last time. That's what we'll hold it to,
right, Chris? So, let's pencil in March 7th, 9 to 11 for the mayor's office hours. Uh, we had a good turnout last time, and we always hope for more, so that would be great. From the police department, there's ongoing utility work on South Holland. So, there will be an alternating traffic pattern there from 900 a.m. to 5:00 p p.m. Monday, uh,
February 23rd through Saturday the 28th. Uh, and just a reminder on ebikes, the law now classifies all ebikes as motorized bicycles. Valid driver's license is required for individuals ages 17 plus or a motorized bicycle license
for individuals ages 15 to 16. Those under 15 are not permitted to operate low-speed or motorized ebikes. All ebikes must be registered with the MVC and have insurance coverage. Riders have until July 19th, 2026 to comply with
license, registration, and insurance requirements before fines begin. License or registration fees are waved for the first year. Homeell Township Police Department will focus on informing the community, but we encourage everyone to do their own research in order to comply
with the new law. And just as a reminder, this is not a Homeell ordinance, law specific to the town. This is statewide. Um, so it's pretty strict. So please, uh, you know, everybody, if your kids have them, get them registered and make sure everybody's safe. So all that, I think
we can, uh, move on to public comment. Wendy, if you want to do the voodoo you do so well. In accordance with the open public meetings act, this is a public comment period for public comment on any governmental issue of public concern. In
accordance with resolution 2022-17, p public commenters are asked to raise their hand and wait to be recognized by the mayor before coming forward and making public comments. Commenters are asked to state their full name and address before commenting. Public commenters are limited to one comment,
not to exceed three minutes. Comments should be directed to the mayor and township committee. If appropriate, the mayor may direct and recognize a staff, employee, or professional to respond to comments either at this meeting or in writing after this meeting. >> Thank you. Lance, do you want to come up
with your >> secondary? Okay. I thought I was going to let you open the show, but you can close it. Mr. Yanelloo, >> Jay, you know, 18 lad drive. Um, I also want to thank the public works department. Uh, they not only worked hard, it looked, at least in Ladwood,
that area, they they did it very intelligently. They came in with a, you know, initial sweep and then a tighter sweep and a real clean sweep. So, they did a great job. Um, Mayor Prevadutoo, with regard to Vonnage, is there any update as far as
the uh sewer line, how that's going on? And then following up on my comments many time as a member of the ad hoc committee um will you consider reconvening the ad hoc committee to discuss um as I've brought up many times
to you and the the design you know there's some concerns in the community and also all the fields none of those fields and and lighting were discussed by the ad hoc committee and I'm not saying they shouldn't be there but a lot of people are concerned what sort of activities are going to be there now what sort of lighting when are these
what clubs are using it not using it you know that that is a concern so I would encourage you and if maybe people some of the committee doesn't want to come they don't come but I would encourage you to reconvene the committee to at least have a discussion about these things >> I I was thinking and to point well taken
I was thinking there's two ways we can we can do it Jay and and I'm open to anybody else's thoughts on this by the way we can reconvene the ad hoc committee or we can talk to the owners and we can do a day you know we can do sort of an open house at the property property potentially with, you know, sort of the easels up with the
aesthetics and the drawings and the whole thing and get sort of broader community feedback and and live Q&A that way. Yeah, >> if that uh >> if that makes sense. But I think we're going to have to wait for the weather to clear a little bit. So, I would say it's probably something closer to like an April timeline. I don't I don't uh >> just thinking about where we are right
now, but >> just you've heard me say this before um and many of you may have it. you know, black trim is sort of coming in style here and there, but Southern Homedale is probably 5% black trim, and the initial renderings show a lot of black trim on that building, and I don't think it's going to look good at all. Uh, and
meanwhile, their town houses show white classy trim with so just there's a real big disconnect just on the initial look. >> Um, the other thing is, and as you know, I'm a big proponent of the school system. I have a a a daughter
with special needs who friends with your son actually Rocco who who's a wild success story of our school system. My other daughter Skyler and like many of your kids success stories there and my wife is a parah who works really hard in the school system with special needs
kids. So I'm a huge proponent of the school system. So I I saw your release or your committee's release with comments from you and Mr. Foster on there and I have to tell you
I appreciate what the committee has done, what what you guys have done and sort of commitments going forward, but the way this was wr as someone with an analytical background who dissects everything. The way this was written, it's it's like apples, oranges, bananas,
Kool-Aid, and you put it all together. And but believe it or not, in the back of this meeting, I say am I said, am I being too tough? And I looked up, let me get my phone here. I looked up the word commitment in Webster. Commitment is an agreement or pledge to do something in
the future. An engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date. So with that said, this release you put out talks about 8.6 6 million from Bell Works,
>> which >> Bell Works Development. >> Yes. Yeah. Well, exactly. So, to the quick reader, they're like, "Oh, we're getting 8 million. We got 8 million pilot money." No, it's it's the bill. Can I finish up? It's the build it's the building. It's the houses that were actually needed to get Bell Works off
the ground. So, that's I don't know exactly what that cut is, but that looks like money that was already that came in in the past. Is that fair to say? >> No, it's not. >> It's So, when it So, that eight So, can we start there? That 8.6 6 million. What is that exactly? What time frame? >> That's from the point in which the
single family homes. So, and ju just so everybody understands, my point in putting that out is one, I think I think it should be I think that the I think the township should be very clearly informed about the magnitude of investment that's gone into the schools either through decisions made by the
township or commitments made by the township. Right. So effectively, you know, and and I think people, and this is just my observation, and I could be wrong. I think people throw the the term pilot around and they don't really know or understand anything enough
related to it. Right. So the fact of the matter is those single family homes, about 40 of them, Eric, yeah, they they've contributed about 8.6 million in in revenues to the schools over since they've been up 10 years, however they
long they've been there. since 2017. >> Yeah. And I'm not disagreeing with that, but that that's >> but that's as a result of that development happening. >> But the development wouldn't have happened without those. But I'm not saying you shouldn't count them. I'm saying there's almost a little double counting there. And that was in the past. That's
>> not the reason I don't think it's double counting, Jay, is because that that that the entire complex, I think, was was like pulling in like half a million dollars in tax revenues before this thing got off the ground. Is that right? >> I agree. And I'm going to get to that point at the end, but but that's money that came in in the past.
>> That's not a commitment going for that 8. >> Well, yeah, that's not that's not that's not a Well, it's it's it's keep coming in. >> It's going to keep coming in. It's going to it's going to keep growing. Okay. Right. So, that's the point. And and I think you know the more specific point again, if this wasn't worded well, then I wear that, right? To be clear, it wasn't >> Yeah. I'd like to continue like and then
we really appreciate the grant money. You guys worked hard. It was a great grant, but that that's grant money. >> Well, that that came in, >> but it overran. What? How much did that overrun, Bill? I think it overran beyond the 35, didn't it? >> Maybe a million more. I don't know. About a million more. >> It might have been. So, yeah. No, again,
it's just the way this was crafted. And then 6 million expected from Vonnage >> over how many years is that >> over the course of the pilot? Over the course of 30 years, but it's a minimum of six million. And I think there's another just if I may. Yeah. I think there's another
>> maybe point of clarification on that. that property would have continued to depreciate. It had already gotten reassessed once before the these guys bought it. Yes. So the the revenues to the schools would have gone like this and instead they're going to go like this over that period of time. The incremental I don't have off the top of my head from what it could have been to
what it is. But the point is like you know >> there's just a lot of chatter around Jay and I'll let you finish in a moment. There's a lot of chatter. The fact of the matter is there's a lot of money and there's a lot of effort by this committee to ensure the schools are as taken care of as we
can make them, right? We're a $32 million budget against their $73 million budget. So, you know, I I want to what I want to do is sort of course correct some of the things that are out there because they're only partial truths. >> I agree. And part of this is enlightening in that sense. I just think it it could have been worded a little
differently. And then you say expected other revenues coming in, other expected revenues coming in. Um and and that I would assume that's to me that's vonnage money. But I guess you're saying there's other things we can do. >> Yeah. There's I mean we we met with we
we had a great meeting myself and Brian and others with the board of education two weeks ago. >> Yeah. >> And we're going to look this year to see what else we can do. Right. You know where you know it's >> I've said this before and it's it's not new information. There's a structural
inefficiency across the state when you look at these school funding mechanisms and everything else. All we can do is take it year-toear and see what we can do and how we can do it. Sometimes it'll be considerably less, sometimes maybe it'll be more. The minimum we provide every year is the 450 for the sleos and
the SRO's. Yeah. Like at a mil at a minimum the schools are getting close to half a million in operating expense relief. >> Yeah. Um, and so what you do see here is a cumulative thing because it's not just the 35 grant plus the million was four or five for the I think it was four or five in total for the infrastructure
bill. >> Yes, it was. And we absorbed the um sat school driveway and a high school driveway that was actually on their property and we absorbed those costs for them. Um the sat school driveway was 37,600 and the high school driveway which
includes the trees and the pavement up into their school that was 387,000. >> Yeah. I guess is that the part of the 65 with the grant? Is that all part of the 65 with the grant? >> No. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. So, and just really quickly, every time Duncan Smith Theater needs needs an improvement, we step in, which
we're happy to do, by the way. And then it was $180,000 to pay for part of the lights on the turf field, right? Like so. And again, these aren't complaints. It's not Nobody's defensive. It's just we don't really we tell everybody peace meal, right? But when you look at it sort of holistically, it's a significant effort
>> and I do think it's value added. I just think maybe next time the headline $21 million commitment at a time when I guess they're voting soon on, you know, this this whole thing is coming to a head with contract negotiations and the budget. >> Um, so getting to the point before you
were trying to make Yeah. which I'm in line with. I would love for you at some point to calculate, pick a starting point 2017 or whatever and say from this date on from the revenue from the houses from the revenue from the pilot at bell
works up until a certain date this is the percent include all this other stuff this is the total amount of re whatever the numbers let's say it's 50 $60 million we have given I'd love to know that number I think that's a very fair number
>> of the 50. I don't know what the numbers. Let's say it's $50 million. This is what our decisions or our generosity has given toward the school board. And I just think that's a very important number. Instead of
>> Yes, >> that that's fair. I mean, look, I I and I mean this sincerely. I I didn't write this because I I shouldn't say I. Brian Omali is fantastic and he's in doing this and and you know, he and I certainly collaborated on it and I read it and approved it, right, to be very clear.
>> And it's very easy to pick on something people wrote when you're very busy people. So, I admit that too. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, again, I'm not hiding. I'm not defensive about it. I think you know what we tried to do was >> and so I hear your point. What we tried to do was put all the information out there >> in a way that didn't look like we were
taking a shot at the board of ed, right? Like I I because we're not the point like really we're not this is not you know we want to maintain a good relationship with the board of education. We know they have challenges. >> This was just you know so and again perhaps it could have been
worded differently. The point of it was just please we want the public to understand, >> you know, the reality of things. Yeah. >> Right. Because when when somebody says, you know, we demand 30% of the pilot revenue, what they're saying is they want 8 to 10% of the township budget, >> right? That's what they're saying,
right? Like we want 30% of the pilot revenue. Well, if you want $2.5 million, a check for two five or three million, we have a $32 million budget. All that stuff's folded in. So, you know, I'm trying to just make sure people understand, right? like, you know, this nothing's done in a vacuum and this is done, you know, in such a way to try to
help when we can, not to diminish the work that the board of ed's doing. >> Okay, I think that's fair. But again, I would love that other number because I think and I'm going to use this word, but to cherrypick or piece things together this way without looking at that other number, I don't think is fair
to the community. But but I appreciate your point that you want to get credit for what you've done. Thank you. Okay. Any other comments? Uh, yes, sir. In the back and then Jenny. >> Yeah, you.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Good evening. My name is Vincent Belcastro 16. Um, I want to also thank the DPW guys. They did a hell of a job in our neighborhood. They circled around a few times and made sure we had a nice clear road. So, yeah,
they did great work. >> Great. Just >> just talking to the mic. >> It's register the mics. >> No, that's right. Um, just last week I sent uh Mayor and Prevadutoo and a couple other members uh
what I found out recently uh what Haz got going uh on round 35 a seven brew drive-thru. Construction's already started with this and I'm looking for some kind of answers
because I have a >> Sure. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> So, my concerns are we're a small culdeac. >> All right. Our egress and ingress is from Miller Avenue.
Uh and when uh Mr. Mayor improv got back to me, there were only two homes notified. Now I'm not sure if that's HLT doing that who gets those approvals. >> It would be Hlet had to be any homes within 200 feet, Chris, of the development.
>> It's 200 feet in the from the property line. That's all they're going to send it to. So, if your house is not within that 200 ft of that property line, you will not get notification. >> Okay. So, my my question >> that's under state law, just so you know, that's not >> No, I know. I've seen it. I've seen it on state law. I think I don't know if I
have it on Jay D on this one, but there's a community of over 50 homes that got to navigate through this now, this mess. So, you got a Holiday in that's feeding into it. You have two jug handles, basically a turnaround and a jug handle coming in from the uh 35
north. You got a Costco gas Costco, Costco gas station, multiplex, T-Mobile, Chick-fil-A, how they team car wash going right into that jug handle. So my question is I mean since it's
already under construction can home ask town you know home uh as a township if they have any additional uh designs for this this development any any additional traffic devices
uh being considered or installed there's a block design not an engineer but there's a specific block design that New Jersey requires something off of a major artery. Was that met? Offloading loading. Where they where they going to load this this this
uh establishment uh on this on that on that uh junk handle? Are they are they actually turning it around and adding a road? Uh the other question is uh how they accessing uh water and sewer. Are they
going through homes? um water and sewer. >> So yeah, I understand what you're asking and and it's difficult because again, yes, it is in HLlett. So, and they had to meet all those regulations in front of their planning board, right? So everything that you're asking had to be
met. They wouldn't come into ours. We would have they would have to notify us and they're not coming to any yet. So water is is private. So it's American water no matter what. So they can go into wherever they're going to go. But when it comes to sewer, we're all in the same sewer system. basically runs into each other, right? But they couldn't go into one of ours without getting
permission, and we didn't never get permission for it. So, we weren't involved in the in in the planning of it as well. So, it it it's a it's a it's a situation where the site plan was approved by their their planning board over a year ago and maybe even longer. And so, whatever that says is what goes.
So, if there's a traffic if there's a traffic study that was done, it would be in that that approval. >> That was going to be one of my questions. Has anybody seen a traffic stud? It would have it would have been it would have been in theirs and again it's under construction. It's already been I mean they have all the approvals. Yeah. I mean they have the state approvals too
because it's a state highway. So they had a state they had to get state approvals because it's on the state highway. So there was significant approvals done for this >> state. But homedale township had no idea of this. >> No, I had no idea. >> And then we got over 50 residents that are going to navigate through this now
and we weren't even considered. >> Yeah. So, I think Chris, I think what we'll do is I'll call the mayor over in Hllett and we'll get all the information we can, Mr. Belcastro. I think um you know, the storm is sort of I don't want to say distracted, but moved my
attention towards that off of this. So, I'm going to call the mayor of Hazard this week. We'll get all the information we can out of this. Um I know him a little bit, so you know, we'll see what they can do. if we can get some concessions as far as is it a 247 operation, you know, uh are they going
to add those uh traffic devices? And there's another thing that comes up with with pedestrians. I mean, NJ do has the the uh the uh standards for pedestrians on on a standalone drive-thru. >> Yeah. I I I'm I'm going to say though,
and I'm pretty confident that the state was already involved in this. Yeah. Because the state the states define like they they have usually it's the planning board goes and then outside approvals. So everything relies on outside approval. So I'm assuming DOT has been very involved because exactly where it
is which is right on the highway. So whenever they do anything right on the highway or one of the jug handles off the highway, the state has to approve it. So but if the mayor uh is okay with it, I'll reach out also tomorrow and start working on getting all I'll just get the paperwork from them. >> Yeah. Let's pull together and take a
look. I get the resolution and everything for it. >> Yeah, if you don't mind, let's take a look and we'll see what approvals they got or didn't get. Obviously, they can't tap into anything on the home side because we would have had to been notified. >> Um, but I hear you. Look, my my son has friends in that neighborhood and they walked to Chick-fil-A, right? So, I know.
>> Okay. Yeah, you got it. Yeah. >> So, um I I know exactly I I know exactly what you're talking about. >> Appreciate it, guys. All right. >> Any else? Oh, Jenny, sorry. Jenny Bibinthal again from 41 Stingber Road and I feel like I'm stealing Jay
and's thunder. However, my >> Is it branches or trees? >> Or branches or nails? Sorry. >> Yeah. >> Oh, well deer. That's a lost cause. What about the foxes and blah blah blah. Um, no. Street lights.
Um the street light by our mailbox is totally It's on off. It's on and off. It It never stays on. Um the one beyond my house um closer to here um has decided today not to work at all. And then the
one down at the intersection of Stonyiebrook and Mountain Lane right in the back front yard of Eric Hernandez's house only works about a short percentage of the time. And I I
have called JCPNL and would you like to pay your bill, Mrs. Lwall? Uh, no. I would like to report a traffic light, a street light. Oh. Um, I don't really think it's very fair to have the street light outside of our
fire chief's house not work. Um, it's kind of to not have one by our mailbox, but you know, we live in Siberia up there, so it's not that earth shaking. But last time we heard about this,
>> you said there were something like 146 street lights out. >> Is less now. >> And I'm Huh. >> There's less now. So I Oh, that's nice. So I I'll answer I'll I'll answer. The chief is actually uh working with JCPNL. We had the uh police go out and do
another audit and he's supposed to be sitting down with JCPNL and discussing which ones are still out and why they're still having problems. Now the ones that are going in and out, um those are probably caused by their photo photo cells in them and and in the winter time, you know, those things get, you
know, with the cold and stuff like that, they may have to replace those. But they did do a whole new list and uh so a bunch were fixed and then we found more that were out. It just it's it's they got to be that never- ending cycle. >> A lot of them are getting elderly like some of the rest of us. >> Well, we are we are going to be doing this on a regular basis. So it's not
going to be just one and done. So I had called uh after the last meeting and the chief had his uh crew go out and do it. So one of the lieutenants I believe has taken lead on it and I'll follow up on that and by the next meeting I'll have more interest. I mean, I'm not holding your feet to the fire, but it's just kind of an insane thing because it keeps
going on and on. And I was just wondering in all of your conversations the last 24 hours with JCPL or why our power was out. I mean, I was out for six hours, but we managed managed during Sandy. Um, but you know,
good luck. They do what they darn well please. >> Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Public comment. Yes, sir. >> Uh Dennis, uh Dennis Pab, uh one Orchard Avenue East. Uh good evening, mayor and
council and Mr. Collins. Um I'm just echoing uh Mr. Bill Craft. It's going to be a disaster over there. And you know, regarding what was there before, I don't think you were around because we had the holiday in there. There was an issue there with tying into sewers. Okay.
Which was which uh the council denied it, thank God. But I would look into that a little bit which where that sewer systems going. Yes, we get it. The sewer system is all going into the same. They have to upgrade it now. It's commercial now. It's not residential. That's really
considered residential also. But um you know, I just watching the construction now. Um they're backing trucks up on Miller around that curb and all that. Um, it's and it's a drive-thru. It I'm I'm just hoping that Hasllett Township,
which is a little shaky, but they should be sharing this with Homeell. I mean, there are residents in Homeell that live back there, but again, um, it's going to be it's a dangerous intersection there. They're going through that stop sign if familiar already. So, where they're going to put their delivery trucks, I
don't know. It's going to be it's going to be tough. It's going to cause definitely some problems there. But again, that holiday in a couple years ago, I don't think you were around here yet, but that was an issue with the with the sewer system also. >> Was that the add-on to the Holiday Inn? >> Correct. >> Because that's still going to happen. >> Correct. So, where they tying their
sewer into >> that? I don't know. I just found out that's going to happen, but we just don't know the exact dates on that. So, um, that add-on is happening. So, I'm going to get that while I'm at it. I might as well start getting a bunch of stuff. >> Yeah. And Mr. Pav, you know, I, uh, I'm not happy about this. I know I don't
think anybody up on the committee is either. So, we're going to run it to the ground as best we can. I just don't know how much we can do. >> I I got you. I got you. But look to it. I I I would like to see it like if they went through the And I know you're saying it's state, everything's got to
be done by code, law, and all that. I get all that, but I hope they are doing it. You might not know it on your side, what they're doing on their side, if you know what I'm saying. Um, okay. Uh, yeah. And, uh, part two, um, as a resident 27 years. Okay. the sometimes
the uh Homeell, what can I say, the Orchard Avenue East and Miller, the forgotten neighborhood. Sometimes those streets are terrible. Okay. Uh Mr. Foster, I want to thank you, sir. Um you did reach out to the uh public works,
which they did get a little band-aid, if you know what I'm saying, but um I you know, I was told I don't know from I heard from the grapevine that day, you are going to pave that street. It is. It's disgusting. It really is. They have this tar. There's potholes. I got to get
a new snowblower. It is horrific. Okay. Again, 27 years that those streets have never been touched. Never been touched. So, I'm hoping that it is on your my wish list. >> He's giving you the thumbs up. That's >> the thumbs up. It's on It's on last year's program and we're going out to
bid shortly on that and that'll be part of that program. >> It will. >> Yep. >> Beautiful. And uh just one more thing. If any is anybody was on Bethany Row today. >> Oh my god. It looks like three bombs hit it, >> right?
>> The hazard side of truth. It was both sides to tell the truth as you go by the Dunk of Donuts and all that. But uh I think I need new shocks, new tires. >> But um I don't think they put the plow down. But uh besides the point, I you know that is horrific. >> So I'll tell you what we did. So we knew
about it. So what seemed to happen is right after everything started snowing a lot of people continue to drive even though it was in the travel ban. Well that roads being so busy it actually made ice it created into like a hard rock. So our plows they put down they're basically rubber plows. So they're not
like you know they're not metal because they tear the road up. So our rubber plows just right over the top of it. Right. So those hazard. So today I instructed our guys to go out there and dump salt on it right in the middle of the sunniest part of the day to see if we can get it softer. They went back
out. They didn't get much better, but they got a little bit better. Tomorrow, we're fingers crossed that we're supposed to get a little bit warmer in the afternoon. We're going to do the same kind of and we're going to go back out again. Uh, and we're going to team up and try to get it off. But the the road is old, right? So, to begin with,
so it's holding all the ice in there. And I will tell you that we it's on it's also on the list to be done this year, right? It's a joint project between us and and Hlett. So over the summer that entire road length is going to be redone. So hopefully in the future we don't have these problems but because of
condition of the road all the cracks it's holding all that ice in there and it which has made it impossible with the rubber plows to get it up. So uh I promise you we're working on it. I tried everything. I said dump whatever kind of tonnage you need on there. It didn't seem to do much. So >> thank you for the clarification and
again with the DPW outstanding job in our neighborhood. Really outstanding job. >> Yeah, they're a good crew. >> Very very good. Thank you mayor counsel. Thank you, Miss Principi. >> Mary Ellen Principi, 62 Bethany Road. Trucks were not out there last night
until after midnight. So, they did not plow until after midnight. There was no traffic on the road last night. Nobody was out compared to what we're used to. There was nobody. Sorry.
>> In that was earlier so in the day. So as things got worse, as the day got worse, it kept going and getting worse. They got out there when they could get out there. We were they were out there. Hasllett was out there. Same problem in HL we're having here. And so it's the same both sides. >> I know the whole road from the railroad
tracks all the way to Homeell Road and it's perfect. >> We tried everything today to make it happen. It'll be out. They'll be out there again tomorrow. Um they were out till 3. snow. >> Yeah, that shouldn't be a bit trust me that that's the least of our worries at this point. We need to get it softer. It is going to get warmer tomorrow
afternoon. That's our hope. >> Fingers crossed. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anybody else before Lance finishes up >> closer? >> Let's go. Let's go. Mariano, >> I said you might as well turn the timer
off. BL Sleepy Line Road. So, first if I go, last last meeting, uh uh Mr. Foster talked about deans list. So, I I I and I failed to I got so caught up in everything else I forgot to ment >> I'm going to go down my list here quickly as possible.
>> North Beer Street and Bethany. I drive that road six days a week minimum. People fly through that red light. making a right turn off of North Beers onto Bethany. So, I'm advocating for, you know, my stance on no turn turn on red. So, I'm advocating for a no turn on
red sign at that intersection. Um, maybe this will be addressed with the repaving of Bethany Road, but the crosswalk at Bethany and Line is gone. So, hopefully that'll be re addressed. Um, to my cell phone question, so you talked about phasing it out, but my question would
be, have you done a costbenefit analysis? I mean, are we better off paying the 250 versus supplying cell phones? Don't answer yet. I'm going to eat into my three minutes. The radon testing, are there any still available? Right. And how do I sign up for one? Um December 9th, I was went
back to look at some I had some comments or questions about the Vonnage meeting. So I went back to try and watch the video and it's split into two parts. The first part ends with uh the football team honor and the second part begins somewhere
I don't know where in the middle of the tax assessor's. We lost a few minutes with the uh >> Yeah. So, so some of the text I was trying to gain from that I I don't know if it was part of that missing piece. So, there's some questions I want to ask, but um Bethany, I I'll I'll echo
those comments. Bethany looks horrible. What's strange is my road looks great and they turn around at Bethany and come back and then go back again, but it doesn't seem like they decided to go down Bethany that night, which was Sunday night. So, not really sure what happened. um
street lights, the one in front of my house and the one next to my neighbor, which is near St. John's, both out. I don't know if those are part of your 140 whatever on your list. Um snow removal, going back to the last storm, Mr. Mayor, uh I had contacted you
about Aberdeene plowing their snow onto my front yard. The I'll recap that conversation. Contact DPW. Our DPW contacted their BT DPW DPW their side said it wouldn't happen. It didn't happen. However, I know they're going to
find this surprising. I actually went to the township committee meeting in Aberdine. I know that's shocking that I would do something like that. And I raised my concern to them. I had a long conversation with their head of DPW, Dwayne. He told me that no conversation ever happened between Aberdine and
Homeell's DPW. I'm not saying it didn't. I'm just telling I can only go by facts. That's what he told me. >> I don't know. >> Regardless, >> to to be clear, it happened. I >> I'm not saying it didn't. I'm just telling you what they told me. Uh regardless, I went out the other night.
I had to get a I was one of the people that drove down Bethany Road. It shouldn't. Uh I needed parts for my snowblower. I had to go get him my shop, so I need them. Um, in any event, as I came back, they're plowing the eye section of Aberdine and sure enough, he
comes right across the road. Not only does he just put it in front of my sidewalk like they did before, he went right over the little strip between and actually onto the sidewalk. So, I immediately contact Dwayne. He gave me his contact information. So, it got resolved. But just so you know what
happened. Um, well, I'm out of time, but I'm just going to say this on on the the 240 that we're talking about giving from the from the pilot money to the to the school or thereabouts. I I >> it's 240, but but it grows, >> right? AI. So,
>> forgive any imperfections. I and I understand the limitations of AI and I'm very >> strict in my commands to them, but it's still we know it's not right. Um, is that going to be indexed or inflation adjusted over the 30 years?
>> It does grow over that period of time. Eric, do I I I'm pretty sure >> it has escalators in it. I mean, Eric, I don't know if you can speak intelligent. >> So, so the 245 >> Yeah. >> will grow. >> Yes. >> Because if we just took 240 in 30 years, it's worth less than 100.
>> The net present value is uh correct. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Finance guy. Finance guy. So, yeah. doesn't doesn't really add to much. Um I mean and the budget right the school budget the levy right I guess is different from the actual budget that they have is the levy that they place
upon us um will probably reach you know astronomical proportions over in the next 30 years. So my point is is that yeah, you know, you guys are giving the 240, 245, whatever it is. Um, it's not going to really be very much in
the future versus if that land was something else was done with it or there was no pilot and they were paying >> market. Yeah. rate, you know, and and and and you know, he could say that, you know, the the pilot doesn't affect the school budget. No, it
doesn't affect the school budget. The pie is still the pie, right? It's but it's got to be divvied up into less >> what what I can tell you, Lance, is I'd say a couple >> um you know, there was something I I wanted to say, but I'll let you go and
maybe it'll >> come to me while I wait here for your response. So, one, Chris and I spoke about your issue and and he made sure that we reached out to Aberdine. So, I want to assure you that that happened. >> Like I said, I'm just telling you what they said to me. >> Okay. Just I I don't want you to think I
didn't follow up on something. >> I didn't I'm not implying that at all. I'm just telling you what >> Okay. >> was said >> the >> And that's not why I went there. I went there to let them know that >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I I didn't want to see that happen anymore. >> Yeah. Yeah. For sure. When So, sorry.
Getting back to the um to your point about the pilot, >> you know, two years ago when we sort of more heavily embarked on this, right? You know, the statement I made publicly and we held to it thanks to Mayor Foster, you know, was we're going to keep the schools whole or better, right,
on that development. And I think we're I see a lot of I see a disconnect with folks is folks thinking that there's people chomping at the bit to do something with that building without some kind of incentive. and the incentive of being the pilot, right? Effectively to get someone to
take on a 350,000 foot building in 88 acres without it becoming >> 400 condos, right? Kind of a thing. >> So, sorry. >> And I get all that and we don't need you laid this out a 100 times. We don't need to reiterate and and I wasn't going to bring it up. I just remembered my
thought. Um I wasn't going to bring it up at all until I saw the email that was referenced earlier and that kind of like stirred me a little bit. >> Yeah. Yeah, and I'll let you finish, but I I remembered what I wanted. >> Yeah. With the point being, you know, you know, you can either let the property depreciate and revenues reduce or you can get a commitment that's going
to escalate over the period of the of the project. And that's that was the approach we took. So, >> understood understood. But still, you know, we would have gotten a lot more money than than the 240, 245, 250, 270, 300, whatever. We would have if if we didn't have the pilot, we would have
gotten more money on that. So, we we kind of did, you know, I mean, We're saying, "Okay, we're going to give the bare minimum." And and yes, the market value may go down even further, which would mean less revenue, but we're going to give you the bare minimum. It sounds similar to our new governor who said, "I'm going to freeze electric
rates." You know, they're at their all-time high. That's great. You're going to freeze them at their high and and it seems like we're just saying, "We're going to give these this money to the school, but it's at the lowest amount that it's been historically." Could could go lower. I'll I'll >> concede that. But it could go lower, but
it's also a project that doesn't impact the schools, right? And and and I that's one, but the other point I do want to make because it's important, you know, and I just have the numbers in front of me here just for argument sake. When you look at the percent of all tax revenues paid in 2000, it was 65%. In 2015, it
was 65.5%. In 2025, it's 65.5%. And that's with the Bell Works program. you know what I what I because what I'm hearing for you from you and I may not be interpreting it the right way or internalizing it the right way is that you know the pilots are diminishing the ability to contribute to
the schools and it's not the case right because the contribution to the schools is the same as it's been on a percentage basis and we expect that to go forward now you could argue it should be more but more to what end right like it's a $32 million budget you know that we have to worry about the entire town with as
opposed to the $73 million budget >> but again the budget's the budget so whether whether you put whether those there was no pilot, right? And those things were all rated for taxes and all those taxes went just as they were. The budget is still the budget. So that
argument about the budget for the school is the budget for the school. The budget for the town is the budget for the town. >> Right? So >> So I'm not that I'm missing your point. I'm sorry. Because if if if those were again, so let's say that all those houses were assessed at uh what Eric had
said, which was a lot of them were some of them in the first phase, I think was $900,000, right? So those houses are rated at $900,000, a million dollar, whatever. They're going to contribute their 1 point whatever it is, 75% to taxes and that t and that's going to
get divvied up. County, >> the town, >> county, town, school, >> the school. >> Yep. So the budgets would still be the budgets, >> but you're you're operating under the assumption those thing those would be there if it was under a normal tax structure instead of a pilot. And that's that's the fundamental difference.
>> Sure, there's an assumption there, but I'm just saying that but the budget is still the budget. It doesn't change, >> meaning the school, the budget's the budget >> and the town. >> Yes. >> The budget for the town. >> The budget's the budget. And and that's right. That's right. And and and if you know and and I think it would be an example would be
look, the budget's the budget. the, you know, the money that flows in prevents tax increases elsewhere in town, right? The 40 homes, for example, right, on the in the Bell Works development, that $8.5 million that's on the backs of those homes would have been levied
against everybody else because, to your point, the budget's the budget, >> right? >> Right. So it takes some of the sting away and this is how the pilot's being leveraged to not only contribute the dollars but to also um you know help us manage everything more effectively.
>> Mayor, could I add a point please? I I think Lance, what you also might have missed with those first few minutes from the the meeting with the pilot presentation is Eric explained the school gives us their levy and then we have to figure out how to get them that money. So as that property value went down, we lost money. the schools don't
lose a penny because they give us their budget. So, as we're losing money on that property, the schools don't lose anything. So, now what we did, so we said, "Okay, right now you're getting 240 to 40 $245,000." We're going to still give you that. And on top of that, when the pilot starts, we're giving you that in addition. So,
that's not part of what what's counted at that property right now. I think you might have missed that from the first few minutes, but I just wanted to add that they tell us what their levy is. We figure out how to get it to them. Even if we're losing money, schools don't lose, we do. what he said.
>> Thank you. >> Thanks, Lance. >> Um, you were you were going to answer my question and I cut you off because I didn't want to. >> So, yeah. So, the the majority of them I already know are going to take the 250, but it's going to be capped at that. The ones who aren't capped at 250 have them in their contracts. So, I have to go by
what the contract says. So, some might be the police chief. There might be different people with contracts that get their cell phones paid for by the town. Um, but the ones that are 250 will stay capped at 250. If not, the phones we get are less than are about the same price, so we'd be able to give it. So, they can't ask for more than 250 if they're
outside of a contract. >> Yeah, we'll look into that. I don't know. It's got to be Steve Wyers who has it or or So, uh I'm sure he has them because I think we just paid for them. So, they haven't gone anywhere. >> Just paid for. >> No, this this is just if we're paying for we just got them. So, we probably have them. >> The last time I saw it in the what are
that quarterly? We might we might actually have them for the next >> Yeah, we do. That might be coming in the next one. That's why we're just getting ready for that. But um call over Steve Winners tomorrow and see what they have. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else?