Stream is up. >> Good evening everyone. I hereby announce that pursuant to section five of the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the notice which was sent to the Asbury Park Press, the Two River Times, and posted on the bulletin board in Township Hall and filed in the township
clerk's office on January 6th, 2026. Mayor Pervadudo >> here. >> Mr. Bontempo is here. Just >> Mr. Foster >> here. >> Mr. Romano >> here. >> Mr. Vanderham >> here.
>> Mayor, you have a quorum. >> Thank you. If everyone will please stand up and join us for pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the stand with
all. Moment of silence, please, for our men and women in uniform at home and abroad that keep us safe. >> Thank you. All right, so this is where we get to start off with the the fun stuff, the fun part of the job. Uh we have a proclamation here for the Homeell Cub
Scouts. I'm going to read it for everybody. Whereas the mission of Cub Scouting aims to build character and leadership skills by focusing on a strong moral compass and community involvement. And whereas Cub Scouts live their lives according to
the scout oath. On my honor, I will do my best to my duty to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the scout law to help other people at all times to keep myself physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight. Whereas, Cub Scout Pack 131 participated in a nationwide food drive initiative to help support local food pantries. And whereas two weeks before Thanksgiving 2025, the
scouts of PAC 131 collected over 150 bags of non-p perishable food items to donate to fulfill a local food by the mayor and township committee of the township of Homeell Home on this 22nd day of January 2026 that congratulations
be extended to the scouts and cub masters and pack leaders of Cub Scout Pack 131 both personally and officially on behalf half of the residents of the community for their outstanding achievements. Be it further resolved that a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the pack as a
small token of esteem in which they are held. And be it further resolved that all best wishes be extended to all for continued success in their future endeavors. Well done everyone. You guys want to come up for a picture?
>> Do we have to stand? >> Just that one. >> Just this one. >> Yep. >> Oh my god, they're so little. >> I already beat you, too. So cute. >> We'll get behind you guys. >> Just barely.
Come on down. >> Johnny look up. One more time. Go back. One more time, >> Chris. Hello. Hello. was functional. >> My writing I start scribbling All
right. Finish letting everyone file out and then we'll we'll get moving. This job is fun once in a while, you know. Good stuff. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, before we move on uh to public
comment on agenda items, uh there's something I want to address with the public. I don't know about quickly, but certainly something I want to address. Um, we've been in deep discussions for quite some time with the owners of the Vonnage property,
quite some time, and we have agreed to a a framework that we think works for the town, works for everybody, uh, in relation to the wastewater concerns on the property and the agreement that we have. I'd say verbal,
uh, counselor, is that the best way to say it? Verbal framework. there was a memorializing framework exchanged uh that we could outline once we we're done outlining everything. >> Okay. I was you you know I need I need to rely on you to make sure I don't get myself in trouble here. >> So we had some options right in speaking
with the owners of the property. There were only two viable from our vantage point paths forward. Now I want to be very clear. Everything I'm saying here and any discussion we have pertains to the discussions we've had with the owners. There's no relation right now in any way, shape, or form to the decision
the planning board has to make. But we knew >> That's a great point, Mayor. In that respect, everything that we're discussing here relates to the township's role as the redevelopment agency of the township and the redevelopment agreement between the township committee and CHA. This has no
bearing on the planning board, which operates separately and we can't discuss or lean upon. >> Right. So quite some time ago, I sat down with some folks that had very detailed and I'm not going to mention the names. I don't know if they want their names mentioned, but I was impressed with the work they did in in
the uh in their analysis of the wastewater treatment plan and the the potential issues there. And over the past, you know, couple years now or whatever it's been, Committeeman Foster has been former mayor and now deputy mayor Foster um have been talking to the
owners and uh and I've, you know, obviously become re-engage as well in a different way. There were only two viable paths forward in in in a way that we would feel comfortable. One would be an entirely new um package
plant with a 4 acre leech field. Um and that certainly could have been an option. Um but it doesn't necessarily, you know, given the size and the scope of that thing doesn't really take anything. It takes the antiquated component of this thing off the table,
but not um but it doesn't resolve from our vantage point all the issues. The other option was and and the option that we intend to pursue should this go through planning board and and should we complete the diligence we look to complete is to
install a force man on the property and have a sewer line connect to the Bell Works property. Now I want to be very very very clear because we allow for this project to happen in this way. Meaning because we allow for a force man
on their property and we take a sewer and we we connect that to the sewer line at Bell Works. This in no way, shape or form in no way, shape or form sets a precedent for further development in South Hell. Sets a precedent for more affordable or highdensity housing. This
is a one-off that we can allow through the authority we have through the redevelopment process. So knowing that based on all the discussions we've had with attorneys, environmentalists, engineers, and everyone in between, this takes environmental environmental concerns
completely off the table. in no way allows for additional development risk if you want to call it that in South Homedale because the pipe will only be small enough to handle vonnage and because I it's going to be deed restricted the force main or we going to
it's effectively going to be deed restricted which means only that property can use it um we don't see any incremental risk to the town or development by going down this path so from our vantage point the force main and the connection to the sewer line eliminates all concerns concerns around
environment. So the next question is what do you do in the meantime? Right? These guys are going to want to start building if this gets past planning and things go the way they hope. Um and there's still a you know a package plant there. Well, they've agreed to spend a
million dollars to decommission the package plant completely. And while they're in the midst of a buildout process, any waste water will go into above ground tanks that get shipped off the property while we're building. So, in fact, from an environmental perspective,
this will be better than it's probably been in years, ever since the the the waste was redirected into the stream. Um, because there will be no waste water on the property whatsoever hitting the environment or seeping into the ground or anything of that nature. So the solution, the framework of the
solution we proposed is the force main which does not put the town at any incremental risk for development, a complete elimination of the existing package plant and a intermediate solution to keep any waste water and above ground tanks and shipped off the property while the development begins to
take shape if this proceeds. In terms of cost and how this is being covered, when you look at the entirety of the cost of this effort, it's around $6.5 million. Well, it take off a million dollars because they're going to decommission
the package plant. That's part of the additional cost, right? To be very clear. So now you're down to So what's our need to achieve? Well, the need to achieve was 5.5 million. Homedale Township has and many every township has a trust fund for for COA
for for affordable housing. Now, that trust fund is approaching $8 million and the state has a right to take it from us. Okay? So, we have to use it on something. And I want to be clear about something else. This is not an affordable project. This is a project that has some affordable elements to it
that help us fulfill our Trenton mandated obligations. There's a very, very big difference. Okay? But because we have some elements in there that count towards our credits, we believe we can use, we're confident we can use 20% of the total cost against the cost of
this out of our CO out of our COA trust fund. So if you take the 6.5 million down to 5.5 million for the decommissioning, take down another 1.3 million, which is 20% of the complete cost. Now the need to achieve on on
expense on this on on funding this is $4.2 million. That $4.2 $2 million will be covered by CHA partners the owners of the Vonnage property through a special assessment. Um that special assessment will complete, you know, the need to achieve, if you will, for the funding of
this project. No money will come out of taxpayer pocket. To be clear, the trust fund we are leveraging was funded by developers for purposes such as this. And if we don't use it, we run the risk of losing it. So, you know, we were fortunate that we had that lever to
pull. Um, and you know, this has been a long time coming. You know, this didn't this didn't happen overnight. Deputy Mayor Foster worked hard on this for a year. There's, you know, discussions that happen that you got to be careful with the process and everything else going on to make sure you don't unnecessarily interfere with things and,
you know, and and just make sure you get to a point where you're comfortable even articulating, you know, a potential solution. So, with that all said, um, what this allows us to do is put forth a motion. Should I get into that
now or do you want to jump in on anything? >> No, I think you covered everything. >> Okay. So, it allows us to put forth a motion this evening that to amend the redevelopment agreement to allow for this deal pending further diligence. So, I want to be clear. We're comfortable
announcing this to everyone here tonight because we've made material progress. To Mike Collins's point, we have it memorialized from the owners via email. Um that the framework works for all
parties and I'd say most importantly it works for the town. This is a project to remind many people that will uh dedicate five acres to a fire and EMS hub in South Homeell that will have a 7,000 foot senior center for all Homeell residents that will increase green space
on the property far beyond what it is now and will have almost no impact on infrastructure given the nature of the development itself as a three-stage assisted living facility. Um, so with that said, we can take the step this evening to uh vote on a motion to amend
the redevelopment agreement pending further diligence between our attorneys and our engineers and then when it's time to vote to approve as long as we've made the progress, we'll see what progress we've made and if it's to everyone's satisfaction to approve or not. Is that a fair encapsulation?
>> Absolutely, Mayor. And uh the only two items I'd add is that as part of the um agreement, CHA will apprise the planning board of this development and ensure that their application is is reflective of the use of this force main proposal
rather than the current um application uh presumptions. And I would suggest that the motion uh be consistent with, you know, authorized entry into a redevelopment agreement amendment consistent with what you just put on the record by subject to uh final negotiation and approval by the township
attorney. Thank you, councelor. Uh so with that said, can I make have a motion to amend uh to have an amendment to the redevelopment agreement? Moved. >> Second. Can we do a vote? >> KD
Mr. Bono. >> Uh, >> Mr. Bontempo. >> So, I'm going to pass. >> Uh, >> Mr. Foster. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Mr. Romano. >> Yes. I think this is a great thing. >> Mr. Vanderham? >> Yes. >> Uh, Mayor Invado? >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. >> Thank you. So, moving on to public comment for agenda items only. Does anybody have anything they'd like to discuss with the agenda? Yes, Miss Blumenthal. >> Hi, Jenny Blumenthal, 41 Stony Brook
wrote, "My question is so immaterial in comparison to what you just said that it seems silly to stand up here and ask it." But on the consent agenda tonight, there's a item uh to 2026 number 44 and
another one 202652 both making an arrangement with the county to provide uh senior citizen uh man services. What's the difference between them?
I mean, I I I read the first one and I scanned the second one and the second one was pages longer, but it was it sound like they were identical. >> Jets, >> which resolutions? >> 52 44 and 52
>> authorizing the agreement between Homedale Township and the county of Mammoth for the ride and Mammoth program. 44 said formally scattered Senior citizen in automotive transport or something.
>> Senior citizen. >> Yeah, it sounds right. >> I don't know what it is. A little man wants to take seniors to doctor's appointments and stuff, but why why to >> attack team? Senior citizen attack team. No, >> I don't know. >> The clerk isn't with us tonight, but the deputy clerk believes
>> there. >> The deputy clerk believes it's it's an accidental duplicate. So, >> clerical error. So, why don't we strike out? Both both Wendy and I worked on the agenda separately. I think we had >> much longer has more ifs and you know the car must have gas in it and must have license plates and stuff but
>> All right. So we'll pull 52 and and vote on 44. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thanks, Jenny. >> That was pretty silly. >> Clerical error. Our clerk's on vacation. >> Any other public comment? Yes, Mrs. Vontempo.
just my attention. Amir Bont Tempmpo, 22 Gran View Drive. Um, I'm talking in reference to agenda item that addresses the mosquito control division to conduct aerial
mosquito control operations uh 2026-45. Uh, I understand this is agreement that's been going on for decades between the Mammoth County Board of Health and the township. However, there are newer residents since I've been here and it was brought to my concern by some of
them um about spraying pesticides and as you know, we're all concerned about our health and what we're exposed to. It does say here that the county will notify the police department of each of each municipality over aerial pesticide operations that are planned prior to the commencement of such
operations. Um, would it be possible or is it possible for the public and residents of Homeell to be made aware in a way so that they know and what to do when pesticides might be sprayed over their homes? So, is it an option of
keeping staying inside, not playing outside, not being in your pool? So, there's a reduced exposure for our community. >> Chris, I think we can do that. >> Yeah, I Well, wow, it's on. I'm not used to that. You changed things. This is there's a lot of changing going on around here when Wendy's not going to be happy with you. Um, no, I will make sure
that we uh when we're notified, we'll get out a uh we'll actually send out a reverse 911 to let everybody know what's happening. Um, our PIO will take care of that. And actually, what I'll do is I'll get some more information on this so we can put it on our website. So, um, you know what they need to do, if there's
any concerns, what kind of pesticides they're using, stuff like that. The county county surely will help us with that. So, I'll reach out tomorrow and have that taken care of. >> Okay. Um, and spraying isn't going to be done until the springtime. >> Yeah, that they don't they're not doing anything now. They're waiting for when the water st the standing water. That's
what they're looking for because, you know, that's when we have our problem. So, but uh I'll get more information on it. Make sure it's up on the website so everybody can uh take >> Will it be a specific area like Yeah, we'll put it probably under the somewhere on the front page right now and then we can just, you know, guide you around from there. But I'll talk to
our PIO and when we send something out about it, um, we'll also put it on our social media so you also see it there. So, hey, where to look and stuff like that. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> No problem. >> Chris, do you think we could post the SDS form as well so that the residents can see the chemical being used?
>> Yeah, that's what I'm going to ask. I'm going to see what the county has on this and uh, we'll find out tomorrow. I'll have actually Brian Ali check into that tomorrow and it'll all be done. >> Okay. See, one more public comment. Yes, Mr. G, then the young lady in the back after
you, sir. >> This is a joke first. My name is Patrick Tashia and I support your motion. Ki Ha Street. Um, I do support the motion to um obviously to to change and revise
the um the redevelopment agreement. Um, I'm a little bit in shock, I got to tell you, in org. Um, I think that's um um kudos to you guys for making that uh making the changes and and going through all that discussions and um that's really fantastic. Uh it's the right
thing to do for the community. uh and you know uh a lot of us we come up here and we make our public comments and and you know you may may not like some of the criticism but when you guys do the right thing we got to come up and and say the same thing too that so I got to give you guys credit um that's the right
thing now the devil's in the detail so you guys know that um I am concerned uh a little bit with the financial arrangement but um that's not your issue that's their issue but Um, so I just want to say really, um, I completely
support this. Uh, I do think that you guys heard the, uh, residents, heard the concerns, uh, cuz otherwise I think the potential contamination from that existing wastewater management plan is a major major concern. So, um, thank you
you guys and good job. >> Thank you. Kellyowski, five Silver Beach Court. Um, I also wanted to thank you for making this change. I think it's a really big improvement and assuages a lot of the concerns that many of the citizens had. Just wanted to ask one clarification
because I understood the trust fund and I understood the million dollars for, you know, getting rid of the existing plan. I didn't quite follow what the special assessment for the 4.2 million is. Can you please explain how that works? >> Thanks. So, sure. So, a special assessment is a
mechanism where um the township is able to impose an added tax upon specific properties that are benefited from a public improvement. So, in this case, the uh force main would only benefit the Vonnage property and you know, the various units that are established as a
result of the project. So, the $4.2 2 million will be financed by bonds that the township will issue and the township's intent is to um finance the 4.2 million issuing bonds through the New Jersey Infrastructure
Bank. Um once that's done, the township will obviously pay the debt service because it'll be a township bond, but the intent is to assess those uh units in the amount of $200,000 per year, which is what the debt service will be if you float the bond over 30 over 30
years at the interest rates we anticipate receiving. So essentially, the township's debt service will be fully paid for by those unit owners in the form of that added assessment. They they cover they cover the cost of the bond in its entirety or the remainder of it in its entirety.
>> It's essentially a payment on top of the pilot that would have to be made by the people subject to the assessment, the unit owners. >> I'm sorry. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Tossa.
>> I I am not Ken G. I am the real Patrick Tuskita up here. Uh I wasn't going to congratulate you for this new solution, but since I'm up here, I'm going to congratulate you for an excellent solution. Uh there was
never any um uh environmental issue from the Vonnage, but this having a force main to uh Bell Works, it'll make them both uh work pretty good. Um, what I was going to say is I'm in full support of the um, resolution to purchase a new
ambulance for the first aid squad that's going to help every uh, household in this community that we have four modern ambulances that are available with the fully equipped ready to uh, help our residents. Next thing uh I fully support
is the resolution on the uh Robert Wilson uh the grant for the horn antenna. Hopefully that will could be used to make Robert Wilson Park open to the public. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh Ron and while
he's coming up, Chris, can we and I don't recall my email was down for some reason today. >> Well, everyone's was right. Um, can we just get the numbers, you know, to the point about the new ambulance on the combined efforts of our awesome, and I mean that sincerely, EMS volunteers and
MedStar and and the uh and and what that looked like. I I think there's I don't think we missed a call in like 10 months or something. >> Yeah, with with the combined there hasn't been a missed call. I just have to I don't have the numbers in front of me now. I would have to get them. They were supposed to be gotten. I don't know if they sent them to you or not. >> Yeah, I I didn't see them. I might have missed it.
>> I'll follow up tomorrow. I'll make sure we have them out. Um, and we'll get that out to everybody as well. We'll actually post them as well on our We can get it out to everything. We'll get it out through social media as well as we can get out. We'll do >> that'll be good. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Hi. Uh, uh, kudos to what everyone said
about the news tonight. That's really, really good news. >> Ron, I'm a 32 Lwood Drive. Um, I'm I'm actually here to contradict the previous speaker on agenda item 2026-50
about the new ambulance. My question is, why do we need four ambulances when we have three state-of-the-art ambulances already and our EMS was farmed out to the county? >> Well, let me just let me sorry, I just want to just hold that for one sec, Ron.
Our EMS wasn't farmed out to the county. We have our own EMS staff supplemented by the county. >> Let me restate that >> one by supplementing it with the county. One could assume that the calls that the our volunteers are making have been cut.
You know, if it's 7 to 9 to 5, 7 to 7, whatever it is, the number of calls has to be decreased. >> That's that's actually that's not the case. And I don't >> if we got the numbers that would be helpful. >> That's why I'm asking. >> Okay, that's great. That's perfect. So, but let me just let me just be clear.
The the county supplements when we don't have coverage. That's all. One of the challenges we've had is the number of calls has far outpaced our ability to recruit and cover, you know, all the days and times that we have. >> So, then why do we need four ambulances? That's $400,000. Like, it's it it leads
me to my second point about expenditures that are on the consent agenda. That's $400,000. You had one last year when you farmed out the uh the dispatch that was over the life of it was over a million dollars and it was on the consent
agenda. Can we come up with a way that an expenditure whatever the number is 200,000 250 300 is not just put on an consent agenda. I would suggest that we call the president of the EMS uh to come
here next meeting and explain exactly why he needs a fourth ambulance. It's a lot of money and I just don't think it should be approved willy-nilly when there's a question of how many calls are actually doing and why do we need four. >> So, in fairness, and I I hear your
point, you've raised it before. I think I don't I don't know that >> setting an arbitrary number for consent agenda does anything. Nothing's hidden. You you saw it, right? like like we we've all seen it, we saw it. So nothing's hidden there. Ron, I don't know what setting an arbitrary number actually does, >> but for any >> But wouldn't you say that the cons
consent agenda traditionally has been used for paper clips and staplers and computers, an uh an expenditure that big should be talked about. I think that's all that's all I'm whether it's this vehicle or it's a new dump truck or new garbage truck, it's a big ticket item
and I just I would like to see a mechanism where it's not on the consent jet. I mean, it it could be completely valid, but let's talk about it. Let's put it out there and let's talk about it. Let's have the head of the DPW come and explain why he needs four new trucks, why he needs a new garbage
truck, why the EMS needs a new ambulance. That's all. I'm not saying it's not valid. I'm just saying >> let's talk about it. And then maybe we can put a mechanism in place that could do that. >> I I understand and I' I'd argue we are talking about it, but I understand your point. I'm I'm being a little flip with you, but I understand your point, Chris.
Does it seem like you had something you want to say? >> So I I do want to So this is replacing a 2016 ambulance which is 10 years old. It is a you did have a chance to speak about it. Actually you guys passed this through ordinance in 2024 meaning that it was passed on the Rabond ordinance
and then there was a public session following that. So it went over two meetings. This is old money. This is money that we've already gotten. They just haven't spent it yet. So uh this is just approving the actual purchase. But there was a public hearing for this ambulance done in 2024. >> 2024.
>> Correct. >> That doesn't mean we have to spend it though, right? >> Well, we wait. They waited to get what they have to do. But you got to understand that it's a 10-year-old ambulance. By the time we get this one, we're looking two years down the road. It takes two years to build. So therefore, it'll be 12 years old by the
time we're done. My intention and might not have been my predecessor's intentions, but my intention is every time we buy something, we sell what we're getting rid of. So that will be sold for auction. So those monies will go back into our coffers. But honestly, these ambulances become they have
changed over the years. And this is a 2016. There's also a 17 that we did hem and hall. I I didn't, but my predecessor did with uh committee members during our budget process where we have separate meetings with department heads. And one
of the things that was found out was they were looking for two ambulances and it was said scheduled because there's a 17 right after the 16. So now they're going to have they did not get the second ambulance. They didn't get that approval. >> Isn't it true that it's not a whole ambulance, it's a truck, it's the chassis and the ambulance part. So
there's two parts to the ambulance. So the actual mechanical part might be 10 years old, but the body of the ambulance which you ride in is actually still state-of-the-art. Is that not accurate? >> It could be, but it doesn't. >> You might know that, >> but it doesn't Well, I've been I've been a first I've been an EMT for 30
something years. I was a captain of a first aid squad, and I want to tell you that it is not state-of-the-art. They do change significantly in a 10-year period. And on top of it, to remount an ambulance or remount that is not worth the money. >> That's what we've done in the past, is it not? still not worth the I don't know if they if that's what you've done. It's
definitely not worth the money. It doesn't the cost savings isn't there and you're take at that point at least now you have that other ambulance available to do calls with. If you remount you're talking 6 months without it. >> I'm just sticking to my original comment. It would be nice to know what the mileage is on those ambulances and
that $400,000 for a fourth ambulance. I understand reduced number of calls. >> No, you hold on. Hold on. I have to correct you because I did it once already. It's not a reduced number of calls. the number of calls are increasing >> to supplement to supplement what we have. >> We're supplementing an increased amount of like we are calls are increasing and
they're being supplemented if if if we don't have coverage. So you can't say it just it's it's just it's not correct >> to say you you just said you can't we can't cover the calls that we have. So that's why we're supplementing the with the county but yet we're adding another ambulance which we can't even fill
three. We're getting a fourth one. >> Well, we've already we've also added more. >> We've already got it money uh allocated for >> but we've also added more recruits. It's It's not like recruiting has stopped, right? Actually, I think they might have more than they've had in quite some time. That's popped. The county only steps in when there's a need for
supplementation if I'm correct, Deputy Mayor. Right. So, what that is, what level that is is contingent upon our ability to cover. We have more people. We have more calls. We we we bonded two years ago for an additional ambulance. It's going to take us time to even get
it done. Calls aren't going to go down. We've got 17,000 people in town. So, I just want to be very clear. MedStar only comes in if if and when there's a need for supplementation. The need for supplementation tends to decline the more your recruitment goes up. Recruitment has gone up. But again, I
you know, I I publicly asked for numbers related to MedStar and our EMS >> prior to you coming up here because it was top of mind and I didn't see it come through on my email. >> And let me be clear, I am not critic criticizing our great EMS. I'm just criticizing maybe the need for one. That's all. Thank you,
>> Chief. Is it accurate our squad took a record number of calls again this year? Thank you. >> Great job lady >> right there. And then Mrs. Principi after uh after her. >> Hi Victoria Scott Lavino 8 hidden
hollow. I echo Kin G's comments and devil in the details but since I have an opportunity to speak and there are no questions really I did want to mention something and it may be controversial. Um I'm questioning the need for a planning board when it comes to largecale
engagements like this one. Perhaps the one and two houses that they may approve and have enough information to make a decision on. But I feel they fell short in everything that they did in any analysis or due diligence because we found everything and brought it to them
meeting after meeting several several hours and we would hear comments either in the breaks or not of how many hours they had to sit through and listen to it questioning whether they could do anything at all. Coming here listening to Mr. Foster say they're advising us
but when we go there they're not really doing anything. They're not doing additional due diligence. We were bringing the due diligence to them. So either I encourage you to come up with new rules and plans for the planning board and actually list out what they
should be doing, guard rails of what the expectation is of the role to actually look at if it's healthy or not healthy, good or bad, versus say that their hands are tied. We I have found two things law
in the New Jersey law as well as in our own plans that requires them to be able to say, you know, this doesn't feel right. I should talk to town council about this as opposed to my hands are tied and we the residents keep bouncing back and forth between the meetings. A
lot of time could have been spent on some other things versus this specific topic. I am happy at this result. again, devil in the details, but I think you need to reconsider the rules or the guidelines the planning board has because it's not working and
it's a waste of their time and our time. Thank you so much for letting me speak. >> So, I'm going to respond as best I can for a moment and then counselor, I'm going to turn it over to you and you can, as you always do, correct me if I misrepresent. We have no control over
whether or not there's a planning board, nor do we have control over the rules with which they engage. They're their own semi-judicial body. Am I correct in saying that? Um, you know, that said, you know, I they they have specific parameters they have to work within to my knowledge. Um, and that's that's
their sort of lot as volunteers. Um, and so, >> sorry, >> who decides that? >> Who decides what? >> Who decides what their guidelines are? if they're their own body and you're appointing them. >> Sure. So the the governing body by ordinance establishes a planning board
if it wants to have zoning. So I believe every single municipality in New Jersey has a planning board and the planning board is then governed by the municipal land use law. Uh it's NJSA4 55D. And so you can look through there and everything's in there. I have. And
if they're not hold upholding those the plan guard rails, >> who gets to tell them or say get lost? >> I'm certainly not going to. As I as I respond, I'm not concurring with that position. It's broken. I mean, what I can tell you is that if you have any
specific concerns about the planning board, you could go to their meetings. You could engage in their public comment. And I would imagine that if um there's any legal concerns about the planning board's actions, those are subject to review in court. Uh but the township committee does not have
oversight over the planning board. It doesn't serve as a um kind of a of a superseding review body um because it is they act in a quasi judicial capacity. They're supposed to neutrally review an application and apply the law to it. The governing body is much different as a
policym body. >> Okay. I think it fell short and I'm not sure if you listen to any of the videotapes of the planning board session, but last week um I don't want to get it wrong. Last week, the town council engineer
consultant confirmed on record they did not review the material the developer submitted to them prior to you approving the renewal agreement. It was it was on I don't know one of the guys that's sat here. I couldn't catch his name, but it's in the thing. So, if they're now
relying on consultants and engineers that we've hired and yet they didn't do their due diligence, they feel their their hands are tied and you're waiting on them to make a suggestion for you on what you should do. It's like one big circle of getting nowhere.
Something's broken. >> Thank you, Mrs. Principi. in trouble now. >> Ellen, Principi, 62 Bethany Road. >> I just want to know who's getting the new Mustangs >> and what are they being used for?
>> So, they're Okay, so they're actually on state contract. They're electric, so they're one's being used to replace a 2008 Crown Victoria that is being used by our inspectors. And the other one's replacing a used to small Toyota Tacoma
with only two seats and doesn't have any uh storage. So instead of buying vehicles for just gas vehicles, we're trying to go green. So part of the uh initiative for the green team for uh 2026 is to start getting a electric fleet. So uh instead of having gas
vehicles, we got an two electric vehicles. So they're not really I mean I wouldn't call them Mustangs. I don't know if you ever seen them before. Yeah, they they're they're Ford calls them Mustangs. I don't even think they look like I think they're a bubble. They look like a bubble, but um they're they're really good. And the price was was
really um I think they were like $40,000. Yeah. Yeah. $42,000, which is less than we would pay. We pay for like the Explorers we used to buy replaced. It was like almost $20,000 less. So, this is um you know, a new initiative. We're we're trying to go green a bit.
Um, I can't do it for every car, but for inspectors and for cars that are used for IT and stuff like that, when we go to different buildings and stuff, they can it's big enough to hold their equipment, but not too big that it's it's costing us a lot of money. It'll it'll save us money in the long run. So,
>> and my second question is going back to the planning board. Um, the chairman, something needs to be done with him. He's been rude. He's been arrogant. and the way he talked to somebody that came up, he shouldn't be on the board. I'm
sorry. And whoever appointed him, get him off there. I agree with my previous speaker. It's horrible. >> Look, I I >> I don't know if you looked at the tapes, he called the guy a and an idiot.
>> Would you do that? >> I don't know. Was he? I'm >> whether he was or wasn't listen to that. >> Still not finished yet. to what >> to back and forth to work. >> Yeah. Well, you know, I work I I work from my basement. Um
>> I hear you. Look, I think I also think I also think it's important and and I mean this sincerely. I also think it's important that people understand everyone on the planning board or the zoning board or the environmental committee or the finance committee or whatever it may be. These are all volunteers doing the best
they can. And and I'm not, you know, I wasn't there. I wasn't sitting up there, but they are genuine genuine people doing the best they can. They volunteered to contribute and they sometimes they get put in sort of this crucible, right? Um, so I think that a little grace can be extended. You know,
if if people misspe or >> it's been every meeting. >> Okay. Well, look, I, you know, I can't speak to that, but I think it's important to remember that these are your neighbors. They volunteered and sometimes, you know, things get to folks. It, you know, things happen. And I I you know and I think that again
extending a little grace isn't the worst thing in the world. >> It was wrong. >> It was wrong. >> I listen I can't I can't comment on what was said or not. You know you understand that I wasn't there and I can't as a member of this governing body start imparting my opinion on comments that were made planning zoning things of that
nature. So I'm just telling you like so I can't do that. >> I agree. >> Right. But I'm just you know but my my my singular point is >> where can we go to complain about him then? If we can't come to you, where can we go? >> You certainly can come here. Whether we can say anything in response is a different story, but you're more than welcome.
>> We're making complaints. I'm not trying to be You're saying you can't do anything. So, who do we go to to make a complaint? >> I actually truly don't know. >> I mean, I think if you're making a complaint about, you know, the the board membership, the the
mayor does appoint the board membership. So, if anyone wants to comment upon that here, you're welcome to. We may not be able to say anything in response, but your comments are certainly heard. >> So, maybe we should go to like the news or something. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> Uh was I got two hands? >> Sure. >> Yeah. I'm the planning board uh chairman. Okay. >> And let me let me let me say something. should address address.
>> You got to speak to the mayor. >> Address the mayor. >> Scott Silverberman 25 Eli Road. Okay. Being a volunteer on the planning board has been a thankless job. >> I've had guys honestly see everyone wants the
respect of the hearing but when it's other people's turn to speak they can't control themselves. >> I think Yeah. And just before you continue, I hear everybody. M you folks have said their piece. Mr. Sberman's going to speak and then we'll move on to whatever the next item is. I don't want this to become a shouting match.
>> Right. And I'm just saying for several meetings I've been I've been called a piece of work. I've been called names in the social media that I've been told. I've been abused. My kids come home from school giving me stuff. All I try to do is run a meeting in accordance with the laws of the municipal land use loose uh
land use law. It's very simple. It's being respectful. It's listening, answering questions and not making statements. It's not being belligerent. It's not about yelling at me. It's not about yelling at the witnesses. It's you're coming to the planning board for help and then you yell and scream
thinking that's going to get get your point across. And when you sit up on the stand there, mayor and it make, believe me, I wanted to quit in uh in November because I was tired of being abused by the people of this town who I consider some of them to be my friends. And I'm doing everything here in this town for
the for the in the best interest of the town. And whether it would be you sitting on that in that seat or anyone else sitting in that seat, my goal is to represent and be an unbiased uh overseer of the facts and rule on what the laws
uh what the laws present. It's not what I think or what my opinion is. It's what the rules of the of the state of New Jersey and the township of Homedale provide for. And that's all I could do as and yes, if you want me to say, I will apologize to that guy who I made that comment on. But the guy came up. I
wasn't going to allow public questions. He begged me to do it. He wouldn't listen to me. He screamed at me. He screamed it here. And I called him that name. And I do regret saying that name because I meant I thought it was off off mic. So to him, I will apologize because that's not my character. And it's been
very hurtful. And I do care about the drinking water. I do care about this town and it's been a very emotional ride for me for the past several months and it hasn't been it hasn't been fun and you guys should think about that that I'm a human being up there and I don't like to be screamed at and yelled at and
be told all these things. It's very hurtful when I really have the best interest of this town in my heart. So with that said, that's why I came here tonight. I'm very happy that the town has come to a resolution which I've been supporting. I'll issue my disclaimer that I've issued to the other planning board members who have come to the
podium that I don't represent you. Your planning board attorney does, but you know, if you're segueing into the merits of an application, I'll defer to Yeah. Okay. So, let's not do that. >> I'm just saying I'm glad, but there's only so much I can do in that chair. I have to follow the rules and the guidance of the attorney that represents
the planning board and my professionals, and that's all I could do. So for you guys to be all angry with me and posting videos and doing things on social media, it's very hurtful. So at some point, everyone has their breaking point. And yeah, maybe I broke that night and I do apologize for that and to that
individual, but it's not. You guys should really take a step back and try and look at it from other people's point of view once in a while. It's all >> Scott, how long you been serving on the planning board and how long you've been engineer? >> Did you hear my question, Scott? >> Well, I've been on the planning board three, four years. I've been a licensed
engineer for almost 35 years. >> At least I served a year with you on the board and we had a lot of discussions while we were there on the planning board. I thank you for your service to town. >> Mrs. Bontempo and Bontempo 22 Grand View Drive. Scott, thank you for your time on the board. I know it's hard to be up there and get it
back and forth to the board. I just want to point out in the original redevelopment agreement that was from 2024, the site plans that state where phases one, two, three, and four were going.
Um, I was privileged enough to go on the walk last Saturday to see the wastewater treatment plant. I know you've made a point, but I just want to draw to everyone's attention the location of the sprayer fields that was outlined is
between the softball field and the parking lot. All right. The CHA developer was asking for a grandfathered permit on the wastewater treatment plant. And still to date, that's where it stands because nothing has officially
changed yet. However, the exact location where that field is, which is part of the 1977 grandfathered wastewater treatment plant, the aeration field, is exactly where phase three is meant to be. >> Well, on my papers, I have phase three.
I can point it out to you. A building is going right on top of the sprayer fields. I want to know it's this this was approved or this redevelopment plan was designed in 2024. In two years, multiple engineers have looked at these
designs and these plants that are more qualified than I am. It took me one afternoon to figure out that they were putting a plan together, a building on top of their grandfathered wastewater treatment plans.
This is a this change this is a game changer. Other than what you said today, Rocco, this is this is just one thing I found. Not even looking very hard. The public is going to be very weary
moving forward on anything to do with this development. And I think the public should have time to review any changes that the TC feels fit to make just to give us our due diligence because we do do it and we have been doing it and I think we should
be granted enough time to continue doing it because I have questions about a forced water man. Who's going to 10 years down the road be responsible for it? I have other questions that have been bouncing around in my head. But >> listen, we welcome all questions and we'll be you take a we all we did
tonight was, you know, make a motion to to amend the redevelopment agreement. There's other votes that are going to have to happen. This has to go through planning board anyway. Um I can to your point I I am hopeful based on where we are in the discussions that your point is moot as you mentioned. Um, but the
other questions that come up, we'll answer them as as as you have them along. >> Two years, not one engineer said, "Oops, they're going to build something right on top of the wastewater management treatment plant structures or components." How is that possible? Our engineers,
their engineers, two years. >> That's right. >> Thankfully, >> qualified individuals could not find it. >> I'm a nurse and I found it in one afternoon. Well done. I think uh thankfully we'll uh it won't thankfully and with hope it
will not be an issue any longer. >> So maybe when I put an application in to be a volunteer on a planning board, I'll get accepted. >> It's possible. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. In the back. >> We should be.
>> Yes, you are. Peter Franco five hotbrook guys thank you for your decision tonight it's a big big rest on our shoulders but you still have a lot you still have a lot to do for us >> we're aware >> all right uh the question I'm going to ask is who is going to own the force
mainten >> that will ultimately be deed over to us Chris is that correct >> yes so the the when we discussed this that was one of my main concerns uh we're going to own both the pump station and the and the force main so town. >> The town's going to get possession of it
once it's done. So, we will maintain it as we maintain our others. Um, it's going to be way better than the ones we have now because they're much newer. Um, it'll be state of the art, but we're going to maintain it as well. >> So, we already have a mechanism. >> They're going to pay for the maintenance of that. >> The maintenance of it is is is going to
be just included in what we have and um we talked to our current uh you know contract we have with shared service and that's going to be the least need the least amount of maintenance mostly uh filter changes. Um maybe some pump work, but uh it's going to be very low. The
repayers take care of that. Uh just like the other ones we have now, which we have 11 others. So >> they're not the same pumps. They're going to be higher pressure. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Higher pressure. Much better. Yeah. Well, we know they're going to be better. I mean, we we may we, you know, we're just trying to improve all of ours. We're working on those now. So, you know, we're trying to go. So, it's just going to be part of
our program. >> Yeah. And and I think just just to I want to just make sure everybody sort of understands we already have a mechanism and personnel by which we manage the existing sewer system in the town. Um so this is just an extension of that. So we're not hiring incrementally. >> Um you know there's no you know what I
mean like this is part of the existing sort of infrastructure and mechanism that we have. So I want to make sure it's clear >> for the public. >> I think in this case it's for private benefit with that that association. >> Well I'd argue for the town's benefit but yeah >> I think the next thing if I could just sir also I think what Mr. Trini said in
terms of rate payers. So we mentioned the special assessment. The unit owners are also going to be responsible for um sewer dues which um are going to in the aggregate be about $150,000 per year um which will be imposed per unit. So that
when we say rateayers it's the unit owners paying the sewer fees that will fund the infrastructure. Now, there is going to be a cost to acquire the right away from the county and all the surveying. >> No, because we're putting it in. So, no, no, >> there's no cost.
>> No, we're going to it's No, because it's it's in the right way. So, they have to So, again, we're we're when we do this, even though they're paying for it, we're putting it in. >> So, so, so we don't go through the same processes that, you know, a private person, private ownership would do. So,
no, we wouldn't pay any, we it's right down the rightway. We're not going to go We're not going to go outside. >> No franchise agreements or anything? >> No, we don't need anything like that. Nope. No, we're good. We're outside of that. And then the overall cost is paying for the hookups. So that overall cost that they're paying is paying for the hookups for our beayhore the
beayhore uh reclamation there, not reclamation sewer plant. They're actually um charging for each one of the hookups. So um this is all going and being paid for by CHA. >> Okay. And the uh surveying everything is on the cost of the town. That's on No,
that's on under the cost of what this is going to cost us building wise. >> The developer. >> Yep. The developer is paying it, but we're doing it. So, they're we're we're going to be putting the people out there to do it. It's going to go through the public process for for um building, but it's going to be paid for by the developer. >> Okay.
>> Yep. >> The other thing is guys, there's one thing I have to say is both committee as well as the planning board is the primary focus is to be for public health and safety. We think for the past two years you
totally ignored public safety and public health when it came to this project. All right. We really felt short-handed. A group of people had to hire their own engineers to contest your professionals at our own expense. Not fair. All right.
And you got to give these people a credit for bringing you guys up to speed with what has to be done in this town. And it was totally wrong. >> I I appreciate your >> guys deserve some credit. and I'm behind the scenes. I seen the time and the effort that they spent in the research.
You got to see the stuff that we came up with the uh lagoon area itself. I found an instance and I hope you can listen to me for just a split second. 2600 cases of Legionnaires from two disposal plants between 2013 and 2018.
All with 36 agencies confirming happened in the Netherlands, but it's the same crap. I have to say crap. Excuse me. But it's the same stuff that was in that lagoon. Thank God you're getting rid of it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you guys.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> Kristen Solero, five hop lane. So, I just want to reflect a little bit on this process because, as you know, we've been very involved. It's it's been something Um, you know, part of or or you know, we
felt like we would come to the meetings, you know, we got a notice in the mail and two days later we we feel like we're in the fight of our lives here. Okay. So, we go to these meetings, whoever is up on that stand, you sat up there acting like we're crazy, you know,
denying our concerns, telling us at every turn that we have no argument, no path forward, and that our hands are tied. You don't know how many times we heard that and we're, you know, believe me, I wanted to come to every meeting saying, "These guys got it." You know,
like it makes sense and it never happened. And we just left more and more angry. Um, so like my father-in-law just said, we then had to go it on our own. We had to organize. We had to hire professionals, spend money, spend lots of time trying to protect ourselves and
the environment when we thought that that's what you would be doing. So, um, so the frustration grew. Okay. And Scott, you know, to your point, there was a lot of frustration going around. So, congratulations on this agreement.
If this force main goes forward, guys, we see you can make tweaks. Finish the job. Okay. Um, let's make it pretty. Let's make it something we're proud of. Let's maximize the benefit to the community. when they talk about like
bike paths or whatever. Is that just a renaming of the ring road or is it like a legitimate new bike path? Are we going to have good sports fields? Um what happens to the sports for the to the ball field that's there now? We have we have an opportunity here guys. So you
know to the extent that we can help and cooperate, we look forward to it. Thank you again. It's been a lot. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. I see a gentleman in the back lit.
How you doing, Lance? Loopy Line Road. Um, I'm still not really sure how I feel about this. So, I'm going to just ask questions and I'll allow you to answer them. The trust fund, I don't know where that money came from, right? Said $8 million, $8.5 million. I I don't remember the exact figure. Okay. Where
that came from. um why we could lose it, why we're going to contribute 20% over six and a half million and not five a.5 million if they're paying the 1 million. Um so the town's going to float a 30-year bond
to cover the cost of this for the developer. What happens if there's any kind of default? Who's on the hook? I guess our we are because our name's on the bond that's going to be floated. I I'll I'm I'm going to ask all my questions and then um I'll wait for responses.
The ambulance not against public safety. I question why how we get to a round number 375 seems odd. I question some of the things that are on there. Do we really need solar panels on the roof of the ambulance? You know, is that a is that a nice to have or is that a
necessity? Uh we're paying uh $13,000 for 22 flashing lights. Seems like a lot of money. It just seems like a lot of things on there are, you know, strange that we need, you know, we, you know, do we need to spend lots of money on graphics? You know, the flashing lights,
aren't they enough? Uh, the Machis, the the the the electric cars, do we have charging stations on site or do we need to build those? How how far are we traveling in these machis? It sounds like not far. Sounds like we're doing local trips. Why does each one need a
$5,000 battery upgrade for extended range if we're doing short distance trips? And then there's a shared service agreement, I guess, with Neptune. I guess we're going to provide services to them. Uh they're going to pay us 30,000.
I'm assuming that's part of the reason why we're having an IT hire and that that 30,000 cost will offset some of that. So the answer to that is no. Okay. All right. I have lots of other questions, but I'm sure I'm nearing my three minutes. You kind of sidetracked me when you got to this uh this new
thing that it seems like we're paying for. We're laying out the money. >> So, >> sorry. Gotcha. So, there's a bunch there. So, let me try to get them one at a time. >> Yeah. >> And but I think first probably easiest if you will, Chris, if you could speak
to Lance's questions around the cars, the travel etc. >> So, one is the IT's car. So, they are replacing a car that they have now that they travel around town. Plus, they'll be doing those shared services. Some of those costs will go towards that shared service. Those that the cost for that
vehicle um stuff we upgraded to. Uh the other one would be for our fire um inspectors. They're replacing a 2008 Crown Victoria, which is in pretty pretty rough shape. Um that too is um they could they go to classes and stuff
like that as well. So, the extended battery was there because it was it was available and we thought it would be good for the all-wheel drive because they do go and it's doesn't matter what weather, you know, our people work no matter what happens. Uh it's rare we close. So, we went with the larger uh the the bigger uh battery, the longer
extended battery. Plus, we have to charge less because we are putting one station in here. Um we're actually going to get a grant for that. Um and it's going to be used between the two cars. So, it's going to be just a private one for those vehicles for now until we decide what we're going to do. We're going to do charging stations throughout
the town. So, that covers those two questions. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Now, what was what any more I could answer? >> Is there an ambulance question in there? >> Well, I just question some of the, you know, extras. Seems like some of those things are extras versus necessity,
right? It seems like we are, you know, uh, we're averse to spending the developers money prior to this announcement tonight, right? We were seems like we were kind of averse. We give them the pilot because, you know, they wouldn't take the deal if we didn't give them the pilot. They needed to have that extra money to make it more attractive to them. But some of the
things on the ambulance, it seems like, you know, are are not necessary, right? They're not mandatory that we have certain things 360 degree camera system and we have mirrors and you know other things safety precautions uh beepers things like that to but it it just seems
like some of those things when I read through all the line items and I don't know if anyone wrote read through all of the line items of the work order uh on the ambulances whether we needed all those things or was that part of the package why we needed to upgrade to an F550 versus the F450 right just seems
like there could have been some cost savings Okay, >> there. Gotcha. >> Again, a lot of money, >> right? 4 $375,000. A lot of money. >> Absolutely. And >> again, odd that it's a round number like that. 300 M. It's funny how all those numbers on there, there's like 40 or 50 items on that list. And somehow or
another, they all added up to exactly $375,000. >> Funny how the math worked on that. >> I listen, I I can't I can't speak to that. >> I probably can ask answer that one the easier way, but it's probably my easiest answer. That's under a co-op, so it's a co-op price. So, they come up with that price and the reason we go through the
co-op is because we we get a it's easier to get one of them through that co-op than it is to try to bid it out. And they usually come with certain options and stuff like that. I can't speak to what the uh squad had asked for. They they um they handle that. That's their expertise, not mine. I mean, I have been
it's been a long time since I've specked out an ambulance, so we kind of depend on them to to make that determination of what they need and what they think they need. Um things have gotten very expensive, though. I mean uh I mean I mean you know firet trucks probably three times as much as they used to be. Ambulances are three times as much as
they used to be. Um so the cost is through the roof and you know like just I always tell people this you know I can you know what a K12 saw is I'm sure um a K12 saw you can buy at Home Depot and you can probably get it for three 400 bucks. That same saw and they put somebody's name on it because it has to
be used either for fire or EMS. It's going to cost you $1,200. So Chris, yes. While we I mean I don't mean to put you on the spot, guys, but Chief, would you mind could you speak to some of this stuff or you want to just maybe cover it after the meeting. I hate putting you on the spot, but >> it's helpful to have the expert. >> I'm not saying it's not important. I'm
just I'm just questioning that, you know, there's a lot of things on there that seem like they could possibly have been lowered our cost a little bit. I mean, you know, we're all trying to I think we're we agree we're all trying to be stewards of the town's money, right? Every dollar that gets paid for that ambulance comes out of everyone almost
everyone up there's and everyone out here's pocket >> comes out of our pockets. Well, not everyone up there as a town res. That's what I'm saying. Yeah. So, almost everyone up there and everyone out here comes out of our pocket. So, I'm just, you know, and I know that we're all want to be stewards of the of the town's dollars. So, I'm just questioning is every one of those items on there
absolute necessity or could there have been some opportunity for some savings somewhere? And there's a lot of items on this, you know, this this 50 pages of of spending for on the consent agenda for tonight. Going back to one of the other coms point, you know, we just kind of zip through all these things and no one
really challenges any of these things. I don't know if if you guys sit during your executive session and maybe maybe not read through all those line items, but you know, I see a lot of things pop out at me and I just have to question them. You know, the the Mache, hey, did you did you guys know that it has a
karaoke feature? Did you see that on the on the bill of sale? It's on there. It has a karaoke feature. >> I'm I'm I'm pretty I'm pretty comfortable stating that we won't be using that feature. >> I'm just letting you know that it is there. >> Are we sure about that?
>> I just I'm just questioning our money. It's my money. It's your money. It's everyone's your money. So, I just want to make sure that we're doing what's best with it. And I know that's your intentions, but you know, sometimes some of these things are, you know, small line items that you may not have the opportunity to review. You know, you all
have busy lives outside of here. So, >> listen, we're we're up here to be challenged. So, I don't I don't I don't have any issue with questions at all, but I do want to get to your questions related to the trust fund and then the >> So, the trust fund and and I don't
recall the exact mechanism, Mike, so I will turn to you. It is funded by developers who seek to develop in the town and that is money that with interest has grown over the years which by the end of this year will be approaching $8 million. The state does have I think a I don't know what their
parameters for being able to sort of take it >> but claw it back not even call it back. It's out there to begin with but they do have that right. Um but I will let I will let somebody better informed than I am on some of the details speak to that. you're informed, Roco, but um it there's developer fees provided for by township
ordinance, which is all a component of the affordable housing process. But um when developers complete development that doesn't have an affordable component, they have to pay a fee into the development fund. I will say a substantial amount of the trust fund is from the Bell Works redevelopment. um
they had to make a $5 million contribution under their redevelopment agreement several years ago which uh has funded I'd say the majority of what's in that fund. So that's that's again grown over the years and its specific use is for
developments that have affordable components to them or you know as we have on middle road a 100% affordable complex as to whether or not we're going to be on the hook again Mike on the we >> under a special assessment it it's basically an added tax that's placed on
the unit owners and if the special assessment doesn't get paid it goes just like unpaid taxes. So if someone doesn't pay their taxes, a tax sales certificate gets sold against the property, it could end up getting foreclosed upon. So it's the same thing here. So that's the recourse for the town and and collecting that money.
>> And if the whole hypothetical, I know, you know, we are not here to answer hypotheticals, but hypothetically the whole thing falls apart or something, you know, whatever, right? Isn't the town still on the hook for that? We actually discussed that with the redeveloper and we are going to have
them provide us the financial um asurances that the project is moving forward and that they're putting shovels in the ground before the force made construction begins to ensure the township isn't building a force made unless the project is moving forward. >> Why couldn't we just take that money from that trust fund as opposed to
floating the bond? >> There's restrictions on how much of that. >> That's the 20% correct. Okay, I got it. And so then why is the 20% on six and a half not five and a half? >> It's it's actually >> I guess it's more beneficial to us if it's >> well it's the total it's the total cost of the effort, right? The total cost is
the six and a half. The me the mechanics of who pays what where. Again, these are parts some of the details that we started working through. But that's why we're estimating it coming off the six and a half and not the five and a half. >> So to our benefit for the six and a half number because we're 20% of six and a half versus five and a half. It doesn't
>> advantages us by 200,000 less unabor. Yeah. >> Yeah. But we're not we're not doing it for the advantageous nature of it. It just happens to be the total cost of the project. >> I'm just trying to understand. >> Yeah. That's you know it's been um it's been a bit of a whirlwind but that's you know that's I think we we have comfort. Again we wouldn't have announced this
tonight if we didn't have comfort we were going to get home and not put the town at risk and and all those things. So questions completely understand and I know you know folks will think of more as the days and weeks pass. That's what but it's also why we did this tonight because there is a process still to
follow and it's going to give time for people to sort of drink this in and work it through. It's also going to give us time to make sure our professionals do the right level of diligence around this. So thank you everybody Mr. Gianelo >> uh Jay Enelo 18 Lwood Drive. Um Mayor
Pvido, you mentioned that um Mr. Foster sort of was working working on this or was it like can you just give us a little background on was this always like something we'd like or how did we get here from him talking to them or
like was it just >> we got careful >> already I'm getting flagged. >> Well, usually it's usually I'm the one that gets flagged. So >> yeah. Okay. >> I I think what I can say is this and Mike stop me mid-sentence if I you know do what I do so poorly. Um,
I think what I'd say is this. I think to keep it fairly generic, we've been exploring all options to ensure that the development is handled responsibly and in the best interest of the town and that's trans transferred from mayor to
mayor so to speak as in terms of running point on that. I think that's the that can't get me in trouble, can it? >> You just give up at this point. Yeah. >> No, it doesn't. Oh god. Um, but so I think that that's I have to keep it fairly generic, but that's the case. You
know, >> why don't I just retract my question. >> I'm probably gonna get myself in trouble, but but you know, we always take Listen, I I I understand folks don't always feel heard, and I understand how um and understandably emotional things get here. It's our
town. It's our neighborhoods. Um, you know, everyone here, regardless of where we differ on things, want to do what's in the best interest of the town. And there's a lot of criteria to weigh. Um, and it doesn't always happen as fast as
we'd like. There's processes to follow, right? Um, even now, you know, we weighed the risk of announcing that we have something that we feel good about tonight, but we felt it was better to do that in the interest of the town and to hopefully takes the temperature down a little bit and be completely transparent. So, you know, I I probably
shouldn't say anymore or can't say anymore or already got us in trouble anyway. But, >> and Mr. Collins, this is kind of getting ahead of things, but um what if someone bought SS White and said, "Oh, went to Fair Share and said we could pipe it now. We like Can you give us a little more, it's early in the process, but can
you give us a little more comfort that someone couldn't force piping elsewhere?" >> So, th this particular aspect and and the actual agreements being handled by special counsel. So I'm only generally speaking he's he's specifically handling it. Um this particular pipe is the
intention is that the pipe is going to only have the capacity that would accommodate the vonnage property and that the force man itself will be deed restricted so that it can't be used for anything else. >> My concern is wouldn't someone want to force a parallel pipe? A new pipe. Oh, we'll cover a new pipe. I I think the
the thing that the township can take solace in is to the extent it's always been a participant in complying with the affordable housing mandates so long as Homeell does that in theory they Homell has control over where the um highdensity development to the extent
it's imposed on Homeell is located and so by maintaining that power um you know it would have the ability to not support such an application that seems that you're referencing. And so that would eliminate that issue. >> And the short answer is if a developer
wants to build 50 houses on SS White and says, "Can I have a sewer line?" The answer is no. >> Yeah. >> But I mean honestly that's I mean it's you know at risk of oversimplifying right it's this is a special condition within a redevelopment process which gives you know which is a different
animal than than typical development. Um and so the answer quite simply is no. And to the point uh Mike made, you know, part of our large part of our responsibilities is getting hit with these Trenton mandated housing mandates every 10 years. Um it was this was a
point I really really and anybody that was on the calls with me knows I hammered home. Does this set a precedent? Does this put us at risk of high density housing in South Hell? Does this justify another developer coming forth and saying, "But I want one, too." Dude waving me off. I'm getting in
trouble. I can't say anymore. So, long story short, let's just go with no. >> It's fine. >> Um, just a commentary and I I'm hopeful we're going to move forward, so not look back that much. But I have an analytical background.
You know, I've been to thousands of meetings, thousands of presentations, seen thousands of debates. This process, planning board, engineers, this town is, and I said it before and I'm surprised
even to this day, is loaded with intelligent people, analytical people, smart people, pensive people. This was a mess. The engineers thought it was going to be a new packaging plan. Oh, no, there wasn't going to be a new packaging. The engineers, well, they
didn't look at it before. I mean, this the audience was running circles around so many aspects about this and then when someone brought up let's have an on-site and everyone's like yeah several planning board members said voted no
what's the harm I get I get the clock was running why can't we have an onsite it this process was horrible and I just hope for you and anyone else that's in your seats going forward realizes this town won't have it we'll have none
of it we need a smart intelligent process for big decisions or hell's going to break loose and hell has broken loose on this. Really quickly, I'm not I'm not going to allocart go about the trucks and the ambulances and
this and that, but I think there's a cumulative message here that is many years ago before I think most of you were up there, we were told with the pilot revenues, um we we might have our taxes going down. And I know things have changed and the school budgets a mess
and inflation is crazy, but our taxes aren't going down. So, you have a lot of people tuned into over the past, and Mr. Emma has brought this up, others have brought it up. Do we need F350s? Do we need this? Do we need a $2 million this?
Do So, at some point, it would be good for someone, I don't want to make work for you, Chris, but for someone to give the town a view, an inventory. This is our fleet. This is what we think we have to replace this because we we just come to meetings. It's 400,000 here. It's
900,000. It's a million here. And all of us are in the audience saying, "What the hell is going on here?" A little visibility on this I think would go a long way to either having you guys think of it differently or more probably more likely having us shut up. But I think that would be useful because these
numbers are big. >> And to to be clear, I wasn't laughing at your point about hell breaking loose. I was laughing at your point after that which said really quickly. So >> yeah. Okay, the LA Miss Bontempo, I didn't even know about that thing about the overlap, but I have to tell you one thing, and it's last
thing, and again, I'm hoping this is history, but we walked around to the spray field. This is a spray field that never worked where up to 15,000 gallons per day of affluent would go if the if the reservoir couldn't take it. Do you know
that Sprayfield has an angle sort of like this? You put I don't know about your property. You put 15,000 gallons a day on a few acres at an angle like this with the clays around here, that water is just going to flow. So, I don't even
know how that was. I'm not an engineer, but I don't even know how that could be in the realm of possibility. Again, there's a nice angle there when I saw that angle. So, I'm done. Thanks. >> Good. So I I think um
so I think you know Jay what we'll do again this year you know we did a we did a state of home doll address a couple years ago. We'll do that again. You know where we reviewed the financials where the money is being spent why how etc. We probably should talk about the fleet right and as a as a comment on that. >> We're working on that. Actually it's
going to be part of our capital budget this year. We're going to be doing that going forward where we'll plan out every vehicle, every big expense. But this is my first year doing it here. So it's going to take a little bit for me to get my hands around what we have already. Yeah. So, we'll do that and we'll also talk about the composition of the revenues, if you want, the taxes that come into the town, which tax revenues
are effectively flat that have come in and things of that nature, you know, as we as we sit and talk with the finance committee. So, um, yeah, all that's we'll get we we'll have all that together so everyone can see, you know, we try to be as transparent as we can be. Mr. Little, >> hi, Bill Little. A Coventry Square. Um,
I wanted to commend you on um your proposed purchase of a couple of EVs. Glad to see you're beginning to move into electrification and everything. But while we're talking about the fleet, this will give you an opportunity to compare long-term costs for electric
versus gas vehicles. So, anyway, >> thank you. Yes. Any more public comment or can we go to consent? Oh, all right. Come on, Pete. You guys are like wrestling for the spot. Whoever wants to go first. >> Sorry.
>> Hi, Joanne Lamb at 220 Holland Road. Um I I think I should do a disclaimer since I am a board of ed um board member. Um so all of my comments, opinions, statements are my own. I don't want to collect any view of the board. So I want to get that out of the way. I'm sure the
disclaimer is longer. I can't remember it. Um but anyway, first of all, thank you all of you for all of the time served. So I know that the process is long. You guys have all have a lot more time served than me. I'm new to this process. But regardless of all of the credit that goes your way for when
things go right, I'm sure there's plenty of blame as well. Right. So throughout the whole process, it's been super frustrating. I have also come to a bunch of the meetings and um in the spirit of fairness and talking about doing the right thing, right? Absolutely. Totally
commend you guys going this way and making this decision. um in the spirit of thing I don't know if I'm speaking out of the expert witnesses I don't think they were paid I don't know right but my point is you guys also had engineers and I know there was plenty of time energy and effort that you guys put
into the tune of two years whatever it may be but ultimately when um the town had concerns and ultimately when um the town had concerns and um had to talk through some of these issues it was not only the volunteers on the planet not
being critical of the people you guys chose. My point is um through all of the heartache, frustration, and everything else, all of the countless hours we all sat through, it was ultimately the people they hired and probably doing the equivalent of part-time or full-time
jobs collectively also for free, whatever their time is worth. Maybe, and I know this is not through a conventional process of how things are done, maybe there should be some conversation about making them whole because if you guys actually paid the people, the right people to get the job
done, they should have come to that answer instead of all of the heartache on top of money spent. So that's all I have to say. >> Thank you, >> Peter. Is that something that can be done? I
don't I don't know if it is or >> Peter Franco five wing. >> Uh I just want to say thank you for what you guys came up with tonight. I think it's awesome. Honestly, I wish we could have got to this a lot earlier. Um there was a lot of leg work. Um is this questions or just comments?
>> It's public comment on agenda items. this kind of this. Did any of the work we did help you guys get to this decision? Honestly, >> I I getting waved off. You don't have to say >> I'm getting I'm getting waved off here. >> We're we're in a rough spot. We have we're under contract with the redeveloper and and one thing I'll just
say as background is you know we were asked earlier about you know negotiations. the township committee when it's under contract with a redeveloper and has to act in good faith under that contract while you know essentially people in the public are critical of particular terms of that contract we still have an
obligation to carry out the contract even in spite of whatever we may believe or not believe and we're not saying that up here. So when we're sitting here not commenting it doesn't mean that we're endorsing or anything we're we're we're just carrying out our obligations. So >> and I get in trouble because I want to tell everybody everything all the time and I can't.
>> Exactly. Um, and kind of like what Victoria was hitting on before, uh, with with TNM, I honestly think with this project going forward, uh, I'm a nobody, but I don't think they're the right people for this. And perfect example was,
uh, last week uh, at the planning board when they were all sitting there and they were being asked questions about our wastewater treatment plan, they hadn't reviewed it. We've been at this for five months and the engineers that and and I'll quote you guys from the reorg that meeting when you said that
you hire people on efficiency and ability to get things done otherwise it cost taxpayers money. They did the exact opposite. They cost everybody a ton of money here. They failed at their job miserably and this all could have been avoided if they would have done their job right. And I just I hope we could
take that into account of whether we fire them on something based off of this and hire somebody that uh that can actually do the job and when they're asked the questions they give answers and don't pass it on and and and back and forth to each other. Uh that would be great. Um
can Bell Works handle a force main from the Azora project? >> It it can Chris you nodded faster than I did. So if you want to go for it. summer, we actually did some upgrades there like right at that inter. I'm pressing it down because I'm because Wendy makes me press it down. I don't
need to press it down today. So, over the summer we actually replaced piping out there that was go and a valve that was a problem. Uh before we did the Crawford's corner work um and a lot of that had to do with, you know, upgrading some of that. So, that's where we plan to tap in is in that kind of area into
those pipes. So, all those pipes have been checked and it was that was the only area that was a problem. So, our goal is to connect right there into the force main and send it right through to uh to the Crawford's Cornerstone, which will go out. It just keeps pumping all the way through. >> And and to be clear, it wasn't pre-ordained. These were separate projects. Just so happened that it worked out. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Well, it happened
because the row was open. It was the best time for us to do it. So, you know. >> Okay. Um also, uh as far as getting approvals for this for Spain, I I believe somebody said something about the 27th of January that if this doesn't get approved by the planning board, it
goes into some gets approved by default. Now, does that mean that it goes back to the wastewater treatment plant? >> No, no, no, no, no. So, as part of the arrangement that the mayor outlined earlier, one of the conditions is that CHA is required to go to the planning
board and whatever mechanism is agreed upon to make it clear that the force main is the development proposal. Um, in terms of your question about the automatic approval, there is a provision in the
municipal land use law that if an application isn't acted upon in a certain period of time, the applicant can say board didn't do their job. I'm declaring a default. Quite honestly, if they did that, they would then lose in superior court because the case law is pretty generous that, you know, the courts don't want that to happen on
default and they would send it back to the planning board. So I would generally say that that's not really something for anyone here to be concerned about and that they do have to take the proposal that we discussed tonight to the planning board. >> Okay. And also for the record, so the
planning board, so basically it's not D that's going to approve this or in other words, they're the ones that say whether this does or doesn't go. It's not the planning board. It's not you guys because I remember like with the treatment plant, it kept getting passed up to it's all D. It's all D. So it's on us. It's in other words, it's not going
to backfire on us. Like this is basic essentially a done deal >> there. Yeah. I don't see anything from a regulatory standpoint that's going to prohibit us from accomplishing the force main as the mayor outlined. I would imagine the force main is subject to different D regulations, but that's not
in any way going to inhibit it. And I think it's going to be on the redeveloper to follow whatever the D regulations are to decommission the plan. >> Okay. And then also uh this force mean I'm assuming it's either gonna go up home road and down Roberts
>> or is there going to be an easement >> road? >> What is that? I don't need you right now. Uh what about a traffic study for when the construction's happening? >> All right. Well, >> I'm, you know, because now I'm >> I'd say, yeah, I'd say it's no different
than any other road work in that regard in terms of how we'd be handling that with our police and the support services around that. >> Exactly. There would have to be we did with Crawford. Yeah, we do everything. >> Yeah, we have a construction. We'd have to go through the whole process. Normally, we normally do plus home roads a you know, you're dealing with the county as well. So, we have to follow
their regulations and then when it makes its turn, but again, this this could be laid pretty quickly. um you know they the ones who did it over the summer did it so fast we couldn't believe it. So and so we we have a good feeling of who was going to be quoting him and who's going to bid him out and stuff like that. Great.
>> And uh hey >> Scott, thank you. Honestly, like really that was awesome and I wasn't expecting that to happen. We're all human at the end of the day. We're all neighbors. You know, I was hating on you. I was, you know, wasn't exactly your biggest fan. Uh you were a social media, you know,
sensation over the last few weeks. And uh get up there. Sorry. I didn't say what you did. And I see you're hurt. You need help pling your driver this weekend. I'm there for you honestly. And guys, honestly, thank you. Greg,
Joe, Brian, Roco, Mike, Gary, and Carrie. Thank you. >> Thank Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, can we uh you guys okay if we move to vote on consent agenda? >> Can I get a motion to uh vote on consent
agenda, but I think we're going to strike out 52, Carrie? All right. >> Thank you, Jenny. >> Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Bontempo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Foster. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Romano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vanderham? >> Yes. >> Mayor and Prevadudo? >> Yes. >> Uh, resolutions 2026-41 through 2026-54 with the exception of 2026-52 have been successfully passed.
>> Thank you. Um, next is public hearing on ordinance 2026-01, an ordinance codifying the Heritage Advisory Committee. >> Got a motion to approve. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Public comment. >> Oh, public I always forget that part.
Sorry. Do we have any any public comment on this? >> And and just for context for everybody, the heritage committee up until this point has been an ad hoc committee with the town. Um, we're making it a permanent committee now. We think it's been really good to have a lot of diverse voices to have more better unfiltered access to the town and to
celebrate you know all the elements within. So >> um >> no comments. >> No comments. I guess I think we're good. Motion >> second. >> Mr. Bontempo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Foster. >> Yes. >> Mr. Romano.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Vanderham. >> Yes. >> Mayor in Parvadudo. >> Yes. >> Ordinance 2026-01 has been successfully passed. >> Thank you. Moving on to departments. Mr. Administrative. >> I think we've been here quite a bit tonight, but um the one thing I did want
to mention is yes, we did we did go into a shared service with Neptune City uh for it. Uh these are I'm very big on shared services. I think it benefits us and it benefits uh other um municipalities. We actually have another one, but we didn't get a chance to speak about it earlier, but I did get reached
out to from um from Highlands to uh do some construction uh permitting work with them. Um I think it's a good thing. I want to put it into an email to everybody to um you know go for it and uh I think that uh we'll we look at that one for about March 1st area. So um
we're we're we're one of the biggest I think when it comes to shared services. So and I think uh it just works out and it really it's it's a good thing. So >> thank you. Uh, councelor, >> I think I've said enough tonight, so I'll leave it there. Thanks, mayor. >> Fair enough. Moving on to the committee.
Committ Bmpo. Good evening, everybody. Um, uh, update on information technology. So, I'll uh try to summarize this pretty quickly. In 2025, the IT department focused on a comprehensive hardware overhaul to bring
the home devil's technology up to modern standards. The department successfully completed a multi-year transition for our police fleet, replacing the legacy Panasonic Toughbooks with high performance jetack tablets. These upgrades extend the town hall where
employees receive new computer computing hardware to ensure service to residents, general public remain seamless. Ultimately, these physical upfits were designed to strengthen public safety, improve overall efficiency across the township. Uh from a software perspective beyond security we've introduced
specialized software to modernize workflows across different department uh municipal departments for department of public works we launched a fleet management software to improve vehicle tracking and maintenance scheduling uh in the purchasing office transition to
open gov's e bidding software which simplifies the bidding and purchasing process for our vendors and makes procurement more transparent for the public. Uh the IT department has prioritized better digital image uh transparency and ease of access for our residents. That end. The department has
successfully secured new domain names for the township and police websites. Beginning January 28th in I guess a little little less than a week from now. The public can access Homeell's website by going to homeell.gov and can access
the homeell police department website by homedale police.gov. Before we were docoms, but now we're going to be.gov. These new.gov domains provide an immediate layer of security to our sites and also confirms the public they are inter interacting with an official government source. Alongside the domain
name rollout, the IT department and the public information office have complete a comprehensive redesign of their township website to offer more modern looking and userfriendly experience. This overhaul make it easier for residents to find information, access services and stay connected with the township. The launch date for the
redesign website also in the same date with the.gov gov site which is January 28th. Thank you. >> Thank you, committeeman. Mr. Romano, >> thank you, Mayor. Uh, nothing to report from community development. Uh, from the Homeell Library, uh, so far in the month
of January, we had 5,894 people visit with 84 reference questions asked. The library is hosting children's story times on a weekly basis. We've got Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., ages 12 to 18. Uh, Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., ages 2 to 5. Thursdays at 10 a.m. ages 18 to 36
months. Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. ages 3 to 5. There's also a virtual author's talk. Uh the library is thrilled to welcome author Liz Moore to discuss her latest work, The God of the Woods, a New York Times bestseller. This is happening on January 28th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Residents can join the discussion online by visiting the Homedale Library web page and clicking on book club events from public works leaf collection which has continued through January. um due to last month's storms has now officially ended. Leaf collection will
resume later in the spring and March. Uh the DPW asked residents to bring their recycling and trash containers away from the roadway in anticipation of this weekend's storm so that neither receptacles nor snow plows get damaged. Large item dropoff events will resume in
April 2026. Check the yellow postcard for DPW web page for more information. That's all I got. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Joe. Mr. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, the Veterans Committee, the first veterans coffee and conversation event of 2026 will be held
Thursday, February 5th at 10:30 at the senior center. All veterans and gold star family members are invited to attend the informal gathering and enjoy coffee, bagels, pastries. Those in attend those that planning to attend, please contact the rec wc department so they have a sense for the the numbers.
Uh, nothing from the Homedale Heritage Committee. Uh the green team uh the green team is currently uh continuing to work on community energy planning and gathering information for the local government energy audit. Uh this is a free audit that helps uh municipalities
find ways to save energy, identify efficiency projects, and access incentives. Uh the green team hopes to report back next committee with any updates to that. Um the green team is also hosting a winter seed sewing workshop on the 25th of January. I have
a feeling that's going to probably be postponed, but the uh they the green team um uh invites people to come learn and benefit the growing uh have benefits of growing native plants. It's easy, fun, and important to local environment. Please see the rec department website to
register. Uh attendees grades three through eight must be accompanied by an adult. Uh if the event is uh postponed because of the storm this Sunday, uh it will likely be rescheduled to Monday. uh but they will notify all registrants uh if that's the case. Uh the next um green
team meeting is scheduled for Monday uh February 2nd at 7:00 in the library. Thank you. >> Thank you Gary. Deputy mayor. >> Thank you mayor. In regards to the board of education, congratulations to the 2025 2026 recipients of the governor's
educator of the year awards presented by the New Jersey Department of Education. recipients were selected for their exemplary skills, inspiring presence, and positive impact on students and their school community. At Village School, congratulations to Laura Bradfield. At Indian Hill, Tom Woods at
Sat School, Katherine Sailor, and at Homedale High School, Lawrence Kager. The educational service professionals of the year at Village School, Elizabeth Smith. At Indian Hill School, Dawn Damato. At SAT School, Naka Ruiz. And at Homeell High School, Mary Glennon.
Congratulations to all of them. Homedale High School has also earned gold status on the College Board's AP school honor role, marking a significant advancement from last year's silver ranking. This recognition celebrates the district's success in increasing student participation in advanced placement
courses while maintaining high levels of exam achievement. This honor reflects the collaborative efforts of our students, faculty, and administration in prioritizing academic rigor and inclusive opportunities for all learners. Our theater students once again earned
the Silver Honor Troop designation, a distinction that recognizes their leadership, community outreach, and commitment to artistic excellence. Additionally, se several students received superior ratings, qualifying them to represent our Homeell School District at the International Thespian
Festival at Indiana University this June. Pretty cool. Throughout the weekend, our performers and production artists participated in highle workshops and received valuable professional feedback to further hone their craft. From our recreation department, please
save the date for the annual Daddyaughter Dance. The dance will be held on Saturday, March 14th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Jacques Reception Center. It is open to all Homedale residents in grades 3 through 7. The night will include a hot buffet,
pictures, dancing, and much more. Registration opens on Tuesday, February 3rd at 9:00 a.m. online at the recreation department's rec page or in person at the office. Note, the staff cannot accept credit card registrations over the phone. It fills up pretty
quickly. Uh, as we continue our celebration of America's semiquincentennial year this year, Homedale America 250th Committee is hosting a Revolutionary War trivia night on Thursday, February 12th. This will be held from 600 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. at Texas Roadhouse. The event is free, but pre-registration pre-registration is encouraged. Teams who register before February 2nd will receive bonus points. There will be prizes for the top three teams of the night. come out and test your knowledge of the Homeell and the surrounding
area's role in the Revolutionary War. Mayor, that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Brian. Try to be brief, but it's not my strong suit. Um, one, I want to make sure everyone knows now we are introducing mayor's office hours. Uh, I'll be joined by the deputy mayor. you know, we want
to make sure that we're as proactive as we can with the community and and and acknowledge the fact that not everyone feels comfortable standing up in this type of forum um to speak their mind or or voice their concerns. So, the last Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. we'll be hosting mayor mayor's office hours. I'll be joined by
the deputy mayor um to make sure that, you know, folks have an opportunity to come up and speak one-on-one um and hopefully, you know, feel their voices heard and and see if there's issues we can resolve for them on the fly. Uh, we do have a winter weather advisory going on. The winter storm watch is in effect
from 2 am today until 1 p.m. Monday. Uh, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy snow. The latest briefing from Chief Hernando shows totals of 12 to 18 in. Once snowfall begins, likely Saturday evening. Please avoid unnecessary travel on the roads during the storm and observe caution if
you need to drive. The police department wants to remind residents that according to the township ordinance, parking or extending a vehicle into public streets is prohibited when snow obscures the roadway and for 12 hours after snowfall ceases. Violations are subject to a $100 fine and vehicle removal at the owner's
expense. Please follow these guidelines to ensure everyone's safety. Move cars from the street as soon as possible before the storm. Sulting of roadways will begin before plowing. Park vehicles and driveways to allow for curb to curb plowing. Avoid shoveling or blowing snow into the street. Shovel sidewalks within
12 daylight hours after snowfall. Shovel walkways and driveways to allow emergency services to access homes in the event of fire, illness, or other emergency. I also want to congratulate Jud now, Judge Barbara Singer. Uh earlier today, Homedale resident Barbara
Singer was sworn in as an administrative law judge for the state of New Jersey. Congratulations to Judge Singer on this new role. May you serve the people of our state well, and I know she will. From the police department, there are new ebike rules in effect. New Jersey has enacted new statewide regulations
creating some of the strictest standards in the country following multiple serious and fatal crashes. Ebike riders must now have valid driver's license for those aged 17 plus or a motorized bicycle license for those aged 15 to 16. Under 15, you're not permitted to operate low-speed or motorized ebikes.
All ebikes must be registered with the MVC and have insurance coverage. Riders have six months to comply before fines begin. License and registration fees are waved for the first year. Homedale Township Police Department will be putting out more detailed information on social media. Uh Long Street, Long
Street Road will be closed today, 122 through Saturday the 24th for utility work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A detour is in place. The fire department responded to 630 calls for service in the year of 2025, which is the most ever in our history. The department
congratulates members Shawn Dicki and Rich Switzer, who both graduated from the Mammoth County Fire Academy yesterday. The rigorous firefighter one program consisted of 250 hours of classroom and practical live fire training. On December 2025, both in
December 2025, both Chief Fernando and Deput Dep deputy chief Rabikowski attended fire instructor attained fire instructor 2 certifications. This certification will allow them to deliver better training to the membership as well as coordinate and supervise live burn training. Um, and then there's
another snow reminder, but I think we covered that. So, with all that said, uh, that's the committee and now we can move on to public comment. Carrie Wendy usually reads a thing. I don't know if you have it. Uh members of the public are invited to provide comment up to three minutes in
duration. Uh commenters are asked to state his or her full name and address for the record before entering comments. >> Thank you. Do I have any? Yep, I see. Okay, Mr. Yanella went first, then Jenny, you go next. >> Jay Yanella 18way drive. Do we have any
idea why we hit a record number of fire calls? Um, is it false alarms? Is it Do we have any idea? And if I I don't expect you to know, but maybe at some point you can come back if you don't know. >> I it it occurred to me as well. Well, we should get the dispositions of these. As I recall, historically, most of them are
sort of false alarms, false fire alarms. Yeah, I think a lot of it is that and also um a lot of fire departments even outside of us are depending more and more on uh sh on um mutual aid. So a lot of times during the day when it may be a large gathering whether it's school or
something like that I think they're on a system now where school school has like an alarm they send us plus somebody else just so we get people there quickly just in case large gatherings. Sorry. >> Okay. Um Chris, while you're speaking, what's that new creepy camera or
something over Robert's Road and um Homedale Road? They were installing it today or yesterday. Do you Do we know what that is? >> I have no idea. >> Right at the traffic intersection, there's this long pole with a tilt and some device over the intersection. >> Well, we'll keep an eye >> keeping an eye on you, Jay.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I mean, you can keep an eye on the county. It sounds like that. >> No, it's Robert. This one is is um maybe it has to do with the utility. your utility. Let >> No, this one is Homedale Road and Roberts. Maybe you maybe there's another one. Okay. So, they're putting these
weird things up over the interfine tracker or anything. >> No, no, this is some Yeah, maybe you can. >> We have We don't have new ones going in right now. So, she's got a picture of it. What is that? Why you're here? >> What is going on in this town?
>> Big brother's watching, man. >> I'll have to find out. >> Not Not the red ones. >> No, these Oh my god, they got to fight tonight. >> Ron, I'm talking the poll. The poll they put one there. Okay, these things are popping up and >> we should know what they are. >> Yeah, we'll take a look about it.
>> Um, and the other thing, Chris, on the J&L pothole reporting system, >> and I just got a new car with dicey rims, so I'm really going to be a buster about this. between the dog park and bell works
>> on the right edge of the road there's a nasty pothole for weeks and weeks and it's just getting worse. So obviously after this storm if you can get to that. >> Yeah, I think I think it wouldn't be worth it if I did it before the storm because that's what's that's what's causing him as the plows go down any loose things are ripping it up and we
have to I wish it would stop snowing so we get some time to actually get out there and put some coal patch in there but we'll definitely get to it. >> Thank you. >> That's it. >> Thank you Miss Blumenthal. Hi, Jenny Blumenthal, 41 Stony Brook Road. I would have asked this of Joanne Lamb, but she just left. Um, who got
elected to the president of the board of ed? >> Peter Ready. >> Pet. >> Okay. Again. >> Okay. And the second one, you just announced that you were going to be having uh mayoral open houses, >> office hours. Yep. >> Office hours where physically here or on
your own telephone? >> No, no, it'll be physically here. Um, I'm assuming we use the conference room upstairs, Chris. >> Yeah, you can use either either conference room, whatever one. >> We'll use the conference room down here for >> physically right sitting there. >> Not a We have a conference room right there. >> True, true, true, true, true. Okay, but
I'll be physically where you were going to be. Could be the men's room. I don't know. >> You weren't supposed to ask that. >> Yeah, these are the hard questions I can't answer. Any any other questions? Public comment. Yes, ma'am. Lyn Le Young, 7 Grand View Drive. Um, I
just want to say thank you for recognizing the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. I am a mother of Boy Scouts and Girl Scout. Um, I do want to go backwards just a little bit. Um, you know, this whole issue with Vonnage and I have to say I've spent many hours worried, crying for my kids, thinking
that they might drink polluted water. So, thank you guys for listening to us. Um because I keep thinking we spent so many so much of our tax dollars are being spent for a lawyer that was sitting up here that was paid by our tax dollars and then we had to spend our own money as residents to get experts in
here. So that's just one thing I want to say. Um also mayor and provadudo I saw your little post on the six pillars that you spoke about. I hope that you guys continue to govern in those within those six pillars and answer the why. The
reason why I live here as a resident is because of the schools number one. So I hope that you guys will always think about the schools and also for the health and safety of our kids. Um and then one other closing thought I I mean another question. What is that big thing
by Long Street Road? Uh I have res I have friends that live there. They're wondering if that thing is radiating cancer to them. I mean that thing is massive. >> Yeah. No, that we had no this is you're talking about the big poll. >> Yeah. I think, you know, Chris, what we should probably do if we don't have it already is maybe the front page of our
site. If people have questions, we should give them the service line for JCPNL or the BPU. >> Yeah, we'll do that. We'll set we'll set we'll set it up. Um I >> only because we had no control. That's why I'm I'm not trying to pass the buck on you. This was imposed on us. >> Yeah, we actually went out there and walked it, but we were basically the BPU
did not protect us at all on that. So, um, but I will tell you that, uh, today I spoke with, um, our representative cuz I reached out to him to get an update on where we are with that that project and he told me he didn't think he'd get it to me before tomorrow. So, um, whatever
update is, we'll set something up and we'll put it on our website with those phone numbers so that if you have a complaint or concern, you know, and you can maybe see what what where we're going with it next. But those are large polls to make turns with. Basically, that's that's the new standard. Uh, it's
a countrywide standard. It's just that JCP now finally getting to New Jersey. It's supposed to prevent outages and help with outages because there's stronger poles and stuff like that. >> Well, obviously, you know, that residents are wondering is is that going to give me cancer?
>> Yeah, I I Yeah, I think that at this point they're they're probably more safe than what we've had before. I mean, you know, if you went what would what was in those wood poles, you wouldn't want to know how they're how they don't rot. you know, you'd have to think, okay, what what are they putting in there to stop them from rotting? So, that's always been a problem as well. So,
>> and so the point is that sex, the point is not to pass the buck, of course. Again, you know, we'll put the customer service and I think numbers on the site for anybody to access simply because we were we were told everything that you do. Thank you,
>> Scott. You got to see how to get up there, man. Let's go. Hey, you're in you're in it all the way now. Come on. >> Scott Sman 25 Eli Road. I think the pole is just replacing the wood pole. So I don't think there's new wiring going on. It's just so as far as radiation or
anything with it's just a stronger pole so the wood won't collapse. >> That's really all it is. >> Thank you, >> Mr. G. Ken G. Um, sorry if the real Ken G will stand now. Uh, HA street. So, as someone
who used to spend a lot of time with rage and fighting that, uh, sorry for the outburst, but, um, I won't get into it because what I really want to get to is something else. Um, follow up on the varnish thing. Um so thank you for making sure and reinforcing the fact that that force man will be sized so
that it's only for varnage and that um there's certain destrictions and so on so that other projects or whatever at least along that path won't be able to utilize it. So I want to reinforce that's what you're saying. But also two
is specifically with the CHA and with the redevelopment agreement and then in particular the application that's before the planning board. There's no changes to the plan that's been agreed to in terms of the number of units, the design or anything like that. There's no uh
this is just changing how the wastewater management plant and so on. All right. Thank you. >> That is correct. Yes. >> Yeah. and and um look um so since I got a couple more minutes left um the the electrical transmission pose so you know the there's two separate systems people
need to understand that there's a distribution system and there's a transmission system so a lot of times when they um JCP now in particular but really all the utilities you know they come and want to change certain system they keep telling you about outages and so on so you know you got to make sure
you understand what system they're talking about what uh and so on so they may be changing the poll but JCPN now has a record of now changing some of the designation of transmissions that goes from you know what they call transmission line versus distribution line so there are changes in there but
you know they need to make the investment in the local distribution that is the source for a lot of outages and so on so it's a big ugly thing but the problem is uh the way the process works is once they get to the point where it's being constructed whatever application whatever process they need to go to is priority gone through the
BPU but go to it get the information and so on. So again, I apologize for my uh my outages there. >> Thank you very much. Any other public comment? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Move. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Thank you everyone.