Heat. Heat. I hereby call this meeting of Howell Township Council to order. >> This meeting is being held in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of this meeting has been advertised in the manner prescribed by law. This agenda is complete to the extent known and formal
action will be taken. >> Councilman Nadal >> here. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell >> here. >> Councilman Rubel >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer >> here. >> Mayor Leio >> here. Resolution R-26-194.
Is there a need to go into executive session this evening? >> Yes, there is. >> May I have a motion to enter into executive session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadal. Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes.
>> Mayor Legio. >> Yes. >> I hereby reconvene the council meeting of May 26th. May I have roll call, please? >> Councilman Nadell, >> here. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell >> here. >> Councilman Rubel >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer >> here.
>> Mayor Legio >> here. Would everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of individual prayer? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for it stands one nation indivisible for all. Thank you. >> Call upon Mr. uh our police chief John Star, please. Good evening everybody. I'm Chief Staro
and welcome to the safest place in How Township right now. >> What kind of car you drive? Uh, tonight we're going to be doing a ceremonial swearing in of the officers that we've hired over the last year or two. And I promise it will not keep you here too long. What I'm going to do is call them
up one at a time by name. They will stand next to me at the podium here. When I'm done calling all the names, I will invite the family and friends to come up and join them for the swearing in by the deputy mayor. So when I call you up, then you can come up and join
your officer up here. So here we go. Officer Tristan Waldron. There we go. Officer Bailey Ingard. Officer Corey Fazel. GLORY. >> He knows he's going to get a BBA card. That's why.
>> Come on, baby. Let's go. >> Officer Andrew McCarthy, Officer Eli Lavren, OFFICER Tyler K, >> Officer Evan Morell, Officer John Nista, Officer Luis Mendoza, Officer Cole Doohig,
Officer Sir Noah Van Blunt. >> And last but not least, Officer Ryan Goodspeed. At this time, I would like to invite all the family and friends to come up and join their officer, and Deputy Mayor Fischer will swear them all in at one time. >> Come on up.
>> I need you gentlemen to repeat after me after I say I. What's up? There's too many. Are we ready, >> Chief? Where's the chief? >> Yes. >> Yes. Are we ready? >> Yes, we are. >> Okay. >> So, after I say I, you're going to state
your name. Okay. >> Raise your right hand, Jim. Raise your right hand, please. Thank you. >> Repeat after me. I >> I >> state your name. >> Do solemnly swearly >> swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully
>> and partially >> and partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of the office >> all the duties of the office >> of patrolman >> of patrolman >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability. >> And that I will support the Constitution of the United States. and I will support the Constitution of the United States
>> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And that I will bear true faith >> And I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. >> and allegiance to the same. >> And to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state
>> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. I'll be safe. >> All right, Jets. Everybody out. >> We can take pictures outside, guys, if
you want. If you want with the uh I don't know if the mayor and council are willing. Sure. >> Come down, take some pictures, or you guys can go out into the hallways and have all the people that you want. Congratulations. Take a look. >> Oh yeah.
And actually your your also everybody has an open. So just print your name um your title and
it depends >> and and everybody has a um an form here. If you could find yours and if you could just sign it Look up. >> I don't want to mess up. Yeah, I just put in
That's perfect. Thank you. Congratulations. person. Congratulations. >> Thank you. I don't think anyone else did. We didn't hear you. Just cover your heavy.
Eli should hear her. Come on. SMILE. STOP LOOKING SO TOUGH. >> ANDREW'S not smile. Just sit and relax. >> Don't touch it. No. >> Oh, you can't touch that stuff. NO.
>> THEIR STUFF. That's their stuff. I want to go over here. >> WE CAN STAY. A CHAIR. >> This is a chair we can STAND OUT. HELLO.
Go ahead. Are you GUYS with and everybody told you LIKE Please relax. HOW RELAXES. You got to take
Lola. sitting there. Hold on. Wait for me. >> STOP. combination to find the go.
YEAH. >> Look at the paper. >> I see Evan. I SEE EVAN. I SEE. It's okay. It's okay. Can you take our picture? lots of >> Bella. How come? You put her last name in the party.
Remember, >> I'm going to put your hero in here. So I am very >> relaxed. Very relaxed. Yeah, I can't. Yeah, >> I'm sure >> she'll go
since now it's like marriage that they have jurisdiction. >> So they supersede >> us. >> But I I want to
>> Well, that one like >> that was that was It's going to be >> sir. Yes. >> All right. >> All right. Everyone, let's get back to this meeting, please. May I have a motion for the acceptance of minutes
from the May 12th, 2026 meeting? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel? >> Yes. >> Deput Mayor Fischer? >> Yes. >> Mayor Legio? >> Yes.
reports from our township officials. Mr. Gross, >> nothing to say. >> Kaitlin, >> nothing from me. >> All right. On to open public comment. May I have a motion to open the floor for the hearing of citizens and public comment? >> Motion to open to public.
>> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. First on the list is Angela Moroni. >> Each person shall first give their name and address to the clerk. The council should be addressed as a collective body and not as individual members. Each
person shall have one turn to address the council and comments shall not exceed a total 5 minutes. Speakers shall be notified when their time has run and no time extensions shall be permitted. Okay. Good evening, mayor, council members, and residents. My name is
Angela and I've lived in Howlet Township for more than 22 years. This is where I've raised my children. This is my home and this is my community I believed would protect its res protect its residents when serious housing concerns were reported. I'm here tonight because after years of reporting
repeated flooding, water intrusion, moisture problems, structural concerns, and suspected mold conditions inside my apartment. I still do not understand how these conditions were allowed to continue for so long without meaningful intervention. For years, I documented conditions, filed complaints. I
contacted management. I contacted township officials. I contacted state agencies. I contacted inspectors. Yet the problems continued. And while these conditions continued, my rent continued to increase. At some point, residents deserve answers. How many violations,
failed inspections, flooding incidents, and unresolved habituality complaints can a property accumulate before stronger enforcement is enforced? I also want to address the mold findings directly. Independent environmental testing performed inside my apartment identified
water damage related molds including chatonium and stacky stackup patrice both commonly associated with chronic moisture intrusion and long-term water damage also known as black mold. These findings did not point to a simple housekeeping incident. They pointed to
unresolved water intrusion and moisture conditions with the structure itself. Despite years of complaints with flooding incidents, these conditions were never fully resolved before renovations continued and residents remain living in these units. Another issue that deeply concerns me is the
conflicting environmental testing results. Independent testing identified serious moisture related contamination. At the same time, testing arranged by management presented a far less serious picture of the conditions. So, I'm asking you, why are tenants receiving
dramatically different conclusions depending on who the inspector is? How are residents supposed to know which findings to trust? Why are tenants receiving dramatically different conclusions depending on who performed the inspection and who inspects the inspectors?
And what oversight exists to ensure environmental inspections connected to rental properties are truly independent and unbiased. I also went I also want to address what I believe is one of the most serious issues involved in this situation. The
continued occupancy of units despite unresolved violations, failed inspections, ongoing moisture related concerns, and no current certificate of occupancy of rental certification. Howell Township's own ordinance required inspections and certifications to
protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents. So, I'm asking this council directly, how can residents continue being charged increasing rents while living in units with unresolved habituality concerns and no current certificate of occupancy or rental
certification? What is the purpose of inspections and occupancy certifications if residents are still left living in potential unsafe conditions for extended periods of time? At what point does enforcement move beyond paperwork and become actual protection for the people
living inside these homes? Over the course of the reported over over the course of reporting these conditions, I have also found myself repeatedly involved in legal proceedings connected to my housing situation. I have appeared in eviction court, compliance related matters, and disputes stemming from
ongoing maintenance and habituality issues within my apartment. And what has been most difficult is feeling that after years of reporting flooding, moisture intrusion, and health concerns, my character as a resident and mother has been questioned simply because I continue speaking up. I never wanted
conflict. I wanted repairs. I wanted accountability and I want safe housing conditions for my family. Instead of this process that left me financially strained, emotionally exhausted, and publicly decaracterized for advocating for my family's health and well-being. Another issue Howell Township must
address is housing affordability and tenant stability. At this time, there is no broad cap rent to protection for most apartment residents in Howell Township, despite rapidly increasing rent costs and ongoing habituality concerns. My rent went from $930 to nearly $2,400 in
the same apartment with mold that I'm discussing. that creates an imbalance where residents may feel financially trapped in unsafe living conditions because affordable alternatives are limited. And tonight, I'm respectfully asking council to look deeper into the
situation as a whole. I ask because after, excuse me, I ask how township to review the history of my complaints, inspections, flooding reports, code enforcement responses, housing violations, and the handling of this matter over the past decade.
Because nearly 10 years of documented flooding, moisture contrusion, complaints, inspections, and ongoing habituality concerns, residents deserve to understand how these conditions were permitted. >> Five minutes >> for so long. Thank you. I'm sorry. Thank
you for your time, >> Sierra. Can you hear me? Sandra Vieiraa. Hi, Alia. Good evening, Mayor and Council. I say it every time I get up here, but I'll say it again. We appreciate you. We see
all you're doing. You're great leaders, and we truly have the best in Howell. I want to talk about the laws and ordinances tonight, but more specifically code enforcement. The residents of Howell do not see code enforcement enforcing. One question I
have is how many positions are open for code enforcement versus how many are filled. Another question or urgency rather is the fact that law-abiding citizens are getting penalized for minuscule details regarding a fence, a shed, a pool.
Meanwhile, we have the intelligence, experience, research, and data to prove that issues which pose serious and dangerous implications to sewer septic, traffic control, unimaginable fire hazards, and neighborhood safety, just
to name a few, is seemingly overlooked. Information is being omitted on permits, as other residents have come to this very podium and explained in previous meetings. While there is room for improvement, we do not so much have an issue with our
laws or ordinances. Much of the issue is they are not enforced. I'll end with this. We know the things going on in our neighborhoods around town are not in line with the framework of the ordinances that have been set forth by
our town officials. The truth that there, sorry, I had to turn my page is zero adherence to the state and town law was proved at last meeting May 12th. It was
stated that all individuals standing must depart from the room and move to the overflow room. It was a very simple statement. If you're an individual who is standing, move to the overflow room. We saw it with our own eyes. Bodies did
not physically move. A significant amount of people just stayed. We are bringing up these issues because we know the danger associated when civilians do not obey the laws or create loopholes. We need more from code enforcement and
the reason is simple. For the safety of everyone who lives in and passes through Howell. Thank you. Cody Kirk. Um, my name is Cody Kirk. Hi everybody. Born and raised in Howell. Uh, is on the
adoption of ordinance 26-10 known as the merkantile uh license. I'm not sure everybody realizes the full extent at which it reaches whether by accident or intent. In this ordinance, the definition of a business is quote any commercial enterprise, trade, occupation, profession, or activity
carried on for profit or compensation within the township of how whether operated from a fixed location or on a transient basis. The term shall include any person or entity that owns, leases, or otherwise occupies a commercial premises within the township for the purpose of conducting such activity. So
the way this is worded and reads the shall include owns, leases, and occupies commercial premises part in legal drafting. This is an expanse and not restricted to these types of businesses. The only exceptions listed are nonprofits and homebased businesses
strictly defined as a home office and the town's zoning definition. And again, those are the only two exemptions listed under this ordinance for who needs a license. There's no distinction or exemptions made for things such as small agricultural practices not fully protected under the Right to Farm Act,
such as sub5acre farms or homesteads, sale-based hobbies such as crafting birdhouses or artwork, selling to just pay for supplies, friendly neighborhood bartering, and very importantly 1099 or gig work contractors. Under this extremely broad definition, mercantile licensing would be required for certain
farm stands, Uber drivers, out of town vendors at your wedding, delivery workers such as door dashers, personal at-ome trainers, occasional yard sales, which already require separate permitting, dog walkers, residents who sell items on Facebook Marketplace, vendors and crafters and at farmers
markets that the town holds every Sunday. Whether these people are doing this for profit or simply as a hobby that pays itself uh be it full-time or a transient basis even in town for just a single day. One could argue that each would and every one of them would need to apply for a mercantile license under
the definition of who's required to have one. The fees of which have not even been established and could change with future town councils who may not support small business endeavors of members of this community. This could very well discourage people from even attempting activities related to small profit or
bartering or compensation which can in turn lower the overall community engagement with each other. The main problem again lies with the definitions of activity and compensation. This is extremely broad verbiage. The definition of business is even broader than the IRS or New Jersey state definition of what
business is, which under their definition, a business has to have intent for profit. Whereas with this definition, the words activity and compensation broaden the definition way beyond what I believe residents want regulated. Under this ordinance, if I wanted to mow my neighbor's yard in
exchange for using his driveway to park some vehicles for some summer barbecues, I would legally need a merkantile license to do so since I would be compensated for the activity of mowing. Although this sounds ridiculous, and you might say that's not an actual business, you are correct, but is well within the
scope of what this ordinance defines as a business. It's transient in activity and there's compensation involved. One can say that this ordinance isn't intended to be used on the different examples I just mentioned, but the fact of the matter is that they all fall within the scope of this definition. It
is uh the very reason New Jersey state adopted Assembly Bill A853 which is for the childhood business protection and Senate Bill 24 or 2741 to protect transient snow shovelers because ordinances like this have been weaponized in the past in other towns to
stop people from small transient gig work that ultimately was not disrupting or harming the commercial standards we all want in our town. Go to our community Facebook page and you'll see people advertising and asking for simple gig work because they're just starting out and need extra money or because of hard times. These individuals would then
have to first apply for one of these license, list every type of work they may do, pay money they don't have, and wait to be approved or risk fines or even imprisonment under the penalties of this ordinance. I understand it was probably brought in to curb illegal fly by night businesses and practices that
truly undermine the safety and integrity of our town and to keep legitimate larger business endeavors up to a set of standards. But between the broad definitions of who needs one, what's defined as a business, which quite frankly sounds like anything, and the lack of transparency before the fact on
how much one of these license could cost or take to process, I'm asking council to step back and have this um rewarded or amended for a clarity on who it applies to before adopting it um of who we are unintentionally hurting with this
broad overreaching definition. THANK YOU. JOE BID. HELLO, Mayor and Council. Uh Joe Bzonos, Coltsneck Road. I'm going to be building off of uh what Sandre said a little bit, but first uh I'd like to start this
evening with a statement inspired by the cancellation of the May 12th council meeting. The internet can be a volatile but powerful tool. The truth is no longer controlled by politicians or media outlets. It's shaped by people and people are paying attention. When
meetings are canceled in a way that feels like a coordinated effort, we notice kind words and pleasant smiles are noted. But in the end, it's your actions that will determine how you are perceived. This is the United States of America. The First Amendment is not optional. Our voices will be heard. If a
meeting is shut down again, I encourage residents to gather peacefully outside so we can hear one another. Moving on, I will give credit where it's due. The council has introduced ordinances aimed at protecting the public health and safety, and that matters. But let's be clear, laws are not enforced do not mean
anything. Right now, we have three open positions in the Department of Community Development, land use officer, code inspector, and part-time code enforcement officer. These people are directly responsible for enforcing the
rules. So here are my questions. Why are these positions still unfilled? Are qualified applicants being ignored or delayed? What's the actual plan and timeline to get these roles filled? This isn't complicated. If the rules exist,
they need to be enforced fairly, consistently, and without bias. Here's what I believe needs to happen. Fill these crucial enforcement roles. Respond to complaints in a timely and serious manner. Hire people who will enforce the rules evenly. No favoritism and no
excuses. I've been seeing a little bit a little bit of that. For too long, residents have heard our hands are tied. Who's tying the knot and why? Lastly, I urged the planning board to immediately add binding language to the master plan to protect Howell from the development
of AI data centers. Other towns across New Jersey are already pushing back against major tech companies. Let me be clear. We will not sacrifice our farmland and forest for industrialcale development. These facilities place a heavy burden on public resources and the long-term consequences to our land and
public health are still unknown. This is not a risk our community should be asked to take. This requires immediate action. Lastly, on my phone here, because I wrote it on my way, pardon me. To my fellow residents, a friendly
reminder. Primary election day is Tuesday, June 2nd. Early voting for the primate primary election began today and will go through Sunday the 31st with no voting on Monday the 1st. St. Veronica Church gymnasium 4219 Route 9 North. Times vary depending on the day. So, uh,
check the website um, on the day you want to go. It's extremely important that we elect the best people for the job. So, take the time, research individual candidates rather than simply voting down the line. exercise your rights as Americans by voting and attending meetings. Thank you very much.
>> Paula, wow, what a difference a couple of ordinances make. Paul of Samurrell Heritage Point. As a longtime resident and taxpayer of How Township, I call upon our mayor, council, and professionals, employees, and first responders to safeguard our local
democratic process as as well as our safety and well-being. At the May 12th public meeting where a crucial vote on municipal ordinances was to take place, the voices of how residents were effectively silenced. The council chambers reached maximum fire code
capacity due to the sudden arrival of a large coordinated group. Even though instructions were given by the town attorney and guidance by police to proceed to the overflow room, many members of this group remained blocking fire exits aisle access and impeding
fire evacuation routes. Blindsided by this large coordinated group of attendees and bound by New Jersey fire code regulations, officials were forced to cancel the meeting. I'm sure we are all in agreement that this overcrowding created an incredibly frustrating
paradox. You have one state law, the Open Public Meetings Act, saying it's illegal to shut the public out and another state law, the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, saying when the room is full, it's illegal to let the public in. When these two laws clash, it
creates a massive contradiction that derails meetings and leaves citizens out in the cold. Anytime the weaponization of these two laws is used to restrict the democratic process, it is profoundly disturbing and all the more reason to
prepare in case this scenario should ever arise again. Tonight, I am suggesting that our mayor contact the organizers of this group and demand as a show of good faith that they give the township a heads up the next time a mass coordination like this is planned for a
public town meeting. This is the only way to ensure that all future meetings remain fair, safe, and orderly, and that all HAL citizens and taxpayers are given the opportunity to have their voices heard. Voices that strengthen our community rather than undermine it. On a
personal note, as the meeting room filled up, I was overjoyed to see members of the Orthodox community coming to a town meeting. I took it as a sign that they wanted to become a part of our community after all. and I happily relayed this joy to a dozen or so of
this organized group. That joy was short-lived, however, when relatives in northern New Jersey later informed me that this disruption may have been entirely intentional. A suspicion mirrored on fire on on Facebook by others who had described similar
experiences of packing the room. Looking back on that evening, if this is true, I realized now how naive I was. When I saw the massive turnout from the Orthodox community, I initially mistook it for an inspiring display of the democratic
process and not the coordinated, intentional disruption to shut the meeting down entirely. They must have had a a good laugh at my expense. Whether this coordinated group's goal was to force a cancellation and table these ordinances or not, there's a vital
lesson to be learned here. If we want our voices to be heard, we must show up in masses, not to stifle the democratic process, but to protect it and uphold it as our civic duty demands. Our community relies on our local officials to govern
accordingly to the will of the voters, ensuring that bad actors cannot hijack the democratic process for selfserving goals. Unfortunately, this exploitation appears to be exactly what is happening through a pattern of lost lawsuits and costly out of court settlements made
under the mere threat of litigation. Perhaps it's time the township looked to a higher state authorities for a clear roadmap, not just on how to handle these lawsuits, but on how to stop the blatant sabotage of our public meetings before
they start. We cannot tolerate non-compliance with the very laws adopted to keep us and our families safe. As Senator Joe Mansion wrote in his book, Dead Center, the core meaning of our fundamental rights is everyone's
right to feel safe and secure in their homes and their lives. I am looking for a guarantee tonight that the rights, voices, and personal safety of how residents will always take precedence over politics and and any and all
serving interest groups. With that being said, I will be handling the town manager a complaint against a code enforcement officer due to the treatment I received at the May 12th meeting. Thank you, >> Elaine Lee.
This is my >> Hi, council. >> Hi, >> mayor. How are you? I'm new here. I haven't come to meetings. Um, but I noticed lately in my neighborhood. What's >> Can you please state your name and address for the record? >> Hi, my name's Elaine Lee and I'm from uh
20 Honey Suckaway and Hallow, New Jersey. Hello. Okay. Um, there's one thing I would like to start out with. Um, there's something new going on on my street on Honeysuckle Away. And when I'm walking down the street and I wave to my new neighbors,
um, I'm ignored. And also, the children do not play with my grandchildren. My grandchild is very upset. She doesn't understand why the other children won't play with her that are new in the neighborhood. I'm ignored. She's ignored and she's sad and I'm scared. Okay,
that's the first thing I would like to say. All right, but I have been um ever since I've seen a few things happen. I've been li living in the neighborhood about 25 years and uh life's been great. You know, I moved here because how's
known for uh outdoor recreation and natural beauty. I moved here because the community invents residential and suburban appeal. Okay. Within a population of over 53,000 and a high cost of living, how is a desirable place
to live for those commuting to New York City, it offers a mix of single family homes, parks, and shopping centers, making it a popular choice for families. We also we also offer sunnic scenic and quiet setting. It's one of the a lot of
the reasons why I moved here and to put my children through good schools. Okay. So that that um is what I have to say about that part of things. Okay. So in the
meantime, I was going through the internet and I was noticing uh I just did a lot of research because of what's happening in my neighborhood. And this is what I found out. And I don't know probably I don't know if
everyone knows about this. Okay. Um, I found out about a federal law called RLupa. R L UIPA. It stands for Religious Lands Use and Unauthorized and Unconstit and excuse me, an institutionalized
persons act passed in 2000. It protects religious organizations from unfair zoning discrimination. Critics say it pressures towns to approve projects rather than face costly federal litigation. This matters to us because we keep raising concerns over
overdevelopment, traffic, water, sewer capacity, school expansion, and equal enforcement of zoning laws. Here is the here is the line that matters most. Opposing over development is not hate
speech. Residents have every right to question development politics and demand transparency. We focus on policy, infrastructure and quality of life. This is not about religious or ethnicity. We must pay attention to our zoning and
planning board decisions and house of worship must provide burden of proof as to why there is discrimination. There is not there is none of this in this case going on that I feel. I also have a big concern because right
next door is Jackson and even we are concerned as how because we're attached to Jackson. There's something that's called the the Kirkson Cohen Cohen aquifier. Okay. It's a shallow water saturated
layer of sand and gravel beneath much of southern New Jersey including the Pinelands. That's where we live. Okay. So what is happening now is the current threats over pumping for development. Even modest granular withdrawals can
cause irreversible harm to wetlands, stream throw flows and the unique plant and animal life that depend on them. It also depend it also what happens when we fool with the Kirkwood coeny and what
we're doing development pressures. Okay. warehouse projects, road expanses and other land uses in the pine lands. All right. Pollution and climate stress, fertilized runoff, rising seawater and higher temperature and degra and
degrading water quality. Okay. And also why it matters in how is within the pineland superfi super surficial aquifier zone meaning that aquifier is directly exposed in the surface of the wetlands and streams. Development in the
area can directly affect recharge increase pumping and generate water quality threatening both local ecosystems. >> Spend five minutes. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else from the public that didn't sign the sheet?
>> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh, I wasn't planning on speaking tonight, but uh, you know, I I hear the comments and >> Please state your name. >> Yeah, sorry. Mark Paresi, two Castle Court. Uh so you know I use the analogy that you
know like if they were going to build a dump you know in um Colts Neck you know how residents that live near the border of Colts neck would have every right to attend you know the the the council meetings in Colts Neck and express their frustration and you know and and I
understand that you know residents of Lakewood or Jackson or Wall Township or any freehold any neighboring municipality could come to our council meetings and express their concerns and ask questions about any anything that they like. That's that's America. That's
the way our state laws are, you know, and and and we have the right to attend any other meeting in any neighboring municipality that we want, you know, if we we don't like something that's going on in a neighboring municipality. Um, I do happen to believe that, you know, the
ordinances that were introduced uh are intended to protect the characteristics of our reg residential neighborhoods that they're sound in their planning and schemes and intents and purposes and uh and I think that it's very important
that we um do whatever we can to maintain the the character of our residential neighborhoods and and I support the council in doing so. Um, something else that I wanted to speak about, uh, was, uh, something that's kind of been quiet and flew under the radar, but, uh, you know, over the last
couple years, uh, with the offshore wind, uh, projects, there was a significant, um, opposition to that. Uh I I don't I don't know if it was mentioned here, but I will mention it that uh earlier this month, the Board of Public Utilities in Trenton uh
officially ended uh the all of their um state agreement approach towards the offshore wind projects uh here in New Jersey uh due to pressures at the federal level. uh they realized uh that the B BPU could not continue to try to
um spend money uh pushing these projects forward knowing that they were essentially uh you know a non-starter uh at the federal level. Uh so with that being said uh the project that was slated to be uh go into the uh property
next to the Larabe substation is essentially over. Uh that that that project is not going to move forward. BPU said so and Mid-Atlantic and all the other subsidiaries that were attached that have essentially backed out. They're not going to invest money at the rate at the expense of taxpayers or
rateayers. Um which got me thinking that that's that's a 100 acre parcel that's down there on Randolph Road next to the Larby substation zoned SCD2 that allows utility and also solar generation. And I and I know that there's been significant
opposition to uh to uh windmill uh you know offshore windmills, but that that seems to me to that location would be a a a good fit for a potential uh utility solar project. Um I know I believe the property is currently owned by EDF
Renewables and um they paid a significant chunk of change for that property when they bought it from the uh holders for the Mammoth Commerce Center was going to be. and uh and I would encourage our council and our professionals to maybe reach out to the property owner and uh you know and
explore the opportunity of maybe putting in a utility solar project. And the benefit of a utility solar project is that um it's going to you know like this same company EDF has a 28 megawatt facility down in in Tom's River on an
old super fund site and um when uh we're all experiencing the crunch of of of our energy bills our you know energyy's has gone up for everybody. When you have a a utility solar project, it's going to generate energy that's going to go back
to the grid. And when you flood the grid with more supply, it ultimately brings down the cost for every every rateayer. That benefits everybody. So given the fact that that property is located right next to uh the existing Larabby substation, they could easily tie into
that substation much like the offshore wind project was going to tie in. There wouldn't have to be much change to the infrastructure there. And and I really think that given that location, the low impact uh that of all the possible permitted uses on that SEDD2 zone, the
town should, you know, look at, you know, contacting that property owner and exploring the feasibility of a of a utility solar project. I think it's the perfect location. I think it's the right time. I think people generally have a positive feeling towards solar. I know I do. I have solar on my roof. My utility
bill last month was $4.27 for the connection. So, um, that's what I wanted to share with council. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Uh, Zachary Dor, 25 Southport Drive, 19 years old. Uh, mayor, council, uh, for
someone who comes to all these meetings, I'm surprised it's my first time speaking. Uh, I hope you're all doing well and, um, I'm just here to say thank you for being such a great governing body, uh, for our town and dare I say underappreciated.
Uh, however, I must encourage the people of the town that last meeting, I was upset it got cancelled. It felt like a slap to the face to anyone who came to the meeting. So my question would just be when will we find out when the next meeting will take place and where will it be?
And I will say this about the ordinance. It it was amazing to see so many people that left the meeting, but if there's that many people, they're probably angry people and and maybe that is a good thing because that shows people do care
about this town. And as someone who tries to make everyone happy, I won't say anything. But I do leave you a fair warning. There's going to be a lot more angry residents at the next rescheduled meeting. And I hope you're ready for it. And
that is all. May God bless Owl. Sir, John Boundbox, 7 Lexington Road. I was also at the May 12th meeting here and uh I have an opinion about that. I think that anybody in this forum as we're speaking now is in the general uh
public forum. I think anybody should be allowed to speak. But I think when we come to the part of the meeting where we discuss the specific ordinances for Howell Township, I believe that residents only should be the ones speaking because they're the only ones affected by it. So I don't think a non-resident should come up here and
speak when we're talking about the ordinances. Otherwise, anybody has a right to speak. I know that. Uh I have a couple questions for the council. I'd like to know the stat the status of the ordinance 0-26-11 and and why isn't that being heard
tonight? Why is that being pushed off? Uh, I'd like to know the status of ordinance 026-13 and why isn't that being discussed tonight? I'd also like to know the status of 026-15 and why isn't that being discussed
tonight. Two out of those three are actually environmental issues which nobody should have a problem with. Uh like the previous speakers talked about here, we have to protect the groundwater that's underneath us and protect the environment for our children, the people
coming up next. And I think that's why we're here. Have a good night. Anyone else? Good evening, George Riesco from uh Wall, New Jersey. And just one thing I would just recommend that uh you're here because you're passionate or you're
making money out of it. So, you know, direct and indirect compensation. What I would just recommend is council uh should be coordinating closely with planning and zoning. You need to be on the same sheet of paper and how you behave. Remember that anything you say
in email or in text messages, anything that you say in email or text messages can come back. Jackson found out the hard way, Lakewood, the same situations that you're seeing, you've just begun and it's going to come at your heart.
Just like Muny, New York, Curious, Jerel, New Square, Ramapo, it's the same business plan. You can't mention religion, but RLUPA will be used against you. The Fair Housing Act will be used against you. This playbook is public.
You need to just be very thoughtful in how you coordinate to be successful. If you love a town, Pal's a great place. All Mammoth County and Ocean County. What I see constantly is small mistakes will be taken advantage by a business
centric group that has endless funds. Not making accusations or aspirations, just saying that's the business bottom line. How over the next 10 years will undergo what Jackson is suffering
through now. It's already here. Be very smart and strategic about how you behave in the interest of the citizens of how. Good luck. Anyone else from the public? >> Hi, my name is Judith Ligus from 570
Newton's Corner Road in Howell. Um, and I would like to just build on what some of the other people, Paula and and uh Joe said about uh the towns and the property uh and the people moving in. Um why on on Newton's Corner Road we have
two big parcels of property that are for sale, the Ramtown Florest and the nursery. And I'd like to know why those properties weren't more protected and perhaps considered uh as open space for the uh township. Those are big parcels and Newton's Corner Road is already a
nightmare with traffic. And um I know at one of the meetings already, the Ramtown Flores property, I believe it was, that was uh broken down into smaller parcels of property for a development. And
I believe that the population that was here last meeting on May 12th will be the population interested in that, which is no problem if they assimilate. And we did have small conversation after the meeting was dismissed. Um some of us
stayed around while the parking lot emptied out and spoke to some of that community and explained to them our uh concerns that simple things like saying the pledge of allegiance doesn't make them part of the community. You just stand there and not pledge, but you take advantage of all the opportunities that
we have here and don't assimilate with the children like the the other woman said. I'm sorry. Yes. I'm sorry, I don't know your name. >> Elaine, >> but Elaine. Uh, but Paula was experiencing the same thing with her her grandchildren and my niece is experiencing that with her children that
there are they they bring the community with them. They don't be part they're not part of the community. They bring the community with them. And we understand that there's nothing you can do about that. I understand. But by abiding by the ordinances and perhaps buying some more of the bigger properties for open space, we can vo
avoid the overpopulation that the other communities around us have. We don't want to live like that. We don't want to live with one house after another all scrunched in where there's so much traffic. Now, Newton's Corner Road with probably two developments coming up. It's going to be worse than it is.
There's always an accident on my corner on Easy Street, Newton's Corner. It's a nightmare. And to continue to build like that and not consider for open space, it's a shame. So that's all I have to say.
Go ahead. >> Okay. My name is Ann Joy Becker. I'm at one Marian Avenue and how mayor and council people I just want to um build on a couple of things. Actually, only one thing I want to talk about. I have no problems with
who my neighbors are. I have problems with 12 cars that are parked in front of a of a house during a snowstorm that are not being towed or ticketed. Um, and there's activity going on in these
houses in in reference to code and ordinance of children being homeschooled under age, could be 8 months old, 10 months old, or whatever. And that's why there are 12 cars parked in front of a house in a residential section. So,
schools belong to be in a school section and housing and residential needs to be housing and residential. So coding and ordinance is really what the theme has been that I've been listening to and I wasn't going to talk but of course I have to talk. Um something really needs
to be done with executing the ordinances and the codes. The town will make money if we serve tickets to people who are not doing the right thing. Just like getting a speeding ticket. Um if you're speeding then you
need to pay. If you have illegal um caring for children inside a home and you're not letting the town know that uh there's no licensing or whatever, that's a problem. If there's busing going on that I'm paying for, not only as a
senior citizen, which I really shouldn't be paying for, but they're not going to the schools that are in our community, but they have their own schools, but we have to pay for the busing. That's a problem. And so that's really all I wanted to say.
Anyone else? Seeing none. So I'm going to make a motion to close public. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> response to public. Mr. Gross.
>> Yeah. I just wanted to mention that at >> I wanted to mention at the at be before uh the end of the last meeting uh the town council did adopt the 2026 budget. Um having done that, there are a number
of positions uh that we're now now hiring uh now that the budget's been adopted. And uh as a matter of fact, I hired hired two code enforcement officers this past week and I expect before the next meeting we'll be hiring two more.
The u the zoning officer position which we're looking to hire as well uh is being covered by a a um um consulting professional but we will be hiring all all of the positions. I think there's total of 17 in the budget uh we expect
to be uh have completely on board by the beginning of July. So um it's obviously um that's that's a lot of positions and once we get on board uh we'll be in a position to do things we haven't been
able to do the past few months. So, um I'll go down a list and just try to address some of the comments. Um, first one, um, Miss um, I don't want to get too deep in the weeds on your, um, comments because we do have a
torque claims notice about it, but, um, just so you understand where we're coming from, if you live in a multi-unit dwelling, so any sort of apartment complex or condominium or anything like that that has more than three units, the
primary jurisdiction for habitability issues is through the Bureau of uh Housing Inspections through DCA. So, they supersede us. So, they have more authority that we can't really go over them. I know we've been out to your residents a couple of times just looking
for immediate building code violations or something like that. Um, but DCA is your primary jurisdiction. So, I I'll leave that there for you. Um, as far as our merkantile license, uh, we
we can discuss that further on the ordinance, but, um, the the language in the ordin ordinance was purposely drafted to be pretty broad to capture a a wide net of businesses. Um specifically, you know, we we do have
issues of um transit workers coming in doing some work landscaping without uh licenses, insurance, those kind of things. So that was in consideration when drafting the ordinance. Um if we
want to make fee fees for this uh this ordinance will be set by resolution that will be controlled by council can be adjusted pretty easily since it'll be set by resolution. Um just so public's aware all governing bodies have the
ability to change those fees in the future. So whatever fees you set the next set of governing body members they could always change it but um you can only do what what's in front of you. So um point taken about the AI data centers
that's something we will likely be talking to a planner on. Um as far as um the meeting uh our last meeting getting cancelled with uh fire code and capacity issues. I just want to make it abundantly clear because there were some issues after the last meeting
where it seemed like there was a misunderstanding of what happened, what the rules were. So when we have public meetings, there's no requirement that you have to be a resident of the town to attend. Anybody can come. They can uh
come speak during public comment as long as what they're discussing is a matter of public concern. Um, so that would address any ordinances, any resolutions, really any general topics. Not Not yet. M. >> Okay. I'm gonna speak after
>> after we can Yeah, after we can discuss. But but >> but No, no, no, no, no. But I'm talking now. So, uh, that, you know, our overflow room did get overcrowded. So, you know, people were moving in, coming
back in. The the room was overcrowded. Our hallways became overcrowded. We were okay when we started the meeting. But as the meeting progressed, more and more people kept coming. The whole parking lot was full. In the future, if we do anticipate a large crowd, uh we are
going to be making arrangements with one of the schools to hold the meeting in an auditorium. Um when the ordinances are rescheduled, they will be noticed on the website. We'll make every effort to make sure the public knows where the meetings
are um when it is, what ordinances will be up, but um until they're scheduled, we don't really have much of an update. We potentially looking at the end of June, maybe July, but we've got to take our uh time with those.
Sorry, I'm just going through my list, guys. Um, >> uh, that's everything I have for now. If anybody else wants to speak on it, that have one. >> Uh thank you. Um student government was
uh very remarkable this evening. And they brought up uh an idea that um I just wanted to say they brought up an idea really about a youth group being able to come in and give up you know and share their ideas
um and be a part of the decision making uh as it is so that they have a better feel of not only the political value of a township but where they're living and what they'd like to see in a township. And um I will say that we did have a
youth guidance council in Howell. It was probably mid 80s late 80s and it was uh comprised of police department, PTA presidents, some teachers. I believe there was a
clergy involved and I find it interesting because that could be re-implemented a group such as that. Um the idea that um the students weren't involved specifically at that time was because all of their um
thoughts were really perpetuated through the PTA presidents and the PTA uh and their teachers because I guess within the classroom they would speak about things. Uh the group was together probably two or three years. Um what
happened eventually why it's no longer in existence I don't know. They were daytime meetings obviously because most people were employees. There's a social component to that like a social worker which at this point in time would be someone probably that serves presently
in the alliance that we have in force today. So we actually do have all of the components to put something like that back together. Although I don't think the township itself would be the primary motivation.
Um really the educators seem to have a better hold and a better understanding of the kids. Plus there is an issue of uh children being out of the school you know going to a different uh meeting or um you know the children's right. You
can't even take a picture of a student today you know without having written consent of parents. So some things have changed which would probably reformulate that idea but it is a concept that um may not be dead may be something that the schools want to uh think about once
again. At any rate um we just had a Memorial Day service at the Soldier Memorial Field um Monday. Um, I'd like to thank the uh police department, of course, the residents, friends, all the
volunteers. Um, there was a nice turnout. Can always be better, of course, but the genuine sentiment is always uh the same, and that's honoring all of those that have served. um our VFW
uh uses a command has a commander and he has served probably over 20 years as a commander who uh commander Longo actually had just come out of the hospital just a few days before Memorial Day and although he
wasn't really feeling well his uh allegiance to the post and to his position as a commander of the VFW uh he came out and he did this service again. So, I appreciate that. Um, and of course, next year, everyone will be
invited back. We'll have the same type of a service again at Soldier Memorial. Steven Fetcher, our events planner, always puts together a nice program. Also, May 7th, we had National Night of Prayer. It was held in this room. Uh, this is something that's done
nationally. Of course, we sponsor it the first Thursday in May every year. And uh usually 8 to 10 clergy come. Um there's actually music. Um different topics are spoken about through the clergy. How it
affects everybody in the community, not just uh local politics, the family, business, church. They have various topics that they speak to. And I would urge people to think about uh next year, the first Thursday in May, coming out
and spending an hour here and just getting another viewpoint on um what other facets of the community are doing even within the church and other groups. Every church has different factions in their church. I think you'd be surprised how much is out there that's a
supporting system for people that um we all need support sometime somewhere somehow. So, it's definitely a positive evening. So, um I'm sure I'll see everybody again next year. So, thank you. >> I'm going to be quick. Uh a quick sample
of upcoming events and highlights for the celebration of our 250th uh birthday. Next week, I believe it's June 4th, in Redbank, there will be an unveiling of the Mammoth 250 Revolutionary War Memorial near the Swimming River Park. Um I I I got a
glimpse of the statues. They're absolutely gorgeous on granite bases. They're bronze sculptures. Um Sunday, June 14th, Stars and Strides Flag Day 5K at Bell Works and Homeell. On the 25th, the Mammoth New Jersey 250
gala at Bell Works. on the 28th, it's a Sunday, America's big birthday parade in Middletown. July 2nd, our own celebration right here in Howell. It's going to be a good one. Uh July 3rd, Sale 4th, Tall Ships on Sandy Hook Bay. Um and there's so many other things that
residents of Mammoth County can look up. Uh website is Mammoth County Parks.com. And something that's really cool on Kazowski Road at the East Freehold Showgrounds where they have the Mammoth County Fair this summer park stage uh concert series. And you can also look up
um you could see what the lineup is. It's already set. So that transformation is pretty cool too for summer concerts. Thank you. >> Sure. Uh I wanted to expand on a couple things. our professionals spoke about
first the uh the AI AI data centers. Just to give you a little more background, um when we did the master plan re-examination, the draft version of the master plan re-examination actually had a bulleted item in there to consider
allowing them in certain zones and the council removed that from the master plan examination before it made to a final. You only saw the final version. So that is step one. So, right now it's a non-permitted use. It's a non-permitted use. We're, as
Caitlyn said, we're currently looking at other townships, ordinances that have already been passed with outright bans to understand the language and try and move towards that here to make sure we get it right and there's consistency across the other municipalities and what we're doing as well. So, that is very
much on our radar. Um, as far as the energy consumption, I think there was a comment about about solar. Um, also just so you know, I serve on the planning board as well. I'm on the master plan review subcommittee
as well. Um, there there are some some properties where we've been discussing and looking at solar. That particular one was one that was brought up in a previous master plan review subcommittee meeting. Again, we're looking at it. I know what you're thinking. stop looking
at it and do it. But we're juggling a lot of plates and we're we're we're we're working through it. We're we're trying to get there. And another thing on the energy front and and Mr. G, you know, just yell me if I'm explaining this incorrect incorrectly. We uh were discussing this back in the fall
actually was a municipal aggregate program um where we can look at different auction rates uh for lower kilowatt hour rates on our energy where you would have an opt-in opt out um possibility. Um, we've been constantly monitoring the rates to see if we can
get something that would, you know, help bring down energy bills or potentially a joint uh working jointly with other municipalities because kind of like Costco when you have multiple municipalities pulled together, you tend to get a better rate. So, that's something we've been monitoring for
months. It's, you know, I don't want to say it's been back burner. We've been trying to get the budget through and everything else, but it's still on our radar. We're working through it and it's something very much that uh we're trying to trying to do to pass on some some sort of savings. We understand
what electricity bills are nowadays. I I see them. It's it's crazy. It's it's double from what it was uh a year or two ago. So, we're we're trying to address that the best we can at the municipal level. It's >> Well, once again, I'll address a bunch
of these complaints. Excuse me, folks. I'm just uh I've been quite aggravated with a lot of things going on. And um I'm going to I'm going to be honest with you guys. I told you when I was running and and I've been telling you sitting up here meeting
after meeting that we're we're going to be transparent with you and we're not going to we're not going to try to, you know, sell you something and sugarcoat it. If you want, go eat a donut if that's what you want because I'm not going to do it to you. All right. Um, as far as code enforcement is concerned, I
could tell you that I'm on the phone every day with Mr. Gross. Okay. in regards to code enforcement complaints. Our code enforcement guys and girls are doing their job at the other end that you're seeing where complaints are not being handled.
It's not because of them. It's not because of the admin. It's because the bad actor landlord or the bad actor homeowner or the bad actor renter is not complying. And what happens is a not an NOV goes out, notice of violation. They
have 14 days to to comply. If they don't comply, our code enforcement goes back. They issue a ticket. That ticket goes to our court system. Now, here's where the larger problem lies. If you don't show up for court in which in many cases,
hundreds and hundreds of cases we have, they are not showing up for court. And the court is not in New Jersey, not like it used to be, sending out a uh um >> a bench warrant for these individuals to
show up. Okay, folks. So, our hands are tied here. We're writing the initial violation. Some of them get handled right away by responsible homeowners and landlords and and tenants, and a lot of them don't. So, what you're saying, what you're seeing in in certain neighborhoods where it's the same house
over and over or numerous houses over and over is not lack of enforcement. It's lack of the individuals not complying and our, you know, our court system not having what it needs to, you
know, get to the next level. And we are currently working on that, too. All right, folks. So, I I understand it's frustrating, but I I am going to defend our code enforcement department cuz I we we talk to them on a daily basis. They are out there, okay? And we can't make
people cut their grass, move the cars off the lawn, take the trash off the lawn, whatever, overcrowd it, okay? If they don't want to comply, our hands are tied and we have to get to the next level. And that's a major process. So, just understand that when you're
frustrated driving around, coming home, seeing what you're seeing. It's it's it's a lot more to it than just thinking that we're not doing our jobs here. We are doing our jobs here. The code enforcement, the housing, the fire bureau, they are out every single day.
But we can't make people comply. And unless the courts are going to have a a bigger impact, okay, the fines and all that good stuff, what do you want us to do? You know, it frustrates us up up here, too. It's a big circle in this
building, okay? A stack of papers that was written and then here we are 3 months later, that stack is still there because no one's showing up for court. No one's paying. No one cares about what's going on. Not our people here, the individuals at the that are being threatened. Okay.
Um, you you addressed Angela that, you know, that's that's one thing. You got that other stuff. Uh, Newton's Corner Road, you know, those those property owners did not come to the town as far as open space. They had a right to sell that
piece of property uh for for the multiple uses that it was allowed to have. And what we did as a council was we we we ensured that the zoning was going to match the the zoning that was around it. And that's why we did um with
at the county at the at the council level with the zoning so it it kept in character with the surrounding streets over there. Um we are in the process of trying to secure four open space pieces of property folks. We've discussed that before. So that's in conjunction with
the county and uh our township level. Okay. More open space is great. I we get it. We would love to make as much as possible, but property owners have a right to to sell if they want to sell. Um
and as far as the you know as the meeting the last meeting um was concerned about those three proposed zoning ordinances you know with the 500 or so people that that came here to speak on those matters. You know we had
to we had to cancel because we were beyond our legal capacity right you know as posted by our township marshall. So the meeting prematurely ended before the oranges could be heard and we are working in the future with the school system
whether it's middle school south or north when this does come back will the meeting will be at a larger venue to hold whole hold capacity. Okay. Um and it's it's always a positive sign you know when you residents come to the meetings to express your concerns andor
their point of view on public you know matters. However, a response of this magnitude over what you know for the most part are basic best practices in municipal land use law was indicative of of a significant misunderstanding about
the intended impact of those ordinances. Okay. To address these misunderstandings, the township will be meeting with interesting interested parties to investigate their concerns and to express that the intent of these ordinances is for the benefit of all
township residents as a whole. To be crystal clear, the township interests are the interest of all its residents collectively and individually. Okay? Township makes takes the concerns of each of the residents seriously and values the perspective whether we are in
agreement or we are not. And when we are not, the township council will take the extra step to find middle ground representing all to the best of our ability. All right. We sincerely look forward to, you know, any future dialogue and find ways that we could, you know, meet the township's legitimate
goals while at the same time being sensitive to all the residents concerns now and in in the coming days. you know, for those of you who follow the politics or not follow the politics over the years, okay, Powell Township's always
always had issues, you know, back and forth with the with um certain individuals and, you know, it doesn't help this governing body that we have former council members that are actively
undermining this governing body on a daily basis. >> Okay. It's really sad and we have to push through that. Township workers have to push through that and it's it's uh it's not fair and um I'm it's I'm quite
sick of the whole thing to tell you the truth. And um it's uh you know Ian and I have spoke about it multiple times and and and Michael now all of us have have had something to say about it but it's not easy when we're being undermined by
former council members. Okay, that's all I have to say for tonight. As far as that, on to consent agenda items. >> R26-164 all the way through. >> There's a lot here. >> 193 >> 193.
May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? If I could just clarify, it's um it's 12 uh R264 through um R261 172 and 26 176 through 26 193
not including um R26 >> 1923 174 and 175 because they were um those were adopted at the meeting of May 12th before it had to be shut down. >> All right. So, you want to go from one >> I'll make Yeah, I'll just make a motion
to adopt R264 through and including R261 193 with the exception of R261 173 1741 175. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer,
>> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Consent resolutions pass. >> All right, on to unfinished business. Public hearing adoption of ordinance 0-2610 >> an ordinance establishing chapter 199 of
how of the how township code entitled merkantile licenses requiring all commercial businesses operating within the township to obtain an annual mercantile license. >> I'm going to open to public hearing on this. I believe Cody already had spoken, but is there
anyone else that would would like to speak on this? See? Yes. Polar. >> Is this only for this though? >> Okay. I just have I just have a question. Um this is just for this is for commercial
license. It's Paula Samur Heritage Point. Um I'm just we have several of us have questions. Why? It seems like there's certain um mercantile businesses with that that are exceptions like the
um I believe someone was saying something about the religious um the religious businesses those those type of things they are not going like they're not going to have to have they're not going to have to be
included in this. They're not going to have to get a mercantile license. Is that what you're saying? Um is that what it is? >> So uh this ordinance does not include you know houses of worship or churches or anything but your regular commercial
businesses would be included. >> Why is that? >> Uh because those are just not considered the mercantile operation under this ordinance. business, a a religious >> house houses of worship are are considered differently under the scheme
of >> there is a there is an ordinance that speaks about houses of worship in a residential area and I had asked you um several times um I'm sure you're busy but I never got my answer back whether
that ordinance I I don't know it off the top of my head that speaks about houses of worship residential areas having to have at least the five acres. I know there's talk about the two but what the the the houses of worship that are
established in the residential areas like I live in her >> I think no there's a conflation between home worship houses of worship and commercial operations
>> the for the merkantile license which is what we're discussing right now is not considered an operation under the merkantile sense. >> Why is it not? It's a commercial. Religious facilities are considered commercial. And the minute someone walks
into someone's private home and pays them to worship there, okay, it is considered a commercial facility as far as I'm concerned. I have people I know people that have houses of worship in their home. They're a they're a little
room and it's only for their family, not 20, 30 people coming from Brooklyn and North Jersey going to worship. And I know people are saying that's not true, but it's true. I saw it with my very own eyes. I spoke with them several times
and I went up to the house and I I said, you know what's going on here? Are you the rabbi? Are you the owner? WHO ARE YOU? OH, NO, NO. WE I'M just here for the service. I'm from Brooklyn. I'm from North Jersey. I'm from here. I can't carpool because it's too far for me to
come. So, how can you distinguish? I think there needs to be an ordinance for this. There's a difference between a house of worship for private worshiing than a house of worship that has people
coming in and paying to worship there. As far as I'm concerned, you're paying money. That's a commercial. It's a commercial business. Why is this merkantile business not including me? I I don't understand it. And once again, what happens? The good actors suffer for
the bad actors. So, I think that this mercantile uh uh ordinance needs to be rethought because the only ones that are going to suffer. The only ones that are going to abide by this ordinance are the good actors, are the people that have
the best interest in Howell. That's it. I think you ought to table that. Thank you. Anyone else from the public? >> I'm seeing none. So, make a motion to close public on this. >> Motion to close public.
>> Second. >> All in favor? I Kaylin, just to clarify on what uh Paula was saying, that was more I think along the lines of a zoning issue and commercial inside a residential zone opposed to >> Yeah, I I think
>> entity license. Yeah, I I understand where she was coming from and what she was trying to say, but the ordinance in front of you is for your commercial businesses, your landscapers, your shop rights, uh things that you're selling in town and providing services in town. It
does not >> companies as well. >> Yeah. Yes. There's a specific section uh for the rental management companies. Um, I I believe what Miss Amarell was uh more saying was more akin to zoning and
use of a property, not specifically the the mercantile ordinance, but I I do understand what she was trying to say. >> Additionally, >> and we can't charge fees on nonprofits, government fees. Is that why the exemption is in there?
uh it just wasn't contemplated of being included um as a commercial business. Um there are certain waiverss of fees for nonprofits and religious entities, but I'm I'm I don't know off the top of my head if you know it would apply to this, but there's no language in this because
it's not contemplated of including it. >> Keep in mind that >> we would also be hitting our own school board with >> for the school and that kind of thing. all houses of worship did that. Uh I just want to point out
also that um one one of the reasons that that the this is required is as it were statutoily in the state of New Jersey, municipalities are required to make sure that all business entities have liability insurance, certain levels of liability insurance and this is really
the only way that we can monitor that um for those. So this would in was intended to apply to those businesses that that are referenced in that statute. >> All right. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 2610?
>> I'll make a motion to adopt ordinance 26-10. >> Get a second. Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes.
>> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> The ordinance is properly adopted. >> All right. I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Our next uh scheduled meeting will take place on June 9th, 2026. Um
executive session 6 pm and the regular session will be 7. Seeing no further business, may I have a motion to adjurnn, please? Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I