Heat. Heat. I hereby call this meeting of Cal Township Council to order. Opening statement, please. This meeting is being held in accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act and 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. Uh attendance roll call. Councilman Nadell >> here. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell >> here. >> Councilman Rebel >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer >> here. >> Mayor Leio
>> here. >> Resolution R26-81. Is there a need to go into executive session, Mr. Gross? >> Motion to enter into executive session. >> I'll make a motion to go into executive session. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubell, >> yes. >> Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Legio, >> yes. >> Prior to opening the meeting, I just want to let every know everyone know live stream is is uh will not have video
tonight. Just audio video with audio will be available tomorrow morning on YouTube. We have been experienced some uh technical difficulty and uh RT our our RT guys have been working on it. So I just want to let everyone know. All
right. Thank you. Um roll call. >> Councilman Nadell >> here. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell here. >> Councilman Rubel >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer >> here. Mayor Leio >> here. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance.
I alian to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. May I have a motion for acceptance of
minutes from the December 16th, 2025 meeting and from January 6th? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. Yes. Mayor Legio.
>> Yes. >> Reports from township department officials. >> Do we have any? >> Mayor, I just like to Mayor, I'd just like to remind the public um that uh we we have a we're in
a a winter winter season uh with the snow, which many of us are not used to as much this year or previous years as as this year. So, um, just to remind everyone when we have snow that all all vehicles have to be removed from our
streets, uh, offsite so that our our trucks can get through and and make and make sure that, um, the streets are cleared for emergency purposes as well as for travel. So, um, please, uh, adhere to that and and, uh, we we will
be, um, doing enforcement uh, of this. Uh we've had you know several storms this year so far this year and it's we've had mixed success on this issue. So we just want to remind in addition uh a after the snow stops you have 12 hours
um of daylight uh to remove the snow from sidewalks. So just that reminder and that's all we have. >> Anyone else? >> No updates from legal. >> All right.
So now I'm going to open uh the floor for a hearing of citizens and public comments. >> Each p each person I'm sorry each person shall first give their name and address to the clerk. The council shall 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 of five minutes. Speakers shall be notified when their time has run and no time extensions shall be permitted. Mr. Frodell, Greg Fodell, a pedal patch trail. Uh,
good evening, council. Um, a couple things I just wanted to bring up tonight. Um, I applaud the council for introducing the on street parking program and residential zones ordinance tonight. I think it's going a long way.
And um I read online about people's comments about this when I did a quick Google search this morning, maybe half an hour at the most. And I read some ordinances from different towns and I found just at the outset 13 different towns that have a similar ordinance that
have been in place for at least five years. Nutley, Randolph, Glboro, New Providence, Oakland, Fort Lee, Demerest, Chatham, Frerieden, Garfield, Dumont, South Orange, and Denville. So, I think
if the town um is threatened by any legality, I think you have good precedent here for moving forward with this ordinance. Um the second, I just have some questions on the ordinance, which maybe you can answer at the end of
public comment. um these uh these permits that will be given out. For example, if you have four bedrooms, I read it's two permits. Um are these stickers or hangers? That's one question. Who determines the number
of bedrooms in a home? Is that public knowledge? And if it is, where is that located? Um and how long are these permits valid for? Um, and I assume that the residential parking permits are only for on street
parking and not driveway. The other only other item I wanted to bring up was I sent a letter or an email to the council back in October of 2025 regarding on street parking, but not overnight parking specifically. It was
more about um cars or families that are parking a lot of cars on the streets during weekends around tight curves. For example, on uh in the Woodstone development on Starite,
you have tight radiuses that are about 350 ft in radius. Um, according to the NJ DOT um, design manual, stopping sight distance for a 25 mph vehicle is 155 ft.
What that means is if you're a driver, you're supposed to have an uncumbered distance of sight line to view an object 3 ft off the roadway. Now, in some of these roads in Woodstone, that sight line for the vehicle for the
driver is right along the curb line and intersects with the other with the oncoming vehicles. However, if you park cars on both sides of the road, your sight distance is really reduced. It's, you know, and you don't get the safe
distance that DOT requires. So, I know this ordinance that you're introducing tonight is for overnight parking, but I'd like to know if anything is being done regarding daily parking as per my email in October, which I was advised
was sent to the proper departments. I just want to know where that sits and if anybody has an answer. Thank you, >> Mr. Samuel Paula >> Paula Samaral Heritage Point. Um before I get started, it um is it really safe
for everyone to give their name and address before they speak? That's just a question. Um, but uh next I would like to say thank you to the mayor and the town council for being so proactive in putting public safety before the politics and threat of lawsuits of special interest groups and those whose
only interest is to change the entire environment of hell. And I would like to add my support for the adoption of ordinance 2602. As I'm sure you expected, there's been some backlash from some of the people that belong to these special interest groups regarding this ordinance. individuals that have no
interest in solving the issues that arise when you have a community of mixed cultures. Sometimes the induction of mixed cultures can be extraordinarily complex because those moving into a new community may find it hard to assimilate to the cultures already established as well as understanding the government
laws that they feel may culturally restrict them. Our country is governed by rules and laws. It's called the Constitution, and it is what gives us the right and freedom to do what we want within reason while giving the government the right to do what they need to do so that the rights and safety
of others are not threatened. On the local level, town ordinances and regulations do just that. This morning I saw a posting where one person mentioned that they were new to hell and actually had the nerve to call this ordinance anti-semitic. When there are Jews that
were and still are being killed because of anti-semitism. By calling a parking ordinance anti-semitic, you are minimalizing the devastating actions against Jews by those that actually practice anti-semitism in violent ways.
My grandmother was Jewish, a fact that she never really spoke about while I was growing up. Perhaps because I was brought up as a Christian and perhaps because she was afraid of the discrimination and persecution she faced during World War II. I just found this out from my older sister that my grandmother told her to never tell
anyone that she was a Jewish heritage. I'm sure this was due to the fear of violence, not a fear of a parking ordinance. I knew a woman that was in a concentration camp. I'm sure she would have traded a parking ordinance for the terrible treatment she went through. I'm sure the people of October 7th would do
the same. Look up the word anti-semitism came where it came from and stop tossing the round word around so carelessly instead of seeing this ordinance as an attack against your culture. Why don't you see it as a compromise that will benefit entire communities driving
safety and a path to blending together a community of mixed cultures? The ordinance pertains to overnight parking only from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. What is the problem with that? It doesn't prohibit the parking that is present in many communities 7 days a week during
the day and evening hours, which is a constant practice in my neighborhood. I live on a corner house. Do you know how many times there were accidents or near accidents? These same people that posted are complaining this ordinance is is because of the shels that are cropping up in our neighborhoods and are
hindering their religious practices. Nothing like stirring up trouble and bringing in inflammatory reactions. These same shels are unregistered and unlicensed places of businesses that are supposed to be regulated by town ordinances. Town ordinances that require
that there be at least five acres surrounding it so that these current parking problems will not surface. ordinances that are that are and have been overlooked and not enforced. As I previously stated at previous meetings, home houses of worships were implemented so that the members can walk to pray
with others in their neighborhood. Why do you need to drive? Stop with anti Stop with the anti-semitism. You are not doing justice to those that really have lived through it or have died from it. Shame on you. Despite having different interests, beliefs, and cultures, we are
all God's children, and our common goal should be to live together as a community to develop good relationships with our neighbors while at the same time being mindful not to infringe on anyone else's safety or well-being. I will leave you all with a verse from God's book, 1 Corinthians 1:10. Brothers
and sisters, live in harmony with each other. Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. MR. Deleo Deo first aid.
Good evening. My name is Robert Dio, chief of the How Township First Aid and Rescue Squad number one from 16 Kent Road, Howell. Our agency has been serving the township of Howell and its residents since 1957. We are currently comprised of 64 100%
volunteer members as well as a cadet core consisting of 49 active cadetses who are training and learning valuable skills that can be applied not only when they become future active members of our organization, but also later in their lives. Our membership dedicates
countless hours away from their homes and their families to be the first to respond in a timely manner to calls for help in the township of Howell for anyone in need of immediate medical attention. For the past three years, our agency has been involved in contract negotiations
with the township administration regarding our operations in the township, which will ultimately affect our future and our existence as one of the dwindling number of operational volunteer first aid squads remaining in Mammoth County. I am pleased to announce that with the
help from manager John Gross over the past couple of months, substantial progress has been made with our agreement and we are finally ready to have it brought up before the council tonight. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Gross for his urgency in helping us come to an agreement
uh with the township as well as the continued support from Mayor Leio and the members of the township council. The squad is grateful for the township's pride in keeping its volunteers around and for those that have made the efforts to ensure that our agency will continue
to operate in this township. We look forward to continuing our well-working relationship with the township as well as with our brothers and sisters at the Hal Township Police EMS Division and also look forward to continuing to serve the residents of this township as we have since we were founded in 1957.
Thank you, Mr. Pucky. Good evening everyone, mayor, council, everybody else. >> Mark Pleki, 35 Oral Lane, Howell. Uh, just want to echo Mr. Deleo's sentiments. Um, it's about time. uh
they've been doing this for over three years. With all the dwindling of volunteers going on now, the amount of people that he currently just said is remarkable in this day and age of volunteers and they've been going without any type of contract and
dilemmas for the last three years. I commend Mr. Gross. I wish you were here back in 2022. Uh but uh I just wanted to take that time to say well done. Thank you. I think you did. You know, it's a win-win
for Howell Township. Uh this group of people uh volunteer their time and thank YOU >> MR. KROOK. Uh Richard Krug for Sammy Drive How New
Jersey. So um we're into the new year. I hope it's a good year for everybody. And um uh John uh Gross was nice enough to uh afford me an opportunity for I think at
least two private meetings that we had to discuss some of my concerns and um offered up the idea because I mentioned to him I I've been working with regulatory affairs in another town with
some issues that they were having with rentals and uh he said I would not uh be opposed to discussing some of the ways of addressing some of these popup shels
uh base midruffs um temples whatever we want to call them because he asked me the meaning that gentleman from regulatory affairs well how are they doing that because doesn't the zoning um prevent that from
occurring. You live in a in an R3 development. I said, I do. And as far as I I know doing this 30 years, there is no R3 A3 zoning and I have your zoning map because they were nice enough to give it
to me. And obviously all those homes over there are all uh they're all R3. So I had a very long discussion with a gentleman from regulatory affairs at my kitchen table that I may have told uh
John about my discussion. He said you you need to you need to work on stuff to address this things that cannot get hazy. What that means is like, well, was there
some modification made to the place? And if so, was there a permit? This is something that the town can can address and they can look into it. They can check and see, pull the submittal package. What was that garage submitted
as? Was it submitted as a wait room for somebody? Was it submitted as a piano or a music room or a recck room or a TV room? And at some point or another, somebody has to do a final inspection. So, in my particular case, the place
across the street did have a permit pulled for the uh for the garage conversion. We'll call it a conversion because I've never been in there and I don't know what's in there. So, when they do the final inspection, which I don't know was done, I'm waiting for uh
the um Oprah uh information to come and find out what was actually done there. and they do the final inspection. Well, if you see at least a minimum of 10 because we know that that's the minion, they have to have 10 people there. Um,
if there's folding chairs in there, it's obviously not a wait room and it's not a piano room and it's not a TV room. So, at that point, it need it needs to be questioned. And that's certainly
within the realm of the the people executing the the inspections. They have a right. They the people who did the work there have to have the plans on site. I used to bring the plans with me because I didn't want to hear that we
don't know where the plans are now. So I would bring the file set, the one that we mark office copy in the town I worked in. And I'd bring it. Well, I'd say listen, it indicates that it's a wait room. So what what are we doing here? Are you applying for a change of use?
Because uh according to regulatory affairs and when you talk to him, he'll he'll confirm what I'm telling you now that uh there is no change of use for that because there is no other use that's acceptable over there. Um I I'm so happy about your ordinance with the
parking. I think that that is going to help dramatically. And tonight eating dinner, I had this idea. I said, you know, this has a this has another edge to the to the sword here because when somebody complains
that I I have 10 children in a four-bedroom house, well, we need more parking. Well, you don't have a 10-bedroom house. Or do you? Uh, if you can show me that you have a 10bedroom house that was
approved, I guess we we're obligated to give you additional parking passes, but that would afford the opportunity to examine what's going in in the home. Was there permits filed for extra bedrooms or uh an addition? I don't think anybody
uh has shnookked an addition on a house in this town. >> It's been five minutes. Thank you. >> Okay. Am I done? All right. Okay, very good. Thanks for the ordinance on the parking. Excellent. OKAY, PETER.
>> Good evening, council. Good evening to all. And uh first off, I want to congratulate the young people in the first aid squad. >> These are the people that you all should be concerned about. They're the future of Howell. You want a Howl that they'd be happy to say, "I'm staying in
Howell." I'm proud of the first aid squad. I wouldn't be alive today except Howell's police EMS saved my life two November ago. So, I came here actually to speak on another subject, but I want to give them
the credit that the young people are due today for being out there. Instead of saying my rights, it's all about me. They're here saying, "What can I do for Howell?" And thank you ALL on Howell 360 LLC.
You don't need an answer me today. I'm just curious what's going on. I happen to be in Trenton on January 7. I heard the comments from the mayor of Montville. I heard the comments from the former mayor of Homell.
I heard the state's attorney. I formed my own conclusions. I'm not a lawyer. I don't pretend to be a lawyer. But I was born during the Eisenhower administration. I was born in New York, New Jersey. I
lived in the South Ward, the West Ward. Went to school in the North Ward. I did business in Garfield, Patterson, Camden. I know this state better than somebody with a helicopter that came in from Virginia.
And my conclusion from sitting there was the state of New Jersey is going to tell you how to run your town. In fact, they assert the right because you are derived from the state. You have no rights. They
will tell you what to do, how you're going to do it. They will coers you into bad decisions. And from what I gathered, the people up there were very sad of the votes they made. Say we had no choice.
My friends, a lawyer will tell you any agreement under coercion is not a binding agreement. I'm going to give you a little advice from the Italians I grew up with. You got to eat a pound of salt with somebody before you know who they are.
And if you want to know what that means, take a teaspoon of salt, swallow it, and say, "I got to do another 175 of these." Before you consume a pound of salt, you're going to spend a lot of time, years.
How LLC may be the finest people that work this earth. I'm sure they're better citizens than me, but you don't know who they are. They'll change membership. They'll change financing. And the truth is, a pilot was
designed for urban areas. I grew up in an urban area. I know what goes wrong. I speak to people from Newark today. They have pilots. They said, "But we don't have any affordable housing, but there's pilots."
If you have a city like New York with an airport, a seapport, you're on 95 with rail connections between Boston and Washington, and you're a state uh dependent, something's really being managed wrong.
And I'll tell you what it is. It's the state. The people you should be talking to are not Democrat, not Republican. There's some of those 548 municipalities in the state of New Jersey who are being dictated to by a state that doesn't know how to manage
its money. You don't have to look far to see how much $135 million they gave out and they don't know what happened to it. Pick a city. Pick any city in this city, in this state. Nobody knows what they do with the money. It just goes and goes.
I would urge you, the day you first came into office, mayor, our assemblymen offered you an invitation. You should offer him one back here. Let us know what it is the state legislature is doing for Howell.
And I'm done with my comments. Thank you. Anyone else from the public? >> First of all, let me apologize. It's my first time here. I didn't know you had to sign in first to get on the list. Um, okay. My name is Carlos Martins. I'm actually from Jackson. Um, they make me
say a disclaimer. I'm here as a resident of Jackson. I'm on the zoning board, but today I'm here as a resident. Okay. And the only reason I'm here is because I'm very interested in that uh parking permit ordinance that you guys are looking to pass. Um I think it it I will
um mention it to our mayor and our council. Um I hope it it does pass. I think it's great for all the towns and we're surrounding towns, so it impacts us as well. And um and it sounds like a great deal to me. Um it is an issue not
just in Howell and I can appreciate everybody's uh comments uh but it impacts Jackson and other towns too. Tom's River bricks you know so on. So um that's why I'm here. I just wanted to let you know that. Um thank you for your time.
Anyone else? Now, you don't have a pass because you've been here multiple times and you should have known sign this book. >> No, I >> just trying to cheer everyone up. You know, everyone's so stuffy in here. Just
relax. Everybody take a deep breath. >> Sandra Vieira from Haya Accord. Um, I have just more of a question. I'm wondering in terms of I know the pilot program is not the main focus of tonight, but I'm wondering if there's
anything that Howell can do for veterans um in terms of our requirements for affordable housing. If that can be something that we can redirect our requirements for affordable housing into
that category, something that would assist veterans Mr. Pereizy, you definitely don't get a pass for not signing this this clipboard. >> I've never signed in. >> You've been here a million times. >> I I boycott that. Uh, hey, Mark Prey,
two Castle Court. Uh, first I want to congratulate Councilman Reubel on uh being uh reappointed for a year. wish you all the best. Appreciate the work you're doing. Um, wanted to just uh congratulate everyone that got appointed to the boards and the committees. I I
wasn't here for the Rio meeting, but I did watch and uh just I I appreciate the volunteers that step up to serve on our various boards and committees. It's very important. Um, without them, we don't have boards and committees. It's that it's that simple. Um,
regarding the uh what uh what Paula said, you know, I I Paula, I gotta tell you, I really appreciate your eloquence and the way that you you speak in such a measured balanced tone. You know, I really do appreciate that. Um, you know, the I I've been following what's going
on about the the parking ordinance and I just want to back up, you know, a couple years. I I remember when when Ian and and Sue were sworn in in 2023 and some some of these issues, quality of life issues, you know, were coming up and and
I remember all three, including, you know, former Councilman Fred Gazer coming up and talking about how quality of life was going to be your signature concern for the community and that you guys were going to do everything that you can to address these quality of life issues. And I understand it's a very
broad term, quality of life. I mean, it varies. It's different for every single person depending on where you live and what's important to you. Um, you know, but over the last couple years, you know, we we've seen the issues with the the over overoccupied rentals. Uh, you
know, we've seen a variety of issues coming up in in our residential areas and and I applaud you guys for trying to do everything that you can. There's been a change in administration last year. uh you're continuing to try to work to address those issues, quality of life
issues, using your your legal counsel to do the best that you can that's defensible. I I get it. And and I guess my comment is really directed to the people in the community that may see this as being somewhat of an inconvenience that, you know, if we're going to try to
address certain issues in in our residential communities, then we all need to be willing to make a bit of a shared sacrifice to do what we can that's fair and implemented fairly across the board for everybody. And, you know, to address some of these issues that are coming up. and to the
gentleman that said that there's there's other many other municipalities that have parking overnight parking ordinances in the state of New Jersey. And it's it seems to me that's entirely within your right to uh you know enact a parking ordinance. I would imagine you wouldn't be doing so if your council didn't advise you that that's it's
lawful and defensible. So you know I I just want to you know applaud you guys for doing what you're doing. The other thing that I just wanted to address is that, you know, um I've been following some some of the lawsuits that go in town and I've been following the the cemetery lawsuit and I saw that there
was a very consequential decision that was rendered back on January 6th in which uh you know the lawsuit was filed against the township and the zoning board and uh the town moved to be dismissed from the lawsuit basically saying we didn't do anything wrong. we
gave you, you know, permission to go to the zoning board and go get your, you know, present your application and the zoning board denied it. So, it's like your beef is with the zoning board, not with the township. And the court agreed, the court agreed that the township, the council is is not responsible, that you guys did your part and that you can
rightfully be dismissed from this lawsuit. Then I also checked the deed and I saw that the property was sold back in August. So, you know, like some some church had owned the property. There was a contract purchase agreement with the cemetery individuals who put
forward the application and then the property has since been sold. So now it begs the question there's this lawsuit. Taxpayers are paying for legal fees for the cemetery lawsuit. Um I don't know whether or not the person who bought the
property has entered into a new contract purchase agreement with the people who want to build develop the cemetery or not. I I simply don't know that. Uh, I would guess it's probably not the case. Uh, so now the question is why why is
this lawsuit ongoing? If it's no longer feasible to develop a cemetery on that property and there's a federal lawsuit, the town has been dismissed, the lawsuit's only against the zoning board, I would just ask that our our mayor and council talk to, you know, the legal
department and the attorneys involved and say, where are we going with this? Let's not saddle the taxpayers with more legal fees for a lawsuit if it's not feasible to develop this cemetery anymore. Thank you. Anyone else? I'm seeing none. Make a motion to close
public. >> Motion to close. >> Second. All in favor? >> I I respond to public comments. Mr. Gross. Any responses or do you want me to make my my statement as far as
the ordinance you know for this uh the parking is is context neutral and should be fair for everyone. So uh we we are only introducing it tonight. There will be many discussions with our police
department, code enforcement department, fire officials on how to handle the enforcement. Also, public workshops and educational sessions will be available for the residents to attend. We will make sure
we have one during the day and the evening at different times. We will make a decision whether it's going to be here or maybe at Howell South, how Norths the residents from both parts of town could, you know, to attend. That way, everyone could be heard and all their
questions could be answered. None of this stuff will be adopted in the next couple weeks. Okay, let's just be clear about that. So, as far as Mr. Fodel, you know, we're everything's going to be discussed. That way, the language that's in the ordinance, you know, everyone
will understand and everyone will be able to navigate the township website in regards to what's in the ordinance. So, as a far as tonight, we're not going to discuss it any further. I'm giving you this general statement so all of us don't have to sit up here and explain
it. Okay. To be fair to everyone. Are we okay with that? >> And Mario, just to go off that, since uh we're not planning on adopting it at the next meeting so we have time to hold some public work sessions. Um I'm going to suggest we uh announce a new date
that we expect for adoption so public is aware for uh public publication notices. Um, right now it's scheduled for February 10th. We have a meeting on March 10th that I suggest that we move that adoption date too. So, we have the
month of February to hold these workshop meetings. >> Sounds great. So pay attention to uh our websites and we'll make it make a public notice of when these uh sessions were going to take place and whoever could attend it and ask your questions and
hopefully uh like I said we can navigate through this together. We want everyone to understand that this is for the entire town and it's for the fairness of everyone that lives in this town. Okay. So that's that. >> M you have anything else?
>> Mr. Mayor, you just one other thing. I I don't have any um specific comments other than I would just like to thank Mr. Deleo and the members of the the first aid squad um for their efforts bringing this uh agreement to conclusion. It was a pleasure working
with them uh and look forward very much to uh continued relationship far into the future. >> That's great. Kayla. >> Um, I'm not going to address Mr. Prey's comments about the the ongoing
litigation. We were uh the town itself was dismissed from the lawsuit. The zoning board is still in it. Um, I'm sure if we could get out of it, if we could just say it was moot, we would, but there's typically other kind of claims like damages or anything else that the the plaintiffs bring. So, we
can't just get out of it. uh snap of the fingers, but you know, that is the MMO of the town is to get, you know, get it dismissed um where they can. So, I'll I'll leave that there. Oh, and there was another question
regarding um if we can direct some affordable housing towards uh veterans. Um, I know that that's been a special project for for Councilwoman O'Donnell for a couple of years now. We've been trying to work on something. Uh, nothing's materialized. A lot of times
you have to work with the developer for those kind of proposals. Uh, we haven't had anybody that has come to us with any sort of ideas. Ideas that we have floated, people haven't wanted to build, but it's definitely on our agenda and horizons, and it's it's definitely a
good idea. That's it. >> What? >> Were you able to answer my question about do you think it's safe for people to stand up there when it's on the internet and give their names and their address? >> So, it is
>> I'm very uncomfortable. >> If you are uncomfortable, it's within your rights to refuse to say it and you still have the ability to come up for public comment. Yeah, it it's more ministerial for us so we know who you are and we can take actions on what
you're saying. >> It Yeah, it's completely up to you. It It's It's a typical >> No, it's within your rights to refuse. It is. Yes. Mike >> I just wanted to add um to the uh
concern about veteran homes and different things that we've attempted to do. Um it was interesting to me that a little over a year ago I talked to Tunnels to Towers because you know we all know they deliver. Um, it's a wonderful organization
uh that does an incredible um amount of work for seriously injured veterans and their families. Um I was so disappointed when they said that they couldn't help us in how um the backside to the story
was they were doing the entire community in Ocean County uh veteran homes an entire community for the veterans uh you know with um hospitals, doctors, job training. Uh it was an it's an amazing feat what they are going to accomplish
in Ocean County. So I take heart. At first, I was like sort of uh I was upset. I was angry and I'm thinking, you know, why we we have needs. And then after I saw the proposal they did and the work they're doing and this past Veterans Day, I was at a dinner with
them. We sat down and we talked for quite some time. Um Hal Township is not forgotten. they just at that moment had an quite a bit of land and that was given to them and and everything just fell into place for them to do this wonderful community and ocean. So um I
still have faith that we have a huge organization state of New Jersey that's so proactive. So, um, I only say this to you because I don't want you to think like, well, aren't they looking at the people that are so positive, you know, that really get the work done. And we have and we do, but um, I made sure that
they know my name first and last and where I live and my phone number. So, we still we talk a lot, but um, there's so many organizations that do things, but um, they just happen to have the resources readily available, it seems, all the
time. They did do the uh house on White Street for uh one of the veterans and we had the our ribbon cutting a couple of years ago. I guess maybe maybe it's four years by now uh right on White Street and um just go to one of those
ceremonies and um it'll just give you the shivers to see the humanity that comes out to support people that have done everything and given their all to support us to live in a free country. So um we are working on it um as uh the
attorney said and it's never far from the council's mind you know what can we do you know how can we just do a small part by inviting you know the right people letting them know that we have um this need we have this concern and we're willing to sit down and talk and we're
willing to stand up and work but um it's it's ongoing so it's definitely still a huge um nut that we're trying to crack and um and I know tunnels to towers and other organizations are always looking, you know, what land is available, what
can be done. So, uh kudos to those that care and I know there's many, many caring people here. So, thank you for even bringing it up because I wanted I'm glad I had the opportunity to say that although we didn't get a shake at something this year or last year rather,
um what they're doing in Ocean County is just phenomenal. So, we're very lucky that God has blessed us with an organization like that. And Ocean County isn't that far away. So, um people that have needs, you know, they'll still be able to take advantage of some of the things that will be offered in that
community, you know, different medical things and treatments and group therapies. And so, every time something happens in the state of New Jersey, maybe it's a good thing that we are a little state because we can get around pretty easily. uh every time something happens for a veteran, um it's not too
far away for us to be able to, you know, shuttle people back and forth and to reach out to those groups that do that. So, um anytime anybody in the public has something they can send over information or, you know, they have an apple that we can take a bite out of, don't hesitate
because happy to do the leg work to find out if there's anything in there that we can use. So, thank you so much for bringing it up. UH, YEAH. I'd just like to thank Mr. Gross for finalizing this agreement with the Howell First Aid Squad. It's been a
while. I know you've been waiting for this agreement. Been a good negotiations and I would like to thank the Hower State aid squad for uh their continued service to our community and look forward to you guys uh sticking around and still serving us. Thank you guys.
two nothing the veterans um some of us I went to a over in Ramtown a couple weeks ago Dolly Harris's home was built not by Tunnel to Towers but another organization that
house closed on she hasn't yet moved in I uh been paying attention because I told her I come over couple days a week and have breakfast with her and get some lunch and talk about her experience and her debt to this country and this uh house
being built for her is unbelievable in light of what has happened to her. And it's um it's a it's a wonderful thing and I'm I'm I'm proud that I'm the mayor right now and I was able to uh be part of her experience with them building this and uh working with the builder and
and uh and seeing everything from step one all the way to the end. It's really something special. And uh you know everyone in this country that goes to sleep at night and knows that they're you know they're safe, you should thank a veteran every day of the week. you
know, they go unappreciated. And the lack of veteran housing and senior housing is actually pretty disgusting if you think about the agenda in this state, you know, with with overdevelopment and uh highrises and uh
all the other nonsense that goes on. we could have very easily build housing for veterans and uh affordable housing for our seniors. But there's another agenda and that's unfortunate uh that that's the way it is. But maybe maybe we'll have some intelligent people come
forward in the next couple years and get elected and they'll they'll they'll they'll they'll change that because that's what really needs to get done. So, uh, yeah, I know Evelyn, you don't like the way I speak and sometimes you get, yeah, get you get a little aggravated with me, but that's that's the way I feel about this.
And I'm not refined in in the way I answer people sometimes, but I think I just said it as best of my ability without uh, blowing this room up. Okay. >> No, no, it's all right. I just >> um,
>> so the the housing, that's one thing. Um, if uh who spoke about the Oh, Peter. If anyone in this room doesn't didn't understand what Peter was saying about the helicopter in Virginia, that's our newly appointed governor that got sworn in today.
So, I'm sure she's going to do a great job for the next four years. I hope everybody doesn't really think anything's going to change. So, but that's that's what you get when the voters come to the table. Now you could now everyone I voted for, you know, maybe maybe their lives are going to
improve, but I I doubt the workingclass people's lives are going to improve. Um, what else here? I'm going to leave the first date for last. Richard, you know, the stuff you you discussed with Mr. Gross about change of use, you know, that's something that,
you know, zoning and our lawyers and we'll see about that. Doubt it. Um, all right. So, on to our great first aid. Okay. 57 years in business. Countless members over the years,
hundreds and hundreds of calls um, received and attended to, thousands of lives saved. Volunteerism is going to stay here, folks, for at least the NEXT THREE YEARS.
IT'S A CRUCIAL PART OF this community and our surrounding communities and um I'm so happy that this uh this deal was was finally made and um it's uh you know it's been a sore sore
subject for a bunch of years now, but you know here we are at the finish line and I'm sure you know the first aid is going to work well with 198 like you have in the past, ensuring that all our residents are uh attended to as quickly
as possible and um with the least amount of uh damage done to anyone whether it's a car accident or a medical emergency. Okay. Uh, I have a lot of respect for you guys and I'm sorry that it took so long, but here it
is. And you guys, I'm assuming are happy now and I appreciate your your efforts and uh it's uh it's a good thing. I'll refrain from making some other comments, so that's all right.
That's it, folks. I hope we answered everyone's questions here. And now we're going to move on to um consent uh agenda items. Does anyone want to separate anything on the consent agendas?
Can I please have a motion then? I'll make a motion to accept resolutions 26-50 to resolution 26-8A. >> I have a question. >> Second. >> Uh we we need to make a correction to uh
resolution R26-71. It was left blank. So somebody needs to make a official appointment to that committee. >> So we'll do that one separately after. >> Sure. >> So pull that >> pull that one from consent and then
Okay. >> You can vote on consent minus that. >> Okay. So So I need I need a motion for consent >> with all of them >> minus that one. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. So, I'll make the motion to accept resolution 26-50 through
resolution uh 26-8A minus resolution 26-71. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Legio,
>> yes. So, we would need um a motion for >> R 2671. >> I'd like to make a recommendation to appoint Councilwoman Evelyn O'Donnell to the uh House 250 committee. >> Where are you? >> Oh, that's you.
>> I'm sorry. I think um Councilwoman uh Fiser. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Councilwoman Fischer or Deputy Mayor Fischer. My apologies. >> I'll second. Ian, please say who you're seconding. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Thank you.
>> Councilman Nadelt. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor. Oh, Deputy Mayor Fischer should abstain. >> I can vote for myself. >> Sure. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes.
>> Oh goodness. Okay. So, that's done. Resolutions on finished business on adoption of ordinances. Introduction of ordinances. >> Oh, you got it. >> Ordinance uh 26001,
an ordinance of the township of Howell clarifying and amending penalty provisions of the township code in accordance with NJSA 4049-5. Motion introduce ordinance 2601. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> I'd like to abstain. I would like to have done all of the workshopping prior to the ordinance being introduced so that we had more information. That's the next I'm sorry.
>> Yes. My apologies. >> Councilman Reubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. Yes, >> the ordinance is properly introduced. >> Next is ordinance 026-02,
an ordinance establishing a residential on street permit parking program in residential zones of Howell Township. >> Motion introduce ordinance 2602. >> Second. >> Councilman Nidell. >> Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell.
>> Again, I'd like to abstain. I would have preferred to have done the workshops first so that we were introducing uh an ordinance with more information so it was fullbodied and um more opaque if you would. Councilman Rubel, >> yes.
>> Deputy Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. The ordinance is properly introduced. >> And to be clear, it is scheduled for adoption on March 10th.
>> March. >> Good. Meeting dates. Our next regular schedule council meeting will take place on February 10th, 2026. Executive session begins at 6 p.m. Regular session at 7:00.
Um, thank you all for coming tonight. >> Please come back if you'd like to talk to us again and have your voices heard. I think it's very productive. >> And I'm seeing no further business. May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn.
>> Second. >> I. >> All in favor? >> I