[music] [music] Heat. Heat. call to order, please. >> This meeting is being held in accordance with public law 1975, chapter 231, Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice has been provided by placing notice of this
meeting to the Asbury Park Press and the Star Ledger for December 15, 2025 publication. This agenda is complete to the extent known and formal action will be taken. >> Nomination for uh deputy mayor. >> I nominate Sue Fischer.
>> Second. Roll call. Councilwoman Fischer, >> abstain. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Mayor Legio, >> yes. >> Both of us for Deputy Mayor, proceed
with swearing in caution. >> Yeah. [snorts] Come on. Ius >> domly swearly swear >> that I will faithfully faithfully impartially impartially >> and justly perform and justice all the
duties of the office of America. and that I will bear true and to the government established in the United States and under the authority of the So >> [applause]
>> Good morning. Congratulations. [snorts] Congratulations. >> [snorts] >> Okay, >> I'll take the official roll call. >> Councilman Nadell >> here. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell >> here. >> Councilman Roel >> here.
>> Deputy Mayor Fischer >> here. >> Mayor Leio >> here. >> Next is presentation of colors by Howell Township Police Honor Guard. [snorts] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. By the dawn early [singing] stripes [singing]
we wash. >> [singing and music] [music] >> through the night. [singing] [singing] Say that better yet. The land of the [singing] free of the [singing and music]
brave. Hey, [music] [applause] I That always sounds so good. >> Invocation by Deacon Kevin Smith from St. Worm of the Abbott in the spirit of reverence unity. Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, source of all wisdom and life, you reveal your goodness to all nations. We stand before you aware of our human limitations confident in your presence among us. Grant us the clarity to know your will,
courage to embrace it, strength to live in each day. Guide us with your wisdom and strengthen us with your power. We desire justice for all. Help us to uphold the rights and dignity of every person. Guard us
with vigorance, fear, and favorism. us of respect and compassion that our work together may serve the common good. We ask your blessing upon our mayor, our council council, our judges, our police
and all who are entrusted with public responsibility. Grant them integity, humility and vision that seeks beyond today. One that seeks peace, fairness and flourishing of every resident of our community.
Bless also the people of how inspiring in all of us spirit of cooperation, respect, constructive engagement. Remind us that good governance is strengthened not only by those but by the commitment of every citizen.
May our decisions and actions today and throughout the years reflect your wisdom, justice, and love. We offer this prayer in trust, oh God, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. >> Amen. I'm going to open the floor for a
hearing of uh the citizens public comments. if there's a button down by the bottom. >> Let's see in a >> I think it might be on. >> Oh, there we go. Okay. >> Sorry, that looked like the latch. Uh, good evening folks. Lawrence White,
15 Renway. Good evening, council. Happy New Year. And to our town professionals, I just want to congratulate Councilwoman Fiser for rising to deputy mayor this year. And I want to wish you all the best for 2026.
It's going to be an interesting year [laughter] and I know that you will guide us through. Thank you, Mark. Good evening. Uh Mark Chicateno, 214 Bri Avenue in Howell.
Happy New Year to everybody. Um I want to preface what I want to say. I sincerely hope that nothing that I say tonight offends anybody. I just want to uh I don't enjoy coming here and I tend to come here when
things seem to be getting out of hand in How Township. I've been here before. Some of you may remember some of my complaints. I want to talk tonight about a uh rental property that's next to me
uh at uh 208 Bry Avenue. This place has been rented for a long, long time over the years with numerous different tenants. And uh over the years, I've made many complaints related to code enforcement.
Everything from noise to litter to urinating off the porch to horn honking, you name it. Uh it's up for rent now. And the individual owns the house rather than show it. In other words,
come there with people to show the house, he chooses to leave the house unlocked. Well, the other night at 11:00 while I was asleep, much like probably most people at 11:00 in his room are asleep,
I hear a noise. Engine running outside on Bri Avenue. vehicle parked there, lights out, and I see four figures going up the driveway wearing hoodie sweatshirts that then go into the house 11:00 at night to look at it. I have no
idea whether they belong there or not. And when they came out of the house, I had the audacity to say, "Should you be looking at this house at 11:00 at night?" At which point, they all ran to the vehicle. the vehicle backed up into
the driveway of 208 in the process uprooting the mailbox and dragging it out onto the street. Now, at one time I had been told by the uh the landlord, you don't call code enforcement, you don't call the police,
you call me if there's a problem, which I did and promptly got no response as of now a week later. I did call the How Township Police, sent two very nice patrolman down. They took the report. Uh
I guess all I can say is it's the gift that keeps giving and it's extremely frustrating. Also frustrating. You can drive down Bry Avenue, Larabe Boulevard, Alexander Avenue
on either a Monday or a Thursday and every single trash can has seven or eight bags of trash laying all around the actual trash can. All the trash cans are overflowing to the point where now they have to put their bags all over the
ground, which animals get into them, drive up and down these roads, and you will see trash laying everywhere. And I know that that's a violation of code because I spoke to somebody from code enforcement um about this.
Um, lastly, to put my money where my mouth is, I've lived in the town 18 years. We've all seen changes. I care about the town, right? I mean, I should care,
right? I live here. Um, back in October, I applied for a part-time code enforcement position. And to be frank, I'm a bit dismayed that three months later, I haven't heard a word as to whether I
got the job, was rejected for the job, whatever it is, it is. I can certainly live with that. But I know manpower has been discussed on numerous occasions about code enforcement.
And forgive me and again I apologize in advance but I would think that 3 months later there would be some notification whether you got the job, you don't have the job, get lost, we don't want you. Um I had hoped that 32 years of law
enforcement experience might serve me to help serve the town. Um but along those lines, I would just like to know, are you still hiring? Have you hired?
Is there a chance? Are you rejected? I just like to know. That's all. Whatever it is, it is. My time's up. Thanks for listening. Anyone else? >> I'm seeing none. >> Motion to close.
>> Motion to close public session. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I information comments from elected officials. >> Evelyn, >> I'm just happy to see another year coming. I know we have uh a lot of
things planned. A lot of different issues are being worked on. Um, I'm confident the council will be able to finalize many of the issues and whatever can't be finalized in the next few months, we will continue to work as hard
as we can to ensure that the public has full confidence and we hope to alleviate all the problems and I wish my fellow council members uh the same thing that I hope every year. I hope that we work well. We work um expedient, you know, we
are always mindful mindful of the law and um work under God's guidance. So, happy new year to everyone. >> Deputy Mayor, uh I'd like to thank everyone for the good wishes. Thank you, Mr. White, and everyone else. I'd also like to, I think, acknowledge the Kirks
for the beautiful flowers. So, thank you to uh the Kirks for the flowers. Um, and I I would ask if we could absolutely get back to to Mark uh regarding that issue because that is definitely a pressing issue to all of
us. I I think we would agree. >> Mike, nothing. uh new year, but council is just going to continue doing what we've been doing doing throughout the year. Just things that are going well in town, just keep them around and keep improving it. And
things that need to be fixed, just work on fixing it and correcting all the issues. Um so, new year, new start. Just wish everyone a happy new year. [clears throat] >> I feel the same way. You know, 2026 is here. We have a lot of challenges coming down
the road this year and we're going to hopefully work together and do what's right for the residents of Howell and keep it a you know fair and balanced uh decisions across the board. Whether it's uh quality of life, whether it's uh
development, whether it's traffic, whether it's whatever the issues may be, we will work for everyone and uh our professionals will work for everyone. Uh we'll be voting in the next couple minutes on our appointments
and there'll be uh there's two separate ones that I'll be voting no on. And uh the reason I'm voting no is because uh I don't feel that these professionals are doing the the best of their ability for the town. And I think we need a new
fresh set of eyes and uh some new ideas with the with the changing landscape that's going on. and I uh I'm frustrated with my fellow council members on uh some of these decisions that were made, but that's the way it
is. But if uh anyone was on, you know, wondering why I'm voting no, that's the reason. So, uh we'll move on to that. We're going to continue with the appointments of the professionals. You want to read each one else? >> Um,
do you do you want >> you can read each one? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Um, so I'm sorry. First we have um appointments for
affordable housing administrator. Oh, is there a a Motion and a second. >> Motion to appoint Community Grants Planning and Housing LLC. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell? >> Yes.
>> Councilman Rubel? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer? >> Yes. >> Mayor Legio? >> Yes. >> The resolution passes. Uh, next resolution 26-2 for affordable housing attorney.
>> I'll make a motion to appoint Ashmanstein Baldman and Hayden. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Uh, Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes.
>> Mayor Leio, >> no. Resolution passes. Next we have resolution 26-2A for affordable housing planner. >> Motion to appoint CME Associates.
>> Second. >> Uh, Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> The resolution passes. Uh, next we have resolution 26-3 to
appoint bond council. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Dworth Paxton. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes.
>> The resolution passes. Uh, resolution 26-4, Consulting Engineers. I'll make a motion to appoint CME Associates. >> And there's more. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I think you got to read all of them. Yeah.
>> Do you want me to read them? >> May I do that? >> Okay. So CME Associates, Collier's Engineering and Design, Van Clee, French and Pirello, Burough Engineering, TNM Associates, Owen Little and Associates, and Narian Associates. There we go.
>> Thank you. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Legio, >> yes. The resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-5
to appoint continuing disclosure compliance. >> Nominate NW Financial. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes.
>> Resolution passes. Um, next we have resolution 26-6, dental insurance broker services. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Brown and Brown. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rebel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Uh, resolution 26-7 for financial advisory services.
Motion to appoint NW Financial. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Reubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Legio? >> Yes. >> The resolution passes. Uh resolution
26-8 to appoint labor attorney. >> Motion to appoint DD Murphy. McGucken. Casaurus and Connors Clear Jacob Fury and Jacobs LLC and Stagger. >> A second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes.
>> Council Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Legio. >> Yes. >> Resolution passes. Resolution 29 26-9 to appoint licensed tree expert. >> Nominate CME Associates.
>> Second. Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-10 to appoint municipal prosecutor.
>> Motion to appoint Shan Keane of Clear Jacob Fury Jacobs. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. Mayor Leio. >> Yes. >> Resolution passes.
Resolution 26-11 to appoint risk management consultant. I'll make a motion to appoint Brown and Brown. Second, sorry. Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-12 to appoint special counsel >> motion to appoint Hatfield Schwarz Law Group Weiner Law Group Dworth Paxton
Alan Ziken Masalini and Vendetti LLC patches Walder Hayden Ross Mandelstrom Cypriyani EPI >> second councilman Nadell >> yesil Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Uh, resolution 25-13 to appoint township attorney. I'll >> make a motion to appoint Caitlyn Harney Nord from Dworth Paxton. >> Second.
>> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes. >> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-14 to appoint tax appeal attorney.
>> Motion to appoint Clary Jacobe, Alfur, and Jacobs. >> Second. >> I'm sorry. Who was there a second? Okay. >> Thank you. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer,
>> yes. >> Mayor Legio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-15 to appoint title search ser title search services. >> I'll make a motion for CW solutions.
>> Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-16 to appoint township planner.
I'll make a motion for Jennifer Beam from Ivakian. Leon Vakian. >> We'll second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio,
>> no. >> Resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-17 to appoint utility engineers. >> Motion to appoint CME Associates, TNM Associates, Collier's Engineering and Design, Van Clee Engineer.
>> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. Resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-18
to appoint a library liaison. >> Motion to appoint Evelyn O'Donnell. >> Second. >> Council Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes.
>> Resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-9 to appoint a senior citizens liaison. >> I'll move to appoint Evelyn O'Donnell. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes. >> Resolution passes. Um, uh, resolution 26-20
to appoint members to the Howell Alliance. A motion to appoint Julie Atkins, John Aliano, Detective Vincent Bonner, Maryanne Sarinac, Marty Ellson, Victor, Gina Grosky, patrolman Jamie Higgins, Joseph Isola, Balhawkyak,
Mary Ellen Lawrence, Patrolman Moren McBride, Kate McCarthy, Gina Corrian, Raone, Ronald Sansac, Alexandria Langenburgger, Zachary Dorner, Second. [snorts] >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell,
>> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-21 to appoint members to the farmers advisory committee.
>> Motion to appoint Maryanne Cernac, member three-year term. Betty Louz Gimble, member three-year term. Anna Christian Doer, member three-year term. Elaine Taylor, member, three-year term. Stephanie Gluck, member, unexpired two-year term. Daniel Casichia,
alternate one member, unexpired two-year term. Alan Grapali, alternate two member, unexpired three-year term. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes.
>> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> The resolution passes. Uh, resolution 26-22 to appoint members to the municipal green team. Motion to appoint Lisa Dows, member Shade Tree Commission,
Maryanne Cernac, member of Lake Restoration Wildlife Committee, John Nila, Larry White, Zachary Dorner, Jennifer Hickey. >> Second. >> Uh, Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes.
>> Uh, Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Uh resolution 26-23 to appoint members to the Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Committee.
>> Nominate Maryanne Cernac, member 5-year term. Robert Delonard as the chair. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Legio? >> Yes.
>> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-24 to appoint members to the mobile home Rent Stabilization and Control Board. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Cindy Lou Jordan, a member park owner three-year
term, John Henry Jordan, alternate member park owner one-year term, and Larara Casper is the current chair. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio,
>> yes. >> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-25 to appoint members to the planning board. >> Motion to appoint Michael Rebel, class three member. Mark Freriedman, class four member, unexpired
four-year term. Dylan Biato, class four member, four-year term. Nick Wetco, alternate one member, two-year term. injured deep car alternate two member unexpired two-year term. >> Second.
>> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes. >> Resolution passes. Next we have resolution 26-26 to appoint members to the preservation task force.
>> I'll make a motion to appoint Betty Lubaliz Gimble member 5-year term. Elaine Taylor, member on expired five-year term, and Paula Samurell, alternate one member. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Resolution passes. Resolution 26-27 to appoint members to the zoning board of adjustment. >> Push to appoint Matthew's member for
your term. John Kabarakus, alternate two member two-year term. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fiser, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio,
>> yes to Matthew Hughes, no to John Karakus. >> Okay, just making that Okay. Uh, the resolution passes. Um, next we have resolution 26-28.
Oh, I'm sorry. That one is removed because that um committee is no longer active. Uh so continuing on to resolution 26-29 um to appoint a representative member to
the Manisquaman River Regional Sewage Authority. >> I'd like to make a motion to uh put [snorts] Robert Fiser back in place for that position. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rubel. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer. Abstain. Mayor Leio. >> Yes. >> The resolution passes. >> Resolution 26-29A
to appoint members to the recreational advisory committee. Motion to appoint Brian Greenfield, Bridget Kazinski, Justin Yos, Matthew Rosenberg, Rebecca Scott, Jesse Bartley, Chris Kentagalo, Joe Goodman, Chris
Hill, Dan Doyle, Nicholas Husser, Rory Durnan, Michael Ingui, Ian Nadell, Michael Reubel, >> second. >> Councilman Nadell, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Fischer,
>> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. The >> resolution passes. Uh, next there is a U mayor's appointment. Uh, resolution 26-29B. Yeah. The position of planning board class one member. For mayor appointment,
I hereby appoint Charles Gimble as planning board class one member. This term is concurrent with with my mayoral term which expires 122128. And we continue with uh township manager appointments. [snorts]
>> Thank you. My apologies. Uh I'd like to appoint Taylor Carlo as the public agency compliance officer. I'd like to make the following appointments to the environmental commission. Lisa Lisa Dow a member of three-year term Jennifer Hickey a three-year term Brett
Dragon three-year term Lawrence White as alternate number one member a two-year term and Pamela Samurel alternate two member for two-year term and I'd also like to appoint the chair
as Lisa D for the Shade Tree Commission. I'd like to appoint Brett, sorry, Brett Dragon to a five-year term member Gabriella Gomez to a five-year term and
Nicholas Khan to an to a five-year unexpired term. Planning board, I'd like to appoint Brian Greenfield as a class two member official of the township for a
one-year period. Thank you. Next we have consent agenda items. Um they can be adopted all in one motion. Resolutions uh 26-34 through 26-49. >> 26-49.
>> Second. >> Uh Councilman Nadal. Yes. Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Councilman Rubel, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Fischer, >> yes. >> Mayor Legio, >> yes. >> The consent resolutions pass. >> All right.
Unfinished business. There isn't any introduction to ordinances. There are no introductions at this time. So, our next regular scheduled council meeting will take place on January 20th at 6 PM. Regular meeting at 7.
May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. Hi. >> Hi.