[music] [music] Heat. Heat. I think >> opening statement, >> Lisa. >> All right. Uh, I hereby declare this meeting of the How Town Township Zoning Board to be open, adequate notice having
been given pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Act in the following manner. First, on December 16th, 2025, a copy of said notice was emailed to the Asbury Park Press and the Star Ledger. Second, on December 16th, 2025, a copy
of said notice was handd delivered to the clerk of the township of Howell. Third, on December 16th, 2025, said notice was posted in the office of the zoning board and on the bulletin board in the Howell Township Municipal Building 4567 Route 9, Howell Township,
New Jersey. In accordance with the fire prevention code and for your safety, please be advised that this facility is designed with two emergency exits at the front and rear of the meeting room. Furthermore, smoking is not permitted in the municipal building. Please take note that this meeting is being videotaped
for possible future broadcast on Howell Township TV77. >> Okay. Thank you, Lisa. At this time, we will have the oaths to our two returning members, uh, Matt Hughes and John Kabarakis. So, Andy, you want to swear
them in? >> I state your name. I, John, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully and partially and justly >> I will faithfully and partially >> partially >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties
>> of the office of zoning board member >> of the office of the zoning board member >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability >> and I'll 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 I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And to the governments established in the United States. >> And for 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. >> Congratulations, guys. Thank you. [applause] >> Welcome back. >> Um this time we'll have a roll call. >> Sure. Uh Mr. Burillo >> here.
>> Mr. Caner is excused. Mr. Hughes >> here. >> Mr. O'Donnell >> here. >> Mr. Orosco >> here. >> Mr. Ryan >> present. >> Miss Miss Johnson >> here. >> Mr. Kabarakus >> here. >> And Chairman Mertens >> here. >> We have a quorum.
>> Okay. Um would everybody like to do the pledge of allegiance prior? And then we'll start. Madusiance 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. >> Okay. At this time, I would like to uh ask for a motion to go in executive. we need to discuss our
leadership next year as well as the committees and a couple other things we need to discuss in executive. So, do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion for executive session. >> Yes. >> Who is the first motion in second? >> May. >> Tom O'Donnell.
Second, Miss Scott. >> Mr. Donald was the motion. >> All in favor? >> She's got to read the resolution. >> Okay. >> Yeah. All right. Whereas title 10, chapter 4, section 13 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes requires that the public shall not be
excluded from any meetings of a public body unless a resolution authorizing such exclusion is adopted at a public meeting. And whereas the zoning board of adjustment of the township of Howell has determined that such a closed meeting is required to discuss certain matters which are exempted from consideration
with the public in attendance under New Jersey Revised Statutes 104-12 namely personnel matters. Now therefore be it resolved by the zoning board of adjustment of the township of Howell that the public shall be excluded from the next portion of this meeting and that the zoning board of adjustment will
reconvene in public session thereafter. Be it further resolved that minutes will be kept of the meeting in the closed session and the time and circumstances under which the discussion conducted in closed session can be disclosed to the public cannot be determined at this time. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Okay. >> Okay. I guess we're back. >> I I feel like Eileen takes roll call when you come back from executive. >> Let's take roll call. We'll skip the pledge of allegiance because we all >> No, we did that. So, let's let's do roll
call to be on the safe side. >> All right. Mr. Burillo >> here. >> Mr. Caner is excused. Mr. Hughes >> here. >> Mr. O'Donnell >> here. >> Mr. Rosco >> here. >> Mr. Ryan >> here. >> M Miss Scottson >> here. >> Mr. Kabaracus
>> here. >> And Chairman Martens >> here. >> We have a >> Okay. At this time, I would like to entertain a motion for chairman of the zoning board for 2026. >> I'd like to nominate Richard Martin for chairman.
>> Second that. >> Second by Mr. Burillo. >> Roll call. >> Second. Who was the um motion by? >> I made the John. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Tom O'Donnell. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> All right. So, Mr. Burillo. >> Yes. >> Uh Mr. Hughes. >> Yes.
>> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan, >> yes. >> Miss Scottson, >> yes. >> Chairman Mertens, >> extain. And I'd like to thank everybody for voting me back. I enjoyed doing it last year, and I look forward to another
great year with all all of you and our professionals. So, thank you. >> Motion carries. >> At this time, I'd like to entertain a motion for vice chairman of the zoning board for 2026. >> I would like to um nominate uh Matt
Hughes. Emory with the motion. >> Second. >> Second by Mr. O'Donnell. Roll call. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Mr. Barillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Abstain. >> Oops. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Rosco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan. >> Yes. >> Miss Scottson? >> Yes. >> Chairman RS. Uh Matt did a I I mean not didn't have to take over too many meetings last year because I was a good
boy I showed up but just the just the conversations we had during the year. Um I think we have the same philosophies and it'll be good if I do have a night off. I have a good person to fill my
shoes. So thank you Matt. I vote yes. >> Motion carries. Next, we have uh zoning board secret uh secretary for the zoning board for 2026. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to nominate Glen
Canary. >> Mr. Burilli with the motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Second by Mr. Hughes. Roll call. >> Mr. Hughes. Mr. Burillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rosco?
>> Yes. Mr. Ryan, >> yes. >> Miss Scottson, >> yes. >> Chairman Mertens. >> Well, Glenn had a little bit easier job than I did, Matt, because we used to have to go down and actually sign the exhibits. >> But Glenn has a very is very good
sitting next to me if I, you know, there's something, especially how to pronounce John's last name. [laughter] Glenn did a very good job trying to get me on board. So, I I [laughter] did that was the big challenge for 2025. So, >> mission accomplished. I still I still
have a few applications that are always going to be tough for me, but we'll get through it. So, welcome back, Glenn. Um, now I need a a motion for consulting attorney. >> Yes. >> I'd like to uh nominate Andrew Bayer of
Pashman Stein. >> Second, >> Mr. O'Donnell with the motion. Mr. Hughes with the second. Roll call. >> With the second, Mr. Barillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Hughes, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Mr. Rosco, >> yes.
>> Mr. Ryan, >> yes. >> Miss Scottson, >> yes. >> Chairman Mertens, >> absolutely, Andy. Good to have you back. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, board, for your continuing uh confidence. I look forward to another year working with the team.
>> Okay, >> motion carries. >> Consulting engineer, do I have a motion? I'd like to nominate Charles Kunliff of TNM Associates. >> I'll second that.
>> Mr. Odonna with the motion. Amarie with the second. Roll call. >> Marie with the second. Mr. Burillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan. >> Yes. >> Miss Scottson.
>> Yes. >> Chairman Mertens. >> Absolutely. Welcome back um >> the invisible chair. >> Yeah. I welcome back next meeting. Welcome back to >> Welcome back. >> Okay. Consulting planner.
>> I'd like to nominate Jennifer Beam of Leon Vakian. >> Okay. Pronounced it pretty good. Better than me. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Second by Mr. Hughes. Roll call. >> Who was the um motion?
>> By Mr. O'Donnell. >> Roll call is Mr. Barillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Hughes. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan. >> Yes. >> Miss Scottson. >> Yes. >> Chairman Mertens. >> I don't know what the zoning board would
be without Jennifer. Gosh. And um >> Jennifer, I'll say it. You're the best and we're happy to have you back. >> Y >> 100%. >> Oh, that's a yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Next is certified tree expert. Do I have a motion for their
>> I'd like to make a motion to nominate Sherry Sparrow from CME Associates. >> Mr. Donna with the motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second. >> Sorry. >> All right. Mr. Barillo. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan? >> Yes. >> Miss Scottson? >> Yes. >> Chairman Mertens? >> Absolutely. Yes. Welcome back, Sherry. >> Motion carries.
>> Okay, we have administrated officer. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion for Miss Eileen Cusa. >> Motion by Mr. Hughes, second by Mr. Oasco. Roll call. >> Mr. Rosco.
>> Mr. Barillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco. >> Mr. Ryan. Yes, >> Miss Scottson. >> Yes, >> Chairman Mertens. >> Absolutely. >> Motion carries.
>> And the last motion here is for recording secretary. >> Motion for Eene Prussa. >> Motion by Mr. O'Donnell. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Mr. Burillo. Roll call. >> Mr. Burillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes.
>> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan, >> yes. >> Miss Scottson, >> yes. >> Chairman Mertens, >> absolutely. And um Eileen should be back sometime in March or April. So, we look forward to seeing her back. >> Motion carries.
>> And our best wish hopefully uh get well for her sub uh Eileen Rabano, who's under the weather tonight. Okay. Uh the next thing is our official newspaper for >> um actually the meeting dates. >> The meeting dates.
>> Oh, the meeting dates. I am so sorry. Thank you, Lisa. Meeting dates for 2026. >> I thought we already approved them at the last meeting. >> Uh >> I mean, we can do it again just to have it officially. >> Okay. >> That's why I didn't even think about
that. Okay. Do I have a motion uh for the 20 >> 26? >> Yeah, 206 >> meeting dates. >> I'll make a motion, Mr. Chair. I'll second it.
>> Mr. Hughes with the motion. Um, Emory with the second roll call. >> Mr. Barillo, >> yes. >> Mr. Hughes, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Mr. Oco, >> yes. >> Mr. Ryan, >> yes. >> Miss Scottson, >> yes.
>> Chairman Merren, >> yes. >> Resolution is memorialized. >> Okay. At this time, I do not believe we need to um vote on this. Am I correct with the committee? You're not, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. At this time, I'd like to um have
Nick Burillo continue on the site review committee and he will be chairman this year, Mike Ryan, and Ann Marie Scottson. For the rules committee, that will be entail myself, Matt Hughes, and Glenn Caner because it is for the officers of
the zoning board. Okay. Okay, next order of business is the approval of minutes from regular meeting December 8th, 2025. Eljo voters, Burough, Caner, Hughes, Odano, Arasco, Ryan, Cabaracus, and Merens. Do I have a motion?
>> Make a motion to approve the minutes for December 8th. >> M Mr. Burillo with the motion. Have a second. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Mr. Ryan. Roll call. >> Second. >> Mr. Burillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Hughes. >> Yes.
>> Mr. O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kabarakus. >> Yes. >> Chairman Merren. >> Yes. >> Motion carry. >> Okay. We do uh we uh are and we have
regular meeting on December 22nd, 2025. Elro voters Caner Hughes Orasco Scottson Kabaracus and Merens. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. >> Mr. Hughes with the motion to second by
Mr. Arasco. Roll call. >> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rosco? >> Yes. >> Miss Scottson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kabarakus? >> Yes. >> Chairman Merren? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Lisa, do we have any
correspondence tonight? >> No correspondence tonight. >> Okay. We can bypass the swearing in the >> No, Andy's got to swear himself in >> or swear on himself. >> I would do the latter. Andy, >> do I swear? [laughter] Tell the truth.
>> All the truth. >> Okay. Well, you have a one less duty tonight. >> That's it. My voice will be strong. >> Okay. Now then, uh we do have some resolutions. The first one is the 2025 yearly review
resolution constituting the 2025 yearly review and report that was done by the officers and the professionals. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second, >> Mr. Hughes and Emory on a motion and a second.
>> Roll call. >> Mr. Barillo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. Mr. Rosco, >> yes. >> Mr. Ryan, >> yes. >> Miss Scottson, >> yes. >> Chairman Merren, >> yes. >> Resolution is memorialized.
>> Okay. Next one is case number BA24-15, Gary Endinger. Resolution granting Variance approval eligible voters, Burillo, Caner, Hughes, Odono, Rosco, Ryan, and Merrens. I have a motion.
>> I'll make a motion to approve this application. >> Mr. O'Donnell with a motion. Do I have a second? >> I will second that motion. >> Mr. Burillo with a second. Roll call. >> Mr. Burillo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Arosco? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Ryan? >> Yes. >> Chairman Mertens? >> Yes. >> Resolutions memorialized. >> Okay. Next one is case number BA25-13. EAS How Properties Company LLC.
Use variance and preliminary and final site plan approval with both varants eligible voters Caner Hughes O'Donnell Arasco Ryan Kabarakus and Merrens. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion.
>> Mr. Kabaracus with a motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> Second by Mr. Ryan. Roll call. >> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Orosco? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan? Yes, >> Mr. Kabarakus.
>> Yes, >> Chairman Merren. >> Yes. >> Resolution is memorialized. >> And the last case that I have here on the agenda is case number BA25-15. JM Church LLC
resolution granting bulk variance and waiverss elo voters Caner Hughes O'Donnell Arasco Ryan Kabarakus and Merren. Do I have a motion? I >> make a motion to approve. >> Mr. Ryan with the motion. Do I have a second?
>> I'll make a second. >> Mr. Kabarakus. >> Okay. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Donnell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Arosco? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ryan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kabarakus? >> Yes. >> Chairman Mertens? >> Yes.
>> Resolution is memorialized. >> And I think I know the answer to number five. Any applications before the board tonight? >> No, there are no applications. >> Okay. I'm sorry. But I bet next time we're going to have a few. >> Um, we already took care of executive
session. So, um, before we make a motion to close, Lisa, thank you so much for filling in on short notice. >> Um, and thanks for bringing the oaths and everything for Matt and John. >> Yes. >> Yeah, sure. I was reading this note over
here if at 10:30 p.m. there remains one or more cases. Wasn't that at 10:00 last year? We're changing that. >> You know, it always used to be 10:30 and I think we moved it to 10. I don't know if we ever >> Paul moved it to 10. >> Oh, he did formally. Okay. >> I mean, I don't know if it was formally,
but >> it was 10:00. >> I don't know. >> I I my opinion on that is we should keep it at 10. Um unless anybody else what we used to have just a you know history it was 7:30 to 10:30 after co we
went to seven so we're just you know we're still doing the three hours >> doing the three hours and again if we have a case that is involving maybe another 10 or 15 minutes that's >> yeah we we'll we'll we'll wing it when it comes necessary but generally speaking
>> we will try to keep the cut off at 10. That's a good catch though because if the public sees >> if they have to come back for, you know, quite a bit of time, we would stop at 10:00. But if we could wind it up by staying at 10:30, we should. >> Yeah, we should. And um like I said, I I
don't want to be staying till 10:30, but if it's going to uh save the applicants coming back and >> Yeah, it's too expensive going back for 15. >> So that's Thanks, >> Nick. I I wasn't even aware that it was 10:30 in the uh
or you just >> Oh, it's determined by the >> government. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe it just never got changed. Okay. >> So, is it AP? >> Yeah. I'm surprised because maybe we just didn't discuss it. We just assumed it was 10. >> Yeah. Everything up a half hour.
As far as the um one thing that Nick brought up with real quickly with the yearly review, we may uh sit down and discuss that um and possibly bringing it to council >> and uh giving them our at least having a
voice from us. So hopefully in the future, whether it's publicly or at a conference, uh I'd like to at least let them know how we feel with some of the uh changes that we recommended so they don't go on tough for years. >> Yeah, I find over the last few years
that I've been part of that is some of the stuff just keeps keeps going. You know, it's the same thing every year. There's a few things that are so maybe it would be nice to formally go. >> Mr. Chairman, it would be strategically important to do it because it pertains to ordinance changes and if it's going
to assist us in our cases, then you know we should press it. >> I'm a little musical instrument. >> See, they must have heard me. >> You know, if I wanted this three not to make any noise, it wouldn't. [laughter]
So what we'll do is um I do think we should um maybe bring this to the uh a small discussion. I know that Charlie is our engineer but I think Justin should maybe discuss everything with him as well. >> Exactly.
>> Yeah. Previously before >> like with swimming pools. >> Yeah. Because I think it it's good to have somebody and even with John as our code enforcer having his input. So maybe we can get that all together and then we'll uh present that to council at a
future meeting sooner than later. >> Yeah, we only 10 minutes probably. >> Yeah. No, we we only well we only get five minutes because I'm sure the mayor will cut us off. >> Sorry, John. But anyway, um I guess that's all I
have. Does anybody else have anything? >> When in the next meeting? >> That would be the 26th. 26 >> 2026 >> and Mr. Chairman just >> u on the agenda you had gone through with it the govern the official
newspaper determined by the governing body I I think for the record that's Asbury Park Press and uh Star Ledger. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Still in business? >> Yeah, >> it's online only. >> Yeah. Well, the newspaper doesn't exist
anymore. I was gonna say I don't think I' ever seen >> Yeah. >> Asbury Park Press. >> Thanks, Andy. Um >> I like a newspaper >> because I think we we skipped that because I got uh skipped the meeting dates. So that was a so we officially have that on record.
>> Yep. >> So if there's nothing else, >> I have a question. >> Yeah. Yeah, sure. >> The um and I'm look I don't know where it is in my notes, but the group that owns the uh parcel of land where the uh theater is and they were in the last time and they
wanted to rebuild off the theater and put something else in and they were going to they walked away on record from what they had previously been approved for. >> Well, they're trenching over there now and it's flagged in its state. Do we know what they're doing there? >> I saw that.
>> We need John. >> Yeah. >> I know it was turning into a medical building, correct? Oh, that got that got discontinued. >> Are you sure? >> No, >> no, >> it was something before that was just going to be plain offices and then they
came to change unless unless something's happened something >> because when they came back in, I even asked them. I said, "So everything you got approved at the last minute, you're walking away from." And they said yes >> because they wanted to build on to the theater and build over to where the crime >> build in between. >> They wanted to do that. That was their
new plan of action. No, I thought it was because they weren't going to build the other side that that strip mall on the other side, >> right? But that's where they're digging and trenching. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. You're right. Yeah, that's They're right. >> Right next to the >> right next to it. It was supposed to be It was supposed to only be that six, >> right?
>> You're right. Yeah, I saw the trenching, too. But I >> I wonder But do you think that was something that didn't have to go through our board that they would >> from what I remember that was already approved? That wasn't part of when they were converting the theater. that might have gone through the planning board.
So, we we'll look into it. >> I'm just curious as >> No, no. I mean, that's very I think it's important that you brought it up. >> I would know if you was here, but >> I get that cheap BJ's gas and I see these things. [laughter] >> What's it down? >> 255.
>> Woohoo. >> Okay. So, I'll get a hold of John and at the same time um I'll try to >> I think you're right. There was one building with um grandfather Justin and then I'll keep you and Glenn involved with that. Virginia. >> All right. >> Anything else
>> before we go watch some football? >> Do I have a motion to close? >> Motion to close. >> Emory with the motion. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Oasco. All in favor? >> Yes. >> Okay. Good night.
>> Yes.