Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Good evening and welcome to the October 28th, 2025 regular meeting of the Jackson Township Council. Pursuant to the provision of the New Jersey Open
Puppets Meeting Act, adequate notice of this meeting was properly provided by transmitting a notice of the meeting on January 28, 2025 for publication. Notice of this meeting of the township council has been posted in the corridor of the municipal building and in the office of the municipal clerk. Will we begin with a roll call? Councilman Belli
>> here. >> Councilman Brassie >> here. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary, >> present. >> Council President Bernstein here. Also attending is honorable mayor Keune, township attorney, >> Mr. McGucken, and myself, Sandra Martin,
municipal clerk. We now hear opening comments from the township council, starting with Council President Bernstein. >> Thank you, Clerk Martin. Um, I'm going to try to be a little shorter than I was last time. Um, so I want to give everyone an update on Roa Farms. Um,
this past October 22nd, Morgan Engineering met with myself and I think it was three members of the ROVA committee on site and to review the site layout and the museum building concept plans. The site layout was signed off by the committee. Um, there's been a lot of
back and forth over the past couple years and we actually had the committee take the plans that were shown publicly and everyone put their signature on it. So, we just know that we wouldn't go backwards on that. Minor adjustments to the museum concept were plans were discussed and will be implemented for committee review by Tuesday, November
4th. With the sign off of of the concept plan, drainage designs are in the works and we are preparing for D submission. We are preparing a proposal for ground penetrating radar work as there seems to be several concrete structures that were not removed during the demolition. So, Ro Farms um park is moving forward. Um I
followed up this past Sunday. Um thank you Mr. Bolinsky. He opened up the trailer on the DPW uh grounds for us to come down and examine um the some of the artifacts from ROA so the committee could have have an update on what was going on over there. And we
hope to have a detailed architectural diagram to put up our on our next meeting um for the actual museum and then we can move on to some of the other the dock and some of the other um infrastructure over there. Um, and I think and I know the mayor had a meeting with the with the police department and
other professionals pertaining to the the the entrance ways and I'll let her elaborate um if she has an update by her by her comments um pertaining to the entrance. I also want to take a moment and um talk about one of the initiatives over the next couple weeks. A special
thank you to our clerk who's been working with the board of elections making sure that our voting places are are all up to date. Um there's been a lot of different changes over the years and some of the places are overcrowded, some of the places are undercrowded and um the clerk managed to obtain a new
location. Brookwood one for I don't know all the district I think it's 7 8 9 maybe 11. We're traveling all the way to Jackson 21 which is approximately 15-inute drive both ways which was very far to be voting on election day. so that they obtained permission from the
um Basyakov High School on in on Citadel, the former Rosener Elementary School. So that's now going to be a public location um for voting and we will be working with other entities and other um stakeholders to try to make sure everyone has a as much of as much as possible a local place so they can
vote and every because every vote matters. Um, I also want just want to take a moment and thank uh our legal council and um Andy Cheney and some of his staff from our code enforcement. They met with myself and members of our administration of our administrative
staff about a week ago in the um in the mayor's office to discuss our new ordinance, our rental ordinance, which we are going to be moving forward in the next step of that later today and making sure that we're collaborating and all of the um appropriate communication to our residents is being put together and
we'll be sending out a joint mailer from both the code department together with our new rental department under the mayor's office hopefully in the next coming weeks to keep our residents informed. Thank you and have a wonderful evening. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> Early voting. Can you hear me now? Can
you hear me now? There we go. Sorry, my system isn't working again. Early voting is now until November 2nd. So, please make time, get out and vote. It's very important. This election is critical on every level, state down. Um, this election is going to impact every
municipality in the state of New Jersey. If you cannot vote early, November 4th is election day. Please get the vote out. Uh flex your constitutional right and and vote. Otherwise, I hope everyone gets home safely. I heard the weather is not the greatest. And thank you for coming out.
>> Council member Elli, >> um I think uh Council Vice uh President Paul Mary stole my limelight there with the election and all. Councilman Council, I don't know if you hear me. Can you hear me now? All right. It's nice seeing you all. Um, I want to talk about the election as well because it's that important. Um, as Council Vice
President Paul Mary mentioned, early voting started on Saturday at the Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library at 2 Jackson Drive. It will run through to Sunday, November 2nd. General election voting at your designated polling place is on Tuesday, November 4th, next Tuesday. So many opportunities
for you to vote. No excuses. Um, exercise one of our great rights we have as Americans in this great democracy we're in. Pray about it. vote wisely for candidates who will best protect and preserve our town's landscape and environment. Candidates who will make New Jersey an affordable place for all
generations to live and do business in. Candidates who will deliver fair and equitable funding for our public schools. The current and grossly unfair S2 school funding formula has been devastating for our kids and grandkids and educators here in Jackson the last
seven or eight years. We need to have candidates who will back wholeheartedly the men and women in blue by ending the dangerous sanctuary policy in our state so local, county, and state law enforcement officials can work with federal officials in cracking down on
illegal immigration and upholding the elite immigration laws of our country. All these are important issues and more. And I will get a little partisan. Um, I can only conclude that the Republican candidate for governor, Jack Chidarelli, and his running mate, Lieutenant
Governor Morris County Sheriff Jim Ganon, with support of Republicans in the state legislature, can get our state back on the right track and give our assemblymen here to my left, uh, some help in Trenton, um, get our state back on the right track and help lift the
ridiculous limitations and mandates the state imposes on municipalities like ours so we can govern as we see fit in as best for our town. The onesizefits for all liberal policy has to stop. Their dangerous policies have negatively affected and impacted housing,
education, and law enforcement decisions in our state. I have met with Jack in Jackson and spoken with him since I started running for and serving in public office years ago, and my colleagues have spoken with him as well uh many of times. and Jackson. Uh Jack
has been to Jackson numerous times uh over the last several years to meet with residents, listening to us and addressing our concerns. I think he will be a friend to Jackson, someone we can count on as our state's leader and CEO. I can't say that about the Democrat
candidate. In closing, voting is one of the most important things we can do as Americans. Get out there and vote. Jackson, if you haven't done so already, make your voice heard loud and clear. Take care and have a good evening. Good seeing you all your kids here on the coaches too and parents.
Congratulations. Thank you. >> Councilman Breston, >> good evening. Thank you for coming out. Uh between now and our next meeting, Veterans Day is going to be on upon us. I really urge all residents to take some time out on Veterans Day. There will be
a ceremony, Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans of Guard Memorial on West Commodore and Jackson Mills Road. is being put together by Westlake community and the veterans of Jackson Memorial Garden Corporation. Uh it's 11:00 on November 11th. And as they're all
speaking about voting, you know, our rights have been sustained by our veterans. Those that gave the supreme sacrifice, those that gave some, but they all gave something to sustaining our our our freedoms and to honor our country. Now, one of the best things you
can do to respect those freedoms, one of the biggest freedoms we have is the right to vote and make our own decision. So, Veterans Day is coming up. And if you vote, you're honoring the veterans for sustaining your freedoms. Thank you for coming out. >> The next item on the agenda is comments
by Honorable Mayor Hune. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Good evening, everyone. I just wanted to give a quick update on township business. Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to meet with most of the finance department, the tax assessor's office, and my administration staff, and about
half of the Department of Public Works. My biggest takeaway is this. We have some really, really great employees here in Jackson. And in a few cases, we realize that some employees just might not have been in the right departments for their strengths. Working together,
we were able to make a few voluntary changes. And I want to emphasize voluntary. That allowed us to keep everyone employed while better matching people with the departments in the roles where they can really be successful. Within DPW, I was able to meet one-on-one with several employees in the
streets and grounds division as well as the mechanic group. I scheduled time throughout the day last week just to sit down and listen. And sometimes five minutes of truly listening can make a big difference. The staff shared great ideas and a few concerns. And we've already worked on uh small some small
but meaningful changes that will make the day-to-day job a little better. And I want to take a moment to say this clearly. This town cannot run without our department of public works. They are our boots on the ground. They are the ones maintaining every everything under the ground and everything above the
ground from our parks, our roads, and our storm water systems. They keep this town moving. And I for one am extremely grateful for the hardworking men and women in this department. Their dedication, pride, and work ethic are truly the backbone of Jackson Township. Many of them mentioned that they had
never been invited to the administration office before. Some of them have never even been inside. So, I think this kind of open communication accessible is already helping bring stronger relationships across the department. I've also given our township employees a
muchdeserved day off after Thanksgiving so that they can enjoy the long weekend with their friends and family. This was something that the previous administration had taken away and I was very happy to reinstate it. Right now, I am also reviewing all of the ordinances that were passed during my time as
council president. I'm meeting with each department connecting connected to those ordinances to make sure that we move forward on implementing them. One of my biggest frustrations while I was on council and working with these uh gentlemen right here was seeing great
ordinances be created and none of them just sit without proper followth through once they reach the administration side that's something I plan on focusing on closely over the next several months turning good and um policies into action
I wanted to go next thing I wanted to answer your thing on ROA so regarding ROA after council president had a meeting with the rova committee The next day I had a a meeting with the traffic safety bureau and the chief um and officer Lasco is mainly my point of contact in traffic safety bureau.
They're going to go to all of our county roads which we have a commissioner here and they're going to re uh analyze the making a right, making a left and going straight and making sure that it's the proper uh procedures not to hang up in traffic because I know there's a lot more traffic in certain areas. So, we're
re-evaluating that and then they're making sure that the safety from coming in and out of Roma uh Rova Farms is where the light should be if it's a light is is what's going to be there. So, they are going to be working on that. They did a copy of the concept plan for Rovo Farms. So, within 30 days,
this is again it's not more of a survey, not a concept plan. I don't want to give anybody uh say the wrong statement, but that's kind of where we're at now. And then my final thing is I want to say congratulations to our uh 11U all-star state champions that are here with us tonight. What an incredible journey it's
been. I want to take a moment to congratulate all of you, you 11 you allstar state champions on yet another outstanding season. This Jackson Hullbrook Little League team has shown us what a dedication, teamwork, and heart truly looks like. Your respective
you represent our community with pride, spirit, and sportmanship every step of the way. Each game, each inning, each play has brought you closer together, not just as a teammate, but as a family. We are so proud of everything you've accomplished this season. And we can't wait to see what amazing things you
achieve next year as 12U players. Keep believing in yourself, keep working hard, and never forget that your town is cheering you every step of the way. Congratulations, champions. Uh you've made us proud. If a coach can come up, and we'd like to give you your certificates. [Applause]
Mayor, do you have a mic? >> Okay. All right. We'll do this together. Teamwork. So, I'll let you pull up the Bradley Carisov. [Applause] Daniel Lions,
>> Gage Fischer, [Applause] Garen Fischer, [Applause] Gavin Verio, Joey Diaz,
John Fizio, [Applause] John Florentino, [Applause] Ryder Hobbs,
Trent Holmes, Tyler Grisbn't make it tonight. [Applause] >> Congratulations. >> Good job. >> If we could have a round of applause to the entire team. >> Yeah.
>> If council can come down and do pictures. >> Count, my fellow council members, if you can come down and take a group picture with this awesome group of kids. I know you [Applause] Clerk Martin, we're going to have a
little bit of a change of just of our schedule being that we just did um the um Hullbrook. We're going to next we're going to do the Jackson Youth Football and cheer and then we'll move on to the rest of the agenda. So, >> thank you. Council, Council, Council President, if
you want to just let the boys know that they could probably go. >> You boys are free to stay, but you're also free to go. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you for coming. Congratulations. >> Good night. >> He's looking at me. Can I go? Can I go? >> I know how to clear out a room. >> Madam Cler,
>> thank you. The next item of business is the small business recognition. Council President Bernstein. >> So, I just want to take a moment and ask Councilman Vice President to continue all the meetings um doing the small business recognition. >> Thank you, Council President. So,
tonight we are proud to recognize Jackson Youth Football and Cheer, an incredible organization that brings our community together by teaching teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship to our young athletes. Under the leadership of President Jeff Holton, this program
continues to inspire pride throughout Jackson. It's my honor and this council's honor to present them with this month's small business highlight in recognition of their positive impact on our community. So, would you please come on up and be recognized?
[Applause] >> Oh, yeah. Thank you. That's amazing. [Applause] Clerk mind. >> Thank you. The next order of business is
to fill the vacancy for council member. The appointment will be for the unexpired term which shall expire on December 31st, 2026. Council President Bernstein, >> do we have any motions from any of my colleagues? >> I would like to make a motion. Uh but first, if I can, I'd just like to kind
of discuss why the motion I'm making and and kind of go through it. Uh but first, I want to begin by thanking everyone who expressed interest in being considered for this open council seat. I personally emailed everyone every individual that uh expressed interest and emailed the
clerk for consideration. I did get a couple of emails that bounced back, but the majority went through. And of those, only one person responded to a follow-up message. Uh the rest did not reply back. And with that said, I'd like to make a nomination this evening, and I'm
nominating Ken Breie to fill that open council seat. And my reason for this nomination are as followed. continuity of government. Maintaining consistency and stability on this deis is important as we continue to serve our residents effectively.
Secondly, his experience and acclamation. Councilman Breie is already well acclimated to our process priorities and ongoing initiatives allowing him to seamlessly continue contributing without delay or learning curve. And third,
commitment to progress. Filling this seat with someone already engaged ensures that no momentum is lost on projects currently underway and provides steady leadership as we transition into our next term. In short, this nomination
supports continuity, experience, and efficiency all in the best interest of Jackson Township and his residents. And I can tell you these couple of months on this day as with Councilman Breie, he's full of knowledge. He's full of dedication. And I can tell you he works
just as hard uh at today as he did when he was in active duty as a Marine. But I learned today once a Marine, always a Marine. So, thank you uh Councilman Breie and that's my nomination. >> I will I will second the nomination.
>> Thank you. Roll call, Council Member Elli. Uh uh before Clerk Martin, we had a great caliber uh of candidates who applied for the council this time around, including former law enforcement, and I want to thank all of the candidates as well for putting their names forward to serve our town on the
governing body. And um I want to vote for my fellow colleague, Councilman Breie. I want to thank you for your service to our great country. We can't thank you enough. uh debt of gratitude for you and um your fellow service members and I want to thank you for your
service um to our town um as well and um I think council uh vice president Paul Pomeary mentioned it you don't need on the job training you'll just hit the ground running you know right after this meeting so congratulations and um um you have my support
for council seat >> councilman Brassie >> honor to do abstain. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> Yes. >> Council President Bernstein. >> So before I cast my vote, I just also just want to I remember um about 11
years ago, my first council meeting that I came to, and I've come to many since the first person to come over to me in the hallway and introduce himself was uh I think at that point, Council President Breie. Um and since that day, he's stayed a loyal friend, someone who I know even when he was not in in
government. I could always call with a question to better understand issues. Um, he always gave me a earful in a very good way. Um, and he was always there to answer the phone whether it's early in the morning, late at night as everyone knows I like to do and um, it's really
an honor that he put his name in. I also received I think it was 11 residents reached out. um initially expressed their um their interest in the position and I did speak to two or three of them and one of them actually withdraw withdrew her her interest after we spoke
um or she told me that she withdrew her interest and um there are some tough decisions we have to make here and knowing that someone like council current councilman Breie is willing to do what's right um and has that that uh wealth of knowledge is so important to
this government so I proudly vote Thank you. >> The motion carries. >> So, um I think >> before you could be sworn in, you would need to resign your current >> I resign my current position immediately. Thank you.
>> So, and just to um just for the public information, so the the seat that Councilman Breastie just resigned from is currently open. There is a special election for that for that this coming Tuesday. And once the election is certified, which is usually about 10 days or two weeks after, that seat will be um filled by whoever wins that
election. >> Correct. >> That's correct. >> Correct. Okay. So now the oath of office, Councilman Breie, I think I see your family back there. So they are invited up to join. Council member Brussi. [Applause]
I think that Bible's been used many times, Kenny, over the years. >> It's the original one. >> It looks like it. >> Please repeat after me. I state your name for the record. do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments
established in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully, impartially, >> and justly perform all the duties as council member for the township of
Jackson according to the best of my ability. Congratulations, [Applause] >> Councilman Breie. Welcome back, >> clerk. We can continue.
>> Thank you, Council President. we will go back to the presentation portion of the agenda. >> Yes. I just want to take a moment and welcome Ocean County Commissioner uh I call her Jen. Um um Jennifer Bachan who's here from Ocean County. Um the
commissioner is someone who is all over the county every single day of the week. Um seven days a week. She serves in a lot of different capacities over the year. I think she ser served on a school board for many years and she has various um departments under in the county that really fall under her purview and things that she's currently working on. and I
figured it would be an opportunity to introduce her to Jackson um and put a face to the name um but also to hear a little bit of some of the things that she's working on. So, without further ado, the mic's all yours. >> Thank you, Mayor and Council, for having
me uh attend your meeting. Um congratulations on your appointment and to uh the small businesses as well. uh Ocean County under one of my departments is uh business development and tourism. So we are so happy to see businesses uh
and growth in Ocean County. So we are very supportive of all the small businesses. We try to get out to as many as possible and encourage them to grow and thrive in Ocean County and also hire Ocean County residents. Uh, one of the things I was sworn in in January along
with Commissioner Reece and in speaking to some of the towns and their needs, I know the mayor mentioned some of the county roads. There are issues with sidewalks. In the past, the uh board of county commissioners had had a flat no for
sidewalks on county roads, but we are in the process of working on policies and doing changes to that. So, one of the things we're working on and hope to have it beginning of the first of the year is a way to provide grants to the townships
that can show the need for sidewalks. Uh we are kind of going to have to do it as a little bit of a lottery program. Uh so it the expenditure is not so much but in that process we're also asking the townships when they do receive the
grants to provide for the sidewalks that any new developments that come in after the sidewalks have been provided that the ordinance in the township uh will be that they will provide their own the developer will provide their own sidewalks and not come back to the
county. This will help the township as well as the county and the taxpayers so the burden is not there later on. So, we're excited about this. It's not just Jackson. Uh Point Pleasant Burrow is another township that has a lot of walking. Uh one of the main concerns is
the safety of our residents all throughout the county. So, it's one of many things that we're working on. Uh we just revamped our public affairs uh division to continue with tourism business development uh press releases.
So constantly we're moving uh just as the mayor said changes uh change is good and we are working with the employees to find the best ways that they can be productive. So, there are some changes in the county in a good way and we're
happy to see people there that are happy working and doing things that help them thrive and do the best for everyone in Ocean County. So, thank you so much for having me. >> Okay. Thank Thank you. Do would you elaborate just from I don't want to make it a question answer um session, but I
know parks um I know we had have had previous conversations um and some of the open space investments that the county is doing. Could you elaborate a little bit and I know it doesn't officially fall into your wheelhouse but do we have any more information because I think that's always a big one. >> So the parks I know that that's a
passion for commissioner race and I don't want to steal all his thunder when he comes to speak but we are I know we just in Jackson a couple months ago we did just uh provide a new playground >> Councilman Belli I think you and Councilman uh Brassie joined over there. Yes. >> Yes. It was uh fantastic to see. We're
happy to bring more parks and more recreations to o Ocean Ocean County. And in line with the open space, uh we are looking at portions of Ocean County to grow up so that we can keep Ocean County thriving, but at the same time, we want to preserve what we love about Ocean
County and how rural it is and enjoy that. In that process, uh we have the land trust which uh commissioner uh Aras and Sedi oversee and they are diligent in looking all over the county for
different areas of property that can pro add to our parks and other areas so that we can expand and make more open space and recreation for Ocean County. I just I just want to thank you for coming um and for being a friend a true
friend of Jackson and I know we will be inviting Commissioner Ary soon also and we look forward to seeing you back here again in the future. >> Thanks for having me and anything you need. Uh our doors are always open at the county. Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> The next item for tonight's meeting is
an update from the Department of Public Works, Mr. Shawn Bolinsky. Council President Bernstein. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, the Department of Public Works continues to to collaborate with the engineering department on the townwide storm water mapping project. In addition, other DPW crews have begun
fault cleanup efforts across all township owned basins and islands. Much of our current focus is on preparing equipment for the upcoming leaf collection season. We want to remind all of our residents that in zone 2 and zone 4, the leaf collection is scheduled to begin on November 10th. For any questions related to leaf pickup, please
contact the DPW office directly. Next, mayor's safe trunk or treat. Bring the children out this Thursday to the municipal building for a fun and safe Halloween celebration. The time is 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there. Fall community cleanup reminder. This
Sunday, please use extra caution while driving throughout our town. Children and volunteer groups will be working alongside township roadways as part of our fall community cleanup. Your patience and attentiveness help keep everyone safe. If you know of any area in town where litter is a concern,
please contact the DPW office this week directly. We'll make sure it gets addressed. Again, thank you for helping us keep our community clean and safe. Respectfully, Sean Bolinsky. The next item of business is a second reading and public hearing of ordinance 202539
authorizing special emergency appropriation pursuant to NJSA4A 453i. At this time, if any member of the public has any comments to make, please address the council at the microphone and state your name and address clear for the record. You have five minutes and may only speak once. May I have an
motion of open public comment? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Can we have a motion? >> Seeing no come forward. Motion public. >> All in favor? >> I Are you coming up?
Uh, George Taylor, uh, Cville section. >> Um, I just want to call out Jeppi because I put in for the position of councilman and you never emailed me. >> I think that bounced back. >> That wasn't mine. I got an email. >> So, I just want to stop for a second.
This is on this ordinance only. There will be public comment at the end of the meeting to address your concerns about the position. Right now, we're only legally allowed to talk about the subject matter, which is the ordinance. So, if you come back at the end of the meeting, it'll be public. You can talk about whatever you want. All >> right. Can I open up again? >> Absolutely. Yes. And I'll I'll look for
you to make sure you don't miss it. >> Okay. Clerk, I think there was a If you go do that again, Councilman, just as we You have a motion to close. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? May have a motion to adopt ordinance 202539.
move. >> Second. >> Councilman Blli, >> yes. >> Councilman Brassie, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary, >> yes. >> Council President Bernstein, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The next item of business is the second reading of public
hearing of ordinance 202541 amending a special emergency ordinance number 123, which provides for the preparation of a master plan. Hereto four finally adopted by the township council of the township of Jackson County of Ocean State of New
Jersey on February 14, 2023 to amend the amount appropriated therein. At this time if any member of the public has any comments to make. Please address the council at the microphone and state your name and address clear for the record. You have 5 minutes to speak and may only speak once. May have a motion to open public comment. Motion
>> second. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? [Music] every time. Um, I guess I need some clarification on this. Is this for the master plan that was completed earlier this year and most of the work done in
2024? >> Is that what we're paying for? >> I'm writing down your question. >> My questions are going to be based on >> Fine. I just I just know you're I just I don't want to steal your time. So, this is for that the master plan is still ongoing. Um there were first of all
outstanding bills that were never weren't properly allocated. I still remember in 2023 when this ordinance first passed, Councilman Breie wasn't on council called me up. He said, "Morty, that's not enough money." Um so, we didn't put enough in the first time. There were still outstanding bills. But additionally, now we have to do the imple implementmentation, I apologize,
of the ordin of the master plan, which includes various ordinances. There are currently four challenges to the ordinances that sorry to the master plan that are that were ch that were filed in the court system and we have obviously legal be legal bills that come through that and obviously engineering and other things that we have to present to the
courts. >> Okay. So then this is why I wanted you to answer the question because question >> so you you talk about legal challenges and you're going to use some of this money for legal challenges correct? >> I'm sorry I didn't hear you. I apologize. you have legal challenges
coming forward and some of this money potentially would be used for legal challenges. >> That's my understanding. Yes. >> The way this ordinance reads, you cannot do that >> because this ordinance basically says for the preparation of the master plan doesn't talk about
legal actions after the master plan is is prepared. My understanding and and and attorney McGuck can correct me if I'm wrong is that the master plan there's a the way the um some of the the the plans were are that you have a 30-day window for that developers or anyone else was able to challenge it. So
until that challenge period is done the master plan while it is adopted there is still a window that could affect adoption and of a the master plan and b the affordable housing settlement. Attorney Mccawkins, is that >> that's that is correct. And the special emergency allows us to spread that
expenditure over a period of five years because the master plan has a 10-year life expectancy, sometimes longer. >> But is litigation >> one budget year? It allows the township to spread those expenses out. >> That that's fine. But is litigation part of preparation? >> It's for all consultants that the township may need in order to implement,
adopt um and adopt the appropriate ordinances as a result. >> Okay. Well, This this ordinance just talks about preparation. So I think if you're going to use it for the the extended detail that you're talking about, this needs to be rewritten to include it so that
everyone understands it's more than just the preparation of this document because we've done the preparation. It's been approved by the planning board. So in my mind, you you're you're done with the preparation. I get it. There's challenges, but that's not what this
ordinance says. and we've gone through ordinances before since I've been coming here is that it's not written clearly enough and we always come back. There's been multiple times you've come back and updated ordinances because they were not written clearly enough. I've I've presented a lot of the issues on some of
these ordinances. So, I think this is another one that it needs to be clarified a little bit before you vote yes on it. >> Thank you. >> I went to the public. Anyone else close? See anyone else come vote? I motion closed.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I if I could just ask a question from our attorney. Um, attorney mcuckin. The obviously we have challenges but we also have the adoption of various ordinances to implement some of the recommendations of the master plan over the next obviously couple years. Um, do you feel
from your legal opinion that this ordinance covers that? >> I do. Um, some of the challenges to the ordinances themselves may not be payable from this fund. they would have to come from the current fund as the gentleman indicated. However, this does cover all consultants for the municipality in
preparing the master plan, adopting the master plan and implementing it uh itself and I understand uh we had set aside the 250 or whatever it was and the cost is greater than that to do so and that's why the special emergency is appropriate.
>> Okay, thank you clerk. May >> I have a motion to adopt ordinance 202541? >> So moved. Second. >> Councilman Belli, >> yes. >> Councilman Brassie, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary, >> yes. >> Council President Bernstein, >> yes.
>> Motion carries. The next item of business is a second reading public hearing of ordinance 202542 bond ordinance providing for various 2025 general capital improvements by and in the township of Jackson in the county of Ocean State of New Jersey
appropriating 8,542,440 therefore and authorizing issuance of $8,135,657 bonds or notes to finance part of the cost. Therefore, at this time, if any member of the public has any comments to make, please address the council at the microphone and state your name and address clear
for the record. You'll have five minutes and may only speak once. May I have a motion to open public comment? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I'm the troublemaker tonight. >> I'm just I'm just interrupt. I don't know if it's the mic there or if we're
just if it's not the appropriate height. It's very was very hard to hear you before. >> I don't know. Is that better? >> A little better. Yeah. So far. >> If you don't mind saying your name also for the >> No. Jim Selectia Jackson. And I was Jim Selectia Jackson before. So I'm still
the same person. Um last last time when this was introduced as a first reading, I know Mr. Belli and Mr. Palary both expressed that they had some questions that they needed to get answered. Um and I had a conversation with Mr. early after the meeting. He asked me why I hadn't come forward on the first reading
and it was some of the same questions. So, I'm going to state just my questions. Um, do we have a I guess my the questions I asked were what is the township's bond rating and and what is the expected interest rate
that we're expecting to see on these bonds? And in addition to kind of take it a step forward is what is the expected annual expense that we expect to see from these bonds um at least starting next year and then over the
length of the bonds. I know based on what's written in there we're going to have some five 10 year bonds some 20-y year bonds based on what's written there. So I I don't want to drawn out all but if we know what next year might look like and what it looks like overall. The other part and this is for
Mayor Cune as you now are an administration and you're responsible for this. Um because of an additional expense that's going to be coming down because of these bonds and I'm not against the work and the bonds. One thing I noticed with
Jackson, we have very little debt. So, you know, if we can get it, that's fine. Um, but within the increase, are you look when you look at the budget, will you be looking at ways to cut expenses to offset some of the additional
expenses that we're going to see as a result of this? Um, because again, if we can cut out some stuff, it would be great. So, those are my comments and questions. >> Thank you. So, I'm I'm just going to see if anyone else has questions. Um and then I'm going to have a open
conversation with council member belli on the deis because uh I know much time. Anyone else? >> No one else come forward. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Now before we vote um so um you're correct myself and councilman Barlli
mentioned by the last meeting that we had some questions. It's a nice size bond. Um we had an opportunity on speaking. We had a zoom call um with our bond council, our CFO, I our head of our DPW department. We also had communication with members of our police
department and with um I think our also our engineering department, I think Mr. Conliff. So um and really Mr. Belli is the whiz a little bit on some of the um the numbers. Um so I'm going to ask you if you want to start off and I don't
mind filling in any any missing gaps on some of his questions. Okay. some of Jim's questions. Everybody can hear me >> now. Oh, >> now can you hear me? Sorry about that. Yeah. Um, our we have our credit rating is double A+. So, it's a very good credit rating. We're doing very well financially. Um as the uh resident just
mentioned, um we also have a bond um we are informed about by our finance officials and township professionals during that meeting that will be um paid down next year and coming off the books which will also be very helpful um as it pertains to this bond ordinance and
getting this started and all that. This is um if council president Bernstein if you want to chime in as well. Um we're authorizing over 8 point over 8 million for the bond ordinance, >> but we're not doing it all at once. Um,
>> correct. >> So, it's not like we're just going to start borrowing money starting this uh tomorrow or next week, you know. So, >> correct. So, one of the things that we that the councilman and myself had asked about what some of these stuff we're going for, um, our senior center and our
senior buses are we were explained that their buses have are in decay and they're no longer safe to be using. um our water basin system in our in many parts of our town are falling apart and right now what they're doing is they're doing patches which are costing a lot more um and instead of doing yearly
patches it was recommended to just start investing in some of our infrastructure upgrades that are they're along behind behind I apologize um and like the councilman said we are paying off one of our large bonds this year hopefully and um I don't remember the exact number and you know maybe you remember what our b
our borrowing abilities are it was a pretty substantial number >> um >> is I believe it's over 400 million. >> Yeah. >> That we could borrow, but we're nowhere, you know, near that. >> Correct. And the this ordinance, my understanding, is authorizes us throughout the next period of time as
the need comes up to go ahead and take out various past resolutions and work on some of these projects. One of the things I didn't know before was that we get a better rate when it's a larger bond. And um they were I think I think the number they said was they would recommend that the first one should be about $4 to5 million. We get a better
rate and would keep our our our bond rating uh as where it is now. I think which is which is phenomenal. So our bond professionals mentioned that the municipal bond market is very competitive um at this time. I think one percentage that was mentioned was like
3%. Some of them have come under 3%. And as council president Bernie mentioned the the larger bond is uh we get better uh uh rate on it. And the reason why we get that great rate as well is because of our you know really good credit
rating and just our ability to pay down you know debt. So we they have that you know confidence uh in the township finances to be able to go out and bid for that. So for that to occur. Now, with regard to
some of the numbers you asked, I don't remember all the exact numbers. I'm not a math wiz, but I if you if you follow up with me after the meeting, I don't mind emailing our bond council and our CFO and getting some of the exact numbers, but after that meeting, both myself and Councilman Belli were pretty confident um in our professional
guidance and uh that's why we're I think we're here. So, we did our due diligence and I really want to thank Councilman Belli. We we jumped on that Zoom. I had to jump off early. We're on there for over an hour. So, thank you. >> Yes. Well, thank you for coordinating the meeting. So for example, we say if we borrow 8 million, right? Or a little
which we're not doing all at one time and it's 3% for example, you know, additional debt would be like 200, you know, the the 240,000 in addition, you know, like for example, starting next year, but you know, we don't have any exa any exact numbers
though, but um you know, pretty much that's where we're at with the with the ordinance. And also keep in mind too as it as it's it mentioned in the ordinance for the public, we are paying um putting down like over $400,000.
Um so it's not all going to be I mean most of it yes it's going to be borrowed but we're doing that well financially where we can put that amount of money down to pay towards um buying equipment and for you know other items as well that are included in this ordinance.
>> Thank you Councilman Clerk. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance 202542? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Council member Belli. >> Uh yes. Um also I want to thank um our
township professionals including our township CFO Stephanie Marlin and public's work director Sean Bolinsky and um our bond professional and others uh who had met with council president and I want to thank them. Um, and also again, thank you council president for
coordinating coordinating that and they assured us that we can borrow this amount of money at really good rates because we have a really good credit rating as a town. We're doing well financially. So, um, as I mentioned, the bond, there's a bond coming off the books uh, ne next year as well. you know, in this ordinance, and it's it's
stated in it's it's stated in there um that it will be used for buying equipment and for much needed capital improvements and upgrades for public safety in our town, which will help our town's police force keep our town safe and secure 24/7. And the money will go to keeping up with the infrastructure in
a big town like ours for, you know, raw roadway, drainage, and sidewalk improvements, plus improve making improvements um at our township buildings. and also very importantly updating vehicles that provide vital transportation uh for our senior communities and improving our town's active uh senior community. It's one of
the most active senior communities in the area and in Ocean County, which helps provide a good quality of life for our town's uh seniors and there are many active adult communities that we have in our town and I we will want that for any of our loved ones and it will help our township employees I believe as well.
But to better serve our fellow residents, they and we work for better paying for these items now than down the road when additional things may likely break down and cost their town way more than they do or would today. So yes, thank you. Councilman Breie, >> yes.
>> Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> Uh, I vote yes, but I do I do want to thank our professionals and council president Bernstein for being so readily available and able to connect us with the people that we need to speak to to get these questions answered. I think this is really important. Most of this,
not all of this, but most of this bond is going towards uh what council min said, public works, our police, and our roadways, drainage, and sidewalks. These are things that we need. Uh these are necessities. So, uh, thank you for putting this all together and allowing us to get the answers we need to be
comfortable to vote yes. >> Council President Bernstein. >> Yes. And again, I just want to thank the collaboration of my fellow council members here and the mayor's office for making sure that everyone was available to answer all the questions. And I'm sure as the process unfolds and we start bonding, we will get updates from our professionals and we will stay engaged
making sure that the money is being spent appropriately, timely, and wisely. Thank you. Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Thank you. The next item of business is a first reading and introduction of ordinance 202543
amending ordinance O2 20225 entitled an ordinance establishing the salary range for all of the various officials and employees of the township for the year 2025 and thereafter. Council President Bernstein, are there any comments on ordinance 202543? >> Yes, thank you Clerk Martin. Ordinance
202543 amends um ordinance 02-25 which sets the salary ranges for township officials and employees. This amendment adds new titles and salary ranges from under schedule A for the rental housing safety division as follows. A chief housing inspector's range is 69,000 to
89,000. A rental housing inspector's range is 69,000 to 79,000. The rental housing inspector trainee is 53,000 to 69,000. and an administrative housing clerk is 37,898 to 69,371.
And I want to take a moment and thank our clerk um and some of her staff for doing a lot of research into neighboring towns and other towns throughout not just Ocean County really throughout the state. We have a problem here in town and um we are committed as we mentioned by the last meeting on moving forward as
United Council making sure that we're tackling this problem and um this was something that we promised by the last meeting we would take the next next step. So I'm very happy that we moved this forward. Hopefully this will pass and then hopefully we'll have a second reading by our next meeting and then hopefully in December and December the
administration can do their job in hiring the right people. Thank you. Thank you. >> Are there any questions or comments by the township council? I just want to add, you know, I think, you know, we we initially established this housing authority, which is, I think, critical for this town. I think
we we all know we need this, and now these are the ordinances that are building it. So, you're going to see more of these, and what this is going to do is combat a lot of the issues we're facing in town with illegal renting. So, this is a another step forward, and that's why it's taking a little time to
launch this actively in January because now we have to build it uh from the ground up. So, I just want to commend uh Council President Bernstein and the mayor and all my council colleagues for really working on this. We all have realized that this is a major issue and we are doing everything within our legal
purview to combat it. So, thank you. >> May I have a motion to approve ordinance 202543 on first reigning introduction to ordinance that to authorize a notice of the public hearing to be held on November 13, 2025. >> So move. >> Second. >> Council member Elli. Yes. >> Councilman Brassie.
>> Yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> Yes. >> Council President Burstein. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Council President. I know I'm not allowed to talk. Can I can I just have Thank you. So I just want to kind of just give a little explanation because
this is a great um visual of how you can see what what happens with the ordinance in this form of government. Um so this ordinance now as was just stated by uh the council vice president. So now once the council obviously it's the first reading the second reading once it gets approved then it gets hit over to to
administration which is my purview now. So the thing is is you see the collaboration where they're saying the administration and council is working together. That's what's needed because now they've done their job. They've done their due diligence. They've created everything. Now we have to go to administration. We have to sit with the departments or this one's going to be a
new department and everything and create it over in administration. And then it's my job over in administration to make sure that my department heads and the employees and the department heads implement and take care and execute this ordinance the way it should be. So I just wanted to kind of give you um a
little visual of how that all takes place so that it kind of gives a good play by play. >> Thank you mayor and mayor we will be holding your feet to the fire making sure you do it. >> Don't worry about me sir. Thank you council president. >> Thank you. The next item is business is the payment authorization of bills and claims. I would like to note the
following abstension from Councilman Barlli. AE T1 D1 E1 NJ6 NJSO4 R U T14 S T A 54 TR9 TR 27. It's a lot.
>> I know sometimes there's a little some time. >> Sometimes it rains. Yeah. >> Are there any questions or comments by the township council? >> No. >> Yeah. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the bills and claims with the abstensions noted? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Councilman Blli. >> Yes. With those abstensions in mind. >> You don't want to list them off. Joking. >> We'll be here all night. >> Councilman Brassie? >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary? >> Yes. >> Council President Bernstein. >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. The next item on the agenda is the consent agenda listed for tonight's consideration of resolutions 325 through 332 2025 listed by title. Council President Bernstein, are the comments on the consent agenda? >> First of all, does anyone from the
public want any of these resolutions removed for council discussion? Raise your hand if you do. Seeing that no one's raising their hand, um we'll move forward with council comments if there are. >> Thank you. Are there any questions or comments by the township council? Yes.
Um I just wanted to recognize um a couple of various resolutions and really just explain what they are. Um there is a resolution and I apologize I'm just pulling up the number here. Um there is a resolution
pertaining to um R29-2025 which is a new Oprah software. I just want to explain um I'm just going to read a little summary of what the software is supposed to do. Um, just FOYA is a records request management system that streamlines how our municipal clerk's office receives,
processes, tracks, and responds to Oprah public record requests. Instead of handling these records through email, paper forms and individual follow-ups, which can be burdensome, this software um centralizes the entire process in one secure online platform which user residents can submit and track requests
through a public portal while staff can easily route requests to the correct departments, set reminders, organize documents and apply redactions efficiently. The system helps ensure compliance with legal deadlines, improves communication transparency, and reduces duplicated efforts across
various departments. Overall, adopting the system will make our records request process more efficient, consistent, and userfriendly for both staff and the community. So, I really just want to take a moment and thank our clerk and her staff for bringing this to our attention. And hopefully this will make um both the clerk's office but equally
important our residents job or um their what they go through with Oprah a little bit easier, quicker and smoother. And I'm looking forward to once this is adopted for the clerk hopefully to make a present public presentation on how the system works so residents could hopefully be user friendly. And this is really a followup to our last meeting
where we talked about trying to modernize a little bit some of our um technology here in the in the end of the year 2025. Um, I also wanted to just explain R31, R 331-2025. A special thank you to Manchester
Township. Um, the township of Jackson had a shared service agreement with um I'm forget with Plumstead I think it was and we currently have an issue that some of our inspectors actually work in Jackson and Plumstead. So there there arose certain um and Milstone sorry
there are certain um conflicts. So now Manchester adopted last night I think by their meeting a share of service with us and now we're just reciprocating so this can go into effect. Thank you clerk. >> Thank you. >> It's not Melstone as Plum said. >> Okay.
>> Sorry. >> Okay. >> May I have a motion to authorize the consent agenda resolutions 325 through 3 uh 32 2022? >> So moved. Second. >> Council member Belli. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Brassie. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary. >> Yes. >> Council President Bernstein. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> At this time, if any member of the public has any comments to make, please address the council at the microphone and state your name and address clear for the record. You have five minutes to
speak and may only speak once. May I have a motion to open public comment? >> So moved. Second. All >> in favor? I just want to call that gentleman back up. All right, let's try this again. >> Sure. Just say your name for the record if you don't mind. >> Thank you. >> Um George Taylor at Cville Section.
Um I just have to call you out because you never sent an email. You said you sent email to everyone. You never sent me an email. I got an email from Nino uh Wednesday night 8:00 telling me I have less than a day and a half to get
back to him on the questions that he sent me. And this is two weeks after I sent in my resume. I mean, and I'm I kind of had faith in the system, but everybody was telling me they already know what they're picking.
Don't even waste your time. But I said I'm going to do it anyway. And congratulations. I have not nothing except fivey brother simpify. Um, and I'm not looking for an answer. I'm not looking for no answers from you guys because you don't have any answers. I
just wanted to put on record that I put in my resume. You said you were going to you email right there said you emailed everybody back and you never got to me. He did two weeks after I put my resume in. Give me a day a day and a half to
get back to him. I mean, to me, the perception of this doesn't look good. And this is why the public thinks this you guys aren't on the up and up. I mean, that's all I that's all I don't expect an answer from anybody.
>> No, Mr. Taylor, I I I did I read my comments. I'm I did I said I thanked everyone, expressed interest. I I personally tried to email almost every individual. I didn't say everyone. I said almost every. And if I didn't get you, I want to be very clear. It was not intentional. Some did get bounced back. Maybe not yours and maybe it was my
fault. Maybe I typed it in incorrectly, but I can assure you that it would not have been intentional. I'm happy that Councilman Burley did reach out to you with with four of us on this day and the amount of applications that come in. We all try to touch at least everyone once if we can all speak with someone the same person. I mean, we could. It gets a
little repetitive. We do discuss individually with each other if we spoke to to a applicant. But if I missed you, it was not intentional. I I do apologize. I tried to reach everyone. Um, and again, it was not an intentional thing to to discount you for any reason.
>> I mean, I'm a realist. I knew I wasn't getting picked, but just when you said that you reach out to everybody, I was like, I got to say something. And I'm I listen, I know you guys have a thankless job. I appreciate everything you guys do, but um just when you said you reach
out to everybody that got >> If I could just also just add for a second. Um, and first of all, thank you for submitting. Um I did not reach out to you. So but I would kindly request if you there are other vacancies on other boards. We are continuously looking for people whether it's now or whether it's
could be by reorg on some of our land use boards and our other boards. So look forward to seeing you hopefully stay engaged. So thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you Mr. Taylor. >> Yes me again. Um, I just want to talk about the ordinance that was introduced tonight. Um,
and as you can tell by everything that I've been talking about, I'm a numbers guy, so I look at the numbers. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. I'll try and get there. Um, I think at the last meeting you said we had 1,900 rentals. >> A little over 1,900. Correct. >> And the way we were going to pay for
this was through the addition $100 additional fee. Um, so if we have 1,900 rentals and an additional $100, that comes to $190,000 a year. Okay. If I look at these mins
and max, if you were to have a position, and I know you're not looking to fill all of them at the start, but if you did, the min if you were putting them at the min was 220,000. The max is 306,000.
you're going to need more money than your $100 unless we're all of a sudden we're going to create more rental properties which is clearly what the not what the residents in Jackson want. Um so I'd be very interested to see how you're going to attack that.
>> Um because it it just does not make sense. >> Sure. >> So so if I could just answer for for a second. So, um, when we sat down, myself, the mayor, and the clerk, and we had a conversation about about these numbers, I had a similar thought process to you, and like you said, we're not
going to be hiring all four of these positions right now. Um, but one of our concerns after doing our research is we really, being of the severity of the issue, we would like to make sure we actually hire great, I'm going to use the word whipper snappers, people who are really going to be out there doing their doing their job and working hard.
And one thing I've learned in the past couple weeks together with the mayor is by going to some of our departments is that people are continuously leaving our town and going to other towns and I want to make sure that we get someone who's going to be invested. So, I agree and it's something that we had a conversation and we're probably not be hiring for at this point, but we're
aware of it and um we're we're taking those steps and if we have to revisit the fees, we'll revisit the fees >> and just you know the this is a salary number that's here so it doesn't take into account benefits correct and everything else that they're getting so these numbers are even higher than what
you're expecting to sure to receive. So, I understand what you're trying to do. I'm not saying don't do it, but your numbers are not adding up. So, we got to come up with a way that makes it make sense that we're not all of a sudden, you know, me, we keep putting more and
more money on to to the residents in this town where we're trying to get Jack Chidarelli to lower property taxes, whereas you guys seem to be putting more and more expenses on us, which all that does is raise our taxes. So, >> let's get something going here. Thanks.
>> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Good evening, Joe Rashidi from Jackson. I want to quote an article from Shore News Network. famous Phil Stilton from July
18th, 2016 talking about a rabbi from Brooklyn. Let me start over. Brooklyn Orthodox Jews encouraged to be stickle pioneers to settle Ocean County.
Last November being 2015, a national convention of a good agath Israel of America, Rabbi Schmool Leawitz decreed Brooklyn Orthodox Jewish community to become pioneers. Now, we're
just going to paraphrase. In Hebrew, the word stickickle refers to something of second class. In the term stickle pioneer as it pertains to Lakewood means to settle in
secondass surrounding towns in the hopes that enough growth would turn around those communities. Lecoitz urged younger members of the Orthodox community
to settle in surrounding towns, Jackson, Tom's River, Brick, and Howell. Now, we'll skip over some. Few in the community are selling their homes. So Lefkowitch urged those settlers to
settle for second best and to wait for the growth to catch up to them in the Lakewood Loop. Now I'm going to end right there. This got me pissed off. I am not a
secondass citizen. Neither is anyone else in this community a secondass citizen. I spent over 20 years in the military for this country. My father and his brothers fought in World War II so that this piece of could call us
citizens, second class. It don't run good with me. Now, I want to give you a definition of colonization. Is the act the act of establishing political and often forceful control
over another territory or group of people. typically to exploit their resources and oppose the colonizers culture and systems. The process involves one group, the
colonizers, forming settlements in the new territory. and the colonizers language, laws, social structures, and religious beliefs are imposed on the
indigenous populations. Colonization. Does that sound familiar or what's going on in Jackson in the surrounding community? That's what's going on. We are being colonized now.
George Washington, John Adams, Nathan Hail, they were all heroes. So I want each of you to look within yourself. Are you a hero or are you a Nathan Hail and selling us out? [Music]
That's all I got on that. I want to thank you for mentioning Rover Farms. The only question are request I have on Rover Farms as it moves forward for paddle boats and canoes. If you do rentals and it goes to an outside
vendor, please put it in the proposals that they must be open on Saturdays. Lakewood has a beautiful lake. They got beautiful paddle boats and boats. A family cannot use them on Saturdays because of the vendor. So if it's for
all objection, please put it in the in the out for when it goes out for bid. It must be open on Saturdays so that everyone can enjoy it because don't impose cultures on us that we don't want. We enjoy our Saturdays
with family. We want to go to parks. We don't want to say sorry, we can't go. It's not open. That's it. And another thing, this rag that was sent out to the residents, it's a rag. Piece of garbage. And no one
tonight in opening statements mentioned anything against it or for it. It was a rag. And this was a real boot kick in the butt for the opposing candidates and they sat quiet. Thank you.
>> Thank you. So, I just want to respond to you quickly. Um, and I'm going to you can I mean if you gone you can stay up but it's fine. Um, so I was living in Jackson 2016 when that article came out. Um, and I'm not here to defend or to explain every leftwitz. I've never met
him myself in my life. Um, but one thing I do want to say is it's ironic that Shore News Network at that point mistransated the wordickle. I speak Yiddish. That is not the definition of oftle. I'm sure if you go speak to any of your Orthodox or Jewish neighbors who speak Yiddish, that was a completely
deflamatory um article at that point. And I remember at that point I actually picked up the phone and called the reporter from Shore News Network. Um I met him at a meet the mayor in 2016 and I I called him out then on it because that's completely that's it's someone from a different uh
religion translating a word that he doesn't know what he's talking about. So that's with regard to that. With regard to the second point you brought up about ROVA, um I hear you and definitely um when that time comes that and the way the concession stand was um outside the museum was designed was to en ensure
that there could be some form of rentals whether it's um they were talking about possibly fishing lines or things of that form. But I would definitely um have a conversation with the mayor. I would definitely support making sure that any business that does use our township parks are able to um cater to all of our residents and make sure that it could be
accessible as often as possible, including Saturdays. There's no reason why it shouldn't be open as long as there are customers who are able to come then. Absolutely. A Roa should be open seven days a week. With regard to the last thing, um there are many political mail mailers that I've received in my mailbox in the past couple weeks. I happen to be I did not get that
newspaper in my mailbox, so I I feel left out, but I did see it online today. Um, and um, generally we don't comment on all the political I'm going to use the word garbage that does exist in the news in in there, but this is has absolutely nothing to do with the township. Um, we received calls by the
mayor's office yesterday asking if the township paid for it. Township did not pay for that newspaper. Township has absolutely township has absolutely nothing to do with that newspaper. Mayor, if you don't mind. And um, and that that's the end of my comments. Mayor, do you have anything you want to add? No, I just don't want to make it
sound like the town was blowing up with phone calls. I got one phone call. I've actually haven't seen it. I didn't write I did not receive it. Um, but we got one I spoke with the woman and she was she was laughing about it and it was a conversation for five minutes, but it wasn't something that was >> Thank you. >> else.
>> Anyone else? Deb Jones, Jackson. Um, I have a few statements, but first I want to start off. At the last meeting, someone from the town, a resident, stood up and asked if anyone's ever been threatened. The answer was no. I respect our police
officers. I respect the entire force from the very top to the very bottom. I don't understand why we have two police officers standing in a room with maybe 20 people when nobody's been threatened and yet who's paying them? Our tax
dollars? Because I think if our tax dollars are paying them, our streets need protecting more than right here. So, I do have an issue with that. Um, you mentioned that we have a problem in the town and we really do and we all know it. This town is so divided and
it's divided on really important issues and then the smaller issues that just keep the division going just keep happening. I don't know if it's vanity. I don't know what is going on but I was a little rocked by
the addendum and we've now changed instead of comments from the mayor we now have it as comments from the honorable and the name. That's fine. But should I then think this is the first honorable mayor we've ever had in
Jackson? If that's the case, that's sad. And as a council, whether it was you or any other council, that's a problem because you all should have been saying something when it was going on, not the the private little arguments that come
out after a while. You're talking about what a great credit rating we have. We do that credit rating is going to just dump. How many lawsuits are we going to have because of things that go on behind
closed doors that are going after employees? Do we have a business administrator? He hasn't been here. I see online, whether it's a rumor or not, I hear he's fired. Why?
Why was the town not told anything? Is that going to lead to a yet another lawsuit that Jackson's going to pay? I'm tired of my tax dollars going to lawsuits. We have roads that need help. We need schools that needed to be bailed out. Maybe if we had some of the money
we're spending in litigation to protect things that are going on. Maybe we could have helped our schools a little bit. It's just crazy. It, you know, the the stupid little things like the veteran spot. Do you know how that hit
social media because the veteran spot was moved. Why? There's no reason for it. You're whether you park the park parking spot here or here, what are you going to get? Three added steps. That's little things that is driving the
residents to madness. And then you have all over line. And I know you guys say it's a first amendment right. It's nothing to do with you. It's not anything to do. But everyone knows that we pay a photographer and a media
person and yet everything that comes out of that is just hatred. It's not right. We have two candidates running. Why isn't anyone standing up and saying, "You know what? Back down. We have two
candidates. Let the people decide. Stop the madness. It's got to start somewhere. And you guys are the ones that are sitting at this top. Back to the police. We have police officers here. I've been to planning and zoting more meetings. A lot more
dangerous there. When things are getting put through and people are there and they're getting angry and we have lawyers that are threatening to sue if we don't go about what they want. That's where you might want to think about having police officers where people are really getting attacked. I've never seen
anyone attacked here. Have I seen voices raised? Yes. I've never seen anyone attacked. I just I don't understand. When does the hate stop? When does the madness stop? You say everything's for transparency. Then be transparent.
You can say something, but you're not doing it and you're not showing the residents that you really care as a whole. You have to do something. You say, "Oh, the administration and the council is working great together." Well, of course you're going to work great together. No one says no to
anything. If you have an opposing view, maybe things can work out a little bit where you have your side, their side, and maybe we can come to the middle and maybe that's where the residents will benefit. But it's not this way. This is just I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed by
what I see online. I'm embarrassed by what I see here. I'm embarrassed by what I hear coming from up here. It's a shame sometimes. I'm embarrassed what I come to cuz it doesn't speak to who I am, but I I feel like I'm driven to madness.
When is it going to stop? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Dan Picartic Jackson. First of all, I want to thank the council. there's a better tone of understanding and listening to the community since the new council took over. I appreciate the civility that
you're running these meetings with, but this that came in the mail to a lot of us yesterday. Why is it being distributed in the lobby of this town hall? There's piles of it out there for people to just take. This came from a private
organization in the mail. It doesn't belong in the lobby for anybody to pick up and take. It's disgusting. That's about all. >> Thank you. Um I'm just going to ask this question from our legal um um Mr.
McGuckin. So there are multiple newspapers out there on the on the they asked a different companies or different people put over there for as a pile. I don't know if the township township has a policy. Could anyone put their magazine out there? Um the township didn't put it out there. Someone obviously came and put a pile of them.
>> Nobody looked and saw it. >> What? Nobody looked and saw it all day. >> I I can't answer that question. I can't come in that direction. >> Allows anything it cannot then solicits it cannot prohibit others based on the speech that's contained within it. So if the policy is to allow people to leave
such papers or magazines or whatever, the township cannot allow some and not others based on the speech that's included in the document. So it's either ban all or allow all. >> Okay. Would that be a if the town would take the position to ban all, which I'm not recommending, would that be a
policy, administrative policy? >> That that could the township could have a policy if it chooses. >> Okay. >> So, anybody can come in here with political information and leave it in the lobby and there's not a thing you can do about it. >> The township can adopt a policy to allow
it to allow it in certain areas or prohibit it exclusively. And if they allow it, they cannot differentiate between the speech that's included So if there's someone else comes in with a paper and they want to leave it there, um the township cannot take that paper out and leave the other. Um they would
have to allow all. Now the question is is it litter? Is it just left on the ground? Is it left in the location like with other newspapers? >> So Mr. Mccen, there's a there's a a table there I would call it with has the Jackson Times. I think it has um some other >> a Latino mag. >> A Latino magazine. And then it has this
newspaper, the Jackson Insider. >> But I don't get those in the mail. It doesn't matter. Whatever pamphlets are out there, if they're kept on the same table with the other documents, then they would be allowed unless the township bans all of them. They cannot just limit to certain ones and allow
others and prohibit other. >> I'm for free I'm for free free speech and good public debate, but this isn't that. And I understand maybe maybe your hands are tied that you can't do it, but it's just something maybe we should look at there. This should be civility in
this town. >> Mayor, >> this is not civility. So, mayor, I would just request if we can maybe have a conversation over the next couple days with our legal team about policy and procedures for what's distributed in Tunnel. >> I'm I'm going to say that, you know, these things are put there randomly. There's magazines that are being put
there. The pre previous administration used to go and take them and throw them all out. So, it it again, there should be a policy and procedures, but it's when where do you stop in freedom of speech, >> right? >> I'm not saying that that's a right thing. I'm not saying I haven't even seen it. What I'm just saying is then you're going to say, "Well, you know, I
I don't want the You said there was something for uh >> Well, how would you like it if >> I'm not saying that I'm just saying I'm just saying is is >> I know, but how would you like it if a six-year-old saw this in I didn't see it in the mailbox and then went up to his parents and said, "Mom and dad, what's a fag?"
>> I didn't see it. >> Pick it up out there. >> Okay, I will. Thank you, sir. >> It's It's just disgusting. >> Thank you. Good evening, town council. Ryan Archer, resident of Jackson Township. Can you please confirm that all members
of the council are receive annual pay from the township? Is that correct? >> They're entitled to it. I I I can't attest if all them actually accept it or not. I don't have that information. I got >> the ones that are in front of me. >> No, they're all entitled to it. Someone has the right to deny it that I can
Yeah. Is it true that the in Internal Revenue Code classifies elected officials such as yourselves as employees? >> Attorney McCarth familiar with the Internal Revenue Code, but for purposes of payroll, elected officials are employees.
>> Okay. Did the uh town council sign the employee handbook when they were hired? Township of Jackson 2019. >> They're hired. They're elected. They do not sign the handbook. Are there rules to it? >> I'm sorry, sir. Are there rules that pertain to elected officials within that handbook?
>> Elected officials are required to comply with the New Jersey local government ethics law and township policies as well. Uh and if there's a violation of those of the local government ethics law, a complaint can be filed with the local finance board as part of the department of community affairs. >> So the local finance board does control
the township of Jackson regards to complaints. >> I'm sorry I missed that. Say that one. The local finance board addresses complaints from the citizens regarding town council >> for violations of the local government ethics law. That's their jurisdiction and that's what they do. >> Thank you. In regards to first amendment
rights for residents, is the exhibition of sexual perversion allowed in the township of Jackson? >> Mccen, I'm not sure. I don't understand. I don't understand that question. So, uh, placing characters in peculiar
sexual positions in someone's yard, is that covered under first amendment rights and accepted by the town? >> It would, it's very specific. And someone's pornography is another one's first expression of their First Amendment rights, and I would need specifics to tell you if it's appropriate or not. But if it's on
someone's private property, there's very little the township can do with respect to that. Is is disparaging against a race or an ethncticity in someone's residence for the public to see allowed in the township of Jackson? >> I'm sorry, say that again. >> To disparage a group of people in
someone's yard with figurines. Is that allowed within the township of Jackson? >> I first of all, everyone has a right to express their opinions whether they violate some other code. I'd have to see what it is to tell you if I think it does, and I'd have to compare it to the codes that are applied. I direct you to read the recent Asbury Park Press
article regarding a resident in our town. Thank you and have a good night. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Coming up. >> Sorry guys. I'm Adam. Uh live in Jackson my whole life. Um I'm just speaking on
behalf of the wildlife and environment in town. Uh but just strictly as a concerned resident. um not in any formal position. Um I've been coming here for a few months just speaking uh on on ways we can respect the environment and have more integrity with the decisions we
make uh relative to development and and really just protecting the nature that was here well before humans uh even even came. Um so I want to put a focus on Lake Eno again for the third or fourth time. Uh, Lake Eno is adjacent to
Bennett Mills Road on that long hill, this gigantic hill, right? We're all aware. >> Yeah. Does anyone >> Sorry. I'm I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said. Which road >> do you guys live in town? >> Sure. I just didn't hear you loud. >> Venice Mills Road. >> Sure. >> There's a hill and there Lake Eno.
>> Sure. >> Right. It's evident. We all recognize children fish there. People park. There's like a little gravel dirt spot there. >> Our community uses it. So, we should respect that and start possibly spending money on the infrastructure there.
There's a 45 mile per hour speed limit and there's like a 10 ft buffer zone between where the where children are fishing and we're driving two-tonon death machines at 45 miles an hour. So, I'm asking if you guys can look at our
parks and and maybe um either slow down the speed limits, do add more infrastructure to protect our residents. Um it just makes no sense to have such a heavy speed limit near a refuge. It's supposed to be safe there. Um my second
issue is relative to open space. I just have some questions. When's the last time we've acquired any property with the open space fund? >> I'm I'm just going to let you >> I'm asking question.
>> Oh, sure. Last month we we acquired a property in Robin Estates. wasn't a big property, but we acquired it if for this >> and for the purpose of >> well there were multiple purposes involved with that. Um the mayor was council president at that point but um there was a leakage issue in the
neighborhood um a water issue together with the fact that um there was identified a a need for a recreation in the area as a small piece. >> Okay. I Okay. So I think I know what you're talking about. It's like 045 acres. We're spending about four or 500. >> About a third of an acre. About a third
of an acre. Yeah. third of an acre and then will it be it'll be turned into like a park? >> I'm sorry. >> Will it be turned like a park? >> We would like we would like to turn into a park. That's the goal. >> Okay. And did we factor in the demolition costs or anything? Is that also going to be used with the open space fund? >> Attorney I think we had that
conversation with your former colleague. >> Two things. First, the township has authorized it. We're scheduling closing. We have not yet purchased it. We're in the middle of uh the purchase of the doc of the property. So, it's been authorized. the funding is in place but we are closing I believe uh next month but I can't recall the date.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And the other part of the question was what >> the question was about using for open space for any of the demolition expenses. I think we had that conversation with >> it can be used for that purpose. >> I don't believe that is a wise decision. That that property in particular sounds
like I think Paul said it last time like a million dollar swing set. We're going to spend so much money working on a third of an acre. There's five acres for sale adjacent to gets right now for $25,000. We should really think about purchasing
that. Maybe running a program with GETS on the environment, nature preservation. There's better ways to utilize our open space money and acquire greater acreage. The purpose of open space is to conserve land. It's not to
uh re-engineer it into something, right? like there we're allowed to buy land and do nothing with it. >> You guys understand? >> Sure. Absolutely. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, I would ask you after the meeting to give us the address and I would ask our
mayor to have the look into it to see if that's a piece of property that we're able to acquire. I don't I >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. >> Sure. We can't pay above assessed value, but it's definitely something we would look into. >> Absolutely. Um, please action items, please take a look at our wildlife refuges, the butterfly bogs. It's the
same thing. It's along east, east east, east east vets. It's like 50 miles an hour. It's crazy over there. And you have to make a right angle. People flying behind you. Please look at our parks and see if you can make changes to make our community safer. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Motion. No. Hello, Kevin Burge, Jackson resident. Um, I really just have one thing. It's about the uh processing of payments um
at the township offices and the removal of cash as an option. Um, when you voted, I think it was in April, you you all voted yes except for Councilman Barlli. He voted no.
But when you were voting yes, I think all of you um had reservations about the fee that would be with the um cost of people's payments and you said you would talk to finance
and I just wanted to know I haven't seen an update or heard so maybe do you have an update? >> So I'm just going to stop for a second. Um I think you had emailed me about furthering that conversation. um >> not about that. It was really just about the >> the overall policy, right?
>> The email was about like our privacy and all that. Okay. Uh have to do with that. And yes, I'll >> I'll reply, but uh >> it was really about the what I'm asking about tonight is the the fee. >> The township said that they might take
on that fee for the residents and I haven't heard anything. >> So, I I'm I'm not sure. It's a great question and um I will research it after the meeting. I'll speak to our finance team. I I have no idea. And then um and I will uh email now that I have your email address. I will email you back and
answer and >> All right. >> Sure. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank >> anyone else. >> Council see no one come forward. Motion to close public forum. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Council President Bernstein. There's one more item of business. Um, attorney McCain, >> thank you. I did uh advise the mayor and council president this afternoon. We did resolve a an employee uh separation
agreement and there would be a resolution 333-2025 which I sent over this afternoon would authorize mayor and town clerk to execute a separation agreement with Mr. Phillips. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. U council president Bernstein >> um
>> you need a motion. >> Sorry. We need to ask for a motion from my colleagues. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Bryley, >> yes. >> Councilman Bresie, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Paul Mary, >> yes. >> Council President Bernstein, >> yes.
>> Thank you. May I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> Can I mot second? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. Have a good night.