[Music] Okay, we are live there. Okay, good. Good evening everyone and welcome on this beautiful spring day. Just want to make everyone aware that this is May which is mental health
awareness month and just want to draw attention to that that mental health is always very important and it's important to look out for our neighbors and our friends and um help to create awareness advocacy and
to help to end the stigma around mental health. And with that, I'll read the statement. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Warren District Council being held on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 has been provided through the posting of the annual meeting schedule of said
council in accordance with section 13 of the open public meetings act. Said notice was forwarded to the tranonian, the times, and the pimpacted on December 19th, 2024. We now have an inspiration
May we carry out our work at this meeting in a just, honorable, and sincere manner, always bearing in mind our duties in continuing to keep Lawrence a wonderful community in which to live. I pledge algiance 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. [Music] Mr. Kav here, Mr. Kaki here. Miss Perry
here. Santos here. Mayor Farmer here. Okay. Special proclamations, recognitions, and presentations. I don't believe we have any, but we will have um a brief update from the mayor's task
force on the community center by Reverend Jeff. Good evening, council members and mayor and manager and staff. Uh my name is Jeff Vamus. Uh I live actually next to the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville
on Main Street next to the prep school. Uh so I am the pastor uh my name is Jeff Vamus. the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. It's been my honor uh to have been selected asked by Mayor Patricia Farmer to serve on the
mayor's task force on the Lawrence Community Center. And so my colleagues on that task force are our chair, Chris Woolly, Martha Friend, Olga Martinez, Nancy Rivera, Louisa Robinson, Heather
Berman, David Spalding, uh and Mayor Patricia Farmer. We also added per your directive I believe at your last council meeting Billy Chester and Bonnie Jiglio um so that we could be even more comprehensive in our rep representation
of uh interests within the township. So, I know you've heard this before, but in case there are some who haven't heard what the charge for our task force is, I'm going to read that the mayor's task force was created to advise the township council on the concerns and priorities
of Lawrence residents with respect to the community center. review and refine the mission statement and long-term vision of the center. Engage the community to ensure decisions reflect collective needs and aspirations and preserve the cent's
legacy as a vital inclusive space for all Lawrence Township residents. Um we've taken that task I think very very seriously especially the task of listening to the township that has really been the focus of our work thus far. Um we have been on a listening tour
and we've uh employed various modes of collecting data and listening to community input including emails, flyers, newspaper articles, radio segments. I believe we had a podcast in there too somewhere, individual and
group meetings, uh a community survey, and uh our work uh sort of the pinnacle of our work was last week uh last Tuesday, May 13, when we had a large community meeting. many of you were there. Uh, I think we felt very good about that. I do believe that we we felt
good about the the turnout and that it was broadly representative of the diversity of Warren's Township. Um, and so, uh, the next step really is to sift all the data that we have received. And, uh, we've received a lot. I I want to
commend our chair Chris who's been really just intrepid uh in his effort to make sure and and really facilitating our collective effort to make sure that everybody's voice is heard. So everybody who spoke at that meeting last week, their voice
has been cataloged. Uh Chris has asked for them to in email in written form uh c sort of express their feedback. All of that is being um saved again cataloged and it will be analyzed. We thought we'd have to pay for this, but uh in my line
of work, we call this Providence. Someone at the end of that meeting came forward, a PhD sociologist who volunteered uh to do an analysis for us of all of that data, both quantitative and qualitative. So quantitative will be about the data, the hard data from that
survey that includes demographic information, people's preferences about what kinds of programming they want to see, but also we'll analyze the narrative data and sort of for themes uh that occur in that in that data as well. It's called qualitative analysis as
well. Now, we set a goal, I'm going to say goal uh of June 4 to make our report. Um there were some on the on the team who felt like that was really unrealistic. I think at this point there's a consensus that that's not realistic. Um if we were to do a job
that is um adequate to give you some solid analysis and information with which to make a decision about uh how the community center will be used by the community in the future. Um, so we're not sure when we're going to have a
report to submit to you, but we we do hope that it will be certainly a quality one. I think that's all I have. I don't know if uh there are any questions to be asked or if adequate to answer them, but uh I'll stay up here until you tell me to sit down. No, I think that is that's
good. Thank you so much, Governor Bamas, for your update. I'm not if there's anyone I know that we all were actually present at the community meeting um including um our manager um as well.
So we did have good representation of the council there at the meeting um and uh we thank you and also we thank the volunteer who has stepped up and that's a tremendous contribution to the work that's being done. So once again, thank
you um and also thank you to to Chris who I recognize as well who's in the audience. Okay, with that um opening up for public participation if there are any um comments from the audience.
It can be about something different. Okay. I've made that mistake. Good evening, Martha Friend, 976 Lawrenceville Road. Um, so I'm here with my Lawrence Neighbors Together t-shirt on to share something that I'd like to be put in the record and to make you
aware of our next big event, which is the Lawrence Pridefest fun walk and roll that's going to be held unfortunately on Father's Day. Or maybe it's a good thing. That's the date we got um at the Lawrence Shopping Center. So not just here to share about that, but I think there's something
that's important that I'd like to share about it, which is we got a letter. I received a letter from Governor Murphy um giving some kudos about this event happening here in Lawrence. Um when my son joined the New Jersey National
Guard, I sent him a letter um thanking him proactively for taking good care about where he sends the troops. And so he and I have been in touch a little bit. So I asked him about this and and he very kindly his staff uh sent off a letter. So I just like to read it. It's
very short. June 15th. Dear friends, on behalf of the state of New Jersey, I am pleased to extend greetings to everyone gathered for the Lawrence Pridefest hosted by Lawrence Neighbors Together. This celebration is an opportune time to
recognize the impact of the LGBTQ plus community. Uh h the impact they have had not only in Lawrence Township, but the Garden State itself. I'm proud to be governor of such a diverse state with events like this serving as important reminders to celebrate the birth of the
modern LGBTQ plus movement and diversity of all New Jerseyians. I applaud the township for their dedication to celebrating this diversity and unity within their community and commend everyone in attendance for honoring the achievements and contributions of the LG
LGBTQ plus community. Best wishes for a successful and memorable event. That's what I wanted to share. I hope to see everybody. Okay. See, no other public participation. Oh. I'm sorry.
Good evening. Um, I have a few things just 180 Franklin Corner Road. Um, I have a few things in case you guys would like to just see
Bobbit knows that I'm an passionate advocate. Um, I would like to thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to um participate in the Lawrence Alcohol and Drug
Alliance as a voluntary board member. Um, I grew up in Lawrence Township. I graduated from Lawrence High School. After I raised my children, I returned to Delaware Township um because I consider this my home from when I was a young young
girl. I've spent my life professionally and privately advocating for members of my community. During these countless interactions, I've discovered a staggering knowledge deficit existing in our community.
substance use disorder, mental health issues, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling, just to name a few. Prevention resources and treatment opportunities are difficult to access without information. It's my mission to provide meaningful evidence-based facts to our
residents in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. The stigma of these public health crises has to end. It's hurting our residents and our children. Our kids are in school for 13 years K through 12 and I believe it's still
probably a marking period per year that they get for health education. That marking period is also split between multiple topics. Our teachers have so many things that they need to teach and this gets missed a lot of times and they
rely on internet, friends and things like that for information and families don't necessarily know. Um, so I want to thank you again for the opportunity to serve Lawrence Township in this capacity. Thank you, Miss for that. Appreciate it.
Um, it's very important and and again, this being mental health awareness month. This falls right in line with um the education portion. I know that um Thank you. doing some of that in the community. So we thank you recognized
for your work and for [Music] volunteering. Okay. See no other public participation at this time. Review and revision of the agenda. Do we have anything? Okay. If we then could have sorry, do we
need a executive session or should I do that? No, we have nothing tonight. Thank you. We have nothing for executive. Okay. And if I can have a motion for the adoption of minutes of the previous meeting.
Mayor, if I may, I'll move 8A the regular meeting of February 4th, 2025. Thank you. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Madam Clerk. You may call the role, please. Mr. Bobin. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. Miss Perry. Yes. Miss Santos.
Abstain. Mayor Farmer. Yes. Okay. The awarding and biz. Do we have anything? No. We'll go right to the introduction of
ordinances. Number 11. Um, ordinance number 2492-25. Oh, mayor, did you want me to move the adoption of ordinances? Um, yes, if you like to. Apologies. Um, if I may, I'll move 11A, ordinance number
2492-25, ordinance appropriating 3 million22,500 from the capital improvement fund for various capital improvements in and by the township of Lawrence in the county of Mercer, New Jersey. Second. We have a second. Second. Second.
Okay. And so can you have an explanation very briefly? This is um um a two-step process um in order for the township to um um purchase capital items. And the first process was the passing of of the
budget. The second part is this ordinance that uh will help fund the purposes that would were identified in the budget. So we're just seeking approval to move forward and once those the purposes are satisfied you you'll
have another opportunity to vote on Is there any public participation? Okay. Seeing none to cler you could call the role please. Mr. Bob. Yes. Mr. Kaki. Yes. M. Perry. Yes. Miss Santos. Yes.
Mayor Fley. Yes. I'll move 11B, ordinance number 2493-25, ordinance providing for various road improvements, mill and overlay, including all working materials in and by the township of Lawrence in the county of Mercer, New Jersey,
appropriating 2,497,825 in capital improvement funds. Do we have a second? Second. Motion is second. Is there any public participation for this item? Seeing none. Madam cler mayor,
just for the record, this is just a part of our road improvement program we do annually and this uh sets us up to allow for the work as designated in the ordinance for the streets for mill and overlay work. Thank you. Again, is there any public
participation at this time? Seeing none, if you could call the role, please. Mr. Bobett, yes. Mr. Kagi, yes. Miss Perry, yes. Mr. Santos, yes. Mayor Barner, yes. I'll move 11 C. Ordinance number
2494-25, an ordinance amending ordinance number 2473-24, salary ordinance of the township of Lawrence unclassified and/or exempt seasonal emergency non-union employees for 2023 to 2025.
Do we have a second? Second. And we have explanation. Yeah, we have three uh three aspects to this. The first is um we have had an open position within our finance department with regard to a treasurer uh in the hopes of uh a
succession planning for when our CFO retires. We we had a treasurer at one point in time that that individual left took an opportunity as a CFO in another town happens. Uh since that time we've been actively trying to work with New Jersey civil service. No one sat for the
exam for treasurer. So there's no candidates for that position. Uh but in trying to uh butress our financial department, we um under civil service uh we seek to add the title of auditor accountant training entry level position getting this person in maybe a recent
college graduate with business degree in accounting that could work from within and hopefully you know rise through the ranks and serve the town in various capacities. So, we're hoping that could solve some of our issues in terms of um workforce. Okay. The second um aspect is
we're just simply um adding the VIP uniform allowance compensation and the volunteer deputy chief stipen. It's something that's already been approved. This is a housekeeping iteing to include it into the ordinance. And the third thing is to adding um the title of um
American with Disability Act ADA Coordinator. uh federal law requires each municipality to designate an individual to serve in that capacity. Um and we want to add that to the ordinance and and satisfy our obligation with regard to it. That would involve a
$5,000 stipend to the individual that will be appointed. U manager, what is the length of the appointment annually or? All right. Um, it doesn't really have a
until Yeah, there's no there's no term involved in it. Any other questions in the council? Any questions from the public? Seeing none. Madam clerk, could you call the role, please? Mr. Bobett, yes. Mr.
Kaki, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Vicente, yes. Mayor Ber, yes. I'll move 11D, ordinance number 2495-25, an ordinance amending the consolidated license permit and pre-chapter of the Lawrence Township
administrative code. Do we have a second? Second. And we have an explanation. Yeah. This adds a registration fee of $50 uh for the state law that mandates New Jersey municipalities to register landlords and collect insurance certificates for the rental properties. Uh this is an added
responsibility taken on by our clerk's office and the fee is uh appropriate for the time involved in handling upwards of 3,000 uh rental properties. Uh the second aspect memorializes the $20 fee for return checks for tax payments to
the tax collector. It's been a policy. We're just formalizing it. Okay. It's fine because most of the time it's all right. Is there any comment from the
public? Seeing none. Madam clerk, if you call the role, Mr. Biden, yes. Mr. Kaki, yes. Miss Barry, yes. Yes. Mayor Farmer. Yes.
I'll move I'll move 11B mayor ordinance number 2496-25 and ordinance amending ordinance number 2418-22 establishing rates for sewing service. You have a second. All this does is add additional language
to the ordinance stating that the current billing shall be based on the previous metered water consumption at the property as reported by the water company. It just provides an additional instruction to individuals that have concerns about their current charges so
that they know it's based upon prior readings. Okay. Any comments from the public? Seeing none of the clerk duties.