[Music] test. I need Is he good? Good evening everyone. >> Adequate notice of this meeting of the Lawrence Township Council being held on
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 had been provided to 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 Tranonians, the Times, and the Princeton packet on December
19th, 2024. And on behalf of for Hispanic Heritage Month, I just want to give one of my favorite quick quotes from a famous Puerto Rican. And it says, "The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever."
And that's from Justice Sonia Sojayor. Thank you. And now we'll have the inspiration hook. As we carry out our work at this speed in a just, honorable, and sincere man, always bearing in mind our duties and
continuing to keep horns 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. >> Madam call, please. >> Mr. >> Here, Mr. >> Here, >> Merry here. >> Sanchez here. Mayor >> here.
I don't see madam clerk. So you will proceed with the first opportunity for public participation. >> Just one moment. >> There's a minor change. >> Okay. >> Okay. There um we have to vote on we
have an adjustment to the um the current agenda. My apologies. >> Madame Mayor, I would like to request that we move the updates for council initiatives and leaison reports for the growth and redevelopment committee to
the beginning of the meeting due to a schedule conflict. [Music] You have a second call. Mr. Bett, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> M Perry, >> yes. >> Mr. Santos, >> yes.
>> Mayor, >> yes. >> At this time, I would like to call Mr. Jeremy Ryan to give an update for the growth. >> Hello. Good evening, Madame Mayor and council members. Thank you for the opportunity
to present on behalf of the growth and redevelopment committee. Over the past 18 months, our committee has taken a close look at our mission, asking how we can best serve both the town township council and Lawrence's business community in the years ahead. The result
is a focused plan built around four strategic priorities and a recommended new name that better reflects our purpose. They are as follows. First, we want to facilitate local business networking and support. We propose that the committee take an
active role in organizing and hosting annual networking events. Things like business meetups, workshops, knowledge sharing, and awareness building opportunities. We believe that local businesses grow stronger when they know one another. Connections lead to collaboration and collaboration leads to innovation, shared resources, and
ultimately growth. Next, we want to promote local spending. We want to help launch awareness campaigns and initiatives that encourage residents to shop warrants. This uh that could mean visible door stickers to local participants, ribbon cutting for new businesses, or even
small rewards programs down the line tied to local spending. Our online directory, which is currently out there, is an example too, allowing consumers to find local businesses, local Lawrence businesses. Every dollar spent locally multiplies. It strengthens
small businesses and supports local jobs and keeps more of our tax base right here in Lawrence, benefiting everyone. Third, we aim to advocate for technology to improve our business environment. We see a real opportunity for the township to modernize how it supports local business through digital platforms like
the further refinement of our community website and online business directory to include AI powered tools like our latest pilot programs which include an AI generated hypo hyper local podcast named Lawrence together and an AI reference block for Lawrence Township, Mercer
County and New Jersey laws on municipal property zoning rules and regulations and it's always cited never speculative technology. Technology improves access and transparency. It helps businesses find what they need faster and helps count the township communicate more effectively with both residents and
entrepreneurs. Fourth, we want to enhance integration and advisory in planning and development. We propose that the committee take a more structured proactive role in reviewing planning and zoning initiatives that impact business and economic growth. Our goal is not to
replace or model any processes but to strengthen the bridge between business planning and policy by offering input from the business community. Finally, we're recommending a name that better reflects uh these missions, which is the business and economic growth committee.
We believe this name conveys what we do and why it matters. In summary, we want to build stronger connections, support local spending, embrace technology, and strengthen communication between the business community and the township. These are practical, actionable strategies that will make Lawrence an
even better place to live, work, and go business. Thank you. >> I have a question. Could we get a copy of this uh presentation? I have a copy of the presentation and I also have uh all of our research documents and things that we have done to prepare for this proposal. Mayor,
>> I had a feeling he would say that. So, >> thank you. I appreciate it. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And if I could just add um the growth
and redevelopment committee has really taken off and done some incredible work this last couple of years. um they've uh engaged more of the business community. I've attended uh several events that they've done over the last year. So, there's been a lot of growth going on
and the name changes will be uh definitely an accurate reflection. Thank you. And if I may add one thing, I'm very happy to say that the growth and redevelopment team has been outreaching to our partners in Versa County where um
the business group has um with the leadership of Anthony Caribelli has done many presentations to our local businesses to engage with them to know what grants are available and what resources they can from the from the county.
>> Great work. Thank you. Okay. Um with that adjustment in the uh agenda now we can uh move to the public participation. This is the five minute limit for a speaker. >> Good evening. >> Did you sign in for us?
>> I did. Perfect. Um, good evening, honorable mayor and council members. Uh, my name is Jeff. I am the senior pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, just up the way here. Uh, and I live right next to the
church in the Mans at 2688 Main Street. Um, and I, uh, have the honor and privilege of serving on the mayor's task force about the future of the Lawrence Township Community Center. And it's a really excellent experience. got to know
a lot of new colleagues and folks and it was a very enlightening experience. learned a lot about some of the dynamics around the decision, what we do with our uh community center in the future, and I learned a lot about what the community wants in that uh community center. And
I'm sure you read the report and discern definitely two major themes in the fe feedback that we receive from the community. And the first is that we continue the legacy of the center uh and that it serves the needs that in many ways gave rise to the needs of the most
vulnerable people in our in our community. It's a really super important thing to continue as we look to what that center is going to do. The other theme was to provide other services that have been present in the community center in the past, recreational services and a broad variety of other
services so that the community feels like they're uh services for everyone. That was a really clear message that community center as we redevelop it needs to be one for everyone. Uh a third space, a community hub. Uh and so that's
the recommendation, but in a lot of ways it it feels like recommending world peace that you know because uh we all want that. Uh but the question is how do you get there? And I want to highlight in that report and my colleagues know that I've advocated very strongly for
this. there's a very clear next step. Governance is really the key I think to making those results happen to meeting those those two major needs that the community has identified. And so the recommendation is to put together and this to me a very
Presbyterian uh way of going because it's putting putting together a new whatever you call it committee task force blue ribbon panel but get a bunch of smart people leaders in the community who can represent the different
constituencies and interests that need to be factored into the plans for this community center and let them work with you and the town manager uh to create a blueprint and a model for the governance and management of the of the center.
Now, I think that it's probably fairly clear that the the community center has been kind of off the off to the side of our our community life. It's been delegated, it's running, it's been delegated to a nonprofit which did a fine job, but that model may not have been the most successful to make it a
center for everyone in the township. And so, this is my opinion. It should be a governance model that really integrates with the functioning of our town government and staffing. And I guess my final exertation to all of you is that I
I somehow get the impression that it's a little bit of a burden to deal with this aging building and we have to get it done and check the box. But I just want to suggest that this is an incredible creative opportunity to do something really creative and wonderful for the
town. And so let's treat it that way. A lot of smart people in this room, a lot of smart people in this community. Uh the next step again, I think is really clear. And so I just want to encourage you to take it to approve that report. Whatever you do to say thumbs up to it,
but especially um to follow that recommendation. Thanks for thanks for hearing my thoughts. >> Thank you, Reverends. Good evening. Am I supposed to sign My name's Gary Backov. Um I've represented Lawrence Nonprofit Housing
Inc. for about the last 30 or 40 years. And uh in case you're not familiar with large nonprofit housing, Inc. just let remind you that they provide quality housing for 100 f large township families for over 50 years in this community. Major major player in in the
township affordable housing provision. Um I had the opportunity to talk to our executive committee for large nonprofit housing inc yesterday about the neighborhood community center. Um this is not any kind of official endorsement. I'm just learning more about the task
force's suggestions, but what we're hearing is what they're suggesting seems like quite a wonderful opportunity, real win-win for the township for the community organizations. This concept of having a strategic partnership where you bring the other organizations already
existing which may become alive in the future to energize the center with a lot of community enthusiasm support with programs support with a seat at the table about what happens at the center and to continue to provide programs. I mean just as an
example I'm sure many of you are aware of the every child valued program that was in the center for a while nonprofit housing inc people were involved in starting that program several years ago it's a great example how different groups working together you know the
largest nonprofit housing with DC with the businesses with the school board with other input we had some really great programs which really helped the youth in that community so I just wanted to say that the uh executive Ive committee of large nonprofit housing inc
collaboration and working on the governance. I don't know much about the governance model that's being discussed or maybe it's hasn't really been proposed yet but I think it's a wonderful opportunity to really energize the center to have things go on there for the entire Lawrence Township citizenry at a level that has not
happened completely in the past. So we'd encourage you to collaborate with people on the task force to come up with a model that allows for input input from the organizations including organizations like Lawrence Nonprofit Housing Inc. The church and other groups
to uh really energize the center and make it something wonderful. Thank you. >> Thank you for your time. Hello. Good evening. Um, I just wanted to come here as a proud Lawrence Township
community member. um but also some of that shaped by the kind of resources that we talking about that the Lawrence Center could provide. Um so as you consent consider the future of the Lawrence Community Center and its role as the future home of the possible
recreation department. I urge you to include local nonprofit organizations. I know Edgar um Every Child Values was mentioned tonight. Um so local nonprofit organizations like that in the planning and programming. Um, I attended Every Child Values after school program throughout elementary school and
intermediate school. So, from kindergarten to third grade, I spent my afternoons at the Edwards Cross New Village location, um, which is on Johnson Avenue. And from fourth grade to sixth grade, it was at the community center that we are speaking of. Um, there we received educational support
like homework help from Lawrence Township Public School teachers, um, some Ryder University students and other staff. We had access to the computer lab when many of us um didn't have reliable access to internet at home. And it wasn't just academics. We used the
basketball court in the building, the outdoor playground, and we used the Johnson trolley line trail where we, you know, learned about geocaching and the importance of, you know, environmental protection. We partnered with the Lawrenville School for ice skating. We made gingerbread houses and attended
their outdoor festivals with bounce houses and music. So it was a very um memorable experience. And these programs weren't just fun, they were also convenient and essential for my family. So my mom is a single parent of four. And in 2012, my sister, my older sister,
left for college. So ECB, the every child valued became a safe and supportive space where my sisters and I could go after school. And that gave my mother the opportunity to return to school. So she was able to um graduate from Ryder in 2014, Ryder University.
And because of that support, I also thrived academic academically. I went on to attend TCJ on a merit-based scholarship and I ran track there, became an all-American. Um, so my story is just one example of how the Lawrence Community Center hosted nonprofits like ECB is a lifeline for families. Um, when
we talk about the future of the center, I think we shouldn't forget about the communities that these buildings originally were created to serve. Um, so turning this building solely into a place for recreation, I feel um, risks stripping away some of those deeper
purposes. Um, so while I understand the value of recreation because it teaches teamwork and wellness and discipline other life skills, I believe that the building should be more than just a recreation center. Um, years ago, I know they offered dance classes for one example, but it also provided meals and
daycare and real support for working families in the surrounding area. So um that's the kind of thing that I think we can't overlook. So I respectfully ask that we continue to use this building as a space for growth, not just fiscal growth, but academic and community centric growth. Um I ask that we
continue working with organizations like Every Child Value who have long been a part of this community and have already proven their commitment to serving it. And lastly, when we invest in the full potential of our public spaces and the people that they serve, we can build a
stronger, more inclusive Florence Township. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> My name is Thank you. Good [Music] evening, Madame Mayor. members of the
council. Um, my name is Philip Daell. I'm a 2021 um, uh, resident coming to Lawrence Township from the New Brunswick area. I finished up at the um, Department of Public Safety after being hired by the great attorney general
Peter Harvey years ago. So, um, I met Mr. Marine a couple years ago and obviously once you meet Fred Marine you got to hear about Lawrence and uh all the uh great things that Lawrence Township has
done. So I have joined uh with his blessing the board of trustees there as well. So full uh having the opportunity to work with Fred, I've learned many things and obviously about the Lawrenville
Community Center and um now the things that are happening uh in that area. So, um, joining I've learned how the township's public schools could serve the community, uh, with no additional cost
to the taxpayers. And this is what was envisioned. When the task force met with administrators from Township Public Schools, one of the most encouraging findings was how much the district is willing to do without adding a single tax to the local tax dollar to the local
tax burden. schools have teachers, specialists. They run programs in everything from adult education and training, technology training to culinary arts and vocational school skills. And just to throw and I also taught a photography uh class at ECB
this past year for about seven weeks where the kids learned how to use digital cameras and they had great fun. Um the building can come alive by utilizing um the Lawrenceville County Public
Schools uh during the day and school day and after hours using people and materials already paid for within the district's budget. Uh certified teachers could leave uh GED prep, uh tutoring and digital literacy classes right at the center. Students in career and technical
programs could earn credit through internships there, helping run the food pantry, teaching seniors how to use smartphones, computers, and cameras because people like to take pictures, or preparing meals for community events. Faculty would supervise those activities
as part of their regular instructional responsibilities. So, this isn't about creating something new that the taxpayers have to fund, and that's especially important during these times. Uh, it's about redirecting existing expertise into a community
setting where it can make a difference. The school district sees this as part of its mission, extending learning beyond the classroom and building stronger ties with the entire bars community. The powerful nature of this partnership
is that it directly addresses what residents have been saying for months. U they don't want to lose the cent's identity as a place for learning, service, and inclusion. They want something that welcomes everyone within the community. By joining forces with
LTPS, the township can expand educational and workforce programs, open new doors for youths and adults, and preserve the cent's legacy without any new cost to the municipal budget. It's fiscally responsible community minded
minded partnerships that give us both uh the best of both worlds by doing so. Um we'll have educational programs supervised by professionals real world uh learning for students services that benefit residents of all ages and a revitalized center that once again
serves as a bridge across the entire Lawrence community. In short, this is the kind of collaboration that shows what's possible when Lawrence Township and our schools work hand in hand, utilizing the resources already here to build something that benefits everyone
in the entire Lawrence Township area. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. I'd like to take us Thank you very much for having me back. Appreciate having me.
Uh I like to take us away from uh the task force and recommendations for just a moment. I don't know how many of you have been following baseball, but yes, our very own hometown, homegrown, >> our town boy, Tony Schneider, who
brothers high school, play ball with his mom if it was okay for me to tell you. I'm sure you all know anybody, but um we're really proud of of all of our kids in Lawrence and Philandra is a wonderful example of of how proud we are
of our kids. But Johnny is has made it on the national stage and I'm just very excited to announce that. So, thanks for letting me say that here. Also, um I've heard um through the great vine that um there are some people that are
interested in finding out how uh what Phil Dael was talking about with school uh township collaborations uh in this kind of environment can can work. And I did make a contact in uh Franklin Township with uh uh youth services
director. They have a very very close collaboration with the school district where earlier on I'm going to I have an appointment with them on the 27th this month if they'd like to come. Uh I'm happy to uh to let them know when we're going to bring other people with me. So
um but I can report it back to you on on how that works. Um because I know that there people have said how does this really work in practical terms. So um also um uh if it's okay with you um I
think Miss Anne Cassal who is was a school board member for years her husband was the president of the school board uh I worked for both of them when I worked in the school district um had a letter uh that she wanted to read tonight but she unfortunately she had an emergency and couldn't be here and she
said I could read it I think she sent it to you but I'd like to make it available if it's Okay. >> Um, yes. I was going to leave it in my communications, but >> Okay. Um, good evening. My name is Anne Cassell and I live at 5. And for the record, I have lived here and raised my
family here since 1979. And I do love the Lauren the Township of Lawrence. I am here tonight to express some of my thoughts regarding the future use of Lawrence Community Center on Edgar's Crossing Road. In addition to recreation department activities, the township
should continue to open the community cent's doors to non- township sponsored programs um that benefit the community as a whole. I think every child value. My family saw some of the benefits of this kind of partnership firsthand when my
son participated in indoor baseball training there in 2003 when it was known as the Lawrence Neighborhood Service Center. This was part of the friendly exchange baseball group that went in on a part baseball, part cultural exchange
trip to play against youth teams in Puerto Rico. My husband and I raised our three children in this community and all three of them graduated from the Lawrence Township public schools, went off to college, and are now working and raising families of their own as
productive members of society. I credit much of the success of my children to the education they received here and to the opportunities that they had to participate in the Lawrence Township Recreation Department's various extracurricular activities. And I commend the recreation department for
its expansion and growth over the years to offer Lawrence Township children and adults even more opportunities to participate in activities. However, we can all acknowledge that even though my children had these opportunities, not all children, Lawrence do. This can be
for various reasons such as financial, social, or family circumstances. My husband and I both served on the Lawrence Township Board of Education uh way back in the 1990s and early 2000s. We both believe that when all children in Lawrence Township succeed
academically, but the at large community benefits in many different ways, such as in the real estate market, the environmental beauty of the township, and in our graduates becoming productive members of society, no matter what path they choose.
For many years, there was the realization in our school district based on data that students from disadvantaged families were not as successful in school as students from families that had more advantages. Therefore, in the 2000s, the school district made the
decision to collaborate with every child value to provide certified teachers as academic coaches for the children in their the afterchool program at Edgar's Crossing Village. And this collaboration was for the benefit of all students in the district, not just those living in
Lawrence in Edgar's Crossing Village neighborhood. I have supported Every Child Value for many years and I have recently become a member of the board of trustees. Fast forward to today, it is evident that the original Every Child Value afterchool program has been expanded to include summer programs,
life lessons, life experiences, family engagement events, and many other opportunities for children from disadvantaged families. And these expanded programs translate into greater academic success in school. Just as the recreation department has expanded and grown over the years to offer more
activities for residents to participate in in their programs, Every Child value has also expanded and grown over the years to provide more positive experiences for its participants which have resulted in many success stories from young adults who went through the
ECB programs as children. And just as the recreation department plans to continue its growth, every child value plans to continue its growth to reach more students in the middle school and high school years. And just as the recreation department needs more space to accomplish its goals, every child valued also needs more space to
accomplish its mission. The Lawrence Community Center is the is the place to make this happen for both organizations and with the end goal of bringing different segments of our community together. While there are many there where there may be some logistical and
legal hurdles to jump over, none of them are insurmountable and the benefit to the community far outweighs any logistical inconvenience. So I'm asking the township administration and the township council to think more broadly about what is right for all children and
residents of our community. Let's not do things as they have always been done. Let's challenge ourselves and think about how things can be done better. Thank you for your consideration and Cassell. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you Dr. [Music] Yeah. Afternoon. Good evening. Um, members of the council and everybody in the audience. Uh, I wasn't going to say anything, but I want to make sure that
um, what Chris just wrote read. She's a white lady. And I say that because people think that everyone who says anything
um is for the black community and they they think the neighborhood center is just for the black community. Um I do want you to understand that there are many white folks that have
used the neighborhood center and still will use it. It's not it's not a center just for Edgar's crossing. It's a center for Lawrence Township. And that's the way you should look at it. This this is the way you should govern. There's
there's plenty of folks in Lawrence Township that are ready and willing to come on board to help us do what's needed for that that neighborhood center. We need to to give people a
chance to do that. What we have accomplished over the years in the at through the neighborhood center um it it was not just for Acres Crossing. It was for Lawrence Township.
We made life better for for people living in in Acres Crossing, but it also benefited Lawrence Township. I was so pleased to see two of our council people Sunday
walking through my neighborhood crossing. I want to thank you for doing that. And u Chris Bobbit and Councilwoman S >> Santos um
and that's what you need to do. Very few people come to walk through Lawrence Township. There's people who have lived in Lawrence Township for years and don't even know about the center. They don't even know about Edgar
Johnson Village. You'll talk to them and they say, "Where's that at?" and but but they're the first ones to criticize when when you talk about um let's let's rebuild the center and the
first thing they say is those people back there. They still call us those people and we need to get beyond that. There's there's too much that that this country
needs to do and and we have to look at the big picture and we have to do it through communities. We have to start at home. We have to start right in our own community. And if we don't start in our
own community, um there's nothing we can do up top. Let's organize here with our folks. black and white and and and folks, our community of Lawrence has become
more diversified than when I was a kid. I mean, when I was a kid, it was only uh black and white. And I don't even think there was any Latinos in in our community uh until um
Patricia Hick's family moved in. Uh, so right now today I had a neighbor visit me, an Indian lives right up the street from me now. I mean, at one time your construction was completely black. Now I
think we're more diverse than Lawrence Township and and that's a good thing. Um, I hope it is. But um thank you and and and please take heed to what the um the task
force has recommended and uh let's work at it. We can do this thing together. [Laughter] Good evening, Sylvia Kos. It's wonderful to hear um from all the members of the
community who benefited from the community center, but I think it's also important to hear from people who like myself learned about the community center just recently. I'm one of those people who didn't even know it existed. And I've
learned a lot and it and I've learned it's been doing many wonderful things throughout the years. And I would like to ask the council to continue to support that mission of the community center. And um especially at the last meeting when we were discussing the
members of the public and the council the um fun findings of the um uh task force of the report. There were a lot of concerns about people who didn't participate and not every so few people
participated and maybe not everybody will will want to uh will want to uh be uh those people who didn't participate maybe they don't agree with that. Well, they had a chance to participate. That's
one. And also um what about those people who did participate? What about those voices? If we if we consider the fact that only a small part of the community participated in the survey or the
meetings um we are disregarding everybody else including my voice who's trying to support the center and make sure that it continues it mission and it's um it continues to support families
who are disadvantaged. Also, there was a concern about it's not fiscally responsible to put it in the hands back in the hands of the community. And I think that a lot of times we forget
that maybe um townships and counties and countries shouldn't be run as businesses, uh for-profit businesses. Um sometimes governments need to even even township
government needs to invest and spend money spend more money than it brings in to support those people who are disadvantaged in the community. So please consider uh supporting the
community center as a community keeping the community center as it is with bringing the nonprofits and public schools to continue to support those families who cannot afford after school programs who cannot afford uh
babysitters or nannies or tutors. Uh so every child in this community has a better chance. Thank you. Thank you. Hi neighbors. training with Elizabeth Ferguson and my day job is as the
director of community service at the Lawrenceville School. And so I always love hearing stories about um the events and the ways that we've collaborated with ECB and other nonprofits in Mercer County. Um but I can't speak on behalf of the school. That's not my role
tonight. But I will say that having our students who come from around the country and around the world and be engaged in programs at Lawrence Community Center, because we were um was a real gift to our students at the
Lawrence Hill School and a gift to um I think the families that would come to the community center as well. So personally, I'm grateful for that. Um, as a taxpayer of Lawrence Township, um, I've appreciated the ways that my family
has benefit benefited from the programs at the Lawrence Community Center. My kids, my daughters loved STEM related things and so they went to robotics program there. Um, as a person of faith, we've been able to um, collaborate with
other interreligious groups, interfaith groups, and have a Thanksgiving service there. And so I've loved the ways that it has benefited my spiritual life, um, my kids' lives. And so I do recommend that we continue to think about all the
ways that we can utilize this space for all of our neighbors. Um, not just of you who are interested in specific things, but the myriad of interests that we have in our community. And I'm I expect to be so emotional about this. uh
it just makes a difference to all of us and I live on the other side of the freeway if that makes sense right we're talking about just a vision that we've seen it's a way to bring us all together so
[Laughter] Good evening. My name is John Scott. Uh I'm a resident of Lawrence Township. My wife and I moved here in 1977. We raised our four children here. Um they all went to the through the school
system graduated Lawrence High. Uh two of my four children who live in the township today and five of my nine grandchildren live in the township today. Uh, so I'm a I'm a longtime
investor in Lawrence Town. I'm also a long-term beneficiary from it. And I want to see that investment continue to grow and to continue to bring dividends to not just me and my children and my
grandchildren, but also to the other residents of the township. It's a wonderful place. It really is. Uh, and like any other investment, at times you have to make decisions on what to do with this investment. And um, we're
talking about a physical building right now. My background is I'm a I'm a retired architect. I ran projects. I oversaw construction. Um, and I know it's a complicated process to do renovations or to build new facilities.
It's it requires clear thinking and it really requires clear objectives because you're always it's like running a a household. You're always going to have to make decisions about what your priorities are, what you can afford to do, what you can't, what you might have
to defer, and how you need when, how, and when you need help. So I think this report which I have read and I assume you've all read as well provides a good foundation for creating the kind of
rationale and consensus that I think you need as a foundation for this whatever you're going to do with that building and that building is an asset that the township owns and it ought to be considered like that in this context
it's also an opportunity to improve the the standards of the township and the citizens of the township and that's also an investment that you need to think about. How do you want to invest in the citizens of this
town? you want to say, you know, this is a place where we are not just talking the talk, but we're walking the walk. I think anytime you sort of say this is something we're going to do, this is a commit we're going to make it it really
encourages and promotes and enlarges that kind of community involvement and improvement. And I think it's very important that they that the township make a commitment to make this
commit this this community center certainly needs to have all kinds of things in it. But I think promoting education, promoting learn new, you know, all lifetime learning, promoting good healthy habits, promoting, you
know, physical activity, all those are good things. Let's make a commitment to it. There are good programs that are willing to partner with us. there and I think that we should show those partners the support that they deserve and give them a space to do it
in. >> Thank you very much. [Music] [Music] What's this? Honorable mayor, >> council members, good evening.
My name is Deon Goodman, by the way. So, been a member of the Lawrence community now for 20 years. And um when my daughter in 2012 graduated from Lawrence High School um
went off to Drexel, uh we were posed with the problem of u babysitting. So she was the one picking up my our sons, our twin sons up from the bus stop. And so now we had to find a way um of getting them home or getting them
somewhere where they could get their homework done and that type of thing. So we did our research and we found every child value. Um and that was the truly a blessing. Um we were looking for a place where was conducive for learning and like I said
what we found was more than that. Um we were looking for a safe space and um what we found was bonds that haven't been broken.
Um what we didn't realize is that with ECV and with the community center they've become part of a community. Um along with having fun and learning uh they've matured
and like I said they they built bonds that till this day have still the community center is more than just a building. Um they had programs like walk it out uh where uh they were having nurture tours and learned a lot about
that. Um mentoring um they started out being tutor and they ended up being mentors for other children. Um they had black history projects. Um my son actually chose Mr. Fred Green as his hero.
That was nice. shopping. Um they sponsored trips to the airport where they got a chance to fly out the planes and things like that doing things that they had never done before. Um this community center has meant a lot to
myself and my family. Um now my sons um one of them just graduated Mercy County with associates in science. Um my other son Josh who's a junior at Howard University and uh Yes sir.
And some of the friends that they um have met throughout the years, they keep those bonds to this very day. One's at Yale, another Rowan. Um and they still talk to this very day about their experiences at the community
center. So it means a lot to me. It means a lot to a lot of people in the Lawrence community. And um I'm just so proud to have been a part of it and I thank you for that. If there are no immediate comments, I
would like um to recognize um our county uh clerk, Miss Paula Cavllo, who is here to make a presentation. Good evening, Lawrence Council, and good evening to the audience. Um, I
appreciate every year that Lawrence Township recognizes Italian-American Heritage Month, and as a Lawrence Township resident, as the mer and as the Mercer County Clerk, I want to thank you for once again recognizing it. and um mayor and council um I'm going to read a
certificate of recognition um about our township and and you for and I commend you for that. But before I do, I just want to say a few words. I want to say that I am um an individual that was um I'm of Italian-American heritage and I was very fortunate to be
brought up in Mercer County, New Jersey. I was born here. My father was a county freeholder. My my uncle was a doctor, surgeon. My grandfather had 11 children. And among those 11 children that he had, you know, one of them was doctor, one of them was lawyer. And they all were great people. And my other grandfather was an
accountant. And all of that opportunity came because they lived in the United States of America. And they were able to leave my my one grandfather that had the 11 children was able to leave Italy and come here and have this wonderful life. And um and that's what it's all about, right? And so I know that I'm coming
here to weigh in on the community center, but I'm sure that with 11 children and having no money that programs like that made a huge difference to him. So I just want to say, you know, um now, you know, I as county clerk and run
um um and for four terms I've been county clerk, I was able to go to Italy with my girls in 2018 and read a proclamation to the mayor of my grandfather's town. And I have to say it was a full circle moment. It was one of the coolest things. And so tonight I'm
really proud to be able to read this as well and thank you all for for recognizing it. Um so in grateful acknowledgement and appreciation for your official recognition of Italian-American Heritage Month, your commitment to honoring the rich cultural heritage, contributions, and legacy of
Italian Americans reflects deep respect for the diverse histories that have shaped our community and our nation. And by recognizing Italian-American Heritage Month, you help preserve and promote an enduring legacy of civic pride, hard work, and cultural enrichment. Thank you for your
continued dedication to inclusion, representation, and historical awareness in Lawrence Township. Now, therefore, I, Paula Cabelloo, Mercer County Clerk, hereby present this certificate of recognition to the Lawrence Township Council.
Thank you so much. And I to commemorate your Italian cookies for everyone. I'm trying to get everyone. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Are there any any additional comments at
this moment for the five minutes? Thank you again. Um, Madam Cler, >> any comments or [Music] this brings us to the review of the revision of the agenda. I think we've
already covered that. Can I make a motion to table 110 ordinance number 251-25? >> Uh I have a few questions about it that I'd like the manager to be present so you can speak to them. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. I'm so sorry. I don't think we ever addressed um we welcome that you are here this evening on behalf of Mr. side. Uh, I think she just want to introduce herself, say a few words to the the public. My apologies. >> Hi everyone. I'm Tyler Newman. I'm an
attorney at the law firm Murphy Orlando. I fill in for art scipek uh t from time to time. I think I recognize a few of you for prior meetings. Always a pleasure to be here before the mayor, before the council, uh before residents, and it's a pleasure to meet everyone.
>> Thank you. person. >> Councilwoman Sanch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kaki. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor. >> Yes. Moving on for the adoption of minutes of
previous meetings. We have a motion for the June 26. Mayor, >> I'll make a motion special meeting June 26, 2025. >> You have a second. Second. >> Madam Madam Cler, if you could call the RO, please. >> Mr. Bob, >> yes.
>> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. May I'd like to make a motion to move 8B regular meeting July 15th, 2025.
You have a second call, please. >> Mr. Bob, >> abstain. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Merry, >> yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Mayor, I'll move 8 C regular meeting
August 21st, 2025. >> Second. I'm glad to be involved with >> Mr. Yes. >> Mr. Kaki. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> May. >> Yes. >> And before I move on to the agenda on my
parties, I just want to thank uh the members of the public for coming out this evening and their participation um and sharing of their thoughts with regards to the task force and all of the other uh comments that have been made. It is appreciated. I know that um your
commitment and time is important. So, thank you. I just want to recognize that publicly. >> Now, moving on to the awarding rejection of bids. >> Mayor, I'll move 9A number 329 authorizing award of bid 252 Richard P.
Barrett paving for NJ trust fund improvements avenue and stoning drive. Second m you call the role please if we can have public conversation
discussion with regards to the it agenda >> seeing none the role please. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kaki. >> Yes. >> Merry. >> Yes. Miss. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mayor I'll move 9B number 330.
Authorizing authorizing award of bid 2514 proono management LLC for municipal road. >> Second public participation for this item on the agenda.
>> Seeing none. Madam clerk call [Music] >> yes. And now we have the adoption ordinances. Mayor, I'll move 11A, ordinance number 2500-25, ordinance providing for sidewalk
improvements in and by the township of Lawrence County and Mercer, New Jersey, appropriating $29,5868.85 therefore and directing the special assessment cost there. >> Second. Is there any additional explanation for
this item? Seeing none, madam clerk, would you call the role please? Is there any public comment? Seeing none, madam clerk, can you call the vote please? >> Mr. Bob, >> yes. >> Mr. Connect, >> yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. For the manager report, I believe we have anything that best practices. Was there anything submitted for >> No, you that best practices was just for
you um for council. Okay. >> All right. So, it's for council to review >> probably give a little report on >> the following meeting. Okay. So, the direction for the manager is for council to review um what he has submitted
regarding best practices for discussion at the next council meeting in November. >> It has been submitted. We had to submit it um already. So, good. >> Okay. So if we are good with our submission or best practices.
Does the attorney have anything to report? >> Nothing to report mayor. Thank you. >> M just a few items. Elections. >> They're coming up. Okay. So we have on I
just want to go over a few dates. October 25th through the November 2nd will be early voting. Um so please take advantage of that if you like. Um the deadline for to apply for the mailin
ballots would be October 28th. Um we know that November the 4th is election um uh is election day. Uh let's see what else we have. Sample ballots will be coming out on
October the 22nd. Also, we have um uh on the 24th annual communities of lights is coming up. Uh unity that used to be formerly woman space. We're going to have some
luminaries out here on October 27th at 6:00 p. p.m. Our next meeting um due to elections will be November the 6th, which is on a Thursday. I still plan to send your books out on the third on the Friday
just but if something comes up they'll go out on Monday. Okay. And I am just finishing up working on the OPA program that has and hopefully I'll have it up and running by the beginning of November.
>> And that's it. Thank you. any um unfinished business. >> Other than that, I know we'll continue to have discussions as the council with regards to the community center um and as more information becomes public, we
will uh to share that with the public. old business or a new business. [Music] >> Okay, this brings us now again to the second opportunity for the public to make comments or participation in the
three minute Kieran 29 Road. I I just have one comment or question. Um last meeting it was uh mentioned that we might lose our $725,000 grant that went towards the fire study.
Um, and it's only a 50/50 chance that it's a huge miss on this council that started with mayor uh John Ryan at the time that continues to push things down the road that we can lose great grant money that could have been put towards
our fire and EMS and we let it push down the road. So, we need to fix these things and do it in a more timely manner and stop pushing decisions down the road. Thank you. Any comments? >> Seeing no additional comments, we'll
close the participation. Any reservations? We do have a refund, I believe. Mayor, may I ask council if we need to have a close session this evening? >> No slo
[Music] if anyone has an objection, let me know. Otherwise, I'll move 181 through H6 in the block. Second >> hearing. No objection. We have a second please. >> Could you call the role, please?
>> Mr. B. Yes. Maki. >> Yes. >> M. Perry. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Farmer. >> Yes. This brings us to council issues on reports. >> Council mayor, I would like to make a
comment concerning the um results of the committee that was presenting the fire survey. So again there seems to be some confusion on the form of government because prior to any decisions being
made the dayto-day is based on the recommendations of the business manager and he had addressed that he is making the effort to make sure that there is no loss of grants. We will not rush and we do not want to lose any money.
But a wrong decision is a bad decision. And we ask fiduciaries to make sure that this town is taken care of and that the funds that we are awarded are used appropriately and they will be.
So I just wanted to clear that up. Thank you. Anything on Elsa? Anything else? [Music] We're doing what the EP says. We're still waiting for the final approval.
Very close to it, but the is very slow. That's what's holding us up. The only thing I'll announce is early, but Veterans Day is coming 11 11 out front here. 11:00 sharp start. Uh,
I'm lined up in the military to speak and we do have a singer. So, this should be a good program, I think. Looking forward to it. >> Okay. So, I'll just um I just want to
give some updates community type of events. Um earlier this week, actually yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the Mercer County Italian-American Heritage flag raising um with um a county clerk. Um it was a
beautiful um event. It was postponed due to the weather. Um but there was a phenomenal young man who was uh the speaker, I'm sorry, I don't recall his name. uh he was a Ruckers University student and he spoke about the history
of uh the Italian-American community and uh making a push for uh inclusion some in the curriculum of uh students wanting to take a look at that. Um so that was a a very uh well put together event in
Hamilton at Veterans Park on Monday. um also had the opportunity to attend the duality celebration at the bats um temple in Robinsville. Uh that was a phenomenal coming together of the Mercer
County community and beyond. Um there were it was just a tremendous opportunity to be included in that as a member of Lawrence Township representing Lawrence Township. Um, and we have a a very strong diverse um, South Asian community
here in our town as well. But to see the celebration, the fireworks, I tell you, they were fireworks as good as uh, Disney World, you know, it was quite a showing. So, I encourage uh members of the community next year to definitely
put that on your calendar because uh celebrating our um our community of salvation. Also, uh along with um Hispanic Heritage Month, uh the governor, um earlier this month signed into law, um legislation
that is going to include Latino American um uh curriculum in grades K through 12 throughout the state of New Jersey. So, that was um a signing that occurred uh just a couple of weeks ago. And again,
it's showing the importance of including members of our community, not only um in the social aspect, but the education of our students. So, that was very exciting. Um Dr. Wooy, you my thunder
with the um the Lawrence Native um John Schneider who um as he is going to the World Series. So, one of our own grown baseball players here in Lawrence Township. Um, I got a text early this morning from my nephew at like 6:00 in
the morning, you know, wanted to make sure, you know, that I mentioned Josh Schneider. Um, we're big baseball uh fans in my family. So, um, you know, I looked him up real quick. I I've known of him and his family, so he's part of
his family. I think his brothers are still here in Lawrence Township. So, we definitely want to congratulate them, reach out to them. We'll see what happens on the other end. But nevertheless, we're proud of our Lawrence res. And in continuing with that, I don't
know. I just have a lot of good Lawrence news, I guess. Today, we have um a Lauren middle school teacher who was the beneficiary of an outstanding award that everyone saw on the news. Her name I want to just shout out is Janetti
Keeper. Let me just get this right. Kaputi and Kaput. And she was at the Lawrence Middle School. She received uh a $25,000 award um just earlier, I think it was
Friday, and you know, with all of circumstances, students, you know, were in the gym. Uh I think the secretary of education presented her with the award. Um, and it was a statewide, if not bigger, um, honor for our Lawrence
Middle School students. So, looking for maybe you can bring her in and give her some kind, you know, give her. We had a lot of people to be proud of. So, we're going to just bring them all in. Right. I like, you know, it's I enjoy recognizing our residents. We we live in
a tremendous community um, here in Lawrence Township. So, uh, anytime that we can celebrate the things that are are being accomplished is an honor. Um, I tell you definitely as a member of this council and as mayor. Um, we also want
to thank Senator Turner um, also for her anchor program um, earlier last week at the Lawrence Library. It was a very successful event and it was an opportunity for helping members in the community put a little money in their
pockets um for the anchor program. So um want to thank uh the senator for um doing that project in Lawrence and I know that also our county um clerk also is doing the same in in the county. I know today the county connection was
helping members of the Mercer County community with the anchor program. It was phenomenal. people to come in um five minutes, you know, get their applications done and it's a, you know, in times like this, every it helps.
So, thank you. And I think that that's all I have. I know I'd like to recognize Councilman Bonnet, but he said no. He's going to Okay. All right. He's doing good things. I'll just leave it at that. He's doing good things in the community. and uh shout out to you because again I believe in
celebrating the the good work that is be being done around town. So thank you. >> Anything else? No. >> Okay. >> All right. Whoa. anything we need to read communication
wise. Okay. No executive session. Okay. Motion for agend. >> All in favor? >> Again, thank you so much to all of you for coming out this season and being part of our