[Music] We good? Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming out this evening. >> Adequate notice that this meeting of the Lawrence Township Council is being held on Tuesday, August 19th, 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 Tranian, the Times, and the Princeton packet on December
19th, 2024. Madame Mayor, if I may, I think we need a correction. The uh meeting was moved from the 19th to the 21st, and that was done properly by the clerk's office, and the record should reflect that the uh notice for tonight's meeting is in fact
uh proper, and we're meeting uh pursuant to the Open Public Meeting Act. Thank you. >> Thank you, council. You're absolutely correct. Correction. At this time, we'd like to have a moment
of silence. Um, we've had um uh two losses recently um in our township. One being Mr. Frank Powinski, who was 92 and a resident of Lawrence
Township. He passed on August 15th, 2025 at his home with his family. I'd like to just weave into the record some of Mr. Nolinsky's history. He was a previous mayor several times here in
Lawrence Township, beginning his career of service in 1971. He is survived by his sister Anninsky and his children Grand Junior and his wife Patricia Cheryl and Chanise and
Kevin or our township manager and his wife Judith his grandchildren Zachary Ninsky and his wife Melanie Sophie Cassandra Christian Alexa
Jacob Allison Sarah Little Bandy Margo, Lane, Lily, Molly, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces. Ryan was a graduate of St. Herwoods Grammar School, Trenton Catholic Boys High
School, and Ryder College, class of 59. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years, including during the Korean War on the destroyer USS Fred T. Air. He was employed for 30 years by Johnson and Johnson and retired
as a director of administrative services. He served his community Lawrence Township as a councilman for 12 years which included three terms as mayor. He was commander of the American Legion post 458 in Trenton, New Jersey
and played an integral role in establishing the Tom Hammond soccer club in Lawrence. Frank was an outstanding soccer player in the Trenton area. He received all-American honors as a defender for Ryder College. He was inducted in both
Ryder College and Mercer counties halls of fame. He was a standout player for Trenton Catholic St. Michael's count and Olden Aa in the Philadelphia Major League where he was named to the Allstar
team. Greg was a parishioner of the church of Senians and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7000. For years, he delivered and donated food by the church to the members of the Mount Carmel Guild food pantry.
Rank loved spending time at his beach house and boarding a life with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He could also be found on the sidelines at many soccer, field hockey, baseball, and softball games and cities cheering on his grandchildren.
Uh, one of the requests that he made, and I'll just stay for the general public in case anyone is interested. He asked in in place of of donations could be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the
Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Miss That. So, we extend um our deep uh sympathies and condolences to the Ninsky family. Also of recent passing in our township was Leon J. Kavita.
Leon was a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville and a graduate of Trenton High School, class of 56. He was 87, living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he passed away peacefully on July 28th, 2025.
Uh, Leon was born in Trenton on July 18th, 1938 to the late Leonid Norda. Okay, as I mentioned, Leon was a resident of Lawrenville. He was he proudly served in the US Army. He graduated from Tren State College where
he became uh where he earned both bachelor and master's degree. And he was employed with the New Jersey Department of Education. Um he had an also he coached soccer, which is big ass here in Lawrence. all
of us basketball and baseball while serving in many civic and charitable organizations including the Lawrence JC's Hammond soccer and finally as mayor of Lawrenceville. He was married to Elizabeth and Lewis
and they resided in Hilton Head. He was preased by his sister and his son Chris and he survived by his wife Betty. his son Keith and Katie, Jim, Ken, grand 10 grandchildren, three
great grandchildren, and additional many nieces, nephews, sisters, and brother-in-laws. There will be a Christian burial um celebration on Saturday, September 20th at the Church of St.
And for Mr. Colorado in lie of uh flowers they're asking uh contributions to the Christopher Colorado scholarship fund. Okay, that's what I have for today.
And at this moment we will have now Oh, wait. Do we have we have the moment of silence? Sorry. Got to do that. Thank you. And now we'll have the inspiration. Okay. We carry out our work at this
meeting in a just, honorable, and sincere manner. always bearing in mind our duties and continuing to keep glorious a wonderful community in which to live. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam clerk, if you could call the role, please. >> Mr. Bobby, >> here. >> Mr. Kaki here. >> Miss Perry >> here. Miss Sanchez
>> here. >> Mayor Farmer >> here. At this time, you will have a presentation from the mayor's task force on the Lawrence Community Center updates. Thank you, Mayor Martha Friend
of the Mayor's Task Force. And in fact, um Dave Spalding had hoped to give this update, our final update, because next month will be um us sharing the final report, but when it was moved from Tuesday to Thursday, he wasn't able to be here. So, I'm pinch hitting for him.
So, this is our update to the Lawrence Township Council. We're the mayor's task force on the future of the Lawrence Community Center. And we were it was established this task force to gather community input, identify concerns and priorities, and
recommend a vision for the center that reflects the needs of all Lawrence residents. As I said, the task force will deliver its final report on September 16th. And for the public just to remember that meeting is at 6:30 instead of 6.
This interim update provides council with a summary of our work completed to date and the steps that we have remaining before our September report is released. There's three kind of big themes in work completed to date. The first one is community engagement.
Surveys, structured surveys on Lawrence Community Center strengths and challenges and desired future functions were filled out. There was a town hall and small group discussions contributing feedback on inclusion, accessibility,
recreation, programming, and partnerships. There were written submissions collected through emails, letters, comment forms that further detailed community needs. Three key themes were identified
throughout this concerns and priorities, specifically inclusivity, accessibility, scheduling, storage space, shared use with nonprofits, and adequate staffing. Another key theme that was identified
throughout all of that was the mission and future vision. It was clear that a center that bridges divides across neighborhoods, ages, and incomes while promoting collaboration, transparent, transparency, and community
pride was important. And the third key theme that was identified was about legacy. preserving the cent's legacy as both a symbolic and practical space for Lawrence's collective history and future growth.
Survey results were compiled, open-ended responses were coded for recurring themes, and meeting notes were summarized to ensure consistency. An independent research professional who will be here next month as well conducted both quantitative and
qualitative analysis. Task force members applied the council's criteria to the findings and we formed a united set of recommendations rooted in resident input. The remaining work before September 16th
for us to do is we are still working on that final draft report and a presentation. The presentation will be structured with a PowerPoint so everybody can see here and at home summarizing the recommendations on each
of the council's charges. It will ensure clarity, consistency, and accuracy. We're doing that in formatting, grammar, so it's clear. We're also working to redact resident names and personal details to main confid to re uh maintain confidentiality
when people handed in or said something that we're just making sure that's taken out their name, just their name. On uh the September meeting, we're going to deliver final copies to council and we'd like to get that uh and we'll get
that to you clerk. We're going to print them out if that's okay to make it a little bit easier to by the 10th unless we hear differently from you. Um, and we will have 50 additional printed copies at that um, September 16th meeting for the public.
And we are going we're working with the mayor to be able to publish an online version uh for public access access for those folks who can't be at that meeting including all statistical data, community themes, representative quotes um so we can be as clear as possible
because remember we are sharing what we found out from the community. In conclusion, the task force has made significant progress in gathering resident input and identifying shared concerns, priorities, and aspirations for the Lawrence Community Center. Um, the final phase
that's going to focus on producing a clear evidence-based report and presentation will be presented September 16th, 6:30. Uh and the task force will present council with this uh comprehensive vision for the future of the Lawrence Community Center, one that
reflects the voices and collective aspirations of Lawrence residents. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Miss Bren, for that update and all of the hard work of the task force that has been done thus far. We're
anxiously anticipating those results. We're committed. Okay. At this time are there any other presentations for Okay, we will move now to the portion of the meeting for the public participation. This is a five
minute limit. The thing is not on you come forward. Just please state your name and either say your address or I believe you can write it down. >> Good evening mayor, council members, town manager, clerk and deputy clerk. My name is Rupali Chakraali.
C H A K R A B A R T I and I'm a resident of South Brunswick Township. I live about half a mile from the proposed compressor station 206 that is part of the Williams Transco northeast supply rehensen project known as Nessie
and I have been opposing Nessie since 2016. They first tried to build it in 2016 and 2020 they didn't get the water permit so it was not built. But this year they have reapplied and they want to build it in it's it's on route 27
near Route 27 near the trap rock coral. On June 20th of this year, my friend Elizabeth Rodell sent a copy of the resolution passed by South Brunswick Township opposing the construction and installation of the proposed compressor station and opposing the entire uh
proposal. She asked if the Lawrence Council would consider adopting a similar resolution. Since that time, 14 towns across New Jersey have passed similar resolutions and they include Franklin Township, Montgomery Township, Rocky Hillbarrow,
Hasllett, Kaport, Highlands, Union Beach, Abedine, Atlantic Highlands, Matawan, Seabbrite, Middletown, and Oldbridge because this pipeline is going to go from here down to the shore and it's going to go under the Raritan Bay,
under the lower New York Bay, and to Long island. So, all these towns are going to be affected by that. I won't go into all the details of the project and how dangerous the proposed 20 32,000 horsepower 2 engine gas fired
compressor station will be for the residents of this area. It's going to be built next to the trap rock quarry and also a super fun site. The Higgins Farm super fun site is right there and they're going to build the compressor station right next to it.
So uh it was it's all in the letter that Elizabeth had sent you and I have copies here if if you would like it. Uh and as I mentioned they had applied in 2016 and they didn't get the permit but this year on May 29 they again submitted it and
they want to do it expedite. They want to expedite it. So it's all moving very fast and we are um opposing it and we are u writing to the NJ all the reasons why it shouldn't be. uh it's going to um toxic chemicals are going to come out
from this uh when they burn natural gas in their turbines and that's going to spread over this area and they're going to contaminate the water too and of course the risk of um explosions and fires is always there. Another thing that's has come to our
attention is that this uh I know there's a compressor station here in Lawrence, right? There is and this one is only 11 miles away that they're going to build in Franklin Township. So therefore, we are asking that Lawrence join with the
other New Jersey towns to oppose Nessie and to demonstrate to the governor, the NJP, and to FK and your constituents that this is not a good idea for our densely populated area. Thank you.
Would you like to have copies? >> Yes, if you could the copies to the show. Yes, please. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. I hope you will consider it. I hope you will put it on the agenda.
My name is Diane Hire. I live in San Francisco Brunswick as well. Um so I'm just showing you this is the area that the um pollution from the gas compressor. This is the gas compressor right here. Everybody can
see. and it will float over this amount of area depending on which way the wind blows. So that's one thing I just want to point out. And also it will impact our neighborhood toxins in the air
resulting health risk, acid rain, constant noise from it, gas blowdowns, gas release, gases released and it's very loud as in a jet plane. um the odor from it, contaminated water, plants, farms and animals will be
affected and risk of explosions and fire. The quarry track is an active quarry and dynamites on a weekly basis. So I I just can't imagine that it won't blow up if they build this. Very dangerous. I'll be
a mile from it. We probably will be living across the street. She lives across the street from where they're going to build it. So that's all I wanted to say. >> Thank you. Did you want to submit that for us to look at or >> Yes, sure. Sure.
>> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you for your time. I hope you oppose it. Thank you. Is there any other public participation at this time? Seeing none closing uh public
participation on the agenda is are there any revisions that we need to make on the agenda for tonight's meeting? >> Mayor, I'd like to add a resolution to the agenda. So, I'd like to move adding uh resolution 18H10, resolution expressing support for the formation of
a regional water authority as the provider of drinking water services to Lawrence Township and surrounding communities. >> So, do I have a I can ask second >> Mr. Bob? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Merry, >> no.
Yes. Mayor Brown. >> No, it pass any other additional agendas, changes or right now moving into the adoption of minutes from previous minutes and we'll
take them one by one. Mayor, I'll move 8 regular meeting April 1st, 2025. >> You have a second call, please. >> Mr. Bobby, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> M. Perry, >> yes. >> Miss Sus,
>> abstain. >> Mayor Farmer, >> yes. Next we have U regular meeting April 15, 2025. Do we have a motion? Mayor, if >> I could ask a question. Um I was not there. So can I still move this? Is that
all right? >> You can't vote on it. >> Completely understand. All right. So I will, if I may, I'll move uh AB regular meeting April 15, 2025. [Music] Do >> you have that madam clerk? >> Yes.
Call of >> Mr. Bid >> abstain. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Miss Perry, >> yes. >> Miss Santos, >> abstain. >> Mayor B. >> Yes. >> I'll move 8 C special meeting April 9th,
2025. >> Second. Madam Cler, please call. >> Mr. Bobin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kaki. >> Yes. >> Miss Perry. >> Yes. >> Miss Santos. Abstain. Mayor Farmer >> abstain. Move
>> 8D. Close session March 18th, 2025. >> Second. >> Madam cler, can you call the role, please? >> Mr. Bob, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Miss Perry, >> yes. >> Miss Santos, >> abstain. >> Mayor Farmer, >> yes.
I move a close session April 1st, 2025. Second clerk, can you call the RO please? >> Mr. Bob, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, yes. >> M Perry, >> yes. >> Abstain. Mayor B.
>> Yes. [Music] >> Move 8F close session April 15, 2025. >> Second. Madam cler, please. >> Mr. Bley, >> abstain. Mr. >> Mr. Kash.
>> M. Barry. Yes, >> Miss Santos. >> Abstain. >> Mayor Farmer. >> Yes. >> I move 8G. Close session May 6, 2025. >> Second.
>> Madam Clerk, you call the RO. >> Mr. Bobby, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> yes. Santis, >> yes. >> Mayor, >> yes. 8H close session June 5th 2025
>> second clerk you can call the role please >> Mr. Bobett >> yes >> Mr. Kaki >> yes >> Merry >> yes >> San >> yes >> yes >> and the last one I'll move 8 I close
session July 15 2025 >> second call the roses Mr. Mr. Bain, >> M. Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Merry, >> yes. >> Miss Santos, >> yes. >> Mayor Farmer,
>> yes. >> Okay. And I just want to take a moment to thank both, Madame Clerk and Deputy Clerk on um bringing all of these units up to date. Thank you for that. It took a minute to read along, but greatly
appreciate your efforts in bringing us up to speed. Thank you so much for your hard work. >> Now we're moving to the awarding and or rejection of bids. >> I'll move uh 9A number 271 authorizing
bid 25-10 to I plan tables for acquisition of three plan review tables and one tabletop plan review table. Second. This is a an effort for the township to comply with um state law that is
allowing for plans to be submitted by um by the internet and so and reviewed by uh these particular I planet tables. So it allows us to um expedite the process. Right now up until now for decades it
was raised seal only that our inspectors could um work under. So this is going to streamline the position and hope hopefully increase better services. >> Thank you. >> Is there any questions from the public
at this time? See none, please. >> Do we have a second on that? >> Oh, we did. Okay. >> Mr. Bobbit. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kaki. >> Yes. >> M. Perry. >> Yes. Miss Santos,
>> yes. And farmer, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> I'll move 9B number 22 272 authorizing award of bid to Silito Nadu >> painting and remodeling for housing
rehabilitation at 139 Glenville Drive, Carol Bast. >> Second. >> This is a part of our affordable housing rehabilitation program. Any questions from the public? >> Seeing none, madam clerk, if you could
call the role. >> Mr. Bobbit, >> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> Miss Perry, >> yes. >> M Santos, >> yes. >> Mayor Farmer, >> yes. >> I'll move 9 C number 273 authorizing bid award a bid to Sylvia Nuto
remodeling for housing rehabilitation at 169 Marro Road, Alfredo Perry and Stacy Jackson. Second. same situation. It's a part of our affordable housing rehabilitation program. Okay. Thank you. Any questions
from the public? >> Seeing none. Madam clerk, if you could call the role, please. >> Mr. Bobbit. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kaki. >> Yes. >> M. Perry. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Mayor Farmer. >> Yes. I'll move 19 D number 286 authorizing
order bid 259 to sunset creation for Colonial Lakes Shoreline Landscape Restoration. >> Second, >> Mr. Rinsky. >> Yeah, this is a bid that will help us attend to the Colonial Lake Shoreline
Landscape Restoration Program and uh this allows the work to commence if you were to vote yes. Thank you. >> Any questions of the public? Seeing none. Madam clerk, if you could call the vote in. >> Mr. Pap,
>> yes. >> Mr. Kaki, >> yes. >> M. Perry, >> yes. >> Santos, >> yes. >> Mayor, >> yes. >> Okay. Now we move into the introduction of our ordinances. First meeting. I don't believe you have anything. So, we're going to move on to
section 11, adoption of current ordinances that we will be voting on this evening. Mayor, I'll move 11A, ordinance number 2498-25, an ordinance amending ordinance number 2494-25, salary ordinance of the township of
Lawrence, unclassified and/or exempt seasonal emergency non-union employees for 2023 through 2025 as title of deputy municipal manager schedule B grade 22. second.
>> As you know, this this was um an idea that came from the governing body uh sensing that there was a need u for um additional uh assistance at the higher level of the
office manager's office. And I'll just put on the record um I shared with you a communication back in June um that um kind of describes what I do and how I and then basically how I think that this uh deputy municipal manager
let me be clear I can do my job. Does this position make us better as a as a municipal government, more proactive um having projects done um sooner rather than later? Absolutely. Does it would be
it would something it would be something that would move our um town uh further and faster in terms of getting things done and um hopefully um it works out.
Um, currently as the municipal manager, I have undertaken um, uh, multiple roles. Director of public safety, which is the administrative oversight of police, fire, EMS, and 911 service. Director of community development, overseeing a broad range of functions
that relate to planning, land use, housing, zoning, economic development, and community revitalization. director of affordable housing, administration of affordable housing program which includes management of the rehabilitation program and serving as the qualified purchasing agent. The QPA
is a state certified professional who brings expanded purchasing authority to our municipality ensures legal, ethical and efficient procurement practices. In addition, I'm the lead negotiator for labor negotiations with the seven unions that represent our township. This is all in addition to the statutory obligations
that I have under our particular charter and um includes uh interactions with residents and business owners who have concerns. Um since our form of government uh the municipal manager is the administrator. Given all those things, um um the
creation of the deputy municipal manager position the way I envision envision it to be is um designating this particular individual to be the director of public safety. We have a full intention to um
increase and better fortify our police department over the next several years. We have um we have the EMS that needs oversight. We have 911 um dispatchers that we have now taken in as our direct
employees which will bring a host of personnel issues to have to deal with as well. And we have the uh commitment to transition into a full-time fire department which will involve increasing
our salaried employees and bring a host of other problems that I think that a director of public safety separate from myself could um do um a real good job in terms of being proactive and working with um our department heads in those
areas. um uh given it that the deputy municipal manager would also handle uh projects under the direct supervision of myself. Um, and so I think we're at the
crossroads in terms of um, we have come out of a serious financial situation from the early 2000s to 2015 where we had to retract our municipal government in terms of staffing and we're now
operating slowly growing to the level that I think we need to be at in terms of providing services um, to the community. And so, um, given your idea, and I'm embracing that idea because I think we could do really good things,
um, uh, it's our intention to comply with the law, have, um, have, uh, a period of time where applications and resumeumés will be reviewed and interviews will take place, and we will find try to find the perfect match for
what we need. Thank you for that explanation and level of detail. We appreciate >> any other comments for >> I think the time has come for this position to
>> microphone. >> Sorry, I have a cold. I think the time has come for this position um in light also of the other things that we're dealing with potential consolidation and those surveys that would be something that would turn into this person's hand,
he or she. >> Thank you. We'll now have um the opportunity for public comment [Music] council. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this public hearing on the ordinance tonight.
I'm here to speak against agenda item 11A adding the position of deputy municipal manager. I cannot understand why this ordinance was introduced last meeting but on the agenda tonight for final passage. The need for a deputy municipal manager to assist the current municipal manager who
makes close to a quarter of a million dollars is extremely questionable. The function and the workload of this job has not changed in many years and the previous township managers hired at a much less of salary did their jobs exceptionally well without the need of assistance.
I often wonder how our municipal manager could give his full-time attention to the public when he also runs a full service law practice. My first thought was that maybe the township manager doesn't put enough time into his job and maybe spending too much time tending to his law practice. After all, his
manager's office is only 2,000 feet away from his private law office. According to the Lawrence Township administrative code, full-time services required for officers and employees. Every municipal officer employee whose compensation is
established on a full-time basis shall devote his entire time during business hours to the duties of his office. For the purpose of this public hearing, I have a direct question to council who oversees the manager. Who is the individual responsible for
verifying that the manager is devoting the proper time to his job as required by ordinance? And what is the system in place to verify his attendance during business hours? I mean, I would say as mayor, I'm in constant
communication with the um with the manager daily or throughout the day and uh I'm often in in counsel, you know, here in town hall interacting. So, uh, I feel I personally feel I have a good
sense of the level of commitment and time that the manager gives to this township. >> Mayor, >> so um, respectfully, Mr. and all of the residents here. Um, just to be clear, we asked for this position,
not the manager, because there are things that are coming down the line. You have elected us to make sure that we make the right decisions for the future, not just the now. So there is going to be greater need and greater work that we feel that it would
be best if this position this person handle that need that's coming down the line. Now as far as what Mr. Dwinsky does on his personal time as far as his personal practice that's his business. He is here and attentive to what we need when we
need him. Are we always on the same page? No. That's not the point of this exercise. You have elected us to make the right decision for this township to make sure that we are covering all the needs of now and the things about to happen and
that's why we as a council requested this position. I'll continue clearly to have a >> order public hearing. I question. >> Okay. Yeah.
>> I can finish. >> Clearly, this ordinance points to the fact that the manager needs help to discharge his duties. There are many reasons that an employee may not be fulfilling his job requirements in a timely fashion and far too often is because an employee may have performance
issues. It is not only council's duties, but it's council's obligation to give the manager a written annual performance review evaluations. I have a question for council. Does the council give the township manor manager a written yearly evaluation
and when was the last one performed? >> We're getting into personal discussion. I I don't know. I'm I'm not aware of uh the situation involving any any written performance that would go into an area
of personnel that we we may not be able to discuss this evening in in a public meeting. >> Thank you. In regards to the manager fulfilling his job duties, the manager clearly stated last meeting that he needs help in being
proactive and that the reason is for this ordinance. The Lawrence Township of Administrative Code requires in article 4 titled Township Manager Section 10-29 powers and duties states that at least once a year the managers to provide an annual report to council on the
administration of the township government. I have a question for council. Has council ever received any such annual report from the manager? And if so, when was the last time you received an annual report?
>> Anytime anytime you want me, >> it was directed towards council. >> So, does any of the other members would like to comment on that? Well, I I was in the past we we we've had conversations with the township
manager about his performance, but that hasn't happened probably in the >> That wasn't the question. >> I'm sorry. I was It was the annual report. >> I did not during budget season, we have extensive conversations with the manager with regards
>> annual report. Written annual report. Yes or no? I believe we had something written >> an annual report >> something glossy that we hand out to the public that I'm not >> if that's your answer that's fine. Thank you. We need to move on. >> Yes.
>> My other concern about hiring a deputy manager is that the current manager has many ethically challenged issues. >> You're way over five minutes but please >> council this is a public hearing. My my >> it's a town council meeting. It's not a public hearing.
>> No, there there's provision in >> there is there is a limit of five minutes a judicial opinion that people can speak for five minutes unless uh council allows additional time. It's
it's up to council as to how long someone can speak. You can't speak all night. >> I'm not speaking all night. Council >> you are. Okay. And please read the administrative code because I believe >> I'm very familiar with it. >> The administrative code says I can finish my thoughts. >> Yeah.
>> And Judge Planber's opinion says otherwise, but I'm not here for a debate. >> Neither am I. Council. >> Well, he sounds like you are. >> No. My other concerns about hiring different managers. The current manager has many ethically challenged issues in the discharge official duties over the past few years that have made council
members aware of and I've asked council to investigate the manager for an appearance of impropriy. Some of those concerns were ethical concerns of selected code enforcement, the ethical concerns of the private hiring of a full-time township staff member to do chores at his private residence, ethical
concerns of submitting a township purchase order to pay for a building statement made out to his law practice worth thousands of dollars. Those items bring me to another major concern. How will this new employee handle sensitive situation if that person is instructed to do something by the manager that is
ethically challenged? >> Thank you, Mr. We'll stop there. You may >> This council is at risk for not providing basic supervisory oversight to the manager. This is even more evident by the recent SEAL lawsuit by several
employees that cost the taxpayers Lawrence Township literally millions of taxpayer dollars because it appears yes >> we did give you additional time. >> According to your code, I can finish my thoughts. >> Okay. >> And the judges and judge Fineberg's opinion isn't in the code.
>> Okay. I have one paragraph. May I finish, please? >> Can you shorten it for us, please? >> Thank you. This council is at risk for not providing basic supervisor oversight to the manager. This is even more evident by the recent SEAL lawsuit by several employees that cost a taxpayer at Lawrence Township little millions of tax
dollars because it appears by the testimony that was given in depositions of Lawrence Township is in a managerial crisis with other secret lawsuits to follow. >> One million. >> Lawrence Township needs to provide ongoing executive oversight. But wait a moment. I think you're now false concept
and there's no evidence of taxpayer dollars >> taxpayer dollars by increased insurance. Thank you. >> There's no evidence of any increase. >> I know you guys I know you guys tell me not to talk.
I'm I apologize to all of you, but I'm sick and tired of the false allegations that that man says all the time. All the time. And the reason why he says it, I believe, is because he was the guy that
recommended me for this job and I did not give him access to me to make decisions. I would not do that. I make my own decisions based upon the the information, the facts and circumstances and what's the best interest of this
community. I don't listen to him. I disagree with almost everything he's done and I know his record as a council member. Number one, it's false to get up here and say I run a full-time law practice. That's a lie. It's a lie. And
when you talk about my office, are you talking about my house where there's nobody in there? Second, we have a contract, an employment contract. There are no hours for the municipal manager
because I'm on call all the time. Okay? Morning, early morning, evenings, weekends. You guys call me all the time and you need information. It's the reason, and it's not a new contract. This is the contract that existed when he approved it for prior manage. All of
a sudden, I'm held to a different standard. I'm tired of it. And millions of dollars of taxpayer money was not spent in that litigation. We identified that we wanted to defend it to the tilt. It took six years to defend
it and the insurance company made the decision to use their money to pay it. Not a dime went to the settlement. Not a dime. I'm tired of it. You think you can get up here and make any allegation? That's what it is. Even the article in
the paper about the police officers claims, allegations, that's where we are right now. What it's not about facts and evidence. It's about allegations. You get up here to try and defame me and defame my character. And all I try to do
is the best for my for my community and for the people that I work with and to the great employees of this town. So, I'm tired of you. Tired of it. Be a man. Say facts. Say evidence. You have the right to do an ethical charge against me
at any time. You know this. And you've done nothing. And you come up here and you say that I'm ethically challenged for ridiculous reasons and you do nothing. And you know that you can. >> So, I apologize to everybody here for defending my own name, but I'm tired of
it. Madam Mayor, >> my stomach turns every time I come here because of those two individuals. >> If I may, Madam Mayor, [Music] >> I serve the great.
>> Okay. And >> I do know if you want if you want to speak on behalf of Mr. I'm speaking on behalf of Mr. but I'm
saying to you I served with right polity >> when I served and under the previous manager I never got a written report from him on anything. I can remember at post 458
that Greg and four other people came up to me in that bar and said how much they wanted Kevin to be our manager. That he's the perfect person. He's from Lawrence. He grew up in Lawrence and he would be the perfect person. All right,
Greg. I served with you. I know what you said. I might be old, but I don't forget. >> Okay. We're getting a little off. >> Yeah, we are. We're gonna take a fiveinut reset. Bear with us. I'm good. Thank you.
>> Well, you know what? That would be that would be But after they would have discuss it with our managers, when the office [Music]