In compliance with the open public meetings act of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting, specifically the time, date, and public call and information were included in the meeting that was electronically sent to the Echosetin Morris daily record and posted on the township website. The agenda and public handouts can for this meeting can
be viewed online at www.longhillnj.gov. A public comment period will be held in the order it is listed on the meeting agenda. Failure of the governing body to provide a live of this meeting or technological problems encountered during this meeting that can affect remote viewing and/or participation will
not invalidate this meeting or any action taken including but not limited to the adoption of any ordinance, resolution or motion. >> Committeewoman Fettis. >> Committeeman Liberado >> present. >> Committee Verlesa
>> present. >> Deputy Mayor Dorsy >> I'm here. >> Mayor Peria >> present. there. >> All right. So, we'll start off the fund tonight. We're going to open the meeting of the public for remarks to agenda
items only. >> The only issue is just just for the public's knowledge. Ordinance 585-26, it's an introduction of first reading. It's about some committees. We're going to adjourn that to the next meeting. So, it'll be discussed then. And ordinance
584-26 about the uh the new tree regulation. We're going to continue the public meeting on May 13th. So, we're going to make some changes to We're going to continue the public meeting on May 13th. >> Public hearing. >> Public hearing. Sorry. >> So, anybody have anything they want to
discuss on the agenda tonight for three minutes? >> Charles Rena with Millington. I've got people behind me that came to discuss the agenda that was dropped. I mean, I think we need a little more notice than that than two minutes. I
just came from California here. I drove in a car from New York airport. It was a hour and 25 minutes to get here and I've been up since 6:30 California time for this meeting and you cancel the the topic. >> You can still talk about it. >> Oh, can I talk about it now? >> You better get a faster car from New
York airport somewhere in 20 minutes. >> There was two wrecks on 78. >> You look a little tired. I agree with lifelong resident Carol Pro's email to the township committee about these ad hoc committees.
I'd like you to comment tonight on what drove you to make these changes, proposed changes to the ad hoc committees, given the fact, was there a problem with the recreation committee? Was there a problem with open space? Was there a problem with historic preservation? And was there a problem
with beautifification? I'd also like to remind you maybe deputy mayor and Mr. Verlesa that when Aubrey was on this board we you guys agreed and gals agreed we would not surprise the
residents with any ordinances. We're going to discuss it in advance and then tell you it's coming. Does everybody have a shortterm memory? So, when you open up the reading on this, I'd like Mayor Deputy Mayor to
comment on why you didn't have an advanced discussion on this item. Thank you very much. >> Well, first, I'm not familiar with Miss Praza's email. Not that she didn't send it. I just didn't see the emails today. I didn't read any. Uh, second, I obviously prefer everybody be here to
discuss this. This is actually it's the mayor's ordinance, I believe. So he would be the best that's suited to discuss that topic and I don't want to have this discussion without him here. So that's and >> well yes but we'll still rather have him in person and furthermore now you get three chances to talk about it because
you got to talk about it tonight and then first reading and second reading. So we have more public uh input on it now and I think we might have talked about it last meeting too. So you get four four discussions about it. So it's more so if you have any more comments not right now but going further then we can hear them as well and you can hear
them to the full body. Mr. Fast >> thank you. Um I was all prepared to talk by the way Larry Fast uh from Gillette and former HPAC chair and founding member. Um I have a long would fit in
three minutes but I have a long list of things to discuss. Um, I think it should probably be held, but they concern many of the defects that I see in the HPAC component of this. And since you're going to be dra dragging this out over another couple of weeks, if you would
like me to be part of that discussion in order to turn it into something that's a little more viable and realistic, um, from my experience on the the grants grtor side on historic preservation and project management, just say the word. I'll be there. If you have something you
want to submit to Randy, Randy, Jack, yeah, send them over. >> I've just got Well, I've got my talking bullet points here. I don't have it in >> put an email and send it over. That way, we'll have it in advance. >> But yeah, um Jack, are you the point person on dealing with this?
>> Yeah. Megan. >> Okay. Well, we'll put that together and >> you know, within the next weeks, but it's on the next agenda, I understand. >> Yes, it's going to be on the next meeting. >> Okay. We'll be talking. >> Thank you, Mr. Hunt.
>> Huntington, current chairman of HPAC. Um, we were prepared to speak tonight, but I think what we're going to do is we will prepare an email for you also with our points and then we will discuss them at the next meeting. >> Good idea. >> Anyway,
>> you want to speak anyway? >> Thank you. >> Um, okay. Well, I think I'm going to read start out with I sent you all an email and miss I want to say D. I'm sorry. Your >> name is
>> I apologize for sending yours later than everyone else's because on the town website your name is not up there. I finally found it buried somewhere and so just so everyone knows that um the website needs to be updated. Anyway, this basically was the email that I
wrote and then I'm going to go through some of the facts um or some of additional problems with u 585-26. But my email was under consideration is a policy where the township committee appoint all volunteers to our
subcommittees annually. Hence all members would be appointed for a one-year term. Cursory research of business schools recommend that best practice for both public and private sector indicate that while one-year terms do exist, particularly for
temporary task needs or fulfillment of unexpired terms, the most common term length for standing advisory committee is three years with staggered appointments. Staggered multi-year terms are used to ensure continuity in knowledge and experience, preventing a
full turnover in a single year. Additionally, one-year terms can be reserved for associate or alternate members or temporary committees. Furthermore, long longer terms allow for a more thorough understanding of the complexities of continuing projects
which often take time to fully understand and annual turnover would hinder and most likely slow down productivity. Unless I misunderstood, the considered resolution would also require that the township committee appoint the chairman
for each committee. the township committee. And as knowledgeable as you are, you cannot possibly know the strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge banks and time constraints of each individual serving on your subcommittees. At the same level as at
the same level as the subcommittee's co-members. Therefore, selection of officers should be the responsibility of the co of the subcommittees. Additionally, the township committee members should consider and review all formational regulations, resolutions,
charters, bylaws, statutory requirements for the subcommittees. These were all formed differently with different purposes. They they have different structure and there's a reason why every single one of them has a different structure. It just oh well, let's do this one and let's do that one. That's
not how it happened over the years. Consideration must also be given to peripheral requirements like those imposed by the master plan on us. For instance, most subcommittees were formed by township revolution resolutions revolutions a few times maybe but an
understanding of the unique needs and responsibilities and membership requirements. So then uh Fred and I and you sure you don't want to do this? >> Okay. Fred and I worked together a very uh Oh, I have I have a uh copy of it for
everyone. >> Or do you want me just to go ahead because I'm not giving up something to them. Uh a year ago I was up here when you approved >> a very significant revision
to HPAC's ordinance was like March 12th 25 and um in reviewing the changes that have been proposed
I discovered an error in your in the uh uh the statute that you were using and I realized that was an error that we corrected when we revised it last year. So you were basing uh some of your
changes to HPAC on an obsolete statute, one that had already been replaced. So you may want to take a look at it again. >> Um >> Go ahead. No, go ahead. Sorry, Fred. Um,
okay. Just starting at the top, um, our charter basically says that, um, we have nine regular members, and there's a reason for that. Now, in the new the new 585-26,
there is no indication of any specific membership. You could decide on any given year to appoint one, one member, 25 members. I mean there's no there's no standard there. We need continuity. The kind of work we do
you when we're working on grants goes for months at a time we work on these things. And for those of you that have been around know that HPAC has written grants that have brought this town over half a million dollars um volunteer voluntarily I've got to say to to
restore the old schoolhouse. So we need the continuity of a consistent membership on a rotating basis and the way it's set up now is three three and three. Um let's see there also our
knowledge base is based on three classifications of membership. Uh the different very different specific requirements are put in there and the new ordinance has no requirements at all. Well, I think I'll
be on HPAC. I don't happen to know anything about the history of the town and I've lived here an hour and a half and I have no history background or I mean I mean this would be the type of person you could put on. I'm not saying you folks would. I know you I know you do a good job, but you're putting together something for the future. And
how do you know in two years or five years what these folks are going to be like or what they're going to do? So, you really must think about that. Also, uh let's go to page two. uh HPAC elects by by your statute a
chair, a vice chair, and a secretary. And as I've already been covered, that uh it would have you appointing that person. Um the current statute also says that HPAC um no HPAC member shall be permitted to
act on any matter which has either directly or indirectly personnel personal or any uh financial interests. There's no mention of that in the new statute. uh collaboration. We have
um we have a responsibility for collaboration of both the township archavist and historian. Now the new proposal prohibits committees members from communicating with township employees or officials directly. Now
both the historian and the archavist are statutory jobs. You appoint them. They have rules set by the state. If I read this the way it's written, we can't talk to our own advisors
without going through somebody doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense. Um the other thing it also suggests that we basically can't talk directly to you. I reread this thing. Um let's see.
Uh we also have a responsibility for when a building a building of historic significance is demolished in town or about to be demolished in town and we've done in the excuse me in the past we've
come to you and said or asked for permission to spend some of the historic trust to document for the future the history of it. Again there's no mention of that responsibility at all. So whether or not we would even be allowed
to do that. Um we we in the past we have traditionally worked with other departments and the way this the way it's currently written we're sort of prohibited from doing that. Um we've worked with Lisa we put
together a historic scavenger hunt one year we you know we've done various things. We need to be able to committees need to be able to work with each other in this town. And yet the way this is written, no we can't. Uh basically I'm going to read the summary that we were going to present. Um it represents a
significant departure from the current structure, authority, and function of the historic preservation advisory committee. While the existing ordinance establishes a stable, qualified, semi-aututonomous body with defined expertise, staggered terms, and the
ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. The proposed policy centralizes the township admin centralizes within the township administrator. It reduces continuity through one-year terms, removes specific qualifications, limits direct
communication, and restricts collaboration with committees and commissions and the key town and key township roles such as historian and archavist. Collectively, these changes risk diminishing HPAC's effectiveness,
independence, and ability to fulfill its historic preservation mission, potentially undermining basically the entire committee. Um, I just not written here, but I want there is a learning curve here. In fact, Larry and
I were just talking about it. >> Yeah, we're going to all be talking about that. There is a learning curve to being on this committee. You do not learn to deal with that vault in Marstown and the old records in an hour and a half. Believe me, you're up there many, many times before you dig through the records and learn how to find your
way around. And appointing this committee on one-year terms is a disaster to well, if you want to abolish the committee, that's basically what you're going to be doing because it's going to make it non-functioning. So, that's all I I think I've got
>> I think you got it. Thanks folks. >> Done on this topic. >> Yeah, we're done. Yeah, you go do it next meeting, too. So, plus you guys submitted stuff that's actually have been helpful. >> I need them to see far, not close. >> I'm opposite of people my age.
Dennis Sandow, Millington. I am also going to offer some advice to the committee about the ordinance revising the committees, the advisory committees.
But I'm going to try to take a different tack from the previous speakers. Every year the township committee, the mayor's speech, and the new members of the township committee all talk about more communications with the public,
with the taxpayers. And yet this ordinance is diametrically opposed to that. This will reduce communications from the public rather than encourage
it. And let me tell you how I figure that first of all the township committee will make appointments to committees that are supposed to advise the township committee. But nowhere in this ordinance does it talk
about how the advice gets back to the township committee. It simply says that the committees will report to the township administrator. It says nothing about what the township administrator does. And so if you really
had a competent professional quality advisory committee, people who really knew what they were talking about, their collective output would be reported to the township administrator and he that
one person has the apparently has the authority to filter it and pass it on or not pass it on to the township committee. that's not encouraging communications. So I said, "Ah, but there is a backdoor
way that the township committee can find out what the advisory committees are doing, and that's through the leazison." And then I read the ordinance carefully, word for word, and one word was missing from that
ordinance, and that word is leazison. Apparently, the township committee will appoint these advisory committees without appointing a liaison to bring the news back or the advice or whatever
it is that the committee is supposed to do. Now, Carol has already made a case about the one-year appointment, so I won't belabor that. But let me just point out that
communications in this town in general is very poor. Our newspaper, the Mountain Echoes, then the Echo Sentinel seems to have disappeared in the past month.
And whatever news, whatever small amount of news gets printed winds up in somewhere buried on page six of a Morris County edition. The town website rarely has a means of
communication other than to fill out a form if you want to be on a committee. We've got the jumbotron out on the street which is supposed to provide interesting news about what's going on in town. But surprise,
four days from now is the street fair and it's not on the jumbotron yet. May activities at the Elks are on the sign board, but not this Sunday street fair, which is the big welcome to springtime
event on the street for the public. So, and two years ago, January, 27 months ago, the township committee discussed reestablishing the newsletter which is mailed to all the households.
That newsletter comes and goes over the past 25 years. It's on for five, six, seven, eight years. Then it's off for five, six, seven, eight years. And two years ago, January, this committee talked about
reestablishing it, even appointed a civilian to serve as the editor. Nothing has ever shown up in my mailbox since that looked like a township newsletter. And I refuse to do Facebook, so I don't
know what goes on on the Facebook page. If anything important happens, I'm sure Matt will let me know. >> At any rate, I urge you to reject this ordinance and consider what all my
colleagues have suggested as defects in that ordinance and try to strengthen the existing system rather than kill it and weaken it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Anybody online?
If anybody on Zoom would like to make a public comment regarding agenda items only, please raise your hand. Now >> I don't see anyone. >> We have a proclamation. I don't see anybody from the
commission. We have a proclamation today sometime near future. It says whereas in 1872 Nebraska Board of Agriculture established special day to be set aside for And this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. Arbor
Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. Trees can be a solution in combating climate change by reducing erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water heating and cooling costing the air
and providing habitat for wildlife. And trees are a renewable resource giving us paper wood for our fuel for our fires and countless other wood products and trees in our city property values, enhance the economic vitality of business, beautify our community and
trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Uh I therefore declare deputy mayor town Wednesday 2026 as day. I all citizens celebrate
Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and I urge all of our residents to plant trees and play in the heart and promote the wellbeing of this and all future generations. Thank you. I'll make that correction and we'll present this to the uh change. All
right, moving along. We have the ordinances obviously we said 58526 and 58426 going to be pushed to the next meeting. Okay. So, a motion on ordinance 584-26. >> Yes. May 136. Does anybody have a motion
for that? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Committeewoman Fettis. >> Yes. >> Committee Liberado. >> Yes. >> Committee Verza. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dorsy. >> Yes. All right. Now we have consent. Consent agenda resolution. Anybody have
any things they want to address is one of them >> discussbody. I'm going to ask, we're still going to vote on it tonight, but we're the same packet, but 26-18, it's authorized the township attorney to
commence combination proceedings against 1261 Valley Road, Sterling, commonly known as thermoplastic south. Just so the people know, thermoplastic south is the dilapidated building next to the Greek restaurant between the speed. So Jack, you just explain to us the public
what we're doing with that legal perspective. Yeah, the township committee has the legal authority to acquire title to property by eminent domain and it's a long drawn out process with a lot of procedures required. Uh the town committee has been attempting
to obtain title to that property for many years now. U we've had discussions with the attorney uh for the property owner and uh he doesn't show any indication to sell even though it's sitting vacant and not doing anything
and is an eyesore in the center of town. So the town committee decided in executive session at the last town committee meeting to proceed by way of eminent domain. So that will start the process. The first thing we will do is retain an appraiser and then that
appraiser will inspect the property and the property owner has to be given uh notice so that the property owner can can accompany the appraiser during the course of the inspection and as I said it's a long drawn out process but this will get the ball rolling. Thank you. Anybody on the de have any
questions? >> Thank this is long overdue and it's one of the ma main complaints in town by everybody. So, thank you, Jack, for getting that moving. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So, now, uh, let's see. Motion to motion to approve, uh,
resolutions 2611 to 26122. >> So, move. >> Second. >> Committee Fettis, >> yes. >> Committee Liberado, >> yes. >> Committee Verza, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Dorsy, >> yes.
All right, moving on. Committee report. Miss Fettis, do you have anything for us? >> No, I don't. >> Thank you. >> Frank, you got anything for us? >> Uh, I have some announcements later, but nothing for committee report. >> All right. You ready with Vick's slides, or you want me to go and kill time while you're getting ready?
>> Okay. All right. The Wednesday, April 22nd wreck uh I'm sorry, a wreck update is as follows. Spring has sprung. Uh
unfortunately, so is allergy season. Local Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 98635 was busy in the parks the past couple of weeks installing an orientering I'm sorry, installing an orientering course.
This past weekend, the troops got together and came to the park to paint the trail head and freshen it up. Over the next few weeks, this course will be completed and folks can pick up compasses in the library to learn how to use them and explore Cander Park at the
same time. Also, on April 15th, the Central School Community Services Group met with the parks and recreation director to do a park cleanup and make sure we show our park some love and keep garbage in its place. We had a big group
and many thanks go out to Izzy Diosi and her central school students for helping out. This past weekend, our local PBA hosted their annual fishing derby at Sterling Lake
Pond on Saturday. We all heard the fishing was really good. Thank you to the PBA. The NJWC project is still continuing at Sterling Lake and should be completed before
opening day on May 23rd. Today is officially Earth Day. However, in parks and recreation, we believe every day should be Earth Day. We encourage everyone to take good care of their parks and keep garbage in its
place. Consider joining us tomorrow night on April 23rd for a Red Cross CPR/ AED class. Upon completion of the class, participants will receive a certificate good for two years from the Red Cross.
The cost is $39 per person and registration is currently open on community pass. This is probably the last time this class will be offered to the public until fall of next year. Please mark your calendars for Memorial
Day. Monday, May 25th, we will have our parade beginning at 900 a.m. followed by a memorial service at Central School. Anyone interested in marching in the parade should contact the parks and recreation for more information. Also,
if you have a classic car that you would like to drive in the parade, please uh contact Lisa uh regarding that. Moving right along, recreation is now open. I'm sorry. Registration is now open to
get your memberships to Sterling Lake. We will be opening the lake on Saturday, May 23rd for swimming and then be open every weekend until June 20th. We will begin to open seven days, I'm sorry, on June 20th when we will be begin to open
seven days per week. May is mental health awareness month. Beginning May 1st, 14 communities across Union, Morris, and Essex counties will unite to launch the second annual Paint the Town Green campaign in recognation
of in recognition of mental health awareness month coordinated by New Jersey Red Cross Town Mental Health Coalition. Participating towns include New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Chadam, Fanwood, Floren Park, Longill,
Livingston, Madison, Mendum Burrow, Mendum Township, Mountainside, Summit, Summit Plains, and Westfield are coming together with a shared mission to raise awareness, expand access to resources,
and reinforce that mental health matters. So when you see those green ribbons around town, know that we are trying to bring attention to the cause and emphasize the importance of prioritizing mental well-being.
For all Longill students in grades 5 through 7, mark your calendars for our Spring Lake dance on Friday, June 5th. Chaperones are needed. Remember, this event does not run unless we get our
chaperoons out there with us. Interested in having some fun with us? Please contact the parks and recreation office to let us know if you can help. More information is available on the website. And I think last but not least,
summer camps registration is now open on community pass. Check out the website for more details. Registration is open till May 31st. Don't delay. We can't wait to make some great summer memories with the kids again.
There's more. Oh, that was not last and not least. There's an unprecedented third page here. Moving on to slide number nine. Rock on long hill with the dog days of summer
concert series. We just announced our summer lineup park rules reminder. All bicyclists shall ride with reasonable regard to safety of others. Bicycles cannot be left lying on the
ground, pavement or propped up against trees, curbs, etc. in any place where other persons may try, I'm sorry, or any other place where persons may trip over it or be injured by it. When entering
Matthew G. Caner Park, bicycles must be dismounted and walked on pathways in the presence of pedestrians. Minibbikes, all-terrain vehicles, mop mopeds, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and all
other motorized vehicles including ebikes and ecooters are not permitted in any athletic fields, park areas, or other recreation areas except when authorized by the township. That is
township ordinance number 297-12. There is important information on our website from the Bernard's Health Department about the aven bird flu and how it is affecting birds in our area. Now, it's transmittable to humans and pets, although not easily. You will want
to read more about this to understand what to do should you encounter a sick or dead bird. And now, last but not least, >> want to get more involved in our community?
Consider joining the recreation advisory committee and have some fun. Please contact Lisa or Bill in the parks recre park parks and recreation department for more information. And that concludes my update. Thank you everybody.
>> Library slides or not? I have I don't know if there's slides. >> All right. The library is open every day. Two, they got a lot going on for all ages. Typically at five at least five different offerings. A few of the programs are highlighted below. We're on
slide three. There we go. All right. Lots of author talks online. You can watch live or recorded talks with best-selling authors in person at the library this Saturday the 25th at 11:30 mindfulness class with
Anita Pacheco. Um so that' be a nice relaxing morning for everybody. Saturday, one of the big days of the library. Everybody loves it. Shredzilla is back. So the shredded return. So you have any documents you need shredded? Please bring them down between 10 to 1
hosted by the friends of the library. There is a small fee for different size containers you bring, but if you need stuff, sensitive material shredded, please bring them down. It's a fundraiser for the library. Saturday 10 to 1 and you can hit the mindfulness thing when you're done. And the last,
this is the last slide. Our fourth annual community art event. Pick up a tiny art kit and start your creative journey. And then return your artwork to the library which they'll put on display. So if kids are interested or even adults, I guess, get your art kit. You can do what you need to do in the art kit, then bring it back and it'll be
on display in the library at a short time later. I believe that's all we have from the library. All right. >> What >> do you want to do those two things? >> Oh, yes. Yes, we can do those from our community services. Um, spring into
giving. Um, they can't make it easier for you. You can drop off these the goods that they need right at Shopright as you're walking out. They have a basket. Bring it up to All Saints Church or right here in the library. They also have a donation bin. What they're looking for, at least these are the main ones, white rice, applesauce, and canned
pears. Um, pigeon peas and I don't even know what they are. Canned corn. >> They're good though. >> Oh, they are. I don't eat pe. All right. Uh, ma corn flour and shelf stable milk. That's not the only thing they need, but those are the popular items that they that they can probably move out faster
in a higher demand. And it's not just stuff you can consume. There's stuff on here you shouldn't consume, such as cleaning supplies. Um, we need all-purpose spray cleaners, sponges, bleach, uh, floor cleaners, garbage bags. So, if you have any of those, still bring them to the same place, the
library, the shop right in Sterling at the bin or at All Saints Church. And thank you to our community service coordinator and all the volunteers that help with 12 baskets. You do so much work and hopefully nobody not as many people need to go there, but it's a very worthwhile organization and they service
I think well over 50 families in the community. So, it is a needed thing. So, thank you for everybody that assists and volunteers at the organization. Thank you. All right, Randy. Administrator's report. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um, couple
things. Congressman Kaine's office has submitted a $4 million uh application and gave his support for a grant for funding and uh d snagging the Maic River for five communities. um Berkeley Heights, Longheld,
Chatterboro, New Providence, and Summit. Uh that doesn't mean that we have the grant. It means that it has been submitted and uh and we have support for it. Uh we'll probably know later in the year if uh we're successful uh with this
grant. We have a preconstruction meeting for Longill Road phase one and Chestnut Street for April 27th. um at which time we should be getting a schedule for those two roads and we will be posting that on the website so everybody is
aware of the uh intended schedule. New Jersey American Water is continuing to do project in the um Sterling Lake Park as well as work sore work throughout the township uh for for um mostly in the
roads. are extending the sewer uh sewer lines for uh new uh capacity and new uh residents to tie in um tennis courts and the basketball court project. Uh we
received a uh proposed change order. were in discussions with the contractor concerning those change that change order and we they do have a new um employee there that's taken over for our contact. So we're hoping to bring him up
to speed and uh get that project moving um as soon as we can. Planning and zoning. We have seven applications before the board of adjustments for various residential improvements. Uh we have also issued nine zoning permits during the month of March. Uh in the
clerk's office, we issued 45 dog licenses. For those people that have not gotten a dog license, summones will be sent out to four 56 dog owners for not renewing. Uh so you can expect those summones very shortly or come in and get
your dog license. They issued four yearly parking permits and uh 507 daily parking permits. They had 116 other registrations uh licenses request process um and the like. in the
fire prevention. They had sent out 171 invoices to local businesses uh for this year's uh fees, 17 food truck approvals, 16 home sale inspections, and they had
18 fire in incidences whereby four investigations were completed. Uh code enforcement, we had 42 complaints come through the office. All 42 complaints were investigated and notices and/or summones were sent out as appropriate and 10 uh temporary sign
permits were issued. In the finance uh realm of things, we collected uh $40,735 in delinquent taxes, collected 235,644
in 2026 taxes and other revenues 195 28 and the parking utility we collected 4792. Uh total dispersements for the month of March local school tax was 1,59453.
Regional school tax was 637,868. Other dispersements were 1,143 834 and in the parking utility 4,554. And that's my report. Thank you for today, Mr. Administrator. All right. Next, moving on. This
discussion is about a sword ordinance. So, Jack, I think Dennis brought this up last week, so our last meeting. So, I'll let you >> We We had actually brought it up at the end of last year, but then we couldn't do anything because of the change in the calendar year. In any event, I made a number of changes required as a result
of the sale of the system to New Jersey American Water. I circulated today. I also had a number of suggestions to Dennis. Most of them were good suggestions and I sent it to New Jersey Americans in House Council today to identify them to see whether they think
there's anything else that should be deleted or anything else that should be kept in that I I believe. So once that process is done, I will format it in our usual ordinance form and putting it before the committee for further
discussion. In the meantime, if you have any comments, you know, please Feel free to contact me. >> Thank you. So it looks like people in the public looks like almost 90% of it's crossed out. >> Yeah. Like things we left in were like the requirement that you have to tie into the sewer system. Uh that was part
of our agreement with New Jersey American when they purchased it. And there's some other things too and a lot of them will have to get transferred to the board of health. So we'll have to have a board of health meeting and adopt many of those things that are really health as opposed to cash committee
jurisdiction. Thank you, Jack. Any other old business? Anybody else on the committee? New business. I have something. I know I know Frank discussed it too because I have conversation with certain people. Is the chicken coupe ordinance the way it's written now and I so we don't have to obviously not acting on it tonight is
I think what our setback is for most accessory structure what 10 or 15 feet. >> Yes. >> One or the other. I'm not sure. But for chicken coops is 40T. So I don't know if that's a big problem in town. But 40 feet is a huge distance. So certain properties can't even have them because they don't have 40t setbacks. And the other issue is there's plenty of people
that have them right now that are nowhere near 40T from the property line that are in non-compliance with the ordinance. And I there's one being built I saw and I think Frank saw it too not far from here that's literally right up against the property line. So I don't know how that I don't think they got a zoning per permit for that. So in the
future I guess we can put on the next agenda if we want to move that or the reason to have it at 40 ft. I wasn't part of that discussion with Jack. How old was that one is? >> I have to look, but it goes back decades. >> Okay. So, uh, times changed. So, I guess just ask for next meeting we put on as a
discussion item. >> We could make a question. Accessory structure in that zone would probably be the >> Mrs. Fetis's category. >> I have a question on those chicken. What if roosters start crowing at 4 in the
morning or 5 in the morning? >> Well, somewhere make a distinction. Yeah, >> because that is really unfair to neighbors. >> That's what prompted the 40oot. >> Yeah. If you have a rooster, though, if it's 40t away, it's 10 feet away, people still going to hear it, >> they're going to hear it, right? So So what what do you do in that situation? I mean, I wouldn't want to have a loud in
my neighborhood at 4 in the morning. >> No, I think the rooster is the bigger problem. That's what I think. >> Okay. >> I mean, I don't know. Chickens don't make that much noise as far as I know, but people want >> probably like a dog barking. Dogs barking in the neighborhood. >> You know, we hear that all the time. >> So people would be able to do something
about that. there would be a remedy to that situation. >> I hope I don't I don't know if we have I don't know if it's a >> make a distinction between chickens and rooers because of that. >> I think that we might want to consider that. >> I have no problem. That's why we put on the discussion. >> I had a situation when I lived in Georgia that there was somebody with a rooster crowing every morning.
>> Get out of here. >> When I was in this a long time ago, 40 years ago >> 45 years ago, >> but uh when I was in chiropractic college and it was a real nuisance. >> Yes. >> And I definitely wouldn't want to see that happen here. But I bet you weren't late for class.
>> Not my not my 8 o'clock class. >> All right. Anything else new? >> All right. Announcements. I'll get to the one and then Frank has the floor. Sterling Street Fair S April 26 10 a.m. to I think 4. So come on down. It's always a good time and it brings in
hundreds of people from in town, out of town. So come and enjoy it. And I know the fire department will be there selling their infamous sausage and pepper sandwiches, which are excellent, by the way. >> They sure are. Go ahead, Frank. >> So, just to pick up on what deputy mayor said. So, Sunday, uh, Sterling Fire is,
uh, going to be doing our home-cooked sausage and pepper stand. We're going to have hot dogs, sodas, drinks, but more importantly, we're going to have the trucks out on display for the children. Children can come climb on the trucks, take a look at things, take a look at the gear. We're going to have some giveaways for for the children out there
and we'll have firefighters available. They have questions. We're also always looking for members. So, it's a good time to chat with us. We'll be at the tent cooking. We're going to be at the intersection of Somerset Street in Maine on the corner there. We'll have our trucks there. Also, feel free to come
talk to us. We would love to uh get some new members and bring in, you know, anyone from the community. We also obviously want to uh make the children happy and let them uh climb inside the trucks and check out the sirens, but we won't make the sirens go too loud
because I know the kids get a little crazy with the bell, but they can ring the bell. All right. And uh that's pretty much it for that. All right. Now, open mic night. Three minutes. Anybody wants ask questions, comments, whatever you want. Three
minutes. in contacting you about ordinance 585-26. >> Are you scrapping it? Are you rewriting it? Or should I trash what you did? I just want to know what my >> You know what? Mark it up and send me.
>> Okay. Because marking is it's more what's not there than what is there. But if I can just throw back 30 years ago, Jack, when you researched the original ordinances and it was um state historic preservation uh uh office, Shipo under D
refers to the municipal land use law which lays all this out for what uh historic advisory committee supposed to be committees or commissions and that's what you drew from originally and there have been modifications over the last 30 years chipping away at that to where it
was about as thin. There are two different versions, strong version and weak version. We've taken the weak version and weakened it to the point where I think this new revision, it drops below the threshold of actually qualifying as an Hback. And so that was my those are what my comments are here.
So I I think if you're going to have an Hback, you need to go back. >> I think if the committee is going to proceed with this, we should pull HPAC out of this ordinance and leave it the way it is >> and then and then tweak it on that. I'm happy to work with you on that. But I think the confusion becomes that when you have something like the
beautifification committee as an advisory committee, it's small a advisory. When you have the historic preservation advisory committee, it's an ML defined term of what the advisory is. >> But the ML actually talks about commissions and that's what our
ordinance creating the committee was based on. >> Exactly. >> But committees aren't actually recognized. But I still think there's a distinction and most other advisory committees and it probably should be pulled back. >> It is with the criteria. It's all it's
all there on Chipo's site. So, I'll bullet point those things for you and then we can put our heads together and if it doesn't get solved in two weeks, it gets solved in four weeks. >> Yeah. Like I said, my recommendation will be just to pull back out of this ordinance, leave it the way it is. >> Marks, that was my first request was to
pull pull those two things out. I think that's easier than >> discussion >> and let's work back section. >> But you've been down this path, >> you and I together over 30 years, so I don't see why we can't just get back on track. >> Thanks. >> Very good. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Millington. Um kudos to the committee for resolution 26-118. Um as you said long time overdue and uh takes a long time to commence
with the condemnation proceedings. It was about three years ago when I stood in this same spot and I approached the committee asking what could be done for thermoplastics north.
We have thermoplastic south. There's some activity there. The argument could be made that north is just as uh much in state of disrepair as south if not more.
Just as much an eyes sore if not more. So my question is this, what prompted condemnation of south and not north? And can we start the same proceedings with North? Do we have a developer interested
in South and that's what got the ball rolling or uh what can you share about the decision to go with South first before North? >> Well, the owner of North is elite properties and I I don't know everything that's going on because the car wash issue, but I think I I mean I know
people on the committee have been discussing with them. They have to do something with that property. There is some plan or something for the north side. I don't know what it is personally. >> Three years ago I stood here >> and three years ago I was told it takes a long time. >> You could have been standing there six years ago and I still you're still
making the same argument unfortunately and I agree with you >> and and attorney pigeon you know did say this is a long drawn out process but we have to start somewhere. >> Well I think with the difference on the north side you have a owner of the property that's willing to do something with the property. on the south side
it just don't there's was somebody that wanted to buy it and they just ignore the offers and they just don't do anything it's been in they they keep getting f I think Mark Andre has to issue summones or code violations I some they do make repairs or minimal repairs but there's no plan there's no nothing
on the horizon nothing to look forward to except just looking at that eyes sore every day whereas the north and you guys might know more than me I meaning Vic or uh Frank or or Randy, there actually might be a plan in place to actually do something with that. It might be a slowmoving plan, but at least there
might be a plan while the south is there. >> Can it be shared with the public? I >> I don't know. I don't know what it would be. So, I can't say anything. >> Four lease sign has been there for years. It's starting to look battered itself. So, um
it's good to hear that there's something in mind for South. >> I hope so. Yeah. Well, South, yes, that'll get moved. And North again, I don't know. Vic might have I can't >> I don't know if I >> Oh, I don't know. >> They can't. Whatever it is, they I'm sorry. >> Yeah, we can't. >> But there's something ruined.
>> We have a willing developer for that. >> Yeah, exactly. >> And believe me, I'm as anxious I think everybody is as anxious as you are. It is very frustrating. It is an eyesore. We agree. But because there's private ownership involved, there's only so much
we could do the prompt. >> Well, you could condemn it, but we don't want to go through that process. Is there something in mind? some kind of plan or something. I don't know what it is. >> The owner of that property does want to develop as the mayor said on the south side. There's no >> I would imagine that there's a stack of
code violations >> where >> for north's over there he's on the >> we actually discuss that often because if there's a violation we want them ticketed and >> look at the rust >> but a couple
to mark based on the ordinance and what he >> look at the peeling paint that's property maintenance you just have to look at north and see that there's all kinds of violations that are not consist consistent with maintaining a property. >> I promise you I will reach out to Mark and discuss it with him because I do
>> who's who's Mark? >> Andress Andress the code enforcement officer. I discuss it with them. I'm like what could we do? What can we do? No. Is it bo It bothers me equally >> if we just keep throwing violations and they pay the money. Doesn't there
come a point where you say enough is enough? violation after violation after violation. I honestly have friends who come to visit me and ask what's going on and said, "Oh,
gee, we were waiting for uh the banjos to play." Truly, truly, >> I believe you. And if you drive up and down Valley Road, Springfield Avenue, it is by far the most poorly maintained property the
whole street. >> Everybody up here agrees with you. >> So, let's do something. >> No, we I've actually talked to Mark on several occasions about several other properties that are in disrepair and he's been pretty responsive. So, I've been staying in touch with him and he's actually gotten movement on some other
properties where they've appeared to be in very very bad condition and he's finally made contact with owners and actually opened up dialogue. So, he's you know I've been talking to him on a regular basis now trying to refocus towards what he can and can't do and you
know and Jack's been helping also. So, I think you'll see in the next few months as Mark starts homing in on other things that he can and can't do. Um, you know, he had some success with a few things this week. I don't want to get into that yet because he just sent me a text
yesterday, but I do know he's starting to focus on those things as part of his, you know, daily routine. And, uh, I will make sure that, you know, Vic and I bring it up to him your specific concern. I >> just did. >> Okay. And and I'll follow up with him. coat of paint over the rust, fix the
fence, things of that nature. And just as bad is what used to be the dry cleaner right next to it. >> Yes, that's a different owner, I believe. >> Yes, correct. >> Um, that shouldn't be real difficult to condemn. That's really bad. >> Yeah, I actually noticed there's a door open on that building.
>> There you go. >> You know, >> but yes, >> thank you, Pam. >> Thank you. >> Oh, I'll be up here. I'm not waiting three years. >> I hope not. I hope you don't have to come back, but >> we'll see. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody online? Oh, wait a second. Hold on. Took him an hour and 20 minutes to
get back from North Airport on a bicycle. >> An early flight just to be just speak once tonight. >> Charles Renaitz Militin one question and I need a confirmation. I didn't get an answer to my first question earlier tonight
when I said what is the driving force on this ad hoc committees 585-26 did a committee violate something and what what if if guys still on the line maybe someone can tell what the driving
force is I'd like a response >> I don't have an answer for you because my honest answer is I don't know I wasn't at the agenda meeting so I Don't know what the reason was. >> Is guy still online? >> Leaf. >> Good evening. Good evening, Chuck. >> Good evening. Let's have a response,
please. >> So, I I think I I think what has happened here is we took a sledgehammer to fix a minor problem. Uh and I I don't know. I don't want to speak out of turn, but I'm going to pull
uh the proposed ordinance and address the issues that came up separately. It's a minor issue and uh and we will address that separately. The ordinance that was proposed is not necessary.
>> Thank you very much. Second confirm. Well, the second item is a confirmation. when I get the other's attention, we'll proceed. >> Thank you for your attention. >> You know, I come up here and you know, you have these private conversations.
It's disrespectful to me and the people listening. >> They're actually reviewing an ordinance. >> Sure. >> The way you talk is disrespectful. >> Well, I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> And you talk behind my back, too. and and I never got your apology when you
accused me in public of taking up time. I'm still waiting for that. It's been a year and a half. >> You'll be waiting a long time. >> That's right. I want confirmation that you agreed, mayor, deputy mayor, Mr. Verza, when
Aubry was here that we'd have no surprises on ordinances. We discussed it in advance. And the rationale for doing it as the mayor just pointed out or we were trying to address an issue. Why didn't you tell
us? You wouldn't had to waste all the time got all the two or three people behind me the time they spent analyzing the ordinances. You sit up here and you ask for for for ad hoc for uh rec uh people on the advisory committee every meeting. Now you're just going to
appoint them for one year. They've got fiveyear terms now. Are you kidding me? So, I want confirmation that we're not going to have surprises. Watch the meetings that you listened to previously and agreed to that when a new ordinance
is pending, you're going to tell us why and the rationale. Do I have confirmation on that tonight? Things come up. I can't plan for everything. On the other hand, I think this worked out the way it's supposed to work out. We decided wasn't ready to come forward.
members of the public came forward such as you and three or four other people with ideas which you all took in hand. Just because it's not on the agenda tonight doesn't mean your input wasn't valuable. Clearly it was and you heard the mayor speak when he said it. So I think this process is working the way it's supposed to. You'd rather have us
put a halfass thing through. They have to sit there and butcher up or try to get it right the first time with input from the public. So I think it works. >> No, mayor if I may. It was on the agenda. was on the agenda for 48 under advisory
committees and ad hoc committees. It was on the agenda >> and we we discussed it publicly on the rationale for doing it. >> Yes, >> we discussed it. I didn't hear it. I was here. >> It was discussed. >> There was it was on the agenda and there
was a discussion in regards to it. There's your comp. No, no, no. What was said was the mayor said, "We're going to uh make some changes on the committees. We're going to we're going to appoint everybody yearly." There was no
discussion what the rationale why you were doing it in advance. I beg your pardon. I believe uh what the committee woman brought forward is that we would have discussions of ordinances prior to the introduction, right?
>> Not to the details of what the this governing body elected by the public, the rationale or any uh other items that they have a right to do to introduce ordinances uh to the public. And you
would be given the public would also be given another chance to discuss this discuss any ordinance at an introduction and also at a public hearing. So it was discussed prior to introduction as as
you discussed tonight. It was discussed again at at the possible introduction. This committee felt that it didn't need to be uh introduced at this point. So, you're not committing to do it? I
don't have the confirmation that you'll do this for every future ordinance. Is that correct? >> That's what we've been doing. >> No, no. I'm asking for a confirmation in the future that you will do it. That's all I'm asking. >> We'll do what? >> We will. >> That you'll discuss the rationale behind
a proposed ordinance in public before you put it in first reading. That's what I'm asking. >> You're asking two different questions. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, you're asking if this committee will discuss things prior to introduction uh ordinances, and I I
think I can say as the administrator, if they can, they will. There are things that come up at last minutes that uh need to be addressed uh for whatever reason, for legal action, deadlines, or whatever. And as as far as the
explanation or rationale that this committee has, I'll leave that to the committee. But in my opinion, they have u they have no responsibility to discuss the rationale why they're doing things. They're the elected officials and they have uh their reasons and and so forth.
If they want to um add those comments to the rationale to why they're doing it, they have that right. Also, >> I'm not questioning what they have a right to do or not to do. I am only questioning what was agreed to by this committee that Aubrey
brought up. and I don't think it's being followed. Okay. I'll rewatch the meetings as well and I strongly suggest you do the same. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your time and I appreciate
the mayor online dropping this 585-26. A lot of time was spent analyzing this in meetings with the people behind me and some that left. So, it wasted a lot of time, but we finally got the result. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. Anybody online?
>> Anybody on Zoom would like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Now >> I don't see anyone. >> Entertain a motion to >> So moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> Thank you everybody.
>> Good night everyone.