[Music] Aubrey, Guy, and Matt. Can you all hear? And Randy. Sorry, Randy. This is Aubrey. Yes, this is Guy. Yeah. Yeah, I can hear. I hear you fine. Okay,
perfect. Thank you. Okay, it's 7:31. Um, we'll get started. Um, Megan, would you please read the statement of presiding officer 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 Echo Sentinel Morris daily record and posted on the township website. The agenda and public handouts 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. I'll rise
for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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.
Megan, would you please take the role? Committeeman Lavender, present. Committee Riker Elign here. Committeeman Berlesa, present. Deputy Mayor Peria. It looks like he has
um exited. Mayor Dorsy. Yeah. Okay. Um, welcome everybody tonight. Um, Matt and Aubrey have some personal commitments. Guy has a work commitment. Um, so Vic and I will hold the fort down
in person, but uh, thanks um, Aubrey and Matt for joining on Zoom. Uh, first we have uh, a presentation. I'd like to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Jwitt who is the superintendent of of Watch Hills Regional High School as well as Timothy Sty who is the business administrator
and board secretary. Uh they're going to do a presentation tonight on uh this year's budget. Uh and so I'll turn the floor over to them. Welcome. Thank you for coming. We do this every year and we greatly appreciate your your cander and your your openness. So be our guest.
Thank you for having us. Thank you for always accepting our uh invitation to ourselves to come to your meeting and talk about our budget. Um and we have one of our board members here as well from Long Hill, Carol Pasa. I do want to commend the board on uh their commitment
to providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students in the most fiscally responsible manner possible. Um it's not an easy task and I will say that this year this is my 12th year as superintendent and this was the most difficult budget year we have had um for you know a number of various
reasons um one of the main ones just being the prices of everything have increased um and Mr. exercise. We'll get into more details about that, but particularly our health care costs have increased significantly. Our special education costs. Um so it this this
budget this year was particularly difficult and we did have to um make some significant cuts in order to stay within that cap. But we do feel we have a budget that is going to keep providing the opportunities for our students that we are looking to um and you know it's as
in the in the most efficient manner uh possible. So, our enrollment has dipped um over the years. When I started, we were at about 2,300 and now we're just under 1,700. And what we have done throughout the years is we have reduced staff mostly through attrition each year. So, if we have retirements or
resignations, um we've looked to not fill them where possible. So, that way over the years as our enrollment has declined, we haven't had to make major cuts, but rather just reduce positions through attrition. Um I list some of the highlights of our achievements on here.
um many of you have or had students go through the district. So, you know, um a lot of what is going on, but every year our students uh accomplish absolutely amazing things, not only in the classroom, but through our extracurriculars and our athletics. And I listed a couple on here. So far this
year, we have county titles for girls volleyball, girls fencing, wrestling, and competition cheer. Um our students continue to earn uh outstanding recognition on our AP exams. 244 earned some level of AP Scholar recognition and we had five national merit finalists uh
in this current class of 2025. Our budget has included for the past number of years our onetoone Chromebooks for our incoming nth graders each year. Thankfully, we started that initiative prior to having to go remote during COVID. So, that was certainly helpful and we've continued that. Uh
we've also made technology improvements to a number of our classrooms and labs and our TV studio is actually our our latest project that we're looking to upgrade. Every year we increase our security infrastructure. We don't provide details publicly on what those
improvements are, but those are based on our uh recommendations from local police, our security team, homeland security, the prosecutor's office. All we take all those things to into consideration uh with our security improvements and our most recent uh
referendum uh we completed recently and made some very um significant upgrades to various program uh programmatic spaces in the building. Our nurse's office um was actually relocated and it's now more of a a uh a health office
suite in our our building. Um it's nicer than my doctor's office probably. Um, but we actually utilized we had a space in the building that we were not using. It was our former child development program and so we were able to repurpose that space. Our nurs's office for a building of our size, it was not
appropriate the the size of the nurses office for the amount of students we serve. Same thing with our athletic trainers uh room that for years we kept putting into our budget and it kept getting cut and so we were able to include it in this referendum and now it's actually a athletic training facility that's worthy of our student
athletes. Uh we upgraded some of our chillers, our LED lighting in our performing arts center. Uh we also upgraded our uh ceramic studio. That's one of our most popular programs. Uh and we have our new design lab and we will be looking to have an open house for
that uh in the fall once we we have put some of the finishing touches just on our punch list. That was our old robotic space. Um, which was antiquated and a terrible use of the space because things throughout the years just kept getting
added. There was machinery that wasn't being used, but it was in there. Um, so it was very difficult for students to be in there working. We had a our photography lab next to that. We actually moved our photography lab and upgraded that space as well and combined our old photography lab with our old
robotic space. And it is an absolutely beautiful design lab. There's a classroom in it. There's a field for them to test our robot. Um there's the machinery space. And in addition to using that for our robotics and our engineering programs, we are actually building an entirely new design program,
a four-year sequence for our students that we will um utilize that space for. So that's exciting. So next year will be year one of that. And each year we will add our plan is to add another year of courses so that we have a four-year design program. So now what I'm going to do is turn it
over to Mr. Sty so he can talk about all of the the fund number uh pieces of this and he will be talking about what this means as well as some of the cuts that we had to make to meet our budgetary constraints. Thanks Dr. Jwitt and thanks for the town council and the mayor for having us
here. It's always a pleasure coming to each of the towns. Um as uh Dr. J said our board member Carol Proa is here and she does a great job working on the finance committee uh over the years. So she's been a very valuable member of our
team. Um your one board member moved out so we're going to we're going to be putting an ad in a paper pretty soon for another long hill board member. Um but just to to get you through some of the numbers and I'll touch on one thing that Dr. J had said about the design lab prior to us doing that. Um that space
was horrible. She was nice about it, but it was horrible. The the old robotics lab was very old. The equipment in there was extremely old and the photography room was so had so much stuff that was sitting in there and it was just it was
such a bizarre setup. Right now, we've turned it into a state-of-the-art uh design lab for robotics, machinery. It's like it's just so good for the kids. And I see every time I walk through there, there's kids there either working on
something, sitting in the on a computer desk, they're doing all their kind of things. So, it's really neat how that kind of played out. And that um that particular referendum that we we did, we did that um using our own surplus and
state money that we got. Uh so that was that was definitely a win for the district and for the taxpayers, I think. So, our budget this year is $54 million, which is 2 77% over last year's. Um, we got a
little more state aid. We got 2.7 to help fund this budget for categorical state aid. That's about $130,000 more than last year. Um, the challenges that we faced, Dr. J touched on it. One was the health care. Health care was up 14%.
Uh, the year before that, I think it was like 11. So last couple years, and I think that's pretty much nationwide, uh, and certainly in New Jersey, we we got hit pretty hard, but for us it was 14%. Uh, and then the other big piece was special education, uh, out of
district placements were were tough. That was those numbers are up. The rates themselves are up for the private schools that we send to, and the number of kids we're sending went up. So that was up 11%. So those two numbers were pretty big numbers for us to overcome.
Uh in addition to all the other items that Dr. Jwa mentioned and I think you're all feeling it just still the impact of inflation uh particularly on computers technology that kind of stuff has been brutal. Um so it put us in a
bad spot. So we decided we had the tough decision to cut three standing positions. um one is a high level administrative position, a clerical position and an instructional position. Uh we also cut
an a 10 one class of a of world language um for a so when you see 1.2 teachers, that's what that means. It's one full person and uh one section of a of of a
subject. Um, going back to 2010, we had 288 full-time equivalent staff members. Right now, we have 237 just to give you numbers. So, when when she was talking about over the years when our enrollment was declining, our our employment
numbers went down right with it. That's where it was. So, it's 288 to 237. So, we've dropped over 50 uh in that period of time. Um, and what this means for the taxpayers of Long Hill, and I compare the average home from this year to the
average home of last year, which went up a little bit. The increase for that home of $622,000 is $10341 per home. The tax rate actually goes down slightly, very little. Uh, it's almost flat. Um, and there's
additional information on our website that you guys can access by www.whrs.org. And again, thank you for having us. Thank you questions. You want to you have any
questions? No, not at all. Great presentation. I think you guys do a great job at Wong Hills. All good. I know it is a struggle this year with budgets just with the cost of everything has gone up
and especially over the last two years. Um so um you know it's not lost on us the uh the amount of work that you have to put in to kind of wedge this in while keeping the quality of education uh not only where it is but better. So, thank
you for everything that you do on this and um uh No, I think I think this is a great job in light of where we're at and we know because we're doing a budget right now ourselves and we know the K8's doing their budget. Yeah, it's tough and we're all facing the same kind of
struggles. I mean, so so the rate went down um but um assessments went up. Those two numbers are the two levers in the computation that hit the number that you have to hit.
Um you said your your state aid went up um a little bit uh but you really got hit on healthcare 14%. I don't know if Ry's on um wow that that that's an eye openener and the special education
tuition costs um is an eye openener. Um there's really nothing we can do about that. It's it's hard. I mean, I think partly we're a victim of of our successful program. I mean, I think that does draw folks in for sure. Um, but at
the end of the day, it's, you know, it would be nice if the state of New Jersey had a little more caps on on some of these private schools. And I don't want to pick on the private schools a little bit, but I I had a lot of 10% increases come my way. And uh, you know, that was a little tough because you're sending special education over to the private
schools and they're charging you. Yeah, they they were allowed to increase their their tuition rates and I see I saw a lot of them asking for a 10% increase over the past couple years and honestly they they were hit with the same things we all were hit with, right? So, it's
natural they did that. It's just I I would have liked to see them controlled a little bit more. It would have been nice. But so here here's something that's a little bit of a a paradox. um with all the building that's going on, we see all these apartments and all this building going on and yet enrollments
are going down in the schools, right? What what what what do you think that is? Well, we anticipate that changing in the we're actually in the process of doing a demographic study. Um so, we do anticipate that to change in the coming years. I think, you know, outside of the
apartments, my anecdotal evidence of why our enrollment is going down is because people really like living in these towns. So when their kids graduate, they don't move out. Um, so that's kind of what, you know, what I've noticed over the 12 years I've been here because they people really really like living here.
Uh, but I do think with all of the construction going on, we're going we've already started to see some students from from some of the new developments. So we're looking to get more information on that in our demographic study, but we do expect that to to cause an increase. What was the highest point of enrollment
that you saw in the last several years for us? Yeah, we have 2,300 kids. 2,300. So, you're down like 600. Yeah, quite a bit. I would agree though. I would find it to be stunning if that number didn't start to go up based on the the construction
that we see going on all around us, particularly in Warren. Warren's got a lot of open space and they're adding a lot of units. And I I talking to them, I know they're a little nervous about it. And and how how does that scale your budget? Do you get um
there are enrollment wages? Do you have more students? So yeah, I mean yes and no. It's it's kind of you know I guess economies of scale to a certain point but then you know it which is why when um enrollment fluctuates it doesn't always you know there's not always a onetoone correlation with staff because
if we lose you know 20 students that doesn't mean we can eliminate a a teacher um because they you know it's not like we're eliminating a whole uh class of something. Um, so there's like a tipping point, I guess, as you add and as you as you decrease. Uh, which is
also why we're trying to be careful about our reductions because it's much more difficult to add than it is to reduce. So, we want to make sure we're careful so that we don't really affect programs because it's much harder to add those back um after you've you've cut them out. U, there are, you know, if our
enrollment increases significantly, there are enrollment waiverss with regard to um how much we can raise the the tax levy. Certainly, you know, we we want to try to not have to do that um out of respect for the taxpayers and and concern for that. Um so we'll we'll but
we'll have a better idea um from the demographic study and as time passes. Okay. And um Aubrey and Matt and Guy if you're on um any questions that you you have for for uh Dr. Jwitt and Tim?
This is Aubrey. I don't have any questions. I really appreciate you all taking the time to go through this with us and um field our questions and our inquiries and again just taking the time to present to us. I really appreciate it. And then I also appreciate your support
of the special schools. I know it's not easy. Um but it's it's they serve special needs that can't be met elsewhere and I I really embrace the special program that you all have there and how you care for all the groups of students that you serve. So thank you.
Thank you. Okay. Um, I'll open it up to the public. Does anyone in the public have a question they'd like to ask? You want to take the opportunity? No. Okay. Well, Mary and Nun would like to speak on Zoom. Of course.
Hi. Uh, thank you. I I I kind of joined a little late in terms of the presentation. Um, okay. With reference to our student body, okay, we're not talking about the regional school system. We're talking
about um up through K12, correct? No, this is uh Watch Hills. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um I apologize again because I came in late. Okay. Um yeah to go into
that. Um have you been able to estimate with all the rentals going up in Warren Township the approximation of how many
students will be in the regional school? So, we are in the process of conducting a demographic study that we're hoping will give us that information. Okay. And it's based on what? I'm sorry. I'm very I'm I'm very involved in this type of stuff on another level with this
high den city housing etc. Did you? Yes. We might have missed. Was there a question? Sorry. Yeah. Yes. the question um in in terms of your study um everything that is going up currently
in Warren specifically their rentals and their pilots. So my question to you um and recently there there was a legislative bill um going through regarding pilots that
um I still haven't fully read. I just saw it today. Um, how is this going to impact the regional school system with regards to having what is it four townships
um involved in all this um development the majority of which is um high density it's not necessarily um affordable housing um but I'm asking how how are you going to try
to figure this calculation out. Um I I think if you're asking about enrollment that we have we're employing demog demographers to um try to shake that out and project it
forward for us and see what our needs are going to be. Um okay, we're also in constant contact with the elementary schools, the K to8 schools to understand where their numbers are and which is important. In fact, I had a meeting today with the demographer and Warren
Township uh business official. So, we're trying to stay on top of exactly where it's going to be. We don't know yet. That's that's really the issue. Um we really need some help with the demographers to tell us to kind of give us a projection of where it's going to be. And then we can kind of plan going
forward. It's hard right now because I think they have about uh three or three phases done at this point in time and the house is we're going into I'm sorry I'm not going to interrupt you. Please continue. I apologize. That's okay.
Yeah. So it's okay is really a leading indicator as those enrollments go up. You see that wave coming towards the high school. So in some regards you have an easier task of it because you've got a little bit of radar out there. We we do we have an advantage for sure because we can see it coming and we're it's it's easier to plan that way for sure. Okay.
Good question. Thank you, Maryanne. Anybody else? Yeah. Thank you. All right. Well, very good. Thank you so much. Our students are looking forward to performing at the uh Memorial Day parade. Yes. We've got one more question here from uh
State your name and address. Tom Jones, Long Hill Township. Um, in regards to the study, when will that take place and when would we expect to see the results? The visualization study. Yeah. The forecasting the
demograph. Um, my understanding is that it's going to be somewhere in September. I think that's what it was. So, it it's the the demographic study is part of the regionalization shared services study that we're doing. So, it's one of the components of that, which is nice because the grant is paying for it
instead of our tax dollars. Um, so, uh, we do expect to get that information, I believe, September and it will, all of that will be shared publicly once we have it. Absolutely. And Tom is vice chairman of our planning board. So, Oh, good. Interest. So that'll take into
consideration the once the um New Jersey wastewater starts uh is NJ done with their piece and then we start seeing the construction that's going to take place here in Long. We are
going to see children coming into school system probably at an elementary level I would think but then we'll probably see some high schools as well. So as that demograph is taking place hopefully that's also being taken under consideration because you'll have the number of units you're probably ratios to assist in understanding what those
numbers might look like. Yeah, I might have the demographer reach out to you guys. Fair enough. Yes. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you for letting us know that. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. We appreciate the interest in our budget and the study. So, thank you. Okay.
Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks. Okay. Um, next on the agenda here, uh, we have a request, uh, to present, uh, Mr. John Rocker. Are you here?
Good evening. And, uh, I think Matt's recusing himself, right? Correct. Matt, if you want to log off and then I'll let you know when we're back or if you wanted to just stay muted and not listen.
Okay. So, yeah, we we we have your letter, but I wouldn't do justice trying to read it here. I'll let you explain what it is you want to present, what the situation is, and then take it from there. So, please Okay. Good evening, and thank you for uh having me. Um I
wrote down um my presentation. there's no way I was going to remember it. So, I'm just want to go through it. Some of the uh information you've read in my letter, but I'll just take you down through my comments and then I'll invite Brian up to uh review the uh submitt that I um forwarded yesterday of the
various uh plan options. Um my name is John Rocker. I'm the managing member of BNK Homes LLC, owner of the subject property at 44 Planefield Road, also known as block 10515, lot 7 on the tax map. And and for folks so we can place
this. Sure. We're familiar with Planefield. What what's around that area? We're directly across from the new go uh the new um Goddard School. Directly across from Goddard School. Yeah. The old dog and uh cat pet shop across from the val the second entry to
the Valley View Mall. Got it. Okay. Continue. Um my name is John Rocker and I'm the managing member, as I said, of the property. Um, first and foremost, I want to thank uh this committee for giving me an opportunity to speak tonight. I truly appreciate everybody taking the time to consider what I
believe to be a modest zoning amendment that will significantly and meaningfully improve the viability, quality, and public benefit of this already approved project. I come here before you tonight not just as a property owner or developer, but
also as a neighbor and longtime frequent visitor and patron of this township, particularly the Sterling Village. As such, I have a sincere and ongoing interest in working to ensure that Long Hill Township grows, thrives in the best way possible. I'm a local Somerset
County based builder with over 40 years of hands-on experience and I'm someone who takes real pride in the quality of my projects, large or small. Over the years, I built a reputation through hard work and dedication as one of the most respected builders in our area. That
reputation is something that I strive to pro protect and reinforce daily. And I want this project to be a point of pride not only for myself and my company but also for the Long Hill uh township at large. Uh I want it to be the absolute best that it can be for all the right
reasons. So as I noted in uh my letter to the committee earlier, I was the applicant in connection with this uh application numbers 2020Z and 202113Z which involved a bifurcated
application process for preliminary and final major site plan approval during which I sought and was granted D1 use variance relief. That process led to the zoning board approving what we hoped and still hope will become a beneficial
inclusionary development. The approved plan currently includes 24 upscale residential units, three of which are affordable units along with 2400 square ft of groundf flooror retail space. The affordable units were negotiated in
depth during our earlier hearings and they were ultimately included intentionally as a means of assisting the township to meet its constitutional affordable housing obligations for the upcoming fourth round. My request tonight is simple but important. I'm asking the governing body
to consider a sightspecific amendment to the BD zone allowing residential units on the ground floor of this project that is currently prohibited under the current zoning ordinance. This change would allow me to remove the retail component of the
project and instead relocate a few of the approved residential units to the ground floor. That shift would create the opportunity to enlarge the apartments on average by approximately 100 square feet, improve their layout and livability, and ultimately deliver
nicer, more desirable residents that will appeal to a stable and discerning tenant base. Young professionals, empty nesters, and others looking for highquality rental housing in Long Hill will be afforded a better option. At this point in time, we're in
a highly competitive housing market. Since we secured our approval, other similar developments are offering larger, more luxurious units with more spacious interiors. In order to ensure that this project is successful, not just constructed, but fully leased and tenant
stable, I believe we need to recognize and respond to the current market indicators. The zoning adjustment that I am seeking your consideration of here tonight will allow us to do exactly that without changing the footprint, height,
or exterior design of our building. To be clear, I am not asking for a wholesale resoning of the BD district. I'm asking for sight specific relief and amendment limited to this project which is justified by its
affordable inclusionary status. you have the legal authority to adopt zoning that supports your housing element and fair share plan and this request fits squarely within that framework. Additionally, I would assume that the property will be reszoned as a
part of the latest round of affordable housing regardless of the outcome of my presentation and therefore would no longer be in the BD district. So, why is this important? When this project was conceived and we were living um we were
living in a much different world, our original applications were submitted just before and concluded during the height of the pandemic. Since then, the retail landscape has shifted dramatically, which I'm sure everybody recognizes. Many local storefronts and retail businesses are struggling.
Consumer habits have evolved and the economics of small-scale groundfloor retail space, particularly in suburban corridors like Planefield Road are either challenged or simply no longer viable. We've seen it firsthand. If you look at the Valley Mall or other retail
nodes in town, vacancies are unfortunately common. Adding a more underutilized retail space will not help that condition in our opinion. In fact, it could detract from the vibrancy we're trying to build in this
project. What we need are more highquality functional living spaces, not more empty storefronts. I'm proposing a modest sightspecific adjustment that does not increase density or trigger the kinds of impacts residents typically worry about. Again,
this project has already been approved. I'm not trying to change the character of the project. I'm trying to improve the character of the project. in a way that and a way and and if I do so it will make the project more viable, more responsive to the community and
ultimately more successful for everybody. Ironically, one of the strongest sources of opposition during our earlier zoning board hearings was concern about the retail component by both neighbors and board members alike. concerns about parking, traffic, or
whether it was even appropriate in a large residential setting. Those concerns resonate resonated with me then and they still do now. Please remember this site has res residential housing on both sides of it with no retail associated with either of
the properties to either side. In fact, one of the neighbors who formerly objected earlier to the uh to the earlier hearings is here tonight and has expressed support for removing the retail as well. I think that says a lot and I think um she intends to address the committee as
well when I conclude if if you'll allow her. I want I want to emphasize again that I'm not proposing any change to the building footprint, height or architectural design or appearance. The original and most current architectural renderings developed by our architect
John Sarraco will remain essentially unchanged. The floor area ratio would increase slightly, but we will remain fully compliant and no new variance requirements would be triggered. We will remain well within the township bulk and intensity
standards. Also, very importantly, I'm in no way bypassing the municipal land use approval process. Even if this committee would be inclined to support my request, I still must return to the planning board for my amended uh site plan approval. I will still be subject
to a complete professional technical review, public hearing, and full transparency. All that I am actually asking for tonight is a zoning mechanism that would allow us to make a smart and sensible internal refinement to the
project that with respect to use and function has already been fully vetted and approved. If anybody would wonder why I don't just go back to the zoning board and apply for another D1 use variance for what I'm speaking about here tonight, the answer
is as follows. It would be extremely costly, duplicative, and highly uncertain that it would be granted. As you all know, D1 relief variances require supermajority of the board and a demanding set of legal proofs. We have already satisfied that burden once over
the course of several meetings earlier and doing it again for this modest internal adjustment is not sound planning in my opinion and frankly it would not be a path that I would consider. So for now I'd like to ask Brian to come up because we did submit
two potential options uh pursuant to what we're talking about. So Brian do you want to just go through it? Do you guys have those in front of you or Yeah. were those submitted? Yeah. Can you just state your name and Sure. Um
Brian Crowitz. I work with John. I was part of the first two applications as well and I spoke at those meetings as well. Um good evening. The building's current design, as you guys know, has 24 total units. 12 units on floor two, 12
units on floor three. Um, the architect essentially removed one one-bedroom and one two-bedroom from each of those floors. Uh, still giving you 24 units. This allows, as John mentioned, the square footage uh to be gained across
those floors. We're not talking about three or 400 square feet bigger units. We're talking about 100 square feet per unit approximately. Um, those four units would then be added to the first floor. The key things to keep in mind is you're still keeping the amenities gym. This
the tenant storage room. Um a big point of discussion at all of those previous meetings was the tandem parking. You now eliminate that tandem parking. You don't need it. Um we are still compliant with all parking standards from RSIs. The building had 24 units and remains at 24
units. Um are there any questions? And by the way, that's option B. So if you're staring at option A, you need to look at option B. We tried to make this as confusing as possible. So So if I just summarize this,
um the exterior of the building and the grounds would be exactly the same. Just the size of the rooms on some of the floors would shift and the retail would go away and it would be right now. And like you know I don't want to take any more time than I need to. I remember all
these meetings vividly and the board and everyone the concept of retail on this street was highly discussed because people felt like there's enough traffic on Planefield Road. Why do we need to have retail there? And at the end it was
added to the project. Um some people felt it should be and shouldn't be on that board. Our idea was right now, as I said, so two floors, six units, six units. Just chop off a unit of each, right? Spread that square footage. You're only gaining a hundred square feet. And in where that retail space
predominantly was would go those units because the retail requires more parking. Everything else, you don't need the tandem spaces. So instead, like I'm sure you guys looked at the original drawing, but you had cars parked back to back. That was another big issue that
was discussed, but it's how we made the parking work. The site is properly parked. There was no EV credits given, which could also bring the parking number down. So, under this way and that option that you're looking at first, you're now have plenty of parking. You were compliant before, you're overly
compliant now. So, then there's option A on your sheet um as well. Um, and you know, if the committee is hes is hesitant to support a zoning amendment solely to allow groundf flooror residential units, we'd like to present that plan um, which would go further in
advancing the public interest. So, in that scenario, we once again removed one bedroom and one two-bedroom from each of the second and third floors. The architect reorganized the ground level to allow for an additional two units. So, the unit count would go from 24 to
26. Most importantly on this plan, the benefit here is it increases the number of affordable units from 3 to four. So the same holds true regarding keeping the amenity space of a gym and storage. Tandem parking is once again eliminated and we also still remain compliant with
all RSIS parking standards. The additional affordable unit would increase Longill's affordable housing stock and meet a growing public need. Um it's a significant concession. It's a 1:1 ratio of affordable units to market rate units for the pro proposed increase
which underscores the commitment to contributing meaningfully to the township's affordable housing needs. So there's basically two options that you have in front of you. One is just taking the four units, getting rid of the retail, putting them on the first floor. The other is getting rid of the retail and then giving an extra uh balance two
units. One would be market, one would be affordable. Okay. And so the two there's two paths forward. One is to go through zoning and that appears to be laborious, expensive, and the other would be to shortcut that a little bit. We could do
a zoning amendment. Um, and so Jack, um, do you want to opine on the situation? You know, is this something that is unusual or the in a vacuum? This would be spot
zoning. The only way we could do it from a legal standpoint is to have an overlay zone because it does include affordable housing. Uh the project is already included in the draft fair share plan and I'm not talking out of school because it's already, you know, been
approved. It's already approved or it's already included in the draft fair share plan. It's being prepared by the township planner uh for three affordable units. What they're asking is that we change it to make it a overlay zone for
affordable housing. Uh and in that new overlay zone, we would eliminate the retail and require one more affordable unit. Uh as Mr. Rocker said, they would have to go back. They would have to go to the planning board. They were before the board of adjustment before and get
amended preliminary final site plan approval. Okay. So do you think is this something that you we probably be best served referring to the planning board to Phil to opine on? There's certainly no harm in doing that. You have the right to refer things to
the planning board. I know Mr. Jones is here. And Tom, I didn't want to put you on the spot, but you have anything that you'd want to kind of add to this? You see, I got to be honest with you. Yeah, I was there on the planning board when you guys made great presentation then
and a great presentation. Now, now at first blush, I I was under I'm under the impression that that area, the master plan is to try to get retail in that area. I could be wrong. Tom Jones would know better
than I, but I I know Jerry Oronio was at the time uh made it clear that the goal was to try to increase our, you know, our retail footprint in town. Having said that, you know, we're not looking to try to saddle you with, you know, retail
that you can't rent, so to speak. So, you know, me personally, I have to take I you know, I would have to, you know, listen to what Tom says and and and take another look at it. Um I I hear you and if I could just respond before Tom says
anything, there is more than meets the eye here. It's not just about us and I know a lot of people come up here. This was a very unique property because if you remember, the smallest lots in all of town are on one side of us, all residential on Metsler. Yep. And then
there's a single family house on the other side. It was precoid, so we had the school just opening. We had a lot of concerns about traffic. You have the bar. Now you have the Wendy's going in, the advent of the Taco Bell, the whole character of this area. And we tried our
best to work with Mr. Ronno. We certainly respect everything that um he's done with all the efforts he's made in town. what we were trying to figure out and even then is that building that specific parcel of land on that side of
the street the neighbors and we've had ongoing dialogue with them and one of them's here today the concept of the retail didn't make a lot of sense and the added cars which is really the high amount of trips coming in and out was all from that retail and those units are
a tiny bit small so we tried to come up with a a solution that one, how could we help the township? How could we help the neighbors? And how could we help ourselves? Just being realistic in a win-win situation. Like those houses are never going away on the other side of
us. Okay? There's several of them. I don't know what's going on with the neighbor next to us, but he's lived there longer than we've owned the property. And this property too before had wild animals running around. It's falling apart. We've been waiting for sewer, which is finally, we're told, coming so we could participate. We
thought like not making something like I said three, four, 500 square feet bigger. Making these units 100 square foot better. You get a nicer tenant, okay, for the town. You clean up the site. You get rid of the retail that we think won't get rented and brings all those cars in and those headlights go into all the people on Metsler and
they're afraid about it and they don't want more traffic there. They have enough trouble. The school wasn't even open because it was COVID times. Now they're like, "How am I going to get in and out? I need more retail there." You know, the Kings isn't there anymore. at some point someone's coming across the street that is going to bring even more
traffic to the area and a onetoone ratio you're going to take the project from I think a 12%age on affordable housing to over 15%. And you get a one for one on it and you're not really building any more units and you're making the unit slightly bigger. You get rid of the
tandem parking which everyone hated and the neighbors hated because people are going to have to back up and come in and which car is going to be where. So now you only have single spot parking underneath. We looked at it as just like one of these rare things where everyone wins, right? The township wins, the neighbors win. John could build a nicer
product for people there and have a little bit more room in the units. And I know I met with the woman who's here today, too, and she's the most affected neighbor because she lives on Planefield Road. Her the entrance, she's 54 Planefield Road. Mrs. Paresi's here. Like, she's going to have cars right next to her house going in and out the
whole time. She already has issues. and she's like, you know, I came out against this project and I think this is a good idea and I know she prepared something. I'm not saying that you have to let her speak, but that was our position on this. Um, and I can't speak I'm not an attorney like uh Mr. Pigeon, but I
believe that you're reszoning these property anyway. It's not going to be a BD zone anyway. It's going to be an affordable housing zone just like all the other townships make affordable housing zones and give relief for those pieces of property. Well, that's not exactly right. I don't interject. The
the planner at the present time has it in there because you've already gotten board of adjustment approval, but I as I said, I do think the tantr committee could adopt an overlay zone to to make it an affordable housing zone. And then um and then we would be going back to
the planning board after anyway. Even if you amended this, we still have to be fully compliant. We have to still go to the planning board with with everything and go through the whole process like we would have now, right? We still have we bifurcated that application. You gave us the zoning relief, but we still have to
come back. What you're doing is going to be a significant improvement to that property and you're you're interested building in, you know, doing something in Longill. We appreciate. However, I own some commercial real estate also. I'm not a builder like you
guys. And what you're saying, listen, it's definitely going to be better for you guys as the owner of the building what you're proposing. Okay. Is it going to be better for Longhill? I don't honestly know the answer to that question. So, um, again, at first blush,
it was approved with that with the with the with the, uh, commercial on the first floor. It's, you know, we're trying to increase our commercial footprint, I believe. Um, you know, we have areas uh, you know, we have we have a lot of people that'll be coming into town and in the surrounding towns. I,
you know, I happen to believe that commercial space will be something that becomes more in demand. It's not my expertise. However, I just feel that way. I don't want to have an opportunity. We're limited in the opportunities in this town where we can put commercial space. We're limited. There's not just a bunch of spots we
could put commercial space. If we want to put commercial space, that happens to be one of them. So, I'm not trying to be difficult. No, you're entitled. Uh but I it's something that I think needs to be thought of very carefully because you know commercial again we we're limited to the spaces that where we can put
small space and I want to take a better look at it by the way it's a tough intersection it's small space um and to be honest with you it's really just about making the units slightly bigger getting rid of the traffic and there is
a benefit the benefit is like a 33% increase in affordable there which is a nice bonus. Um, you know, and listen, nobody builds like John. It's going to be a beautiful building. And I know they're tired of of looking at that building. 100%. No. I don't know if you
want to give her an opportunity to Of course. No. Listen, my opinion is not the only opinion that that that counts here. Everybody's opinions count. And I could be wrong. I you know, you could be right. You know what I mean? I'm just being honest with you. I'm not trying to be difficult. You guys are gentlemen.
you make a great presentation then and you did tonight. Um, you know, to the point where at first I'm like, here we go. You know what I mean? Where I'm like, oh, you know, you got a you got a good point here. I think what you're saying, in my opinion, it's not like we're choosing between a right and a wrong option. We
have two good options and we feel that if you put it on a scale and weigh all the pros and cons that in our opinion at least, and we hope for receptivity that what I think the benefit would might the
scale of benefit might might outweigh the benefit of not doing it. If you understand for sure and I I I have a feeling we're going to all take a a I'm certainly going to take a closer look at the plan. That's all for sure. Absolutely. No abs. And you deserve that. It's been a long haul and it's
been a great process taking, you know, time flies, but we're we're excited to finally get moving with it. And if you remember, we took that first board, all of their comments to heart and we tremendously changed this because we came back twice. So they gave us all of
these notes. The units got cut down tremendously. There's a path, there's buffering, there's a school bus stop, there's all of these things that the board the first time and we changed architects. It was a good process. You know, it took several years, but we got
a really great building. And what we're actually talking about is just building two extra units, one of them being if you go that route, one of them being affordable or building no more units and getting rid of the traffic problem and increasing the size a little bit. But like I don't want to speak, you know,
for the neighbors. I just wanted to give her an opportunity to be heard because she's going to be impacted most throughout this process. Yeah. Please come up. And I'm just looking at a map of this right now on that side of the street. This property is bracketed by residential. It's all residential. It's
all residential. And you go down to Metsler and you have one, two, three, four, five, six properties there that are all residential. Okay. Hi. Can you u say your name and address, please? Yes. Linda Paresi, 54 Planefield Road. So, I am looking at the project, the house
right to the left. Um, so yes, I came out when they went for their approvals and I did oppose it because I mean it's a big project and a lot of cars and the traffic was my number
one concern at that time. So it's still my concern. Um, and when they were going through it, we didn't have the Taco Bell. The school was in session but not as much. And even then, I had t hard time getting out of
my driveway. So having retail for me personally, I don't know what would go there, right? So are they limited on what could be there? So if it's a nail salon, people are in and out all day long, right? So it just adds to to the traffic coming in if there's several
businesses in there. And it is residential on my side of the road, so it doesn't really fit in. Um, so I know that during their application they had a traffic study and when he was there
because my concern was the traffic and the amount of units and the tra the gentleman who did the traffic study and I don't know who it was he had talked about it and said that the traffic people who live like in the rental units that the average person only leaves and
comes home once or twice a day and it's the retail that's where the traffic comes from. So I do remember that the that your guy said that. Um so I am the most affected because I am I own my home
on the other side. I don't know if they own but I own my home. I'm right there. The parking is literally right next to my house. So, everyone who's going to be pulling in their parking spots is going to be shining in my window. And right
now, you might say, well, if it's retail, you know, it stays light out until 8:00, but in the winter that's not the case, you know. So, anyway, these are my my this is what is affecting me.
Um, and I'm not sure who was there. they were um during the approvals the board was conflicted with whether retail needed to be there or not because I was at all the meetings. We were on Zoom. Um so for me eliminating it
would be a lot less traffic for me and getting in and out. Right now during the day if anyone is ever there just people pulling out of the Valley Mall that's a big thing. They're coming out and I mean every day there's horns honking because somebody's trying to go and now you're
adding more because it's the Valley Mall. This project will be here. Right next to the Valley Mall is the Goddard School and I'm right behind the Goddard School. So when I pull out of my driveway, I have to look Planefield Road, Valley Mall, Goddard School. Now
this is one more thing. So I'm looking one, two, three, four trying to get out. So having retail for me it's dangerous and I have children coming in and out like I have kids who are driving now. So
um so I do think that it would help everyone. I think um if the units are staying the same and even adding a unit of course I'd prefer the units to stay the same but I understand the town and affordable housing that I just think that that's
the better option for everyone. So, I appreciate you listening to me. I'm not a good public speaker, but um Fine. Thank you. I thank you. And um yes. So, I am definitely more for this project without retail if that could be
accomplished. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Tom. From a master plan perspective, a planning board perspective, I know you're not speaking for the board, but um you want to offer some some thoughts? Yeah. So, I'm just trying to visualize
exactly where this property is. And it sounds like it's right across the street from the exit to Valley Mall. And you see the dilapidated house that's right there. That's the property that's in question. Okay. And I believe that is also zone, the BD zone. Yes. Right. Uh and we do I don't know if we have an overlay for that yet. I think I I've
heard that we have an overlay for that. Okay. Um you're right in saying that we are looking at um or that ground floor apartments are prohibited. Um the planning board is actually in discussion looking at villages and hamlets right
now to review uh the ground floor apartment scenario to see if we're possibly eliminating that and and making it um multi-purpose or you could go with retail or you can go with apartment but we're in discussions with that now.
We're not talking about the BD zone at this point. Um, I'm happy to take it under consideration to talk to the team, the planning board to see is this something that we want to include. I'd also take guidance from Attorney Pigeon, uh, with regards to the overlay, uh, if
there's something there that we can address. Um, and I did I hear that you might have one other apartment be affordable. So, it wouldn't be three, it would be four. Right. Right. So, we have there would be an extra one for that. So, um, I tried looking through the
master plan on my um on my phone and I was trying to see if we had any recommendations for reszoning that particular property because there are suggestions in the master plan about um um looking at areas uh within the township uh that may not be zoned
properly or just misconfigured and to address those. And there's a there's a list of about 39 and I know this because we're actually going through that part too. There's 39 of them and I just couldn't see it on my phone uh whether or not that is being addressed, but happy to take that under consideration.
Anything we can do to improve the town is definitely our goal. And there are 10 retail stores in the Valley Mall that are vacant and actually they cut a hole to put in a some kind of dog um retail business in the old Kings uh
location. So there is some retail coming back, but like you articulated before the the e-commerce has taken over. Co has put a a dent in the in the brick-and-mortar retail business. So So to to kind of wrap this up so we can
move along, can I suggest the path forward here? Um and in no particular order, um we don't have everybody here tonight. Obviously, we're going to have to talk about this. There's pros and cons. I think you've done a great job of um laying out what it is you're looking for
and the rationale behind it. I'm looking at a map right now and I can see I can see your argument for this. Right. It's all residential on that side of the street. I understand the uh the traffic, but we we need to have a discussion with the rest of the committee on that. Parallel to that, Tom, if you can put on
the planning board agenda. I'm on the planning board with Tom. You can put on a discussion u with Don at the next meeting to talk about this. Yep. Right. And you know, let's kind of look at this through the lens of the master plan, the stuff that you're doing with the ground floor apartments. Um, and then the third
leg of the stool, Jack, if you can um draft up a scratch ordinance that would address this so we could look at that in the context of our decision whether or not it's the right thing to do. Yeah. Does that make sense?
Yeah. I suggest I talk to Jessica Corwell, right? I just want to add to the draft ordinance. Yeah. Add two things because I definitely remember uh during the process speaking and your comments, we could fit more units on that first floor with parking. We didn't ask for that.
We're just trying to move the existing units that you guys already approved to the first floor or as as as a caveat, just build so the building's balanced, too. But but now that you don't have the retail with the with the parking spaces being removed, we didn't want to do
another first floor full. We're honestly trying to come up with a solution because we're afraid that that side of the street, no one's going to visit that retail and some of those neighbors, their ex-husband who's passed away, used to work for John. We met some of them like they don't I I don't want to speak
for everybody, but especially the neighbor that came here today. like it's going to be so much more traffic by having retail there. And we just thought this was a way where it honestly could be a win-win for everyone. That's why we suggested it. Um, and I'll leave it there. I just want to highlight just one
of the things I said just to leave you guys with and I I really appreciate your time. I appreciate this process. I'm really looking forward to get started regardless, but the units as as a function of what transpired with the overall process, the units are just slightly constrained. that 100 square
feet will really tip the scales and allowing I think a much stronger ten base. The building will have a healthier profile in terms of tenency and those people not to make presumptions about what people do with their paycheck. But
I think the nature of the building will probably move to support more of the existing retail what might ultimately come into value. You're going to have people more buy, you know, better a better inter.
Would you be able to add, you know, like a community room or something like that? Because we kept the amenity space. There's we kept the gym, the storage, there's a pet um like some type. We made sure that the amenity spaces were
consistent. And if you look, the units are small. Like they'll get built either way, but like they're small right now. And 100 square feet is how how big how what are what what what size are they now? I'm not the architect. I don't I'm not trying to put you on the spot, by the way. I'm just I I don't I'm not 900
square feet for like a thousand for like a two-bedroom is is tight compared to the market and what you said is going on in Warren. They're they're 30 40% bigger some of these units. So, you know, and we kept the building um tight on purpose
to comply with as much of the previous zoning as possible and give the neighbors that are residential on both sides airspace. You know, I I made a commitment to them too that like we're going to plan in a lot of buffering. You know, we we tried our hardest because, you know, we're there. John and I, we we
don't sub this stuff out. We're the guys who are building it. If you remember, I grew up right next to the high school. I used to ride my bike down here when it was like oh my Chinese and Burger King and everything. So, I know the area really, really well. Um, John knows the area really well. You know, we still all have family right here. So, we want to
build something really beautiful and we want to take that down. And we also know that we're going to have to get along and we want those neighbors to be proud of what we build next door. I think you you've stated your case and I think you've done it well. Um, if you can just help me capture next
steps on this communication Tom the planning board talk about this at the meeting at the end of May. Uh, Jack, draft up an ordinance, talk to Jessica, our planner, so we can see what that looks like on paper. And then Vic, we'll
have to talk with the rest of the committee and sort of hash out the pros and cons. I think we have a good sense of those. We pick up an extra affordable house. We have uh better units which we're going to attract um you know a higher clientele, make the neighbors
happy. I'll take you through the map so you can see what's going on on that side of the street. I'm going to revisit the property site also. Yeah, exactly. Anytime like a dog like a pet supply or something like that. It used to be a pet store and there was according to the
neighbors 20 animals. It was it was a bad situation and if you would have gone into that place, it's much better now, but it needs to change and we're always available. We appreciate your comments. That's how we build better things. So, if you want to meet us, want to go on
your own, you can get our contact information. Like your comments are very valuable to us. Okay. Appreciate you guys. Appreciate you guys. All right. Um, so moving on. Uh, now we're into
ordinances. Uh, ordinance 569-25, first reading and introduction, an ordinance repealing section 2-14.13 of the township code entitled process for promotion to chief of police. Jack, can you um Yes. This
ordinance was written by our fire official and now he is Nope. This is the chief. Chief. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, I must have an old ordinance or old agenda. Sorry about that. Yeah, this ordinance what it does is
because the township committee is studying uh the process of uh promoting an officer to police chief uh and consulting with the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police. uh we felt it was best to repeal the current
ordinance uh until that process is complete and we could come up with a uh a new process to incorporate in a new ordinance. Okay. So, this isn't adding, it's simply subtracting. That's correct. Okay. Um Vic, uh I'll start with you. Any comments? Nope. Okay. U Aubrey,
Matt, Guy, any comments? None. And I have no comments. Okay. Can I have a motion to introduce and pass ordinance 569-25 on first reading? Do you bet?
So moved. I'll second it. Committee Lavender. Yes. Committeewoman Riker Eline. Yes. Committeeman Verlesa. Yes. Deputy Mayor
Peria, I think he's a little occupied at this moment. Um, and Mayor Dorsy. Mayor Dorsy. That's okay. We do have a quorum voting. So, okay. All right. And
um when will this be on the agenda next? May 28th. May 28th for second reading and public comment. All right. Next. Ordinance 568-25 second reading adoptions amending chapter 17 of fire prevention. Uh Jack.
Hey, now I'm ready. You're ready. Okay. Sorry, I have an old agenda, I guess. Uh yes. This is an ordinance written by the fire official to clean up the fire prevention section of the township code. He has now requested that we make some
additional technical changes. Uh as I recall, they're mainly just changing nomenclature on some of the technical regulations and things. So, in any event, I would ask that uh you move to amend the ordinance in response to
those recommendations and that the public hearing be continued on the ordinance as amended until the next meeting. I can give you more. Oh, no. This is Oh, okay. Thank you.
Oh, that's the update. Sorry. Thank you. Okay. So, we're looking for a motion to accept the changes to um 568-25 and carry the public hearing until May 28th. That's correct. So, basically kicking the can one meeting. Yes. Got it. Okay.
Um I I don't think any of the changes are substantive, but it's safer just to continue the public hearing. Okay. So, do I hear a motion? So moved and I'll second.
Committeeman Lavender. Yes. Committeewoman Riker Elign. Yes. Sorry, I can't access my mute button very quickly. Yes. That's okay. Committeeman Verza. Yes. Deputy Mayor
Peria. Gonna have him abstain. And Mayor Dorsy. Yes. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay. So, public hearing on that on May 28th. Moving right along to consent agenda.
Um, and so there's going to be a change um on resolution uh 25-134 and we're striking article B on that I believe. Correct. That's setting the minimum rent requirement. Okay. So, we just like to, you know, add that when
we vote on this that um that change is in place. And then we are adding um a resolution too as well. Right. Correct. 25-144 resolution of the township committee of the township of Long Hill authorizing the operations manager to
sign the necessary necessary New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection application forms related to sanitary sewer construction. Jack, could you just um explain what that is?
Yeah, this New Jersey American uh needs u Ry's still on. He actually prepared the resolution. Um yeah, I I could explain it. Uh Jack, thank you, Randy. So, New Jersey American Water is
submitting their phase one for sewer expansion to DP and they need the uh township since the township isn't the operator of the system anymore. Basically, need their blessing uh to be sent with the application to D so they
can consider the application. And that's what this is uh giving the authorization to the New Jersey American Waters operation ma uh manager to process the application on behalf of the township to the benefit of the residents of the
township. Okay. All right. Very good. Are there any uh before we go forward uh approving these resolutions, are there any abstensions? No abstensions. Right. Okay. Can I have a motion to approve resolutions number 12 number
25-129 through 25-144 with um the the uh change mentioned on 25-144 striking article B and 25134. Um can I have a motion?
Motion to move and I'll second it. Committeeman Lavender. Yes. Committeewoman Riker Elign. Yes. Committeeman Verza, yes. Deputy Mayor Peri is abstaining. And Mayor Dorsy, yes. Okay. All right. Moving right
along. Committee reports. Um, Dick, what do you got? All right. All Wreck. Oh, we got to wait for the slides to come up there. That's okay. Take your time. All right. The Wednesday, May 14th,
wreck update is as follows. Summer plans are keeping us very busy in parks and recreation. On April 24th, the Central School Community Service Group led by Isabella Debiasi met us at Sterling Lake
for cleanup of the grounds. Great way to acknowledge Earth Day and thank you very much to this group. May is mental health awareness month and through several activities we are painting the town green. You've probably
already noticed some extra green decor in town to help bring awareness to this cause. New program running on Saturday, May 17th. Come to Town Hall Parking lot. I'm sorry. Come to town hall parking and learn some basics about the car you
drive and depend on. taught by a certified mechanic. Register on community pass. The cost is only $45 and registration closes tonight. Please join us for our annual Memorial Day parade and observance on
Monday, May 26th. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a brief ceremony at Central School. Please join us as we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all enjoy the freedoms we do
today. We march light, rain, or shine. Community groups interested in joining the parade, please contact the parks and recreation department. Registration for Sterling Lake is open now on community pass.
Register by by May 31st in order re to receive your early bird pricing. All right, it's your last chance to join us for CPR/ AED training until the fall is coming up Thursday,
May 22nd from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Long Hill First Aid Squad Building. Please register online through Community Pass. Class size is limited to $35 per person. Oh, sorry. Class size is
limited. The cost is $35 per person. All right, moving on to slide number eight. The Sterling Lake dance, Friday, June 6th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Chaperones are needed. Please call the
recreation office if you can help. Enter our free photography contest by June 1st. Snap photos of what spring is in what spring and long hill looks like and enter on community pass. Winner winners will be announced in
June. Registration is open now for summer rec camp and our little explorers prek camp. Check out the website for more details and register on community pass by 5:31. Our dog days of summer free
concert series lineup has been announced. The screen truck will also be on hand at all of our concerts. Ice cream and free concert. What a treat that can't be beat.
All right, don't forget Oscar the Grouch and his daily message to keep our parks clean. Can't forget Oscar the Grouch. And and last but not least, remember our recreation advisory committee is always looking for new
members. You want to join, contact the parks and recreation department for more information. And that concludes my wreck update. Thank you. Okay. Um Megan, while you're teeing up the library update uh slides, I will
quickly give the uh report from the planning board. Uh Tom, thank you for the stats. So, two ordinances have been approved by the uh the township committee so far. You know, at the recommendation of the planning board, uh the planning board has 10 ordinances
that are currently being worked on. uh and they're at various stages. So that pipeline of ordinances will continue to come our way here and uh 80 of the 300 plus recommendations in the 2023 uh master plan are currently being addressed. So a lot of work going on
there that we talk about at every meeting. Um and then uh next I'll do the library update. Uh so the library is looking forward to uh lots of fun in the weeks ahead. We had a great time at Millington
School and look forward to going to Watch on Hills Regional High School for Career Day next. Thanks to all for participating in the library's 20th anniversary last month. Uh there were 75 people at the Cape Cutting and people are enjoying our selfie station. Reading
gives you wings. Huh, look at that. Slide three. Throughout May, all community members are encouraged to pick up a tiny art kit. Paint a masterpiece and return to the library for community art display. Our third annual tiny art event, all ages. Next, the silent book
club is the third Thursday of the month at Starbucks at 10:00 a.m. Just an hour to read with others. Read whatever you want. Just read to yourself. Next, kids story time takes place every day at 10:30. We have some special ones
next week. Plus, we have the popular read to a dog story time on Saturday. That's right. You read to your dog. What kind of books do dogs like to hear? Not sure. A tree grows in Brooklyn. Um, no trees before, right?
Great practice for beginning readers and a great anxiety alleviator for older kids, too. Next, free movies every Wednesday and Thursday for adults. And lastly, the friends of the Long Hill Library and volunteer group is hosting a Panera fundraiser on our behalf
Thursday, May 15th. Just mention the fundraiser at checkout. And that concludes the library report. Thank you. Um Aubrey, anything uh that you would like to add remotely? No, I'm good. You did great. Thank you.
Thank you. And Matt, how about you? He's muted. Okay. All right. I have nothing to say. Nothing to say. Okay. Uh administrator's report. Randy, what say you? I I just have uh two quick things. If uh people have not noticed, um North
Field is paved. Uh so it is 97 and 98% completed. Next week we'll be uh doing lines and and safety measures. Um, also I don't want to leave people um curious as to New Jersey American Water Sewer
expansion. This phase is for Southfield Road to Valley and Morris Avenue to Sussex. And that that'll be phase one. Uh we should have they're working on phase two uh which should be
coming to us uh hopefully by the next meeting and we'll discuss that when we uh get all the paperwork. Great. And the reason that painting on Northfield's not happening this week is because you can't paint in the rain. Right. Correct. Right. Okay. Anything
else? That's it. All right. Discussion. Uh, I see electric electric vehicle chargers on here. So, how do we want to start this off, Randy or Matt or? Well, we we had gotten a request from a
resident on Main Avenue to um utilize UV chargers on Maine and take two parking spots to uh utilize for UV chargers. U I'm sorry,
electric chargers. Uh the problem is that um it's considered a concession in the New Jersey public contracts law. So, if the if the uh township does want to do this, uh we can move forward um and
draw up specifications and ask for RV uh an RFP for the concessions for um installing electric chargers um not just on Main Avenue, but anywhere in town that the town that the township
committee would like to see them. So, Um it was he wanted to install them, but the the catch is if somebody wants to install them and not charge at all for the electric, that's fine. The person's not making any money, so it's not a
concession, but you know, obviously they have to u make money to pay for the electric that that the char the cars will be or the vehicles would be using. So that's what makes it a concession in the New Jersey public contracts law. And how would they hook that up to our grid?
uh the grid in that area would have to uh be able to suffice the the charges. So uh apparently uh the person that did have this proposal has checked with JCPNL and the grid right there the grid in that area does support that.
And I'm just curious how many volts how many amps per charger. Do you know that? I no I don't. And it's connected what? By overhead wire to the telephone pole. probably be connected underground to the telephone pole and and uh uh up the
telephone pole. Got it. So, they'd be a little bit of jackhammering and running a conduit or something like that. Yeah. Yeah. Got it. Okay. And of course, you know, when we if we choose to go this route, all that would be in the request for proposals that you know they that
and then you guys can decide how you want it constructed and so forth so on, right? And it probably be a probably accept a credit card which means it needs a data connection. Correct. Got it. Okay. All right. Anything else on that?
That's all I have. All right. It Oh, sorry. Go ahead. No, I just wanted to add I think it's a good idea obviously to put them in and follow the protocol to get the um you know the different requests in for that. I would also recommend seeing if we can get some at,
you know, at town hall, the library, the fields, like that that parking lot, wherever is best suited for that. And then I would be open to ideas throughout the town if there's anywhere else that we should be doing them. But I think it's a good idea to get the bid. Good. Okay. All right. Next uh topic,
commercial vehicle ordinance. I I'll give an update on that. Uh planning board had a discussion about that last night. We did some research. Um, Bridgewater actually had the exact same uh problem to solve and we took a look at their ordinance. They did a nice job
of crafting language that uh you know would accomplish what we want to accomplish in terms of keeping the neighborhoods um looking good and yet not penalizing um uh uh you know uh small business owners who have vehicles
that they use to commute with. And so, um, that was shared with the the the the rest of the planning board. Everyone's in favor of, you know, fixing this. So, you know, folks are happy. So, we'll move forward. Perfect. Right. And you'll
see something come up here. Um, you know, basically, if you own a pickup truck up to a certain class, it's not going to be a problem. You own a van up to a certain class, it's not going to be a problem. Yes. you know, our our ordinance was um you know, actually very outdated and a
little bit um uh archaic. Yeah, we were trying to def in our ordinance LU 111, I think it is, where we had definitions, we were attempting once upon a time to define what a commercial vehicle is. Recommendation number one is no, let's
go to NJSA 391-1 to their definition of what a of a commercial vehicle is and and normalize to that. That's number one. And then um you know number two we were looking at load capacity as a definition of you
know but that's not the right way to do it because load capacity changes as models change. So just the weight of the vehicle, right? Gross vehicle weight rating, which is gross vehicle weight rating is the weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the fuel, 400 lb, but
maybe if it's diesel, the weight of the occupants in a crew cab, which could be 1,000 lb, plus the payload, right? And so what you're looking at is, you know, basically you've got three levels of pickup trucks. Let's look at those for a second. You've got uh, you know, F-150,
F250, F350, right? Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500. Silverado falls the same thing. You look at the at at at at at at the 350 class. That's the last pickup before you get into single cab chassis, box trucks, dump trucks, and stuff like
that. 350 is what probably as high as a contractor is going to go to go down to Astro Rents and pull a trailer from the rent for the day, right? Um that's a gross vehicle weight rating. The highest in that market is 14,000 pounds. And
14,000 pounds is 7,000 for the vehicle and everything that I just mentioned, right? And not everybody has them. And it sounds fair. Yeah, it's fair. So, they did a really nice job of of kind of delineating this. They they made it flexible where, you know, where
feasible, park it, and where it can't be seen. Where feasible have fencing, right? Yes. And we know we live in a town where not everything is feasible. So, you know, it's good to have that kind of flexibility. And, you know, again, the gloss around their um
ordinance just kind of demonstrated to me that they had the exact same problem we did. Yeah. Right. They they did a nice job of fiddling with it. So, anyway, they're going to look at it. They'll make recommendations back and we'll clean this up. Right. All 12 of there are and
this goes back to at least 1992, right? That's the oldest code I have. Right. It was adopted long before and and the problem with it, the real problem, it allowed for nothing. There was no flexibility whatsoever. That was the intent. Right. And then and then and and the to me the solution wasn't just don't
enforce it. You know what I'm trying to say? To me, we have to fix start fixing um our ordinances and start enforcing those that the ordinances that we agree upon. Absolutely. Well, and and again, you we look at the bigger picture here. That's what uh you know, Tom's leading that initiative on the planning board,
the ordinance. So, we keep eating through these things and fixing them and you know there'll be a few panics along the way but that too shall pass and we'll get this fixed. All right. Any old new business? All
right. See none, move into announcements. So again, as we heard, Long Hill Township Memorial Day parade, May 26th, 9:30. I believe we meet on Mercer Street, right? Uh at 9:30. Does
the parade start at 9:30 sharp or Yeah, it starts at 9:30 sharp and then we make our way up to central school. Al, is there anything at uh the firehouse afterwards? You want to What is that? Like hot dogs and stuff? Yeah, hot dogs. Okay. So, as soon as it ends
up at uh Central School, go around the corner to Sterling Firehouse and um enjoy the company of your neighbors along with some dogs and whatever beverages are there. We'll see. Um next,
Millington Sterling Wet Down May 31st, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Oh, where is that? Okay, so that's five days later. Uh that's a Saturday, right? Correct. Okay. Uh anything special we should share about that? Kids welcome. Kids
welcome. Yeah. Free to get in. Free to get in. Only charge if you're going to drink. 21 to drink. Yeah. Bouncy house. Bouncy house and an ice cream truck. Do you have like a flyer on this or something up on the
website? Use signs going up tomorrow and banners going up in town. Got it. All right. So, I'm going to rewind and do this again. So, the Millington Sterling wetdown is May 31st, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Keep an eye
out for the flyers on this. There's going to be bouncy houses, things for the kids with adult beverages. Sounds like it's going to be a blast. Yes. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. 3 p.m. No, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It says here.
Okay. What is it? 3 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Okay. All right. Very good. All right. Meeting's open to the public. I can see people are scrambling over each other's bodies to get up here and talk. Remember, there's a three minute limit.
There's a threem minute limit. Okay, everybody satisfied. Anybody online? There is no one online. Are committee members online? Correct. Yes, there's nobody from the public online. All right. Well, having said
that, having said that, do I hear a meeting a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. All in favor? I I Thank you. Thank you. Are we Do we have anything? Nope. No, we're done.
day. All right, everybody. Enjoy the rest of your evening.