All right, everyone. We get started. I' like to call to order the uh regular meeting for the town of the low Pacon for June 3rd, 2026. And bow your head for a moment of prayer, please. Pledge allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided indicating the time and place
of the meeting in accordance with chapter 72 of the public laws of 2025 by advertising a notice on the township website of packonttownship.com and by posting a copy on the bulletin board in the municipal building and is accessible by direct hyperlink placed on the New
Jersey Secretary of State's portal. >> Roll call, please. M. >> Yes. Councilman Delara >> here. >> Councilman Marinelli >> here. >> Councilman Mccle >> here. >> Council President >> here. Mayor Rice >> here. Uh Wade, would you summarize executive session, please?
>> Yes. Uh township council met in executive session where it discussed the uh following privilege matters. Attorney client privilege park project contractual LAA contract update. Attorney client privilege the cubes warehouse fees agreement with Pohatong.
litigation, harbor management, breakley gardens update, contractual DPW contract update, and personnel PVA grievance. Minutes from the executive session will be released at such time as the council deems no public harm will come from it and no official action was taken.
There's going to be uh a motion to deny the PVA agreements as discussed in executive session. Someone wants to make that motion. >> I'll make your motion. Second, all roll call. >> Uh, roll. Roll call, please.
>> Councilman Valk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman McQueen. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Mayor Right. >> Yes. And there's going to be a motion to reject Shoreland Construction, Inc.'s request to withdraw their bid on Wol
Patong Park uh project. Uh can I is there a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Councilman Valera. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman. Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. May.
>> Yes. Okay. All right. Before we get to the rest of the meeting, I want to address the agenda quick correctly. I want to correct many misstatements that uh predated our meeting tonight. And I want to explain why the agenda is structured the way it is. First, I want
to reiterate what I wrote on May 23rd letter. A Pakan is not considering a construction of a data center. No one on this council has met with the data center developer about a proposed data center and none of us have sought one
out. Every internet post that you guys saw was a complete lie. Next, the township decision to impose conditions in the event a data center proposal found its way to us was triggered by a resolution from the
county commissioners and by a way of recommendations from the planning board to introduce ordinance number 26-4. The second reading of ordinance 26-4 remains on tonight's agenda at the direction of the township attorney. So
it can be closed and rejected by the CL council in action on it tonight. Additionally, it'll also be rendered moot by the township taking action tonight on ordinance 2006 banning data centers initially in the ROM zone, the
only place where they are presently permitted. And after the master plan review at the planning board on June 24th, then in tire then entire township. Each action adds additional layer of protection to the township against
unwanted data center development. And that's it. So all this stuff that got put out into the was a lie. It's horrible to say, but it is. All right. So now we're going to move to ordinance number 26-06.
First reading ordinance of the township of >> public comment. >> Whoops. Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize everyone. Okay, skip that. Public comment on agenda items only. Now you heard what I was going to say so we don't have to kill ourselves on that. >> Can you comment on the data center? >> What sir? >> Can you comment on the ordinance for the
data center? It's first reading, right? >> Yeah. >> Does that get changed as we go? >> Come on out, sir. Can you sir? >> Hey, my name is Patrick Brown. I live one house over and uh Mr. Mayor, how are you? >> Good, sir. >> Question. Um, not familiar with the ordinance, right? First, second, third
reading, right? But you edit as you go along and you come to a final decision, right? That's your ordinance. Just wondering in that ROM zone that you mentioned, has the uh are any of you aware of how big a power pole is needed
to feed a data center, how big a data transmission pole with, you know, airlines running over it are um are needed. The average power pole for a medium-sized data center is look it up. I just it's on AI is 160 to 200 feet
high. Okay? And that's a pole. So, and that pole has a circumference of some 12 to 15 feet. Those are huge. So, you might want to add that to the ordinance also that power poles cannot be bigger than the ones allowed in the current ROM zone.
>> So, I just want to specify. So, this is on for first reading. It does not get changed from the introduction to the second reading. So, once it's introduced, they can't be changed, >> right? >> And uh it is proposing to prohibit it in the ROM zone. So, it would not be allowed,
>> right? So those poles would not be >> correct. Right. >> Okay. All right. >> That's good. That's good. >> Yeah, that's all I had. You just have to be aware of that. And they also be aware of the data lines that feed in and out. >> Not going to happen. >> They have corros. Yeah. But they just in the future, right? They have corrosive
material inside of Right. And uh that leaks, you have an issue. But just the grand scale of the poles. Everybody thinks power, water, this that. Just think of that structure going on, you know, going in the path. >> Everything I've heard is horrible. though. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Cool. Thanks, boys. >> All right, sir. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I'm sorry. Sorry. You're next, sir. >> Oh, >> no, that's okay. >> Oh, I'll be really quick. So, in easier terms, please. >> Hi. Um, Susan Haley and 68 Overlook Drive, Stewartsville, New Jersey. Well,
that's mailing, but I'm Li Pat. But anyway, so just to be clear, you said they're terrible. They're horrible. You can't Can you put eventually put a ban totally like the other townships surrounding us? Are you saying you'll put like no a ban a total ban? No data
centers whatsoever. >> A ban's a ban. >> Well, a ban with provisions like saying a certain area. I thought I heard you said >> you can't put them in residential areas. I mean that's >> obviously >> but like how about the whole town like none in Lakon? That's all I'm trying to say. >> Yes. So right now the ROM zone is the
only it's already permitted in the ROM zone. >> What's the ROM zone? Is that in Lakon? >> Yeah. Research office manufacturing. See, that's that's sounds that's a problem because Striker's Road is right behind our development and that's probably one of those zones. You build
one of those giant things there, we're going to hear humming. It's going to like other townships ban them totally. >> It's going to be banned from the ROM zone. >> That's Oh, it's going to be banned from Okay, I just didn't You guys went really fast and we're slower. >> The ROM zone. That's the only zone right now that permits it.
>> Oh, so you're going to ban it from whatever zones. >> It's It's banned everywhere else already. All right. I I know I'm not the only one who thinks like this. I'm sure a lot of people >> We're not lawyers. >> No, I me either obviously. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Hello, mayor, council, residents. My
name is Brian Sweeney from 21 Highlands Way. And I actually had a very different tone when I was going to come up here, but when you started off by saying every internet post is a lie is actually a lie in itself. And I'd love for you to be able to explain what was a lie because I actually created that petition.
>> And my petition was for the concerned residents of Lat. >> You had some we had over 950 signatures. >> That's great. But you you had someone say it was a proposed bill. That got everybody going crazy. >> There was an ordinance on schedule to be
reread tonight that actually allows data centers with restrictions. That's why >> then with then with the petition and all the noise now you're adding one to ban. So for you to say that everything's a lie. >> Back a second. >> They were allowed before tonight. Okay.
Back in 12 or 15 years ago they were allowed. We could not just go in and stop it or vote for that last time because that would have gave them a chance to get in here. We had to do what we did. We had to listen to our attorneys and that's why we're doing what we're doing now. We had to get all
our information. We don't know. We have no idea how it's supposed to go, but we did find out in the last month. Now, that's why we're banning it. >> Well, it seems like we're the last township to be on board with this. So, it'd be great if we could be more proactive in understanding what this means and have a master plan that
reflects >> you think a month for us to get all our tax together too long. We don't have a meeting. We have a meeting once a month. Tonight was the second reading that to to prohibit or to allow data centers. So now it's changing. I'm I'm very grateful
that you're now prohibiting. But what really puts a bad taste in my mouth is saying that everything online was a lie. When all when all we really care about is that we're developing this this town in an appropriate way. Not data centers that are going to ruin property values. They're going to create noise. No one's
This is Warren County. This is farmland. This is not an industrial an industrial zone. >> Great. So then why start off with a bad tone saying everything online badone everything online >> three minutes and say the same thing. We're banning them. It's very simple.
>> So what was the line with the petition then? >> It was not a proposed no one no one proposed to do that. That's why it was put out >> allowing allowing data centers. >> Nobody ever said that. >> Well until the ban was put on the agenda. >> Until the ban is on the agenda you are.
That's a lot. >> No one came to us. That's why we did it. You could swing it any way you want. It was never No one ever did it. No one never came to us, but we wanted to make sure we did it the right way. If you find that that's wrong, I'm sorry. I We think we did it the right way. >> But if if you're not building, no one
said that there's a data center that's going to be built in XYZ time. Once you allow it in your ordinance to say that these are the restrictions. In essence, you're saying we're allowing data sets. >> There's no restrictions. It's banned. No, it's not being dead. It's first reading tonight.
>> It's It's first reading tonight. >> You got 21 seconds. Anything else? Thank you. >> Sarah Hair from Hope. >> Can you spell your last name? >> H A R E. >> We're in Hope. >> We're in Hope, Delaware Road.
I was here last meeting and um I left here sad because an ordinance to allow data centers with conditions was being put forth. Um but I'm here to applaud you for putting
the first reading of an ordinance to prohibit data centers on tonight's agenda. That is excellent. Thank you. I will admit that I was confused after attending the last meeting to see a
complete turnaround from this council regarding data centers, but I do applaud you for doing the necessary research and for listening to residents concerns. I think we give you credit for that. You
are now among a majority of townships in Warren County that are adopting ordinances or updating master plans to completely prohibit data centers including Alpha, Blairestown, Fringheisen, Green Witch, Hope, Nolton,
Liberty, Philipsburg, Pohatong, Washingtonboro, Washington Township and White. Your ordinance is particularly specific regarding data centers extraordinary electrical consumption, increased regional electrical costs, and
the increased use of diesel backup generators and battery storage systems and many other negative impacts concerning these monstrosities. By adopting this ordinance, you will be protecting not only Leakhong residents
but residents throughout the region and our priceless Highlands watershed. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> My name is Guy Citron and I'm from Tukesberry Township. Good evening, honorable mayor and honorable council members. I want to thank you for
considering a prohibition on data centers. That is exactly the kind of community first planning we need. Tonight, I am here to extend that same logic to warehouse overdevelopment. >> Sir, sir, talk up here. Don't talk too proud.
>> You're right. I was wrong. Thank you, sir. Recently, Lat Kong's township attorney told the Highlands Council that and I am paraphrasing, not this gentleman. If this is okay, despite the fact that no
>> agenda item, >> yeah, this is agenda item. >> Um, this is on agenda. >> Despite the fact that nobody in Warren County wants more warehouses. >> What What agenda item are you speaking to? >> The data center, sir. >> It's not a warehouse. >> You're talking about warehouses. the
parcel that was just approved for redevelopment behind the old Philipsburg Mall. There >> there's a public comment at the end. Yeah, you can bring that up. >> Oh, yeah. Okay, fair enough. >> Just about to say >> it's related, but fair enough.
>> So, we change the right way. Yes, ma'am. >> Hi, >> how are you? >> I'm good. How are you? Megan McMahon, 22 Grant Way. Um, thank you for banning data centers. That great. That's great. I just have a question about a certain section in the ordinance.
Uh section 2D components of redevelopment or rehabilitation projects unless expressly authorized by subsequent ordinance. Can you explain what that means? Um is there a possibility in the future for them to be built under certain criteria
or I was just looking at um I'm sorry. What uh what provision are you looking at? >> Um section two prohibited prohibited uses letter D. >> I don't see a letter D.
>> Is this ordinance number 2606? It was the one linked um >> Yeah. >> Can I show you my paper? >> Sure. >> I see prohibited uses one and two here. So, this is different.
>> Oh, no. It was linked on the >> No, I Yeah, it might be the wrong one that was linked. >> Oh, okay. B. >> Oh, yeah. Sorry there. Oh no. >> Section
two. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. This is uh that's not the the current iteration of it. Uh so it should read the prohibited uses >> one uh outdoor display of merchandise
which >> and then adding two data centers as defined in the definition section. >> Okay. So that's irrelevant. There will be no way authorized anything. Okay. Well, that's great then. Okay. Thank you. >> Right. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Anyone else? >> Yes, sir. and we'll we'll get a the correct version upload uploaded. >> Uh Tim Moros 909 Barnell White. How you >> doing, Tim? >> Hey, so thanks for having me up here. I'm not opposed to data centers. I'm not
for data centers. My concerns aren't for water or energy use. I think if we're talking about water consumption, maybe we'd be looking at golf courses and what to do with them when they go for sale. Uh, I appreciate the township's effort to get ahead of data center development, but after reviewing ordinance 2604, I
think there's some technical gaps. I know that you guys have competing bills, but if 2604 ever comes back up, you know, I I'd like to to put out my opinion. So, first on battery storage and fire protection, you guys encourage battery storage systems, but the only
mention of fire in the ordinance is an emergency access plan should be approved by fire official and OEM coordinator. So, lithium ion systems pose unique fire and ther thermal runway risks. If we're going to invite battery storage systems into the town, we need to require the safety standards and I hope developers
follow them voluntarily. There's no mention of NFPA 855 which is the national standard. Uh that's voluntary. Municipals have to put that in there. Uh there's no mention for sight sitting next to the batteries. Uh
if you look at sample ordinances for Montgomery and Chester County, they recommend a thousand feet away. Uh so I think that that should have been in the ordinance. Second, on noise, we refer to our own uh noise standards,
chapter 147. Uh these limits are less restrictive than World Bank standards and uh World Health Organization standards. Other municipalities in New Jersey have stricter standards. Uh the fine also in chapter 147 is only
$500 a day. It's not a meaningful deterrent for a multi-million dollar facility that spends that much on electricity. >> Uh it seems like our noise ordinances haven't been updated since 1993 and the penalties still think that they're 1993. So maybe updating those penalties and
any other inflation lagging penalties would help. Uh third on thermal impacts, nearly all uh dad centers, all the electric consumed has generated heat. Other township uh ordinance guides
recommend thermal studies by engineers to see how much that impacts you. So if I'm living next door and you increase my air conditioning bill for a break on your tax dollars, you know, not really acceptable. Uh
finally on the renewable energy, so much of the s sustainability language in the ordinance is advisory and then some recent planning board changes making them mandatory. Not sure how mandatory it is 100% whatever. Uh given the enormous electrical demand on data
centers which are going up around town, uh maybe we should do some renewable energy around town too and consider offsite renewable energy. >> Thank you. I love your >> How you doing?
>> Hi, mayor, members of the council. Thanks so much for having this and I want to applaud you for introducing this ordinance. Can >> you just give your name please? Oh yes, thank you. My name is Alicia Wigel. I'm a resident of Tukesbury Township. Um we ei
hosting this hearing and for introducing this ordinance to quote ban I'm sorry I'm trying to find the right which number is this? >> Uh 2606. >> 2606. Great. I just want to make sure
that it's clear and read into the record that this is gerine to this particular item. Uh my particular concern is to institute a proper ban for data centers. We need to avoid for lack of more technical terms what I would like to call a sneak attack. What we see
happening in all of these counties and townships across the state is they will build these warehouses on spec and then retrofit them after the fact to become data centers. So, that is kind of a loophole to get around the sort of ban that we are proposing and discussing
today. Um, I want y'all to be able to be heroes and protect this township from data centers, but it's not going to do its job if we pass this ordinance tonight, a warehouse is built tomorrow and 2 months later that is sold to an AI company and retrofitted to become a data
center. So, again, I I don't have the the technical jargon. I'm just an everyday person. And I'm speaking in layman's terms, but my concern is that this ban is effective and not simply uh performative. So I would like to address that if not now in the public commentary
later. Thanks again for your time and I'm happy to discuss further. >> Thank you very much. YEAH, >> JUDY, the tech 47 Kyle Drive. The statements I'm asking tonight represent my own personal opinions opinions and not any of any other organization or any
person. Um I just am asking I have two questions of the council. One is taking the next step. Will you be taking the next step now to um look at the master plan because your planning board looked at
it. They said it aligns with the master plan, your first ordinance that allows data centers. So now to close even title loopholes, we need to look at that master plan. Is the council going to do that? That's the next resolution is
authorizing a re-examination of the master plan. So, like I said, right now in the ROM, it's permitted, right? >> So, um the master plan allows it cuz it's permitted, right? >> So, we're banning it in the ROM. Uh but we're also simultaneously going to send it to the uh planning board to look at
the master plan to get that revised >> to get that revised. And would that um also then help with the situation the young lady just spoke about for then um warehouses being retrofit into data centers? Would that cover it if the master plan is also fixed?
>> Yeah. And right now with the prohibition as written, if they were to do that, um one, they would need probably to pull permits through the revisions and that would get denied by the zoning officer because that's not permitted. >> Okay. And we're then ironclad tight that should they sue us, we're okay.
>> Uh, yes, we're doing everything that we can do. >> Okay, great. I'm still a little bit confused about the process and I hope you can clarify this. What was the purpose of Please let me finish too before you answer. um what was the purpose of drafting an ordinance to
allow data centers to happen in the first place and have a first reading and then had the BL planning board meet and align it with the master plan before there was a I'm sorry insert at that
moment petition on line online outcry from your citizens. So now you know that your citizens were upset. You had a wonderful true statement of a petition written with hundreds and hundreds of signatures. Then we get a I think it was
a tapped-in article with the actual um new ordinance that was and links to the new ordinance that was to ban data centers. So I'm just trying to understand what that process was. Why did we have an ordinance? planning board
met, petition came. My hope is that you did hear the people and that you said, you know what, we need to rethink this. Thank you community members. Thank you for the outreach. We are going to make some changes. If not, I would love to hear and I think so would everyone else.
Why did we start with an ordinance for them? I know you started to explain it, but I just didn't. >> It came from the planning board to us because they were trying to protect us. >> I think you could allow me on that on that. Oh, yeah. You can do it. I'm sorry.
>> Sure. Uh, so the township planning board adopted a master plan re-examination report in 2012 which recommended that data centers be allowed in the ROM zone. Uh, and then the ordinance was then amended to allow them in the ROM zone. So there are currently you could uh have
an application for data center in the ROM zone. It would be permitted use and there are no restrictions on that. So the thought from the planning board was why don't we look into uh mitigating some of the concerns that are prevalent
with data centers. Um and that was the focus of we can still allow data centers while being very stringent on what types of regulations they have to comply with. Uh and then so that was the process and the planning board met several times and
discussed those conditions. How do how can we control data centers if they were to come into Lepac Township? Um we can control any potential negative impact to the community. And as far as
whether the town when the town decided to change policy and prohibit them altogether, I I can't speak to that. But that was the process that the planning board was looking at. the master plan from 2012 which already recommends data centers to be allowed and they are
allowed currently with no restrictions. So to put some protections in place to restrict the size and character of data centers and the impacts to the communities. That was the intent of the original ordinance. >> So the strategy was to allow them with
restrictions. So still protecting the community, not banning them. >> That was the original strategy. And then that strategy blew up and now we're back to banning, which I'm very glad you're banning. Very glad you're adjusting the master plan. I just wish you'd move forward with that. What a shame. The
farmland behind the mall being another warehouse. >> Hi, I'm Jennifer Danio. um 36 Buckley Hill Drive. And I'm actually speaking for my son because he's a little nervous, but and I don't mean to get emotional and I appreciate that you guys are gonna go this this route, but I do
want you to see and he wants you to see this. These things, these choices that you guys make affect more than just all of us as adults. These are children and many of us came here to raise our families. And he's 10 years old. He He
hears about the stuff. He's very knowledgeable. He's very mature. He was here one time with my husband for the chickens. So, he he's very involved in these things. And his first fear was he has to leave his new Yankees bedroom. He
has to leave his friends. He's going into the middle school because, god forbid, you know, when we first saw the the stuff come out, we heard that it was just, you know, an option. You know, we know, nobody said that we were going to have them, but we knew like, all right,
every other town banned it, so of course they're going to rush to Lat. We knew if that happened, we would have to sell our home because of the noise, because of the health risks, because of, you know, electricity rising and just all the environmental, the financial,
and just the general life that we're looking to have here. So when decisions are being made and I know this is for anything think about it's more than just the adults you have children here and a lot of I think kids that have been
raised here actually still live here so kind of keep that stuff in mind and I'm sure your job is super hard trying to figure out what you're doing but I truly would love to know and I think a lot of us like I'm curious what is the direction for lowat because sometimes
there's a pool there's warehouse like I I really do wonder and I don't mean that in a disrespectful way. I mean it because either I truly just don't even know where to find that information and I've never come to a council meeting and that's wrong. I should be involved. We should be in this. Our children should be. But one thing that would have been
awesome for all of our minds to just feel at ease was like, "Hey guys, listen. We have to protect you, but we're working on that. We stand with our community members. You guys live here. I'm sure nobody wants to hear that stuff or or have a data center. So maybe being more
like welcoming with the the the community members and just saying like we can't speak directly on it. We have to talk to attorneys, but we're here. We've got your back. We've got the back of the community members. So then as parents, we can relay that to our children because not going to lie,
tonight was a thing where I said, "We're either putting our house on the market tomorrow or we can stay living here." And we didn't want to. We don't want to move. So, we just kind of wanted to like show you another side of who these choices affect and just kind of keep
that in mind if you can. We we would appreciate it and all the kids would. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Hi, Ken McCarthy. Power Horn Drive. I've been a resident here for over 40 years now and um seen a lot of things changed in the town. I'm not going to make a big
speech, but a couple things were brought up that kind of I wasn't thinking about before. Um the the one thing is the uh the planning board, the master plan. I was completely confused about the whole thing, and I'll be the first one to admit it. There's all these exceptions and everything else. So all I want to
hear in plain English is tonight that master plan whatever was done on that it still exists or this completely negates that master plan with this uh fourstory buildings and 60 foot tall buildings and everything else I read. >> So so the master plan is is going to be
a process and that's a process that the planning board does. We have a resolution that is on the agenda uh authorizing the planning board to do a master plan re-examination with the board and then that's what we authorize them and then they do it. That's a planning board thing. What we're doing
now is we have an ordinance for first reading prohibiting it in the only zone where it's currently permitted. It's not permitted in any other zone. So they can't do it in any other zone. >> And that would be the Striker Road area. >> Uh correct. and then um in July it'll be
on for second reading. Now, one of the nuances is because most likely that master plan won't be amended by that uh second reading. What we need to do legally is we'll we're going to adopt it with special reasons as to why it is currently inconsistent with the match,
which the law allows us to do. And that's what we'll do in in the July meeting. And um but like I said that there is the parallel track at the planning board where cuz we want to move this quickly. We don't want to wait for the master plan to be amended. So that
will get done in July and then parallel uh the planning board will look at the master plan and do a reevaluation of it. >> Okay. One other question you may not I don't know if you'll know the answer to it or not, but the one lady brought up the retrofitting of warehouses once they're already existing. I've been reading that the warehouse on Striker
Road just laid off I don't know if their entire staff but their whole staff of of forklift drivers. Is that is that closing down or do you know? >> Have you heard anything? >> Not heard. >> They haven't heard anything. >> They did not renew their lease post office.
>> The post office. >> So they don't the people that operate it don't own the building. >> They're just tenants. >> Okay. >> Right. So that >> so is should that be a concern of ours >> that maybe they're losing their lease and we're going to have an empty giant warehouse sitting on Striker Road? >> Oh, we might have an empty one. We I
mean we can't control that, but we know it won't be a day or two. >> Okay. So again, I'm I'm kind of repeating myself. So what you're doing tonight by banning this would negate anything even like that happen. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, >> sir. Did you like office. Okay.
>> Lee Raziki, 56 Pudding Stone Way. Gentlemen, thank you um for 2026 new ordinance to bandana. Um I appreciate you doing your due
diligence in reaching out to JPL um electrical company and and all those reasons that you stated in the ordinance. Um, so that's wonderful due diligence on your part. I um and in
listening to the residents here um and and the concerns that we have. So kudos for that. A quick question about the U master plan. Um thank you for reiterating the process. Will there be
um public input into the master plan? I know there are um stipulations set forth by the municipal law on what is to be re-examined. Um will you have public input um to that
and um if you can answer that because that I think our town is at a a new direction. We are limited green space. Um so it's not in my opinion a matter of
uh future development but maybe maintenance and maintaining the green space. I think a a new vision has to be explored and I'm hoping that you can uh get public input on what that would be
so that it uh it meets expectations of the residents of what our town wants to look like in the next 10 years. And I I understand that uh re-examination has to be done by law every 10 years or a minimum of every 10 years. So, um I
would appreciate if we can have some public input on that so that the planning board can take our input and um provide a uh a plan to be voted on. So, thank you.
>> Good. So, the master plan is under the jurisdiction of the planning board. The planning board has complete autonomous authority over the master plan and adoption of the master plan. Um and there is a required public hearing at the end and adoption of that master plan. So at least one public hearing for
the public uh residents to comment on the master plan. There could be additional public outreach as part of that process as well. >> Anyone else? Yes, ma'am. >> Hello. Um Loretta Walsdorf. uh W Ms D O
RF 218 Beer Street. I have lived in Lat and I've watched for decades as warehouses have crept in and taken over the town that I love. I want to thank you guys and this I had to amend this because you know things have changed. Um
thank you for putting forth 2026 ordinance. Um, I want to speak in support of that because data centers in close proximity to residential areas create dangerous noise pollution that is proven to have negative health outcomes. They use our most precious resource,
water, and use it in horrifically large amounts. Then, once used in a data center, that water can never be recirculated as drinking water because it's contaminated during the cooling process. New Jersey has been in a drought for nearly 2 years. Data centers raise the ambient
temperature of nearby areas and destroy valuable farmland and green space we need. They cause utility costs to spike because they consume so much electricity just to run. And the energy company passes the bulk of the cost on individual households while giving the data centers a cheaper rate because
they're super users. They often receive tax credits while giving the data centers a cheaper rate because Sorry, excuse me. I don't public speak. I don't like doing this. um they receive tax credits and incentives to be built and end up paying little to no taxes, then provide very few long-term
jobs once construction is finished. And perhaps the most relevant for all the people here, whether you like data centers or not, is that they tank property values of all homes nearby. Home buyers don't want to live in a small town with a data center. They're going to cause immense harm to our neighbors and the community at large.
Now again, I did have to change this around because things have changed within the past like 5 days. And I don't know if you guys, you know, I don't know what the thought process. We've talked about it a little bit here tonight, but to me, as a longtime resident who has
been watching, not this exact situation, but similar situations pan out over the years that I've lived here, and we've said we're going to do one thing, and then we do something else. The fact that the original ordinance 20264 allowing data centers to be built was
passed by the planning board on what May 27th only for a new one banning them 20.606 to be proposed the next day feels really confusing to me and I it feels a little intentional maybe. I don't know.
I don't know. It just seems weird to me. So I wanted to put that out there. it doesn't really create a lot of trust. Um, and I could go on, but I just wanted to say please, I strongly support 2020. 606 passing and also the master plan
being amended as well, so that we close any and all legal loopholes that would shoot ourselves in the foot later down the line. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is Neil Morcraftoft. Uh,
>> last name my business card. >> I never used to keep them. But, um, I'm actually from Greenwich Township, so I'm your neighbor. I'm I'm here as a neighbor because obviously what one neighbor does impacts another neighbor. So I want to throw my support in terms
of thanking you for the consideration of the banning of the the data centers. So about 18 months ago I woke up one morning and figured out found out that they were going to put a large warehouse to the east of me on my street in Greenwich. And then 15 months ago I woke
up and heard that a developer had approached Greenwich Township to put a data center to the west of me. So I've learned a lot over the 18 last 18 months that I was never expecting to learn. Um so uh I lived through the roller coaster
of Grimish Township allowing changing the ordinance to allow the data centers and then being involved with Commissioner Karn's draft you know ordinance that he recommended last December ultimately I think it was last month that I was part of the um uh the
ongoing proceedings to see that actually adopt to actually see Greenwich do the U-turn on that was was was fantastic. the warehouse business unfortunately 18 months later is still going on. Um what's very interesting and I want to reason I'm speaking is is that I wanted
to speak to the sneak attack uh strategy um that was brought up uh before. So with that warehouse uh application just before the applicant could make that application the township actually changed the zoning to prohibit
warehouses. So they actually submitted their application that looks and smells like a warehouse but could call it light manufacturing. >> So basically this is a an application that is in disguise essentially. So my
concern is please consider that I'm not a lawyer or an attorney as much as I've learned over the last 18 months on how this works. But our concerns are that because it looks and smells like a warehouse, it is to use the correct technical term particularly well suited
for a use variance that should this be approved because it is a conforming use as like manufacturing would then facilitate a uh a use variance down the road to become a warehouse which is prohibited. Again, I am not an attorney. I don't know how we could protect
ourselves from that, but I wanted to make sure that you're aware of some of those techniques and whether you can in terms of your efforts to change the master plan and the zoning ordinance, whether you can also try and make this as bulletproof as possible from some of the um strategies that the developers
can use to get round some of these restrictions. So again, thank you very much for the consideration for what you're doing, but I did want to make you aware of uh of some of those aspects. ANYONE ELSE? >> MR.
BRUCE. >> I want to join in uh commending the council for >> Bob Bruce 11 Harwitch. uh join with everybody else in commending the council for moving uh with some uh urgency uh due to the uh
public outcry that arose. Um and um I like uh the presence of people that I've seen here tonight. Um and I think we need to have more people showing up to the meetings. uh uh and I think that
we'll want to be able to trust this council to have our best interests at heart and I believe in this issue you do. Uh when we have disagreements about that, uh we can air them through public comments. Um
I watched as 2604 was being crafted. I believe it was two, possibly three land use board meetings that were held on that. And um I want to uh kind of double back to the beginning of uh uh what
happened um at the beginning of Mayor Wright's term uh where uh public comment was limited from 5 minutes to 3 minutes and any public comment that land use board
meetings was killed. I was understood that that was at the direction of Mr. the right uh and uh if we're going to have a dialogue back and forth uh as we're having tonight with public present
and asking questions and understanding things uh I would ask that this uh council basically allow for public comment at land use board uh whether it's questions or comments but we're
we've been stifled. Okay. >> So, so uh public comment is required uh in certain situations. Land use board is not one of them. I understand uh for the re master plan re-examination that requires public comment. So for the master plan re-examination process, we
will obviously follow the law and have public comment as required by that. >> Yes, I understand that when you have to have a statutory requirement met. And I'm simply saying that as a person who has attended the land use board meetings
because we were looking at 2604 and we were worried about it. We were not allowed to speak. I know it's not legally required that we be allowed to speak. I am asking that we be allowed to
speak by Mayor Wright publicly saying that we have the right at least to make a public comment. >> Yeah. >> In the issue of transparency, >> I'll defer to the there's I'll defer to that.
>> I'm sorry. >> There's a separate attorney that sits on the board. So, I'll defer to him to make that call. >> I've never told anybody they can't make that's just what the rules are. I mean, Okay. I I got that from a member of the land use board, Mr. Mayor, >> and I'm only repeating what I was told
when we inquired as to why we were no longer allowed to speak. And that was what I was told. >> And with that in mind, I come to you and I feel like >> for the attorney, >> uh, well, attorney, we understand legally it's not required. I am asking
for a good faith effort to be made that the people that show up get to at least have a public comment. >> Thank you. >> You said there's more public comment at the end. >> It's at the end. >> At the end at the end of the meeting. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Anyone else? All right. See, we'll move on. All right. Ordinance number 26-06. First reading of the ordinance of the township of Lakon County of Warren, state of New Jersey, amending chapter 243 of the municipal code to prohibit
data centers as a principal conditional or accessory use with within the research office manufacturing zone. I have a motion and a second, please. Motion. >> I'll second that. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Yes. Councilman Dela,
>> yes. >> Councilman Marinelli, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Yes. Number two, resolution of the township of Lakon, County of Warren, state of New Jersey, authorizing directing the Lakon
Township Planning Board to undertake a periodic re-examination and re-evaluation of the township master plan pursuant to NJS4 55D-89. Motion in a second, please. >> Motion. >> I'll second that. Roll call.
>> Councilman Valkcaro. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ml. Yes. >> Council President Bledo. >> Yes. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Uh approval for minutes May 6, 2026. Executive and regular sessions. A motion. Second, please. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Councilman Delcaro. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Mayor Right. >> Yes. Ordinance number 2604, second reading, public hearing to amend the C
code of township of Lac on chapter 243, zoning and land use, article 2, terminology, article 14, zoning district and use regulations and article X 15 conditional uses. Motion a second to
hold a public hearing. Hearing no motion 2604 dies on the floor. Number three, ordinance number 2605, second reading of public hearing of chapter 243, zoning of land use, article 10, sign
regulations regarding digital signs. You have a motion and a second to hold a public hearing. I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> comment for the public open signs.
>> Seeing none, motion in a second to close the public hearing. >> Digital sign ordinance. >> Digital sign ordinance. Yes. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion in a second to adopt this ordinance. I'll make the motion. >> Second.
>> Roll call vote, please. >> Councilman Delcara. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman McC. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Correct. >> Yes. Or ordinance number 2607 first reading and bod ordinance providing a
appropriation of 727,500 for various capital improvements in and by the township of low Pakan in the county of Warren, New Jersey. Authorized issuance of 69,000 691,125 bonds or notes of the township for finan
financing part of appropriation. A motion second, please. >> Motion second. >> Roll call vote. >> Councilman Delara, >> yes. >> Councilman Marinelli, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Mayor,
>> yes. Uh, ordinance 60 2608 first reading of the bond ordinance providing appropriation of $650,000 for various road improvements in and by the township of Lakon in the county of Warren, New Jersey, and authorize the issuance of
$495,610 in bonds or notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation. Motion and second, please. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. >> Councilman Delcaro. Councilman Arnelli. >> Yes. Councilman, >> yes.
>> Council President, >> yes. >> Yes. Consent agenda items 1 through 13. >> Anybody have a problem with any of them? >> Yeah. I'd like to remove U number three. >> Okay. Motion is and second to remove item number three from the consent
agenda. >> Motion. >> Second. Okay. >> All in favor? I. Um so motion is second to decline number three. >> Motion second call.
>> Councilman Delaro. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Clay. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Yes. So then I need a motion in a second for 1 through two and 4 through 13. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. Councilman Bel Faroh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Council President Leo. >> Yes. >> Mayor. >> Yes. Council reports. >> Rich.
>> Mayor. I don't have anything at this point. The sewer situation is still pending. >> Okay. >> Luke. >> Yes. I just um want to talk about the data centers for a moment. At the last meeting, and I know most of you were not
here, um I stated the decisions I make are not made on feelings or fear-mongering or doomsdayers or hearsayers. I like to know the facts before presented to me. Now, in the last month, since the last meeting, I did a
lot of uh research on data centers and uh so, you know, I inquired through JCPNL and other sources that would impact our community. I wanted to see you know the impacts uh across the country what's what's currently happening and what I saw because this
obviously this is new to most of us and it's new to me so um what I saw I didn't like what I was seeing um you know the impact the water usage utilities the noise right amongst other things that
comes with it so that I mean I kept hearing over and over from residents from all over the country, not just here in New Jersey. So that impacted me a lot, you know, to make because I wanted to see and hear from myself, you know, from individuals and uh, you know, how
it impacted their communities. There was there was a town where data center was built that um, people have raised their family and their home and part of a a nicesiz residential became eminent
domain. They actually took their homes to put data centers in. And I'm like, this is the power, right? This is how powerful uh Google and you know uh Amazon and places you know that has such
uh you know vast monies and they do use uh nefarious um you know hidden secrets that they would come under they wouldn't use the words data centers but they would come under a different title. So that was an eye openener to me you know and and besides
u you know the privacy that the data centers are going to be u accumulating all of us will all be impacted so and I'm saying to myself you know this is um the the one thing that obviously it would bring to the community would be
revenue right okay however the negative which is so much was so much it would outweigh all right all those the income that had to withdraw. So for me um that it opened my eyes and uh it made me to
make an easier decision uh that we are banning these things but again and I think I can speak for all of us that we need to have facts okay because feelings you know they can change your feelings change dayto day you know so I don't
like to make decisions on on feelings you know one day I feel this way another day I feel that way you know so present me the facts we want to hear them and I want to appreciate all of you for coming up here, you know, again, um, you know, sharing, you know, your thoughts on this
whole process. >> Thank you, Scott. >> I have nothing at this time. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, a few things regarding recreation. Uh, music in the park is underway. Uh, first performance was last Wednesday. There's one tonight.
um every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 and there'll be three additional performances in August on Tuesday night. So two in August there'll be Tuesday nights and Wednesday nights. Uh pickle ball courts are open. I see a lot of activity there. I'd like to thank Brian and Carl for organizing the clinic uh
last month. We're good. Got off to a very good start and community day is August 29th. Rain date September 12th. It's all for now. Mayor, thank you. >> Good. Thank you. Uh just want to thank the fire department. They had their wet
down for the new ladder truck. Um Saturday it was a great day. A lot of saw a lot of town residents at Delaware Park the circle. It was a real nice day and they did a great job. So I want to thank them for all the work they did. Um and uh that's about all I have. Uh
engineers report. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um to give everyone an update um we currently have uh a number of projects that are ongoing in various stages of uh design and permitting and uh construction. Uh currently we're working on it was
approved last month the continued work on the Fox Farm Road storm damage repairs. So our next phase of survey and permitting work is underway for that for the permit repairs. Uh it's been a it's been a long process uh working with FEMA and the police the police department
police chief uh to get the funding uh secured for that. So that that's going to be progressing uh here uh so we can get our permits from the D that are required for that road road repair work. Um the Sally board project, you know, uh
maybe the public has seen it. Uh it'si is continuing. We have a bit of site work that's going to be uh scheduled for the coming month and uh ultimately the project should be completed. There's a bit of delays on some materials but uh you know the target is to get that completed by by August once those
materials uh come in uh to complete the building improvements. Um excuse me. The next phase of uh of our road road program is Striker Road phase one improvements. This is the northern northern section of Structure Road from Belleview Belleview Drive down
to James uh James Avenue, I believe. Um so that work uh was approved this evening by the by the council and we'll be working on those plans to get them into the NJ DOT for approval and then ultimately uh with the targeting of fall construction on that project.
Um, in the last few months, we've had some conversations. In the last two months or so, we've had some conversations regarding Reservoir Road and improvements to that roadway in terms of drainage and resurfacing of the road. U met with Brian Weekes on the uh the public works um road superintendent on
the on the road as well. Uh so our next steps there will be preparing uh scoping the design efforts and giving that to the council for approval so we can begin work on that project. Um and then finally, um our NJ DOT local aid grant.
Those grants are due by July 1st to the state for our next round of road road project funding. So we'll be applying for Putting Stone Way and Brier Place uh improvements uh per direction of the council last month. So that application will be prepared this month and submitted to the state by July 1st for
funding. That's all I have right now. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, please report chief. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, council. Um, for the month of May, we had our traffic report. We had a total of 313
motor vehicle stops with 47% of those uh being stopped issued uh citations and 21% of those were commercial motor vehicles of those that were cited. And just a couple of announcements. On uh Friday, June 5th, this Friday, we'll be
participating in the 43rd law enforcement um torch run in support of Special Olympics. So, you might see uh some of our officers out there running in the streets and uh in that support. Um and then Saturday, June 6th, we'll be
participating in uh Goal Zero, which is a statewide initiative throughout the state to lower fatalities on our roadways. So, we'll be having a high visibility traffic enforcement um throughout that day. And that's my report. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Thanks,
>> DPW. Brian. Yeah, just a quick review. Um, you know, we've been out streets, we've been cutting grass, dragging ball fields, you know, keeping the sports going. Uh, the workman is not back yet. They're still having a hard time getting parts for it. Um, so we're finding other ways to
maintain and keep the sports running. All right. Um, so some some of it's been a little down, a little up, but uh, they've always been able to play, so I think we did okay for them. um and met with Bill Berg over on the engineer over
on uh Jade Lane and uh about the spill and everything that that happened with that company over there. All right. And uh you know what we're going to go with it. Um the machine broke and just covered the road and uh made it look like a nightmare over there. All right.
So uh it's at the engineering to figure out where we want to go with it yet. So that is in the process of happening. Um we did have the uh veterans uh area Belvadier High School comes down and uh we work with them and and they work with
us and and do the veterans area and put down the mulch and plant the flowers and do everything. So that's been that's you know a good thing for them. They they enjoy it. Uh the upgrade on the firehouses. I appreciate you doing the doors. I can move on that tomorrow. Get that that going. He's ready to go. All
right. um all the rest of stuff, the lights, the the the uh lettering that's there. Um all but the hard lettering is uh that's being built now. All right. So that is coming. All right. Um that will be that will be upgraded in there. Um
uh we've been doing potholes all right here and there. Um, we set up for the wet down, all right, for fire trucks and and then broke down, you know, picked everything back up and uh um, one thing I don't know where to go with it yet.
Um, I'm watching kids go on to ball fields with their bikes and bring dirt and stones. And that was back to what we were complaining about the other day. Um, it is a ball field. It is not a stone place or a place for you to ride
your bikes and build a stone mount of little stones and then just smash them around. So, um myself and the other guys, we walked around, you know what I mean, in the fields and spent hours picking up stones. All right. Just so the kids can play safely and and do things. So, just
wanted to pass that on to you. So, all right, >> Ryan. What's that time frame for the Is there a time frame getting that fixed yet? >> What fixed? >> Department there equipment. Uh they're working on it now. >> You going to be able to fly in parts? >> They don't. They they told me uh a while
ago it's going to be about two 3 weeks and that was about a month and a half. >> I was going to say a couple months now, hasn't it? >> It's once you get a certain age, it's time to buy new. And >> how old is that now? >> Well, it was here when I was here and I've been here 22 years almost.
>> So, it's done it it's done it well. You know what I mean? So, maybe >> next year or whatever we put in the budget to to move forward on it, >> upgrade it. Yeah. So, >> all right. All right. Thanks, buddy. >> All right. Uh, EMS. Anybody here from
EMS? No. >> Shade tree. Robin. >> Fire chief. >> The fire chief. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Fire chief. He's not here, but he left his report with me. Um, fire department responded to 21 calls this month, bringing 2026 total to
103 calls for service. Um, and that's that's all he gave me. So that's board education. >> Good evening, Mayor Wright. Um, thank you to you and the council members again for allowing me to speak on behalf of
the Lac Hong Township Board of Education. Um, as the number of days in the school year is winding down, it feels like the number of activities and events in our school is accelerating. The middle school held a wonderful Memorial Day program to honor veterans from Lacong and throughout the Lehigh
Valley, especially those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Our students assisted with the empty table ceremony and our choir assisted with the ceremony. The Philipsburg band was also present, which included the tap ceremony to honor the fallen. There was an outstanding job by our middle school
principal, Mr. Bonnie, and our technology director, Mr. Ber. Um, plus all the other people that assisted in that. was really a nice day. The PTA um did do an amazing job with the Harlem Wizards game. I know that I had talked about it for now a little while. Um
students and staff had a fun-filled night with a show that uh was light on basketball but heavy on entertainment. The Wizards took on our Lat Kong staff and an energetic and entertaining game of basketball at the high school. Spectators got to enjoy dancing, comedy,
contests, um, autographs, and giveaways in addition to cheering on their favorite staff. The energy in the gym was absolutely electric. The PTA realized approximately $7,000 in profit. And, as I've mentioned more than once this year, they utilized those funds by
continuing to sponsor two of the clubs that um happen in our school schools, both schools, and many dedicated events for our students and the community throughout the year. It was just an absolutely awesome event. We thank them for that. As you look around um at our
at our campuses, both at the elementary school and the middle school, you will notice quite a few new trees have been planted as part of the tree planting grant grant that was secured last year. This includes 18 trees at the elementary school and 12 trees at the middle
school. So, we're grateful that for that grant and it's going to be um really nice for our um environment. There have been many grade level trips, elementary school funday and special Olympics torch run. The torch run is this Friday. We will be be participating
in that. Next week there will be the fourth grade picnic. The eighth grade promotion. That promotion happens on Thursday, June the 11th. And the last day of school for the 2526 school year will be next Friday, uh, June the 12th. While our students will be finished for
the summer, administration and school board will have a lot to do. Our school board members are currently finishing a board self-evaluation and we will meet on June the 20th for a full day retreat where we will be setting board goals and discussing with the superintendent
desired school district goals for the 2627 school year. Action steps are then developed over the summer. One last item. We have a board member who will be moving out of Lacong and has given us their resignation for the end of June. The board has advertised asking for
anyone interested in filling the seat, which will begin July the 1st, to send a resume and cover letter to the district business administrator by June the 12th. We will then hold interviews in public at the June 18th meeting. Um, anyone
interested can please see our website for details. Lastly, the district looks forward to continued community engagement including participation in the Lakcon community day um in August. Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
>> All right. LAA Mark. >> All right. Approve department reports. Motion in second, please. >> Motion. Motion. >> All in favor? I. >> Payment of bills. Motion to second, please. Motion. Second roll call vote. >> Councilman Delcaro.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Marinelli. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Yes. >> All right. Public comment. >> This is you can vote. >> My name is still Guy Citron.
and I am from Tukesberry Township. Good evening, honorable mayor, honorable council members. I want to thank you for considering uh the prohibition on data centers in your ordinance tonight. That is exactly the kind of community first planning that we need.
Tonight, I am here to extend that same logic to warehouse overdevelopment. Recently, Leak Kong's Township Attorney told the Highlands Council that, and I am paraphrasing, despite the fact that nobody in Warren
County wants more warehouses, if they have to go somewhere, they should go here. in this case here meant active heritage farmland behind the old Philipsburg Mall
in Low Papcom which the council then approved for another massive warehouse in the name of redevelopment. Respectfully the issue is simple.
If nobody wants more warehouses, then why should they go anywhere? Warehouses now consume hundreds of acres at a time, posing serious risks to our environment, infrastructure, and quality
of life. They are increasingly becoming Trojan horses for data centers and other industrial uses, including for-profit private detention centers.
Too often these projects are backed by outofstate and even international interests while local residents are left with the traffic, the flooding, pollution, and infrastructure dam uh
demands that follow. That is why tonight's data center ordinance mattered. To me, it recognizes a simple principle. Just because something can be built does
not mean it should be. In New Jersey, communities have a right to decide what belongs in their backyard. If we fail to exercise that right, others will make those decisions for us. I hope the foresight being shown on data
centers tonight will guide future decisions about warehouse development as well. Thank you for your time, consideration, and your service, sir. >> Thank you, SIR. >> Brienne Vulk Sweeney of Highlands Way. I was not prepared to speak tonight, so
this is really me just pontificating. First, I want to express extreme gratitude for making this reversal. I can't explain enough how much it means to us and our whole community. My children are fifth generation to this area. Our roots are very deeply embedded
in this area. That being said, as much gratitude as I have, I am deeply heartsick that our elected official, our mayor started off this meeting with such an aggressive,
abrasive, condescending, rude tone. It's a really bad look for you, for this whole council, and for our whole town. This is on YouTube. People are recording. People are here from far and
wide. It makes me very upset and I would hope that you could go forward and embrace collaboration, seeking feedback from your community, allowing the planning board for respected citizens who have something to
say to make impassion speeches that really affect our whole town. You do work for us. You do are you are elected by us and I would hope that we as a whole town would embrace collaboration. We're going to have to make hard
decisions. I appreciate um Mr. Belcaro. I loved what you had to say. I embrace change and the thought that you don't know it all. We don't know it all. That's why we come together as a community and share information and it's
not information misinformation. We were not lying. Somebody explained an ordinance and the community came together to express an extreme concern that we had about the overdevelopment of our community.
>> You can sideeyed me all you want, Mayor Right. >> That's why you're nicknamed his mayor wrong. >> You're you're speaking wrong, right? It was not always proposed. Didn't get everybody going. Mayor, I'm not asking for that. Your
tone sets the stage and it shows you're very sophomoric in your words and I don't appreciate it. I don't think our town appreciates it. >> That's your truth choice. >> It's my truth. It's my choice. Thank you. >> Leave 56. Please don't wait. Just a
quick question. under new business. Could you describe what the various capital improvements are? >> I don't know. >> Do you want me to speak? >> Ordinance 2607. >> The first >> Well, certainly. So, the capital
improvements really are to fund the the improvements the striker striker road that we have. So, um excuse me. Essentially the funding is is being secured by the township. Art part of that funding is going to be provided in a reimbursement grant through the state but the township has to front the money
first essentially to fund the >> you know survey design permitting and then ultimately construction and then uh portion of that gets reimbured by the NJ DOT through a grant that we obtain every year for roadway improvements. So that but that money has to be ordinanced and
and secured up front so that all that work can be done and then at the end sort of at the back end you get that money back part of that money back from the state. So that's what that basically any sort of roadway resurfacing drainage improvements you know just typical maintenance and and upkeep of of the
roadway network in the township that's funded through those those ordinances. So it's just the striker road striker road >> and reservoir >> and and that's it for that. >> Those are the two road jobs that we have priority for this year. Correct.
>> Any other besides road work that falls under those capital improvements to I don't know new building or you know any other areas? >> None that I've that I'm aware of but um you know I know that there is a separate ordinance that's funding the Sallyport improvements for the police department.
So that was also funded under capital ordinance. >> Okay. >> But not this capital or so. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Right. Anyone else? >> I'm still Sarah Hair from Hope. And by the way, I've been to land use
board planning board meetings all over this county. and at everyone that I've attended, the public is allowed to speak. So I was kind of shocked to hear that maybe that doesn't happen here in the Pacong. I'd like to
say that I am standing up here again to praise you for another decision you're making, but indeed I am not. I find it ba baffling and ironic that while you have just voted to pass an ordinance to prohibit data centers on for a second reading which will likely end in a vote
to adopt that you recently sent an application to the Highlands Council to designate a lot of prime farmland behind but please note not connected to the old Philsburg Mall property as an area in need of redevelopment. This decision
opens the door to a nearly 400,000 square foot warehouse being built. And did I hear that it's Mr. Perucci, who's a friend of Senator Steinhards, who will profit from the building of that warehouse? I don't know.
Let me just quote from the data center ordinance to prohibit data centers. You do not want development that increases noise impact, increases storm water impacts, increases security and
emergency management concerns, requires excessive land consumption, and impacts the orderly development of the municipality. And yet you are willing to put a nearly 400,000 ft warehouse behind
the soontobe nearly 900,000 ft warehouse of the old Philips road mall land which will absolutely increase noise impact with construction and truck traffic seriously impact storm water runoff into the lacon creek which is a category one
meaning it is among the most sensitive environmental waterways in the state of New Jersey. mega imperous surface in that area will no doubt result in flooding as well. I don't need to mention how increased truck traffic and the risk of warehouse
fires and emergencies puts a strain on area emergency services and regarding excessive land consumption and orderly development of the municipality. Well, destroying 40 plus acres of prime
farmland that is in a highland conservation zone can only be called excessive land consumption and disorderly development when it is absolutely not necessary. The
the irony of wanting to build a warehouse in that location is extremely suspicious and will certainly be the opposite of what you are stating in the data center ordinance. You owe residents of Latakhong, Pohakhong, and Philipsburg
an explanation. Thank you. Good evening, mayor and councilmen. I'm Sandy Behinger. 480 Lock Street, number 10 plane, Morris Canal. The f the land that you're talking about
putting this warehouse, the Lennipes were there. when the old farmers and I'm I was raised there from the time I was four and a half and the land when the farmers would do a deep plow we would
fight find the artifacts of the Indians and the white snow geese land there so you're going to destroy much much more than you think and I think you better pay attention to what you're doing to our township are you all
from this. Have you been born and raised here? >> I have. >> Who? >> Mr. Marinelli. >> I knew you. I knew that name. The rest of them, I don't know. You have no clue what you're doing to our land.
Better think about it twice. Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Britney Watts. I'm from Philipsburg. I live over by the Morris Canal and that's what I would like to change the perspective of. It's not the mall that we're worried about. The mall's already built there. Be my guest. That property is already paved. But on
the Morris Canal side, we get flooding when it's raining too hard. It It's where my kids like to go fishing, ride their bikes, play in the creek when it's too hot because I can't afford the pool. And I don't know what happened to Lat Pool, but there's that again. But it
it's not just about the mall part of it. It's going to affect us on the other side of town. And it's just not I'm glad that we agree that data centers are not okay. Neither are the warehouses. Thank you.
>> Patrick Brown 310 over here. Question for the 40 acres, right? We're talking about it. We're behind the mall. Why don't we buy it? Why don't we buy it? Why don't we buy it and preserve it? Why does Warren County buy and preserve it? I think that should be something that, you know, whoever owns it, say Mr.
Perucci, right? We all know him, right? Maybe for his next development, we give him the tax break on that for that land. You know, why don't we buy the 40 acres? Then we don't have to worry about it. We can make a nice park people walk through. Don't have to worry about flooding, right? Protect the arrowheads, protect the uh artifacts. Could be a
burial zone over there. Who knows? But have you ever thought about just buying the land? I would chip in through tax dollars for something like that as opposed to, you know, whatever. He was building a pool, which is great, everything, but why don't we buy it? So, I just give you an idea.
>> We just bought that long piece, you know, the on Belvin Road that goes all the way back. That was >> Yeah, I knew that there. >> Yeah. >> I mean, but >> we don't have that kind, >> right? But for this right now, they want to put a warehouse in there. Why don't we come in with an offer? They did it up in Belvadier, right? Right across from
Redwolf. Remember that? >> Right. They had that 70 acres there and they're going to put a warehouse there. >> Why don't we buy that, >> bond it, pay for it, buy it, >> move on, and then there's no warehouse, no flooding, none of that other stuff. So, just an idea for you. All >> righty.
>> Thank you, sir. All right. >> Hi, good evening. Susan Sika. I live in Alpha Jun last name >> SICA. Um I have been to hearings here before you approved the uh uh redevelopment uh
for the um Philipsburg Mall. And I am raising the concern again that I raised then for which there was no answer which is the the fact that on all of these
considerations and I know this you simply cannot talk about infrastructure. When we were at the Highlands Council meeting, what was said over and over again about why we deserve another warehouse or data center or whatever is
it's a mile from 78. And it was said again and again and again to push the industrialization of this area. At no point though, and you you're going to tell me this because you've told me this before, not you individually, but
councils like these, we can't do anything about the highways. So, I'm just going to remind you that we live in New Jersey and that we have one mile, three lights for tractor trailers, some of them double, to make a lefthand turn.
Nothing will be planned for that except >> except we are going to time the lights. As I said then and I will say again the math won't math. You only need a few amount of trucks before that one mile is going to be bumper to bumper and
nobody's going anywhere. Again the development gets away with it because they don't have to consider that. the day would was said then the mall will be late or the the uh warehouse will have the same kind of traffic it would on Christmas day
for the mall except that not every day is Christmas day and now we're trying to put another warehouse behind that warehouse. >> Let's talk about highways. Can we? No, because you don't have to consider that.
>> Thank you for your attention. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. EVENING ALL. UH, MY NAME IS MATTHEW WATTS, Mil Street. I'm related to that lady that came up before. Um, the I I liked what you said, Councilman Duck Cairo. Very very accurate. And I didn't
want to um I too attended that Highlands Council meeting. And I just think that some of the Highlands Council report or some of the deeming that land in need of redevelopment. I think that the plan was uh extremely comprehensive for development of the mall itself property.
But uh a little about my background. I have a degree in environmental science with a specialty in water and wastewater. And a lot of the Highlands Council report like specifically stated everything, all of the storm water and all of the runoff was going to be up to NJ regulations. And in when you're
talking about water and wastewater, NJ regulations, EPA regulations are the bare minimum. And it all of the report was essentially saying we're going to maintain adherence to the bare minimum. And that's essentially what is told to most residents when you build like the
big warehouse uh on the Rand property, which I fully support and I think is awesome and I think I fully support um redevelopment of the mall property because it was already developed. But when you extend into that and and create more impermeable surface, holding the bare minimum may have significant
effects on people like me that live right there and people that live on Lock Street and a bunch of the other residents. I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of that and I really appreciate you talking. >> Thank you, sir. >> Um, I'm still Neil Moroft. I'm still the neighbor. Um, and I wasn't planning on
speaking about this, but I really had to say something based on what the other comments were. I was also there at the Highlands Council when they made the vote. I was representing the Blooms Coalition against warehouse sprawl. Um I was deeply saddened by what happened at
that vote. I'd already been interacting with the Highlands Council because of my own fight against the um development proposed development down the road for me because Greenwich Township has one of the best water supplies in New Jersey. Has 12.3 billion gallons of water uh
about the same size as uh Spruce Bund Reservoir the third largest a very very precious resource. So my interest in collaborating with the count the homes council was of course protecting that resource and I was really hopeful that the Highlands council would continue to
do that job of protecting the resources. We can't keep paving over the Highlands region expect to turn the tap on and get water. Um, and I think that's a very important these these areas were designated for preservation not just because we thought that was a good idea
but because of the preservation of the the resources that we had. Um, I think it's very sad to see um pristine farmland be um have a way of being labeled as in in need of redevelopment.
But the the fact that farmland and immediate redevelopment just doesn't go together. And the kind of the strategy that was actually being um proposed to enable that was was was very sad because it it really uh negates the whole point of what in my opinion the Highness
Council was was was formed to do was to protect our resources that we we can't get back once it gets uh paved over. So I I just wanted to share that with you because uh also based on tonight's discussion I think some if we can have
the conversation if we can find out other solutions we've just talked about preservation turning into a pocket or whatever it is there's many different solutions that there could be for this. Uh I was I was very concerned there was kind of a discussion of a binary discussion. It's either farmland or it's
a warehouse. There's nothing really in between. There's no other kind of other solution. I'm a land owner myself. I have over 100 acres out of state. Uh my my land is no longer available for farming. I have farms around me. I grow timber. I I do recreation. The point is
there's many other solutions other than either farmland warehouse. So I I wanted to share that with you and hope that we can continue the dialogue in terms of coming up with solutions that work for all of us. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else?
Seeing none, motion for German. >> You got one, man. Come on. One second. >> I just I'll spell it. D A D A R R I A. My first name is Nikki. I live on Bo Boulevard in the newer Lin property. Um, this is my
first meeting and so it's nice to meet all of you. I think some of your faces are familiar from other things I've done, but not sure. Um, so I just wanted to say this. Um, I have listened to everyone. They all have very valid points. Um, everyone has an opinion
andor some science to back up what they're saying to you. What I'm not seeing back is a lot of um, understanding. Perhaps Mr. Bero is the only one that I really felt like he was engaged. Um, you, Mr. Mayor,
didn't show up tonight. Um, but I'm hopeful that you hear us and you actually consider what's being said tonight instead of just doing this by wrote listening to the people because you have to come to this meeting.
>> Um, I got the impression specifically uh, Mayor Ray, from you that this was just not your night. I've never met you. I've never heard you speak. Um, but I definitely got the impression
that this was not something you wanted to do tonight and that maybe, you know, maybe you're having a bad day or something else is going on, but I felt like after sitting there that I really needed to say that to you. So, um, anyway, I hope you really actually listened and take the things that people
said here tonight under advisement and, um, not just yes us or ignore us or do what you're going to do anyway. Um, so that's it. Thank you. >> Good evening. I am here for another
concern. My name is Debbie Stfano and my son Bob Stfano is a police officer here in the township for approximately 22 years. Your address >> 410 South First Street.
For those of you who don't know what happened in the past couple months, three police officers, Andrew Wayne, Bob Stfano, and Lou Leford took the civil service test for the lieutenant's
position. I believe that the past practice was not followed. Scott, I've known you since you were a patrol officer. Can you please explain exactly
what the past um practice procedure is for officers who take the civil service test? >> So I do want to say that there is an active grievance going on and time
privilege. I have to advise our council not to discuss this matter. Um >> I am here tonight. >> I understand. You can say whatever you want. I just have to advise. >> All right. I have the I have the floor now. Thank you. >> I got to go with the attorney. I'm sorry, Mrs.
>> Okay, I'll continue. I am here for clarification, justification, and accountability. For you people of the Lakon Township that are not aware of what happened,
these three police officers went and took the civil service test in which Andrew Wayne placed first, Bob Stfano placed second, Lou Leford placed third.
Unfortunately, Lulu Leafford went to someone on counsel and spoke to him about the position of the lieutenant. It is my understanding that
Jason Garcia, the police chief, told Andrew Wayne that he was going to be given the lieutenant's position. Now, what happened is that See, you you messed me up because you
guys wouldn't do this. All right, let me see. Where am I? Um the the council overturned Jason's decision in which according to
the past procedures the person who places first in the civil service test is the one who is to put is to get the lieutenant's position. Now, because Lula Ford went to someone on counsel,
Jason's decision was overwritten by counsel and Lula Ford was giving the lieutenant's job. >> I'm sorry. That that is the three minutes. >> Excuse me. >> I'm sorry. That that is the three minutes. >> I don't care. I'm here to talk.
>> I >> don't care. I'm I have the floor. >> 30 seconds. >> No, I It's There's a three. We can't bend the rules for one person and not other people. >> Well, either that or we have to rule. >> Either that or you hear from my attorney.
>> That's that's fine. I I I I can't bend the rules for one person because then it's unfair for other people. >> But this is a concern for the township for the committee my office >> and the people that don't know what's going on.
>> So I don't want to discuss this further. There is an act of grievance >> and All right. Anyone else? >> Okay. >> I just want to go real quick. >> Susan H. Love Pack on Overlook again. Uh
Susan Haley, you mentioned digital signs. Real quick in Yeah. Yeah. You know digital signs and that got approved. I'm just curious, is that like digital billboards or is that little digital Dr. St. Luke signs? speak to that. >> Oh, who? >> Dan K.
>> Hi, Dan. >> Hi. >> Yeah. Uh, it's not for billboards. It's just for small digital signs. >> Oh, not like gigantic ones over the mountain. Welcome to Okay, just just checking cuz Bridgewater had that problem with a giant sign a couple months ago that was trying where lights
would be. I just wanted to let everybody know sometimes digital signs can be billboards that you can see like on the highway 78. I just didn't want that. And we'll pack on. I just wanted to make sure >> the ordinance specifically says it's not for billboards. It's not for off-site advertising. It's just for on-site
signage >> like little signs. You said small. Is there a size restriction to the signs? >> Yes. The same size signs that would have been permitted otherwise. They're just now allowed to be uh digital >> like approximate like 10 ft by 10 ft >> somewhere around there.
>> Okay. Thank you. Bob Bruce 11 Haritch wrote um I was at those planning board meetings and I invite people to show up to the planning board meetings as well as the council meetings. Uh I thought the planning board did an excellent job with the uh
um digital signage. Uh I fully understood the issues at the time. Um and um so I just wanted to commend you on that. And throughout the last couple of uh meetings regarding the uh 2604,
I felt you were pretty exhaustive in um trying to do what you could do within the constraints that you had at the time. And I'm glad that 2606 negated the need for all of your work.
Uh uh I wanted to switch gears and basically just returned you earlier you uh you had mentioned Shoreland had uh requested a withdrawal of the bid and and you took a vote to deny that and that I believe is part of the pool
project. Uh, and uh, I'm just asking uh, now that you have a lot of residents here tonight, if you could just explain where we stand with the pool project and the bids and the costs. >> Yeah. So, uh, Shorland, I don't want to get into details because there is
attorney client privilege, but Shorland was the low bid when it was open. They had a request to withdraw for a mistake. There's specific uh requirements in the local public contract law that they need to show that it is a mistake. That's a substantive mistake. Um the vote to deny
their request to withdraw the uh council determined they did not show that it was an actual substantive mistake. Uh and the bids are still out outstanding and they haven't been awarded yet. At uh a later meeting there will be a decision on the awarding of those bids.
>> There were only one of the bids. There was yeah there were four other biders uh but they were the low bid. >> Okay. So any general status that you can inform the town where we stand with the bidding process? I understand it's been
killed. Uh we've gotten bids that we didn't like and we asked for rebid. Can you >> sure I could I you know if the if the mayor's you know council's willing. Um so the right project's been bid three times. first two times the project was bid was the entire park improvements
that were contemplated as part of a park master plan that was prepared years ago. Um those the improvements that were shown and intended uh for those for those first two bids came in well above the township's you know budget and and
anticipated cost for the project. So the approach that that our firm took and our uh uh team took was to reduce the scope of the work to really focus on the core of the project which is the pool, the bath house and uh the improvements surround specifically surrounding the
pool and really the the parking around in in and around the uh the pickle ball courts. Um, so this is the most recent bid that we're discussing now and that you know, Wade, our our attorney, has been dealing with the contractors um
that that have have uh been the low biders. Uh, and we don't believe it's sort of the information and backup information that they provided does not lead us to believe that they had a sub substantive error or omission in their bid. But, you know, contractors
unfortunately sometimes feel like they might have left some money on the table and they'd like to pull their bid. So, you know, I'm not I'm not privy to all those conversations. I know it's sort of an attorney issue at this point, but you know, our hope is that we can reach an accommodation or agreement with this contractor. We can get the pool and the
bath house and the parking areas constructed for, you know, for for use of the the residence. Um, but that's part of what the sort of attorney coordination now with these contractors and and with their their staff and and
attorneys is is ongoing right now. So, the hope is to we're trying to get this get this o over the finish line, but it's sort of taking longer than we're expecting on the bidding side. So, that's that's the update I can provide right now.
>> Okay. All right. Anyone else? All right. Seeing none. Motion tojourn. >> Motion. >> I'll second that. All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you for coming out everyone. >> Thank you. Right.