I'd like to uh call to order the uh regular meeting for the township of Lakon for May 7th, 2025. Please bow your head for a minute of prayer. And please keep in mind in remembrance uh Betty
Bird from Delaware Park Firehouse and Pat Ravoli from the uh the pad number two 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. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided indicating the time and place of the meeting in accordance with chapter 231 of the public laws 1975 by advertising a notice in the star ledger in the express time and posting a
copy on the bulletin board in minutes of the building. Beth, can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Councilman Delcara here. Councilman Marinelli. Councilman Mccle here. Council President Mayor here. Wait, would you summarize executive session, please?
Yeah. The uh township council met in executive session where it discussed the following privilege matters. Uh, one, contractual DPW negotiations update. Two, personnel zoning officer. Three, attorney client privilege alleyway ownership. Four, contractual LAA
contract. uh no official uh minutes from the executive session will be released at such time as the council deems no public harm will come from it and no public no official action was taken. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Public comment agenda items
only. Mr. Bruce Bob Bruce 11 Haritch Road. Um I'm presuming under the municipal budget 2025 public hearing and adoption item three business public hearing means I can ask something then right okay so I
just wanted to ask about consent agenda one the dotif 57 bridge that's the whole thing that they rebuilt already over there okay no it is not it is not okay the proposed bridge to be built and it's up past that the four-way intersection of
59 19 and 57 where Green Witch and where Pacan's boundary is and it's not going to start till I think 2027 but they're putting all everything in place. Thank you. Uh and then um the recycling tonnage grant uh
resolution three. What can you just It's like you're approving chapter. Can you explain that just what that is? Recycling tonnage grant. I guess that's good, right? We're getting that. Yes, we get it every year. Okay. And because it came in later, it wasn't included in the
budget. So I get they do we do a one chapter 159. Thank you. and and uh six and and seven both refer to uh established dedication by writer. I guess I understand the true removal replacement esco fund because that's the
new tree ordinance that we have. Um but I don't the lead hazard control assistance fund that's new to my what is that? the state a couple years ago, okay, they established um you have to have inspectors go out to
inspect lead paint um apartments or or buildings. Okay? And there's a fee associated with it. Okay? So, they really pretty much encourage you or pretty much mandate you to set up a trust for those funds. Okay? So you can
use the whatever expenses you incur, you can use that to satisfy. Okay. All right. And um I and I just wanted to mention that I believe that uh schools New Jersey schools was New
Jersey schools were rated uh fourth best in the nation. I just wanted to make mention of that. Anyone else? No one. Seeing none, we'll move on to old business. Number one, minutes. Approve executive and regular session
for April 2nd, 2025. Motion. Second. Roll call, please. Councilman Pero. Yes. Councilman McQuade. Yes. Council President. Yes. Number two. Resolution cancel
unexpended capital ordinance 24-18 balance in the amount of $62,93365. I have a motion and a second, please. Motion. Second. Roll call. Councilman Delcara. Yes. Councilman
McCain. Yes. Council President. Yes. Yes. Okay. The municipal budget for 2025. and open the public hearing and adoption. Um, Andrew and Kim, you want to talk before we go into that?
Okay. For the 2025 budget, the total appropriations are 11,569,595 and10 with anticipated revenues of 5,2067275, which leaves an amount to be raised of 6,362,867.15, which that equates to
local chair only about $28 annually for a house assessed at 231,000 and our rate went up one two 1.2%. Uh we used a little more surplus this year to help balance the budget.
Just a quick comment. I mean she pretty much nailed all my points anyway right now, but um we are in compliance with both the appropriation cap and the tax levy cap. Um, as Kim said, uh, we did go up 1.2 cents. That's per $100 of assessed valuation on a home. Um, which
is about 2% more than it was last year. Um, and we also had the municipal open space stay consistent at 3 cents. So the exact same as it was in 2024. And just one other comment is this is the first year since I've been here um
that we've actually had to look and cut our budget. It was 300 thou approximately 300,000 we had to cut to meet the cap. So we did it right. We did it. All right. Anybody have any questions for K?
Okay. So we will um let's see. Have a motion and second to hold a public hearing. All in favor? Second. All in favor? Public comments from public. Mr. Bruce.
Bob Roose wrote, um, "Is there a line item in the budget for the maintenance of the pool and park?" No. No. Because it's not built yet. Okay. When it was open, was there a
line item for the maintenance for the pool and park? There was for cost. Um, most of that got charged under parks and wreck. Okay. Nice show. I like that show. It was a small a small budget though. Okay. I I I I just asked because
um I believe we understand that we will expect that our taxes may go up as a result of building the pool park. Uh not for the cost of the pool park, but for the maintenance of the pool park. So, if
I can get an item just so I can baseline what it was when it was open. And uh are you projecting once it opens there'll be a line item or is it going to be captured under parks and wreck? Well, it's going to have its own separate line item. Parks and wreck.
Okay. But the pool and park won't. It'll be covered under Yes. one. Right. Okay. So, it won't be split out. Okay. As far as I know right now, I don't think we would do that. But you gota, you know, they've been working very hard and putting a lot of time into uh with the
buildings and everything so that we will be getting hopefully generate a lot of revenues, right? But I I understand we're hoping to generate revenues, right? Okay. And that would be um so the expectation is that you'd get revenues
in and you would offset the maintenance with that before going to a tax increase. um you don't apply the revenues directly to that line item. It's in the overall budget. Okay. And and so there'll be a
line item revenue anticipated revenues for the park anticipated revenue line item for the park. The appropriation line for the park under parks and wreck, not right. Okay. All right. That second thing, the
appropriation line for parks and wreck. Can I get Can I get it? Can I get a number for what that was the last time the pool was open? I I understand you don't have to have it now. No, I don't have it now. It's been closed for
2020. Yeah. Yeah. So, but I can get you that number. Okay. Should I call the office or or I'll give you Okay. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? Okay. Seeing none. Motion in a second to close public hearing. Motion
second. All in favor? I. Motion in a second to adopt the 2025 budget. Motion. I'll second it. Roll call vote, please. Yes. Councilman Delaro. Yes. Councilman McQuade. Yes. Council President. Yes.
Mayor Right. Yes. Ordinance number 25 2025-5. Second reading and public hearing of bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $2,276,13 for the acquisition of a ladder truck in and by the township of
Pakan in the county of Warren, New Jersey and authorizing issuance of 2,162,293 in bonds or notes of the town develop pack for financing part of the appropriation. Need a motion and second to hold the public hearing, please.
Motion second. All in favor? I. Comments from the public departure. Seeing none, motion second to close the public hearing. Motion. Second. All in favor? I. Motion second to adopt this ordinance. Motion. Second. And a roll
call vote, please. Councilman Belcaro. Yes. Councilman Mlan. Yes. Council President Fo. Yes. Yes. Number five, ordinance number 25-06, second reading and public hearing to adopt a revision and codification of
ordinance in the township of Alpaka. Motion and second to hold a public hearing. Motion. Second. All in favor? I. Comments for the public. Mr. La last time you had said that um I
believe it was grammar was was clean up for grammar is not anything of substance is that still the case well just uh so it's main it's grammar it's also to come into compliance with uh state regulations that have changed over time okay
um and but that is state regulated it's not really those aren't decisions of touch it to me. All right. So, so nothing of substance is a cleanup job. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else?
Okay. Motion and second to come out of or close the public hearing. Motion. Second. Second. All in favor? I need a motion and second to adopt this ordinance. Motion. Second. Roll call, please. Yes. Councilman Delcara. Yes.
Councilman McQuade. Yes. Council President Toledo. Yes. Mayor. Yes. Ordinance number 2025-07, second reading and public hearing to amend chapter 243 entitled zoning and land use to amend definition
of alley. I need a motion and a second to hold a public hearing. Motion second. All in favor? I moved. Comments from the public. Yes. Sean Kerson 38 J Lane. I just have a quick question. Um, what is the
amended language for the definition of an L? Do you have that? Sure. Certainly, I could take that. Um, yes. Uh, Mr. Kerson. So, the revision is uh intended to um address some uh issues that have
come up when residents come for zoning permits. This is specifically related to neighborhoods such as Delaware Park where there's a lot of alleys and a lot of those homeowners have driveways, garages, backyards, fenced areas that abut that alleyway. Okay. So, the
concern that that's arisen is, you know, if they wanted to replace one of those garages or reconstruct a shed or a fence, um the way the ordinance currently reads, that's a public public rightway. So, that would be considered a front yard for them. So to do any of that work, even replacing existing
fences that have been there for many years, they'd have to come before the planning board, file a zoning, you know, a zoning variance application and go through a a long process of doing that. So this sort of alleviates that that requirement. So it makes it makes the burden less on residents. So if you want
to replace your fence and you have an alleyway, that's now treated as a rear yard. So you have to meet the setback for a rear yard rather than a 25 whatever it is, 50 foot in the zone setback. you're not losing your entire rear yard where you're putting a fence in. Um, so that's really what it is.
It's just a change to that definition. So when they when a zoning permit is filed, uh, or if the alley exists along the sideyard, that would also be considered. Um, so there's no need to sort of come before the the zoning or planning boards to get a variance. So it's sort of to
make to make it easier for for residents to do that type of work. Okay. Thank you. Sure. Anyone else? Yes, sir. My name is Michael Avalone.
Um, I had applied for a permit to redo my fence. The fence was there since I don't know how long. Uh, I bought the house in 2018. Um, I was told by one of the girls
in the office that there might be a problem with St. George, which is considered an alleyway, but it's nowhere near the fence that I want to put up. It's easily 70 ft away, easily. And my the fence
that I'm putting up is actually inside my property. I just want to know what I have to do to get that permit. So, you would have to fill out a zoning um application and we would send it off to our zoning officer. I did. and it
came back from the zoning officer to this hearing or um that it was not permitted and you would have to appear before the zoning board. Yeah, that's what Pat said. So, I'm here now and I'm trying to figure out what I got to do. Oh, well, just come see us. We have our
the instructions and everything that Fair enough. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? All right. Seeing none, a motion and a second to close the public hearing. Motion second. Second. All in
favor? Motion and second to adopt this ordinance. Motion. Second. Roll call, please. Councilman Belcaro. Yes. Councilman. Yes. Council President. Yes. Yes. New business. Ordinance
20258. First reading to establish a position of captain in the police department. I need a motion and second, please. Motion. Second roll call vote, please. Councilman Valero, yes. Councilman McCain, yes. Council
President Fa, yes. Yes. Ordinance number 2025-09, first reading to establish a salary range for the position of captain and increase certain other salary ranges within the salary ordinance. Have a motion and a second, please.
Motion. I'll second that. Roll call vote, please. Councilman Delcaro. Yes. Councilman McUade. Yes. Council President Cleo. Yes. Yes. Consent agenda items 1 through 13. Does anybody have anything they want
removed? If not, I need a motion and a second. Please. Motion. Second. Roll call vote, please. Councilman Delcar. Yes. Council Made. Yes. Council President. Yes. Yes.
Council reports. Rich. Mayor, I just wanted to report to you that I was in receipt of your uh email regarding um the request for one of uh one of us to speak to the Cub Scout Pack 54. I
responded to Samantha Peterson on May 1st and haven't heard anything back. I'm not sure if that's who's in the room or not, but I just want you to know that I did reach out to them for that speaking engagement. Um Luke, yeah, I just want to update on on the sewer.
Uh no new uh news as of today as far as u people raising the rates. Um it's been like this since uh the expiration the 5-year uh agreement we had with them, which expired in 2023. So, they're still mulling over the
rates, but be assured that your sue rates will go up. The second thing I'm concerned with and will affect all of us and it's not good for anyone is they're entertaining the thought of privatizing and that will not be good for for anyone. But they're exploring
that as well. And I'm not sure if they're going to do privatize some of it, all of it. We don't know yet. That's it. Thank you. Um, last month we had the Easter egg hunt, a big turnout. I'd like to thank the recreation
committee members and the clerk's office for all their help with making that a success. Uh, the town cleanup, we had some issues with weather, so we need to reschedule that possibly in the fall. And music in the park starts on the 28th
of this month. And we got a $6,000 grant approved. Nice. Great. And that's all now. Thank you. Thank you. Um, just like I said earlier, um, when we said the prayer, um, we had two people, longtime
residents and members of, uh, Delaware Park Firehouse. Um, um, Betty Bird, she was with the ladies auxiliary, her husband Clyde. Um, God, I remember him when he was a kid. He was one of her fathers down there. Um, she passed away
and they will be, uh, she'll be dearly missed. And um Pat Revoli, this uh gentleman was with us for a long time. Has was with the fire department I believe 40 years. Uh worked 911 communication center. Um he was a
volunteer cheer fighter firefighter at number two. Um he also helped out a 911 in New York. Um he was our volunteer houses material uh worker and u he
definitely will be missed. So, um please keep them all in your prayers. Um that's about all I have. Um it uh engineers report mayor. So, give everyone an
update. Um excuse me. We've been uh discussing the Fox Farm Road storm damage repairs. Uh we are in the process of preparing plans for that. Uh we'll be coordinating with FEMA and the NGDP uh to obtain permits for that work. So that
work is ongoing. Um next, the pool demolition that is ongoing. We're waiting on the demolition of the pool house in coordination with JCPNL. So I know we're we're ongoing uh with them and trying to get their crews out there to disconnect the electrical
service. Um the the pickle ball courts, we held a pre-construction meeting with the contractor. um last week. The contractor anticipates starting the work in the next two to three weeks as he receives the materials for the construction. So um and we're
hoping those courts will be constructed fairly quickly. Um this contractor's constructed a few pickle ball courts around um in white and in hackon. So he has some experience. So we're hoping you know project goes smoothly. Um the park improvement plans uh those plans are
still under development. Um there's detailing work going now uh on on the pool plan preparation and on the various buildings that are going to be constructed as part of the project. So that's ongoing. Um Stonehenge Drive improvements project. That's an NG DOT
grant funded project. We've submitted plans to the NG DOT. As soon as they give us authorization to go out to bid on that, we will be going out to bid to construct those improvements on Stonehenge Drive. Um Jade Lane improvements project. It's been an ongoing uh project. A few weeks ago, the
paving improvements were completed. Uh next steps there would just be to complete the pavement striping, the crosswalks and stop bars. And once that's done, the project's completed. Um yeah, that's all I have. Thank
you. Please report, Chief. Thank you, Mayor Council. So the um traffic report for the month of April, we had a total of 299 traffic stops and 37% of those drivers were issued a uh traffic citation and out of
those issued traffic citation, 49% were overweight uh vehicles. Um we're we're kind of busy in in April with uh vehicle burglaries. They just uh started to pop up. Um, and the nice weather brings out the uh some
of these people to uh start some of this work. So, uh just remind the public to uh secure the cars, make sure their valuables are taken out because uh these are purely crimes of opportunity. Um they're not they're not making forceful entry. They're entering um open
valuables and taking valuables and even some cars at at times. um solicitors. I was asked about solicitors uh last last meeting and uh we started to put some information out on our social media outlets on um you
know what to uh to look out for and uh just some tips to uh make sure you're safe at home. And um starting uh this week, we're going to also um post on our social media outlets on u the permits
that we have uh valid in the township so that people can readily identify who was supposed to be out in the township and who is not. So right now we only have a handful of applicants that have valid permits. So uh barring uh that uh nobody should be knocking on the doors
soliciting in neighborhoods. So if if they do um we appreciate the phone call at the police department and we will handle uh handle that with them. And um just a big thank you to the uh Lacon Fire Department. We had a uh a structure
fire uh up on Dana Street and it could have been a lot worse had they uh not responded as quickly as they did and knocked it down as quickly as they did. So uh we thank you for that and um that's my report, M. Thank you. Thank you, DPW.
Bye. Um, I'd like to start out with something a little different. I'd like to go back to one thing we were talking about with Pat Ravoli. Um, I'd also like to add something to that. Pat Ravoli worked our volunteer didn't work volunteered for emergency
squad for many many years. He actually was on it with me as a as as my first day and worked all the way through. Never hit the paper. I don't know why but it meant a lot to me. Pat and V were good friends because of it. We put our lives on the line out on the streets and
you know what I mean? And through AIDS and through all the diseases that are out there, you know what I mean? Your paramedics and squadmen, they put their lives on the line every day of the week with diseases. It's not just fire. All right. So, very very respectful in that fashion. All right. So, I just want to
honor him for that. Um the other thing is um your truck that was on order. We went and seen it yesterday. Um sized it for where the controls go and I'm hoping in about 3 weeks or so it should be here. I'm hoping 3 4 weeks. All right.
So, that'll be coming. All right. We get rid of the one that's 90% shot. All right. Of course, if somebody gets hurt. Um, the other thing I have and I would like to address you guys, but also the public for safety and uh the chief is aware of it.
Um, people with uh um electric bikes, some high power electric bikes are traveling through the walk path in the park. All right. They're coming up behind people. They're they're pushing them out of the way. They're doing
things. And uh I just want the public to be aware of that as it's being taken care of. All right. Um so just watch yourself. All right. You don't usually hear them coming up behind you. All right. But it's not a it's not a driving path. It is we drive on it to get our to be able to do service, but it's not
meant for for that side of things. You're going 20 25 mph and popping right up on top of you as you're walking with your ear heads on and different things like that. So um just be careful. That's what I'm telling you. All right. Um, so, um, wanted to bring that out. Uh, the
road department is basically what we're doing is spring clean up just like everybody else. All right. We just got a lot more of it going on. All right. In a bigger chunk of property. So, you know, and getting sports and everything, keeping them going as best we can. So, that's kind of what I have. Brian, I
apologize. I forgot to include the thanking the DPW for all their help with the Easter egg hunt last month. So, I wanted to thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks. Okay. Fire chief's report. Chief, good
evening. I take a moment. Thank you um mayor to specifically to remember the two members of the department that we've lost and it is a great loss for the department. So, thank you very much for that. Uh for March, going back to March, uh we had 20 calls for the month. Uh
most of them were run-of-the-mill calls, gas leaks, motor vehicle accidents, etc. And there's nothing really standing out in March, but we were busy in March. Uh so far in May, it was a little different story. Uh we did have that one structure fire. Thank you, Chief. We do appreciate
all your officers help. Anytime we go out for calls, it is appreciated. We also had two working car fires uh that were uh handled by the department. We had actually we for uh training we were actually right before we had those car fires we were up at the fire academy
practicing our skills on vehicle fires. So it was very uh very timing was right for that. Uh thankfully nobody was injured in those uh incidents but uh that was what we had in May. I'll more detailed report next month regarding those calls in uh April but that was I'm
sorry I said in May but I meant to say in April that's all we had in April. Uh we also like to thank uh Councilman Pledo for all of his uh assistance working with you for the Easter egg hunt. And thank you for your It was a great uh for that and the mayor. Thank you very much for uh setting up that
event. Also, last I'd like to thank you for trusting the department with this val large capital purchase of a new ladder truck. We do appreciate this. Uh I understand it is difficult. It is a large sum of money, but it's something that I can assure you all that is needed
by the township and that it's will be in good hands with the department and will make us safer and hopefully protect the residents of La Paccom. So, we do appreciate that very much. Thank you. Thank you. EMS, anyone from EMS here? No.
Okay. Shade tree love. Okay. Um, it looks like I was supposed to give you an annual annual report in January and I didn't. So, I'm a little late. I'm sorry. Um, Beth, did they get the copy of this? I
did. Okay, good. Okay. Um, so for 2025, the Shade Tree Commission um has a number of activities planned. The first is the Arbor Day planting, which I've talked about before and it still hasn't happened. I've learned a lot this year about one call and weather and Brian's
tractor being very heavy. Apparently, it can't go on the ground to dig a hole if it's rained a few days in a row. So, hopefully we're going to be doing that on Monday. Finally got everything cleared. So, Monday at um 1:30 over at the middle school, um I'll be heading over and I
think it's supposed to start at 2 o'clock where um the kids from the green team and some of the special ed kids and anybody else that's in the tiger team hour, I guess it's called, um they're going to be able to come out and participate in finally planting the tree. If you're interested in coming
over, I will get the exact time that it's going to start for you. Um, and by the way, they're planting the town's second goko bilboa, which is a very special tree. Um, it's one of the oldest trees and um, they grow very, very big and so they're very excited
about it and plan on taking good care of it. Jim, as you mentioned, the Earth Day cleanup um, we usually are pretty involved with that. um this year as you mentioned it was postponed and and I do want to say that it was postponed both due to weather and complete and total
lack of participation um and you know it's very frustrating that you know we're all happy to complain about everything but nobody's happy to come out and help and so yeah we we cancelled it and hopefully in the fall we'll get more participation on
that. Um the biggest thing that we're doing this year is the Powder Horn Drive tree project as I've mentioned before. So we're um actively having our um proposal being reviewed by Beth so that I can send it out and ask people for costing on that. Um all of those trees
will come down. We will be replacing all of those trees. And in the end of May, beginning of June, prior to the trees coming down, we will do a a door knockock campaign where we'll stop at each one of the residents on Powder Horn from bottom to top and let them know
that we are going to be taking the trees down, who's going to be taking them down, and also looking for volunteers to have another tree planted in front of their home because we do have to do a one forone replacement of those trees. Okay. um community day. We will again be
participating this year. We'll be participating most interestingly on the making sure that everybody is aware of the permit process. That permit process that went into place um in the beginning of the year um was as we've discussed part of the state's requirements and so
far we've had three permits. Interestingly, two of them have been from my next door neighbor. I guess they're really not happy about the fact that I live next door, but the two of them were from them. Um and um one of the things that we're really interested in getting involved
in, Adam, is the tree planting and the rain garden at the park. And we know that it's not quite time yet because of all the demolition that's going on, but um Ben George on the committee, he would like to engage with you to see how the
Shade Tree Commission can be involved. Okay. Um, so and yes, we are responding to the tree permit requests. We do respond to that. We will be participating in continuing education. This is the 100th anniversary of the New Jersey urban
community forestry organization and we participate every year. It's a very valuable experience for us because we can, as you know, we have continuing ad requirements that we have to satisfy and by us going to that we satisfy our whole year's requirements in a two-day window.
So, it's it's very helpful for us and we learn a tremendous amount from it. Um, and then the other thing that we have in our plans this year is it's a miscellaneous line item which is replanting trees that Brian cuts down because Brian likes to cut them down and I like to plant them. So, in
coordination with Brian, we do support the DPW and go out and look at trees with him and say yes, it should go. No, it should be trimmed and if it goes, we should replace it. So, we did have a line item in our budget for replanting trees where possible. Okay. Any
questions? Yeah. How do people get in touch with you if they want a tree plant in front of their homes in on powder work or in general? In general. In general. Well, the I try and read my emails. Um, I would be the first
one. Okay. You're kidding me. I want to be in front of my house. I had to take one down because it was really I'm thrilled. I want to replace it. You are you can be on the top of the list. I'm th you know I'm gonna tell you I've always put you as the you know not a tree man person but you're surprising
here you want to think you know over the years you know leaves you know they just more to clean up but that's okay. They add a lot of value to your home. Well it's shading my house it's open to the sun.
Yes. Exactly. So, we're happy to take any request. Um, email and my my personal phone number is listed on the town's web page and the the the Lakhung Shade Tree Commission at Lakhung TWWP.com is also listed there and we do follow that. So, thank you. Thank you.
All right. What about the trees behind the homes on Powder Horn? The I cannot help you with that. However, if you're going to take one of those down, I do request that you do file a permit. Um and um we will come and look at it and if you take more than three down in a
5-year window, you do need to replace them. Thank you. Okay. Approve the departmental um reports. Motion second. Motion second. All in favor? I. Payment of bills. Any motion? Second, please.
Motion. Second. Roll call vote. Councilman Valaro. Yes. Councilman. Yes. Council president. Yes. Right. Yes. Okay. Public comment three minutes. Mr. Betts. My name is John Betts. I lively
Gardens at 225 Red School Lane. Um, just a question. Jim, will we be having a loading board meeting this month? There is a meeting scheduled. Okay. Very good. And Lou, I'd like you and the council to keep keep the tenants apprised as and the landlords as to how this how the
privatization of of the Peabberg uh sewage plant how that would affect uh the tenants or the landlords. That is unknown at the moment. Okay. But that has not been disclosed. Okay. But they're exploring uh the privatization
and also uh the rate increase which we don't know. Okay. Okay. So, it's in their hands. I know they have a sewer meeting coming up. Okay. I believe in in June at paper which Yeah. which I'll be attending. It's open to the public. Um I
think it's in June. Okay. They do it every 3 months. Okay. And uh so you can attend there. You can ask your questions. Okay. Um but they haven't concluded yet what the rate increase will be. Okay. And then the other thing, Jim, is uh is sewage included in our
rents in the in the rent rent control or it's people I'd have to talk with council. Yeah. So, it I I don't know the specific answer to that, but it depends on how it's classified in the lease. Uh if it's classified as additional rents, then it's subject to the rent control
ordinance. If it's not classified as additional rents, it's not subject to the rent control ordinance. Okay. Would you do you pay for your water bill? I don't but some some people were and I don't know I haven't found out the answers to whether those the people are paying for the water bills or not you
know I I know that some people do or had in the past. I haven't been able the sew is based on your water usage. Yeah the sewage in the in the water. I know that I know that that's why I'm trying to find out the answer but it's based up let's see it's based on if it's
additional to the rent then they can't charge it. Yeah. So any charge is classified as additional rent. Yes. Basically it means they can evict for it and if they can evict for it then it's subject to the rent control ordinance. Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
Anyone else? Mr. Velca. Just to follow up on we have no say in what Fsburg does regarding the privatization. There's no vote. I mean it's entirely in their discretion to do what they want to do. Yes. The sewer plant is in their town. They run it.
They manage it. They have to follow the EPA uh laws and standards and they're always changing. It's very fluid. So yes, we have no control. Plus they up vote us anyhow from the Senate
districts. Okay. just like um you know I won't say anything right now but anyhow um yes we're out voted okay so whatever they say dean uh that's what it is is there any controlling authority
that they have to go through in order to privatize and to increase rates I'm not sure about that uh I know they can increase rates that they haven't increased ours five years because of the lawsuit we that we won and so we settled uh in lie
of a payment uh we did a uh it was frozen at a specific number uh for 5 years so that 5 years ended in 23 right so uh so nobody's rates has been raised since then okay but I'm assuming it's
going to be not even their own not even their own okay you know and also I was reading in the paper there's a $12 million project uh some sewer lines they have to replace y and they don't have the funds for it right you know so um Pete is not in in a great place right
now right financially okay pertaining to the sewer right right I I understand from other townships that you know it's it's in endemic to the whole area I mean it's all old infrastructure and so the contract we'll have with them will be uh same with
Greenwitch um and I think um Paul has has a separate contract contract which expires at a different date. Okay. And and I believe alpha as well. Okay. So, uh we'll wait and see. Okay. And you had mentioned that this would be a public uh uh hearing. It's a public meeting. A
public meeting in June, I believe. Uh I'm not sure, but we can find out. Okay. They send us an email when uh the meeting is held. Okay. Sometime in June and I can check to back. Councilman McQuade here and I
fully attended those meetings. Okay. The most significant issue is the improvements that are required there. So they want to see if they if it's cost effective for them to privatize that whole thing and if that happens it's prices are really low. Okay. Is that
unique to is is this new privatization of No, this is existing throughout the state of New municipalities in in the state of New Jersey that are privatized that I don't see uh benefiting uh us the homeowner, right? You know, cuz when you
privatize, right? Um I think they can charge whatever they want, right? You know, it's just it's another utility, right? Yep. And and the authorization like a public utility I know for electric same way with uh you know,
JCPNL, right? Or Elizabeth Town and Gas. All right. Okay. All right. Thank uh Jesse Rziki 56 putting stone away. Um understanding that the golf course is in
the process of shaking your head. Did you watch the planning board meeting? Well, it's not really a planning board meeting. It's more of why the decision was being made perhaps for the township to not consider to buy it.
No one has come to it. He they came with a couple ideas. Okay. So, this is perfect. I get it. Couple ideas. Um because when I run some numbers and understanding that the per acre cost depending on whether or not it's residential or commercial between 2050
between 20 and $50,000 a year um that a max cost would be about $77.5 million. When I do a calculation and I play golf, I know how golf courses work and operate. And to make a long story short, I come up with between $2 and $3
million a year of gross revenue. take a million off for taxes and operating costs. That leaves you about 2 million bucks. Worst case, let's say a million half dollars. That's a payback of about 5 years. That's a pretty good investment. So again, I'm not sure to
what extent the township has considered buying it, turning it into a municipal golf course. They've never come to us with anything. Okay. They as as the family who owns it and the build, they never come to the town. They talk to me, right? But they've been talking to us
for 10 years. I've heard that, too. That this has been going on for quite some time. Going on every couple years. Yeah. And it's the same thing. And then people run with it. Make a big thing of it. Well, I'm not making a big thing of it, but Well, no, no, no, no. You know what I'm saying? It hits the I think that's
why I put a little article out. Calm people down. There's nothing yet. He wants to do stuff. It's not allowed 90% of it. So, you know, I'm hoping it's a golf course forever. I mean that's my okay my wish and you could write that down Mr. catches and and I think when
went down at the golf course okay and and thanks for that feedback because again sort of learning and understanding about this over the last few weeks obviously you know some of us in in the community have had some concerns but back and forth back and forth I get it but even as an option and
a money maker if it's truly going to be sold I think it should be something that the township consider again a million bucks to the to to the budget after expenses, after taxes is not a bad thing in lie of 400 other dwellings on
strikers. So I know Bethlehem did it, right? Bethleam City did it. I think they Bethlehem's a great course. All MUN is a great course. Architects again a great course and really sort of put Le Pack on the map in terms of golf and people that come out here to play golf. Just just
for your information, we were just talking about the sewer. We're maxed out. You can't I know between the schools the sewer well maxed out as far as any any more uh sending down to Pab. So unless unless they upgrade and the
state would have to allow that nothing else can go up. Got it. So it's based on Bieber where you get the sewer capacity from. So I don't know about that and I'll just leave it at that. All right. It's a whole different animal. Whole
different animal. But yeah, I like what I'm hearing. Yeah. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Anyone else? Yes. Hi, Barbara McCleskkey. Um, I've been a resident, excuse me, your address or Oh,
154 Beer Street. Um, I've been a resident of Lakon, specifically Delaware Park since 1988. and um I've hesitated coming to the council for a while because I don't know what you can do. I
don't know if you can help me. But here's the problem. My kids have grown up. They've moved out of the house. I have decision to make. Do I stay or do I go? I want to stay. But the condition of Delaware Park is increasingly horrific.
And I don't know what can be done about it. But here is the first thing. Three buses park in our neighborhood from August to June. I don't know if that's legal. What kind of I don't know if it's school buses. So, the one person who parks on
the street doesn't has taken up his street. So, he parks his truck in the front lawn. Apparently, now people park trucks in the lawn. This is new. In some of these trucks are mounds of garbage that
just stay. I don't know what it is. Big pieces of metal junk. I don't know what it is. There's houses with decks falling off the back, gutters falling down, appliances all over the yard. I would like to help these people.
I would like to be kind. I would like to volunteer. I don't know what to do, though. Just knock on the door and say, "Your yard's a wreck. There's dandelions that are foot and a half tall." There are some most of the properties are beautiful, but some are so bad I'm
embarrassed to drive through. Makes me want to leave. Well, we can have Beth if Brian Brian can take a ride, right? And take a look and see if there's any violations. And you know what I mean? It's we can start there. Awful. It's really I walk the dog
every day through the whole neighborhood and it's getting worse instead of better. Yeah. Get your phone number to Bath or or come into Bath and we'll we'll work on it. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Yeah. Description.
John Ketcherson in 38 Jade Lane. So, I did watch that uh uh unfortunately I didn't get to attend the planning board meeting, but I did watch the video. Something that caught my eye is that they did mention that multiple times that the uh if they did develop the golf
course that it would help meet uh the 81 required affordable unit uh housing units. So my question to you guys is, is that number 81 what we are obligated to? Okay. If we build if we have a place,
you know, to put Well, we we really I mean that's that's a mandate that we have to build those, right? No. No. Unless a developer comes in and builds 400 homes. Yeah. And we're we're still in the process of finalizing the fair share and housing plan. So how it
actually looks is not uh set in stone yet. Okay. So do we have a plan? I I remember Lou you said that uh we're built out there's no sewer capacity and stuff like that. So how do we handle that if we don't have it just it just stays in the cloud the way stays in the cloud but eventually they're going to
the states going to come in and make well no if nobody's building how you going to put 81 additional that's you can't right so you're saying 81 homes you have to build 400 homes right to do 81 low
income housing it was actually 610 units they were proposing I think it was even higher than that 67 So something like that. It was a it was a bigger number than 400. They could send me a number at us. Unless someone comes here and builds and if there's room to build and there's if there's
sewer capacity to accept all these buildings, it's never going to happen. So what do we tell the state? Nothing. you have. So, at the planning board meeting on the 28th is uh going to be uh where we present the fair share housing
element uh which will set a plan in place because we have to have a plan. Right? That's that's my question really. Whether or not how that moves forward is, you know, uh yet to be seen because we have all these difficulties. But on
the 28th of May, if you come to the planning board meeting, that's where the plan is going to be presented and approved. Okay. Thank you. Thanks. Anyone else? Yes, ma'am. Leave a sec 56 pudding stoneway.
Um the um it's my understanding that um Havanian has come forward expressing their interest in this huge development. um if all these
challenges I'm sure well um I'm sure they're aware of these challenges that that face our township as far as the zoning and the um highlands council um stipulations and our sewer crisis that
we have. So given all these challenges, what is motivating them to come forward with these plans when um all these challenges face our township? This has been going on for I think 10 20 years. They've been talking about uh you
know selling. I think every time maybe the golf course is not doing too well a discussion will come up. Hey, we got to do something. Right. Right. Yeah. And then all of a sudden, you know, it bumps up. It does well. You know, it's, you know, the restaurant is doing good, the bar is doing good, people are golfing,
and all of a sudden they forget about, you know, uh, selling it. And then when it, you know, it has a downturn, then those ideas come up again. As a business owner, those are the thoughts I think that enters their mind. I think that's one of the motivations. But then, you
know, I'm not in his mind, so I have no idea. Right. Right. But from a from a developer perspective, why put your plan put money into have all these blueprints, you know, um these temporary
um graphs and pictures in place and and have an engineer come to the meeting and a lawyer come to the meeting and and you know the the uh construction manager come to the meeting to present all this information. when you to me it sounds
like they're moving forward. They have confidence that they can meet all these challenges that they can meet the sewer demands that they can get Highlands council approval and bring and start the process as Mr. Turo said let's start the
process and the planning boards well we we welcome your your um application and look forward to seeing you. So, what's your confidence level? What else can you say but bring your stuff? Because we can't tell them no. Yeah. I
mean, if I tell you, do you want to sell your house and move to Florida? And I'm like, no, you can't. No, I get that. I know they can't. By law, they can't. They have to be open, accepting to whatever comes our way. But it's just having
um knowing the history of all the other projects that have come through this town, just understand that um there's not much trust there in in in um in knowing that
uh you hope to have this golf course stay around for years to come. So that's I think to answer your question what motivates the developer right right to put in place all these actors and I think one of them is I think it happens
more than than we see and in mult you know in different areas of of the country and state where they have ideas right so they go and explore they send their engineers out they send the architects out you know what I mean and they're testing the waters you know and
they see if it's feasible you know but If they don't do that, they'll never know. So, they have to do the testing first, you know, and then they'll take it from there, one step at a time, you know, one step leads to the next, you know, it may it may just say, you know
what, it's not going to work out, you know, and they back off, but we don't know. They don't know. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else? Seeing none, motion for motion. Second. All in favor? Thank you for
coming out everyone. Thank you.