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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=MPY19U8gNwA

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6:30. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Maple Shade Township Council regular session agenda on June 11th. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of America to the stands one nation

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indivisible and justice for all. >> You can remain standing and do a moment of silence for Xavier Taylor and the Taylor family. Thank you. Public notice of this meeting pursuant to the open public's meeting act has been given by the township council in

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the following manner. Notifying the township clerk December 23rd, 2025. Posting notice on the municipal website and posting notice on the official municipal bulletin board on December 23rd, 2025. Anyone from the public wishing to speak tonight will be permitted to address comments to council during the public portion only. Those

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wishing to speak will get five minutes and one opportunity. Please place all your phones on mute. Roll call, please. Terry, >> Mr. Kaufman >> here. >> Miss Nunes >> here. >> Mr. Simons >> here. >> Mrs. Radnik >> here. >> Mayor Terico >> here. This is the open board of health meeting. Susan,

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>> thank you. This month we have uh just one report of an accidental bite to a homeowner by their by their pet. Um, and we also just want to remind everyone that the month of June is a good time to take simple steps to protect your health and safety, focusing on heat related illnesses as well as mosquito and

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tickborn disease. As many of us take part in different uh outdoor activities come the summertime, we remind our residents, stay hydrated. Please check on your elderly neighbors and family members during periods of extreme heat and take precautions against mosquitoes and ticks with repellent wearing

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protective clothing and routing uh routine tick checks. That's what we got. >> Okay. Thank you. This is the public portion for the uh board of health meeting. Does anybody have anything please come up? >> Seeing none, can I have a motion to close? >> So second >> comments. All in favor?

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>> I. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> So made >> second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. We're going to start off with the presentation recognizing the 2026 Lewis Bay Scholarship Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition Students. >> That's a lot.

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So this evening it is my pleasure to recognize the students who participated in the Lewis Bay second future municipal leader scholarship competition. When I call your name if you can please come up. Susan will give you your certificate. Olivia Debert.

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She here. >> Al Allison Gersinbomb. [applause] Congratulations. Chloe Kinlock. [applause] >> Emily Harshaw. [applause] No, Emily Stratton.

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[applause] I know Julian Assumption had softball and Max Carry. All >> [applause] >> right, thank you everyone. This program encourages young people to learn about local government and the important role it plays in our daily lives. Each of these students submitted essays that

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demonstrated thoughtful research, creativity, and an understanding of the value of public service. These students have taken an important step in learning how communities function and how future leaders can make a positive difference. So, on behalf of the township council and the residents of Maple Shade, I congratulate each of our participants

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for their hard work and dedication. We also would like to congratulate Olivia Debert who was selected as a state semi finalist. We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing the impact you make in the future. Congratulations to all of our stu students and thank you for your participation. [applause] Mayor, if I could just add one thing,

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this was the first year that we did it. Um, and our our municipality had seven total representative students. So that was actually the largest representation of any municipality in the state. So, it goes a lot to say about our students. So, [applause] congratulations.

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All right. The first presentation we're going to do is the PSEG route 73 substation update. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> My name is Neil Sha. Um just want to come here give give a brief update about our project

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>> for PSNG at Maple Shade located at 82 Willow Road um in Maple Shade. >> Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So just brief brief overview. So um this substation again is located 82 Willow Road in Maple Shade. Uh serves

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appro approximately 18,000 customers. Um so the whole basis of this project was there's a FK violation if if if we lose a line um at the station. So in order to um alleviate that, we are expanding the the current substation um within the

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within the footprint of the station. Of course, we did receive uh site plan approval back at the end of 2024 uh for this project. We did talk to the scrabb as well to uh the initial design had it closer to Route 73, but understanding there's a redevelopment zone um that the

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station was pushed back. Uh we enhanced landscaping in front on the Route 73 side. Um so that that covers that. So we're we're expanding this existing straight bus to a seven breaker ring bus. Uh breaker is, you know, it's similar to a breaker in your house. um but obviously at a at a higher voltage

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level. Um transformers are remaining the same. Um we're also installing a new prefab control house which contains all your relay um and and uh communication aspects for the station as this is remotely tied to back to our southern division. Uh so we can control

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activities from there and see what's going on. Also also um has a bathroom attached to it. Um right now we just entered the start of construction. We started construction on June 1st of this year. Um so right now we have civil

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construction ongoing which will carry through October of this year. Um we also have electrical construction starting in August of this year. Planned in service date is is June 1st of 2027. So that's when we plan to energize a station by. We actually have a hard date of that due

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to this being a f violation which is uh federal energy regulatory commission. Um, also part of this project, we are we do have an enhanced physical security scope. Um, so we are adding some pre-cast concrete walls within the station to protect our transformers and

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also on the back side of the of the substation. Um, there will be a wall where the existing fence is. Uh, the re the remainder of the fence will be a uh anti-cut anti-con fence. Um go to the next one. Just to

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>> just overview uh from Google Maps, this is the existing station. Uh the Lowe's is directed to your left. Uh Willow Road is to your right and down southwest is Route 73. Um could go to the next slide. Just high level of the expansion. Um

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this doesn't include the landscaping that plan that that is involved with this but this is the expan expansion of the station. Go to the next one. And again just a little more details. Um our civil civil construction started June 1st of this year. We we're currently

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demoing existing foundations. We'll we'll have manhole and duck back install uh starting later this month into July. And then various yard foundations including the new control house foundation. Uh the the control house is scheduled to land on site in on August

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20th of this year. Um and then as far as the enhanced physical security portion of this project, uh we'll be starting the the transformer walls uh quarter 3 of this year. Um and then into 2027, we'll have the exterior fence. Um

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electrical as well will start August of this year. And then um that's pretty much the update right now. Um, just note too, I know as part of site plan, um, PSEG does own the lot next to, uh, Maple Shade. Um, it's

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currently being used by the, uh, by the garage/towing company across the street. We are going to fence that in and gravel it so they can no longer use that. Um, there's also a landscaping plan involved there as well. >> Okay. >> Um, so that will be upcoming. Um, right now that's scheduled for next year, but

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I'm working with the contractor to to get that into this year. Um, quick quicker the better. Perfect. >> Uh, next slide, please. >> And that that's all right now. Any [laughter] any questions? >> Nope. >> Yes. >> You anticipating having having it

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staffed at all or only on occasion? >> Uh, once it's in service? >> Yeah. >> Uh, typically, uh, an operator will come once a week just to check on items in the yard, make sure all the equipment is is fine, and that's that's really it.

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It's it's an onman station. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate your time. >> The next presentation we're going to have is the annual review for Wood and Karen. >> Yes, sure. If you want to sit.

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>> Appreciate it. >> Just pull the mics. >> Gotcha. >> How's everybody doing? >> Wonderful. How are you? >> Good. Good. Um, quick introduction. My name is Will Gray. I've been with you guys for nine years. I moved on. I got promoted last year to area manager. If

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you have not met Mark, this is Mark Lavenberg over here. He's the new manager and licensed operator for the water and wastewater systems. I believe you all know Robert. >> Yep. >> Um, we joked about it last year, but I I promise I'm going to keep it short. >> Okay.

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>> Just I'm going to brag about a couple things. >> Uh, next slide, please. So, here's our agenda. We're just going to work through the slides. We got a uh annual review update, some health and safety stuff, compliance. >> Phil, if you could just move that

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microphone up a little bit closer, please. Thank you. >> Uh compliance, uh community outreach, which we love, uh some value added services for the township. Uh quick touch on our funding team, uh system overview, and a couple improvements and challenges.

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So, Wood and Current is growing. We're growing strategically. Um, if I'm not sure if you guys remember Ryan Sullivan, he was he was my predecessor. So, we are growing. He got promoted. We did a reorg. He is now the operations leader

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for the Northeast and I stepped into his shoes. So in 2025 we brought on 13 new uh O andM partnerships municipal industrial and so forth and so on. So far this year we brought on six. Uh we are ranked the fourth largest O andM

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firm now in the United States. Uh we're we're trying to continue efforts I am especially to grow our area our business in this area. Um that's helpful in a couple different situations. It helps the the the staff that we currently have that may be eligible or wants to move up

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to management or get promoted. The more business we have in a certain area, the better off it is for everybody. Next slide, please. We did have uh a couple staffing changes since we uh saw each other last. We had

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two new operators come in last year. Uh one operator quit, went to a different utility. Another operator uh was our lead wastewater operator actually uh retired and went back to his family business. Uh of the 11 employees that we have at the site, at least eight of them

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have one certification. Uh employee development and current uh we believe in uh giving back to our employees and investing in them. We do tuition reimbursement. We support them with their licenses uh and anything that they can think of. Uh next slide.

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So, here's our health and safety uh metrics for 2025. We had uh a couple more injuries than we like to see. Uh luckily, none none of them were here in Maple Shade, but as we're growing, we're we're learning from lessons learned and

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uh enacting different SOPs and JSAs to keep everybody safe. Next slide, please. There's a lot on this screen, I guess. Um, this is just to show you how many different regulatory entities that we have to report to. Uh, the two that I

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can just touch on real quick is the systems run pretty well. Um, the only time we really have a problem with the collection system or the wastewater plant is when we get a lot of rain and the rain is instantaneous and then the sun pumps make that go even longer with

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the elevated flows. Uh as you can see the water and wastewater sampling was 100% compliant. Five of those exceededness exceeded were due to rain. Next slide please. Uh comm community outreach. Uh this is just about the same as it was last year.

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Uh anybody that reach out reaches out to us, we like to sponsor uh youth sports. Uh we run a table at Sustainable Maple Shade. Uh we run a table at National Night Out. So we we continue on with that. Next slide, please.

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Here's the most recent green fair. There's Robert uh and Pete Bell. Pete Bell was our compliance specialist. Next slide. And this is from National Night Out last year. As you can see, Robert really likes that gray shirt. [laughter]

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Next slide, please. Uh this is just some value added services that uh we complete for the township. Um value added service of course we charge nothing for it. This is kind of a an update from last year. Last year we did the POS claim settlement

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process on behalf of the township. Phase one was 1.7. Happy to announce that phase two we got an additional $673,000 and that's a grand total of over $2.3 million. and the lead service line. That's just that's just an update from last year.

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That's ongoing until everybody's lines get replaced. Next slide, please. And there's the figures, the current figures for the PIFA settlement. So, uh, if you can scroll down a little bit, it looks like all the money was deposited. I

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think some about 497 is is waiting to be deposited. There's a lot on this page. Uh so Wood and Current has a physical solutions team that that looks for funding or um different avenues to help their

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clients achieve a project. Um what I'd like to mention here is under grants last year Woodter Encourage team submitted uh as a value added service a grant to Norcross's office. Uh, and I'm h happy to announce that I believe a

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couple of you guys were there for the check uh, presentation. So, uh, we did submit to Kim, Booker, and Norcross this year. We won't find out within the next couple months uh, if that money is going to be awarded to Mapleshade. Next slide.

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And that's just that's just if you could scroll down a little bit, please. That's just the value of Wood and Current's physical solutions team of the amount of funding and support they've helped getting their clients. Next slide.

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There's the check presentation that uh happened in in March for the Kings Highway water plant replacement. And now I'll turn it over to Mark. >> Good evening everybody. Uh my name is Mark Lavenberg. um a 38-y year veteran

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in the water and storage industry. Um and it was a real great opportunity for me to to come to Maple Shade and work with Will and Robert and and really the crew that's down there. It's it's an outstanding uh group of young men that that really do care about the what they do. So, just do a brief overview of of

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the system. As many of you know, we do have a wastewater treatment plant that's located on um West Park Avenue. We do have water two water treatment plants. It's the to me what I would consider recently new Main Street Water Treatment Plant which really produces excellent water. Award-winning water I might add

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as well. Will's always had that in competition with the New Jersey American Waterworks. We also have the plant at Kings Highway that we mentioned that was built in 1963. That would be the year that I was born. Um it is a it's a filtration plant, but it is

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really not up to today's standards. So, you know, [snorts] I think with the great work that Wood and Current is doing is acquiring money and getting grant money uh to lower the cost to replace that. Um, another tremendous feature about this system, if I don't get too nerdy, is it does have uh six

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emergency uh interconnections with the surrounding communities, two with Morristown, Pulk and Merchville, Pensal Water System, Mount Laurel and American Water. So, in a real crisis, I mean, there's there's plenty of backup water to go with that and that that's a really a true asset. We do have nine

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>> Can you move the mic just a little closer? >> We do have um nine uh wastewater pump stations with 55 miles of sewer main, 4,800 sewer laterals, which you know, they they come and go with the work that goes with that, and 1,56

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manholes. Now, I'll turn it over to Robert. >> Yeah. So, these uh reliability improvements that we put in uh they're automatic grease as you're looking at there and an automatic oil system for our screw pumps that was put in for the reliability lubrication on them screw

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pumps. Very vital piece of equipment to the wastewater treatment plant. And this takes the safe puts safety well above for our employees because they no longer have to go down there and manually grease these bearings. So, big safety

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point as well. Uh next slide. Some of our improvements that we've done this year, uh, we've replaced one of the Uklid pumps at Uclid pump station. That's a shaftless pump. So again, it's going to give us more service with less headache. Uh, there's no shafts, no moving parts. It's submerible pump. Sits

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right on the existing piping downstairs. And we're hoping to get the other one replaced this year. Uh we have new water manes and services on the west front, South Clinton and Melrose Avenue as part of the lead service line replacement project and we are recently have put a

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new lime delivery system online at the water treatment plant. We're still in the finetuning stage of that right now, but that's going to deliver a more uh consistent lime slurry mix to the trains of water. Helps control the pH and the iron and maganese settlement. And now we

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can integrate that with our SCADA system to have more automation. That's uh what you're looking at there on the left is the lime system, new line system pumps. New lime system control panel in the middle. And that's the new

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Ulquid pump at Uklid pump station. >> All right. So, the the two future challenges for the system in general, I I guess the two big ones would be to replace uh Kings Highway water treatment plant. Um the congressional funding that you uh the township received this year will help offset a small portion of

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that, but to replace the water plant, uh I believe it's anywhere from 10 to 15 million. So, it's a big investment. The second challenge is Main Street Pump Station Force Main. The township um completed phase one last year. uh phase

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two when when that is completed would get us past all the areas that are prone to breaks and the application that we put into Booker Kim and Norcross this year was was to help supplement that project and help offset some of the cost.

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So the town so township Wood and Current and Remson and Vernick work together as a team to prioritize the needs for the system. Um, happy to have that collaboration and have our input valued. That's it. Any questions?

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>> Well, have we acquired the property at the Kings Highway? >> Yes. >> Anybody else? >> Automatic uh greasing system is that prolong the life of the screws? >> Yes. So the automatic uh so there's

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twofold for the uh the screw pump the reliability improvements we did. So the screw pumps the big cylinder looking things if you guys remember about a year and a half two years ago it sounded like a freight train. So those cylinders sit on two rollers. Those rollers have these

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heavy duty bearings. The automatic greasers shoot a shot of grease in there based on a program and then on top of it with an oil drip is is delivered uh with the red red looking apparatus that you saw there.

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>> Yeah. Life cycle for that extended. >> It it should it should extend it at least twice. it it the the oil is critical because oil in different temperatures, different viscosities, right? So, you'll have it

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dialed in perfectly in the winter and then it gets really cold at night and then you come in in the morning, there's no oil going to it. So, that's metal on metal. That's not good. >> Yeah. And it's got water washing away, too. So, >> Exactly. So, this new setup has a block heater and a oil reservoir, so it keeps

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the oil a consistent temperature. Exactly. >> Anybody else? Thank you for the presentation. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> And we will miss you. >> I'll be back. Sure. >> If you need me, call me. >> Oh, I will.

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>> Council, if I could just ask just everybody move their microphones in because we are having a hard time picking up some of it with the fans. So, >> we're doing the proclamation at the end of the meeting, right? >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Right. Last one. You got to make them wait till the very end.

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>> Good night. >> All right. All right. So, we're going to do the proclamation honoring the retirement of Chief of Police Christopher J. Fletcher. [applause] >> Honoring retirement chief of police Chris Fletcher. Whereas Chris, Chief Chris Fletcher, began his career with the Maple Shape Police Department in

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August of 1995, and over the course of more than 30 years served the township with distinction, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Whereas throughout the career, Chief Fletcher served in numerous leadership roles including detective sergeant or detective sergeant

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that lieutenant captain, acting chief of police and chief of police while helping to modernize operations, strengthen officer training, enhance community engagement, and establish programs that continue to benefit the department and its residents. And whereas Chief Fletcher led the department for

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significant milestones including the CO9 pandemic, accreditation through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the establishment of K9 and drone programs, and numerous initiatives focused on officer wellness, professionalism, and public safety. And whereas his leadership was guided by the

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principle, do the right thing each time, every time, even when no one is watching, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and service. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and the township council of the township of Maple Shade that we hereby express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Chief Christopher J.

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Fletcher for his outstanding service and commitment to the township of Maple Shade and his residents. And be it further proclaimed that we congratulate Chief Fletcher on his well-earned retirement and extend our best wishes for continued health, happiness, and success in the years ahead. In witness

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whereof, we we have here unto set our hands and caused the seal of the township of Maple Shade to be affixed this 11th day of June, 2026. Congratulations. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you.

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Appreciate that. [applause] Thank you very much. [applause] I'll just say it's been my honor and pleasure to lead such a great team. Um, you are left in terrific hands. The transition has been as smooth as I promised it would be. Uh, Captain Weiss is more than ready to slide into the

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acting chief role. He's already been hitting the ground running. they've been implementing their plan. Uh I have full faith and confidence in him to execute and continue the forward progress and path that we have taken as a police department. Uh my job as the chief is to

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leave here and leave the police department in better shape than when I founded. I can say since 1995 to now, mission accomplished. We absolutely have done that. So I hope that we continue to forward progress as a group. I am always available to you if you need me by

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phone. And I thank the citizens for all your support over the years, our elected officials, and again my terrific team of officers downstairs. We have a few here working tonight. Thank you very much. [applause] >> And I and I would be remiss I would be remiss. In the front row is my wife,

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Audrey Fletcher. [applause] And we were together before I was an officer. and we are obviously planning the next chapter life has to offer. But I would not have been the the man, the chief of police that I am without my

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beautiful wife, Audrey. Thank you. [applause] So, we're going to move over to the public portion for the consent agenda. Members of the public wishing to speak will be permitted to address council. Does anybody have anything on the consent agenda? >> Please state your name and address for

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the record. >> Joanne Warmer, 39 Lanc Road. Uh, I just had a question on resolution. >> Okay. >> It says we're transferring property no longer needed to fire.

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>> That's correct. >> Why would we be transferring equipment out of our town? It's not can't be used within our town. >> It's no longer needed in our town. I think Susan can give you the rundown. I

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saw the email. Yes. So, it is um an older Ford Explorer that we were putting up for auction. Um Furland, the fire department there has already purchased some of them through the auction. They found that we had another one when they came over to inspect those vehicles and they asked if we could do an

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intergovernmental transfer to them. So, that's what we're doing as opposed to >> Okay. When it said transfer, I wasn't sure if you were giving it away or you sold it. >> We did. They're paying for it. So, >> they're paying for Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else?

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All right. Can I have a motion to close, please? >> So, >> second. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. So, we're going to approve the consent agenda resolution number 2026-R96 through 2026-R115. Can I have a motion to approve? >> I'll make that motion.

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>> Second. >> Comments. >> Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Kaufman. >> Yes. >> Miss News? >> Yes. >> Mr. Simons? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rnik? >> Yes. >> Mayor Telerico? >> Yes. Can I have approval of the expenditure list? >> Thank you. Current fund bill is 3,40,34728.

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300 utility fund $373,1843. Capital fund is $297,270.72. Our utility capital is $63,531. Trust fund $62,56.68. And our grant fund is $4,66327. Our current fund represents 2.69 million in a board of education tax payment that

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remains in our current fund payment of $343,4828 for operational expenses. So I have had the opportunity to review the abil above bill list as submitted and recommend payment when funds are available. >> Okay. Thank you. Can I have a motion to approve? >> So I'll second

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>> comments. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Kaufman. >> Yes. >> Miss News. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Znick. Yes. >> Mayor Del Rico. >> Yes. Approval of the May 2026 minutes. Can I have a motion, please? >> So made >> second.

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>> Comments. Roll call. >> Mr. Kaufman. >> Yes. >> Miss New? >> Yes. >> Mr. Simon? >> Yes. >> Mr. Znik? >> Yes. >> Mayor Telerico? >> Yes. Okay. This is the public portion. If anybody from the public would like to come up, please state your name and address for the record.

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My name is Nick Denilio. My address is 605 North Kohl's Avenue here in Mapshake. I stand here before you tonight as the president of the independent fire company, the IFC. I'm here to openly, honestly, and respectfully request all members of council and the township attorney please

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listen as I relate the events that severely impacted the IFC for the last 11 months. First, I want to thank you for allowing me to meet with you, talk with you, and to put on record the serious financial crisis facing the IFC. I am asking you to please give me some

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extra time to allow the your allow to tell you the IFC story. We patiently wait 11 months to tell you our story. So, I respectfully ask the time to tell it. First, it is important to know independent the IFC and the township have a lease agreement. It's for the

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Maple Shade Firehouse on Maple Avenue. The IFC is a landlord that the township is a tenant. This le this lease dates back to 1987. So, we have a 39-year relationship as landlord and tenant. Next, like to call your attention to a key part of the lease. The lease

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requires a 30-day notice to terminate, otherwise the lease continues for another year. This clause is not new. It has been in the lease even before the 1987 signing 39 years ago. The township did not give a 30-day notice, and there's no reason to think

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the township intended to end the lease because Township Fire Equipment still occupies that space. Same as same as it did last year and the years previous to back to 1987 and before the current lease is no different than

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the 1987 lease except for one very key item. I will tell you that about that difference in just a moment. Before I do, it is important to know that the township monthly rent is $2,500. The events impacting the IFC that I mentioned a minute ago began when the

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township manager, Susan Dansen, notified the IFC that the township wanted to negotiate a new lease. We assume that was directed by all township council. Susan Dansen, mayor Tyler Rico, Deputy Mayor Zeratnik were in attendance for the township. Jake Weir, who at the time

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was our pre our president, and me as the vice president of the IFC. Jake and I were not given an agenda or told about information that township was seeking. All we knew is that when we came to the meeting was the township wanted township council wanted a new

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lease. We assume all of you knew and directed that a meeting take place. At the meeting, we asked for we were asked a lot of specific question about certain bills and invoices. We do not know why such questions were ti being

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tied to a new lease, but we have done we would have done the research to get to get answers if we given a heads up about such questions. Without giving a heads up, we do not think it was wise to give best guess answers, especially when they could be used to create a new lease. But

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we did offer to research the records and get the answers for any listed questions provided by the township. We're not being uncooperative. We're just exercising good businessmen. Knowing that our answers could translate into a lease agreement.

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It's been a long time since that July meeting, 11 months, and we still do not have an agenda or a list of questions. Jake and I using our memory of this meeting did go back to the firehouse. We did reviews the records in order to get answers to what we could remember being

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asked. When we were almost done the research, I did email Susan on August 18th to schedule a follow-up meeting. Susan did respond and give us an August 20th meeting. Due to a scheduling conflict, I emailed Susan asking for an August 27th meeting date only one week later. As I stand

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before you, 10 months from my request, I do not have a meeting date and I do not have a list of question prepare for a meeting. Since the end of July until now, 11 months, no meeting date and no agenda. Over. I said there is one key difference with the lease compared to previous years. I said I would come to

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that later and it's well it's this is the time. The one key difference lease from 1987 is that Susan representing the township stopped paying rent in January 2026. Did you know the rent has not been paid for the last 6 months?

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This is what has caused IFC a finan serious financial crisis. If the intended purpose of not paying rent is to bankrupt the IFC, then that is about to succeed. Taking down an organization of 114 years, 114 year legacy of dedicated men and

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women, generation after generation, volunteering to help our community fight fires, saving property and lives. It was hard for us to believe that all council wanted this to happen. This is why we have come before you to find out if as council we authorize

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non-payment of rent and to let you know that non-payment rent and organiz and an organization of 114 years. Sorry asking did you know? >> Absolutely. >> Susan emailed me said Susan emailed me

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to say that she wanted to review the IC's budget as a pre-step negotiation of lease. Susan formed me a state statute that said that that said gave her as a tenant representative the right to review the landlord's budget. This is the center of the issue. So I would like

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to take a moment to repeat what I just said. Susan said that she speaking for the tenant had the right to review the landlord's budget as per state statute. She also said it was council's it was council who decided not to pay rent and was count and that council said there

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was no lease. So, we are here tonight to ask council, did you authorize Susan to stop paying rent? With respect to the idea of there being no lease, please remember what I said earlier about 30-day notice.

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If the IFC did not receive such notice, and please remember the township firefighting equipment still occupies the firehouse. I reviewed the state statue that provided me by Susan. I did not see where it applied to a landlord tenant lease agreement, nor did I see where it

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made our lease null and void. Reinstate statute is not my skill area. So I wanted to get do some homework before coming for you. I showed the statue to two lawyers, two realtors, and other professionals asking them if they see where state the stat state

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statute had any relevance in lease. They sold none. So please take a moment, please reflect on what I've told you. Please place yourself in our position of not granted a follow-up meeting for 11 months. You may see it as we do that state statute was just being used as a way to delay a

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follow-up meeting. So, we thought we waited long enough looking for our position. We hope you agree that we did show patience and waiting as long as we did 11 months. This is why we decided to bring what is happening before council

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and ask all of you if you knew what was happening. with not with not knowing anything else except that Susan was taking her orders from council to not pay rent and declare lease not to declare there was no lease. We thought if this was the case it was

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best to hear directly from all of you. So we come before you publicly to see if all of you agreed to stop paying rent and if all of you declare that he's terminated. Which such treatment? Why such treatment would be given to an organization of men and women who

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selfishly and honorably served this community for 114 years as a township firefighting team. I don't know but certainly appears less than respectful to us. This is what has caused our serious financial crisis. I mentioned

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without seeing receiving rent we can go bankrupt. If if the intent is to drive the IFC out of resistance out after 114 years, then that is that intent is very close to seceding. Lee Schroeder, the V IFC vice president,

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will now pass out a copy of state statute that was given to you by Susan, the one says gives her the right to stand in for the tenant to review the landlord's budget. And Lee will also pass out the lease showing the 30-day notice clause highlighted.

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Township, >> you repres you you represent the law for the township for all of us, even for the IFC. So, please tell all of us, does state statute give Susan the right to review the IFC budget? And does the lease require a 30-day notice to

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terminate? And absent such notice, is the lease still in effect and should rent be paid? In closing, I like to put on record that dating back three to four years ago, the members of the IFC, members of the administration, and council were not getting along. When I became IFC

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president, I made it clear to all of our membership and I let it be known in the town administration that I wanted to move forward in a positive way, restore the trust between us. I wanted to bury the grudges, the grudges that held us back and divided the community. I wanted peace. This is the attitude I exhibited

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in the least negotiation meeting in July of 2025. [snorts] This is the attitude I exhibited in all 11 months waiting for a follow-up meeting. Even during the six months we're not paying rent because of how we were divided have been divided. The road back to mutual respect

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and to working cooperation could look like a thousand-mile journey. Even if so, such a journey can begin with one step. Perhaps tonight can be that start, our first step. All of us can take this

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moment to begin to listen and respect each other. We the IFC want to take that first step. We are asking you all of council to walk with us. I owe to the men and women at IFC past and present who honorably served as our township firefighting team for 114 years

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to bring this matter before you to seek your help to seek justice to seek a new beginning to restore dignity for all of us to take that first step. I stand before you representing the IOC organization extending our hand and friendship and with all all the respect

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that is due to you. We're asking you to join together as a council to make a motion and have it seconded and have it passed by all of you. Motion that directs the following. The pass through rent be paid without further delay.

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And the future payment of rent be made in a timely manner. and to begin fair and open dialogue for a new lease. That is, if you as council want a new lease. So, I'm asking you, will you make that

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motion? Can we together take that first step? Thanks for listening. We appreciate your opportunity to tell our story and explain our need for help. Nick Denoy, president of Independent Fire Company. >> Can I answer some of your questions? >> Okay. >> Okay. It's funny how we remember that

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meeting differently. So on July 9th, 2025, I emailed you, the chief, Andrew Simon, Jake, who was president at the time, >> and I asked for a meeting. You wrote back or I'm sorry, Chief Simon wrote back and said, "What's the agenda?" I

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told him the agenda, and his response was, "Keeping it to the lease agreement is fine with us. We are all good for July 31st. Thank you. And we will see you the night." That night, we met myself, you, Jake, John, and Susan. you guys came to the table and didn't have any information. You were not

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prepared for the meeting. That wasn't our fault. It clearly says it in here that what the agenda was going to be. So, I just want to make sure that's correct. Um, we also said that night that we would meet in a month. You emailed and said you were not prepared. >> Right. >> Right. We also asked for the information

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pursuant to NJSA4A14-34 where the fire company has to use at least 50% of the municipality's annual appropriation. So, we asked for an annual appropriation budget and a budget for the next year. We asked that night. We asked three more times in an email. When you asked us to pay rent up until

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March, we said, "Give us these documents because legally we need these documents to pay you and you have not given it to us." That's about the meeting. Going over to the lease, you said we pay $2,500 in 1987.

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Was that to your recollection and and I could be wrong just for the bay or was it for the utilities, the repairs and everything else within the firehouse? >> The lease agreement is for the bays that you use in the firehouse. >> Okay. So in 2024 we spent $41,82610

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on repairs and utilities. Is that correct? In 2025, $38,66610. That's way over $30,000 in rent. So, you're getting now a lot more than you're supposed to be getting in the lease agreement. If we're going back to

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the lease agreement, >> going to respond. >> Sure. I'm not >> Well, I'm just I'm just making sure all the facts are here. >> Okay, that's fine. Um, as far as the utilities >> go, that was an agreement they a previous town council made with the fire department. >> I thought we were talking about the lease. That's why I asked, >> right? Because you're bringing up the the utilities and expenses. So, I'm

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>> Well, because that's what we're paying. So, we stopped paying half of it. Instead of paying60,000, we're paying for the previous town council's >> I don't have a budget from you. I have no idea. I have no idea what Andrew, stop. Like, you can't even say anything right now. So, we we paid we paid the

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money and you still have yet to give us a budget. And I believe it goes back before I was on council. Have you ever given a budget in 2020, 2021, 2022? >> I can't answer that question because I wasn't in those roles at that point. The other part of the thing is the the question is, and I presented to the attorney, is does that state statute

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reply to tenant landlord agreement for rental space? We would have been able to do all this had you given us the appropriate paperwork and we sat down in a meeting which to this day we still don't have on July >> and that's that's part of the problem that we're we're debating >> instead of going back to the past let's move forward into the future

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>> and that's what I'm trying that's what I'm saying our what the way I read it and the people I spoke to reading that the state statute that does not apply towards >> the county what does it hurt to give we're paying you money you're not giving us a budget and an appropriation of funds which we legally need we have open requests asking us where your money goes

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we cannot give the legal legally we need to reply to our oper requests. We cannot because you are not giving us any information. >> But you know that's that's the stalemate that we're having right now is the fact that the way that my professionals have explained it to me and the way they read that state statute in a rent in return

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to rental. >> We can keep doing that or we can work together. You can keep saying you don't give it to us and we can keep saying you do or we can just meet in the middle and give us the information. Why are you hiding it? >> I'm not hiding anything but I'm trying. That's what we think. >> But again, you're you're not hearing what I'm saying either, Heather. I I thought I was I don't know. I mean,

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there's other council members. I don't think Andrew can speak on this because his son's a chief of police and he's a part of the IFC. So, I honestly don't think he can speak on it. Excuse me. I'm just clarifying all these things. I've been a part of the organization since 1982. >> Okay,

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>> Heather, if you have a problem with me speaking, I'm just clarifying facts. >> Legally, you can speak. That's all I did clarify the facts. I just did. >> So, we're talking about two different things. First of all, the the building, the lease is for rental of space of the trucks. It's got nothing to do with

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budgets. That IFC is a legal corporation in the state of New Jersey. And you can correct me if I'm wrong, Tony, but the corporation is leasing space to the township to put your fire trucks in that building. >> Not yours. >> Yours. Okay.

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>> All right. I'm just They're They're the Actually, they're not ours. There are those folks out there. They own the truck. >> So they should be they should THEY OWN THE BUILDING. NO. NO. They don't. [laughter] The township built that building. Solicitor. >> Can Can I please finish? >> No. Because you really have nothing else

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to say. You know what? You have your I I need to speak here. >> You're cut cutting me off and you're portraying facts that are not correct. >> They are correct. I JUST I HAVE FACTS. YOU'RE saying you're reading numbers. There's precedents that were sent set

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for things. I'm trying to clarify your statement is not the lease. That's what my question was. >> The lease is the lease. That's all it is. It's got nothing to do. If I own a building and I own a corporation and I rent space to somebody, they don't get the right to ask where that money goes.

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>> That's not how it works in the real world. No, it doesn't. Show me that law that says that you have that right. >> Andrew, >> I just want to put one thing out there. I'm not taking sides like you had already said and >> y >> sort of in a rude way, but I am the chief of the Maple Shade Township Fire Department. Yep.

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>> I am also a member of the IFC. Okay. >> One key sticking point here that a lot of people are not realizing is that we understand that that state statute exists when there is an agreement and ordinance in place that recognizes that volunteer fire company as the provider of fire protection for the township.

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Right now, the only ordinance in place pertains to the Maple Shape Township Fire Department. fire department I am the chief of >> okay >> you are my bosses >> that is the only fire department that is in place so in the current way that it sits with the state statute the IFC is not a provider of fire protection

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>> through an ordinance of the township that is what that state statute specifically applies to I believe you were the attorney I think that's the clarification we are looking for as it is right now the IFC is like everyone has been saying is the the landlord of

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the building and the township is the tenant. That is what they're trying to to portray, I believe. And I just wanted to clarify that that a lot of things have been being said on social media about the IFC not responding to calls and this and that. And Susan and Deputy Chief Flleming had this conversation the

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other day. The IFC through the eyes of the township through their ordinance is not a provider of fire protection. >> Actually incorrect. We do name the IFC in this in the provider of fire. as the sole provider that as the volunteer members as the volunteer organization

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the independent volunteer fire company is named in the ordinance as our volunteer portion of the of our >> service if that is the case that changes a lot >> no because we're paying the members >> the IFC the IFC members are not paid stipens through the IFC the volunteer

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members that receive stipens are Maple Shade Township firefighters >> okay >> there is no active IFCON firefighters every firefighter that respond responds to calls today is a member of Mapleshade Township's fire department. There [snorts] is no active firefighters from

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our roster as the IFC that get on those trucks currently because there was paperwork that was forced to be signed years ago to make everyone a township firefighter for reasons of physicals and all that. >> Okay, >> just to clarify a couple things for

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clarify that on March 31st, I know uh Mr. Denalio, you had asked if council knew um about it. Well, on March 31st, the response that I sent to you about uh your email was sent to yourself, Mayor Talerico, Deputy Mayor Zeradnik,

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Councilwoman Nunes, uh Councilman Kaufman, and Councilman Simon Sec, along with our solicitor. It was also sent to your attorney, Captain Schroeder, and Chief Simons. That same email on March 30th, those same people were involved in that um as well as in the February 25th

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meeting and as well as in the February 19th meeting. But I would like to clarify that in my email of March 31st, I did say with respect to the rent payments, council has not taken a position to permanently withhold rent. However, council is mindful of their responsibility to ensure that any

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dispersement of public funds is made in accordance with applicable law and with appropriate financial transparency. As such, the release of any rent payment is contingent upon township's review of the IFC's financial information. To that end, we are still waiting for the IFC's 2026 budget and a 2025 expense report as

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requested pursuant to NJSA4814-34 and consistent with guidance issued in local finance notice 2024-14 by the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services. Once this information is received and reviewed, the township will be in a position to more fully evaluate the request for rent payments and continue lease discussions in a more

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productive manner. Please understand that this is not a reflection of any one issue, but rather part of the township's obligation to ensure accountability and proper stewardship of taxpayer funds. We look forward to receiving the requested documentation from the IFC so we can move forward. My next email from you

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came on June 1st in which you said, uh, I just realized that I probably should have sent something of this nature in January, but I usually think that everyone has my information already. Attached is a list of our company officers and some contact information for them. If you have any questions, please let me know. So, I did not hear

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from you after the March 31st meeting. You did question as to whether or not council knew. You had included everybody in there and we had did keep them. So, for the record, I would like to make sure that Susan did not not include council. Susan did include council. So, everybody did know

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>> and Sus again, I'm not wasn't >> I understand. I just want to make sure we clear. >> I'm good with that. Again, I the emails I sent out nobody responded except for you. So, and make sure that they were getting the information. >> Absolutely. >> John, you had something.

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>> Okay. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. We have no intentions of bankrupting bankrupting IFC. Um, but any further negotiations I don't want to do in the meetings in the conference room. I want to discuss

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everything in public so no one can say that John said this and and Heather said that and Nick and Lee said this. It'll all be done in a public meeting. So all negotiations in my opinion and I'm speaking for myself. I'm not speaking for the rest of council should be done

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in public at an open meeting. So we want to move forward. We want to work with you guys. We have no intentions of bankrupting trying to bankrupt the IFC. That is not our intention. But we have to have information from you so that we

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can release funds. >> That's it. And that's I think you where our second point is between all us that's again why I asked >> let's move forward get that information to Susan >> okay >> and the next meeting we have a public negotiations on our rent

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>> and I do think that in our first meeting that we had I remember saying that it is a requirement of our auditor as well our auditors do require they review local finance notice 244 202 24-14 as well as the statute that it is any public funding that goes it's no differently than what we get from the EM

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EMS the EMS on an annual basis gives me an audit or gives me a you know a breakdown of all of their financials. is because there's public funding whether it is through a lease, whether it is through assistance that we're doing. It's anything. And that is the that's always been the

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>> here here's my my my problem with and again I'm not an attorney. Okay? Don't claim to be. The way I read that statute, it says that a percentage of the money has to be used for firefighting activity. The way I read the statute, you're not paying IFC as

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your as a fire service provider. You're paying us to park the trucks and you store your equipment. Is that >> actually I just have something to say. Uh on your lease on your lease under maintenance of premises, this is from your lease. The fire company shall be

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responsible for the maintenance of the leased property, but we're paying for everything. So it says it right on your lease, but you don't have that highlighted there. So I mean >> all the taxpayers are paying for it. >> All the taxpayers are paying for that. even though in your lease we're we're

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working with you because we're paying for everything. It says in your lease that you should be paying for this, >> right? So, I'm just making that point. I just >> Sandy, the capital outlays and the maintenance of that building for the last 40 years has been capitalled out

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for the building to be maintained. >> And there is a certain level of maintenance that's done on the building regularly that IFC consumes. And by law, we're not permitted to do capital projects on the building. That's what I was have been told by the by our

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auditors that and it has been done. I'm not saying that it hasn't. >> And they were also our volunteer fire department. Correct. >> We also have another fire department that that wants to be paid now. So I mean where's >> that that that agenda is being created because volunteers aren't going to get a volunteer if everyone else around them

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is being paid. >> I agree with that. >> Well, look, >> so we can go back to that. We can go back to everybody being a volunteer and nobody getting paid. Is that what everybody wants? >> So, so there has So, can I can I please speak? >> All right. >> It's growing pains. I saw Cherry Hill

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and Mount Laurel evolved 30 years to get where they're at now. There is a certain level of service that needs be that needs to be provided at a cost to the township council or the township taxpayers. There is a way of going about doing all of this to be fiscally responsible because right now the

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township the township has a fire department. That's who has the fire department. Make I'm making that very clear. It's not IFC. It's not nothing. It's this board. The people that sit here have that fire department. We are ultimately responsible for all of it now. Okay.

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>> So, being that that said, there's a way to get a level of service at the cheapest amount of money. Right now, we're paying fire chief, we're paying fire officials, we're paying inspectors, we're paying firemen. And it doesn't have to be that way. There's a way to get the level of service that we need

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during the day, keep the volunteers, grow as a department for years to come, looking and knowing what we have to do, and still keep it at a minimal cost and have the volunteers and the paid people that we need. But the paid people can be

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inspectors. They don't have to be paid firemen. There's a way to do this that will be at least less costly than what's happening right now. I'm going to say we're probably a million dollars for the fire department at this point in time for salaries and things that we got going on. So, we we used to put out

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$120,000 for the fire department every year. And in that year, just like the police department gets capital outlays and all the other organizations, we would put capital outlay requests in knowing what we're needing coming down the road. And

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that's how this township funded the fire department. They were always upfront getting the stuff that the fire department needed. It's no different now. The the fire the police department, the EMS, they have to put capital outlay requests in for the equipment just like we did and their big building maintenance.

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>> So, you say you have a plan for under a million dollars to do all of that? >> I have I had a plan when when we sat down years ago. >> Let me ask you a question. Yes or no? Do you have a plan to to >> I have a way to keep the cost down? I do. But nobody wants to talk to me. Everybody thinks I'm in cahoots. I know

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nothing about what they were doing. I didn't know they were coming up here. I just happened >> I don't care if you know or not. >> Well, I'm putting it on record because I don't want things being said that I'm a part of this. I'm not. I understand this frontwards and backwards. And at the end of the day, as a council, as people

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sitting up here, we need to do the right thing. In my mind, >> we need fire service. Currently, we don't have fire service. >> Well, that's not answering calls. This is my fault. >> Yes. Yo, if you're not answering a call, please please tell me who where does that responsibility lie? Where does it go back to?

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>> Not with me. >> Yes, it does. See, that's where you don't understand. It It does. IT DOES, HEATHER. BECAUSE THAT FIRE department is solely underneath our umbrella. We are responsible. So, if there's a truck that doesn't get out on the road anymore, nobody can point the fingers at

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Independent because independent don't exist. They can point the fingers at everyone sitting up here. And if something happens, Heather, you don't know what you're talking about. >> I know. Neither do you. >> That fire department is operated by this township. All the ordinances goes back to her. >> We're paying We're paying fire

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department. >> It's not operated by me. It's operated by the chief and the the deputy chief. We're paying the money to do that. It's underneath. Our budget is we don't operate it. >> There are employees. Are you people kidding me? There are employees. It's

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just like the police department. There are employees. They run it. They get the money from the township council >> and they're not doing their job. Is that what >> I'm not saying they're not doing THEIR JOB. I'M GIVING YOU AN EXAMPLE. >> They're not answering our calls. >> The fire department that exists in this township right now is underneath this

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board and we are responsible for all of it. The township manager has all the responsibility just like with the police department. So if anything in this town happens, it's on all of us. >> You too. >> I agree with that. >> Not I have say NONE OF THAT. THOSE

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PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING, getting paid, are getting paid by us. It's budgeted money. >> I agree with that. >> But it's not my fault if our employees aren't going out to answer calls. >> That's the whole point RIGHT HERE. YOU HAVE NO idea of the level of service. So, you're going to just hire more people and raise the tax rate?

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>> I just asked I just asked you a question. I didn't say I was hiring anybody. I just asked you if you WERE COMPLAINING THAT YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT ANYTHING. I'm answering fireballs. I'm stating facts. They're your complaining. I'm stating facts. We are not answering calls as a paid as a stipen. >> So, do you want it fixed? Do you want it

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fixed? >> Yeah. Do you want Do you want Everybody wants >> Do you want it fixed? >> Everybody wants it. >> So, I do too. So, me being the professional and nobody in this room except the other fire personnel know it better than I do. >> So, if you really want to get past all

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the other stuff, and I want to too, I want to work with you guys. >> So, you want to bring back the full 100%? >> No, I don't. IT'S PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE because now they've already set a precedent where they paid people and they're trying to ax that down. >> So I do have a question just in general about why haven't we seen it. Why

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haven't we seen a plan in >> Nobody wants to talk to me, John. I could fix this real quick. >> Well, then you should have a plan here next meeting. >> So >> I'm not having a plan here next meeting. I'll sit down with you guys and explain it to you and tell you what we have to do. We're not doing that anymore. Everything is in. HOWEVER, THIS BOARD

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right here is responsible for implementing it. And if we implement it, then it's up to the township manager to follow what we want done. >> Andrew, we're not sitting down in a closed meeting anymore. Everything that is going to be discussed about the fire department. So, if you have a plan,

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bring it up and we'll discuss it with the town and with the people. Let's get the whole plan with it. I already Mr. Dig Mr. Digglio had come up and he's questioning about the lease council. So I think we need to decide do we want to discuss that. But I'm also what I'm also

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hearing is that the IFC is no longer providing fire services. >> The IFC exists. >> So if the IFC does not exist and we are talking about a lease, state statute has a reverter clause that that building comes back to the municipality in which

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we would then wind up taking care of that building. We would have to come into some sort of agreement because there has never been that we do not want the IFC to not be a part of it. But there needs to be that discussion. >> So just to go on record, it was a control thing for the people of the

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town. The ultimate goal is for the building to be seized by the township and take it. So let's just say that's not it. What I'm saying is is that we are questioning about the township has been the same manner for the last 45 years. Now all of a sudden there's laws.

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I would like I'm asking the the solicitor all the laws that they're quoting. I would like them to be brought up. I would like you to look at them and I would like you to clarify them because there's a lot of things being said here and unfortunately there's there's two

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sides to it in agreements and as Mr. Deniglio said that you are a solicitor. I would appreciate it if you could find all those things all these these laws and things that we have so that I can look at them and review them as well because we never operate it like that.

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Never. And I don't believe that the police department has the same type of setup because they're in this building. It's a little bit different. >> No, it is it is different and I will agree there. However, the question that was posed to council is about the lease. So, yes, I think that we need to go back

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and we need to discuss about the lease. There is no bigger plan of we want to take the building, but the reverter clause is in the 1985 ordinance that was written by Judge Harrington. It's in there. It also states that when it happens, it's a statute that when an

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volunteer fire company no longer is performing the duties of a fire company, that building goes back to the people. End of story. But what we're talking about is the lease. Can I Can I finish? Because I did allow you to finish and then I will listen to you. Go ahead. You can finish. >> So the question that Mr. Digglio has

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posed is about the lease. Both Councilman Zarnik and Mayor Terico said that we want to have this conversation. So my suggestion is going to be let's get the laws that Mr. Simon sec is discussing. Let's come up with a date. Let's ask the IFC to be here. We have the open public meeting and that's the

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only topic that we have on the agenda so that we can get this all out. >> Just to put something on record, just to put something on record for clarification. >> The reason that IFC doesn't have volunteers and there's still a handful of MEN IN THIS TOWN. FINISH. LET ME

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FINISH. I want to finish. I will. Okay. There's a handful of men in this town that are older like me that would respond and I I don't need money at this point. I would volunteer and go up there and put my time in. There's still a handful of those people here. However,

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they joined IFC. This township and the administration made it impossible for them to operate under IFC. They had to join Maple Shades Fire Department, which is ours, in order to be able to do those things. So, you're saying one thing but doing another. So that's that's on

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record now for that. Those people did not want to join Maple Shade Fire Department. They wanted to stay in IFC and operate and the township did not grant them that that that luxury. >> We did because according to the report that I got for April of 2026, there are

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14 IFC members, two fire police, and 13 Maple Shade Fire DEPARTMENT MEMBERS. FIRE DEPARTMENT. That's what the chief of the fire department certified to me in his in his department report. So you're telling me that those members are >> there is a chief of independent fire

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company of the fire the chief of Maple Shade Fire Department and you asked for members and the names of them. They're the members. Those members exist in IFC. It doesn't say that they're responding to fires. It doesn't say that they're A PART OF THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO.

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>> BUT THEY ALL HAVE NUMBERS OF HOW many how many how many fires they responded to. So they are, even though they're IFC members of the membership of the 501c3, they are [snorts] firefighters under the Maple Shade Fire Department. >> And a lot of them were mistaken when

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they signed that papers with Joe Palumbo to come up here. So those people that are on that list that joined over are still in in Maple Shade Fire Department. It was a list that was over there, correct? But they are not allowed to operate unless they join this fire

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department. >> That's correct. So you're saying one thing and portraying it to be one thing and it's not. They can't physically do it and cuz they can't physically respond at IFC then that puts the equation out there that says okay well they're not IFC is

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not the sole provider. They're not having anybody come out here. So now that we can revert to this clause and take the building before we go further clarify something [laughter] real quick. Could I please? >> There is a 101 number that is issued by the Division of Fire Safety. That number

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is issued to independent fire company number one. The report that I send you states that those members on that side are members of the IFC that transferred to the Maple Shade Fire Department. That is what that says. There is another number that was developed by Joe Palumbo

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when he came here with the Division of Fire Safety for the Townships Fire Department. That number is 102. That is what every single call dispatch in this town comes through. 102. The Division of Fire Safety does not recognize the 101 number because of the

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way that the ordinance is written for this town. So, I'm clarifying this right now. >> The IFC exists. There's members in the IFC. Those people want to be IFC members, but Joe Palumbo made every single IFC member transferring sign

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documentation and signed up for the township's fire department, not 101. So that's what I'm saying to you. So the 101 number does not respond to calls because of the Division of Fire Safety not certifying it because of the way that the ordinance is written. And

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we know this for facts because we just talked to them last month about it trying to reactivate the 101 number to reinvolve the IFC. >> Yes. But those members still exist as members of the IFC, >> but they are not responding to fire calls as the IFC.

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>> Absolutely. And that's what I just said. They're responding as Maple Shade Fire Department. But it's not that they don't exist as members of the IFC. They are still members. The IFC didn't go away. The IFC exists at a 50 as a 501c3. >> Like I said, all I'm clarifying is the

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fact that there's a 102 and a 101 number and that 101 number has not received a dispatch call in four years since Joe Palumbo entered this town. The 102 number has >> the Maple State Fire Department was created and that >> is the is the 102 number. That's something you need to understand the

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difference between a 101 and the 102 number making sure they do you and I understand the council needs to understand that those two >> we understand I have a question. So when you send us the month when you send Susan the monthly report at the bottom >> you have it and I don't I didn't remember

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>> I just answered that it's IFC that transferred to MSFD those members are still members of the IFC but they are not able to run >> you have like how many calls they answered >> per person. Is that what you're saying? They're still answering calls, >> but they're answering calls under the

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102 number, which is the main answering call, BUT THEY'RE STILL ANSWERING, but they're not answering calls as a true volunteer under the IFC. That's correct. That's the thing that we're trying to get to. And and mayor Terrio, you responded saying, you know, calls

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aren't being answered. This is one of those problems. The members of the Maple Shade Fire Department expect payment at this point. Every single stipen member, everyone. So there's no true volunteer in the Maple Shade Fire Department. They are all stipen paid members of the fire

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department. There is no IFC members that will respond because they're not allowed to. For one, because they're not being dispatched, and for two, it's after the hours of them being off their shift and they're not coming back to the firehouse. So that's the problem that right now me and my administration, my

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officers are attempting to fix. There's been negotiations and proposals back and forth with Susan for the last several, I would say, eight months with schedule change proposals. We've talked at length about the hiring of more part-time uh members and other additional ways to incentivize members to join the Maple

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Shade Township Fire Department. It is impossible without money. It is impossible to do without listening to the professionals that are proposing these things. A lot of good ideas have come from my administration that I've sent on to the township and a lot of things have been shot down >> for for a very big example. That

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>> would be fair. >> No, no. I'm saying as far as the command vehicles as far as the command vehicles that were approved to be purchased, one of them, and then when it was finally sent here, it was shot down in that meeting. >> The guys start to get the notion that they're not wanted in this town because

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of the issues of not getting the funding to get the equipment they need. >> We're talking about J Fire Department now. >> Yes. Okay. I just want to make sure >> there's a lot of people in this fire department in your fire department, Township Fire Department, that are very disgruntled because they see the things that are happening in here. When things get proposed to be purchased, even though we have a budget, it's questioned

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constantly or it's denied by the council because of capital purchases. I just want to just let everyone know those command vehicles, nothing had changed from the spec that was previously submitted when it was first declined to the second spec. It was just the reduction from 2 to one and it was still declined to be purchased. And at this

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point now, the savings from the paint that you guys were questioning, we're having upcharge probably double that in the chassis cost cuz we missed the cut off for the last year. >> It was more of the $95,000 in upgrades that were that we were questioning. >> It's and this is something that was table because >> and this is something I want to get into

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the council with at another later date. But I want everyone to know that there is a huge difference between the IFC and the Maple Shake Township Fire Department. >> We know that. >> We understand that. >> So no, stay here. Stay here. talking to Mabel Shay Fire Department. Um, >> well, no, because this was the IFC thing. >> That's fine. I have a question for you,

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though. So, you you have duty crew. Yeah. >> That and we pay them. >> Yes. >> How many show up for duty crew? About >> five, 10. None. >> That's a very broad answer. There's different shifts. There's different times of the day. There's different How many in a month? >> In a month? >> Sure. Or a week?

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>> There's no a day. You have three three on a crew. In a six hour period. >> Do you require them to come to duty crew? Do they answer Are they required to answer a certain amount of calls? We're not required to do anything because it's one if they're not getting a paycheck. >> Can we enforce that? Can we Can we do that? Can we Since we're not answer calls, we need to do something.

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>> If you start forcing people to show up as volunteers, they're not going to show up because you're already >> Well, they're getting stipens, right? >> You can't force them to show. I agree. But at the same time, the way that this fire department was created, 90% of the membership lives outside of this town. They're not residents of this town. They

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can't respond from 20 minutes away and get on a fire truck to respond. >> Did we change the schedule for June? Because I saw some email Sorry, I just want to be fair that some of the things that you proposed were changed. We went to the 12-h hour shift is what we went and this past week I as Andrew said, I did sit with uh Deputy Chief uh Fleming

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>> and we had discussed several different things as well. We discussed the 12-h hour shift. We discussed about possibly giving those members that are getting that duty crew. Um you know, maybe we could offer them some sort of vision insurance. We could offer them dental insurance. We could >> just Could I just say something real quick? I don't want to put things out

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there that we haven't agreed upon or the chiefs have even talked about. I'd rather not say any of that until a plan. >> These were the things that we discussed, >> but I don't think it's good to bring to the public ideas that may not even be >> everything needs to be brought into >> No, I'm saying as far as the ideas of of >> Listen, I'm going to hand it back over

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to IFC and let that with you. >> I would like to sit down and talk. >> 40 years ago or 5 years ago, we had a meeting. It was the three chiefs, me, the deputy, and the battalion. >> Okay. >> All right. there was a slight issue with daytime responses. And just to clarify

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that Maple Shade is either the first, second, or third busiest fire department in the county of Burlington. It's the biggest county in the state of New Jersey. We are first, second, or third every year with actual fires. Our fire company is very, very busy. So, being

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that said, we knew that there was an issue. The township manager sat in the firehouse the one night and we proposed a stipen program for during the day. During the day we knew that we had an issue and we wanted to clarify and just to clarify numbers we run 60 to 70 calls

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a month. All right. Once in a while we dropped two calls. We had it set up that Lenola would come in and take care of it. All right. So what at that meeting we proposed a stipen program 5 years ago to start this process to keep it so wait

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let me finish so it's understood so that the people were having a slow increment >> I don't know where the fire department's going to go I would like to see it to be a mix we have an opportunity right now to try and fix that and correct it and minimize the cost but if we keep playing

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games and dragging this out and doing all the things that we're doing those volunteers are going to go away and then you're going to have nothing. You're going to have 100% paid fire department, 3.5 million a year to put an engine on the road. The level of service will drop. There are so many contributing

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factors to that. But I was told at that meeting that the township council will never go for it. And my response to the manager at that point in time was, it's your job to sell it. This is a minimal cost to the township. We were asking for $150,000

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for a siphon program. was 250. >> We said 250 and I came back at 125. But I still I still don't know why we're going back to the past. Has nothing to do with >> THE POINT BEING IS THIS could have all been avoided. We could have sat down and did all this. >> Here we are today. We're here today and we're trying to move forward.

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>> It means that we're here today and to bury the hatchet for all of it. I'm going to make a motion that we reinstate the lease, that we >> pay the back pay, continue to pay until we come up with a resolution. What we're going to do is we're going to continue to have meetings about the lease and

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need our paperwork back. Correct. >> You're going to follow the law. There is a motion on put a motion on the table. >> Keep talking about it. I want to see there's a motion Mr. Simon said to reinstate the lease. Is there a second? >> Listen, Chuck, you've been on the school

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board. You've been uh you know on council the Rotary. You know, this is about doing the right thing for the township, not not dissension. Sandy, you had Mr. Simon said, there's a motion. >> There's no second. Is there a second? >> No.

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>> Okay. Okay. So then my next question is is from Mr. Deniglio's standpoint wanting to have a meeting council. Do we want to I can send an email tomorrow to everybody to schedule a special meeting with >> provided with those two meetings? Yes, >> we will meet with them in public as long as we're provided with those documents

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per our attorney once he reviews the law. >> Nope. >> Here's here's what I'm going to say on that. >> You know, uh I I just saw a law that was given to me. I saw a print out of a law that was given to me tonight along with the lease. Haven't seen it before. So

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what I understand is what uh the manager is is is being told that she cited to the wrong law in order to obtain financial information from the IFC. I don't know. I'll take a look at

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this. This law says what it says, but I suspect that this law says what it says. There's probably a dozen other laws that say that when the the municipality gives out money to someone that they're entitled to information about where the

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money's going and where it's been. >> Yep. >> And if there's if there's a dozen laws, there's two dozen laws that say the same thing. So, you know, to to to use this as an excuse to not give up information, I don't accept it. You know, I'll see what the law says. I don't know what

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other people have said. I don't know what other people have told this gentleman. To me, I [snorts] suspect that, you know, where where public funds are at issue, disclosure is where it's is what it's all about, >> right? >> There's no way that an entity, whoever

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it is, a 501c3, is going to get public funds and not get information back about what sounds to be pretty basic information about what's going on currently and where the money's going. That's my thought. >> Thank you. It's all we're asking. It's only been asking. >> I'll send out an email tomorrow. We'll come up with some dates

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>> and I would like to do it as soon as possible like this month. >> But I like I like to rebut one one thing and ask you a question. Susan, you attorney mentioned that something about a something from Judge Harrington from 1985. I think you said the deed I have for the property states that the

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building reverts back to the township if it's no longer used as a firehouse. That's the deed from 1950 something. I can't remember. And I believe there was a statute in that deed that with along with that deed that says that it goes along with the statute and the statute does say that there's no longer being

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used. >> Okay. >> By the organization as a firehouse that my question my question to you is can if you could form me a copy because I don't have that the information at work office what I have. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Y I will send an email out tomorrow to everybody >> and Nick I can speak for speak for myself. We don't want to see the IFC go

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away. You are 501c3. you've been around forund and some years we want you even >> if you were no longer fighting fires there has to be some kind of remembrance memorial you know something in either in the building or whatever I mean we don't want you to go away there's you know we do respect everything you've done for

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our town everything you continue to do for our town we just want to move forward >> for the safety of our town say I have no >> desire to dissolve or bankrupt the IFC I want the IFC fiscally sound but at the same time. We

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need to be fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. That's all we're asking. And we want to work with you, but we don't want to do >> the secret behind >> everything is done up here now in front of that. And as I said several times, >> and again, when the county attorney gets done reviewing the information and

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passing information on to us, >> the way I read it, the people I spoke to doesn't read it as that that that supplies it for a tenant landlord thing. >> I don't know. >> Well, that's why we're going to talk in public now. And everybody's going to know where everybody stands. >> Okay.

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>> So, and you should bring that >> information. You have >> his plan. >> Anybody else have anything for the public >> information? Hi, Bill Reese, 28 Collins Lane, current treasurer of the Independent Fire Company. I would agree with Councilman Simon Sick

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that I've never heard of a a tenant requesting landlord financial disclosures. So, we're going to find out if that's the case or not. >> Yep. In the meantime, I think what people are refusing to look

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at with the lease, the lease from 1987 carved out on a stone, used stick fire truck in house and we pay you rent. That's basically what it is. Then you come along with this statute from 2015 or whenever it is and you want to insert

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that into the lease that's 40 years old and that is a detriment to us because all of a sudden you're saying now we can't pay the rent from 40 years ago because of this new statute that you're sticking in there from 2015. >> That's not really what we're saying. We're not saying we can't pay it. We're

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just saying we just need you to provide us just with the budget and the appropriation of where the money is going by law because laws change every year. That's all we're saying, >> right? And I understand that. But somewhere along the line whenever the

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statute was incorporated or whatever, >> I don't ever remember being notified, but um you know, the lease is 40 years old, so a new whole total plan should have been negotiated and it wasn't. And I did ask for you to be at that meeting because

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you have the knowledge of being treasurer. I asked many times for you to be there. >> And in 2021 when we signed theou when the IFC were sent back in, Mr. Reese and I sat down several times and it was discussing discussion about the lease and had asked them to go back and at that time we weren't able to ever come

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up with any dates from right next. I just think right now you're you're incorporating apples and oranges and withholding our rent. Our rent from 1988 87. That's all it ever was. Stick your fire trucks in our building.

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And uh got my blood pressure fired up. Um, also as the treasurer of Independent Fire Company, my records are open and they're reconciled to the penny and they're open to anyone that has the

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authority to look at them. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the public? [snorts] Joanne Mortimer, 39 Lansancy Road. I'd like to start out by applauding John Saradman.

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>> He wants to solve this and he wants to solve it in public. Transparency moving forward. Transparency is the word we want to use.

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Also, there is no question that the township is responsible for whatever happens with fires in this township. And that responsibility lies at this table.

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It lies at this table. So whatever happens, it's going to happen under your names. And thank God, we haven't had a major catastrophe. Now, as far as the IFC members and the

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Maple Shade Township firefighters, it almost sounds like if you're working for a company, it almost sounds like you're forcing someone to join a union. That's what you were forcing them to do

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with your ordinance. And it it kind of seems like that part is against the law. So that's something that has to be investigated. Also, you need to come together

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and it sounds like John is on board. You need to come together and solve this once and for all. Now, as a realtor, I know when leases are issued and there's

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a 30-day notice that you have to give to your landlord, that's legal. And if you don't give it, then the lease automatically renews.

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That's law, New Jersey law. So, there's no question that a lease is in effect. Now, as far as records, I'm standing on Styles Avenue, and the fire company is right down on Maple Avenue. It's not far

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away. In fact, you can walk there at any given time, and if you want records, you can get them. Okay? The two sides need to come

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together. as far as a plan for $250,000 a year, which would give us a fullblown fire department >> that would operate. No, >> it it all it's solving an issue that the

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department had. >> It's a daytime thing. All right. >> Well, daytime. >> So, it it it's a start. It's a start to moving forward. It's to start to minimize the cost of things and give the protection to the township people that

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they need. It's not, you know, we can't afford a paid fire department. We can't not right now. We can evolve into it over time, but you're you're looking at probably $7 million a year for a fire department. >> But we need a full-time fire department.

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So if you can have a mixture >> right >> of volunteers and paid personnel, you need to look forward to that. We need coverage daytime and we need coverage nighttime. I used to be on the first aid squad. I

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was on there nine years, served as captain for three years. There was many a night. I jumped out of bed to go on calls. We need that. We need coverage 24 hours a day. So, we need to

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sit down and we need to solve the problem. That's what we need to do. >> Thank you. Anybody else in the public? Emily, I think I saw you. >> I I want to comment on Joan. >> You can comment while she's walking up. Yeah, Joanne, thank you for the

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compliment, but everybody on this council, as far as I'm concerned, wants transparency and wants to move forward with the IFC. I'm not just speaking for myself. When I made that statement, I was speaking for myself. But I guarantee if you talk to that from that end to that end, we all want to move forward

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with transparency in the open public. No more behind the scenes. And everybody up at this table thinks that way, not just me. Good evening. Good evening. My name is Phil Wean, 120 North Styles Avenue. I'm

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a 55 year member independent fire company number one. I'm a 55 member year Maple Shade First Aid Squad and I'm damn proud of it. But damn it, we need to go back to them days. I know we can't go with all volunteers, but have we looked

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at other are the code official fire code officials member of IF Maple Shade Fire Department and if an dire emergency comes in, do they respond? Other communities do it. That's how

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volunteers we used to do it. They used to drop, do what they got to do, do it, and then come home. John, on another thing, the township did not build fire company. The old the original fire company

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that was right there. You know, you got the two buildings, you know what the auditorium is and you got the firehouse that the members built that brick by brick. Okay. >> So, we know it's a little bit before my

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time. You can't tell, but it's a little bit before my time. But I think we need to work together. >> Absolutely. >> And and IFC, we're damn proud members. The fire department, we're proud. And I know you're trying to do the best you

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can up here. The buck stops. I mean, we all know what the m the money's going for, >> right? We need to work together and solve the problem because the town's people deserve fire protection 100%. >> Yes, we do. >> On another note, I'm talking here from

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the American Legion Post 66. Uh I'd be remorse not to point out, can we possibly look at the flag pole outside of the town hall and get the flag that it goes up to the top of the mask? It's not going up to the top of the mask. I would be remissed if I'm not

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mentioning it. Second of all, we had two members of our post pass away. One member you probably know who was very active in the recreation board in the township, >> Bob Slot. >> Oh yeah, Mr. Slight pass.

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>> Yeah, he was a good guy. >> We had another guy Richard Hackerman. He was a twotour Vietnam veteran. CB who was in in Maple Shade.

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His wife his wife was very active in the Maple Shave first aid squad. Harriet she was a nurse and put many many years in. So we in Maple Shape we're proud of our volunteer organizations >> as you should be. >> Exactly. So I'm just saying let's all

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work together. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Thank you for your service. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Hi uh everyone. I'm Emily at 453 Alexander A. Uh I'm excited to stand before you tonight to share the results

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of a vital project that will help us protect one of our community's valuable yet often overlooked resources, our tree canopy. With the crucial support of a New Jersey state grant, Maple Shade recently completed an update to our

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community forestry management plan and conducted a comprehensive inventory of the public trees across our township's urban areas. To give you an idea of the scope, our inventory identified 841 public trees in our park parks and

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lining our streets. And according to experts, the structural and replacement value of these trees stands at approximately $2.68 million. When you look at it that way, Maple Shades Canopy is a multi-million dollar infrastructure

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asset, and it's one that pays daily dividends for our township. For starters, it provides vital storm water mitigation by absorbing approximately 166,000 gallons of runoff annually,

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which significantly eases the burden on our local drainage systems. At the same time, our trees improve our air quality by storing 891 tons of carbon and continuously cleaning the air we breathe, making maple shade a healthier,

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safer place to live. Beyond these environmental benefits, simply maintaining this updated plan ensures that our township remains fully eligible for critical state environmental funding in the future. Because this canopy is

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such a massive financial asset, we need to manage it with the same oversight as many other municipal infrastructure. To ensure we are protecting this investment effectively, I'm committing to tracking the estimated monetary value of all trees removed and replaced annually

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alongside our actual forestry expenses. This will serve as a regular scorecard for all of us, ensuring we have complete visibility into whether we are successfully maintaining this asset or allowing a multi-million dollar public resource to lose its value under our

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watch. Of course, protecting this asset also means taking care of it. This comprehensive inventory successfully identified potential hazard trees and areas with deadwood. With that in mind, I recommend that council and staff review this inventory to establish a

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planned maintenance schedule. By addressing these compromised trees proactively, we can prevent them from turning into much more expensive, dangerous hazards during future storms. But ultimately, completing the plan is only the first step. To maintain our

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standing as a recognized leader in community forestry across New Jersey, we need the ongoing support of every citizen. We must view our trees not just as scenery, but as vital infrastructure that requires our collective protection, care, and investment. Now, this

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monumental effort would not have been possible without deep community involvement. I want to recognize the residents, teachers, and students who partnered with the Dell Atlantic Conservation District to provide the volunteer hours needed to finish this inventory. I'll start by thanking Maple

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Shad's very own high school teacher, Carmen, and our amazing students, Wajiah, Antonio, Molly, Rory, Alana, Isabella, Justine, Madison, Carlen, Mary, Aziza, and Samantha. I also want to thank Tyler and John, our contractors

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from Dell Atlantic Conservation, who did a fantastic job on our plan update and inventory. They were an absolute pleasure to work with. A huge thank you as well to our municipal employees, Susan, Pat, Terry, and Jessica, for answering my millions of questions and

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helping me navigate the grant platform. Thank you, Carl, for reading the plan and giving valuable feedback and cheering me on. Finally, I always appreciate Mayor Talerico's strong support of our green initiatives. I look forward to working together with all of

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you to protect this 2.68 million investment, keeping Maple Shade green, growing, and thriving for future generations. >> Thank you. >> Great job. Thank you. >> Congratulations. [applause] >> Anybody else from the public? >> Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion

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to close? >> So made. >> All in favor? >> I. Moving over to staff and professional comments. Start with you, Andrew. >> Um, I just want to send condolences out to uh Bob Seline's family. Um, Bob was very involved in the the township with

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the parades, with the fireworks, spent a lot of hours and time with him. So, it's a sad day for the township as well as for me. And I'd just like to say uh congratulations to uh uh Gina and uh

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Renee for uh their run council. >> John, >> yeah, my condolences to the Seline family, but I would like to thank uh Gina and Karen for inviting me to uh Cops and Bobbers. It was an amazing event. Um I think I had more fun than

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the than the kids did. Um and saying saying um elaborating on that, we really need to look into cleaning up Steinhower Pond. Um there's so much space there that we can utilize for the good of the town. Um the kids had to duck and dodge

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poison ivy and thank god nobody got it that I know of. But I thought it was a great event and I want to thank you too for inviting me and hopefully I'll be back next year. Thank you. That's all I have. Mayor, >> I also wanted to uh send out my condolences to Bob Saline's family. Uh

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we lost two icons in Maple Shades uh family. Michelle Mccomus Fox also passed away. Uh and that was on the 25th also of May. And uh both families were very instrumental in in all the good

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things about Maple Shade. Uh there's nothing more I can say about them, but uh we they will be missed and they did so much for our community, our spirit, and you know, it's just it's a tough glove. So, I just want to thank you.

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>> Oh, yeah. >> Thanks, man. Condolences to the sauce. I knew Bob quite a bit. I know he was involved a lot in recreation. Did did a good job. >> You better. We had a primary election here last last

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Tuesday. I think it was last Tuesday. >> Tuesday and uh I was I was happy to see the amount of participation that we had in this town a primary election with nobody at the top of the

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and uh it just restored my faith in the electorate here in Maple Shape. I've been involved in the electric care for quite a few years, 22 years after I'm done here and uh uh I'm really happy

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to see that we continue to be involved. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Terry. >> Susan, Tony, >> um my condolences to the Seline family and to Bob. Um,

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Gina and Renee, congratulations and I look forward to working with you and I do ask that everybody please continue to pay to pray for Xavier. He has a long road ahead of him and we've seen improvements so hopefully they continue.

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>> Mayor, can we where can we get the shirts for Xavier? >> Um, I can send you a link. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Is that on the website, Susan? Could you post that? not on our website, but if you go to Maple Shade Youth Baseball and Parent Auxiliary on Facebook, okay, >> the link is there. I know that they have

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a round um for people that had ordered just the other day. They're coming in this weekend and I believe that they'll be doing another one, but there are several different links that are up there. >> Thank you. >> That was the last one. >> Okay. on the website. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.

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>> All right. Moving over to old business operations. >> Thank you. On May 29th, township representatives met with the Maple Shade Board of Education to review their proposed 2026 2027 school budget. Like many school districts and municipalities across New Jersey, the board of education continues to face significant

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financial challenges. In front of you, you should have a copy of what they gave us um to look at. That was their presentation that they did at their budget meeting. The proposed budget reflects a 14% increase in medical insurance costs, a 23% increase in prescription insurance costs, and more

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than $1 million in contractual salary increases, resulting in a total budget increase of almost $2.79 million. These are things that the school district cannot give up. At the same time, state aid to the district was reduced by approximately $695,000.

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So, in an effort to manage these rising costs, the board has made several difficult decisions, including the elimination of one third grade teaching position, one basic skills teaching position, one ESL teaching position, and two preschool support staff position. The budget also includes one uh or

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several one-time capital maintenance expenditures, including roof replacement projects, the purchase of some maintenance vehicles, athletic facility improvements. Um, so based on the proposed budget, the impact to the average Maple Shade homeowner is an estimated uh is estimated to be about

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approximately $15 per month. So, wanted to share that information for those people that did not get to the um to the school budget hearing. Our recreation department is in full event mode. Concerts in the park are well underway. The recreation director is also still looking for participants for our annual Independence Day parade

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on June 27th. Please reach out if you would like to be a part of that event. If you have a group that wants to be a part of the event, we would love to have you. For our residents this evening, uh council was asked to approve several important infrastructure projects in the consent agenda totaling more than $594,000.

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They include the North Terrace Avenue improvements, North Kohl's Avenue phase 2 improvements, the Broadway and the Broadway North Fork Landing drainage project. In addition, council, with your approval this evening, engineering services for the Windsor Avenue phase one improvement, which extend from Park

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Avenue and include up to Cambridge Circle, they were approved. These projects represent continued investment in our roadway conditions, our drainage infrastructure, our pedestrian safety, our long-term capital improvements to the township, and those total projects and engineering authorizations before council tonight were approximately

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$742,83. Our Department of Public Works has remained active throughout May, completing a variety of maintenance, infrastructure, and community support activities. Notable projects for them have included the annual household cleanup event, which collected more than 16 tons of waste, milling and paving

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work on Buttonwood Avenue, landscaping and beautifification efforts throughout the township, storm water system maintenance, continued support of township events and recycling programs. DPW also maintained our municipal facilities, our parks, playgrounds, and fleet equipment while continuing its regular sweeping, litter collection, and

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storm water management operations. Our EMS responded to 285 calls during the month of May, bringing the year-to- date total to 1,365 calls. The most common call types for them continue to be medical emergencies, respiratory emergencies, falls, motor

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vehicle accidents, and psychiatric emergencies. EMS personnel transported the majority of patients requiring advanced medical care and continue to provide critical emergency medical services to the community on a 24-hour basis. For those also that don't know, there is legislation currently um in the

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state about making EMS services mandatory. I've mentioned that before. For residents that don't know, currently our EMS services in your municipalities are not mandated to be. Municipalities do not have to have them if they look at it basically as a benefit. Um but there

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is legislation out there that is considering um making EMS mandatory which would be very helpful. Um the tax collector reported strong collection activity during May. Tax collections totaled approximately 7.6 million for the month with year-to- date collections exceeding 24.2 million and a

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collection ratio of 95.101%. Water and sewer collections totaled approximately 1.1 million for May and nearly 3.9 million to date. The office also processed 24 dog licenses during the month, bringing the annual total to 435 licenses issued. Our finance

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department continued to support the township's fiscal operations and long-term financial planning during the month of May. Staff received the township gasp 75 actuarial report for other postemployment benefits, one of the final components needed for the completion of our annual audit. The department also processed the second

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quarter county tax payment and the second installment of the township's GIF insurance fund premium. Finance staff met with the fire department leadership along with myself, the township manager, to review staffing and funding options. Township was also awarded a 2026 clean communities grant in the amount of

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$47,14363 that will support community cleanup and environmental initiatives. And our current efforts include completion of the workers compensation audit, year-end reporting for the 2025 clean communities grant, administration of the lead grant assistance program, and continued monitoring of grant reimbursements and

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capital projects. The township is still waiting reimbursement of approximately $43,520 related to the NJ DOT funded North Kohl's Avenue and Roland Avenue roadway improvement projects. So overall, our township departments continue to provide essential services. We maintain critical infrastructure, support community

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programs, and ensure the efficient operation of municipal services for our residents. One thing I wanted to also wanted to bring up to council, it appears we have a conflict in August uh for the meeting dates. So the recommendation that we are making would like to we'd like to move the meeting to

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August 6th. That would be the first Thursday of the month. Does anyone have an issue with August 6th as opposed to Currently it is scheduled for the 20th. >> The 13th >> or the 13th, I'm sorry, but there is a conflict on the 20th as well. So we need

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to move it to the 6th. I believe I don't have >> Okay. So if I'll put that out and then if we have we could do that at the July meeting. We'll do I'll make sure that in my activity report it's in there so you as a reminder. Mayor, that's all I have for this evening. >> Thank you. Police report. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Long awaited.

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>> I have a couple different areas to speak on tonight. First, we'll start with investigations. On May 31st, 2026 at approximately 11 p.m., units were dispatched to the area of the Clover Motel on Route 73 for report of an overturned vehicle.

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This crash crash investigation was was led by our administrative traffic officer, Matthew Shaw, and he was supported by members of our traffic investigative team and members of the detective bureau. The investigation revealed that the vehicle in question had been involved in a road rage incident that most likely started on

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Route 295. As the vehicles entered Maple Shade, they were taking turns cutting each other off. Video surveillance footage recovered from one of the local businesses revealed that the crashed vehicle cut sharply in front of the other vehicle, causing it to roll over several times and eject a 5-year-old

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juvenile passenger who was not properly restrained. Three other occupants in the vehicle sustained injury, including the driver, who had to be extricated from the vehicle. Impairment is suspected on the part of the driver, and a criminal investigation is now ongoing.

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for legal updates. On July 19th, the New Jersey low-speed ebike law is scheduled to go into effect. Uh there are still several concerns regarding the logistics of the law and the enforcement of it. Per the New Jersey State Chief's Association, the Motor Vehicle Commission has just started issuing

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registrations and will clearly not be able to get to every application prior to the deadline. This will most likely result in a stay of enforcement and we are awaiting further guidance on this from the Motor Vehicle Commission and the AG's office. Additionally, they have not yet developed an operator's license

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specific to ebikes. So, applicants will be issued a moped license until this is resolved. You will not need to apply for an ebike license if you already possess a valid driver's license. The proposed insurance portion of the law has been withdrawn as the insurance companies have uniformly refused to issue policies

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for ebikes. No one under the age of 15 is permitted to ride an ebike in a public space and every operator is required to wear a helmet. Eventually, everyone who has made application through MVC will receive a registration sticker that will be affixed to the forks of the bike and will remain with

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the bike itself for its life cycle. Uh for community events, as uh the deputy mayor mentioned, on June 6th, Saturday, our community affairs officer Karen Anne Wartman held the first Cops and Bobbers fishing event at Steinhower Pond. This was conducted in partnership

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with Toys for Tots. Uh it was reported as being very successful. The the event drew approximately 25 attendees and our part participating officers included Anthony Marshall, Diego Alvarez, Michael Maiden, and Cullin. On Friday morning, June 5th, several of

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the members of the police department participated in the annual New Jersey law enforcement torch run. This event raises awareness and financial support for the Special Olympics of New Jersey. Our members run in the Pensan Mount Holly leg which starts in Pensen and grow goes to the Burlington County

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Special Services Building in West Hampton. This past Monday, our officers worked in support of the Map Main Street Maple Shade food truck event. Uh this turned out to be a really nice event. It was very very well organized by Main Street Maple Shade. So, I'd like to just compliment them on their running of the

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event. Um we did not have any issues and it was concluded uh peacefully. As far as our upcoming event prep, we are currently finalizing our operational plan for our annual fireworks event. We'll be taking several proactive measures to ensure that everyone has a

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safe and enjoyable evening. Uh we'll have several officers on hand from surrounding agencies to bolster our manpower and we're prepared to take a zero tolerance approach for any infractions. The crashing of events nationwide continues to be a concern. This was recently experienced in Florence when they were forced to cancel

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the remainder of a festival that was scheduled to run an entire week. They proactively avoided scheduling the event on weekend nights thinking it would alleviate the issue, but sadly it did not. With that in mind, we will be providing support this Friday and Saturday night to our friends in the Cinnamon Police Department as they

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provide security for the St. Charles Carnival. No major issues have been reported thus far there. And just to conclude, uh to give you a couple of stats for the month of May, we answered a total of 2418 calls, which is up just slightly from April. That averages out

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to about 78 calls a day. Um, some of the more uh not notable ones are 38 domestics, 73 car crashes, 12 shopliftings, 103 calls for suspicious activity, 279 motor vehicle stops, 72

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well-being checks, 17 thefts, and 204 calls to assist EMS. And that is my report for you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Going to move over to engineer report. >> Hi. So, I'm usually in Dennis presenting, but it will be me. Uh, for those of you who don't know me or recall

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my name, it's I'm Kina Hogan. I work for Arington America Engineers. So, I'll present the utility and recreations report. Uh, on the utilities end, just to supplement whatever Kern already shared with you earlier. Uh, the lime system is coming to completion is finishing up. We're doing final startup

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and confirming the dosing of the lime system. North Terrace Avenue will be proceeding with the water main replacement and the installation of the header for sump pump in for sump pump connections to allow for residents to connect to the sump pump header to

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remove them from our sanitary system starting with North Terrace Avenue. I believe it's the first header we've installed so far. Um, following that would be the project to repave North Terrace Avenue and do some concrete work improvements from the 2025 and JD uh,

399
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funding >> and that's to be completed in the fall. >> Correct. Uh Jake's place is also we have held pre-constructions meetings and is just awaiting the final punch list items for the storm water improvements completed on Buttonwood Avenue and then the

400
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improvements to Jake's Place will proceed and the connection improvements to the storm water drainage in the park as well. Okay. Um the util in the utility side we are also working with our inspection

401
01:56:52.400 --> 01:57:08.000
department to hold RPM to their punch list items. We are re-evaluating the current condition out there and updating the punch list and reissuing it to them requesting or stating them that they must come back out and repair all the

402
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sidewalk, the road, everything that still hasn't been repaired since they did the improvements to the san system. Does that include the pizza place too? Those issues? >> Yes. >> That is our major updates. Just keep it short. >> Thank you very much.

403
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>> Thank you. >> Uh sustainable no report. We move the meeting to next Monday. So I'll have one in July 2026 capital budget. >> Okay. So if any talk to you and help a little bit. Yep. Um so in front of you there is um capital documents. We've

404
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updated what we had at the last meeting. We did discuss or I had mentioned to you all that there was some older money that we have and didn't know if council wanted to consider doing some um reappropriating of that. Also in front of you, you have the request from um the

405
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police department which you'll see uh some of the things have already been approved. Um the five-year capital produ projections that our uh chief of police and captain had discussed with me. We talk about new hires. They're looking for um just some things that have been

406
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on the list, things that we've been going through. There's some OEM things we have to do, some things we have done. We've done the community service worker um the CLEO2s. I know that we are in progress of working on some of those things under our new hires. Uh we've really been trying to take a proactive

407
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approach to getting uh new employees, new new police hires, but we seem not to have a lot of with what we're getting. They they come in, we get a great group. They're doing uh Lieutenant O'Brien is doing a great job pulling together a group of qualified individuals and then

408
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for whatever reason, you know, we go through the process and and either they they just voluntarily, you know, bow out or or they just they don't make the cut. So, um and that's something that we've been talking about for several years. Um but those projections and those projects that they

409
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would like are on the form in front of you. Also capital request, you'll have Maple Shade First Aid Squad who is requesting the replacement of two ambulances over the next 18 months. Um, you know, we've had that conversation as well that, you know, to replace any sort

410
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of vehicles, whether it be police vehicles or it be fire trucks, you know, I know Chief Simon SEC was up and said, you know, that we missed the cut off to be able to get there. We have to plan 18 months out in advance to get them. So, these are things that we want to um to look at. as well as then you also have I

411
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don't think I I didn't give it there is Slack environmental services our pumps at the DPW are old uh the software is very antiquated um so we do have problems with them they're you know they're just they're older pumps we did

412
01:59:46.400 --> 02:00:04.239
get a quote for it's just about $78,000 uh to replace them and the software or se it's 70,000 I apologize 70,333 um so there are some items items that uh you know our department heads have requested. We then have our road

413
02:00:04.239 --> 02:00:20.639
projects um that we're working on the NJ DOT. We're looking at doing um South Maple between Mill and County. So that will be that will be a full reclamation sidewalks and um curbs and whatnot. But really what we're looking from council

414
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is what your direction is as far as capital goes. Um there are things that we need here on the municipal side. there things that have been deteriorating just you know um things sidewalks we talked about the sidewalks at uh our air conditioning um yeah

415
02:00:35.920 --> 02:00:51.840
please it and just for the record it was working this afternoon when I came in here so I don't know what happened but um you know we have sidewalks at Steinhower that need to be done again the air conditioning which the air conditioning that was started in 2014 I believe before I got here we had

416
02:00:51.840 --> 02:01:08.560
finished one phase right before um we've had nothing but issues. Uh I I joke that with the HVAC system, literally we have sent those companies, we've sent their kids to college and probably have paid for their weddings with as much as they're here. They're here at one point they were here what three times a week

417
02:01:08.560 --> 02:01:24.719
in the police department. Um we've been fortunate up here until this evening. So as far as the capital budget goes, um we we need your direction. What are your ideas as far as things that you want to see get done? Um, I'll let Jess go into

418
02:01:24.719 --> 02:01:40.639
about how much what really the money is that we have and and where we're going to go. But we need to put this in for a July ordinance so that it can be adopted hopefully in August and then we can have the 20day stoppple and go forward. So I'm really looking for your direction council of what projects you have, what

419
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your vision is, things that you want to get done and then things that we can move forward with >> before just um the first aid request that's not in their this is in addition to their budget, right? So that is >> you said you rolled some in. >> So yeah. So they asked that's what they

420
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asked 525,000. We did not put that in our plan. >> So with the new law with the shared service possibly with EMS, right? >> Mhm. >> Is it worth >> spending the 525 or is that all going to work? >> Well, they definitely need they need a new ambulance. They definitely need new

421
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ambulance. So two, right? >> They are asking for two. Is it something that we you know we get one? >> Um they're going to need it either way. They're going to need it. We we have a service that we're providing. I I think we need to just prioritize the things that are at work. We used to do

422
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it with the capital outlay. We would have one, two, and three. One was a priority. Two and three gave the township a warning that this stuff is going to be needed and have have a a plan. I mean, there's consumables that we can do on capital outlay to cover

423
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cost in all the departments to keep that, you know, keep it moving. So I I mean if the air conditioner in the building needs to get done, we need to evaluate everything. We're just we're just spending money flying by the seat

424
02:02:59.360 --> 02:03:15.840
of our pants. We don't have evaluations on our buildings on you know it's an old it's an old building. >> But what I'm saying is projection out >> one year, three years, 5 years are old. We can start planning. >> We do have projections. So we do have a

425
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six-year capital program and that's it all is projected. Um, it's been there. It's been that way since I've gotten here. It was that way before I got here. It's always been that way. Um, the, you know, coming before you, I'm asking is what are your priorities? What are the things that you would like to see done this year? Do you want to see, you know,

426
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we did spend the last several years really concentrating on the departments, making sure that they got the things that they needed because in the past they were items that were they were they were forgotten. They we didn't have things. There were desks. I mean, when I first got here at the one desk, poor

427
02:03:47.840 --> 02:04:04.320
Terry's desk was literally she had it held with like books. Chief, I know in the police department, they have desks down there. There are things that they need just to operate. Those are things that we can do that we have currently in our, you know, in our budget. But what I'm asking of council is is what what are your priorities? What are your top

428
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priorities to get done to see? Yes, as Councilman Simon said, we do have I'm going to call it ancillary money that we could use and you know to do some of these things, but what are your priorities though? I need to know we need to know so that we can >> collectively put a

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>> Yeah, I mean I mean >> at least one >> I'm sorry. An ambulance. >> An ambulance at least. >> I was my question. I mean is it worth going to be wasting money getting two if the law comes down and we have to eventually go to shared services? >> So it's not shared service that we definitely would have to have an EMS, >> right? But I know other towns without them are looking to do shared, right?

430
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>> So, we would get money from that, >> right? >> All those vehicles have life cycles. Now, >> if we buy one, we know in 10 years it's not going to it's going to need to be replaced. That's what I'm talking about with having a rotating thing for for the ambulances. If you stagger them out, it

431
02:04:53.280 --> 02:05:09.440
saves on maintenance of the vehicles. If they're, you know, three years apart, we have a new vehicle. We can utilize that one. There's a lot of advantages to doing that with the with the vehicles. [snorts] The police have been doing it for years. We had a great program where everything got cycled down and used until I know.

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>> Absolutely. >> Well, what I'm saying is is, you know, instead of buying two of them right now, we just buy the one. But if we know they need them, start looking three years, two years from now. The the the responsibility of the ambulance is the townships. It doesn't matter about the

433
02:05:24.960 --> 02:05:39.599
EMS >> and we do those things. It's just I need to know if you're okay with moving forward. That's what I'm saying. Are you okay with moving? So maybe not two. We'll look at one. That's fine. We have to move some things around from what originally was proposed in the capital. >> The money was appropriated for the for

434
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the command vehicle. There's one left in the fire department. The fire department, whether people like it or not, is a critical necessary he >> and it's one of the it's just like the police. You know, we've fallen behind with the maintenance on the trucks and

435
02:05:55.760 --> 02:06:10.800
doing the things we need to do for replacements on it. And for whatever reason that the the command vehicle was pulled, you're asking what I think is a priority. I think getting a new command vehicle for the fire department is a priority. >> It's the most important piece of

436
02:06:10.800 --> 02:06:27.440
equipment that that department has. It shows up first and it sets the tone. It's just like the the first police car with the sergeant showing up. It sets the tone for the incident. If you don't have it, it can be a disaster. But that's my opinion. And then the command vehicle we have that for being outfitted

437
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is the F-150 right now. >> I believe so. Yeah, it still has a >> Is Chief Simon sex still here or did he leave? >> What do you want? I have it. Do you want I just said it. >> No, no. I know which one I know what he has, but we're using He's currently using the F. >> I don't see paying that money if it's not the first on the scene or or in the scene at all personally. I mean, last

438
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Monday we didn't have we had a call, nobody showed we used the the EMS command vehicle. So, it seems to be suffice right now. >> I I don't know. That's just my opinion. >> All right. Again, this is our fire department and we got to fix it. >> Yes, we do. Four marked SUV patrol vehicles. Is that what we need for four

439
02:06:59.440 --> 02:07:16.719
of them? >> So, that's part of the um that's part of the fleet maintenance program that the police department does and we've been rotating them out every four years. Yes. So, um you know, it is something that they've requested. It is something you know those vehicles are used 247 352 365

440
02:07:16.719 --> 02:07:32.639
days. >> Statement that Heather just made about not responding. There was no need for the vehicle. In a paid fire department or any hierarchy in the fire department, the chief doesn't respond to every call. Every major incident, those vehicles are at those incidents doing what they need

441
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to do for the township and the people being safe in the town. So that statement is a misleading statement, Heather, about that. You know, they're not they're not showing up. This whole problem right now with the fire department is because of us not doing what we need to do. >> Okay. You said that a couple times.

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That's fine. I mean, right now we're talking about capital, right? >> So, um, what else do you guys do you have any ideas? >> I mean, I know we do roads, >> right? >> We have that. >> So, currently all that go I'm going to have Jess go through basically what we have and what we've budgeted out just as

443
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our I guess as our draft. >> Yeah. So, and this is um part of our six-year capital plan. Am I heard? Okay. Um, so in the right column, if they all have this >> Yeah. Uh yeah, that's so yellow. In the

444
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far right column is um debt we've you know are looking to authorize. This is the capital plan that we've essentially already adopted. It doesn't mean that we can't amend it and it doesn't mean that we can't um you know adjust things in here as long as we stay within debt authorized. So we have to be able to

445
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fund 5% of what um our estimated total costs are. That is less of the grants. So, we have to stay within we have $75,628 in our capital improvement fund. Um, so just for the ambulance itself, if

446
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I believe it was 525,000 that EMS was requesting for two ambulances and here we have 160,000, we will have to move something from somewhere else in order to be able to fund one ambulance in this coming year. So, that's one thing to

447
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consider for all of you. And as we said in the previous meeting, um there is prior capital money that has sat stagnant for a while. I mean, there'sund $100,000 from 2014 alone that has not been touched. Um that's something we

448
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consider as well. >> Yeah, that's you know, not a bad idea because then it's really giving us more capital funds to use within our limit. um the 200,000 for the four police vehicles. I know we just touched on that, but you know, they do spend it

449
02:09:42.800 --> 02:10:00.079
every year. Um so I would not recommend moving the 200,000. Road is always a, you know, we're always working on road projects. Um and in recreation, the 915,000 that you see, most of that is for grants. Um otherwise, it's just $50,000 that we're

450
02:10:00.079 --> 02:10:15.760
looking to allocate to recreation. >> We do have a lot of recreation projects as well. So, um, you know, we just had to amend 2024 to be able to allocate capital to recreation. So, it might be something to consider to, you know, >> I think we should put money into

451
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recreation because we have that sinkhole that's happening at the end of the turf with the wall. >> Correct. >> So, it's going to get worse, >> right? And we did not get the green acres grant. Um, we didn't qualify because of our um our census. >> So, I know that all goes into the new redesign, but >> Right. No, that would be something that

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Yeah, that's important to do. So maybe we move some over to Woodlon complex. >> Sure. >> Right. Because that sinkhole is going to undermine the whole drainage system for the turf. >> And that's why, you know, it was important that that's why we wanted to put it in there to redo that surface, you know, the parking area there. And then that Okay. It's a wood lawn

453
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complex. So what I've heard so far, um, one ambulance and then obviously we'll look as Councilman Simon Sick said, you know, we look towards the future for the other one. Um, we have possibly the command vehicle. We have wood lawn complex with the sinkhole and

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>> and recreation and recreation >> because we have other projects because I know >> Oh, the four marked SUVs. Thanks. >> We're looking at like a second hockey court and stuff like that. So, we're going to need to >> Is there any grant money out there for that? >> Yes. So, RB has supplied a list of grants. So, I am working with them as

455
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far as what we can go after. And you said something about the safety and there's some sidewalks that need >> there's some sidewalks at Stein, not even some sides, some sidewalks. All the sidewalks at Steinhower um really do need some upgrading. I have been

456
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speaking with Pat. The pond there um has grown. Basically, the banks have are starting to deteriorate and cave in. So, it's it's wind up. It's expanding. There's a lot of brush work that we have to do. So, we are putting a plan together for that. Um that's something that we're going to have to get D involved in because the pond will most

457
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likely it needs to be dredged. It hasn't been dredged for quite some time. >> Probably get some grant money for all of that. >> I'm I'm sure that we will and that's what we'll go after. >> We should pretty pretty hefty >> for that. >> Yeah. So that would be something you know that I would want to look at grant money but keeping in mind that going in

458
02:12:08.320 --> 02:12:25.360
the future like Steinhower Park needs some needs some work. We looked at the bench you know we were there last weekend and know the benches are most are falling apart. So, we just looked into replacing the boards with the track decking with the, you know, the track uh scene. So, Lauren has quotes for that. Um, >> there's so much potential there. So,

459
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there is. So, that would be one >> put like a little pavilion there or something. I mean, a small I mean, obviously it goes. >> Yeah. >> But, >> but there's still plenty of gr there's still plenty of area there, you know, behind the monument. >> Maybe we look at that as well. Give it, you know. So, like I said, this this is more about finding out what your

460
02:12:41.679 --> 02:12:58.079
priorities are for so that we can take this capital project because again, we have $75,000 that um you know that we have to show as a down payment. So, it gives us just what 2.4 million what we can do in capital projects. Um so, what are your priorities so that we can then go and say, "Okay, this is what it's

461
02:12:58.079 --> 02:13:14.639
going to cost and this is how we can get it all in there." >> I brought up the storm management getting the town mapped out. We we have to start looking at the infrastructure. We're doing roads the roads the the the infrastructure. I think every road that we've redone has already been dug up and

462
02:13:14.639 --> 02:13:30.079
patched there. There's a way to do the roads that we get the life cycle out of it and give the taxpayers the money that they're given to us. And right now we're just putting band-aids on it. We have to look at the infrastructure. We have to look at the storm management. We're

463
02:13:30.079 --> 02:13:46.159
getting the, you know, the infiltration of the water into the sewer system. All that stuff needs to be addressed. We're walking on a tick and time bomb right now and if it fails, it's going to be an emergency and it's going to cost us big bucks at that point in time. You know,

464
02:13:46.159 --> 02:14:02.800
we can do a quadrant a year. There's divide the town up into four quadrants. So, we know what we're dealing with. So, we can start appropriating money to start doing the infrastructure and then the roads afterwards. Let the roads settle some before we start paving them. >> Just just so that I can and I totally

465
02:14:02.800 --> 02:14:17.440
understand what you're saying, but that is what we do. We definitely we work with Woodard and current we work with the Remington and Vernick. North North Terrace is a is a prime example where the infrastructure is coming first and then we're going back to do the paving part of it. So it's not that we're not looking at the infrastructure, we are

466
02:14:17.440 --> 02:14:32.880
but there is a lot of old infrastructure here like you said and >> we need to evaluate the whole town and know what we have where it's at and how bad it is and prior prioritize it that way. The engineers are doing it. Let the engineers do their job and tell us what

467
02:14:32.880 --> 02:14:48.560
we're, you know, give us a list 1 through 10. We can look at it and pick 1 through 10 year year to year. >> So, so we do have that just so that you know that right now we have South Popppler Avenue from Maine to West Center. Four inlands need to be updated. North Holly is one of our roads that's

468
02:14:48.560 --> 02:15:03.360
on the list that we're going to do. Uh North Chestnut is one the 300 block of South Maple. That will be our NJ DOT. We have the Bailey Avenue, South Cedar Avenue, and Crawford Avenue. in addition to the other one. So, it is something that we are doing. The infrastructure does need to look at and you know, we

469
02:15:03.360 --> 02:15:19.040
try our best to to move it around. But I'll put the storm management on there and um getting mapping and then maybe like you said, we can do mapping almost like what we do with our tax maps >> when we do our tax maps mapping, >> air conditioning, >> air conditioning. And that would go into I think I mentioned this that you know

470
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the building um we need windows. >> We definitely need windows here at the windows in the senior center literally. you know, one of us pulls with a string and the other one's out there pushing it to, you know, >> the municipal building, we need upgrades. I mean, even the police, right? We we did the um >> Yeah, the outside building.

471
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>> Your your floors, they're failing. I'll go to you. >> You're not retired yet. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> the lobby. We have that back together again several times. That's an issue >> for $15,000. I mean, >> yeah, I think there's a polish floor

472
02:15:51.760 --> 02:16:07.599
that's out there right now that I think might do the trick where it's almost like and it hardens extremely hard, but I think it's also as not does not have a problem with the water. And the issue I think is you got a diamond sand and concrete to get us down on a surface that we could work with and build it

473
02:16:07.599 --> 02:16:23.760
back up there. So you have the kitchen and you do have the lobby there too that I had put on the captain's radar to say that I believe there two you really are going to have to deal with. I don't want to see somebody trip and fall in the cafeteria. That's what it's coming down. >> Okay, I mean that makes sense. And other improvements within a municipal

474
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building. So, >> okay. So, we have um ambulance, we have woodlong complex, the four marks SUVs, store management, mapping, municipal building improvements. >> Um and uh Oh, yeah. Sinko recreation and hockey rink.

475
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>> Steinhower. >> Steinhower. We're going to do Steinhower. We're going to work with the D and get with that and then hopefully go for money for that. But what we can I mean obviously we'll try and >> Okay. Is there anything else that you could think of that you want to work on for capital right now for this year for

476
02:16:56.240 --> 02:17:10.639
2026? >> That's a lot. >> It's a lot. >> That's a lot. Yeah, >> it is a lot. Yeah. I also just want to point out first storm drain. Um, currently allocated solely to storm drain, there's uh 53,000 and then if you look in roads, there's road and drainage

477
02:17:10.639 --> 02:17:28.639
improvement, it has uh 760,000 and then the current capital plan has another $100,000 in it. Would you consider more here. Um because I I need to know what council is looking to do, where to move funds. Um so if you could, excuse

478
02:17:28.639 --> 02:17:45.519
me, look at prior year capital as well. We're talking about municipal improvements. There's 2015, there's 2010, 2015, 2016 adds up to about $8,600 in municipal complex. Um but it's pretty specific. Tree replacement, main street brackets,

479
02:17:45.519 --> 02:18:01.120
improvements to gazebo parks. That's all something that we could consider reappropriating while we're considering capital funds. >> Can we put that towards the roof? I know we're getting donations and stuff. >> Is that something if you want to do the gazebo roof? >> Yeah, because I thought that was >> we got a couple thousand donations,

480
02:18:01.120 --> 02:18:17.040
right? >> Development. >> Maybe we can finish it off. >> So, yep. Yep. >> We're having more and more events up there. So, >> what's the cap for the state for capital uh outlays this year from last year?

481
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>> So, we we're limited to uh what we can afford in our down payment, right? So, um >> we're limited to $75,628 in our capital uh capital improvement fund. >> So, unless we're looking to amend our operating budget and our capital budget,

482
02:18:33.120 --> 02:18:48.319
we're limited right now to the $2.4 million. >> Okay. which has been average. That's probably between, you know, between two and two and a half. So, >> what's this? >> Oh, that's already done. It's already done. Okay. All right. So, that gives us

483
02:18:48.319 --> 02:19:05.040
um some that gives us at least the good direction to go. Um and then what we'll do is we'll work on some quotes and we'll work on how we like the cost of the things, get that in the capital budget, and then if we do have to reappropriate for July, we'll work on a reappropriating ordinance as well as an introduction. And then in August we

484
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would do, you know, anything that would come up for adoption. So, okay. Thank you. >> All right. Moving over to new business redevelopment area designations. Okay. Redevelopment in front of you as

485
02:19:27.040 --> 02:19:45.760
well. you all have um just an outline of basically it's an outline steps of what would happen if you know how we would have to go about redevelopment and there's been a lot of discussion and I've mentioned it multiple times in my activity report we've had comments here um but you know

486
02:19:45.760 --> 02:20:01.520
we need to come up with a redevelopment area we discussed it a little bit with our fair share housing um and I think now is you know the time where we discuss if we want to do a redevelopment or if we want to do you know an area in need of of development or an area in need of rehabilitation. >> Rehabilitation. Main Street. >> So,

487
02:20:01.520 --> 02:20:16.319
>> right. I >> So, we definitely have to concentrate on Main Street. Yeah. >> Not to interrupt you, but >> Yeah. So, we could do both. I mean, it's something. So, what I would need from you basically is council. Uh, you would just adopt a resolution that allows the planning board to investigate what those

488
02:20:16.319 --> 02:20:33.680
areas are and what they would need. Um, the planner would be involved. So, if that's something that we want to do, and Tony, correct me if I'm wrong, it has to come direct from council first and then to planning board. So, if that's something we can add a resolution uh directing the planning, the joint land use board right now to do a um you know

489
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a study as to what areas meet the statutory [clears throat] requirement. We'll look at Main Street and then how's everybody feel about the Route 73 corridor? >> Yeah, >> that needs to be worked on. >> Okay, >> that works.

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>> Route 73 corridor and then Main Street for rehab rehab. Okay. Is any of that currently in the redevelopment? Because they had done that in prior years out the I think they called it the Golden Triangle.

491
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>> That's the 38 Lenola area. So, yeah. >> Is there any 73 in that? >> No. >> So, >> yeah. So, we definitely want to get Route 73 in there. >> So, okay. >> Moving over to the BEDC.

492
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So, the BEDC in front of you, you have um a cop I don't know if I gave you a copy of the ordinance. I did give you the copy of the ordinance and I also gave you a current um list of members. Um as you're aware, the BEDC was established to serve as a bridge between the township and our business community

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and our residents. The commission has provided a forum for discussing economic development opportunities, supporting local businesses, promoting community events, and identifying ways to enhance Maple Shad's commercial corridors and overall quality of life. Uh we just had the com conversation about redevelopment and economic development as being an

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important component of maintaining a healthy municipality. Strong business community contributes to our tax base, provides services, all things that I know that everybody knows. Um and the BEDC I do believe can play a and should play a valuable role in fostering those relationships with everyone. At present

495
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we have three vacancies um which presents council with an opportunity to evaluate the future composition and direction of the commission. uh depending on what your goals are, which I hear that, you know, it's the redevelopment and the and the rehabilitation of our main street and our downtown. Um it's I think it's

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appropriate for us to start recruiting some new members uh who can bring fresh perspectives. It's going to require that we make a change to the ordinance, the BEDC ordinance. Currently, um we do not have a uh student representative, so that would be something that I would

497
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look to have. Um some of the members that have been there uh are an atlarge member. they could move up, you know, as the as the vacant Maple Shade resident. Um, I don't think Terry's going anywhere as as our senior resident. Um, but really what I'm looking at is is

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council, you know, where do you feel on the BEDC restructuring this? Whether you wish to continue for the commission for the commission to continue um and what role do you see the BEDC having moving forward? And >> I mean, Sandy, you sit on the BEC, so you're there. Can we reach out more

499
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often to the county to see what they have coming up because they're, you know, instrumental in making a lot of changes in other towns >> and it's a free source. >> I don't want to minimize what they've done, but I don't think that

500
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>> we're moving forward with it. >> I don't think we're moving forward with with it the way it is now. So, I think something needs to change. >> Okay. >> And I don't know what that something is. >> Okay. um >> through the county you meet a lot of people that are not from this area that want to come down here.

501
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>> So I've talked to people in all different parts of New Jersey that are looking to expand. So I believe with the help of you know economic development through the county and through us if we can work together with them they can help send us in one direction or another

502
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how to get some new people here some new business. Is there any way to go in with the MSBA and say so that's something that I would like to explore um with the MSBA this way you know they'll have the support of the BEEDC we have the support of the businesses there who can very well you know they're part of the they

503
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can be part of the commission being able to tell us like what it is that we need what them they as business owners what they feel they need um we you know we partnered with the train commission I mean that's something you know like the historic side of it so um if council is okay then I would like to be able to explore you know maybe making some

504
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changes to the BEDC Absolutely. >> Um, you know, again, pulling in some other some other members. We have members. It's not that we don't have members. We just have these three vacancies, but like as the mayor said, it's just like we're missing that oomph of getting us over that hurdle of new thinking, new ideas.

505
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>> Yeah. And if we're going to, you know, if we're going to really put an effort into redevelopment in the rehabilitation areas, then like now's the time to make those all >> and businesses definitely need a say in how they're want their main street redeveloped or rehabilitated. >> Absolutely. and and you know, we still

506
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do have business owners that are part of it, but like we lost our corporate member, >> you know, we want them to be a part of it. So, um I'll uh I'll put some things together. I have a couple things. The county has been uh instrumental in helping us in other in other areas. So, I'll uh shoot that to them. I just

507
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wanted to make sure that council is still okay with moving forward with with the commission. It just might be in a different structure. >> Sounds like a good idea. Before we move to the leaf collection, is there something I saw that this email came today as well for the affordable housing trust fund spending plan? >> That's what you you approved that this

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evening. >> Okay, so we're good. >> Yep, that's good. It was just I wanted you to have a physical copy. I did send it to your emails as well. So, >> moving over to the leaf collection, I believe Chuck, that's you. >> I don't want to collect leaves. >> Nobody wants to collect leaves. >> Well, I asked I asked the township

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manager to look at what it cost us to collect leaves. I believe she came back with a cost of >> $18,000. >> Yes. >> So, it's cost I think we can do that we don't need because it's a sustainable

510
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issue because once you people say well you collect the leaves and then you mulch them and then you can use it. No. If you ever looked at what things are collected in those leaves, you would not believe what's in there besides the leaves. It's just it's trash, it's

511
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glass, it's metal, it's all kinds of things. So, it's not like we can take those things, mulch them down, and use them again. So, I think that in terms of a sustainable idea and a cost savings that we should forgo, collecting leaves and uh do something else with the money

512
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that we would save. And I know that's not something that people would like. >> Yeah, I'm I'm kind of on the fence with that because I'm I do I do mulch my leaves and I do I bring a certain amount to the street because when you have a lot of trees and you know we have uh

513
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residents that have, you know, boalked about not getting these picked up. It works for doesn't work for some people just the way their properties are. And the one thing that I have found, the years that I I did a study myself, I the years that I left the leaves down, my

514
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mosquitoes, my mosquito problem was ridiculous. You know, then I had a lot of ant problems. And what I ended up doing is doing the leaves once, you know, one big one when they first come out and and leaving the second batch when the second run comes. So even if

515
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you did, you know, don't go for the second run. Let let people mulch what they have left. maybe meet in the middle. I don't know. But not getting them at all, I think, is is going to be tough on people when they don't know what to do with it. >> I don't know. >> You guys have anything on that?

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>> I think we have to collect the leaves. I'm just worried about all the leaves getting into the storm sewers and the drains >> and sewers don't work, >> right? Mr. Simon said, as he's pointed out, we have a problem with our storm sewers, >> and I think that would just be too much tax on them. I I I think township should

517
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continue to collect those for the near future. >> Can I ask how you came up with the 18,000? >> Yes. So it was cost of disposal in 2024 at $11,000. Parts and equipments were $445177. Fuel estimated we did about $951 of it

518
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and then overtime was $1687.68. So that's gets the $18,000. >> So it's basically look I get what Chuck's saying. And I'm like with Sandy on the fence, but at the end of the day, it's something that I mean, if we can come up with an alternative solution with what Chuck's thinking, that would

519
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be great. But those numbers are kind of doing it's it's doing business. I mean, you can break those numbers out for plowing snow. You know, we're going to stop plowing snow because, you know, it melts. I mean, I think that that decision is solely up to the people of

520
02:28:51.840 --> 02:29:08.080
this town. you have a meeting and let them come here, sit here, and voice their opinion. They're they're footing the bill for it at the end of the day. So, if they want to continue to keep footing it, who are we to say, "No, we're going to get rid of it." That's my opinion. >> I mean, honestly, I I don't disagree

521
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with you as far as sustainability and everything else. But, I mean, right now with our seniors and our vets, we we are working on grass cutting and snowshoing. I mean, I can't see to put this burden on them as well. And to come to a meeting, they're not coming to a meeting, you know. So, Yeah, I don't think >> I I don't see how at this point we can

522
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get rid of it. >> Maybe educating more. I don't know. >> Sandy, that's what I'm saying. If we come up with a plan and try and get people involved, I mean, you know, have something here to present to the people

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when they come up here. I mean, you know, >> fortunately, I don't have to rake. I don't have any reason. >> The everyday people are not >> other people do. So I I can >> Yeah, the everyday people are not going to come up and talk about that. >> Yeah, I have a lot. >> We could um part of it because that

524
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$18,000 then gets off uh gets offset by our recycling trust money. So like we we get credit for all the leaves for anything that does. So maybe what we do is why don't we put something together, a mailer together or something. I we already put it in our newsletter. It does go into our newsletter twice a year. We put in about you know the

525
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leaves and and and whatnot. Um, but maybe we just give like an educational portion of it to where, you know, we're telling people that this is what you can do and give them the option. Oh my god. Between the air conditioning and the microphones tonight, I'm done. >> Um, so if if you want to do that, like

526
02:30:30.720 --> 02:30:46.720
we could definitely look into doing something something more a harder a harder educational push right now and see what happens. And you were also working with the seniors with snow removal and grass cutting and this this may >> actually I have one that we're actually

527
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raking that's all she asked for and she can't. So I mean >> so we can add that into the list so we can work together. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I say leave it alone for now. Just HP maybe next time around. Who knows? >> Anything else on that? Uh anybody out of new business?

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>> Okay. Can I have a motion to adjurnn until our next meeting on July 9th? Soulmate second. >> All in favor?