You're set to go. >> All right. Good evening everyone and welcome to the Maple Shade Township Council regular session agenda meeting. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Public notice of this meeting pursuant to the open public meeting act has been given by the township council in the following manner. Notifying township clerk December 23rd, 2025. posting notice on the municipal website and posting notice on the official municipal bulletin board on December 23rd, 2025.
Any from anyone from the public wishing to speak today will be permitted to address comments to council during public participation portions only. Those wishing to speak should stand up, state their name and address prior to making any comment. The draft agenda has been posted on the township web page and bulletin board in
the municipal building. Please place all phones on mute. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Kaufman, >> here. >> Miss Nunes, >> here. >> Mr. Simon, >> here. Mr. Zadnik >> here. >> Mayor Chico >> here. This is the open board of health meeting. Susan, >> thank you. So, uh, for this month, we
just had the report of, uh, one mold case and one standing water case. Uh, everything has been closed with the board of health. Um, and then just some friendly reminders for the month of July. We always have the extreme heat and climate resilience that we that we put out into our newsletter and whatnot. We remind residents to please check in
on elderly neighbors and those who are most vulnerable to heat and humidity. Um, also remind of standing water that that's a primary breeding habitat for mosquitoes. So, we ask residents to please make sure they eliminate any stagnant waters from their bird baths or flower pots or buckets, gutters. Um, that will help reduce the mosquito
populations. And summer storms, I don't think any of us are any strangers to that. Um, you know, we're getting a lot of rain right now, too, but the summer storms specifically give us a little warning. They bring a lot of heavy rain, sometimes strong winds. So, we just remind residents just to prepare their properties for that. make sure that you know they're if they have basketball
nets out there, if they have their umbrellas, put the umbrellas down. Anything that they can do to keep themselves and their neighbors safe. And that's the end of my board of health report. Thank you. This is the public portion. Does anybody from the public like to come up about the board of health meeting? Seeing none, can I have a motion to close? >> So made. >> I'll second.
>> Comments? All in favor? >> I. I have a motion to adjurnn. >> So made second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Okay, moving over to resolution 2026-R116 appointing Brian Weiss to chief of police for the Maple Shade Police Department. Motion to approve.
>> Some made. >> Second. >> Comments. >> Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Cauman. >> Yes. >> Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simons. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sadnick. >> Yes. >> Mayor Telerico. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now we will do the oath of office.
Mr. >> The honorable councilman is going to do that. >> [snorts] >> Repeat after me. I Brian do solely swear or affirm >> I Brian do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States [snorts] and the
Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the State of New Jersey. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And I will bear truth faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States and in this state.
>> To the government established in the United States and the state >> under the authority of the people. Help me go >> under the authority of the people. Sel >> I do further solemnly swear or affirm >> I do further solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will impartially and justly perform all the duties of the office of
police of chief >> that I will impartially perform all duties of the office of chief chief of police >> according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> Congratulations. [applause] CONGRATULATIONS.
Thank you. >> Speech. Speech. >> Would you like to give a speech? [laughter] >> No pressure. >> Uh, I didn't prepare anything. >> Didn't want to not offer. >> Uh, no. I'll just say that, you know, 30 years ago in 1996 when I got hired by the police department, I wasn't even sure I could be a cop, let alone be
charged with leading the agency. So, I I want to thank the township manager and the elected officials for putting their faith in me. and you know, we definitely will not let you down. Um, to the citizens of Maple Shade, I just want to tell you that we appreciate all the support that you guys give us. Um, we
come in every day putting our best foot forward, wanting to do the best we possibly can for you and the community and obviously to my family who's here. I couldn't have done it without you guys. I'd also like to thank Chief Tom Ryold and the Key Police Department for coming out tonight. our departments work very
closely together and I'm sure there'll be assembly board for me in time. So, thanks Tom. [applause] >> All right, going over to resolution number 2026-R117 is a resolution to meet in executive session for the following matters
related by state and federal law or rules of court to be confidential and matters related to contract negotiation. Can I have a motion to close? So made >> second >> comments. All in favor? I
>> hopefully we will be I >> I >> Okay. >> Resolution 2026-R18 is a resolution to amend the capital budget. Can I have a motion to approve? >> So made a second. >> Comments.
>> Roll call, please. Oh, sorry. the uh the capital budget, what it says in there, it's kind of open-ended to me uh for approving capital uh budgets. We haven't finalized our budget yet. Is
there a reason why we want to leave that open? >> Well, the resolution to amend the capital budget is what we're going to be doing with the amendments from the original what we discussed with Jess at the last meeting for the money that was a little older that we've had sitting there. We're going to move some things around. So, we had more in our municipal
budget. Um, so we had more to go to DPW for the um for the dump truck. Those things. That's what that resolution is for. We have to amend the former capital budget to be able to make those changes. >> Well, that's not what it said in the description. It was saying that it
leaves it open for future projects. resolution to amend the capital budget is that's that resolution is so that it's for our former it's for our older money is what it is for. Then we go into the next ordinances we're introducing the next two ordinances or the three
ordinances that will be for our new capital and for our um the moving of the capital money that we're doing. [snorts] >> All right. Well, were all those things discussed in former meetings? >> At the last meeting is where we discussed it with Jess here. Mhm. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simons. >> No. >> Mr. Zerodnik. >> Yes. >> Mayor Telerico. >> Yes. This is the ordinance and introduction and first reading. Ordinance number 2026-08 is the bond ordinance providing for various 2026 general capital improvements by and in
the township of Maple Shade in the county of Burlington State of New Jersey. Appropriating 2,572,779. Therefore, including three grants in the aggregate amount of 1,27,779 and authorizing the issuance of 1,ion471135 bonds or notes to finance part of the
cost thereof. Have a motion for approval, please. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second comments. >> Roll call, please. Terry. >> Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simon. >> No. >> Mr. Tnik. >> Yes. >> Mayor Telico. >> Yes. Publication date is July 13, 2026.
And the public hearing is August 6, 2026. Ordinance number 2026-09 is a bond ordinance providing the various 2026 utility capital improvements by the in the township of Maple Shade in the county of Burlington State of New Jersey appropriating 2,92,000. Therefore,
including a grant in the amount of 1,92,000 and authorizing the issuance of 952,276 bonds or notes to finance part of the cost thereof. Motion for approval, please. >> So made. >> I'll second. >> Comments. >> Roll call, please. Terry. >> Miss Nunes. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Simon, >> no. >> Mr. Znik, >> yes. >> Mayor Tel Rico, >> yes. Publication date, July 13, 2026. Public hearing August 6, 2026. Ordinance 2026-10 is a vod ordinance providing for various water system equipment buying in the township of Maple Shade in the County of Burlington State of New Jersey
appropriating 1,400,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 1,400,000 bonds and notes to finance part of the cost thereof. Motion for approval, please. >> Make the motion. >> Second. >> Comments. Roll call, please. Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simon, >> no. >> Mr. Zadnik,
>> yes. >> Mayor Telico, >> yes. Publication date, July 13, 2026, public hearing August 6, 2026. Ordinance number 2026-11 is an ordinance amending chapter 205 of the municipal code of the township of New I'm sorry, Township of Maple Shade, County of Burlington, State of New Jersey, adding the establishment
of outdoor lighting standards to chapter 205, article 24. Can I have a motion for approval? >> So made. >> I'll second. >> Comments? >> Roll call. >> Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Simons, >> yes. >> Mr. Zerik, >> yes. >> Mayor Tico, >> yes. Publication date, July 13, 2026.
Public hearing, August 6, 2026. This is now the public portion for the consent agenda only. Anybody from the public have any questions on the consent agenda? >> Seeing none, can I have a motion to close? >> So made. >> A second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Okay. Resolution number 2026-R119 through resolution 2026-R132. Can I have a motion to approve, please? So made >> I'll second >> comments. >> Uh could somebody explain to me why after we set all the dates for the
meetings that were changing the council meeting? >> That's when we talked about at the last meeting that there was a there's a conflict. I'm not here the one week. The mayor is also away on vacation the next. So we had agreed last meeting that we would move it to August 6th.
>> Okay. Well, I just wanted on record, we knew about all these meetings in the very beginning of the year, and I don't think it's fair to the residents that we just arbitrarily change them. I think we should work our vacations around the schedule of the township, not the other
way around. >> Okay. Any other comments? Roll call, please. Terry. Miss Nunes. >> Yes. Mr. Simons. >> No. Mr. Z. Uh, >> excuse me. No for 122. Yes. for the rest. >> Yes, >> Mayor Delerica.
>> Yes. Approval of the expenditure list, please. Susan, >> current fund bill is 3,459,796.62. Our utility fund is $391,928.54. Our capital fund bill list is actually there's been a change. We had to add uh JH Williams for our police department.
So that is $39,74918. Utility capital is $240,55748. Our trust fund is $314 $314,12725 and our grant fund billist is $11,92329. I have reviewed the above bills as submitted and recommend payment when funds are available.
>> Thank you. Can I have a motion to approve, please? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Comments. >> Roll call, please. Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zerik. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tico. >> Yes. Approval of the June 2026 minutes. Motion to approve.
>> So made. >> I'll second. >> Comments. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Miss Nunes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Radnik. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tri. >> Yes. This is the public portion. If anybody from the public would like to come up address council, please do so. State your name and address for the
record. uh 39 Lancancy Road. Um I'd just like to make a comment about uh resolution R1 123 where they're going to start a preliminary investigation
uh township planner and the land use board. Uh, I'd like to bring it to your attention and I'm sure may you may or may not know about it, but I just ran into some of uh my clients who bought a
condo over in the Watergate complex. And I just like to make you aware if you're not aware that I think it was approximately maybe 8 to 10 years ago they had an issue over there with a couple buildings that were sinking
and they had to actually rebuild those buildings. They spent a lot of money and of course the residents had to pay more in their monthly dues uh you know to compensate for those
buildings. And you might say well why are you telling us this if it was 8 to 10 years ago? Well in the course of talking to them once again it has now happened again. All right. So any studies that you're going to be doing, I would strongly
advise the engineers to look into that particular situation because you don't want to disturb the grounds in the vicinity of Watergate unless the appropriate studies have been done. And that's all.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else from the public? I'm Dwan Burn. My pronouns are she, her, and I live at 66 South Popular Avenue. Um, I appreciated the conversation last meeting about the leaves and leave
collection. And I was hoping to keep that conversation going. I consider it common sense that if there's something on my property that I want removed, whether it's leaves or something else, I don't expect the township to take it away and the rest of
the township to help me pay for that service. That's my responsibility. It's my choice. It's my property. And I think that the $18,000 that we used to send around the leaf truck, if that can go back into the budget, it could mean
maybe a little bit more money in in people's famil family's pockets for food that is at an all-time price high right now. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Anybody else from the public? Change microphones make it a little easier.
Nick Denia 605 North Kohl's Avenue. Um I'm here tonight as president of IFC. I have not heard anything from council since our last uh interaction. Um I'm going to present to council. I'll give copy to Susan, copy to Heather. Is our expenditure list for the last two years.
>> Okay. trying to unite it up. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else in the public? >> Okay. Seeing none, can I have a motion to close? >> So may I'm sorry. Second. >> So all in favor? >> I. >> All right. Moving over to staff and
professional comments. Councilman Simonstick, you want to start? Well, and then the uh fireworks kept moved to Sunday because of the weather. So, I just hope uh that everyone that could make it had a good time down there. The weather wasn't too
cooperative this time around. So, hopefully everybody made the best out of it. >> Okay, Councilman. >> No, I have no comments. Mayor, >> all you left? >> Yeah, I'm only one left.
I'm so sorry to hear about Jeffrey Nace. Uh longtime resident and a supporter of of everyone in every way. Sorry to hear that he passed and I want to send condolences out to his family. It's it's
quite a shock. Thank you. >> Thank you. Susan Terry, you don't have anything? >> No. >> Tony, you don't have anything right now. >> Okay. Um, the only thing I have is coffee with the vets starts this Monday, July 13th, uh, from 9:00 to 11:00 up here. So, if you know anybody who's a vet or if you just want to come out and
talk to anybody, just you're invited. Everybody's invited. Moving over to old business operations. Thank you. So, since our last council uh, meeting, township staff has continued to focus on delivering essential municipal services while still advancing a number advancing a number of significant uh, operational initiatives
as well as capital improvement projects. Construction activity has continued throughout the township. Several roadway and infrastructure improvement projects continue to progress. We're remaining actively engaged in addressing concerns related to the Buttonwood drainage improvement project. Uh township administration, Department of Public
Works, our consulting engineer and legal council were monitoring that project closely while working to ensure the contractor compliance. Recreation department has successfully hosted our annual Independence Day fireworks as Councilman Simon Sack just reported. Uh we continue preparations for the remainder of our summer event season
which includes the additional concerts in the park. I do want to thank our rec department, our police department, Department of Public Works, our fire department, our EMS personnel, volunteers, and all of the community organizations that helped make this year's Independence Day event successful. Um I know it was shortened.
We didn't have the parade. It was disappointing, but it really was in the best interest and for the safety of our residents. So, um, we were happy that we were at least able to get the fireworks off when we did. Public works has continued its seasonal maintenance efforts throughout June. That's included
some roadway repairs, storm sewer maintenance, park and playground upkeep. They've done some landscaping, recycling operations, and also support for different township events. Our crews have also continued maintenance of a lot of our township facilities, our vehicles, and our public infrastructure while still responding to routine requests. I will tell you that last
Friday, July 3rd, while the municipal building was closed. Uh we spent about 7 hours up here, the back corner of the uh courtroom here was subject to an HBAC serious HBAC leak. We had a massive uh water leak. Thank god Terry was here
working after I left in the morning. She called me. I came running back and we had a waterfall in here. Uh the water wound up leaking down into the library, but guys came out. We were fortunate with our with the relationships that we have with our HVAC company. They literally came out. They dropped
everything, came to help us. But yeah, it was long. It was a lot of cleanup. Spent a lot of hours here last weekend. But, uh, kudos to them because they came the minute I called crying. So, they were here. Uh, Maple Shade EMS responded to 304 calls during the month of June, bringing the year-to- date total to
1,670 emergency calls. Still, our most common incidents continue to include medical emergencies, falls, respiratory emergencies, cardiac related calls, motor vehicle accidents, and of course, psychiatric emergencies. Our EMS personnel continues to provide emergency medical services to our residents and
visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Community development uh department remained extremely active throughout June. They completed 153 residential COS or CCO inspections, including 127 apartment inspections, 19 single family home inspections, and seven condominium
inspections. So, they're continuing to address property maintenance concerns, zoning enforcement, construction inspections, and then, of course, redevelopment activities throughout the township. Our tax collector's office, we actually welcomed uh our new tax collector on board on June 29th, Patrick Hagerty. So, we're we're happy to have
him to the team. his experience and leadership and dedication will definitely bring uh some new life to our tax department. We're going to change things, get some more things automated, really make it uh definitely uh like I said, more automated and and more resident friendly. But our tax
collectors continued strong collections. We have now year-to- date exceed 25.3 million while our water and sewer collections total more than 4.39 million. So, we're in a a good place there and definitely heading in the right direction. So overall, our township departments are continuing to
provide a lot of uh responsive public services, maintain our infrastructure and supporting community events. So we're looking forward to the second half of the year. It's crazy to even say that that we're like in July, second half of the year. So >> all right, thank you. Moving over to the police report. >> Thank you, mayor.
>> Uh a couple of not notable incidents to share with you. Uh back in October, I believe uh Chief Fletcher reported on this at the time. Uh we had an altercation between two patrons at Jay's Elbow Room located on Route 73 here in Maple Shade. The altercation quickly escalated resulting in two subjects
exchanging gunfire in the parking lot of the business. Uh this was done in the presence of several bystanders with one subject actually shooting nine rounds in the direction of traffic that was traveling on Route 73. A thorough investigation was conducted and both subjects were quickly identified and charged. Uh today I'm
happy to report that one of the accused has recently plead guilty to a secondderee weapons offense and will likely be sentenced to 5 years in state prison at the sentencing hearing scheduled for August 28th. This investigation was a great team effort between our department and the prosecutor's office and I'd like to commend all the officers for their
diligence and professionalism. On June 17th of this year, our agency was contacted by the Hopewell Township Police Department, who requested assistance in locating and arresting a subject that had been involved in a domestic assault and an unlawful taking of a vehicle in their jurisdiction. It
was also reported that the subject had eluded several other law enforcement agencies who observed him driving that vehicle and attempted to apprehend him. One of our officers located the vehicle occupied by the subject on the parking lot of the Auto Zone on Collins Road. As our officers approached with the
assistance of the Mount Laura Police Department, they formulated a plan to conduct a felony arrest while the vehicle was stationary, thus hopefully preventing any further instances of eluding [clears throat] by the suspect. However, when they made contact with him, he chose not to comply with the officer's orders and instead used his vehicle as a weapon, driving in the
direction of the officers and their vehicles. The suspect subsequently struck a Maple Shaped police vehicle and two Mount Laura police vehicles while making his escape. During the assault, a Mount Laurel police officer was pinned between the door of his car and the door and the car frame um and resulted which
resulted in minor injuries. The vehicle was later recovered in possession of a third subject who was not related to the incident in our town. However, we impounded the vehicle for the execution of a search warrant. Uh pursuant to that search warrant, the suspect that we were looking for was subsequently identified and charged with
assault on police, eluding, criminal mischief, obstructing the administration of law, and hindering his own apprehension. Uh as you're all aware, uh but I wanted to recap for you, we've had several personnel moves over the past few weeks. Um on June 30th, we held a walkout
ceremony for Chief Fletcher and Corporal Rob Bennett. It was a very nice event that was well attended by family and friends. Uh, Sergeant Pacheco also retired on that day, but he was unable to attend the walkout ceremony. But I'd like to congratulate all of them on their retirement and wish them well in their next endeavor. As a result of the
retirements, we had uh several promotions and moves within the agency. This included Dan O'Brien being promoted to captain, Scott Wallace being promoted to lieutenant, Justin Jericho and Jeffrey [snorts] Engel, both being promoted to patrol sergeant, Ron Soha uh
being appointed as the SRO corporal who will now be in the school to replace officer or corporal Bennett. Uh Diego Alvarez was appointed to detect corporal and Justin Warsaw was assigned to the detective bureau. On June 18th, myself and the command staff attended Gloucester County Police
Academy. Um, it was the graduation of our newest officer, Joseph Donafrio. You may recognize Joe's name. He was previously a class one with our officer, I'm sorry, with our agency. He's already doing a great job in the FTO program, and we anticipate that he will be complete sometime early in the fall. And
I would like to congratulate Shawn Martin on his selection as our newest recruit officer. He's set to attend Gloucester County Police Academy starting next month with an anticipated graduation date in December. Um, as I previously reported, we are currently in the reacredititation process with the New Jersey State
Associated Chief Association of Chiefs of Police. Our final assessment has been scheduled for Monday, August the 10th. This will consist of two assessors who were both active chiefs coming to the agencies to interview us and review our compliance with the policy procedures and best practices set forth in the
accreditation guidelines. They will then prepare a report that will be submitted to the state chief's accreditation board and we will appear in front of them sometime in October 2026 to find out the results. Uh as far as our stats go for June, we answered uh 2370 calls which works out
to just about 79 calls a day. Um, some of the more frequent ones were 38 domestics, 77 motor vehicle crashes, 340 property checks, 18 shopliftings, 64 suspicious activity calls, 22 thefts, 287 traffic stops, 21 trespassing
complaints, and 93 well-being complaint or well-being checks. Um, I just like to note that our next big event uh will be National Night Out, which will be Tuesday, August the 4th. Um, it'll be prior to our next meeting. So, I just want to get the word out for anybody who uh is interested in coming in coming and
attending. It's a night of free family fun. Literally everything is free. Um whether it's food or games or events. >> What's that? >> Face painting. I know that's what you like. >> Face painting. Yeah. Um so, we encourage everybody to come out. We're going to be at the high school again this year. Um
and just one sad note to pass along. Uh some of the uh residents who have been around town for a while might remember retired Lieutenant Jim Rosselle. I just got word yesterday that he passed away on July 2nd. Um I don't have a lot of details. We did speak with his wife. Um she kind of seemed like she wanted to
keep things private, so we didn't push her on that, but I do know that he's already been cremated. Um so there won't be any services for him. >> Thank you. >> That's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um engineer reports, we don't have any. >> Okay. So moving over to sustainable
farmers market is tomorrow night, 5 to 8 at the gazebo and BEDC. So the BDC under old business um council I had sent you all a memo BDC me Oh sorry Sandy am I taking your >> No you [laughter] go ahead.
>> So we had our last meeting um and at our at our council last meeting we had discussed a little bit about BEDC where we were going to go. Um you know that it's been something that's been on my mind. It's been something that's also been on the members mind. So we had our meeting um with the BEDC commission and really had a great conversation of just
where is the BEDC going? what do they need support-wise? Um, and so in front of you there is a copy of what the current Business and Economic Development Commission ordinance is. Um, and I've said this before, like this is something that we knew that was going to be um, evolving into things. We'd have
to make some changes and whatnot. And just going off of my memo and the discussions that we had, there's definitely some areas that we could, you know, likely are going to require some ordinance amendments. Um, you know, my memo had proposed to you that we make sure that we have representation from
Main Street Maplehade, main the Maple Shade Train Commission, a student representative, additional corporate representation, and then broader community organizations. I've heard back from Main Street Maple Shade. They got back to me um yesterday afternoon. They will be coming to attend our next meeting so that we can have a
conversation with them. We've had a conversation already with um Maple Street Business Association, so there's discussions there. you know, the train station commission is already there. Um, but the current the way the ordinance currently specifies is we say exactly who's going to be a part of that. So,
because those they're specifically mentioned there, we probably need we not probably, we would need to amend that portion of the section. Um, my recommendation is going to be that instead to just name the organization specifically, we go with a change possibly to just community organizations. We have three
representatives that would we could put and hold spots there. the student ambassador. We had speak we had spoken about that. Everybody was on board. Um I know council had even discussed and I think that would be great to put a student ambassador on. Um the main street partnership will be huge. Uh and
we do not I want to be very clear. This is not about creating a merger with them, taking them away. That's not it. But we really feel that we need them part of it. We that we need to all be acting together as opposed to hey this is what we're doing. Would you like to come join us? So they need to have a
voice at the table there. um the economic development liaison council could adopt a policy resolution either directing me as the you know as the manager we could consider a full-time coordinator again a part-time coordinator possibly go into a shared service look for a grant-f funded
position I kind of stay away you know from the grant funded position because if you lose grant funding and it's not something that we're budgeting for then you don't have that consistency there and then really just like as well to simplify membership um the current ordinance has 13 voting members, two
exeicio and four at large, which means that's 19 people. That's a large commission. Um, so I would recommend possibly reducing voting membership to around 11 or 13 and then using advisory liaison in there. Um, definitely to
clarify the exeicio roles. The ordinance currently references the director of business and economic development. as you know that current position is vacant and the ordinance said I'm saying that the ordinance could say something the township manager or designate or an economic development coordinator if established. So these are just some
things that I'm cons you know making recommendations how we could do uh the ordinance and then also I think which was very uh important and something that the commission spoke about was really clarifying council's expectations um having measurable goals what it is that council um you know is is really looking
for and I I believe that you all probably would you know appreciate having some sort of annual work plan what it is that we're actually going to do. So each January we could set the priorities, the goals, the proposed events, any legislative recommendations of what we could be working on and what we wanted to work towards and then an
annual performance report. I know that our previous economic development coordinator, she did provide an annual report um because we don't have one now. There's not something that went to council this year. Um but you know, putting these priorities in there and making it very clear of what the expectations are.
Good. Um, so and I just think that helps with accountability as opposed to us real counsel or myself really overseeing everything that happens with that commission. So some of the questions that need to be answered uh, you know, is what is council looking for? And I'm not looking for an answer tonight. I think if this is an ongoing
conversation, but you know, is it just going to be an advisory board, an advisory body? Is it going to be a vet planning body? Is it going to be an economic development body? or we going to do something a combination which really is where we've been a combination of all that how that you know who all has the seat we have our current
representation um we know how we basically want to go with you know making sure the train commission is on there a youth and also uh Main Street Maple Shade and then what staffing support is appropriate are we looking at just a volunteer model that was one of the biggest concerns of of the commission membership you know that as
volunteers they don't have the ability during the day really to be able to pick up the phone and call that developer or speak with that developer. So, we need to find that that happy medium in the middle. Yes, I'm taking a lot of those calls, which is fine. Sometimes I'm not
in the office. I'm out at, you know, out at meetings and whatnot. So, I'm delayed in getting back to these developers and when they call, they want to know exactly who they're going to be able to speak to. And then from council is, you know, what should success look like? Uh, one of the comments that the commission made was it it needs to be more than,
well, did you bring us any new businesses? They're not able to do really do that if they're not going to be here full-time or, you know, during the day. Um, so those those are the measurable things. Again, I have three phases, you know, just what we can do immediately, what I
think could be put in, you know, as we're doing some ordinance amendments and then really getting the commission to to implement. You know, we have six more meetings uh throughout the year. This could be something that over the next six months we work I I'm really looking for council's input as to what it is that you want to see that
commission do or if you don't want to see it do. So that's my pitch. >> Okay. >> What do I got? >> Thanks. >> I think council you have something >> I I think we need to keep it all volunteer. I I think it was successful
with the advisory board and those presentations and things can be done to us as council and council can decide. Um I don't think that we really need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to it.
I think that the people in this town that are going to volunteer on this board in the past were very successful at the things that they did. And I think if they have the opportunity, I think they'll thrive and and do the same thing. [snorts] It was always the the end result was it was always discussed
in this room with the public and and township council. So, um I think somehow or another that all has to be integrated into it. >> So, let me be clear, it is still all volunteer. There was just we did have we did have the position at one point. Um
and what our volunteer members and what we're seeing is is that the volunteer members that were largely a part of the advisory board are the the volunteers actually because of course I >> because you've been a part of it. So I'm a part of that. Of course the the volunteers themselves all the business
people and everyone that's been there and with the uh old ABC and all that they they need some some guidance and some teeth. They want to know what they can do because they don't have all the time to put into this. So, they're kind of leaning towards uh maybe a, you know,
a part-time person u being put in into place instead of maybe a full-time. They need just a little bit more guidance because there's there's a lot that happens to get people into Maple Shade, get the vacancies
filled, um help to retain the businesses that we have here. And everybody is in has their own businesses that are there or their own whatever they have walk of life they have and other organizations. So they can't do it all. They they do
need our help and our guidance and it it may it may be the fact that we need to have someone to help in that that area. So I'm just saying that's what general consensus was at the meeting. They were kind of
really upset about all that. So, >> well, I understand all that, but today's world with technology, emails, and back and forth, I mean, you might not be physically able to talk to somebody, but I think before we go into jumping into hiring somebody right away, >> well, it's not it's not going to be a
jump. I mean, it's just we're just talking through this right now. >> And I'm I'm suggesting that we just do this slowly and really evaluate it. >> Well, we can always look at different uh you know, different options, different ways to approach. So, but it's just
their concern that they they need our help and they need some guidance in that area. >> So, like I said, this isn't for a decision this evening, but those are the things that came out of of the memo. That's kind of a breakdown. These are things that I'm recommending. You have a copy of the other ordinance, and then I mean, we meet again August 6th. We
definitely can have the conversation again. So, >> if you're bringing the all these organizations together, how how are they going to structure it to be having a meeting? Who's going to be in charge of it? They're my questions. I mean, if you have all these different organizations,
you know, somebody I think from the township, you know, maybe a liaison from the the committee itself is on that that runs the meeting so that that we're all made aware of what's going on. The communications is directly with council
and it can go back and forth, I think, a lot smoother. So, it's currently set up again like the chairwoman was the business and economic development director and then there was a like a a subchair with one of the volunteers. Um, currently what's happening is so that the meetings can still go on. I've taken
that role of like the chair making sure that the the agenda gets done running the meeting but it's based on conversations that the volunteers have there and I guess we've had what we have about 14 people that come to um >> and we had a full full house >> we had a full we had full right we still we have three vacancies currently so now
is the time if we're going to fill those vacancies too is to let's let's rearrange what we're going to do with the membership and how we're classifying the members. Um, so I would just ask that you, you know, that you take a peek at this or you just kind of go over this, give it some thought, let me know your thoughts. Again, we meet, the BEEDC
meets next week, uh, next, no, the 21st, sorry, 21st, we meet two Tuesdays. Um, so they meet again on the 21st. I'd like to be able to take something. So, please, you know, shoot me an email with your thoughts and conversations at least and then I can get that going back and forth between every >> council attend these meetings.
>> Yes. >> So, yes, you can come. So, it's not a problem. >> I thought we were invited to that one. No. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, >> okay. >> Because there won't there won't be any true business discussed. So, you can come, you can see, but there can't be any business. >> No township business discussed. >> So, the purpose will stay the same as it
currently or is that something else you want us to look at? >> So, we can we can change it a little bit. We can come up with some different I know different items. I know I have what do I have in there? I have uh I forget what I have in there now. uh perhap you know if it was just going to
be if they want it to be a um an event body or personally I think it should be a combination body it should be somebody that's doing some sort of events it should be something that's doing that we're doing legisl and that's what was originally the intent was some sort of legislation that's coming back with ordinance changes that we're speaking to members of the community we're speaking
to businesses in the community simple it might be the sign ordinance you know we're putting something in place on um you know on our downtown in our main street area for facade improvements and that would be something that BEDC says, yeah, like this is what we would like to see. We're working with the planner, working with these people, and then go
to the land use board and say, hey, like this is what this is what has been discussed. And then the land use board would come back and say, hey council, you this is what we've heard from our businesses. This is what we've heard from then, the BEDC commission. We'd like to implement these changes. So, I
think it should be a combination, but if you have other ideas, I mean, I'm I'm all open. >> No, that that's person. I don't want to be negative so I'm really not speaking but >> we just I >> that's what I struggle with because looking at these five purposes what >> what have we done in the couple years
that we've had the EDC that >> so we brought we brought new events from those events we've actually and I still have them calling we still have I have businesses that have called that are like children familyfriendly businesses that have said they want to come back and now they're supporting our other events in the town we have the 50/50
DARE network that we've been invited to that Maple Shade was never invited to. And that's where we go and we're actually and we're speaking with the developers, the people that are actually the ones purchasing the land, building the projects, doing those things. The problem is is that now because we don't have that direct person to call they're
they're wondering like where we are in the whole process. So, we have to get back to okay, who is going to be that liaison? Be honest with you, it cannot be council. They can't be calling council directly because it's a part of operations. If it's going to be me, that's fine. I don't have a problem with it, but we need to relay that then back
to the VEDC so that they know and what things they're going to be doing. Um, so there have been things. It's it's also not something that and >> we've had the color run which was a huge >> Yeah, I know we had events like you know to study the future of all highway commercial business districts and downtown areas. Um,
>> we got the we got the um the ribbon cutings up. So right the easy things for us to do was the >> the easy things was the events that that's something that's something that everybody can see >> business >> right the biggest thing we had the business appreciation dinner where they can all meet and they're getting those networking
>> what we've been struggling with is that okay we need to get them here and make roots like that's what we need >> it's the everyday things that you have to do >> you know basically as your job to get out there so people have jobs and they can't do these things
>> a joburing the You know what I mean? It's impossible. >> You're stupid. No, >> I I [laughter] can't agree with that. I'm just going to be quiet. >> But so it is it's that's what that's what it comes down. We have to see what this commission wants to do and what you expect out of them. And then I think from there is where we can say, okay, this is what the design is. Um it was
never intended that in the first two years that we'd be jumping off the ground and we'd have, you know, 10 businesses, new businesses come to town. Um it's how do we get them here and what is it? We have to listen to these business owners and and the and the owners that we currently have as well. And that's why I think it's so important too that we keep business owners on the machine.
>> It always was. >> So, okay, anybody else? [clears throat] >> All right, moving over to the IFC. >> Um, so I think that is now obvious the last meeting that we had, we were discussing having a meeting with them and I know council, you had said that
you wanted to see their um their financials. So, with Mr. Deulo just giving that to us this evening, I think that you all should take a opportunity to review them. You want to review them now. I don't think that's really something that we should um you know take them let's come up with some questions and then we can come up with
some sort of dates or whatnot. >> This is this suffice like it doesn't have the budget it's just the >> this is their profit. Yeah, this is their profit and loss budget. Honestly, I haven't looked at it so I have to I have to go through it and see. But >> I just want to put it on record too that I don't have anything prepared for what
we spoke about as far as the fire the fire department. I've been waiting uh for three weeks to four weeks for the information and I just received it yesterday and two days ago. So I haven't
had a time to review it. Uh so um through the through the month for uh for July I'm going to look at it and start putting things together. They were requested. You know, John, you wanted to do it and open. So, I told you I'd do
it, but unfortunately, my request wasn't uh fulfilled in time. Okay. So, going over to new business, uh we have a motion to go back into closed if needed. I believe it is needed
>> is needed for litigation. So, can we have a motion to go back and close? >> So, made >> a second >> comments. >> This um just to make [snorts] everyone aware, Councilman Sek, you'll need to recuse yourself from this one. It's litigation that includes >> What's that?
>> You'll need to recuse yourself from this litigation from this discussion. It's litigation that includes your case. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I Okay. So, we're going for matters required Matters related to contract negotiation.