It's been Airbnb I guess a couple years. Uh before that it was uh longerterm rentals and I can say from my observations the air and I think it's nobody's there normally. Uh my observation when the house was rented there were tenants there that I wasn't
too happy with at times. Interesting. You guys mentioned the pool. There was one of the tenants there and these were these were long-term rentals that had a pool maybe 3 foot or so high. It actually was pretty interesting evening. the thing collapsed and there was a big title wave rolling through my backyard. Oh boy.
It didn't cause any problems, but they had no fence. So, that's valid. However, and overall, I would say I've probably had a good experience in the past year or so. This property is at 443 each mill that the tenants are uh they're good. They're there short term. Um I've had
worse tenants that were there long term as a rental that complies with your six month minimum. So I somehow whatever you guys come up with I think we need to take care of the people that came came up speaking before me. We have to consider their needs too. Thank you. Thank you. Question. Yes.
At that residency you said the landlord is absent. Yes. Okay. Anybody else? Good evening. Joe Walters, 163 Frederick Avenue. Uh, first I just want to put on record that uh I'm here tonight to speak
uh against this ordinance um in its form. Um I have no horse in this game in this race. I just want everybody to know that I don't have an Airbnb, never have. Uh it is something I would probably consider, but it's nothing that uh I don't see in the in the near future
either. But I have been selling real estate now. I think it's full-time 34 years in town. I've lived in town my entire life. Um, I do want to say on a on a from a real estate aspect, I've sold several homes
in this town and in other towns, surrounding towns that uh I've been up against listing somebody's house and next to the house was the eyesore property or the problem neighbor. And let me tell you what, it's hard as hell
to sell that property. And if you're the one who owns the property, it it digs right into your pocket, your life savings. You know, you could be there all your life doing everything right with your house, following all the codes, anything the township wants. You do you're the perfect resident, and all
of a sudden, you have a neighbor who isn't ideal, let's say, and their house is affecting the val value of your house and the way you live. Then you have an Airbnb
who somebody's in there for maybe 2 3 4 days. The average, just so you know, is 2 to 7 days. If you research it, it's 2 to 7 days is what these folks rent. What would you rather have if if it's any one of your homes? Would you rather have that neighbor next door who god knows
when they're going to move or the tenant that they rented to for years at a time or two or three days of this clown next door that I don't really care for personally and he's leaving he's on his way and the next ten it's a great person I meet he's a professor he's a this a
that or whatever and very interesting person that I got chatting with next to where that because he's in town from wherever on business if you go on to the Airbnb site and And I have very little knowledge on this stuff myself. Um, but if you go on to
the site, the Airbnb sites and the VBO and and if you look at that, if you look at some of these properties, like Jenna's property and her husband, they're beautiful. They're wellkept. They're nicer than some of the homes that I have listed for $400 or $500,000.
And these are the people that they're renting to. Now, take it a step further. Look at what they're renting for. And I have no problem with it. God bless them. But they're getting good rates. Some people rent not because they're saving money. They're actually spending
more money because they just choose that they don't want to be in a hotel environment or a motel environment or they have a family or they have a dog. Maybe they have a dog and the hotel doesn't allow dogs. There's a bunch of reasons that I've been finding out a lot today actually since I posted this on
Facebook. There's a lot of reasons why people want to go with it with Airbnb. As far as the swimming pool issue, maybe we just need to ban that part of it. I don't know what you what you need to do, but let's talk about a ban for a
minute. A ban to me is anything where you're putting any kind of limitations on what I'm to do in my house or in their houses or anybody. That's overstepping if you ask me. Whether you call it 4 days, 7 days, 6 months, 90
days, I don't care what you call it. If you're going to call it something, it's a ban if it's more than one day because it's not fair to these folks that are going through all the right avenues that they have to do to register through Airbnb. It's not their fault that we don't have an ordinance in place to
address what we want to address. And I get that and I'm for that and I think everybody here would be for that. We just need to find out what we have to put in place so that we can govern it and we can make sure that it's safe and and and all that that can be done. But
to say we're not going to allow short-term rentals just cuts them all off their knees, including people who are looking to rent out a property for a shorter term. Give you another example. Fork Landing Road. Let's take a lot of
speeders over the years. Lot of speeders. I'm taking Forklanding Road as an example. North or south? What? Which one you want? North. North. North. Fork Landing. We got a ton of speeders down Fork Landing Road. Police department. I'm sure if the chief
was here tonight, he would attest there's been thousands and thousands of tickets tying up our officers coming in court. We're trying to address it. Kids almost hit car accidents. Maybe someone was killed. But we're not here tonight saying we should shut down
Fork Landing Road. We're not talking about more traffic lights. We're not talking about speed bumps. What do we do? We try and enforce it. We try and penalize people that are speeding. What we can do is rewrite a
good ordinance and say, "What can we do to bring business to the community and to make it safe?" That's another thing. I'm sure uh as our manager states from the police department there's reports
and she used the word several. Well, I'd like to know the exact number and if you know me and you all know me, I want to know the facts. I want the act actual number. How many times have you had an issue other than the swimming instance
which didn't happen? We shut it off I believe before it happened. Sandy, you attested your neighbors here, the great people. You've never had a Have you ever seen a problem, a fight even between boyfriend, girlfriend, tenant there? No. And I'm sure that happens over and over because am I right that they have a
security deposit? They probably have a security deposit type of thing in place. There's a million-doll insurance policy. How about our businesses? We're talking about Barbara was just up here and I appreciate her coming up talking about being open about some of these kinds of things. Have we talked to our business
community? Are they actually getting business from us? I would have to say they are. Because if you come into an Airbnb for, let's say, a wedding or you're visiting Philadelphia with your children and the history of Philadelphia, something like that, and you're here for five nights,
you're not going to the Acme and filling up the cupboards with food. You're you're not you're not cooking and and saying, "Do I have a sifter? Do I have this? Do I have that?" You're going out to eat. Now, it may be in Philly, but it may be right up here in town, but I doubt they're coming in with their food and and and then throwing it all out
after 5 days. There's so many ways they bring business into our community. We have a car rental uh agency right in town. They come in, they they fly in, they rent a car, they have the Airbnb here, they could be visiting family, visiting local communities. There's a million things they could be doing. I
don't know them all. You don't know them all. But let's work around how we can work with these folks. Aren't we trying to bring business in town? So again, if you if you've had instances with the police department, I'm I'm stressing tonight. I want to know how many with who. I'd like to know.
See, that's part of the problem is that we can't because we don't know that these are Airbnb rentals. Great. So, we we do have some like we do we do know. We've had instances with our EMS where they've gone and it's been, you know, repeated. We've had instances obviously with the police department and parties and whatnot. We've had parking issues, those sorts of things.
Susan, I agree with you. I agree with you and I think it's great. But the answer isn't, well, let's not have short rentals. The answer is, let's see what we have to put in place so that we can have short rentals so these folks and other people can do this legally. Now,
I'm going to I'm going to leave the mayor with some printouts that I did. There's there's all kind there's pros, there's cons with everything, but there's mostly pros. I'm going to leave this uh Heather, if you'll maybe copy this and get it to council. Um but the last one I'm going to comment
on as we speak right now, Ocean City, New Jersey is having their council meeting. Guess what they're talking about? Same thing. Same thing. Are you aware of it? No. You Nobody's aware of it. No. Y guess what they're doing tonight? They're talking about Airbnbs.
and rather than get rid of them because you can't do that in a short community, right, Chuck? How would you like to spend a million dollars on a beachfront property and find out you can't rent it? Okay. And that's happened in other states. I have friends that live in Asheville that
had three or four Airbnbs that were run out of town because they decided that they were they didn't want it any longer. Asheville, Ocean City's got a different approach, Sandy, and I challenge you with this. Challenge you all with this. put this as part of your ordinance. Speak with your
solicitor. Ocean City taking the vote tonight for passage to include I believe it's a 3% fee back to the city of Ocean City for Airbnbs. I'm sure people owning Airbnbs would rather hear I'll pay the
3% to the city versus you're not going to have it. Now, I don't know everything about it. Jenna, her husband, and anybody else here can speak. They pay a fee already through Airbnb and to the state and everything else. There's all kinds of stuff doing it. But again, why
don't we look into this is a source of revenue. You're doing it with cannabis. You're trying to You're doing it with anything you can. Why don't we look at this? If it's an annual fee, you heard them say they're they're not objecting to that. I'm not objecting to that. I think
it'd be great, but that's what we need to do. not just say we're we're not going to we're going to pass this tonight and not have shortterm rentals. That's wrong. That's where I disagree. Thank you. You can just give it to Susan. She'll pass the law.
Thank you. Anybody else in the public on this ordinance? Okay. Seeing none, um have a motion to close. So made second. Comments. Well, I'd like to make a motion to table and have our solicitor look into it and
work with uh Susan to uh come up with something that I think would benefit all the town's people. I don't want to have to we just have to motion to close first and then you can All right. So, I apolog I apologize. So, we'll do an all in favor. All in favor? I. And now, sorry.
Okay. So, do we need a motion to table it? Yes. Okay. All right. So there's a motion to table by Mr. Simon. Yeah, I'll second that motion to table. I think we should discuss this further. Okay. Mr. Kaufman,
no. Miss Nunes, yes. Mr. Simon, yes. Mr. Sadnik, yes. Mayor Del Rico, yes. Okay. So, we will discuss
table until the next meeting. I I I'd like to make one comment, Mr. Mr. Walters. Um if you if you're not objecting to that, I'd like to sit down and talk with you about cuz I'm not a realtor. You're a realtor. Uh my children have used
Airbnbs their entire life. I do not like Airbnbs. I'll stay at the hotel p personally, but I'm just saying I would like to get some of the input. um I don't have the time to do the research that you're you've been doing. But also
we also have to consider the fact that like you said this this also stresses our police department. You brought up the speeding which stresses our police department. Some of these unregulated things do stress our police department and the the police has been they've been 100% with me like I belong to the happy
hour club. They've given us heads up. This stuff Susan was showing on the TV there. That stuff is posted all the time. We shut down. People try to rent our club all the time for this crazy stuff. And I'm sure that you being a
homeowner, you're not going to want a giant party, somebody renting their house out and having a giant party every week at at the house next door because they got a big property. Not not even a pool, just a big property. So, we do need to work
together with the town's people to try to put this together. John, one thing I just wanted to point out that I didn't um in the little research that I did on this, I believe there's probably only about a dozen uh of these in town. I could be wrong. Susan, you probably did more research
than I do. My last check, there were 27 that did 27 that did Airbnb verbos and then there was three swimies. I didn't even know about the pool thing. So, you're probably counting them, too. No, not three and three swim please. Yeah, three swim places. So, yeah, now's probably the time to put something
together before potentially there's more. And uh let let me um add to that. I think you should have Susan do the homework on that along with with uh Miss McDow because they're going to be able
to get more research since you said you really this is not your expertise anyway but you did bring it to our attention which is which is good but I'm just saying we can look further into it some folks like this that want to get involved% exactly and and the thing is next year with everything happening with soccer
and uh the 250th anniversary this is probably a good thing to because we did kick things around, you know, each individual thinks, okay, what are we going to do next year when we we need places for people to stay. So, uh, we
can add, you know, add that into the mix and come up with a better solution. So, that's that's how I feel about it. And that that way, you know, nothing against you or anything like that, but I, you know, think they're going to have both more research there about it so we can
come to a conclusion. Maybe next time we meet. Okay, thank you. Um, moving over to the public portion for the consent agenda items only. If anybody from the public would like to come up and speak on the consent agenda items, please come up. State your name and address for the
record. Seeing none, motion to close. So made. Second. All in favor? I. All right. This is a consent agenda. I will read in bulk. Resolution number 2025-R130 through resolution number 2025-R142.
Motion to approve the consent agenda. Second. Comments. Roll call. Mr. Kaufman. Yes. Miss Nunes. Yes. Mr. Simons. Yes. Mr. Zadnik. Yes. Mayor Telerico.
Yes. Approval of the expenditure list. I'd like to put it on the record that uh R-137 and R-139. I'm going to be voting no too. You just voted. You just voted.
Well, then we go through them individually or we can just mark them off as no. I'm not consent to those. So, just next time, Andrew, just during comments, you can just say that. What number?
137 the um the audit and 139. Yes. And the reason for 139, so everyone's aware, it says in there that there was a discussion with council and I didn't know anything about the discussion until
we just had that sent to us. So again, we're creating these resolutions and pushing them through and we're not talking about them in public to the people of this town and giving them the opportunity to come up here and speak their minds. So
I have it approval of the expenditure list. Current fund bill is $479,21369. Utility fund $759,46324. Capital fund bill is list $124,375.92. Utility capital $37,665. Trust fund is $39,282.58
and our grant fund bill list is $8,319.30. I have reviewed the above bill list as submitted and recommend payment when funds are available. Thank you. Can we have a motion to approve? I'll make that motion. Second. Comments. Roll call. Mr. Kaufman.
Yes. Miss Nunes. Yes. Mr. Simon sick. Yes. Mr. Znick. Yes. Mayor Tel Rico. Yes. Approval of the June 2025 minutes. Can I have a motion to approve? So made. I'll second. Comments. Roll call. Mr. Kaufman.
Abstain. Miss Nunes. Yes. Mr. Simons. Yes. Mr. Sernik. Yes. Mayor Jrio. Yes. Okay. This is the public portion. Anybody from the public wishing to come up, please state your name and address for the record.
Hello everyone. David Smith, 33 High Street, Maple Shade. Good evening. How you guys doing? Wonderful. How are you? Fantastic. I'm here on two two things. Um, number one, uh, as you guys know, we started the train station commission
that Sus and I have been working on through the BBC and it's been getting, you know, we're slowly getting there. Um, we've had a lot of complaints and I'm sure you've seen it on Facebook. It's been everywhere. Um, and I've had
people messaging us and and I've I've been talking, but we've have a lot of uh youth at the train station. Uh more recently now, probably due to the fact that school's out. Um but we have uh we've been noticing
a lot of garbage and vandalism and just the uh neighbors have seen the children act out like yelling at handicapped kids. We actually have one of the fathers here um of the handicapped child
and I'm sure he's going to come up and speak. We've contacted the police and I know that it's it's a very touchy situation when it comes to youth in New Jersey with the strict laws that we have. But there's got to be something we
can do. Uh there there's got to be some sort of ordinance that we can change or some sort of um limitation that these kids can't be up there 10:00, 11:00 at night throwing
rocks. I mean, we have complaints that neighbors are coming up with rocks in their driveway. Um, I know there's there's neighbors that have told me that they've seen it happen and it's, you know, it's a shame because, you know, we did a lot of work there and and we're
continuing to do work and we're continuing to trying to maintain the building, but it just gets harder uh with with these kids. And when we call the police and they're like, "Well, we can't do anything." You know, that that kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth. Um, especially growing up with some of
the police in this town. Um, so I uh I would just like to ask the the council like if we could somehow figure out a way to maybe change an ordinance or create a law or something. I'm not a politician, so unfortunately with the township
ordinance now with the new law that the police can't do anything, right? Um, but I know that we I know Susan can speak better on this. I know we're talking about adding more cameras up there. Um, not sure how good they do. The ones we have currently Yeah, the ones that we have currently are no good. They're I
don't say no good. They just they're not working. So, we do have additional cameras that have already been approved that will be installed. That's awesome. We do have a police officer on patrol there every every shift. You have a SEO possibly that currently do and I' and I've spoken to the children as well. Like I go up there, I see them,
you know, I get done work, I go and I try to like talk to them like, "Hey, like we run we try to maintain this building. Can you please not leave your trash here? Can you please not cause a ruckus? I have neighbors coming." And you know, they tell you to their face. Yeah. Yeah. No problem. And then two days later, they're right back to dirt
again. So, I get it. And you know, I understand. You know, I'm not too old. So, like I was there at one point. You know, we hang out around town. We love this town. And we are talking about maybe putting signage up for no loitering. That will help the police a little bit, right? Not. I don't know if they I don't I'm not sure if they can put no loitering anymore. I think
I think I think he put I think he did after I had the gentleman that came up the uh yesterday and and reached I had reached back out to the police department. Again, we are aware that these things are happening. So, yep. I just wanted to come up and and make it, you know, like that I'm, you know, making sure that it's so,
you know, it's we do have one of our one of our officers, Mike Pope. He um he does believe he's in our school system as well as one of our sos. He believes that he's identified him. We've had similar instances up here. We've been having issues here in here in our building. Yeah. Um so, and again, we have cameras. We've caught them.
I guess when we caught them here, they started going over. I did ask how many calls to just so you know I did ask the police to tell us how many calls they've had and since June 1st they've only been called at the train station and only had one telephone one call to go out. So the the response would be please continue to call.
So it's it's funny you mentioned that and I'm not um going to mention names or anything but I I've had parents like I said reach out to the Facebook page. The police are telling you to stop calling. So that's that's a concern for me. But if they're calling through dispatch that
will I mean there's only been one call through dispatch that's right. So if it's going to Facebook or if it's if someone if a res if some resident is contacting a police officer via textbook that's how we'll be able to know too. So that was something when I spoke with the police department. I just wanted to make sure that call we have the same thing at the soccer
field. Yeah. I'm going to tell you it's it's worse. So they and we tell them to call that we tell our coaches to call the police. Luckily when the kids when you see the kids they say yes. Ours literally cursed us back and stay there and fight until the police come. That that happens too. Unfortunately, and the police tell me
there's nothing they can do, but we've been dealing with this for 11 years. So, so they have to call the dispatch, not the regular dispatch. Just to clarify, if you're going to call, dial 911. Yes. Let it go through the channels cuz if
they're using the number that's that goes to the police station, that's not going to be on record. And those people might be telling you stop calling, but they're not the people you know that there's a disconnect there. So, whoever's involved in this, the
neighbors, they have to call 911. It goes to Burlington County Dispatch. It's monitored, it's recorded, all the information is asked, and it gets transferred over to the police. I don't We don't call 911. We call the other and we and they never have told us don't call. I mean, we call at least
three times a week. Yeah. And I again I'm speaking on the the behalf of the neighbors who I'm sure are going to come up and also say the same thing. But um I just I would also like you know to know what should I say to the people that come to me and they're like hey I see this. So that's another call police call the police let us know
what times too because that will help you know because right now the kids are out so maybe during the daytime they're there. Um we have a sleo that's walking around but if they're not there during the daytime because maybe the kids are working and they're really there at 700 that's something that we can adjust the police response out there as well. So that would be great if we can if we can have
that help with the eyes and ears. Let us know. That's great. You know, if they're not causing a problem and you know, they're just sitting there, but residents want to email, feel free to email me. I mean, that's fine. Or email somebody or call somebody, leave a message and say, "Hey, listen, like this is the time we saw them." So again, we can we can narrow it
down so we know so we can get somebody that that's great. And I'm sure that they're thrilled to hear that. Um, and maybe maybe you can get them to volunteer for the Santa thing. Yeah. Sounds like we we may need to get that town watch back because that used to be big for a long time. Town watch was
but town watch really can't do anything either. Like a lot of people don't want to because you're getting students. It's that law. It's it's the laws that were put in place. You have to make sure um they can call the non-emergency number which is the 856234 8300 number. Okay. That's the 8 that's the non-emergency police number. Obviously if kids are
throwing and they're vandalizing that's a little bit different but you know if they're causing a nuisance I mean definitely reach out. We need to know what what would be the ground? So, like if we let's say we have a a neighbor that is witnessing this, possibly has like a video of it. Like what what can they do? So, because I know a lot of
times people see it and they're like, "Well, yeah, like like you said, I don't want to be involved. I don't want to get sued. I don't want to come talk to the police." These kids, they know. Oh, they know. They know. So, um, come talk to the police. Come show them the video. Show them what it is. Again, they can only do with what they see. You know, if an officer goes out
there, and let's face it, if the officer goes out and they pull up in their police car, those kids are either scattering or, you know, they're going to sit like angels, you know. So, if you have it, you we that information has to be shared with our officers so that they can and again, it was the same thing up here. My kids, they swore they weren't doing anything until I caught a girl
literally climbing the wall, you know, and it was we got you on video. I mean, so how do you deny that? And how do you deny it to the parents? That's the other thing, too. You have to, you know, so there we have the proof. It's sad that's the world we live in, but that will help our officers to be able to identify again times who
that'll be able to help them do their job even better. And a video that always works. Use your phone, get a video. That's the new town watch. I'm very happy to hear about the cameras being approved. Um I know Yeah, we're just waiting to get them come in. So yeah, that's awesome. Um now I also have another thing. I don't know if you want
me to come back up, but um No. So, uh, now I'm going to switch into my car club. Uh, and Susan, I know we've we spoke on the phone or, uh, I'm sorry, via email, uh, with you about a a car event we're trying to play in with Brew
Littleles, um, with the fire. I did speak to the representative the other day, and that's still being vetted through our first responders. Yes. So, um, I know you you asked for a few things, um, which I can tell you I don't have right now. Um, I was told
that the letter from the firehouse is on its way along with the church. Meritzes doesn't wants you to call them. Okay. Um, Larry told me to uh tell you to give him a call uh that he approves everything, but he would rather talk to
you and approve it that way. Sure. So, do that for him? Just so that way I we're we're squared away on that. And Yeah. And what we're talking about, we had a facilities use agreement. Um, Brew Littleles would like to hold uh an event through Paul's abilities. Is that It's a One Love
One Love uh um and it includes a It includes a car show um with Beyond Limits car lot. Mhm. Y So, like I said, we're still vetting that through our first responders just to see, you know, what would need to be done and whatnot. On a Saturday,
it would be more of a cars and coffee type. Yeah. It would be a Sunday. Sunday 2:30 to 6:30. Yeah. 2:30 6. Yep. Vintage cars. H vintage cars or anything any you know just what car people you know unfortunately not everyone's got classic cars anymore
I know you do still got your champagne anyway um but no so yeah that's one of the things that uh I just wanted to update you while here sorry all right thank you thanks for your stuff
thanks for his effort at the river I mean He's done great. Great work there. You've done great work at the railroad, Dave. Oh, thank you. Really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Love to continue. All right. Anybody else from the public?
Good evening. My name is Philip Torino 324 Northport Road. Good evening. And it is about a train station. Okay. My son's boy had uh he's autistic, high function. He walks down there and he has to be verbally abused by the
children there. Now, I know there's not a lot you say you can do. I know there's a lot the police say they cannot do, but if I'm not mistaken, the law in New Jersey states that uh lording is you're allowed providing you're not interfering.
At least children are interfering. And there is something that could be done if that is true. And it is true. You You have evidence of it. You have evidence of children interfering. Uh you have neighbors calling you, telling you. You have neighbors that want to move out
of Maple Street because of this. And I don't see the harm in telling children you cannot stand here. Leave. Once in a while a police officer drives by and says that. What's wrong with that? I don't think that's against the law. I know that when I was a child, we
hung out on the corner. I ended up in a police station, you know. Did I hang out there anymore? Well, yeah, but we ran just like kids would. But, yeah, we weren't destructive. These children are being disrupted.
They're throwing stones at properties. They're hitting stones with baseball bats. We talk to the neighbors. I had a big issue with all the children at the carnival. Some townships don't even have carnivals anymore. Now, I have a hair salon in the city.
And I have children at times come up to the salon. They sit on my front step. Do you want to come into my salon with children sitting on the front step? Do you you don't walk past these kids? Not really. Or if you're leaving the
salon, do you really want them sitting out on the front step? So I have a job to do. So I can do it one of two ways. I can be nasty or I could be nice. So I go out and I ask them very nicely, could you please not sit here? My
clients feel intimidated. One time I had a girl out there with her friends. It was around graduation time and she must have been as drunk as a skunk cuz she was tipping over and everything on my step. So I went out and I said, "Is there something wrong with
her?" And they're going, "No, no, she's fine. She's fine." So instead of being nasty, I went back in and I saw her tip again. So I went, you know, there definitely is something wrong with her. I said, I'm going to call the ambulance. Well, with that, they got up, they left because she was only drunk.
Still, there are ways to handle things without arresting. Now, I understand the law is there because they don't want children having criminal records. Well, number one, you can expune the record, but you also don't have to arrest a child because they're hanging out on a
corner, but you can chase them. You can't hang out here. This is private property. Am I mistaken? The train station's private. Owned by trade commission. All right. It's owned by Conrad. Is it leased from Conrad?
And who is who township leases it from? So it's owned by the township. So it's public. So it's considered public. But still again, you don't have to have the children stand in there. Is there a reason why police don't drive by there
frequently enough to chase children? That's all we really want. We don't want to move out of Maple Shade. I don't want my son being accosted by these kids. And maybe something has been done because one of the girls apologized to fell. I may have had something to do with your
sister, John. I don't know. I know that she talked to you. Not me. Tar. No. Well, anyway, uh, so that's all I have to say. Thank you. What can you be done with the children? Thank you.
My sister's dead. She's dead. Susan, I have a question. Yeah. The curfew, we we can't enforce the curfew. Curfew is enforced. It's 10:00 during the week and then 11:00. Hello. My name is uh Denny Brown. I live at 17 East Broadway and I live pretty
much right across the railroad station. Yes, indeed. We've had issues there for at least five years and we have called the police many times. We have stopped calling the police because they basically told us there's nothing they can do. So, we're just kind of living with it now. It's affecting our standard
of living every day. And you want to know when the kids are there? They're there from anytime between 12:00 and 1 until between 7 and 8. All day they're there. Six, seven hours they sit out. It's 100° out. they sit out there which we don't understand but you know and in the spring or the
fall when we don't have our air conditioner on I sit in my living room and I hear f you f this f me I hear probably 150 200 times in in an hour or two and I'm not exaggerating we have girls over there who scream at the top of their lungs every day every hour
they're up they're screaming at the top of their lungs and even worse than that we're finding all these rocks in our lawns we came on vacation a couple weeks ago we found three rocks in our driveway where our car would have been. Our neighbor next door, she found 47 rocks in the street when she came home from
work one day. I saw a kid yesterday pick up a block of wood and throw it across the street. It bounced in the street and landed in my paper jar. When I came home, I went over to retrieve it. It was gone cuz I think he didn't know I was sitting in my car and he saw me pull away. So, he must
went over to retrieve it because I didn't couldn't find it when I went back over there. But I find, you know, I have a picture right now. She has 10 more rocks in front of her house. I took it this morning. So, and if you're wondering what I have in this bag, rocks, right? Right.
These are You know what these are? Anybody? Right. So, I watched about a month ago. I watched three kids over sitting on the tracks and they were digging for something. Now, I want to confront these kids on my own. You don't want trouble. They were there for hour, hour and a
half digging something up. I had no idea what it was. So, when they left, I went over. I found these railroad spikes laying in in the uh rail in the middle of the two tracks. So what I did, I waited for the train to come back from Hayesport. It comes back around 7:00 at night and the engineer usually stops and
he goes over to Boba to get something to drink. So I took them over to him and showed him he didn't really seem to care, but he did say he would tell us track department about it. And I said, "Do you want these back?" "No, I want them." Dr. And um he also told me that they the
engineers dread driving by that train station because the kids reach out and they smack the train. They throw rocks at it. They're like a foot away from the train when it's going by there. Isn't that a safety issue? Yes, it is. I'm telling you, if Conra knew about that, they probably closed the whole
thing down probably, which I don't want to see happen. I really don't. But and another type thing about a week ago, I was just got out of the shower and I heard the train. I looked outside and there's they had flat cars going by with nothing on top of them which is something new they have. Um kids were
standing from here where my bag is just smacking the train as it went by. They have little ladders on each car. So they were just smacking the cars as they went by like three or four kids. And then when the train passed on the back was a couple box cars. One of the kids who wears a shirt number 23 likes throwing a
lot of rocks. He ran after the train picking rocks up. Boom. Boom. riding until the train's too far away. So, these kids are out of control. They're not just over there making noise and, you know, that's one of the things with they're doing vandalism, you know,
they they took these out, right? So, um we've lived here in our house for 38 years. Um we've called the police numerous times over the years. We don't call them all the time, just when it gets out of hand. And in the last year or so, they basically been telling us, uh we there's nothing we can do, you
know, don't don't bother us, basically. You know, that's why you don't have any calls from us since June 1st because we haven't called. Did they say Did you actually have one of our police officers or somebody's tell you not to call us anymore? No, they told us very nicely that you're
just wasting your time and our time by calling because there's nothing we can do. Period. And they also suggested we don't like it, we can move. Y we've lived in our house for 38 years. They said that. Yes, they did. Is there any way that you can get a video of the kids doing what you were
explaining on the train? You know, I like I said, I just got out of the shower. Well, I mean in the future because Well, you know, normally I can't see the other side of the train cuz our house is across the tracks. They have box cars. I can't see through them, but I have heard
banging when the train's gone by. This time they were flat cars. I could actually see what they were doing. Well, the problem I have with that is my father worked for the railroad and he saw many people get killed and cammed and work doing their job. And what those kids don't realize is there's air pressure on those trains
that could suck them right underneath if they were close enough. You nailed it. And as a kid, my father would, you know, lay into us if we were anywhere near that train or that track when it was going. The engineer who I spoke to told me that all the engineers that run that line are scared to death when they come through
Maple Shape because there's kids all over the track, you know, all sides of the training stuff, hitting it with sticks when it goes by. I've seen it. The issue I have with it now is he's up here and it's been brought to the public. If we don't do
something about these kids and one of them gets killed, it's going to be on us. You nailed it. Maybe the Maybe the parents need to be called. Maybe we need to find these kids and ask their names and go talk with their parents and explain it to them and and tell them what the consequences
are if their child is killed by a train that it's on them now, not us, right? And and document it and send it to Conrail so that we're not on the hook for that because if those kids are doing that, they're not respecting the train. They sure don't respect themselves or
the neighborhood. Something's got to be done about it. I hung out all over this town growing up and the cops moved us constantly when we were kids. We were never in a spot more than 10 minutes before they showed up and made us leave. Granted, it's different times,
but I I have to agree with him. The cops have to get out there and start getting names of these kids. I you know, if a kid gets killed by that train, it's it's going to be on us. So, I assume the trains come every single day. It's one train out, one train back every day. They're even doing it on the
weekends today. And you the kids are there at the 7:00 one mostly. Oh yeah, 7:00. And usually the earlier ones around 2:00 or 3:00 and they're there then too. They're there all day. Had come up yesterday. I reached back out to the police department and just said, "Hey, what's going on?" And Captain Weiss had gotten right back to me. So
now we we've noticed the last three days that a police officer has come up and moved and told him to scatter. Wonderful. And we're really appreciative of that. If you had anything to do with it, sir, because uh you know, we don't want to confront them. You know, we that's only bad for us. You know, we're adults. we
can't do anything about it, you know. But it's late took late on our neighborhood installed. Yeah. Once the new cameras are installed, that will help a lot to be able to identify. Correct. Um but in the meantime, the police department will be upping their uh their patrols there and and maybe make an example out a few
of these kids. Send a message to them because nobody learns unless they're fined through their pocketbook. Find the parents. You know, I'm not saying put them in jail, but you bring that up and that happened a couple years ago. had a lot of value. Well, it's obvious that these kids have no fear of authority. They they told I
know somebody in this room they told to go f himself an adult right to his face. They they approached my wife last night. She wanted to know why she was sitting on her front step last or Tuesday night. She wanted to hear the music from the concert. Yeah. We don't have the answer to these kids that we're doing at our own home. They
accused her of taking pictures of them. Yeah. Okay. So, you know, I mean, well, I do know that some of the police officers are watching because they knew that this was, you know, this was going to be a topic and stuff. So, um I'm sure that they're here. They're hearing. It's very much a a quality of life thing for our whole street. We have some of our neighbors here tonight.
You know, the whole street is up in arms about it. I promise you it will be addressed. I know you did yesterday, Sue. I appreciate that. So, folks, I thank you very much for your time. Thank you for coming up. Have a great night. Thank you. On the other half, I'm Karen Brown at 17 East Broadway. I'm not a Karen. I don't
like what they did to that name my name but I saw on the Maple Shade website it talks about noise and it says no person shall make continue or calls to be made or continued any loud disturbing unnecessary or unusual noise or any
noise which creates a public nuisance or which materially disturbs or is reasonably likely to materially disturb the comfort. the repose health, peace or safety of others.
The noise that I hear and I have the cops basically told us the police officers have said it's there's nothing we can do. There's nothing we can do. Maybe you should move now. They told us not once, they told us not twice, but I was told three
different instances. I've lived here for 38 years. I raised two kids here. I love this town. I've been in Burlington County my whole life, which will be 63 years in December. I It just lets me down. That's a shame to be told.
And and I know eventually I will move. We're getting older. I understand that. But to be honest with you, I don't want some punk, some snit over at the railroad track making me move. ing you out because the town that I have raised two
kids in and we have done quite well and we love this town and the activities in this town is not helping us out. It's failing us. I will say the frustration level, if you can't tell from me, is very high because
I feel like my neighborhood is being taken over. our neighborhood being taken over by these children whose parents maybe aren't watching it like they should. I basically always knew where my kids hung
out. Our son Jeff hung out with David. They didn't always do what they were supposed to do, but we knew about where they were and they knew heads would roll and they would never say to an adult, "F you." which I heard saying Davis
that is atrocious absolutely unacceptable in my book and there's not much more I did hear um I saw that um I get the newsletter Joseph Dennapo I don't hope I didn't I'm
an Irish chick you know it's Italian names but he's patrolling Main Street in the parks is he the one that's going to be patrolling it says he'll be patrolling our main street parks and playgrounds. He's one of our additional Is he going to be the one that's like a
like around? Can he possibly be the one that's like designated? So, we have three We have three different SEOs that walk around our main street and and go down there. We also have our school resource officers that are out for the summer, our for the summer.
So, they're doing some work as well. I mean, there is a fine line with us. You know, I did take some video, but I was so upset when I took the video. It was shaking. Um, and and I heard the one girl in the background, "Are you videoing me? Do you have my permission?" I'm like, "Gosh,
what is this?" You know, Marcus Welby, like like what is this? You know, you're in a public area. I wanted to tell her. I can video you. You're you're they're all biking down the street. They're all, you know, going across the They play at
the railroad station. They play basketball. You guys put a new court down the street. You know where they're playing basketball in the little slab on the side of the railroad station. It's it's it's unbelievable what I have seen. Go. We've seen a
couple with the the kids to make it out. Literally make it out. I'm going see them. Get a room. Get a room in broad daylight. They're just doing it. And they literally do hang there. I like I almost feel like I have no life because I've been consumed
by this. So it worries me. We had a party and our friends that come they parked their cars over this, you know, on the grass there. It's a nice option. I was very worried, you know, does something have to happen
in order for me, you know, and then the police officer say if someone threw a rock at my car and hit, which I do have it in the back of my car and I think it might be from a rock. Uh, we we have technology, but I don't have cameras all over my house. Like, you know, how am I
going to prove who did what? But it just shouldn't be. It just shouldn't be. That's something we hear you. I'm going to go see. Sorry you're going through that. But thank you for your ears and thank you for all you do for our town. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else from the public?
I'll change subject for for a sec. Dictio 605 North Poles Avenue. Uh I believe it was last year or the year before Chuck might remember roughly it was brought about the parking along Main Street time zone because uh I think
Sunny came up with liquor store. The reason I'm bringing it up uh Maple Maple and Maine uh Fontana right alongside has it says no parking loading zone. It's their parking areas. Now, I'm saying from my own vehicle, if there's another car
coming out, it's very hard to turn down there, right? Be part of the fire department like probably do it also. If there's cars parked there and we're trying to get a truck in or out of there, it's impossible. I understand they need to have a loading zone because of what they do and all that stuff
there, but not currently parked there. They're there. I mean, the owners are parked there 3, four hours at a time. It's not It's supposed to be temporary. It's delivery drivers there. Yeah. for the delivery drivers to make their deliveries and they're parking across the street over at Moritzas or down the street and hoping all the way
back up. And that's that's what I assume it's supposed to be for, but it's not being used as that. It's becoming a safety hazard. I've come there going to a fire call one night. There was a vehicle all the way out to the corner that I couldn't make the turn. I mean, it could have been their house I was going to, but I mean it's I go there
for other reasons, but it's just the point of the fact. Yeah, I drive a big vehicle, but it's still a pain. my own vehicle in my wife's car probably never made those terms. So something I know I don't know we ever did with the parking situation when it was brought up years when it was a year or two years ago. I don't remember how long ago it was. If
anything was ever brought up from that or changed from it was something we can look into and try I know it's kind of hard but you got to make it a little bit safer in the intersection. On Marissa's side that is a no parking zone. It's yellow curbs. The other side they're allowed to load and unload there
right. are not allowed to be there for more than 15 minutes. And it's been they've been doing that. I seen the uh car with the trailer the other night when I was going to the post office. It's it's been that I mean, Andrew, you can attest it's been that way for years. Even when when when um Lou had it and
you know, the new owners and all that stuff there. It's still it's a continual thing. So, I mean, it was one car parked all the way up by where the parking area is behind the buildings. might it be a little bit easier if they're all the way out to the street out to Main Street and you get in your car trying to make those
turns. It's bad as it is, especially during rush hour. Um it's, you know, it's going to cause a problem somewhere along the line. I did talk to the police about it. And the night it happened, I was going to a call so I couldn't stop. But by the time
I got back, the car was gone. And I was told that we take a picture of the car with the license plate, they will mail him a ticket. though enforcement the look the cops can't be everywhere I not saying that but at the end of the day you know
talk to everyone and tell them they've been told before take a picture of the car parked there it's very clearly marked the signs there in the curb jail and maybe a letter you know um the solicitor can answer Susan can answer maybe a letter from the town you know notifying them hey this is only
temporary parking it's not permanent parking you know let them know they can't be keep their cars there all the time. I'm going to reach out to our traffic officer and our traffic lieutenant tomorrow and just bring us bring that back up. Okay. So, thank you. All right. Thanks. I'm just going to say Joanne, do you want to come up?
You've been trying to come up for a while. I answered you by that. Cut her off. Uh Joan Mortimer, 39, Lansancy Road. I for one am very disturbed at hearing all
this nonsense at the train station. None of it. There's no excuse for it and something has to be done. This has to be a priority. The neighbors in that neighborhood should not have to put up
with what is going on. My number one priority is always safety. Someone's going to get hurt and we can't wait until that happens. Especially with the trains coming through. I mean, I'm
horrified by hearing what's happening up there. Now, you say you're going to put more cameras. That's great. Okay. You're asking neighbors to identify kids take videos.
Once the kids find out what they're doing, there's going to be retaliation. I mean, I used to be a school teacher, so I'm in tune with all that. All right? You can't ask the neighbors to do everything. The police have to take an
initiative. Is there a law saying that they can't haul in one or two kids? That's all they have to do and the word gets out. In my classroom in September,
I used to call a parent every night, one child. I never had problems for the rest of the year. You have to make an example out of these kids for their own good,
for their own safety. They're going to get hurt. They're going to get hurt. Is there a law saying that the police can't bring them in? Do you know they have to be violating an ordinance or a statute of some sort before the
police can arrest them? Okay, then we need to make one. There's your solution right there. You need an ordinance. Years ago, the police hauled one or two kids in. My son was one of
them. Believe me, that was the first and the last time I ever went to the police station. The parents have to be aware of what the kids are doing. So, if you need an ordinance, there you are. There. According to the police, they repealed
that years ago. The 2C ordinance. Yeah. which is a which is unfortunately you cannot bring a juvenile in under a 2C ordinance unless what you cannot you cannot touch basically that's it you cannot bring a juvenile in under a 2C ordinance which would basically be passed a couple years ago by the government that's correct right Ellen
so you can't make an ordinance no saying that the police can bring it because then they'll sue us that we we can't we we're not allowed to do that we have freeholders don't we don't we have freeholders over there Contact the free state law.
It's a state law. Contact everyone going right up the line. It's a state law. And tell them that the kids in your town are going to get hurt because of this law. And you don't want to see it happen. I mean, if it can't
work here in the town, you go to the county. If it doesn't work in the county, you go to the state. You don't stop when it comes to the safety of people. You don't stop. You just
don't. Another thing with the kids is riding these electric bikes. They need to be stopped. If they have no helmets or they're doing something wrong, they need to be stopped. Maybe
don't hold them in. All right? But they need to be lectured about what can happen. And like I said, safety has to be number one. Number two is the train station. This is one of the last
historic sites in our town. We don't want it ruined. I mean, the Boy Scouts helped fix it up. The Rotary Club put a new roof on it. That train station was in very good condition. No, it was Main Street.
It's one of our last historic sites. So, please, whatever you have to do, do it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else from the public? On your birthday. Really? Yes, absolutely.
Happy birthday. Um, I'm Emily 453 Alexander A. You're welcome. I'm sorry. Your last name Wallace. Thank you. I knew it, but it had not been Yeah. What was your address again? I'm sorry. What was the address again? Uh 453. Uhhuh. Alexander App.
Okay, great. Um so just want to um say uh as a formal formerly atrocious and problematic teen. Um I just do want to say uh that the last part of the teen's brain that develops is the rational part. And part
of growing up is pushing limits. And um that's why they call it growing pains. So maybe it's worth like organizing a group to meet the kids where they are at the high school in the fall and talk to them just before we jump to criminalizing any uh
teen behaviors. Okay. I can tell you that Steinhower Elementary School has a piece in their curriculum about train safety because they're right there next to the tracks. Now I was on the board of education. I knew that that was there. So, um I think
it's not the high school kids. Okay. It's the ele it's the middle school kids which are I think you don't see you don't see the high school kids there, right? It's not high school. Thank you. Thank you.
Anybody else? All right. Seeing none, can I have a motion to close? So, motion Second. All in favor? I All right. Moving over to staff and professional comments. Councilman Simson, we'll start with you. Nope. Nothing.
Um, my condolences go out to um the Woods family. Um, I don't know if anybody heard, but uh, Lisa Woods passed away last weekend and, um, the arrangements are at Tilman's. It's on his website, uh, Sunday and Monday. Uh
Mike and Lisa were a big part of this community and she struggled and heart goes out to them. That's all. Okay. Thank you. Want to go next? Sure. Go ahead. I'm happy to report there's no more graffiti at the
Still now we have broken lamps. Yeah, the lamp was broken. I noticed that. I haven't down there lately because it's been too hot to walk. So, uh but the last time I was there, there was no graffiti. Uh DPW does an excellent job of maintaining that park. It's really good. Um the other thing
I'll mention is that um the sec the first Tuesday in August is National Night Out. I don't know what the date is. Yeah, the 5th. And uh so that's that's that thing we have each year here. Uh this year I think it's going to be at the at
the high school uh because of the potential weather. So, uh, it was last year actually we had to move it inside inside school last year because of weather. So, it's free. Everything's free. It's a good community event. Um, so I would encourage you if you have not
been to one that you go to one. You'll see all sorts of uh community partners there and uh it's run it's run by uh uh the police department and it's actually it's
a national thing now. settle back. We always try to do up a nice a nice thing for it. So you mark that date on your calendar. Something you is worthwhile to go to. So thank you. You're up. I'm up. Uh, I'm I just want to talk about the
heat because, you know, cutting my grass and being out there in the blazing heat with the humidity, you know, I just want to make sure all of you are aware that you're putting yourselves in in danger by, you know, you have to drink water. You have to, you know, do things
methodically. Don't overdo it. Uh, we're not getting any younger. And even it doesn't even matter if you're young. The fact is it's very debilitating the sun and the humidity that we're experiencing with with this climate change. You could see a huge difference. I know I I can
and I'm sure you can also. But, you know, try to be really safe. Check on your seniors. Make sure the kids are aware of, you know, that they're in danger also, you know, with this situation, uh, with the heat because it is debilitating. So, I, you know, just to reach out to everyone.
Okay. Thank you, Terry. No, thank you. I'll wait for my report. Okay. Down. Okay. I don't have anything. Just um echo condolences for the Woods family. Uh moving over to all business operations. Great. Thank you. I have uh because it's
been a month, I have a little bit to to go through, but I'll go through very quickly. Uh first, I want to have a uh send out a huge congratulations to Jessica Heaton. As I shared with you all today, Jessica's uh successfully passed her CFO exam. So at our next meeting, we will officially make change her from our
acting CFO to our official CFO. So that's definitely a feat in itself. Um there's been continued coordinate coordination with department heads to monitor our mid-year budget performance. We're tracking in uh right where we should be. Preliminary planning for the 2026 budget cycle is underway. The CFO,
Jessica, and I uh will be presenting to council our capital budget for this year at the August 14th meeting. council, you'll be given recommendations prior to and once we receive everything from bond council. We've been working with them. Uh master plan discussions have begun. As you are aware, the township will need to complete a re-examination of our
master plan in 2026. And also council was asked to consider the possibility of going to one meeting per month. And I didn't know if anybody had any comments on that or wanted to consider that. Well, the only thing I would say is that maybe for the balance of the year
because we only have one in August. August, November, December. One in November, one in December. So, you only have two months where we would have two. Um I don't know. Definitely something we can try. Yeah, I think at least for the balance of the year and then if it works, great.
If it don't, then we go back to our res. Yeah, you don't have a problem with that. So, are we changing the dates or are we doing the Yeah, I would go Well, in my opinion, I would go to the middle. The middle the middle is that way you got fairly fairly good balance. So,
that's the third Thursday. Is council all good with that? I'm good with it. Okay. So, we will put out a calendar with the dates tomorrow just to everybody can see the third Thursday. Okay. Uh moving on to public works and some road improvements. Construction on
North Fork Landing Road and Yokum Avenue. Sidewalk curve improvements began this week with anticipated completion within the next two weeks. Next week, uh Fork Landing will experience a road closure while trees are addressed. So, it's part of the reason um this week I know uh Mr.
Zeratnik had asked me if they were done. They're not. They did the school this side. They were they're going to have a big crane. The road has to be closed. Take down one of the trees there. Um so, we'll work with with everybody through that. Uh notice to proceed as of August 4th has been issued for Front Street from Fork Landing to Styles and also on
Alexander Avenue. That project is anticipated to last 90 days. And you may have seen uh what you thought was um DPW laborers, but they were in orange shirts. Those are actually our summer clean community laborers. They are out and about cleaning areas of town. They're working on graffiti removal,
trash abatement, and some street signing as well. Uh public safety, this evening, council did approve the hiring of two new police officers who will attend the Gloucester County Police Academy on August 4th. I had the uh the pleasure of meeting both of them, two young kids.
It's they're getting younger, so it's uh crazy. They're babies, but uh they'll they'll definitely serve us very well. Additional SLEO coverage has been assigned to various locations in town as we heard as we were talking about the train station. Also here to the municipal building to address several issues that are uh related to juvenile
mischief. National Night Out was just expressed uh and just talked about that's just around the corner 5:30 to 8:30 at the high school. And on the recommendation of Fire Chief Simon Sack, I have offered a part-time employment to one firefighter. This will bring our numbers to two full-time, which are
still the two that we had, and our part-time numbers to three. So, two full-time, three parttime. Ongoing enforcement of property maintenance violations throughout town and coordinated outreach to the landlords and tenants continue. Uh, still finding a lot of rental, long-term
rental properties um that are not registered. We also want to remind residents that grass clippings should not be blown into the street and left there. Not only is it a safety hazard for motorcycles and bic bic bicyclists, it violates storm water regulations in our township code. Our new community d
of development director is here, director of community development, Kyle Wagner is here. Um he is reviewing ordinances and is recommending amendments based on current codes and regulations. Uh one is uh the next proposal that we will making to council for implementation of a certificate of
occupancy program. This program will give the township the ability to regulate and enforce occupancy standards for public health and safety within the township of Maple Shade. I didn't know if you wanted to elaborate a little bit on it or that's about good. That's good. Okay, there we go. Um, also the hen
committee met. I had promised everybody that uh they finally I got heard back from everybody. They've completed their review of the revisions to the formerly proposed backyard chicken pilot program. So that's the ordinance with the revisions in there. I will send it out electronically as well. Uh the hen
committee would like to move forward with their introduction at the August meeting or have council move forward with it. I am asking that you review the proposed revisions and provide any feedback to me by August 8th. Recreation and community events. Summer recreation programs are in full swing uh
and they're very very active. Our attendance remains strong. Currently the recreation director and I are looking into starting mini camps uh for when kids are out of school and on break. These mini camps would not only provide an outlet for our K to8 student population, hopefully get them away from the train station as well, um, but also
provide part-time employment to our high school students. More information will be coming in the next couple weeks. Yesterday, the state of New Jersey hosted a free New Jersey property tax relief filing event. It drew over 40 residents, so it was very well attended and uh seemed to be very wellreceived.
Our con concerts in the park continue throughout the summer. Please check our web page and Facebook pages for more information. Uh then the township has the opportunity township has the opportunity to apply for another green acres grant. Uh wanted to know how council would feel possibly about
woodlon park improvements um with possible lighting, parking, fencing upgrades and maybe even a redesign. This would be a phased project over the next several years. You mean the sports complex? Sports complex. Parking. Parking is one. Yep. That would be
parking design. Absolutely. We had a 10-year plan before. We definitely need to look at it again. Absolutely. So, if council is okay with that, then uh we can start working on that green acres grant. Yep. Absolutely. Great. Little bit about our finances here. Our current tax collection rate is
at 98.44% on track with our projections. So, that's an excellent uh collection rate. Our departmental budgets have been reviewed on a on continue to get reviewed on a monthly basis. And currently, all departments are either at or below the projected utilization rate for this time of year.
This is uh this one's difficult to swallow. The review of healthcare premium forecast indicates a significant increase. I had shared that with you. It's 36.5% this year from the state health benefit system. Um there are ongoing discussions that we are having with the state and
other agencies and regarding ways that we can come up with strategies to mitigate this. Um this type of increase is unsustainable. So both from, you know, a municipal standpoint, from our employees standpoint, from a state standpoint, um our employees have been
made aware of the efforts to find a more affordable plan. But again, right now we are at the mercy until I can get our claims experience uh completely reviewed and in our hands. CFO and I met with the utility engineer earlier this week and we discussed the possibility of using IBAG I bank funding for which offers
principal loan forgiveness for certain projects. We're looking to use that funding to help with various utility infrastructure projects including the potential contaminant mitigation that is ongoing throughout the country carbon filter project and the Kings Highway plant. And as you all voted on earlier,
we did have our annual audit exit comp uh conference that was completed. There were no findings reported and we only had minor routine housekeeping items that we had to do. And then legally and under risk management, we are monitoring the New Jersey Mel's appeal regarding the $21 million jury award that was
given to Hadenfield storm over storm water litigation. Um that outcome could impact liability exposure for all member municipalities. So that's another very uh let's think about other ways that everything's going to raise. And I just wanted to make one comment. Um, not even
one comment, one very brief statement. Um, that for some it might be lost on, but after very thoughtful conversations with a trusted friend of mine who shares many of the same values that I do for this town, I think it's time that I share a few words. I'm not saying this out of defensiveness, but out of
commitment to clarity, leadership, and the future for Maple Shade. It's no secret that the relationship between myself and Mr. Simon SEC has been marked by differences in perspective and approach. However, as a public servant and the township manager, my responsibility is to set aside conflict
and focus on what truly matters. The success and well-being of Maple Shade. I have always believed that respectful discourse and diverse viewpoints, even when in opposition, can be productive when rooted in a shared commitment to serve this community. While our past
interactions have not always been easy, I remain open to moving forward in a constructive and solutionoriented manner. My door is always open and I am willing to work collaboratively with Mr. Simon Second, every member of this governing body to ensure that the business of Maple Shade continues uninterrupted and with integrity. The
residents deserve leaders who can rise above discord, remain professional, and make decisions based on facts, fairness, and the best interest of the township. I promise I will continue to do just that and I will continue to lead with professionalism, to communicate with honesty, and to prioritize the long-term
stability and progress of our community above all else. I'm not willing to lower the standards that we set for ourselves as public officials. And I expect all of us to work together through self-con through selfconstant evaluation and forward thinking to make Maple Shade the very best it can be. And that is my
promise to each and every one of you and to you, Mr. Simon S. Thank you. That's all. Thank you. Are you awake over there? I'm here. Uh, good evening, mayor and council. Good evening. Um, so it's been a few months since I've
been here. It's nice to see everybody again. Hope everybody's well. Um, before I start, I want to give a quick thank you to the uh, Maple Shade Police Department because a few weeks ago, I was in town and I was doing taking photos for your grant application. And
on my way home, my my fuel pump decided to die on the right hand lane of Route 73. Oh boy. So you were the problem with the traffic. It was me. Yes, I was that guy. So he, you know, they arrived quickly and pushed my car off the road. So I'm
thankful for that. Um so quickly on the report, um the annual report for the storm water, we we did submit that. We're waiting for certification. Um, on the, uh, the second item, um, I didn't write anything, but I'm going to, um, say something about it. Um, about a
month ago, I attended a online seminar on behalf of another township in Bron County, um, that was put on by NJC and the Ruckers Cooperative. Um so they've been doing a lot of work uh on this type of for the r for the rancokus creek
wershed and um there's data available um which can be used in the for free and they're going to provide that to any town in Burlington County for free. Um so that will help to get these three reports done. Perfect.
Um moving on to Cutler Avenue. Um so I before the meeting started I looked at the consent agenda and I saw that there's uh improve improvements proposed in um Buttonwood Park. Right. Correct. Um so I wasn't aware of that. So um I did talk to Miss Dansen briefly before
the meeting and asked her if there's drainage improvements and she said that she thought that there might be they're being added yes to that. Um, so, um, yeah, I think we're going to have to have further discussions then because you know what, just videoing that pipe might might not be any sense to doing
it. And frankly, that pipe is undersized anyway. You know, um, you know, we could potentially line it, but it's a 6-in pipe, you know, so it's probably not the long-term solution. Um, there's no easement there. So, um, you really, you
know, in the long term, you do want to put whatever whatever we come up with as a solution in a proper easement, right? Um, now going through people's backyards and the the sheds that are all there, that's problematic.
Potentially something could be directionally drilled a pipe. Um, it's not ideal to directional drill a gravity pipe, but, you know, probably could be done. Um, now and and you know, Again, I don't since I don't know what's going on
with the park, you know, we'll have to work together on that. So, what what has Gohead? Go ahead. No, no, go ahead. What has been done with Cutler since the last time you were here? Just solicited quotes for from uh video companies. I haven't gotten quotes back yet. Oh, yeah. We're waiting for quotes. Okay.
Yeah. So, um you know, so um so, uh um um Mr. Hawaiian went out there. I mean, there was a there employee had a conversation when he was out there that there was potentially another inlet in the backyard, but apparently there's not. Okay. Um, so after we determined that, we were
back to kind of square one. Um, back to videoing the pipe, trying to figure out what's causing the blockage. Um, you know, if it was roots or something like that would be pretty simple. You cut the roots out and, you know, potentially line the pipe, but again, it's a 6 inch pipe. So, um
it's not going to give you um you know pro probably the proper drainage in the long term anyway. Okay. Um so further further discussions u with the manager. Um Thomas Avenue. Um so we did submit
two grant applications. Um and um we're keep our fingers crossed that you get um a lot of money because it's going to be an expensive undertaking. Um, now that said, I mean, you know, I threw the whole kitchen sink
at the at it, you know. Um, so depend upon how much money you get, might, you know, we'll try to scale it back, right? Um, the all stop control there's I mean, you just um adopting the new ordinance. Um,
again, we submitted the grant applications. Um, the storm pipe um at Broadway and North Fork Landing um Yeah. So, um, public works did, uh, find that there was a, um, an old manhole
buried. Um, you know, our office had tried to find it. We couldn't find it. They did find it. Um, so it's 80 ft from the the the manhole on the other side of the road. Um, I mean, I think we should just u open, cut, and replace it. Um,
and I would recommend that we replace the manhole at the same time. Um, because it's um, it's brick and it's um, you know, it has to be brought to grade anyway. Uh, so we can uh um I've got to submit a proposal to to Susan for that
or I'm sorry, Mr. Stansen. Um and uh we we'll go from there. Um may I it probably might be under the the bid threshold. So Okay. Um we might be able to do it is now 55,000. So that's good. Yeah, with quotes. We might might be able to do it with quotes.
Um and then um the last item was a new item. Um um Miss Dansson had asked us to submit a proposal for doing the balance of North Koh's Avenue. We had a project a few years ago and um so I just submitted that proposal today. So um
obviously she hasn't had time to review it yet. Why not? I looked for the price. I did see the price. That's the first place I went. But has uh has the Kohl's Avenue thing been engineered the last time? Was it in phases?
It was in phases. Um, so we we didn't um so there's I guess one of the um um I I gave the proposal as a base bid and an alternate bid um because there's a part of it between Wood Haven and Park I think it is that um there's no curb on
one side of the street and in order to put curb at sidewalk on that street on that side of the road um we think we'll have to reconstruct a portion of the road instead of militate it um because um you would the curb's going to go up,
right? And that you won't be able to drain out from the property behind it. So, the curb's going to have to be go down, right, to to match the existing grade um of the land behind it. And so, now the street's going to go down a little bit. Um so, we got to um you have
to you have to do a reconstruct to do that. Between what two streets? Uh Wood Haven Wood. We don't have one. I'm sorry. Apologize. That's all right. I know that we have a new street. It's the bend that was it was and we ran
out of NJOT money the last time and tried to work it out with the contractor that we could do the pave and it just it didn't come to fruition. So, we'd like to finish that portion. Is that all? That's it. Any other questions? Yeah. Did you see the pictures or see uh
what's across the the piping for the storm? door over on for planning road. When they had that open when they were doing the force main I did not see I saw well I saw it and I just before we go repairing for clanning road I think
we really need to address this and take it out. I don't think lining is going to be the issue line. You know the people that were there were talking about lining it and I don't think that that's a good idea. Yeah. Um,
so right now is there a manhole on both sides that can be tied into there is just to just so that we can fix that problem and fix the road permanently and then you know later on go down from both sides of the manhole on each side.
Correct. There is. So that was the buried manhole. Um, you know when we went out there initially we saw an inlet across the street and like where's that inlet go? That's the piping from that in. And so, um, we tried to, um, I said my I sent
our inspector out. He looked up the pipe. It was kind of hard to see, but was, you know, then he took out metal detectors. He couldn't find it. Probably brush just dug down and they found it. So, it's 80 ft between the two manuals on either side of the roof.
Okay. Anything else for engineer? Good. I'll tomorrow. Okay. All right. Um, and Mr. Councilman Radnick has to go, so we're gonna excuse him. Yes, I have I have Excuse me. All right, moving over to the BEDC
report. Okay, the business and the economic development committee met on July 15th. Uh we got a lot of things uh worked out there. Committee updates are the paper installation will be scheduled for the 100th block of Main Street in the upcoming weeks and uh proofs were
approved and the order will be placed into process once the papavers are confirmed and with payment. Uh they also voted to move forward with the new digital platform with CMI legacy. The platform is designed to modernize how
municipalities and organizations manage memorialing memorial programs, fundraising, and community community engagement. A new way to look at things since we're all on the cutting edge now. Uh community development director Kyle Wagner joined a recent uh meeting,
subcommittee meeting, and shared his strategies and plans to help streamline processing for incoming businesses. In support of his efforts, uh the committee will shift their focus towards increasing the visibility of business resources and exploring potential design
standards and streetscape improvements. Student designed artwork is planned for the trap bridge which goes over on Route 73. We probably go under it all the time, don't realize it's there. And that will be that will be worked on. Uh
and the Let's see. And there will be possibility a mural at 8 North Fork Landing Road which is under consideration and we have professional quotes on uh on that and we'll see what happens because it's a little costly but u other misers on
paper projects are also in development. Uh the commission approved plans to move forward with the maple shade color run and this is very exciting for our community. Uh this this color run is for the arts. It is scheduled for September
27th and we will share more details very soon. And we are inviting of course all residents, families, sport teams, sports teams, community groups, individuals, local businesses to take part in this exciting new event.
Uh we it'll be followed by an afterparty in the municipal building and proceeds will support local arts initiatives including public art installations, student art programs, cultural events and community beautifification efforts.
Uh our next meeting is September because we're taking off uh for August and that will be on the 16th. So that's my report. Thank you. Moving over to Sy. Yes. Uh our last meeting was on July
1st. Um we had three applications come in. Two of them being out on Route 38. Uh the first one was uh um the pad site behind the Waw Wa on 38 Lenola Road. Um
there is a corporation that's looking to put a uh car wash up there. um they presented a you know concept of what they wanted to do um and there was a lot of discussion uh about this zoning
development and if they were you know permitted that use. So, uh, the engineer, the township engineer is going to be working with them, um, to check out all the things and the questions that came up. Um, and after those
answers have been obtained, they're going to, uh, you know, come back to the plan or to the site board so that they can, uh, you know, have more discussion with us. The other one on Route 38 is the existing, uh, car wash, finish line, auto spas.
Um they're looking to uh open up the building, but they want to make some changes as far as lanes. Um and the property is very very uh so there was suggestions that were you know put out
there that they looked into um and again a lot of discussion and they're going to be going back with their engineer to make some changes and then come back to the uh site board uh when they make those changes. And then last was uh um
11 West Main Street. Um the Anteneellis uh were up here um trying to get uh some clarification on a uh resolution that was passed by the planning board um in
regards to uh the dumpsters at the building. Uh the township had passed an ordinance uh I think it was in 17 um about businesses having their own dumpsters and having enclosures around
them. Um and things are starting to get enforced now. Um and there was some discussion uh with those people but uh there's there's going to be some kind of issue coming down the road. You know Susan was at the meeting. We talked
about a combination uh dumpster system in the parking lot where uh they would just pay us um because there's not a real lot of room up there. So I believe that uh that they're going
to be moving on to the planning board. I don't know if they filed their application yet or not. Site plant first, right? Site plan. Site plant. Okay. Yeah. Kyle had gone out. Yeah. Well, I know Kyle and our engineer were supposed to be going out there and looking at it. So, um, so that's the
three that came in. Um, and regards to your statement earlier, uh, Susan, um, thank you for that. There's a lot of people that think that I'm angry, and to a point I am, but most
likely it's more frustration. Um, I've lived in this town my whole life. I've dedicated 43 years to the fire department servicing with asking nothing in return. And I want nothing best for this town, too. Everything that I do is
looking at dollar cost averaging, what we're getting our best dollar for. All right? You know, mitigating liability, protecting you, too. You know, it may seem, you know, the things that I bring up here putting on record, but they're in your best interest, too, Susan,
because I don't want this board and you or the rest of the township employees suffering because we didn't address something. And and I think open public talking to all the people of this town is very important. I I ran on certain
things and I'm not going to deviate from them. And anybody that knows me knows that I have the best interest of this town 100%. And I want to work with you there. You know, what happened happened and that'll pan out and solve itself or whatever the case is going to be. I I
can't look into a crystal ball. But there's no reason why we can't talk to each other and have a conversation and come to a common good for the township. You're here. I mean, you know, it could be done nice. It could be done nasty.
can be done a lot of ways, but I think conversation with all of us is important because that conversation breeds ideas and everybody has ideas and if we're not listening to the people and ourselves, we're not going to come out to a good
outcome. And at the end of the day, I know a lot of things. I spent my life in constructions, the roads, the infrastructure. I'm well aware of the infrastructure and its problems. I've been dealing with it for 40 40ome years in the fire department. It affects our
ISO ratings, our insurance. There's a lot of things that go into that infrastructure that people don't realize that I do. And the sooner we start making that change and investing in the infrastructure, we're going to be better off because
then our ISO rating will go up. And when that happens, our insurance comes down. And it's not a one-year thing. It's a lifelong thing. Plus, it also provides the safety to the people of this town, which is something that's important in my mind for everybody. People that work
here, pass through all of that. So, thank you for saying that. I I think it's time that we all work together, all of us, and and get past all this and do what we came to do, the stuff for the township. Look, people aren't going to like me, and that's fine. They don't
know me, you know. So, if you really want to dislike me, that's fine. But come talk to me. Ask me questions. You know, I'm I'm not a terrible person like I'm being made out to be by a group of individuals. I'm just not that
person. I love this town. I've been here my whole life, like I said, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for the long haul for this this position, too. And being that that said, I did promise everybody last last time the uh
paperwork, I'm just going to pass out the resignation letter, the acceptance letter, and again put it on record that whatever happens with the ordinance with the township when it comes to the fire department. Whoever spread rumors that I'm going to take over the Independent
and and uh become chief again is insane because at the end of the day that ship is sailed. The fire department is something that I love and spent my life doing and it's a life journey and sometime in the future when I'm done here I will go back to that department
to service the people of this town because I love doing it. I don't want anything in return for it. So, thank you for reaching out and I know that you've been working on things that that you've been trying to get done before and I think those things are going to get done
this time because I see a vision for this town. I truly do and it's not a bad vision, it's a good vision. So, thank you. Thank you. Moving over to the green team, sustainable. Um, they don't meet over the summer, so there really is not much.
Just at the farmers market is next Friday, July 25th at the Gazebo Park. Uh, new business. Anybody else? Andrew, go. So, I know that we had a meeting about
the, uh, nursing home. Um, I really just want to see where that's at. I I know that the building's starting to have issues with, uh, you know, alarm calls. Um, I know the last time we were going to have another meeting with with uh,
you know, the board. Um, but I just wanted to see if if anyone reached out to that um, where we're at with it because uh, you know, my vision of that project was just to take it, you know,
it's it solves the problem of the cars on Fort Cleaning Road. The biggest thing is the safety for our children. It puts everything on that property. It gives the school the ability to put this buses back there and get them away from the
high school and segregate that. Um, it gives them the access to put the outuildings that they're looking for. Um, so I think it's very important that we try and move forward with it. the school board has has money set aside
that they can uh you know reimburse us. You know, the idea was to take it because we have the ability we have a little bit more clout than the school board does. It's a win-win across the board. The neighbors don't have to worry about traffic anymore. Um the police
don't have to worry about it. and we take the building, knock it down, cap it, put it back to land, and turn it over to the school board, recoup all our money. Um, and it's a win-win for the township people, the the the residents
of the town. Um, it gets rid of that problem that we've had, and you're well aware of all the issues down there. That building's not coming back, and before a developer wants to take it, we need to act as soon as we can to get it done. So, if it if it's a matter of not
meeting with them and us just moving forward with negotiations for getting the building, then I I really think we need to move forward and and and not waste any more time on it. So, my suggestion is going to be that we put this on uh August 14th agenda so
council can have a further discussion about it. All right. Um I can just give you a status just a brief status of what we've done up here. We have been able to make connection with the people that are going to be the decision makers. So, we've been working with them, too, because as you know, we've had the alarm issues over there. We've had it looks
like we probably have squatters. So, they have Yeah, they're breaking into the building now. Um, so those things are um are there. Um, but yeah, I think that we put this on for the next agenda under and it can go still go under it can go under new business still because we'll have a discussion at that time. It'll give us some time, Ellen, to be able to reach
out at the school, see where they are, um, you know, and then, uh, bring everybody together to So, we're going to proceed by making them an offer or we're going to proceed by eminent domain. Well, in order to do the eminent domain, you would have to have you have to go into success. You have you have to go into good faith negotiations. I believe
that's the wording. So, um, we can definitely do that and we get the some more names and really see where the school district is as well on it. So being that that was said and these are just new business items for me that you know we can have discussions with later
on but you know there was some thought about maybe having the arts council down there. Um there the Wells Fargo building is sitting up there. That would be a perfect site for the uh arts council to
exist. Um, so the arts council is going to be at the next township meeting. They want to come up with all the positive things that it's going to benefit it. Um, and in the meantime, you know, they had looked into buying the bank, but um
or the donating the bank and and Wells Fargo basically said no way. However, um just like when we obtained the ground from Garmar, we put an offer in and they accepted it. You know, maybe that's something we do. I mean, I know that
that would have been nice down there, but that would have cost a lot of money. It was off the beating track. If if we had that arts council in that building, that benefits the town with business, you know. Um, and the way the arts council described it, you know, there
might be a way that we can recoup some of that money cuz somebody's always looking for a home. I think we have an opportunity here to be the premier arts council and everybody come to Maple Shade for that uh with that building existing because there is no other place
around here where kids have that outlet. And you know, I I think it would be a great thing. We have all the other sports and you know, that kind of went by the wayside. So, council are they their own to my understand their own their own 501c3 right like they're not connected with the municipality
and it's more of a regional thing than it is a a town to town thing they're very well interconnected throughout South Jersey um so I'm just bringing that up and then I know we're moving forward with the you know the design and
things for Buttonwood Avenue uh the park but I think it might help that we have some kind of meeting and and the the people that are in that neighborhood, send out something for them to want to come up here and discuss it before we
finalize all that. Um, and try and ease their concerns. Th this is the people's town and, you know, again, it's a suggestion. I I think that, you know, once they start doing that design, um, we can capitalize on it and, you know,
try and make everybody happy. We're not going to make everyone happy all the time, but we got to at least try and, you know, get threequarters of the people happy. And uh the the last thing, um I know that I talked to you uh and brought up
the the issue with the uh car for the um for the road department, and I know it had gotten lettered, and thank you for that. Um, but I was at the fireworks uh and saw that the fire official's car
isn't marked either. I if that could be addressed, if you could help me out with that, I'd appreciate it. So, the fire official actually we just got a new we had purchased a new one. That's why we didn't letter that one, but that one will be lettered because that's gone. We've traded that. Is there any money? And and again, just
because I know, and I'm not picking on anybody or trying to start trouble, but the fire department's cars have been in disarray for years. The fire official, I understand all this from from front to back. The fire
official, in my opinion, does not need a new vehicle as much as the fire department does. The fire department's car, the last command car, is on its last leg. And that's the chief's vehicle, right? the cheese. I think Yeah, I spoke I did speak with
Andrew um this week about it. Well, if you could talk to both of them, then I think that that would be a thing that the fire department could get that car because the fire department is not going to have the fire official do the investigations. It's going to wind up
going through the county. So, I don't know if the fire official takes the car home or what the status of it is, but the the emergency service that is more critical than than the fire official's office needs to be addressed. And I think it needs to be addressed immediately. It's a it's a public safety
issue. It's a life safety issue for the people that live in this town because that car many of times has not started up because of issues with it, both of them. And I know that you're aware of that. So if you could have a discussion with those two entities that I would
appreciate it. Um, and then lastly, just being put on the record, there was an issue or there was discussion about having, you know, a law firm draft up the the uh new ordinance
for the uh for the township when it comes to the fire department. So way back when we had the opportunity and we talked, this was a meeting that you were at to offset the cost of the fire
department. Right now we're paying the chief, we're paying firemen, we're paying inspectors, we're paying the fire official. And our envisionment was for the fire officials office to have dual role people in it. It was an inspector/fireman
during the day. They come here in the critical times. They go out and do their inspections. And if there's a call, they stop their inspections. They go to the call and then they go back to what they're doing. And with the fire officials office being underneath the
fire department, that allows the fire department to offset the cost of those firemen so that we're not spending a fortune on the fire department. the fire department will evolve into whatever it's going to be over the course of
time. But my concern with that is that I've watched Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel take 30 years to evolve into what it is now. And there's a way to get the safety taken care of hands down at a minimal cost to the township's people so
that the taxpayers aren't bearing a ton of weight when it comes to having a fire department that's paid. because right now it's a lot of money that's going out over the road and we could minimize that to nearly nothing when we get down to it if we do the fire officials office
underneath of the fire department. And I'm just putting this on record. You know, I've been quiet about this whole thing and the public safety of this town has always been a priority to me. Always. And what happened happened, I don't
care. But moving forward, the knowledge I have, I think it's very imperative that we all work together to get this done so that the town is safe 100% and that it's costing us a minimal amount of money. And let's see where it goes over
time. Over time, we might not have the volunteers. With the chief being in there now, the volunteers are coming back. So, we have an opportunity here to to to keep the service level that we have up
with trucks getting out on the street, not just one from a paid. I'm talking about all of them up there at a at a minimal cost and still provide the level of insurance, a level of service because again, that that's another thing that's affected with the ISO rating with the trucks going out out
the door. I understand all these things and I know what it takes to get it done. Get it done cheaply and get it done so that the people are safe. And I'm I'm putting it on record that we all start working together. Our our solicitor is the expert when it
comes to this. She's been dealing with this for a long time and she's learned a lot about it and I would like the opportunity for all of us to sit down and talk even if it's one-on-one for everyone to understand try and understand this because it is very complicated. It's very twisted the way
the way it is. So, I get it. But when you understand it, it's not as bad as what it sounds like when you're when you're first being explained to it. So, I'm just putting it out there for for food for thought. Okay. Anything else?
All right. So, I see nothing for closed business. So, have a motion to adjurnn until township council meeting scheduled for August 14th, 2025 at 6:30. So, made second. All in favor? All right. All right. So, everybody