ASA 10-4-6. Notice of the time and place of this meeting was given by way of an annual meeting notice to the Star Curry news and the home news and is posted at Burrow Hall. Please stand for a salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of
America and to the stands one indivisible. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Here >> present. >> Councilman Dodie >> here. >> Councilman Grace. Quinn >> here.
>> Inter Administrator Gist >> here. >> Interim deputy administrator >> here. >> Attorney. >> Okay. Moving down the list. No presentations, no appointments, no proclamations. Introduction of the
budget. Okay. Actually takes the form of presentation tonight. Put it up here. I would expect that later in the week that the individual line by line by line will be up. We should have it back from the
state by then within 48 and if not we'll put up the one that we submitted and then we'll just change the one that comes out. This presentation will be put up there. All right, let's start with some of the basics. What's municipal budget?
It's right there. It's a legally binding document. It's a financial plan. Balances our wants and our needs, our revenues against our uh it's a policy document. They say that basically it is for us because what we
do is that how we run the town is basically driven by the budget and what enables us is good for financial controls. It's a good way to make sure that at the end of the year you can account for prizes. Hopefully, there aren't any, but there
are always some that pop in there. And uh it's a good way to ensure that you're in a good position to be financially stable moving forward unless you have to pay a budget. Of course, we have been very careful to avoid that.
So, let's talk about the municipal piece of the taxes. Everyone still, right? 16% basically for the county which when I was looking back I got to tell you the county is the probably the most significant increase over the past few
years. I remember going back it was probably 10 or 11 was usually kind of the norm and I'll have more to say about that later. All right. So we all know
everything else is what we have here. And some of these there are two words police department. There's an awful lot that goes into all right. We have a fire department. We have the OEM. We have the library. We have sewers garbage. Think
about recycling. Construction and code enforcement compliance. I mean a big one which is probably the last one on the list federal and state regulatory compliance. I can't tell you how much time
do look at everything else. Not every town or burrow has all of this stuff. Florida health, we have a community pool. We have a bunch of recreation programs. senior programs. I mean, there's there's a laundry list and I kind of cobble this down because I want to just stick to
some of the majors. There's a lot of little stuff that goes on that gets on involved with this. I mean, many people around town know that, you know, we have a storm out there going over time. We have snow down there with
over there. He goes down his front yard. So, how do you how do you revenue sources? Number one, property taxes. That's where it all starts from. All right. We have pilot programs. We have state and federal aid.
We have grants and forming That's not that licenses, fines and penalties and local taxes really don't have a heck of a lot of that. license. So we have
all right you have to pay for personnel. All right then we have pension contri payments for police fire which is just only and employee got operating expenses like fuel, utility cost, which everyone
knows about. Okay. Debt service, that's how much we have debt. what we debt service. That's why a lot of times what we're trying to do is reduce the amount. It's like debt consolidation
trying to reduce the amount that you know and sometimes goes away and there's that much less that you have to pay. Um and we'll talk about our debt ratio. pretty good. And then there's statuto
expenses stuff that we don't have and probably talk about the reserve and also don't get a chance and all the rest of that how that
so where we at our budget 26.494 million total expenditure we had an increase of 1.629 million from 2025 and 1,195,000
has to be raised by taxation 3.8% increase only fourenses. All right, somebody same to $1.1 million. I have to tell you guys this would
easily have been overion after Christmas. Okay. a lot of All right. And then they can let us $1,000. They're trying to get it all done now. We're well past that.
Um $575,000 in grand expenses. All right. That shows up as $200,000 staff course. Okay. But I just want to explain that $168,000
inventory. All right. So what wound up happening is that out of $200,000 roughly $30,000 is that we have a we have a staff production. We have fulltime,
but for right now healthare not um 40,000 other insurancees and $40,000 in utility that know how to make that
pumps out there being control and with some of the health coverage savings that we see part of it on the health. How much% on the aggressive side, but we're hoping that we're going to be
okay. All right. Key revenue factors, state aid increase, like we said before, zero. All right. Our efforts with grants, redevelopment, fees and licenses, and the fines and penalties
helped us,000 less. It's a quick slide to say that, but there's a lot of work that goes into trying to get these never been so impressive in our life over the years and you know Associates and Alexa
they've done a good job for us and they they continue to do a good job know and and we look at all the opportunities I know Lenny has a big one out there for about 700,000 that's not the street that's street
so that's that's another big one all right Now these are some important despite the staffing cuts we don't anticipate any that means that people are working harder
and you know quite honest I mean if I say that at least you know shortterm that our our VA and our super job of staying on top of what people are doing where they're going and
you know I think in terms of their followup phenomenal we're addressing problems which is what we're supposed to do All right. This is a biggie. guys won't know. I would love to put in a lot but
I have to tell you. What's the difference? We actually had an article out there. I believe four years that bad. It's just wasn't a good way to do. All right, let's talk
about additions to not all things. Um, our environmental commission secretary, we had to add doing a lot of stuff. So that's $1,500
$2,000 trying to get things going. And and this is a big one. $20,000. What we're moving towards everything else, but there's most of the grant, but $20,000 is our part.
have a multi-year grant that's covers where we're at and our average home value right now is 506 right here. It's hard to read. This means that on our end it's $116
only one part of what we're talking about. I kind of made it a little bit bigger, but I highlighted that one. >> Yes, sir. go through. Can you give the uh value for the $600,000?
It was right. It was right. >> It was next. Next. >> Yeah. I got to see where the back >> 139. >> Oh, there we go. >> There it is. >> 13947 >> a year. >> All right. Now everyone comes in well that means my
tax is going to go up this went up more some houses went up less go from there um for 2026 some went up some went down the town that we had an overall increase of 2.5% assessed valuation which included 3.7
assessed value. All right. You have to look at what to figure out where you're going to wind up. All right. The average house went from 483
to 506. The new average municipal bill If I had to average it out, it's hard to say there, but at the end of the day, it comes out to $268. You know, go back to all those other things.
Everything else comes out. Couple of final points. with it. But we have responsible issues that we have. Look at it. One of the things that does come up,
which is important to remember, what they were doing,000. So every year that they is is forcing that, but that's where it is. But anyway, like I said before, a tough year, but we
can see I mean very difficult for us but surpluses. by surplus. You know, I was going to save this, but
I just want to show you something. And at the state of the state, if I hadn't if I had to explain it, I mean, it left me very disenchanted when I left. All right. One of the reasons it left is that they had
cards and these tra, >> you know, And then on top of it, right now I'm sitting our brains out really is, you know,
that's all I have. Um, that's that's that's the presentation. Uh, I there is going to be a public hearing on that. You guys have a couple of quick questions you want to ask, I'm more than happy to to see if I can handle them. If not,
yes. Oh, do me a favor. Come on up. >> Monica Monica Towns and 120 Barber Place. So, I apologize for being late. So, I probably missed a whole bunch of good stuff that you said posted online very quick.
>> Um, but what what is the surplus total? >> Uh, 1.9 Okay. And so as of this year, we're adding 46,000. >> Yes. >> Okay. And is there a percentage that comes through each year for the surplus? And that's a target every is it a fiscal
year or annual calendar. >> I mean basically what you're using Monica is the surplus at the beginning of the year what you use. It's it's basically it's it's your it's your rainy day fund but the bills don't
come in all even. So you're kind of working off of And again, I apologize. You may have mentioned this, but how often does the burrow need into the surplus? And are there specific um is there a specific protocol or process before you
have to tap into the the um to the surplus? So I just wonder like what the process is for like when you have to use that money and you know how often? >> Well, it's not very often because Caroline hasn't come to us and said we
need to use any. >> Yeah. Like honestly for that it would the protocol would be that the CFO would have to let us know that there's that there's a need for it. there would probably have to be a a either a resolution or an amendment to the budget
and honestly I haven't seen it happen so I don't know I mean when if and hopefully it never happens. >> Yeah. All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Bruce Sanders, 10 minutes Avenue. Um, quick question. Last year, what was our
increased percentage wise? You remember, so an extra 1%. I thank you for all the work you guys have done. I can't imagine trying to put together a budget stuff. So, um, we What kind of pressure can we put on
the state? I mean, I'm sure everybody's trying to put pressure on the state to do something more. Is there anything there? >> Yeah. Don't vote for them. >> Well, that's a good point. Okay. Um, Middle Sex County, uh, you said and they
are probably spending like drunken sailors as I would put it. Can we put again is this is a don't vote for them kind of thing or can we put pressure on them to >> you you may find that there's indirectly going to be some pressure put on them
>> okay good we got okay okay all right so um my third question um in terms of housing costs did we for 2026 we factored in a
something like what was it 33 3.5% increase in the homeowners in middle sex burrow I know some places in the state were down I know some places >> yeah we're a little we were a little bit higher I mean the the best way to to ask
that or is to send a specific question because I Dawn would be the one she she knows those numbers back and forth >> you know and as far as you know individual like That's that's how it works. >> Okay. So, this is our 30% piece of the
pie. >> Yeah. >> Another close to 60% of the pie is at the school. >> 54. >> Another three or four or maybe 10 is at Middle Sex County, right? >> 15. >> Okay.
>> The school I know what I heard from there, I wasn't at that budget meeting. I don't know if you guys know 7.09% increase, >> right? >> So, you know, 60% of seven, you know,
it's better than I thought. I thought we were going to be at just us in the school a 6.6% increase. >> Well, it like I said before, I mean, there is two parts to that. Part of it's your individual assessment. So, if it went up, you're going up. Yeah. on top
of everything else because the rate will will change. >> You know, >> the are you guys having any input into the school at all? I mean 7% to me they get an extra $700,000 from the state of
New Jersey and they get a 2% automatic increase which is a million dollars on a $52 million budget is what they have. So 7% where's that money going? And I know it's not your responsibility, but is there any input into that somewhere?
>> Um, we we can talk about it, but there's very there's there's very little at that point. I mean, I can tell you from my level, I >> that's that's gone nowhere for the past couple of years. And I'm not I'm not
about the not >> they got they have they have their own issues that they have. We have our own Well, there's things we can do internally to change that, but I don't know if you guys correct. Okay. Um, I
want to thank you for everything you guys did. I know I was surprised with three and a half. I was expecting to be more like six, but I'm glad. >> Like I said, it's 3% 3.8 increase in cost. Depends on your assessment. >> Your assessment went up. The rate is
went up. Uh great 23 23. So the rates that you have now went up 23 023 right >> was 021
I think last year 22 >> right it went up so if your assessment went up you know it's >> but that's only based on right now assuming we did nothing from the state and we're assuming the county >> well it's not assuming we're going to get nothing from the state we're getting nothing from the
How about that? >> We don't know the county. We haven't gotten the county, but I got to tell you, I I hope it holds the 15%. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Byebye. >> Hey Paul, cabbage 240 Hazelwood. Uh just
want a quick explanation there. 3.86% 86% is how much the expenditures are going up. >> Correct. >> And you but you said I'm gathering what I sitting there. >> What what did you say Kyle?
>> Right. >> I'm just having a little trouble with this is um then Bruce was just talking. We said but yes but if your property value goes up your bill's going up more. Everybody's property value is going up. >> Not necessarily. Dave, >> I mean
>> I mean how at a wall of properties in Middle Sex, how many what percentage would you say probably went down? 5% maybe. >> I don't know. >> Maybe. I mean, so many industrial properties. Yes. But um I'm just saying I I think that the taxes are going up higher. >> Like I said in the before, I I would
tend to think at the end of the day on average people are going to be somewhere >> seven. I >> think maybe a little less, >> right? Bruce was just saying, I don't know where we got the number from, but 7% for the schools, they're facing the same type of issues that we are with health
insurance skyrocketing. Correct. >> So, I would think the effect would pretty much be the same. >> Well, it it to a certain extent, but I wish I had $775,000. >> All right. Thank you. >> Anybody else? Okay, guys. This will all
be online uh pretty soon if well before I any last questions because he is not going to be here at the next meeting. So if anyone has any specific questions you want to ask him while he is here. Boy, you got him off easy. Look at that.
All right. Thank you very much for for coming as as per you guys you guys did a great job in Carolyn. It's it was no easy task to do this. I know definitely working and the committee that that got involved with this because there were there were there were a few times it got
a little curse for lack of a better way but it was absolutely okay >> resolution 119 2026 introduction of the 2026 municipal budget >> have a motion second all Any discussion?
Roll the vote. >> Council President Conahan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Clark. Yes. >> Councilman Denza. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dodie. >> Yes. >> Council Councilwoman Clinton. >> Yes. >> Okay. There you go. Greg, you're off the hook now.
>> All right. Thank you. We do appreciate it. Okay. Let's move on to the ordinances, please. Ordinance number 216726, an ordinance amending chapter 407, article 3, section 4076
of the municipal code of the burough middle sex to include additional stop intersections. >> Have a motion. >> Second discussion on this. >> Council President Conand. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Clark, yes. >> Councilman Denza,
>> yes. >> Councilman Dodie, >> yes. Councilwoman Quinn, >> yes. Okay. Uh motion passes. The public hearing will be 512. Uh next one. >> Ordinance 216826
an ordinance amending chapter 80 section 8016 of the municipal code of Burough Middle Sex to amend the promotions process. >> Okay. I have a motion second. Second. All right. Discussion. Just uh
just cleaning up, please. >> Council President Cunningham, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Claw, >> yes. >> Councilman Denza, >> yes. >> Councilman Dodie, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Quinn, >> yes. >> Okay, last one, please. >> Ordinance 216926, an ordinance amending
chapter 387 of the Municipal Code of the Bureau of Middle Sex, so as to update and clarify certain provisions thereof. Motion >> second. >> Discussion six. else.
>> No, that's okay. No, no, no. Anyone else? So, >> Council President Kan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Cloff, >> yes. >> Councilman Denza, >> yes. >> Councilman Dodie, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Quinn, >> yes. >> All right. We have no ordinances for public hearing and final adoption. The
others are also for 512 public hearing. Adoption of the minutes. approve of the March 24th, 2026 regular meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Right. All in favor? >> I >> Okay, down the list. Let's get over to
the mayor's report. Well, >> I kind of I kind of most of what we spent our time on over the last few weeks, I have to tell you, is the budget going back and forth on that. Um, I talked to you guys about the Middle
Sex County that was also in there. So, kind of jumped ahead on that, but I want to let you know that the other night we did actually have a meeting with the board of ed kind of clear the air, see where we're going and try and make nice and
move things forward. Um Shannon Quinn is is our main representative on this time on this side. Uh that she's going to be uh setting up the next meetings. There's quite a little bit of protocol that has to go into all of that. And uh it was no
easy task, I know, getting them all set together >> and I did my best. >> It only took 35 minutes. >> There you go. It's all It's all it took. That's right. Just getting started. So, outside of that, um outside of that,
that's that that's pretty much pretty much it. I know that as far as the police that they have their uh they have their assessment for their accreditation. I think we're gonna we'll hear back in a couple of months uh how they made out. I have the utmost of
confidence that uh you were not exactly unprepared. I would say that you were probably overprepared knowing our chief. So you find out that's the lucky for me it's something that's been 13 years in the process waiting to come. So
I can't wait. >> All right. >> Day one. Amen. Okay. Um, that's that's all I have for tonight. Um, >> thanks fingers crossed for police
department last night. I was there as well. So, thank you. I am pleased to announce that we have our next pillar award recipient will be
a long time recreation thank you to the entire team for bringing us most challenging fiscal year that I've seen This is
was overwhelming with that 1.1 million increase for uh health insurance. Special thank you but really everything that led the effort but was supported by her team. Obviously breaks here you guys saw
but not only that mayor was he finessed joined us very That was the year the state mandated that also does remember after 36 years we were mandated
that had a huge challenge since and just at our next meeting on May 12th, we discuss amending the volunteer fee waver ordinance that we adopted actually last spring. So that workshop
that also for everyone to please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony have a new business opening rhythm and spiced It's on Saturday the 23rd. It's at 12 noon. It's located 571 road.
Nice job. Excellent job. I know you're here for the March 26 CPR CPR train. I stopped before I stopped by there before another event
full very much. Um on to DPW. Uh DPW completed routine road maintenance and final repairs. Uh they performed several storm water system inspections and drinks. They continued
to brush both waste collection maintenance on our parks fields ground started over the last month. Conducted vehicle and equipment maintenance. So they're actively working on our police squad cars now and they're even working on uh our fire trucks.
There's a lot of stuff there with the fire trucks they can't do, but the stuff they can do as well. Um they completed signage repairs, installed decals. We have two senior vehicles for medical trips and uh
transport. So those two vehicles look great. Hydro raking was done over the last two weeks at park machine out. Um, lastly, our street sweeper is 20 years old and is currently down and has
worked with vendor to get a demo that we can use until the new one arrive next. So, the schedule started for street sweeping by district. So if people don't see >> again it's it's because of that Lenny you're gonna we're gonna be back back up
a couple weeks but >> yeah so I just thank you for what you know thank you for it >> okay very good um just one one quick note I I did want to have on that is you know as part of the budget process we
were talking about tipping fees and recycling And sometimes if you know one of the conversations came up, what are we going to do? You'll see you go by some houses, you'll see five things of garbage every single Monday. We're all out there and then when the recycling comes by, they
barely have a half a can, right? But the problem is we pay whether that recycling can is full or it's empty, the exact same amount. So when they don't recycle and they throw it in the regular garbage, we're paying twice. And that's
stuff that, you know, you don't want to tell people, hey, write your neighbor out. But, you know, it does it adds up. I mean, it's just money down the drain when we do things like that. And, you know, part of the thing that we're going to do over, you know, going forward is that we're going to try and educate people that this this costs us a lot of
money. And this is, you know, everyone's like, "Ah, how much could it be?" Well, it's a lot. I mean, you know, we're paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in tipping fees and everything else. And, you know, no one wants to sit there and everyone will be crying. They'll be the first ones in line when you say you get two garbage cans and anything over
that you're going to start paying. And we don't want to do that. But if people are going to start taking advantage of stuff like that and and not towing the line, we we're going to have to change some things. I mean, that's that's next. I mean, that's an intermediate step before, you know, you go, you just have
a plain old garbage charge, which we really don't want to do. You know, we we have to be smart about what we're doing. Okay. Sorry. Um, Councilwoman CL Thank you. So,
steps. Step four. essentially. unfortunately social security. Thank you, Councilman Senza. >> Yes. U library had a small week with the contracted
But we still have problem with you have to I don't know what happened to the original not there. The sprinklers are complete. environmental May 2nd is cleanup at Mountain View Park
for people sponsored by the American America watershed ambassadors looking for volunteers anybody wants big one everybody's talked about it is the municipal budget
numerous budget reviews council representatives our business administrators the mayor, the CFO, which has passed the 16.991 billion budget of 3.8%
increase over 25 home assets assessed to 500,000. to see if municipal tax increase municip many many many hours where we started I think
A special thanks to our super CFO. We owe these B employees a big thank you for their hard work. Really terrific example pulling together common.
parks. We want to congratulate our new chairperson Amy Thon and Vice Chair Rich Thomasson and offer our support. Looking forward, we're looking for some new volunteers to assist the committee. If you're interested, please contact our
administrators. Oh, temperatures over 55 degrees. It was definitely >> that's all. >> All right. Very good. Uh Councilman Dodie. >> Yes, Mayor. I have a couple of reports I
can go through real quick. Fire departments for March. 24 calls. I don't know if I've ever seen a number that small. 24 calls. two structural involvements.
Uh, one vehicle fire. They had electrical line parking malfunction two, motor vehicle collision two, gas leak, gas 4, fire smoke alarm, nine. That was probably their biggest thing, but I don't know if I've ever seen
years. >> Yeah, we'll take usually up around 50. A couple of highlights in front of me to go over is um 24 calls. They conducted their yearly schedule maintenance on the ladder and hose testing. We also had three recruits
start fire one training at Middle S County Fire Academy. They also took part in CPR reertification training members. Uh on the third they were dispatched to reported fire from a solar panel. Um
they arrived on the scene. They saw smoke on the side of the building. They got it under control quickly and put it out with dry chemicals. Uh March 6, they were requested in Denellan for a structure fire.
We had two units go over there and they were sent to the rear of the structure to advance a hose line into the rear of the building for the seat of a fire on divisions two and three. Five minutes into the assignment, crews were evacuated because the building became unstable. So they were fighting it from
outside and they all they worked uh the scene for I guess a couple of hours what the chief had told me in exactly and then they were released by Denellan and they did we were also on standby for they had
everything they had over there March 17th around midnight they responded to a reported tree down in a residence with live power wires and an active gas. Upon arrival,
they found the gas man to the home had been struck, causing natural gas to vent. They were able to make their way through the brush, find the shut off, and secure the gas. Thank God. And due to the weather this evening, the area was taped off. The utilities were
advised to make service when available. Apparently, the weather was really crap. And there was one resident temporarily displaced on the 17th and 18th. Fire police were request fire
uh requested to assist with a traffic detail on William Street in Blackford due to high winds that came through in the early morning hours. Multiple trees and wires in the area were down mixed with delay delayed response times from utilities working clean up the house. Road blockades were necessary. Fire
police took up positions patrol vehicles helping free up patrol vehicles to respond to emergency. Were you on that? No, I forget. >> Yeah. He said he was there for God hours. never hear nothing about the fire.
a long I also have court report over March 2026 tickets and complaints 249 tickets 17 parking violations 232 moving violations
13 DWIS total complaint activity 13 criminal complaints or something 50 local ordinance violations zero health tickets 45 zoning issues Four court sessions, six court sessions,
three in person, three virtual, 322 defendants, 389 cases deposed this month, seven DWI deposed. Total money's collected 38 44775 and the borrow portion is 22 34867.
Yes, they're trying to catch up. See the numbers holding steadybody that say to Barbara again as usual any event that you do see ahead. So that's why
Y it's a team I know OEM they step up and they they all help you out. They ask about uniforms, everything for all the events. It's crazy. have the meetings and keep her eyes
peeled because I'm sure she's got more in store for this year. >> Um, as far as the budget, I had conversation with you after the fact as you was responsible. We weren't killing ourselves for years down the
line. We've done that in the past trying to fall back out. two administrators for talking to literally every department getting everybody to give
the chair awesome on top of the beginning app. It wasn't easy to do what we had to do. I don't want maybe we can get get the extra soda in them or sell them or something.
That's all I have. Okay. Thank you. Uh here >> hi everyone. Good evening. So the discussion is still going on top of local temporary services that provide
treatments outside and these services are typically marketed for wellness and operate on a basis because IVY is an invasive medical procedures. These services raise
concerns related to patient safety medical sanitation and emergency operation in non settings may also create issues with zoning business
and consumer protection. So the issue is they oversight appropriate public So the next comment is that the committee is working
on an ordinance with her lawyer and then the ordinance would come back to council, but they're still working. discuss there and then I just want to talk briefly that we had the board of ed last
night with the council. It's the first time we met since 2022. Meeting took place conference room from 6:30 to 7:30. like to thank the mayor council president for attending the meeting with me. Um
also like to thank member Jeremiah helping facilitated the meeting. It was more like back to working on relationship forward
and um I think we did clear the and that we can take this momentum and keep working together. Uh we formed the share service committee and discuss communication meeting dates and we're hoping that the next meeting would be in
midair council Carol, I think it's important just go back parts of money back realized this year also council
president when the mayor did that in 2025 wasn't and I work in place on Christmas dayc. Pleasure to go to that high as far as our report this week. New Jersey American Water is in the process.
You want to talk about How many? stepped down. Stepped on it. Oops. Just going whatever. Another PS are supply
52 in 52in caliber utility friendly trees including red trees trees cherry variet contractor location streets
Avenue, Fairview Avenue, Washington Avenue, Orchard Road, Melrose Avenue, Green Avenue, Senate Avenue. Our police department, Middle Sex Police Department is partnering with the DEA to support the National Prescription Takeback Initiative, which is April
25th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Goal DA National Prescription Drug Takeback is to provide local communities with a safe, responsible medications while also educating the
public about open April 25th to bring anything you want to on Saturday. >> We do it twice a year. We'll figure it out. We'll talk. >> There's other locations to their boxes.
Our Middle Sex recreation department mentioned they had their fund on March 28. Really well attended. Children had a great time. They had a petting zoo, a fun games, crafts, Easter bunny recreation park. really did a fantastic job.
I suggest you attend this point to put it on your calendar next year. The environmental commission environmental commission is celebrating special earth cleanup event 9 to 12 p.m.
a lot of nice things. Lastly, the Memorial Day parade. We're going to talk about this as we have it, but it's our 250th celebration. It's be Monday, May 25th. Want everyone to be a part of this special day. Marching parade, create a float, decorate a vehicle, and take part in this. It's a
great way to honor and celebrate our community. Donations and sponsors are welcome. Anyone interested, contact our recreation park at 73235674007 email I I always am amazed by how much
>> seems to get bigger every year. >> Yeah. Each year shows up. >> Set a new record. He's gonna put you over the top. >> Okay. Uh let's move on to the privilege of the floor.
Motion open. >> Second. All in favor? >> All right. Any questions? Come on up. Monica Townsen, 120 Barber Place. Thank you all again for your reports. Just had a few questions. Um I wondered about the
pillar of Middle Sex and how the selection process goes. >> The the selection process for the for the pillar of Middle Sex basically is uh it's the selection process is who might
decide should get a pillar. I I do consult Sorry. I mean, >> kind of mayor's choice. >> It's a mayor's discretion thing. I do consult with with with the members of the council and, you know, basically
they solicit. We talk about it, you know, and it's a volunteer and we basically, you know, a lot of times someone will solicit and you know, right away this is the right way. Perfect. Done. >> Okay. So, there's no nomination or application process. >> No. But if you think you know somebody I
have taken uh nominations from the outside that you know for you know for consideration that has happened. >> Thank you. Um I wondered about the popup IV clinic again. Was that a request made to come
into the bur to do that? Not as right now but this is something we're not for somebody said they wanted to do other >> but thank you
>> and um so one I appreciate that the board and the burl and the council are meeting I'm surprised to hear that there's been no meetings since 2022 um was that the same superintendent in
2022 that we have right now. >> No. >> Okay. And um I imagine the council changed as well, right? So we have new council members and we have new school board members. >> Exactly.
>> Like just a totally new group of >> Yeah. The first it's it's the first meeting of of a larger group. I mean there have been there have been groups that have met. I know the council president been over there and and met with them a couple times. I for sure have had a couple meetings with uh Dr.
Freeman, you know. So, but a first big formal let's clear the air type of meeting expect. Well, this form is also for a specific purpose which is getting a shared service agreement. >> So, will there be ongoing meeting
schedule? Have you all worked out like a meeting schedule to kind of talk about shared services and more? >> Yeah, as of right now we We are going to work through >> No, it is
so mayor. on their side. We have business administrator director Anybody else? Hey, Paul Cage. Again, just uh follow up on last question. Uh at the meeting,
this group that's meeting, it's from the burrow. It's Mrs. Quinn, uh, mayor, Mr. Conan, Chief Gist, who was >> there and then from the, uh, school board, it was, uh, Mr. KS, Dr. Freeman,
business administrator, director of facilities, uh, board member Scheler, board member Aichek, and Michael, I guess, is the director. Yeah, just so you know, Justin and
the director of facilities and chief. >> Yeah, they were not at the first meeting. They will >> but they will be there. >> Yeah, these are the >> Thank you very much. Bruce Sanders, 10 minutes out. Um, we
talked about the budget that you just did. Um, can you speak to any shared services that we've discovered or working on in terms of other burrows in the area?
>> Um, I know we do something with salt and stuff like that. this >> well I mean with respect to shared services we're always we're trying to share more as we go one of the items that we we do share I wouldn't say it's
per say shared service but uh with rescue squad you know we have we have sort of like an ad hoc agreement with them that they get you know because our rescue squad here has such a limited you know window our first ball is the bound
And then it goes to Robert Johnson. I believe that's the right order. >> They were just on my street. Yeah. >> I I gather you guys have benchmarked with other towns and I would suggest You may be using that information to help
pat yourself on the back a little bit. I heard Clemington and some other towns were increasing their budget by 12%. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. So, >> okay. Well, I heard other communities in
the area are as much as 11 to 12%. So, I'm I'm I'm wondering if you guys should in terms of benchmarking look at some other communities. What are they doing in terms of their budgets? And and >> honestly, we try I mean, we have these.
We do. >> Yeah, I'm sure you do. >> We do. I mean, I know one that that their budget introduction is uh that within 10 miles was 23%. You know, uh most of them were 10. There was another one that was 12. And more
importantly, I know like some of our, you know, like we were talking about debt at 7. Uh some of our very close neighbors are at 2.8 or 2.6, uh 1.25. I mean, we're one of the few that are actually under one.
>> You should use that to say, hey, we're doing a good job other areas. >> You know what? We we can do that, but we we we tend to stand on our own record because we're not about other people under try not to at any rate but
>> but yeah I mean in terms of of the other budgets are out there yeah there's a lot worse >> a lot are a lot worse and you know we we we came up with something that's reasonable we're hoping that you know what we really need is we need the state
to get involved and and handle stuff like the health the pensions and and some of the funding formulas because we're at their mercy There's not there's nothing we can do to just give you a number, you know. Um, >> just thinking off the top of my head, is
there anything at the county level that we could use here to look at shared services more? I mean, just throwing it out there, is there somebody that the county level looks at I mean, they're looking at everybody's budget and you know, if you think about it, if you
order things on a bigger picture frame, you get it at a cheaper cost. So, is there anybody at county level looking? I don't even know who to go to. But I mean is there an idea there that >> I mean I mean if you really look at shared services I mean that's the nature
of like these chips and stuff like that. You know it's a community bank all get together they have purchasing consortiums and a bunch of different things like that. I mean >> are we looking into that? Are we state?
I'm looking at you're out, >> Lenny. So can we go across county like to do something? >> You do? >> Yeah. >> So I mean we do look at these. I mean, you know, I can't talk about some of these other ones, but I can tell you
that we we had many conversations that some of these regulations need to change so we can we can be more aggressive on some of the needs that we see, maybe not today, down the road, are going to become a real issue. We want to be ahead of the curve
on that. You know, we don't want to be the last one to party. We want to be the first one because I think that's going to make all that's going to make all the difference. Anybody else? >> Vincent Rouse, 60 Washington Avenue. Uh wanted just to get up and and and say uh
Mayor and Council, I stand before you today to share about our our recent No Kings Rally here in Middle Sex Burrow. And I'm I'm grateful to report that it was a great success and uh not as uh not it was not a platform of hate or division but it was a peaceful and
respectful demonstration and of residents exercising our our right to be heard. Um at its core this gathering reflected a fundamental principle uh the people should always have a voice. Many in attendance came simply to express
their perspectives on how our government is being run. understanding that what happens at a national level often has an impact on local community. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank uh the chief of police and the Middle Sexboro
Police Department. Uh their presence ensured that the event remained safe and orderly. While there were few individuals who attempted to disrupt the atmosphere, the situation was handled with professionalism and the safety of all attendees was maintained.
What stood out most was the sense of community. Families came together. Children were present uh enjoying simple activities like blowing bubbles and making bracelets, reminding us that even in moments of civic engagement, there's
room for unity and joy. Additionally, many uh tubes of canned goods were collected and donated to a local charity, demonstrating that this was not just about speaking, but also about serving this community. This is what
community looks like. People coming together, expressing themselves peacefully, and caring for one another. Also wanted to be clear, I respect differing viewpoints. uh in a community that we live in uh is very diverse and
and that respect must continue to go both ways. Middle Sex Burrow has an opportunity to continue setting the standard as a place where all people are valued regardless of color, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation. My
hope is that we continue to foster an environment where voices can be heard without fear, where disagreements do not lead to division, and where we remain committed to the well-being of every resident in this town. In closing, I respectfully urge this governing body to
continue supporting spaces where civic engagement can occur safely, respectfully, and constructively. Let us remain committed to the principles that strengthen our community. mutual respect, open dialogue, shared responsibility, and the common good.
Thank you for this time. Have a great night. Okay. Anybody else? All right. Thank you for your comments, everybody. Um, need a motion to close. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? >> Okay. Time for the new business.
Resolution 1226 >> authorizing the appointment of Don Gil as tax assessor. Resolution 1212026 authorizing the 2026 municipal budget to be read by title only. Resolution 1226 acceptance of standing reports. Resolution 12326 authorizing
the mayor to execute the marketing and public relations support services agreement positive solutions. Resolution 124, 2022, 2026, temporary emergency appropriations. Resolution 1252026, approval of the reimbursement of $75 to
Planet Fitness 125 Bound Brook Road, Middle Sex, New Jersey for overpayment on their 2025 2026 license. Resolution 126 2026, approval of temporary emergency appropriations. Resolution 127 20226 authorizing the tax collector to
issue a tax title lean redemption for block 50 block 14. Resolution 128 2026 acknowledging the change in status for certain properties under the senior citizen disabled person tax deductions. Resolution 129 2026 authorizing tax collector to issue a tax title lean
redemption for block 99 lot 2601. Resolution 13, 2022, authorizing added lean tax for the cleanup costs incurred from violations of the property maintenance code. Resolution 131, 2022, resolution in support of allocating and securing funding for the Denellan train
station modernization project. Resolution 132, 2022, authorizing approving the reimbursement of late fees that were incorrectly applied to board of health license. >> Okay, we need to p Okay. Motion to approve.
>> Second. Any discussion on these? >> Please. >> Council President Kahan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Clark. >> Yes. >> Councilman Denza. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dodie. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Clint. >> Yes. >> Okay. Very good. On consent agenda. >> Resolution 133 20226. Pay all claims.
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. Any discussion on these? Please. >> Council President Cunningham. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Clark, yes. >> Councilman Denza, >> yes. >> Councilman Dodie, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Quinn, yes. >> Okay. We do have a workshop item
tonight. It's ei Mostly we're not allowed to drive. There's an awful lot. So, but Park has traffic. probably
That's why basically poweric. Most people are left. Now those are the 15. Nice. understand Foreign
Police officers. special needs handicapped. Not very helps. You know, one of the things that I see as a potential issue is that I don't think a lot of these parents have the slightest idea that July 19, 2026 that
their kid can get pulled over for not having an insurance card or the license any of these things that are required >> right I've seen a couple honestly Joe That's not the problem with
the I mean obviously an hour but I think a lot of these parents don't realize you got one of these things that you just bought from Kmart or where you >> Walmart that would be a >> pit
two guys you know but uh you know a lot of these people that buy their kid an ebike that they they either bought online or whatever and they don't realize realize that they need all this stuff and their kid goes take off. He thinks, "Hey, I got you this great birthday present. Oh, by the
way, three days later, the kid does something, you know, inappropriate." Next thing you know, there's one of your guys standing at the door. Oh, by the way, your kid got a ticket for this, got a ticket for that, got, you know, and by the way, you don't have an ebike anymore. We need an education
because >> I know that but you know also on top of it and that's why I do think the education's fine is I don't think these kids realize because how many times and I guarantee You've seen when you pull up to a stop sign, you and your car are stopping and then bikes are just rolling
around the corner doing the jersey slide and that you can get a ticket for that. >> I mean by rights you're they are supposed to obey all the rules of the road. >> So the so the purpose of our ordinance is to do what? in addition to andor
the state laws that are already in place. So we're we're defining where they can ride. So walking areas are going to be just okay. So,
so what are the next steps? Oh, sorry. discuss. responsible offices. I can tell you My son was involved. My son was involved. As a result,
my staff process took money out. We took took responsib case by case. You know, I would suggest that as part of roll out or the information phase that you
utilize our relationship with the schools. I think that's a great place to have them put it on their websites and disseminate it because you know By the way, >> education is very important. Oh yeah. And trust me in my opinion they
need a lot of education because I see break a lot of rules and see more important help games. It's a good place to be by the way. Let's go.
Good. Good. Okay, guys. Um, I'd like to open up the floor for the floor. Motion second. All in favor? All right. Anyone wishing to speak? up. >> It's a question about the
workshop, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, so I just wondered what the kind of mindset about violation And I'm wondering if that is on par with
other based on the address. Um, so I would say the same thing about what what you said, mayor, about the education, and I know chief said the same thing that the education piece is very important. Um, and I understand it's a state law, but we're also making
our own ordinance to make sure that folks are safe here. But I think with anything that that's new and different that there needs to be that education piece so that the community is aware. I agree with you. They're probably not aware by July, whatever that date is,
that they have to comply to, you know, the law. >> Law actually is in place already. >> Okay. So, our ordinance would be July. >> The the law is in place already, but they're basically put >> the state gave it. Okay. Thank you for
that clarification. >> But yes, so I would just say the education piece I think is highly highly important. Um, and to make sure that parents are aware and understand, I would if the if the fee can be adjusted
and come down and then reviewed later on next year and see what the ordinance is to see what the violations look like because I am concerned that, you know, these are young kids who are having the bikes, but the parents are the ones
responsible probably buying the bikes for them. So the fee might be might sound nominal to us but might be a hardship for somebody else. So I would just recommend and consider kind of looking at those fees for anybody that's in violation. But I'm just going to
emphasize again about the education piece. Um what I think is critical for something like I think it was addressed with the station house. >> Yeah. So is it hard? We're not And I also don't want
bikes different kinds of bikes are bikes back in the day, but also right like you said the moped >> and right the Kmart. So I know they're different. Um, I just don't want to be
in the mindset that >> No, we're Listen, we're not here >> criminalizing youth behavior. >> We're not here to to take basically kids and turn them into criminals. We're here to to educate them and try and do the right thing by them. And I think our
our our police are very good at at reacting to that. I like they'll they'll everything's an individual situation. And you know, listen, we've all been there, or at least I have when I was young. You know, the the police
officers say, go home. Don't let me catch you again. Okay, got it. And that would be it. Yeah. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Who understand that?
>> Um I agree. This was the moped of our day. Definitely was a moped of our day. Um, I think the fine fee is, you know, you're saving a life. I've seen these guys on 28. In fact, I provided one of
the videos of the guy on the handlebar standing and doing the, you know, right down 28 right in front of that. If he hit a pothole, he's toast. And it's the car behind him. So, a $200 fine to save a life if it came to $200 in my opinion
is a good deal. Um, thirdly, it is education and one of the ideas I have because you know this is coming up. I think that's a beautiful little flyer. We know that the two hang I could tell you where the two handouts are. Number one, Wendy's. Number two, the shopping
center. They hang out in that area and they're doing wheelies and all that kind of stuff. Oh, yeah. I know the parks are another Oh, yeah. I >> Oh, yeah. >> Two of them. >> Oh, really? Well, I I told the chief the
last meeting coming here, a guy went on Mountain Avenue and from the library or the rescue squad, past the drive coming in, the guy did a wheelie all the way down. I was right behind him. I tried flashing lights. I'm like, "What are you
flashing?" Mirror. So, I'm beeping at him. I'm like, "This is ridiculous." So, you're saving a life. And you're not only saving a life, you're saving an insurance policy. You're saving everything. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, one other thing in terms of the education, I think that's very
important. We have the schools right now in session. You have that flyer. I mean, my thought would be take the flyer, have few cops, hand it out to those guys. If you, you know, an unmarked car, pin it out to them, say, "Hey, just so you're aware, hand it out to them at Wendy's."
Um, you have the schools in session. They have morning announcements. um have the flyers to um marker school and at the high school and doing a morning announcement of what what we're
talking about here before they go back out of school so they're aware of it at the very least. And finally, I know back in my day behind the high school uh football stadium, we used to have trails uh where we used to take the
bikes and I believe they probably were mopeds back then and jump and all kinds of stuff. Probably wasn't right, but what are we doing? Or could we do something somewhere where they can do
wheelies on a road in the park? My thought would be the the you behind the tennis courts, but I don't want to open that up. I'm just saying is there an outlet where they can use those bikes? I don't know what we can do there or is there an idea we could talk about, but I
would get the education. Yeah, that one there would be kind of difficult to do because then unless we all know the insurance companies rule the world and and like an insurance company that is not going to sanction, hey, by the way, you know, we want to
have a little evil conval park set up over here. Well, I'm sure they'll be on. Okay. Anybody else? Okay. Uh motion to close. >> Second. >> Second. All right. Uh we are going to go
to executive session. No action tonight. I didn't think so. And um our next meeting is on page one. >> All right. Motion >> second. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> All right. Motion carries. Uh guys, we're going to take a quick five minute right before we finish up. Everyone who came, thank you. Have a great night.