For just a minute, I'd like to have a I'd like to have a moment of silence for Will Adams, who just recently passed away. He's a former Middle Sex Rescue Squad member. Thank you. Okay. Roll call, please. Mayor
Mcichek, here. Council President Conahan here. Councilman Korn here. Councilman Denza, Councilman Dina, here. Councilman Dodie here, Councilman Griggs here, administrator LL here, and Attorney Corsini here. Okay, very
good. All right, we have a couple of appointments tonight. Okay, we have we're appointing George Groith to the culture and arts committee and appointing Kevin Rosinski as a resident volunteer on the film
committee. Okay, I need a motion to approve. Motion second. Second. All in favor? I right very good. Okay. No proclamation site ordinance for introduction. We have ordinance number 2148-25 and ordinance amending chapter
420 zoning so as to update the N municipal code based on current demand for municipal property. Motion second. Second. All right. Roll call, please. Council President Conahan. Yes. Council K. Yes. Council Dino. Yes. Councelor
Desenza. Yes. Council Dodie. Yes. And Councilman Grace. Yes. All right. Very good. Okay. We have an ordinance now for a public hearing and final adoption. I'd like to make a motion to open for the public hearing. Motion. Sorry, read it. Sorry.
You're too quick. Too quick for you. We have ordinance number 2147-25 and ordinance mending chapter 195 CS of the municipal code of the B of Middle Sex to include a new article 4 entitled waiver of fees to include fee wavers for certain volunteers. fire
first fire responder organization. Okay. I like a motion to open the public. Second. All right. All in favor? I Okay. Anyone wishing to speak on this, feel free come up to the mic.
Seeing nobody, uh, I'd like a motion to close. Motion. Second. Second. All in favor. I. All right. Let's have a motion to approve. Motion approve. Second. All right. Any discussion? I think is something that's long overdue. It's good
for our guys for sure. Um, call the roll call, please. Council President Conne, Councilman K. Yes. Councilman Denza, yes. Council Dino, yes. Council Dodie, yes. Council Grace, yes. Okay. Something that everyone's been
waiting for here is the introduction of the 2025 budget. Um, we're very fortunate that we have uh Carolyn Benson here tonight. She's going to take us through some of the highlights of of the budget. Uh Caroline, if you want to come up. Yeah, you could either come up to
the mic or go go by Michael if you wanted. Might be actually easier by the lect turn as it were first. So the biggest challenge that we face is that as the cost of CO services continue
to ride drastically, how do we maintain our ability to provide our residents with the same level of service? Because even if we keep the budget line the same, that means now we can't afford to purchase the same quantity of material as last year. From the start of the budget process, we set out with a goal
to meaningfully reduce tax increase in the previous two years. We had numerous factors to address that made this a very difficult goal to accomplish. The most notable indicator that the town was facing this year ensures increases in cyber
security, health, liability, and work comp. Putting these all together, we were looking at about a 5.75% increase over last year. We had a huge increase in our fire hydrant fee for New Jersey. It was about 8.2% 2%
increase for a total we now pay $230,000 a year for firefighters. The electricity is going up about 17% in June per notice from PS&G. So our budget accounts will account for about half of that increase
at roughly 8%. Our total electricity costs will be about 205,000 a year and our street lighting cost at 192,000 a year. The state pension payment increases for public are about 6% and for police are about 13%. We had to renew our recycling
contracts with the county for at a rate of 28%. It's an additional $75,000 a year from last year. And the emergency dispatch contract is going up about 15% for an additional $33,000 a year. All of these increases are either out of
our control like utility costs or they are in line with market increases. So there isn't a better rate available to us by going elsewhere or looking for a different vendor. We were forced to counter this with some harsh cuts on our end to balance those increases. We have eliminated one police
officer position. We've eliminated two parks department positions. We have two vacant and prorated the funding for garbage part-time positions. We have one vacant and prorated the funding for a senior medical driver position. We cut
the recreation budget by 30%. We eliminated community debt and we cut the engineering budget by 42%. So at the end of all this process, this resulted in our overall budget cost increasing
$596,85316, which is a 2.4% increase over the budgeted cost in 2024. On the revenue side of the equation, there hasn't been any meaningful increase to help offset the rise so far. Our state aid has remained flat and since
twi,224 hours more in state aid than we were receiving 10 years ago. Last year, we sold a piece of property by cook. So, we have that onetime revenue of $350,000 to help in this budget. And additionally, we are using almost 1.3 million in
surplus. This results in an increase of $385,55021 cents to the tax levy, which amounts to a 2.5% increase over the 2024 tax levy. Our new municipal tax rate will be 611, which is down from last
year at 667. The most recent thing uh tax uh assessments that came out have the average residential home at 483,000 per investment. With our new tax rate, a home assessed that would pay
$2,951 a year in municipal tax. Carolyn, just a quick question. Um, and I know the answer to this, so I just went, you you mentioned that we're using $1.3 million of surplus, but we're actually refunding that and additionally, we're going to add to it
by a h 100,000. Correct. Yes, we are. Yes, we are increasing our our remaining surplus amounts by 100,000 over where we were after the adoption of the 2024 budget. That that that's important for our our pundits out there who because it's not a million three going the wrong way. It's actually a 100,000 going the
right way. Okay. One of the things and and I just want to make is it all right Carolyn if I that oh you could stay go whatever you want to do but Carolyn it's it it's all good. You know one of the things that
came out of this is that we really targeted 2.5. We we went through three or four rounds to get down to that. And when I tell you that we really skinned the cat this time we really did. The thing is at this point is that the well
is dry. We have to we have to come up with new ways to make revenue. I mean, as far as cutting anything additionally, what don't you want? We're at that point right now. Yeah. You know,
so we've been we we continually look at what what properties can we we use, what can we sell, what can we redevelop. I mean, you guys that are on the Jay Love, you know, you know that we're always looking at trying to do this. We we don't want to be a Bound Brook where we have buildings 28 stories in the sky,
but you know, if we have some dilapitated parties and we can get some development in here to to help spruce it up, that's what we want to do. Um, we do have quite a a number of things going on in terms of looking
for more grants. I mean, we've been we've been very fortunate with our grant writer and everything else like that to be able to come up with ways of getting these these numbers in. Um the we're an underserved community.
That's what we are. We're underserved. What that means is that we don't get our fair share, I believe, out of the state for all the things that we have going on here. I'm not going to make this about the schools and us. That's they got their own issues. they have their own budget and as long as they're within the
2% that's something that frankly we don't we we don't deal with here but the the the hard part for us is the is is the state aid and I'll tell you why it was a million8 it was a million
not even eight it was just a a shade under but let's just say it's flat for the $20,000 it works out to be 0.1125% of an increase a year that's what they're giving us. But with the with it being flat and not even letting
us or helping us to stay on the 2% portion, our portion of the taxes, they used to pay 10 10.2% of our taxes. They now pay 7.2. What that means in real dollars to us is
that versus 2016 to now, we're $351,000 a year short in where we should be if they were giving us the 2% all along. And if you actually did the the calculation, which I did, it's it's
$1,700,000 that we've funded ourselves that they just never gave us money for. So that's why a lot of times it's hard for us to hit the 2%. You know, I know there was a a comment out there and sorry to point it out, Dave,
but the 2.5, you got me pretty flared up the other night cuz you don't know the work that we went through and these guys personally that the that went through to get down to this 2.5. We're at a very dangerous spot. We have to figure out a way to get new revenue. We have to get
redevelopment in here. Unfortunately, we're landlocked, which means we don't have a ton of properties that we can we can start picking away at. Some of our bigger properties are are are green acres. So, you couldn't even sit there and say, "Hey, I'm going to turn
Hammerstick into a uh into apartments or anything." We have none of that, you know. So, we have to get creative and we have to be smart about the way we spend our money and what else we're going to do to bring in revenues because if we're not, you know, we we have we have an
issue right now with, you know, we haven't addressed paper call, which we've all talked about for the fire guy for the fire department. We're going to have to get involved with that coming up. We have to otherwise we're looking at a fire district, which is something that's going to be coming down the road, I think, no matter what we do anyway.
And that's that's a that's a a joint effort between a bunch of towns. And if we're if we're not careful about the way we spend and the way we look at things, Middle Sex could actually go away. Middle Sex could be, you know, sucked in
with either Bound Brook, Denellan, South Planefield, one of these other ones. So we have a large enough base that we can start pulling things off of. So, you know, I just I'm just throwing that out there because sometimes I think people need the reality check of this is where we're
at. Well, this is where we're at, you know, and I just and I think we're we're in good shape for what we've done. I think the budget's appropriate. I think these guys have done a a phenomenal job. Uh I know we've met with a lot of the different groups. You know, some of the
smaller ones maybe we didn't we didn't meet, but we, you know, we've talked about it. We bantered it around. We tried to be very fiscally conservative and we have um that's that's all I have on that. Um it is a presentation, but if any of you guys have any quick questions that you
want to ask Caroline at at right now, if you just want to step up to the mic, other than that, there is going to be a public hearing coming up in a month 13th. 13th on the 13th will be the public hearing for this. And uh in
the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to to email her. Was that right? 13, right? May. May. Right. Okay. Claire, you coming up for a question? Yes, I am. You betcha. Okay. Good
evening. I was just curious what the cost of community day was and if it could be still held without cost. Will the budget in previous years was $12,000 and the $12,000. Okay. Because we were hoping to
do a green bear at the same time. I think there's gonna Yeah. Well, they're going to look, you know, there's there's another event that's fairly close to that which you could probably get involved with, which is National Night Out, you know, and more people attend and
more people go to that. And who organized that? Uh, actually Jolene. Okay. Not me personally right now. Yes, the police. All right. Thank you. Yeah, they'll have a lot of the groups there. Last year they had Did you go to the one last year? We were invited last year.
That's fine. Okay. Well, you you always have an invite because it's an open for anybody. But just so you know, they do had they had uh banks and I'm sure if you talk to Jolene, she'd love to have you there. Absolutely. Sanders. Um, first off, thank you guys
because I'm sure this was not an easy thing to do. Each and every one of you with your different divisions, um, talking and trying to get things belted down a little bit. Um, I think that's a good thing. The question I have is in
your report you said there's 2% of taxes that is $775,000 that we use as a buffer in case people don't pay their taxes. and that is included on the municipal number of
15,796. Um it's not a double thing. You're you're holding back 775,000 as a it's basically a reserve an allowance for doubtful accounts would be in my world is would be what it would be called. And did we not just do something
remember I sent you an email about the 3.2%. Did we not just do something like that to carry us over? And is that's where the money is coming into Peter to pay Paul with the 1.3 and then giving back more than 100? No, I think they're
two different things. Two different things. So, one is fiscally geared this year, which is the 3.2 to cover us over the 3. No, no, you're thinking one. You're thinking of the 1.3. You're thinking of the surplus number, right? Surplus number. Correct. No, no, no, no.
The 3.2, we just passed a a thing last time. Okay. Oh, the temporary the cap bank cap. The cap bank is the percentage that our appropriations are allowed to increase. It has nothing to do with revenue. Okay.
All right. So, that has nothing to do to revenue or see I was thinking that that money used to pay you to pay Paul 1.3 to get 1.4. No, the original 1977 appropriation cap says that your inside cap appropriations
can only% and then they the state in I think it was 2010 made an allowance for what they call cost of living adjustment of an additional 1%. So we have to do the ordinance every year to allow us to go from 2.5% to 3.5%. Okay, that's what I
was concerned with and you explained that. Okay, good. Okay, so the only other question is the 775 that's kind of like a buffer. for it's reserved, right? Reserve. Finally, um you talk about trying to find revenue. This dump is a revenue source
if we can get it going. What do we have to you did a great job, Kevin, on getting the railroad thing cleaned up. What do we have to do to push that to happen so maybe we can use that for something? The land. Yes. 10 years. 10
years. And it's already been I think the sign out 2015. It's been it's been in process for 50. They're telling us another 10. I'll be amazed if they get it done that fast. But the the Middle Sex the Middle Sex portion is is
underway and it's funded and they're working on it. sign put up so people are aware of the drug bias look like might be or just change the date on 2015 to 2035 or something because right now it says I think it's 2015 or maybe well that's
when they made the ordinance that they were going to make it open space but I'm saying that you know do we have to push D I mean are we have as much as it's the army corps is it's the army corps of engineers is doing it not they worked
with the D, but it's the Army Corps doing the work because of the book going through. Okay. They they've they've been there for since I was a kid. Well, I know. And and sitting up here 15 years ago, Jack will tell you, they come in, it sounds like they're all done. They
haven't been there. Next thing you know, they're digging in another corner, right? And we have no control over when they come and go, unfortunately. Okay. I used to work for EVA and I worked on the other side. Do we get the bulletin on that property? I mean, I'm sure it's a
circle of property. It's a It's a super fun site essentially. Yeah. So, have we anybody on the council retrieved that back and take a look and see what that makes? There there are regular meetings on that thing all the time. Okay. I'm not just I'm not No, no. That's Listen, I get it. I mean, we want we want
nothing more to have it done. And, you know, we've been very proactive in keeping in front of people because if you don't make noise, you get nothing. So, a lot of times you just have to keep hammering away and eventually somebody,
you know, listens and you'll get something. And and when I have my mayor's report, I got a couple other things I want to talk about. I did miss one point when I was talking about um you know the the state aid uh just as much of a problem and we have
four houses going again this year. We have uh well actually three are are on the hook. We've lost 90 houses. You know it's it's the better part of you know better part of a million dollars. And when that money goes
away, none of these other entities that are around here are saying, "Well, you lost, you know, 2% of your thing. We're going to help you out there." No, that doesn't work that we picked that up. I mean, now, not we we did we pick up that house next to Kenny's
um the wall? No, they did. They kept that condemned. No. No. No. that's in the process of being reertified and and opened back up, I believe. Okay. So, that would be we gain one one. We gain one, but then at the same time, we lost
the one at then the one on Ren Avenue is that they're right back where we started from. So, and there's there's a couple more down on I believe Second Street that that are that are in the process. All right. Thank you. You're welcome. Anybody else? Just a
quick 64 for one fair job. Just because the number had come up regarding American water and fire hydrants. I know I spoke with Councilman Conahan in the past. Have we gotten a clear certification or confirmation that all of our hydrants are fully functional?
Because I do remember in the past there have been issues during fires where there was a loss of pressure. And I mean, if we're spending $298,000 a year on fire hydrants, what exactly are we getting for that? And does it get us a fully functioning
system that we know we can rely on? Because it was being, you know, Facebook in real time. People were talking about the fire. Does it burn next to the church? And people were saying they have a loss of pressure. It's a loss of pressure. Don't know the answer to that, Kevin, but we'll find out. I mean, it's
a great question, so I don't know. Especially with $298,000 price. Sure. So, so Kevin, so mayor, I I got an email Kevin too that I have from somebody at American Water stating that this year they were certified. It It's at least once a year, right? We have
315 roughly hydrants. So, they have confirmed like fully functional. Yeah. Now, it I I think it's just once a year, right? Well, even once a year, you know, fully. So, I do have that email and then she confirmed the actual amount of the hybrid. No, that's great. Thanks. Yeah.
You're welcome. Okay. Anybody else? All right. All right. So, let's move on to approval of minutes. No, the resolution. Oh, the resolution. Sorry. Resolution 103-2025, the introduction of the 2025
municipal budget. Motion. Motion. Second. Second. Uh, once again, I just want to say thanks to the budget committee and everyone that's been involved. Everyone worked hard on this. You have no idea. And I I appreciate it. 2.5. I know we had a couple of good discussions getting there. That's for
sure. Um any any comments, questions? No, I I on the finance committee, I want to thank Joe and and Bobby for um you know, we put a lot of time and and effort in. I know Michael and Carolyn put a a lot more than us. Uh but we went back and forth multiple times, even up
until two weeks ago, Carolyn, a week ago. um a week ago just making uh another 30,000 in cuts, you know, everything possible. Yeah, roughly. Um so, but again, thank you to uh to everybody. We're hopefully we're done
driving you nuts. Okay. Uh call the roll, please. Council President Conan, yes. Councilman Kor, abstain. Councilman Denza, yes. Councilman Dino, yes. Councilman Dodie, yes. And Councilman Griggs, yes. Okay.
All right. Adoption of minutes. We have the adopt approval of the March 25th, 2025 regular and executive meeting minutes. All right. A motion. Motion. Second. Second. All in favor? I. All right. Let's move down.
Okay. Mayor's report for tonight. I got a couple of things going. Uh the railroad crossing, the striping at Cedar Avenue, that is they are due to be there on Thursday. They're supposed to be there Thursday. Um, the pilot's going to
be on site at 8:00 a.m. they said. So, let's see if that when they take it to the next step. I do believe at that point the only thing they have left to do for us is the Ballards. They did they did talk about the Ballards. Um, I did
attend the uh grand opening at the Limelight uh pharmacy. Uh, Bobby Council Dino was there. I think Joe was there. I think Jack uh Chidurelli showed up. He was there earlier. It was nice event. I
mean, it's really tucked in the corner. I didn't realize that it was there, but uh they're pretty full service, so it could be actually a pretty good thing for us. One of the other things that we have going on, you know, we did spend a lot of time on the budget, but one of the
other things is that I have here and I got this through Lenny. Thank you. And I know you're doing some work on the with the Navy on the pond. I do appreciate that. But the world famous
Ambrose Brook manhole has been capped with concrete. It's sealed, never to be opened. It took forever and a day. They finally got there. They did uh they did it right. I mean uh one of the things that's going to come out of this now is
that I did uh talk to um to the administrator Lenny Vidal that I want to take a E.coli reading and let's see where we're at. We might actually be within the limits now and let's just see. I mean we'll have to monitor it after a big storm and see what happens.
But, you know, at any rate, this just tells me that, you know, although everything was going, now all of a sudden they decide to cement it and cap it and finally get it done after I know uh Kevin, you probably been complaining about that for 20 years, you know. But
it but when did that work out? Um, I'm not exactly sure. I think it was recently. It was probably the last When When was the cat within about a year ago. a couple years ago. I don't have the the reporting part of me yet, but it should be on the file. So, has that been
confirmed by the government? Yes, they have. Yeah, they got a work order. So, you have a copy of that one just in case. I do. Yeah, it's here. So, that that that's actually on the plus side. Let's just take some readings and find out where we're at right now
because we may actually be good and it'd be nice to have that information at hand. Um, outside of that, we did the budget and we have a lot of stuff on the agenda tonight, but they were the main things that I had. We were pretty much in budget mode for the last time. And
once again, Carolyn, thank you. That was a lot of work to get to that point. Okay, Council President Conahan. All right. Thanks, Mayor. I wanted to pass on my uh my condolences as well to the family of Will Adams. Thanks, Mayor, for doing that. Uh, over he was a life
member of the rescue squad, over 15 years of service. Um, I am pleased to announce at our next meeting here on April 22nd, we will be awarding our first pillar of Middle Sex Reward in 2025. Anyone know to long-term volunteer member and the chairman of our
J tree commission, Jason Bond. So, that'll be uh two weeks from tonight at 7 o'clock. Uh, I'm also pleased to announce that we will be dedicating a Victor Kra Park annex, formerly the Foreign Express on Tuesday, May the 6th at 6 p.m. on site
in the building. Uh, immediately following that dedication, uh, we're going to probably about 6:15 6:20, uh, the parks committee will host a second public input meeting for the master plan of Victor Kra Park. Um,
that'll also be on site. We'll have tables and chairs set up, so it'll be uh in the building. Our second annual volunteer fair is less than one month away. It's on Saturday, May the 3rd. I want to remind everybody, it's 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's at the library community room.
We're also going to have it outside in front of the library. Um so inside and outside, learn how to get involved. Uh we're going to have refreshments there donated by local businesses. Uh the county is hosting a paper shredding day. Um, they make their
rounds throughout the county, but but it's actually on Saturday, June 14th, here um at 9:00 a.m. I think from 9:00 to 12:00. It's right here in Burough Hall parking lot. What's the date? June the 14th. That's a Saturday. Um, right here at Burough Hall
parking lot. And um, lastly, I'd like to get a a consensus on revising our sewer ordinance. It was revised, I think, three or four years back. Um, but I want to include um all public schools, which it currently does not. And uh this
coincides with the letter that the mayor sent over to the superintendent back in March, just last month in March. Um, if yes, I'd like the ordinance which Chris and his team will will make those changes quickly and I'd like it to be introduced on the next meeting, April
22nd, which will give us time to get it hopefully adopted in May. Yep. I want it done. Everybody good? Good. Good. Yeah, you guys. Good. Okay. Uh that's it, mayor. All right. Very good. Councilman KS. Thank you, mayor. Um for the
administration, uh council man committees, Mr. PL is going to take over with a better description of what's happened on our administration. The board of education, I've been attending the meeting. They just recently sent their um budget to go towards their county for review. Um I have no updates
from the disabled senior uh services and for the film committee. We are having a discussion um in the executive for the personnel to um address what you just mentioned before uh a new thinking of ways to produce revenue for our community and
the ways to do that and how to do that moving forward. The culture and arts and benefit meets this Thursday. Um and I'd also like to thank sorry I go back to film. I'd like to thank Mr. Mzinski for tackling the challenge of of the um the film committee. It's extremely
important. Um he's very passionate about it. So, thank you for taking the time for him to to be it and I was like um let's give it Yeah. No. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A little more. There it is. You got one. You got one from the money. That was gone. There we go. So, it's
like um it was uh very twisty and turning for the culture and arts. But now it's also the beautifification committee. So with their meeting Thursday, we're going to get everything up in order so we can make sure the programs that we discussed, they're like operated correctly and the hometown heroes is
launched correctly and everything is done in the way that makes our community beautiful and I would hate to see it go away and we should take over. Just saying we don't want that that happen to either believe me either. That was we'd be crazy to hear but um I believe that
is it. And yeah, meeting Thursday. All right. You good? Yes, sir. Okay. Councilman Desenza. Yes. Uh recreation committee uh commission uh had a very successful bunny hop. Over 500 in
attendance. Great turnout. Was very good. Uh preparing for the Memorial Day parade Monday, May 26th. They're looking for historic cars, convertibles, and other fun vehicles. Uh please reach out to the recck department for uh further
uh information. I attended the swack meeting today. I'm happy to report that the uh proposed GGB paint recycling facility that was supposed to be on Pond Avenue that was next is now
going to be in New Brunswick. I figured that good. And uh also um for the month of February, Middle Sex had the highest recycling of any of the
towns in the uh in percentage many of towns in the uh in the county. So we're at 70 almost 71%. Uh what else did you have? I'm sorry, wrong number. 92%.
out of all the towns and cities and that's about it for me. Okay, Councilman Dino, couple things uh you can tell you. Uh the Cookfield playground is installed and complete now. It's open. So, it was fencing for a while waiting for more motion to be
installed, but it's installed now. So, the Mountain View Park playground date for installation will be in August. Bathroom will be demolished, demolished. The one that's there now will be demolished the first week of May. New restroom will be delivered mid May. Uh the parks department is now working on
cleaning up all our properties and there's been four new benches installed on the route 28 matching the streetscape. So I know mayor you were concerned about some of that not matching. We have other ones out there now. And uh Lenny's also working on phase two of streetscape with
the $ 1.5 million grant looking for. As far as uh the environmental commission, um there's an Earth Day cleanup uh April 12th from 9:01 to Victor Croll Park along with the DPW. Couple other things that the environmental has going on. On April
21st, there's a video presentation, the nature of oaks. Um at 7 p.m. the community room. Also on April 26th, pre- nursery planning day. Um I know Claire was there last weekend. They filled all the pots. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it,
but that's ready to go. Also, a couple of ones later down the road on May 5th, uh there's another video presentation, restoring insects, 7:00 p.m. in the community room. And on May 10th, there's a cleanup at Mount View Park from 9:30
to 11:30. And that's all. Okay. Um just a quick question for uh Claire. Claire, you in that email that we went back and forth with, you mentioned that there's an a website that's out there that or it's a video series of three parts that
talks about the invasive plants. Was that was it the selfie series? We had the last the first one last night and it's three separate videos and it talks about invasive plants, native plants, how to resto, you know, our ecosystem,
things like that. If you missed the first one, is it is it worth You can watch them individually. You can watch them individually. Okay. Okay. Now, where can they access that QR code? Is it on the website anywhere?
It's on the flyer. Okay. But this ties in with the the invasive species, correct? Perfect. It's well worth everyone taking a look at. Okay. Councilman Dodie. Thank you, Claire. Go ahead. Sorry, I didn't talk. No, no,
that's all right. It's uh at the fire department tonight, their report for March, they had 31 total calls, one building fire, three motor vehicle accidents with um injuries, they had four gas leaks, and they had nine alarm
system activations, and as usual, Chief Bart sent over a little synopsis of the week. Uh on March 4th they responded to 648 Bound Brook Road in Denellan for two sheds and a fence on fire. They were there roughly 2 hours covering I believe
for Denellan at the time. Um they had uh let's see oh one barber place there was smoke condition inside the home possibly coming from electrical fire. They arrived and confirmed the smoke condition in the the kitchen. They be
began to investigate and they located a scorch drier vent on the inside of the home and scorch marks on the outside. They secured everything and um PS&G was dispatched to confirm there
were no other hazards inside the home and the homeowner was told to leave it off until it was all checked out and cleaned. Uh what else does he got here? Uh they were invited to career day on March
24th uh at the elementary school. Hopefully get the little kids, maybe we can get some of them eventually to volunteer as they get older in this world. They did some bailout training on the 30th at Parker Firehouse. And basically that cuh course teaches our
firefighters how to safely and quickly remove themselves from burning building via a window using their personal um bailout system. I have a couple other things. I was contacted by the court and I know we spoke about and I believe we have a consensus to add another night
and I'm meeting with them later this month to go over the details. They're leaning towards a Wednesday cuz that's when the prosecutor and judge are both available to do a catchup day. Okay. But is it just the middle sex day that day? As far as I know, yes. That's that's
what was indicated to me so far. But when we meet later this month, I'll be able to report on that better. Also, um we didn't get to actually meet because Mike was traveling, but I spoke to the counc uh se uh 80-8 and uh line E which shows
the age at which you can be hired in our ordinance. and currently it's 21. He would like to lower it to the state standard of 18. The officer would still have to, you know, have all the other qualifications to to be hired. But
there's some younger candidates that we can't even go after and it's hard enough when we need to hire somebody to just find people. Now, as we know, just hiring people in Burl Hall, I know the administrator can say that we're not getting the applications like you used to. So, you know, we're proposing we're
recommending as the the committee that we change this to 18. And I'd like to get a consensus and then have Chris. It's just one one thing. I'm good. I'm good. Good. They're good. Okay. It's just the one line. It's
21 or 18 instead of 21. The next meeting. Okay. All right. Next. That's all I have. Next. Next meeting. Next meeting. That's an easy one. Very easy. Council Greg. Yeah. Well, thank you everyone for working on the budget.
Also, the state department appreciated. Um, uh, as far as the shade tree commission goes, they they were they they were discussed and they were happy that we were looking at the, uh, ordinances and stuff and how they handle the cleanups when trees are removed and things like that. Um, so uh, that, you
know, got positive feedback on that from them. Uh there's I know they have a number of trees scheduled for removal already. Um and that their their meeting is uh on the second uh Thursday at 7 p.m. as in this room. It so be two days
from now here. Um as far as the board of health goes uh definitely they they're really in full swing now with Somerset County here. Uh the the reports are like on on each place they visit are like three and four pages versus before they were barely a page. So they're they they
and we almost never had anybody get conditionals in town before. Uh now they they're they're getting conditionals and making sure they follow up and you know making sure people the the restaurants and stuff are compliant with code. So that's uh that's been a good thing. Um,
as far as the uh the uh zoning department goes, um in the in the last two weeks, they've had uh they've had 12 new zoning applications and six summones. Uh they're they're trying to report to me on the total number of applications for
rentals. They have shortly they that's closed now. So, they're trying to finalize that. Last thing, just reminder, volunteer day uh coming up on Thursday night. Uh be great if anybody can attend. Uh the burrow definitely needs volunteers. That's all I have.
Okay. Very good. Thank you. All right. Administrator Place. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Um with the introduction this evening of the 2025 budget, I would like to thank the mayor and council for their guidance and leadership in a very challenging budget year. I'd also like to add my thanks um
for uh the hard work of our chief financial officer Carolyn Benson um her hard work and expertise that she brought to the task that she always does and also to the members of the municipal management team. They all work very hard on this um budget this year. Uh with
2025 being the final year of debt service payment for the construction of the Middle Sex Police Department building, we have a significant debt payment being fulfilled this year. The bureau is taking this opportunity to turn some of the short-term debt financing into long-term debt financing
financing which is more stable and cost effective. One major component of having a bond sale is to schedule a rating called the standards of course uh S&P as they're known is reviewing the bureau's financial and economic data to give us a bond rating and this will directly
affect the interest rates for our bond sale. A resolution on for tonight with the council's authorization is to have the bond sale um of the long-term financing and debt service payments from this bond um on the sale will begin the bond sale will
begin in 2026 and replace the payments that were previously made on the police building. So this won't increase our payments for next year. It's just replacing former payments with the new payments that will have the new um program. The overall dollar amount of
burough debt um will remain fairly stable, but as a percentage of our overall budget, it has been decreasing the last few years as we have continued to close out projects and clean up older items on our books. Uh standard floors puts a major focus on the municipalities
surplus and any other reserves um that are set up. Um, at our meeting with S&P representatives last week, we were uh strongly encouraged to focus on our $3 million goal for surplus and even to look towards increasing that goal. We we
also covered topics in our discussion such as municipal debt for local economy, financial management policies and procedures, general finances. The bureau's current bond rating is double A and we expect to maintain that rating. Uh the first public event in the
upcoming public participation phase of the Victor Crow Park master planning process was last Tuesday evening. It was in the community room at the public library. There was a really large turnout. Um a very vocal turnout as well. A lot of ideas and and thoughts and concerns and issues were raised. So
we're off to a good start. Um, as mentioned by the council presidents, the second public works session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th, and this will be at Victor Crow Park in the annex building at 302 Union Avenue. Um, so um, please consult our information page on
the midst website for any information you may want about this project. Um, as Councilman Dino mentioned, the public works department has been busy with regular spring duties as well as with improvement projects such as the new benches being installed along uh
Bound Brook Road, mostly in the vicinity of Mountain Avenue and Book Road. Um, there's also planning underway for relocating and improving uh a heavily used bus stop at on Union Avenue. So, we think that'll be a better functionally a better location for the bus stop as well
as it'll be safer for everyone. Um, as for our seniors, the AARP sponsored tax preparation service has concluded and we assisted over 125 residents this season. That's 20 more than last year. The
mobile motor vehicle commission um van vehicle will be here on May 9th. Um online registration uh opens tomorrow. So go to the website there um for information. The senior veterans
breakfast is this Thursday at 10 a.m. And Medicare Patrol will be giving a Spanish presentation on April 24th at 1:30. Uh please call the senior center for any information or details you need. Uh their number is uh 732356414. Uh I learned recently from public
service electric and gas that new utility poles will be uh installed along South Avenue later this month. Traffic control will be coordinated with our police department when the actual schedule of work is set. Uh resolutions this evening include acknowledgement of the review of the
annual municipal budget by the governing body. This is required by state law. Authorization of a shared services agreement for recycling of Middle Sex County. um extension of our police chief's contract from February 15, 2026. And there's a resolution providing for
the issuance of not to exceed $5,470,000,000 general obligation bond authorized in and by the middle in the county of Middle Sex. The agenda workshop this evening is scheduled to include a discussion of police department chapter 8 updates and a
discussion of a proposed 100% exempt disabled veterans ordinance. And in our executive session this evening, we'll discussing two personnel matters involving zoning code enforcement as well as Okay. Thank you. Um, one of the other
items that was kicking around out there is uh we've mentioned before is about the health insurance. We did have that come back. Um, right now it it seems that it it's a win-win. It's out being
uh bantered around with the unions to see if they ratify it. If it's okay, then we move forward. And I think it's actually um I think they did a good job. And I think at the end of the day, it's going to save the employees money and it's
going to save the town money and a nice chunk, too. Okay, that's all I have on that uh right now. Let's uh open things up for the privilege of the floor. Do I have a motion? Second. All right, all in favor.
Okay, please state your name and address for the uh record 24. uh on his firmly comments uh mayor uh thanking you and the council for stead on the budget u we tried it
it's it's obvious that you did take it to heart um cutting positions and things like that um but I want to ask one comment you made during the presentation you said you know if we don't watch our expenses going forward you said I think you said something middle sex could go
away what what did you mean by basically what it comes down to Dave is that at the if you have employees and insuranceances and taxes and all the rest of that, other towns have the ability or they have land or they have other things that they can do
to to sell build larger buildings. If we don't look to do any of these things and just keep things as they go status quo, we're we're we're gonna go bank we're going to go bankrupt or or we're
going to have to look to do something different because the tax rate would be just un exorbitant. It would just be crazy high. I mean just because of the things that we we would have to cover, you know, in a revenue
sense previously about redeveloping stuff on small scale. Well, yeah, we have to we have to start looking at at things like that because as time goes on, if we don't, you know, we've lost a large chunk of what makes up the town and we have to try and make it up in
other ways to get basically almost back to where we were. And what's really disappointing is that, you know, our message of being an underserved town some in a lot of instances doesn't get through. And maybe that's because we're sitting on the wrong side of the aisle.
I don't want to get into politics, but you know, but if if we don't get some help sooner or later, I mean, how often can you go and say, "Hey, Bruce, by the way, I need $45,000 a year for your real estate taxes. No problem, though, but we're picking up your
garbage, so be happy about that." We have to look to do different things. And and I think and maybe I was being a little bit facicious and pulling it out, but there is a certain amount of truth to that that if you're not careful, these are the things that happen. And and you know, this is why these
volunteer days are so important. This is, you know, Kevin and I have had conversations over like fire districts and stuff. No one likes to hear it, but you know, I if if we start scratching on things, it's it it's a problem, you know, and we look to spend money on all these other things, but there comes a
point where you sit there and your house is on fire, it's, you know, you don't care that you save $14 on your taxes, you know, you want your house put out. Well, it was And you brought up the fire district. That was the next thing I was going to ask about was um you know I I applaud the the fees the the ordinance
you adopted earlier to forgive the fees on people or try to get something back from first responders but I I had a conversation recently with someone who's a firefighter in town and I think although again you throw him any button you can I think it's almost like putting a band-aid on shotgun at this point
because the guy I spoke to was telling me about you know I guess every department every car company has a roster you know they they can hold so many members and they are so far below what their roster could hold. I mean, and when my father was a firefighter, I
mean, it wasn't like that. I know that the demands on them are much greater now. My father used to strap on a boot and a raincoat and go fight, you know, back in the 60s. Now, it's like training and this and that. People a lot of times don't have time, I think. So, um I was just But you said fire district, you're
going to address it. you intend plan on having some type of discussion in the next couple months publicly about because I know the not necessarily with us but we we were going to not necessarily with the public but we were going to you know sort of test the waters with some of the you know nearby
towns just to to try and say cuz everyone's in the same boat they're all so we have to come up with a with a way to to to like do this and it's not necessarily the nighttime it's the days that are a problem. Yeah. Well, I I
think uh my suggestion a part of that might be um and I'm not trying to create work for my place, but you know, you talked about maybe having to go to full-time fire company or whatever. Maybe do a little bit of investigation of what that would entail and bring that to the taxpayers and let us see what the
numbers would be and you might entice a few extra people to get involved when they see the bill that this town might be facing if we don't have a volunteer. Well, that that that's what that's we're starting the conversation cuz are we are we in dire straits right now? No. But
guaranteed 3, four, 5 years down the road, we are. And we're not just about to sit on our hands. We're trying to we're trying to get ahead of the curve a little bit to to say, "Hey, listen. This is a this is a problem. Maybe not now, but I don't you don't want to have it until all of a sudden people aren't showing up and you're desperate. You
know, you want to be you want to prior planning, right? And and and one thing And one small thing in addition to that related to that uh you mentioned also about uh next month you're going to have pillars of the community. Some of these guys in fire company have been there for
a long time and they're getting up there in age and they're still out there fighting fires. I think it might be appropriate to have some of them here one night and show them some appreciation. you you've already done that with some of the leaders of some of these uh first responder organizations, but I think some of these guys were in
the rank and file who have been there for a long time. We've we've we wouldn't want to get out fight Dave. We've approached the fire department and they are they're getting us a legacy list. So, we because yes, we we recognize it too. They have a lot of 30-year guys.
They got a lot of 30-year guys. Like I said, I wouldn't want to be out there actively fighting fires if I was a fire company member at my age, but I know they have some guys that are not that far behind me that are out there fighting fire. One last thing. Um, you know, I always try to come here and get
answers when I see stuff on social media because you guys always joke about, well, that, you know, it's not necessarily true. There have been things a lot written recently about rats. What is the situation in this town truly with rats? What is the source? Why have they
supposedly gotten worse in the last few years? You guys have any handle on this? Because I saw before coming to the meeting today, I I looked at a couple of the board of health meetings from last year, the minutes, and I saw they did come up at some of the board of health meetings last year, the different neighborhoods were having a problem. Can
you is there anything you can say about it? What is what is the actual problem and what's being done about it? I I mean, we do look at what the what the problem is. The things that we could do are to make sure that people cuz what happens if they congregate somewhere and a lot of people will complain it's like
oh my neighbors got a pile of wood pile in the backyard and they're all hiding in there or hiding underneath the shed. I mean I think part of it is and I this is just me. I think I think the flood wall going up is is chased a lot of them out of their out of their habitats and
they're they're just until they can get back in there's nowhere for them to go. So they just go to the next place. So you know what you try and really do at that point is to make sure that as as you're going along is make sure you don't have anything that's gives them a
home. You know you you shuffle them down down the road for lack of a better phrase. But do you feel that the construction of the flood wall the last year has been a big part of the problem forcing them out of wooded areas because you know I live you know where I live I I've got a the pond down here and the
brook on the other side on the border brook and I don't see any rats but I think that's cuz they're in the their natural habitat in our neighborhood that's you know but I guess some of these other areas don't happen. Well and it's it's a huge I I guess environmental disturbance that's that this thing's
been going on. They're ripping down trees. They got heavy equipment. They got, you know, that, you know, they there could have been they all could have been a hundred yards away from wherever these people are spotting the rats. You just never saw them because they had trees and this and that and they hid during the day or, you know,
little little caves or hubbles or wherever it is that they went. So right now until it all until everything is done I mean for right now the best that you could do is keep your your area clean and don't give them a place to hide. I think the flooding too for uh like whatever that
was 3 years ago. I think obviously that was a one time big event. Um, and that coincides with a lot of those complaints. I know from the board. I do remember uh five years when five years ago when the pandemic hit reading a lot during the month once that we were
pretty much shut in a lot. I guess a lot of the restaurants couldn't be as active in getting their dumpsters clean because the companies probably were short-handed on people to come and get the stuff. So I I remember reading stuff at that time, starting to read about it at that time,
but it seemed to be people were writing it off to, you know, lack of things being done quickly because of the pandemic, but here we are 5 years later and I'm reading all the stuff like I know there were a couple from uh I I had heard from the board of health too that
uh were I think Hazlewood and Muggger there were some issues behind I know from Moger it was the garbage, right? Yeah. The the dumpsters back there, right? when they actually it was dirt back there. They actually since have paved it and um they they used to
utilize DPW for the for their the dumpsters. Now they have the the one- arm bandits thing. No, they have dumpsters now. They used to have the cans out. Oh, the cans were just sitting out there with garbage. Now they have dumpsters with covers. So, I think they did that to cut down on, you know, there were a lot of complaints. And I know at
Hazlewood they moved the dumpster out and then it kind of over you know same issue with the with the open containers. That's they they've since fixed that too. So I know I had complaints personally from people that lived near Hazlewood on Vespian and Abian and um
and also from uh some folks over near Bobby on Edge. Behind the farmers market that area back there and that was another big one behind the farmers market. At one point if you went back there, there were crates of lettuce and carrot everywhere. Uh just out in the
open. Yeah, that's that's that's since been addressed. That'll attract a crowd. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. You're welcome. 64. I'll make a quick comment regarding film finish, but since this has come up with the right thing, uh I feel these light three weathers when they shut
down. Absolutely. I mean, when they cleared that out, it seemed like there really was just a wave that took place. Um, I'm on Fairview. We've had a moderate issue with it. What I found, and I can speak with Claire, there might be a way to kind of educate people, there's a organic safe for pets
repellent called to cap and um I've sprayed that and it changes everything. What you need to do is work with your neighborhood because the bigger perimeter you draw with this, of course, the fewer you're going to see. So, um, the other thing that will happen on occasion is if there's an empty home
that is for sale or abandoned, it's been empty for a little while, it seems like once they do go in, you see the thumb strip of the house, you know, suddenly you might hear a little knocking and sure enough, you set a trap and you grab something. Dave, I wouldn't necessarily say they're not seeing means you don't
have. Yeah, there's and there are things that people can look for on their property to spot, you know, because for the longest time when we first started because my mind didn't go to rat. I mean, I thought there was a rabbit hopping around the backyard, you know, until I found out it was not a rabbit, but it was quickly remedied. I spoke
with my neighbors. The other big thing is dog poop. Yeah, because rats love dog poop and they will eat dog poop. And then unfortunately dogs love rat poop and then sick dogs. So, we also went through that and worked with neighbors, make sure everybody's safe. The
neighborhood effort really does make a huge difference. And it's really pretty simple. It's just a matter of making sure you're diligent about it. Clean up. Yeah. And and also, you put the stuff down, but then when it rains, you got to go out, put it down. Um, but it does keep them at bay. I mean, I haven't had issue now for months and months. Um, and
there was a couple of weeks here and there where it was kind of like people were wondering, you know, if we would be able to get a handle on it, but sure enough, we pulled together and did. um touching real quick on the film commission because I know that's going to be some debate today in executive session. Uh I just wanted to kind of bring up to date some of the newer
members of council in regards to the history of the film commission because I know that it may present as though there's this sudden rush to kind of jam things and made it happen overnight and it's really been anything but. Um I've been mentioning this as a possible
revenue source for years. Councilman Kins picked up on that. to form the film commission. Uh sometime after that, there was a legal municipalities conference where they were going to have a seminar specifically on turning your
town into a state recognized film ready community. I read that, reached right out Councilman Kins. I said, "You got to find out. We got to get down there." He ran up the flag pole and he was told no, that uh Mr. Costa was going and he did
go and I remember hearing his report where he said he attended that. Um nothing really came from it. Had that name a little differently, I would venture to say that we might be in a very different position right now. So this isn't something that we've suddenly
just decided to gas up and try to make happen overnight. This has been on the back burner, the front burner, the side burner. I mean, it's been an ongoing growing possibility and opportunity and something that dawned on me just today. You know, I was fired up. I was going to
get a whole sort of hard cell and then I sacked and I typed out that sort of outline I sent everybody and look at my experience with this and I'm like, how is this a hard push? So, not looking to do that, it just dawned on me that this
is going to be happening in the state. The entire state is going to change. Uh there's no way an outfit like Netflix is coming in setting up to the tune of 800 million and after a few years goes well this doesn't work and they leave. It's here and the state's going to continue to change. The entire culture of the
state's going to change. Um there was just an article in the LA Times that the studio action in the occupants and studios in LA is at a historical low. Um all the things came to New Jersey before the wildfires. So this is here. It's
going to take hold. It's going to be a big thing. Uh if other towns do take advantage of this and other towns do end up with a sizable increase in revenue and they're able to use that to mitigate regulate their taxes and we have not and
we do not, we could potentially price their stuff right out of the house because there's going to be a lot of money coming into New Jersey. The numbers are out there. Um, and it's available to people who know how to take advantage of it, get in there, get a hold of it, and and pull it into town.
I'm looking forward to see what happens in Bound Brook and Planefield. Uh, something I mentioned in note last night, you know, being first at bat isn't always the best thing. Uh, it's important for both those towns to have those production companies leave, glad that they came and looking forward to
returning. So bringing in something that big before you're really ready and you have a full package together uh could actually be a detriment. So just things to consider when you guys sit and discuss this. I know there's a money piece of it and you know to that extent
I understand tight year but I I got to think and I'm only venturing to guess that you know we probably spent that much on bottle of water last year. So just some things to consider when it comes to possible potential uh revenue stream. What you guys talk about? Kev
Kevin, hey, quick on on the Bound Brook stuff. So, what's going on over there? I know I saw I saw some trucks over near uh Yes, Spielberg is in Bound Brook. So, he's you've got to imagine the the mountain you have
to make Raiders a lost art and and that guy is in bounds. You know, this is all very real stuff. And one of the things I mentioned in that note is that and I watched this one happen happen in Orlando. I won't get into details. I spoke with Councilman Msino about it
today. If if they come in and it doesn't work out to film on locations, they're just going to build what they need. They're here. They're not going away. How much they involve the communities is really the only barrier. And if they start to go into
these towns and it turns into a hassle, they're just not going to do it. They'll just build it. They'll fly it. I mean, the resources are endless and they move mountains. So, filming is going to be happening in New Jersey. There's no two ways about it. It's going to be in for the long term. And it's a matter of who
can accommodate, who is accommodating, who is welcoming, who can speak the langu, who knows how to pull these people in. And that speaks to the experience that I laid out in the uh email. So, I look forward to it. I'm hopeful, you know, that we're able to to
pull this together as I shared the vision with uh Councilman Kins. I think it would be very effective. I think it can happen rather quickly. Uh but it's a matter of how much involvement, how much time spent just on my own personal level. You know, there's a difference between a volunteer situation where I
can spend an hour or two a week or a part-time position where I'm actually at, you know, 10 to 16 hours a week. I mean, they're just two different. So, thank you. Thanks, Ken. Sorry Frank, time's up. One day your time will be up. It's
coming. Believe me, I know. Situation where my buddy back there, the only difference between rats at my house is his pays more taxes. practice. Um, believe it or not,
I came here tonight to complicate compliment. Lord, that was compliment Kevin Brzinski. Unbelievable. From the transition that I've seen from years ago, he was the alpac what are you going to do for me?
Well, he's coming up with solutions. the man you brought up with the railroad crossing. I'm looking for him down the road. One of you guys got to he's got to be a councilman. The way he's transition
from again throwing grenades and running away to what I'm not the only one I'm not the only one. Well, he wouldn't go away, but he wouldn't. But he keeps coming back. what I'm not the only one
that sees it. So, tonight I got a compliment and I did come here to say that and um he brought up about the the filming. I know my buddy's part of the Bound Brook Elps. They got paid a tremendous amount of money to have some film company come in. They
shut the Elks down. There's a big ballroom there. And they've been filming and then they came back. They're there now for a number of days or weeks live. So I can find out more. Kevin could u got a ton of money or the bounds got a
ton of money. He's got 40,000. Okay. It's a ton of money in mind. Maybe not for you. But but anyway, Kevin Rinski and you guys live at 15. I'm here in reference to uh code enforcement or basically the
lack of enforcement. Um some of the things I've been complaining about on my street for probably three years now have been ongoing. Some of them are actually could be life-threatening. Um some of it touches on the rat problem. I've got a neighbor that's running an illegal
business out of his home. He's got a commercial dumpster on Woodro, which rats are are all over it. uh house across the street from me has at least 20 people living in it with 12 to 15 cars. You can barely drive down our
street. Um like I said, I've been complaining about this for for 3 years and uh nothing has been done. I've uh gone to the health department um over the rat situation at the neighbors. Um I mean, God forbid if there's a fire, I know these people
across the street are living in a basement. I know they've built bedrooms down there and there's only one entrance and exit. I just uh I need to know what what has to be done to have something done. Sir, what are the addresses or an address? Uh 16 Dayton would be where all
the cars and people are living in the basement and next door to 15 would be Satan. Uh I'm sorry, 17 Dayton. um commercial vehicles, a commercial dumpster, um barrels of chemicals, I don't know
what he's using. Um they actually come to that residence to start work and my wife has seen men urinating in the yard before they get in the trucks and to leave. Um
and uh my neighbor is Excuse me, ma'am. No, I know that. I know the way that works, but you still have to go. No. And I'm my neighbor that lives like in their yard is like patched next door
to them. She's 97 years old and she's sitting in her garage and a rat starts coming in towards her. So she screams that it went into the neighbor's
dumpster. So we know that they're living over there and then they built a shed out of like old wood and I see them coming in and out of there. When they go to open up that shed, they
back there something in there. I'm actually here um voicing at least two or three other neighbors that have been complaining about these. Okay. Just just real quick. Yes. I just want to make sure. Uh what was the first address? 14
16 Dayton. 16 Dayton. And that's and that's what Rats or No, that's recently sold and bought by somebody who is renting. It's supposed to be a mother. So it's multif family. you. It's not supposed to be, you think,
but there's a bunch It's a mother daughter. It's a mother, but there's there's at least 20 to 25 people living there and they are now accessing the the basement, which they're they were not that's not an apartment. Okay, that's the one. They park on the front lawn. They they you can't drive down the
street. You have to drive down the street and see all the cars parked on there. Okay. And this and then the other house, I believe it's 17. It's on the corner of Woodro and Bay. And that one is the business running out of the house.
So it's specifically those two or there others? Basically the two. Okay. I even had a cop I don't know who he was came to my house. He said who are these your cars like are any of these cars? I said no.
And he said well who's are they? I said across the street and next door. He goes, "Yeah, well there they're supposed to be 50 feet from the stop sign." And I said, "Well, you're gonna have to talk to them because they park right on the
corner. It's so many turn like going you can't been a popular area for that because there's another house that's in the neighborhood that's uh Marshall. You cannot video clarify daddy. My my main concern with the house as far as treated
to god forbid to comply there. I mean well I mean we want people to comply to the law is what we really want. Do me one favor when you go there. Could you just see Mr. Llace real quick and make sure he has your phone number, proper spelling of your name, and an email
address if you have it. Absolutely. Perfect. No, you're welcome. Anybody else? Okay. Motion to close the public uh session. Uh motion second. Second. All in favor? All right, Linda, you're up. Okay, we
have resolution 104205, acceptance of standing report. Resolution 105205 accepting the resignation of Harry Fresa as a school crossing guard effective March 18th, 2025. Resolution 106 2025. The governing body has complied with NJAC
4030-6.5 and has reviewed the annual audit resolution 107205 authorizing the mayor B clerk to execute the shared service agreement for the provision of recycling collection services of designated recyclables in Middle Sex Burrow between MCIA and
Middle Sex Burrow effective March 31st 2025 to March 30th 2028. Resolution 108 2025, resolution extending the contract of police chief Matthew Dice for seven-month term through February 15, 2026. Resolution 109, 2025. Termination
of part-time Department of Public Works employee John Kessie effective March 14th, March 24th, 2025. Resolution 110, 2025, accepting the resignation of Thomas Kirkland by our sub code official effective at close of business April 8th, 2025. Resolution 111, 2025.
Resolution providing for the issuance of not to exceed 5,470,000 general obligation bonds authorized in and by the borrow of Middle Sex in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey. Resolution 112, 2022, accepting and adopting the Central Jersey Joint Insurance Funds 2025 safety
incentive program. Resolution 113 2025 authorizing the tax collector to cancel the balance of second quarter 2025 in the amount of $2,445.90 and third and fourth quarter 2025 for block 110 lot 4 resolution 114
2025 authorizing Parker engine and host company number four to hold their annual coin to us events on April 19 2025 June 7 2025 and September 13 2025 at the intersection of South Lake Avenue and Route 28. Yeah. Okay. So moved. Um we're
going to pull 109. Uh number six. Yeah. Number six. Uh resolution 109. We're going to pull that one out. Um does anyone need any of the other ones pulled? I don't. No. No. Okay. I'd like a motion to approve. Motion. Second.
Second. Any discussion? You guys good? All right. Call the RO, please. Council President Conn. Yes. Council Korn. Yes. Councilman Dino, yes. Councelor Desensza, yes. Councilman Dodie, yes. And Council Griggs, yes. All right. Well, we're going to circle back now to
resolution uh 109205. Can I have a motion? Motion. And a second. Second. All right. Uh the reason this was uh you have to recuse yourself. Okay. Uh anyone have any other discussion on this item?
Call the RO, please. Council President Connham. Yes. Councilman K. Yes. Councilman Denza, yes. Council Dino, yes. Councilman Dodie, recuse. And Councilman Grace, yes. Okay. Non-consent, please. We have resolution
115 2025. Pale flames. Motion. Motion. Second. Any discussion? Call the role, please. Council President Conn. Councilman Korn. Yes. Councilman Desa. Yes. Council Dino. Yes. Council Dodie. Yes. Councilman Greg? Yes. Okay. Very good. All right.
Let's move on to the agenda workshop items tonight. We have two chapter 80 updates for the police department. That one we kind of beat around already. Uh that's uh about moving the uh just the age ju just the age. We already had a consensus on it. So there's no need to
discuss it any further. Uh unless you guys feel the need to discuss it any further. It's just going in line with the New Jersey state they're doing. And likewise, we have the 100% exempt disabled veterans order ordinance.
Uh, basically what we're trying to do is to help everyone out as much as we can. Uh, there's no real change to that. Um, any other discussion? Anyone want to mention anything about it? Is there a problem with it or whatever? I I think
it's designating a date to start when they're going to start making them exempt from the property taxes. Yeah. Dating. It was It was just changing the It was It was like an administrative change, changing the start date of when you're declared Yeah. You know, when
you're declared disabled as a So, you can't say I'm disabled now, but I've been disabled for 27 years prior. You know, there there's a there's a finite starting point at that point. Anybody have anything else they want to add to that? So all it changes
as being a disabled veteran, this isn't going just clarifying, this isn't going to take anything away from anybody at all that is currently 100% and moving forward for people that are still entitled to their full reaching 100% in the tax. Yeah. So yeah, it's it's just
like I said, it's it's clarifying when the the start date is. Okay. All right. So the the the question on this because it's not over yet. Are we all in agreement to have an ordinance brought forward at the next meeting?
Yeah. Clarifying this. Yeah. Okay. Got it. All right. So we're good. All right. So moving down privilege of the floor on the agenda workshop items of I'd like to open the floor. Motion. Second. All right. All in
favor? I Okay. Is it does anyone have anything they want to say on these two agenda workshop items? If if so, step up to the mic. You got me worried there for a second, Frank. I saw you moving. I was just here. We go. No, just kidding.
Maybe I should take some of the things back. I said, give it a couple of months and then you go to finally. All right. Give it a couple of months. It'll be August. All right. Uh motion to close. Motion second. All in favor? I Okay, we do have
an executive session tonight. Um there there'll be no action.