This is a meeting of the township committee June 16, 2025. The notice requirements provided for in the open public meetings act have been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly given by transmission to the Asbury Park Press in the two of our times and by posting at the Middletown Township Municipal Building and filing with the
Township Clerk all on January 11th, 2025. Committeeman Clark here. Committeewoman Kratz here. Committeeman Senino here. Deputy Mayor Hibbo here. Mayor Perry here. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. At this time, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence to honor the troops serving worldwide, defending our
constitutions, freedoms, and way of life. Thank you. I'm going to ask everyone if they can just please uh stand for for a quick second. Middletown Township lost two individuals this past week. Bob Poss and
John Datillio. um two dedicated public servants to our police department, to our fire department. Um and uh their dedication to our town, to our community, uh certainly should not be forgotten uh and should certainly have
the honor of this body as we stand here today. Um with absolute respect in our hearts for their service. Thank you. Our first item on tonight's agenda, we have the administration of oath of office. At this time, I'd like to invite
Lieutenant Erica Weekes to please come forward with your family. for her family. I, Erica Weekes, I, Erica Weekes, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the
United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. and and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And that I will bear true faith And that I will bear true faith and allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same. And to the governments established and to the
governments established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people. And I do swear And I do swear to faithfully to faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all of
the duties all of the duties of lieutenant of lieutenant according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help you God. So help me God. Congratulations. My god, you Guys, sorry. She brought she ran away.
Pass it on. Oh yeah, I got stress. He wishes. Next we have a motion to sergeant. I'd like to invite Julian Reese to please come forward with your family. Who am I swearing in?
You ready? Sir, I Julian Reese I, Julian Reese, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true
faith and I will bear true faith and allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments established and to the governments established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the patient. And I do swear And I do swear
to faithfully to faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties all the duties of sergeant of sergeant according to the best of my ability. according to the best of my ability. So help you God. So help me God. Congratulations.
Congratulations, son. People Yes. Awesome. Our next promotion to Sergeant, I'd like to invite Brian Magcguire to please come forward with your family.
three steps. I, Ryan Magcguire, I, Ryan McGuire, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State
of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and I will bear true faith and allegiance and allegiance to the same to the state and to the governments established and to the governments established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the
people under the authority of the people and I do swear and I do swear to faithfully to faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties of all the duties of sergeant sergeant according
jumping ahead hands of power. According to the best of my ability. According to the best of my ability. So help you God. So help me God. Congratulations. Ready? Raven doesn't intend to get that reaction. We got
Excuse us. Who was that? Kevin Teeter. For our next promotion to sergeant, I'd like to invite Eric Vanshack, please come forward with your family. Let me hold Right.
You want to I, Eric Vanshack, I, Eric Vanshack, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true
faith I will bear true faith and allegiance allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments established in the United States. to the governments established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people. And I do swear
I do swear to faithfully faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all of the duties all of the duties of sergeant of sergeant according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God.
Congratulations I want you. Right. We're gonna have a moment. I think this lesson All right. Who's messing with the the American flag? It's funny. Let's give it up one more time.
Dismiss. At this our next presentation on tonight's agenda, we have a presentation recognizing Middletown Fire Department Community Fire Company volunteers, Richard Corbett, Corbett, sorry, excuse me, and John Parcels for 50 years of service. If
you'd like to please come forward also, the department chiefs and How many more years, guys? All right. Well, to to keep with the the the theme of public service and an
appreciation for our public servants, um it it's a special night obviously with our promotions, but one one of the greatest things that the township committee gets to do is to present a key to the city to dedicated volunteers that
serve our our town and our community. And today we have two 50y year members of our fire department. Let's give it up. Yeah. I'm just going to ask you between the two of you, who got there first?
Is that true, John, or too much? Too much. and you won't let them forget it, right? Well, you know, Community Firehouse is is is certainly a gem, a a place of of safety, a place of comfort for uh the
residents of Leonardo and the residents of Middletown. And there is no greater pillar in our community than the professionalism and the dedication of our volunteers. And to have two amazing volunteers here that have dedicated 50
years of their lives. So 55 each of you are 60. How old? Yeah. Good. Uh uh well, Bridge, on behalf of the Township Committee, this key is presented to you to you, Richard Corbett, in grateful appreciation of
your 50 years of active service to the Middletown Township Fire Department with Community Fire Company of Leonardo Station 4, given on this 16th day of June in the year 2025 on behalf of the township committee. Rich,
congratulations on your fifth year. John, equal congratulations obviously to you. I want to congratulate you and your family. You know, and this this applies to all of our first responders, but the one thing that that goes often unnoticed
and unheard is the dedication of the family when it comes to uh our volunteers. And to know that at a moment's notice, you're running out of your your home during dinner, at soccer practice, sports, whatever the case may
be. Um people are leaving their lives behind to go save the lives of others. And John, you have done that. You've done it with dignity and honor. And on behalf of the township committee and in grateful appreciation of your 50 years of service to Community Fire Company of
Leonardo Station 4, congratulations. Good evening everyone. Uh the chiefs representing the chiefs of Middletown Fire Department. We would like to thank these gentlemen um for their 50 years service. They touch so many members of the
community not only people that we serve but also new members that look up to them to learn how to do the task, to learn the right way, learn the safe way. And these two gentlemen definitely are true mentors to the new members of this department and we hope that they
continue in that service and we would like to thank once again but I I get to say it often but our fire department uh their dedication as the world's largest all volunteer fire department. Um it it is
not forgotten amongst the members of this governing body uh and members of our public that that are grateful for your support, your sacrifice and everything that you do for our community. So once again, I want to thank you. I want to thank your families. I want to thank your
departments, the department, your your fire companies because you are the the models of success and dedication to a community and your 50 years of service and this key to the city is just a small token of that appreciation. So gentlemen, congratulations and thanks for another 50 that you signed up for on
the way. Come on. Is community still illegally parked outside or no? just I Hope there's not a fire in Middletown. All right. Uh where's
All right, here we go. Lori know be critical. All right, let's give it up for I did everything I No, I'm kidding. We haven't done updates.
I said no problem. All right, Heidi. Our next presentation is for the Daughters of the American Revolution Middletown Township Chapter Youth Awards. I'd like to invite Ella Hilton, Grace Wall, and Angelie Kaiser,
and the presenters to join Mary Perry at the front of the room. Yeah, too much. I am secretary and joining me as registers. describes today as nonprofit nonp volunteer women service organization
dedicated to promoting patriotism preserving her history and securing America's future with better education for adults and children has a long history of supporting youth and good citizenship the D recognizes a
recipient and has distinguished him or herself through outstanding leadership honor courage service and patriotism this evening came here to present the awards for three young women and I will begin with
Grace and Freddy Ellie seventh grade both at Middletown Middle School 601 learned many people from her community she wanted to do something about it so
she contacted her friend Ella and they decided to build a take some pantry box. It was placed in front of the basel United Methodist Church and it's been there since 2022
the community to use it. Grace and Ella would extend their reach further. Last fall the girls were affected by images of hurricane devastation western North Carolina. The girls decided that they would organize a drive to collect non-p
perishable blankets, first aid, and supplies. Basic local just pure convenient drop sites. They learned the Lakewood Arrow Club had pilots volunteering their planes and resources to deliver the supplies to North
Carolina. Selections were overwhelming. Sister Girl Scale troops joined in the effort. Grace and Ellen helped build six fulls size vans and pickup trucks that brought the collection to Lakewood airport. The supplies were home to North
Carolina the next day. In just one week, Grace and Yel and Ella brought an idea to reality. They worked and assistance to a community they didn't know. They encouraged their fellow scouts,
other troops, their local community, and a pilot to help in those. Grace and Ella were examples of leadership, determination, and citizenship in their communities. They have drive, motivation, and heart to
always give their very best and help those Angelique Kaiser was nominated for this award by now Sergeant Rick Cruz through involvement as a police explorer in the Middletown post. She's a sophomore at Middletown High School North. Angelie is
in the marching band on the winter guard and plays softball. She participates in bottle cappers, is a member of the freshman sophomore council, concert and jazz band, triumph music honor society, and the symphonic honors band. Angelie
also volunteers with music in the parks, relay for life, and Middletown Day. She is a member of the Middletown Police Excourse, has attended CSI camp at Stockton University, and was recently accepted into the Academy of Law and
Public Safety. She was also recently promoted to the rank of sergeant within the explorer post. In her spare time, NJ loves spending time with her family on playing music, bike riding, swimming, and exploring new
places. I would be remiss to not mention her parents, Evangelene Kaiser, who's a nurse at Center State Medical Center, and her father, Alfred Kaiser Jr., who was a Middletown police explorer himself. a US Army veteran of the
Bosnian War where he served as a field medic as well as a retired police sergeant of the first symphony Troy Hills Police Department and a life member of the Port First Aid Squad and Melford member of Melford Engine Company. She's also the granddaughter of
two Vietnam veterans. The examples you have set and the values you have instilled in Angelie have led to her becoming such a remarkable young woman. Congratulations to Angelie on being presented with this welldesed citizen. young girls. service here.
You want to figure that out? Okay. All right. No, I just want to say on behalf of the township committee, congratulations to all three of these amazing young ladies. Thank you for everything that you do for for our community from from working in
our police auxiliary to to doing uh important, very important projects as part of the Girl Scouts. This is what Middletown is all about. you've proven that and we're we're so grateful to have the DAR for the American Revolution uh and the township come together and and
put a spotlight on all the great things that you're doing. So on behalf of the township committee, I want to congratulate all three of you. Keep doing what you're doing. Continue to be leaders in in our community and keep making it a better place to to live and to work and raise a family. So thank you all uh very much for everything that
you're doing. Congratulations. We'll take one one photo and then we'll get everybody. Ready? One, two, three. Awesome. All right. And we'll just take individual photos
and each one. Come right in. Perfect. Stand right there. Awesome. Congratulations. One, two, three. Congratulations. All right, let's give it enough. Wow.
All right, Heidi. Our next item on tonight's agenda, we have the approval of minutes for May 28th, 2025 regular meeting. Motion to approve minutes. Second. Committeeman Clark. Yes. Committeewoman
Kratz, yes. Committeeman Senino, yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell, yes. Mayor Perry, yes. Motion carries to approve minutes. At this time, we have public hearing on proposed ordinances. Our first ordinance 2025-3466 an ordinance authorizing lease renewal
with the Navasync Maritime Heritage Association, a non-forprofit organization for the Grover House located upon block 1016 lot 6 as shown on the tax map of the Township of Middletown, not currently required for public purposes pursuant to NJSA4A12-14
C. Any member of the public wishing to speak on public ordinance number 2025-3466? Seeing no member of the public stepping forward, move to close the public portion and approve. Second. Motion carries to pass this ordinance on second. I'm sorry, excuse me. Roll call.
Roll call. Committeeman Clark. Yes. Committeewoman Kratz. Yes. Committeeman Sbrino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibell. Yes. Mayor Perry, yes. Motion carries. pass this ordinance on second and final reading. Uh we have ordinance 2025-3467,
an ordinance amending township salary ordinance setting salaries for non-contractual employees for 2025 through 2026. Any member of the public wish to speak on public ordinance number 2025-3467. Seeing no member of the public stepping forward, move to close the public portion and approve. Second. Committ
Clark. Yes. Committ Katz. Yes. Committeeman Senbrino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. Yes. Mayor Perry. Yes. Motion carries to pass this ordinance on second and final reading. At this time, we have introduction of proposed ordinances. Our first ordinance
2025-3468, an ordinance amending chapter 240-6 of the code of the township of Middletown governing certain construction code fees to comply with existing laws, regulations, and to cover current costs. Motion to introduce. Second.
Committeeman Clark. Yes. Committeewoman Kratz. Yes. Committeeman Senino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. Yes. Mayor Perry. Yes. Motion carries to pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held July 14, 2025. Our next ordinance for introduction
2025-3469. An ordinance authorizing entry of agreement for the purchase and sale of real estate with the United Presbyterian Church of Linkraftoft for the acquisition of block 1049 lot 62 270 Everett Road for recreation and open
space preservation purposes. Uh I am I'm very proud to make a motion to introduce this ordinance and to preserve this great property uh for the purposes of open space and the use in the future and to prevent development from occurring on this lot. Motion
second it with the same excitement. Committ Clark. Yes. With the same excitement. Committeewoman Kratz. I have to say yes with maybe triple the excitement. There we go. Committeeman Senino. Um, yes. With
quadruple. Yeah. Deputy Mayor Hyal. Yes. Mayor Perry. Yes. Just because it quadrupled doesn't change the price. We're still We're still agreed upon at the Yeah, I know. Sorry. The price stays the same. Uh, my vote is yes. Okay. Uh, motion
carries to adopt uh pass this ordinance on first reading for the public hearing to be held July 14th, 2025. where I expect 30 times the excitement. Heidi, yes, I'm sorry. Very excited. Yes, very excited. Okay, thank you.
Our next ordinance for introduction, 2025-3470, an ordinance amending chapter 254-2 of the code of the township of Middletown governing local safe fire safety enforcement to comply with PL25C19.
Motion to introduce. Second. Committeeman Clark, yes. Committeewoman Katz, yes. Committeeman Senino, yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell, yes. Mayor Perry, yes. Motion carries to pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held July 14th, 2025.
Our next ordinance for introduction, we have 2025-3471, a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $1,300,000 for acquisition of property by and for the township of Middletown in the county of Mammoth, New Jersey, and authorizing
the issuance of $1,235,000 in bonds or notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation. Motion to introduce. Second. Committeeman Clark. Yes. Committeewoman Kratz. Yes. Yes. Committeeman Senino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. Yes. Mayor
Perry. Yes. Motion carries to pass this ordinance on first reading with a public hearing to be held July 14, 2025. And our final ordinance for introduction, we have 2025-3472, an ordinance establishing additional authorized street name. Before I make a
motion, I just want to make a comment quickly. Uh it was about six years ago that uh a gentleman asked me to have a resident asked me to have breakfast with him at the Molly Pitcher in and he was
talking to me about how imperative it was that the township um purchase the access the Acme access roadway um off of Middletown Linkraftoft Road. And for years Mr. Nelson here has been working
diligently to try and come to terms and as many of you know we now own that property. Um including up to the last meeting we were still purchasing small portions of of adjacent property. Um,
but that is now in the works thanks to Commissioner Director Arnon and the county commissioners uh investing uh for their portion of it uh to make this a two-way roadway to improve traffic on 520. Um that man was a Blitenberg and
this ordinance that we are introducing today adds his name to the list of authorized street names so that he can get his due uh that he has put years and years and years of dedication into um and whether that's Abee's way or
Littenberg Lane we don't know yet but Abe Littenberg certainly deserves the recognition uh along with the entire Lraftoft Village Green Association in their advocacy for acquiring this roadway. Motion to introduce. Second.
Committ Clark. Yes. Committeewoman Kratz. Yes. Committeeman Senino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. Yes. Mayor Perry. Yes. Motion carries to introduce this ordinance on first reading with public hearing to be held July 14th, 2025. Just a separate very curious if Dave
Littenberg comes to the comes to the mic uh on July 14th, 2025 for the public comment period to vote against this. I doubt it. But Abe, thank you. Appreciate everything, my friend. Mayor, Abe is one meeting away from
having having his way. Yeah, he is. Literally. Me, too. Um, all right. We have our public hearing for our open space grant, Mammoth County open space grant. um on
uh Kungl Park. Janet, I know um thank you for being here today. Um and despite the fact that we were turned down last year on this project for Kungle with regard to the Mammoth County Open Space, I'm very confident that we will uh be
successful in getting it since we had received it three years in a row and the rules say that you can't have it four years in a row. So, we took a year off and we're okay with them paying 75% of some of these land acquisitions. Right, Colleen. Okay, so uh Janet, you want to
provide your presentation on our 2025 grant application for the Punk Park improvements? Sure. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Perry, members of the township committee, and members of the public. I'm here tonight to present the proposed project for our 2025 Mammoth County Open Space Grant application and
to open the required public hearing for community feedback. The project I'm proposing focuses on Kungle Park, a muchloved recreational space in our community that's long overdue for some attention. As someone who spends a lot of time in our parks and hears from residents regularly, I know how important this park is, not just for
organized sports, but for casual play, walking, and community gathering. So, a little bit about the grant project or the grant um application. The Mammoth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program will assist municipalities by providing additional funding needed to
make park improvements in municipal parks and open space. The new grant program is funded at $6 million a year and up to $500,000 per project. Some of our past projects here are listed in 2024. We, as the mayor had
mentioned, we did apply for this last year. Some of you might recognize this slideshow presentation. Um we are again applying for the same thing. Um in 2023 we had the Bodman Park baseball program. 2022 was the McMahon Park phase 2. 2021
McMahon Park phase 1. 2020 McMahon Park phase 1 which we did not get because we had received three prior to that. 2019 was the Normandy Park Soccer Complex. 2018 Coco Park Pickle Ball which we did not get in that year. And 2017 Cudden
Hall uh playground. The slide did not hold enough space to keep going back further, but I thought that was sufficient enough. Uh, actually Joe, can you go ahead two slides, please? Perfect. Thank you. So, this uh application right here, uh, there's some there's a picture on the slide that you can reference while I'm
speaking. Um, some of the things we're talking about improving include the field improvements. Um, right now it's a 90 foot baseball field. Uh we're actually looking to do a combination 4660 and 5070 baseball softball field with or a natural grass outfield, an
open concept cover dugouts, warning track and home run fencing, new back stop, a portable baseball mound with on-site storage, scoreboard, aluminum bleachers with concrete pads. We're looking at tennis court improvements as well, which we are proposing u two new
tennis courts, two pickle ball courts, resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, new netting. Playground improvements include a brand new playground, pour in place rubber, uh new asphalt perimeter walking path. For those of you that may have been there by recently, we uh just
last year we finished resurfacing of the basketball courts which does include um four new b new backboards as well. Two of which are adjustable. Benefits of this project. Bill uh Con Park is long overdue to receive many major renovations as I mentioned earlier
to honor Bill Conungle properly with a quality baseball and softball field for youth talent to develop. If the grants received upon completion of the grant the project um we will do a proper ceremony rededicating the park in Bill Con's honor. Additional 4660 and 507
field with all the amenities which is the largest age group currently playing recreational recreational and travel baseball and softball. Renovating the playground will enhance accessibility, promote physical activity, stimulate creativity and social interaction. resurfacing tennis and adding pickle
ball to provide another facility for one of the fastest growing sports. Adding a walking path to provide the neighborhood another amenity for physical fitness as well as a fun loop to learn to ride a bike or roller skate on. As for the budget,
which did change slightly from last year, um hard cost hard costs are projected at 1,917,21. Soft cost is $200,000. Total project being $2,117,21 grant projected up to $500,000. So if we
are awarded this grant, I am requesting $1,617,21 in capital to match. Um Joe, if you could go back to the pictures uh the picture and then open up for any questions, comments. Any member of the f first just want to ask any member of the
township committee with any questions or comments for for Janet. Okay. Any member of the public wish to make a public comment? Scott Mundo to the board of ed meetings. Do you name and address or uh your name please? Okay. Scott McFersonson. I reside in in
Leonardo section of Middletown. Uh thank you for the presentation Janet. uh looks like a great um idea and improvement upon the current Conungle Park. The only thing I didn't see in there that I would like to uh suggest is uh is shade. The
area is pretty open. There's not a lot of trees in the general area of where the playground is, the baseball field. It's pretty open space. So, if there was some shade sort of structure over some picnic tables, I think that would really help bring community members into the
park. Uh, and again, I just thank you for um, you know, requesting the uh, the grant. The improvements seem great for the area. There's a lot of kids in the area, a lot of kids riding their bikes, uh, walking in the area. So, thank you. Yeah. Yeah. And you know what, it's a
good point, Scott, because in the in the skate park, there's a there's a covered uh, shade structure. So, um, so yeah, it's a it's a good idea. Thank you. Yeah. And and the reason why you brought that up, even at Cudon Hall, you know, you have the trees depending on where you are during the day though, those trees are not providing shade and
parents are sitting at those picnic tables and you're getting, you know, a lot of sun. So, thank you. Thank you. Any other member? Mark Mark Saparoski 38. I just had a question about the playground. Is it going to be an ADA accessible playground? All of our
playgrounds they're going to be gone. Good. Thank you. Any other member of the public? All right. See no member of the public stepping forward. Move to close the public portion. And Janet, let's go get a half a million dollars from the
county. Yep. Would love to. Thank you. Okay. Great. All right. Great job, Janet. Thank you. All right. Moving on. Um Heidi, consent agenda. Yes. At this time, we have a consent agenda which would include resolutions 25-201
through uh 25-224 excluding uh 25-207 for a sec separate vote. Motion to approve the consent agenda. No, it's not. Yeah, we're good. Okay. My motion still stands. Okay. Thank you. All right.
Okay. Thank you. Sorry about that. Um, Committeeman Clark, yes. Committeewoman Katz, yes. Committeeman Senino, yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell, yes. Mayor Perry, yes. Motion carries to adopt consent agenda. At this time, we have resolution 25-207,
a resolution authorizing award of contract for Woo Park site prep, demo, and asphalt through the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. Motion to approve cons uh resolution. Second. Committ Clark, yes. Committ Kratz, yes.
Committee Senino, yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell, recused. Mayor Perry, yes. Yes. Motion carries to adopt resolution 25-207 with recusal noted. All right. Township committee comments. Not yet. We have one more. Oh. Oh. Us acting as the ABC. Sorry about that.
Sorry about that. Um, we have resolution authorizing that's resolution uh 25-225 and that is a resolution authorizing the renewal of liquor licenses in the township of Middletown for the 2526 license term. Motion to approve. Second.
Committeeman Clark. Yes. Committeewoman Kratz. Yes. Committ Senino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. Yes. Mayor Perry. Yes. Motion carries to adopt resolution 25-225. Now we have township committee comments. All right. Committee woman.
Yeah. Twice. Ladies first. Um what a meeting. A big meeting. So chalk full of of so much good. It's it's really incredible. It never gets old when we promote our law enforcement. Um and it's when they take that oath. It's it's simply amazing for them to be up
here with their young families. And it's just it's it's really so wonderful. So, congratulations to our law enforcement. Also, congratulations to um both of our gentlemen receiving their 50 years of service through our fire department. What a just a testament to volunteerism
and the dedication um for our volunteers who serve our residents each and every day who as the mayor pointed out are willing to walk out of their homes and away from their families to make sure that we're all safe. So we are forever grateful for
their service. And at and the very last congratulations to our three young ladies receiving their uh their DAR awards. Just really wonderful projects that they had come up with and again just a beautiful way to not only serve
our community but also um be recognized as as young people making such a big difference. So we're we're very thankful to the three of them in addition. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Thank you, Committ. Thank you, Mayor. Um, this evening when
I uh when I got to the meeting and I saw everyone in the audience, it was a act house um standing room only. I was convinced that everyone is here for the Daughters of the American Revolution and uh then but uh but I was remiss. Um
there are um the the advancements that that we had this evening showed the dedication from the uh members of the police department to the township of Middletown and uh truly uh truly uh great to have that and to continue continue to see that advancement. With
regard to uh Rich and John for 50 years, I can only imagine what that may be. you you can't you you you can't even show that uh dedication and all I could say is thank you very much uh to the chiefs and Chief Kelly mentioned something that was that that none uh that neither one
of either Rich or John signed up for or none of the PD advancement signed up for and that was the job of mentor right Dan you mentioned that and you said now that they'll continue to be mentors for everyone before them for all the younger
generation and nobody ever signs up for that. But the best uh that the the best in class and and the uh and certainly our 50 years of service awardees tonight are truly mentors and we appreciate that. So uh so Mayor, thank you very much. We thank everyone tonight. Thank
you, Command Clark. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate it. Um first uh as the mayor started off the meeting with u uh former chief Dilio and former special officer Poss were uh both personal friends of mine and uh I I had
the opportunity to work with them in the fire department uh in particular. So uh our thoughts and prayers are with their family. I specifically had the opportunity to train uh all of John Dilio's kids at the fire academy over my career. Um, so, uh, our thoughts are
with them. Uh, for Rich and JP, um, they I've known them for the entirety of my 25 year career in the fire department, and they have been mentors. Uh, sometimes good, sometimes bad, depends on what the situation was. Um, but, uh, mentors nonetheless, and friends, and,
uh, they are guiding a newer generation and, uh, it's it's remarkable. You know, we got two chiefs sitting down here. One of them's getting close to uh 40 years or one's getting closer to 50 and and Chief Lawrence has been uh
somebody that I've worked with and looked up to for quite a few years as well and they're they're well on their way to doing the same thing. So uh um keep up the amazing work with the fire department. Uh our officers that were promoted, some of them I'm friends with, some of them I've gotten to know over the years, not as friendly, but they're
all amazing, professional, and do a terrific job. And then lastly, uh, we introduced the acquisition of the Presbyterian Church property today. And what nobody in this room, except for maybe a couple of people up here know that 41 years ago, a little Ryan Clark
walked in there in a suit uh to go to prek. And I wore that suit because someday I wanted to be president of the United States. And and it was walking into that school. And my mom has a picture of it or my mom and dad have a picture of me doing that. Um, so that property has been a part of my family
for a very long time. Uh, my grandparents were parishioners there many many many moons ago. They've since passed. Uh, and um, it's just it's neat to see it being preserved and a portion of my life uh, being preserved at the same time. So, thank you for working with us. We really appreciate it. That's
all I got, Mayor. All right. Thank you, DM. A lot of great comments tonight. Uh, great job by all. Uh I'm not going to complete uh uh repeating everything but uh the acquisitions that we we have been making the last uh the last six months
has just been been amazing. Uh and it's it's you know paving the way for a future of uh of open space here in this town. So much appreciated. I know the mayor put a lot of time on this. So thank you mayor and appreciate the county's involvement as well. Um, I got to talk about something that I uh that I
wish Tara in our public information office was here so I can talk to them straight to their face because I saw a picture on Facebook and anyone that knows me, I'm not really involved in that so much, but I saw a picture of me in a tutu a couple weeks ago. I'm sure the mayor had something to do with this.
It was a personal request. Yeah. Um, I I haven't done something like this in about 20 years. I've been trying to get myself in shape a little bit for the last 6 months and it's been it's been a challenge. So I said this year I'm going to run with my family the the tutu trot
which uh was extremely hard. I know there's a lot of people that it's three miles. It's not a big deal but uh I came in here prepared but we spent some money tonight. I can't ask Ted to cut down the road a little bit lower there. What's the name of that road again, Ted? I'm sorry. I'm drawing a blank right now. Uh
no Rhuland. Oh boy. I couldn't make it up that hill, but uh I just want It was uphill both ways in the snow. It was a hill. It was a hill. It was for sure a hill. But uh I I just want to thank the Gorsinger family, Andrea especially. Uh there was
a thousand runners that day. That's that's a big deal to get that many people out for a great cause. So um just an amazing job. She's done it. This is the fourth year, I believe, mayor. Is that right? It's got to be. Yeah, fourth or maybe fifth year. But uh I I will be trying to run it again. Uh hopefully I
can continue the whole thing. I had to stop up that hill because I was checking out some garbage cans and stuff in town, but uh uh but I uh I'm gonna do it again. So, Mayor, that's all I have tonight. Deputy mayor, congratulations on finishing your your your 5K the other
day on the two shot raising money for for pediatric cancer. So, congratulations, pal. Congratulations. Um uh again, a lot of great comments at the Link Presbyterian Church. Thank you so much. Thanks for preserving that land. Really, really appreciate it. It's going
to be a great use and and the fact that it's going to have future use, educating our kids, uh having having young families come there, um seeing the soccer that that's occurring right across at West Front Street uh Park. Um
that that's the Middletown that that we're looking to to keep. That's the Middletown that we're looking to preserve. Uh, I want to thank Commissioner Director Arnon and and Commissioner Litra for agreeing um to help fund this project 75%. So, the
township is spending 25% um just like we did for Modern Day uh and and and coming in with the 75% from the county. It's a win for everybody. It's a win for Lingraftoft. It's a win for Middletown. It's a win for everybody that believes that a property like that should be
preserved. So again, thank you to everybody at the at the Lingra Presbyterian Church. This conversation actually started. I had called Judy Musa and asked if Judy could connect me with whoever we were we were sitting in in in Tara's office, Tony and I, trying to get
in touch with Judy to try and uh get all the players together. And um rather than that church being knocked down and that history being um soon forgotten after uh it'll be preserved forever in future generations and you know perhaps a
future president of the United States might walk into the into there. I'm not saying you're not eligible, Ry. I'm just um age thing. Yeah, he he's got the age thing. Um All right. Easy, boys. Um, so thank you
again. Thank you. Um, to my friend Abe Littenberg, thank you my friend to the Linkra Village Green um to to seeing the the speed reductions done on 520 to seeing um that Acme Access Road um be done. It's a group effort. It's a
collaborative effort. I know Abe hates the fact that um that you know the focus was on him the other day because Melanie, Mary, uh Lori, um every single person that's involved in the LRA Village Green has been great to me. Um
we haven't agreed on every single thing, but the fact that we've agreed on more things than we've disagreed on is what makes the conversations that happen in this room upstairs in my office worthwhile. And that that's how government should really work and I want
to thank all of you because you all deserve a lot of credit on on getting all that done. So thank you all very much and Abe congratulations to you. Um, today we we, you know, put a spotlight on on our volunteers that have served 50 years of service. And today I just
wanted to make a a point that um we authorized the first volunteer incentive program dispersement today authorizing funds to be given to those who dedicate themselves to our volunteer fire department, our volunteer EMS, and
that property tax payment um that has been approved by the commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs in the state of New Jersey has been dispersed. So on our volunteers that leave in the middle of the night that miss those soccer games
that that do the things that many people do not think about are getting property tax relief today because of the efforts of this governing body and because of of a grateful town that is able to help them in just a little way. So I want to thank this governing body for getting
that done. I want to thank them because when we stood at Navasync firehouse uh in September of last year, a lot of people had a lot of doubts that we were ever going to be able to get this done. The state was going to come in and stop us, that people were going to going to say that this was unfair. Not one of
those things occurred. The state was a great partner. And for me to say that sitting here, you all know me, I tend to yell about them a lot, but they were a great partner in this. And I want to thank Commissioner Suarez, the the commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs for her partnership,
the local government services office, um, for everything that they did, and to all of our professionals here that made that happen. Today's a great day for our volunteers, and we thank them for that. So, thank you. Um, two other things I just want to point to, and Janet is um,
and Ted play a big role in both of them. Today we awarded the the bid for the Murray Farm, the barn roof. Um, and as we head to America's 250th birthday next year, a site that was once a site that
was once listed as one of the most endangered Revolutionary War sites in the state of New Jersey is now able to be preserved and there for future generations of Americans to come and explore. and to see all the efforts that
have have happened at the the house itself and now the barn to have one of the last remaining few Revolutionary War barns in the state of New Jersey preserved for future generations is a big win for this town. Um and to Janet
and her team to Ted and his u to everybody that was a part of this um that's a big win. our our train and gutter grant Heidi that I know that she had worked on, Tony had worked on uh Ted um at the original train station where
we have now we now have our Middletown Historical Society is there with their historic artifacts um the efforts to now repair that building and preserve it for future generations. I started off with this theme about that's the Middletown we want to preserve. This is the
Middletown we want to preserve. This is the history we want to preserve and this governing body is making it happen with our professionals and with our elected officials and with the and most importantly with the public. So I want to thank everyone in the winds that we have seen just here at this single
meeting that we have been able to vote on and affect that that that great change all throughout our town. So to everybody I want to thank you. With that being said I'll open it up for public comment. Any member of the public wishing to make a public comment may do so. ask that you state your name for the
record and that you keep your comments to five minutes. At four minutes, I'll let you know that you have one minute remaining. Honest Abe honest. Uh I so enjoy coming to these meetings
uh and and the focus on positive things and I think that uh the people who are not being recognized and appreciated uh enough is is this group, this committee uh township uh committee. Uh, we have
been working hard to try to get Linkraftoft safer and uh, you listen. And I was really I was amazed when I came off the Parkway and I saw the signs, the big flashing signs, new speed limit. And then all of the uh, signs
that said 35 mile per hour and under the words it said new. And uh all I got to say is that uh with all that you do, all the things you just mentioned, uh you all deserve uh all of our appreciation. So, thank you all very much. Thank you
very much, A. Appreciate this. John, come on down. How you doing, John? Good. How are you? Good. John Spinelli, 911 Burlington. I'll be quick because I got to run to Whole Foods before they close. Are they closing? Uh nine o'clock. So, Oh, okay. Um I just had a question. You mentioned
the uh vison. I just had a question about uh the the volunteer give back program. U was there any update with um if you could register with the free parking with the commuter
lot like the train station? We actually did an ordinance uh for that not too long ago and as long as you're a volunteer on our approved list. Um then we have free parking permits for the main lot. Okay. I'm I'm an active member
of Leonardo, so I was just wondering if I could come on in tomorrow. We'll get you a tag. Yep. Sounds good. All right. U the other thing I want you pick me up when I need to get on the train now because I don't I don't qualify for one of these tags. Why not? Perfect. Uh the other question I had was um I had a
proposal kind of uh kind of based similar to the Vanzant um road sign. Yeah. Um I wanted to bring it up to the township committee. I know obviously not they're not Middletown residents, but similar to other towns how how they have honored these two people. Um I want to
ask if we can maybe put up a sign in for uh John F. Kennedy and MLK. Um, and reach out to someone like the Knights of Columbus or the um, American Legion and see if they would be interested in sponsoring like putting up like a sign on Main Street or Middletown Link. I
don't know if Miltown link cross road is a county road or a township road, but kind of like adding a sign to one of the the main roads here in town. Got it. It's a good idea. We'll have to we'll discuss and consider. Sounds good. All right, take care. Go grab your your Whole Foods order. See you, John. Thank
you. Any Yes, ma'am. Come on down. How are you today? I'm Ashley Stud. I agree. Great, great meeting. Uh, I'm here. I emailed you like three hours ago, so I gave you absolutely no notice. Um, but uh I was out I I saw it come through. I was Today
was the No Limits Cafe charity golf outing, so I was out there supporting them today. Yeah. us. Um, I'm just trying to understand where we are with are you still willing to help pay for the class three officers? My
understanding from Dr. Alone, the superintendent, was that that was taken off the table by you. Um, but which I said was not true then and I'll say it's not true today. Okay. Okay. It was It was turned off by Sorry, Siri. Three
days prior to um their meeting, okay, was when they reached out. Three days, I'm sorry, three days prior to our budget introduction was when a a follow-up was done and uh with no request for uh any type of follow-up
after the meeting in which they pretty much said no to the offer that the township had put forth. So potentially at a future shared services meeting, it can always it can always come up. Anyone can from either committee can always put something on the agenda. I I'll never
not discuss something. Okay. Good. Well, we'll I'll keep asking. All right. Thank you so much. You got it. No problem. Any other member of the public? All right. See no other member of the public stepping forward, move to close the public portion and adjourn.
Second. Yes. Committee woman Kratz. Yes. Committeeman Senino. Yes. Deputy Mayor Hibbell. Yes. Mayor Perry. Yes. Motion carries to adjourn. Have a great night everybody. Thank you all so much.